The city of Ankara is the capital of Turkey, located in the central-western part of the country. The megacity covers a huge area of 25,632 square kilometers and is the largest in the state by territory. According to data for 2022, the number of residents of Ankara exceeds 5.6 million, and this is the second largest city in Turkey and the third largest among European megacities.
General information
The city was founded in the 8th-7th centuries BC and was named Angira. Already in the 3rd century BC. e. it passes under the patronage of the Celts, but reaches its highest flourishing during the reign of the Roman Empire. Despite its distance from the sea, Ankara has gained great importance due to the main land routes that intersect in it. After the Romans, the city was ruled by the Byzantines, and in 1073 it was captured by the Seljuks, and Ankara became one of the most important cities of the Ottoman Empire.
Over the centuries, the metropolis gradually lost its significance and by the 19th century acquired a provincial appearance. However, in 1893, the construction of the Anatolian Railway began here, which connected Ankara with Istanbul, thereby returning it to the status of a significant object. With the beginning of the liberation struggle of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the city becomes the center of revolutionary forces, and with his coming to power it turns into the capital. Since 1923, the metropolis has been rapidly developing and expanding and eventually grows into one of the largest cities in Europe.
Today, Ankara is the most important commercial, industrial and cultural center of Turkey. Although it is not popular with tourists due to its distance from the coast, rare travelers visit it for the sake of exploring a variety of attractions. There are preserved ancient buildings of the Roman era, there are several interesting museums and beautiful mosques. A highly developed urban infrastructure provides all the conditions for organizing a comfortable stay. In the metropolis you will find many hotels, cafes, restaurants, night clubs and shopping centers. What to see in Ankara and what to do during your vacation in the city, we tell you below.
Interesting facts
- The city of Ankara is located at an altitude of 938 meters above sea level.
- In the capital and the surrounding area, there are many health centers with geothermal water sources, where people come for treatment and recreation.
- Since 2010, the population of Ankara has increased by more than 1.2 million people.
- Ankara was declared the capital of Turkey in 1923. Before that, the city was provincial, and in 1927 its population was only 74.5 thousand people.
- In the mausoleum of Ataturk (Anitkabir), you can not see his body, because according to Muslim traditions, the deceased must be interred.
Attractions
First of all, the sights of Ankara will tell you about its rich history, plunge you into different eras and generally expand your horizons. The greatest interest among them is caused by:
Ataturk Mausoleum (Anitkabir)
In many photos of the capital of Turkey — Ankara, you can see a strict majestic building with columns. This is nothing more than the Atatürk Mausoleum, where you will realize how much the locals love and honor their national hero. It was this political figure who brought the country out of religious darkness, gave women the right to vote, made medicine and education accessible to all segments of the population. For the tomb of the Turkish leader, a beautiful place was chosen on a high hill, which offers a breathtaking panorama of the capital. The building itself is simple, but solemn, and is also a museum. Ataturk’s remains were moved here in 1944, and today hundreds of residents come to the mausoleum every day to pay tribute to their hero. It is especially interesting to watch the changing of the guard here.
- You can visit the attraction: from November 1 to January 31 from 9: 00 to 16: 00, from February 1 to May 14 from 9: 00 to 16: 30, from May 15 to October 31 from 9: 00 to 17: 00.
- Admission is free. An audio guide is sold in front of the alley in the left tower. The price for an adult is 4 TL, for children-2 TL.
- It will take at least 2 hours to explore the entire complex.
- Адрес: Anıtkabir, Anıt Cad. Tandoğan, Çankaya, Ankara 06520, Turkey.
Museum of Anatolian Civilizations (Anadolu Medeniyetleri Muzesi)
If you are vacationing in Turkey in Ankara, then be sure to check out the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.
The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, which has been home to original works of Anatolian lands since the Paleolithic era, consists of two historical buildings. These buildings date back to the Ottoman period: the Makhmutpasha covered bazaar and the Kurshunlu Hotel. Renovated in 2014, the museum allows you to travel through history with virtual tours, animations, and replicas of T-shaped stone pillars and other Gobekli Tepe replicas.
Slowly exploring the expositions presented, you will plunge into the ancient epochs and get acquainted with the culture of the Celts, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans. All exhibitions are organized quite efficiently, excellent lighting is built, the design is thought out to the details. The rooms in the gallery follow a chronological sequence, starting from the Neolithic period and ending with the Ottoman Empire. An interactive walk through the ancient village is also available here, which is especially interesting for children.
- You can visit the attraction daily from 8: 30 to 19: 00.
- The entrance fee is 75 TL. An audio guide is available for an additional fee.
- Address: Gozcu Sokak No: 2 / Ulus, Ankara 06240, Turkey.
Rahmi M. Kok Museum Koc Museum)
This museum is a real paradise for children and men with an incredible variety of exhibits. There is a huge collection of models of ships, cars, trains, planes, bicycles, etc. The museum will tell you about how Turkey has developed over the centuries, show exhibitions about the daily life of people of different classes and present scientific inventions of different eras. In the center of the building is a fashionable restaurant, considered one of the best in the capital. The museum is located in a historic building that used to serve as a hotel. There is also a small gift shop on site.
The Rahmi M. Koch Museum was opened to the public in 1994. In 1996, it was awarded the special Council of Europe award “European Museum of the Year”.
- You can view the museum’s exhibits from Tuesday to Friday from 10: 00 to 17: 00 and on Saturday and Sunday from 10: 00 to 19: 00.
- The entrance fee for an adult is 30 TL, for students 15 TL.
- Many travelers note that it is worth allocating at least 3 hours to visit the attraction.
- Address: Necatibey Mahallesi, Depo Sokak No: 1 / Altindag, Ankara 06230, Turkey.
Haji Bayram Mosque
One of the oldest mosques in Ankara, built in the 15th century on the site of a Byzantine church, was named after the mentor of the dervishes — Haji Bayram. The building and the surrounding area have been restored in a traditional Ottoman style and are located in a beautiful landscaped square. Inside the building, the decoration of the doors is particularly impressive, which are copies of authentic products, and the originals themselves are stored in one of the museums in Ankara. Next to the mosque, you can see the ruins of an ancient pagan temple of the Roman era. Also around the building there are several cafes and shops located in restored historical buildings.
- You can visit the Haji Bayram Mosque in Ankara in the morning and afternoon.
- It is best to come to him in between prayers.
- Admission is free.
- Адрес: Hacı Bayram Mahallesi, Sarıbağ Sk. No:13, 06050 Altındağ, Анкара, Турция.
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Kocatepe Mosque
Another attraction of Ankara in Turkey is Kocatepe — the largest mosque and a constant symbol of the city. This relatively young building, built in 1987, was modeled after the famous Sultan Ahmet Mosque in Istanbul. Outside, the building impresses with its beauty and scale, and inside it impresses with an unusual crystal chandelier in the shape of a ball.
Visiting this attraction will be interesting for both connoisseurs of Islamic culture and curious travelers. It is noteworthy that despite its size, the mosque is usually sparsely populated, so here you can safely walk around and appreciate its magnificent decoration. Kojatepe looks especially beautiful in the evening, when the lights that illuminate it are turned on.
- The attraction is available for viewing in the morning and afternoon.
- Admission is free.
- When visiting the mosque, it is necessary to observe Islamic traditions in clothing: the head, hands and feet of women should be covered.
- Адрес: Kültür Mahallesi, Dr. Mediha Eldem Sk. No:67, 06420 Çankaya, Анкара, Турция.
Hamamonu District
The historic district of old Ankara is a cozy and clean place where you can take a walk and sit in a cafe with a cup of Turkish coffee. This quarter has gone through a high-quality restoration, and today you can see neat houses, well-maintained streets and attractions in perfect condition-mosques and a clock tower. Once in the Hamamonu area, you will get a complete picture of what Ankara was like a century ago. In addition to numerous cafes and restaurants, there are a variety of shops, so the quarter is considered a good place for shopping.
- You can visit the Hamamonu area in Ankara completely free of charge at any time.
- Address: Talatpasa Bulvari, Ankara, Turkey.
Ankara Citadel
Another historical corner of the capital was the city citadel. The building was built in the 7th century from stones left over from former Greek and Roman fortresses. The citadel served as a reliable defender from enemies, which is confirmed by its walls, which are up to 8 meters thick. Although the building itself is almost destroyed and has not been reconstructed, it has preserved ancient inscriptions and bas-reliefs.
The landmark is located on a hill and on its territory there are several viewing platforms, from where you can enjoy the most beautiful view of Ankara, especially after sunset. On the way up, you will be greeted by dilapidated old houses and souvenir shops. Next to the main entrance of the citadel is a Turkish restaurant, where you can enjoy oriental strong coffee in a relaxed atmosphere and enjoy panoramic views.
- This landmark of Ankara is available for viewing at any time.
- Admission is free.
- To visit the citadel, we recommend wearing comfortable sports shoes.
- Address: Kale Mh., 06240 Altindag/Ankara, Ankara 06240, Turkey.
Holidays in Ankara
Accommodation
Ankara, being the capital of Turkey, although not a tourist destination, is ready to offer a lot of accommodation options. Here you can find 3, 4 and 5 star hotels, as well as apartments. The minimum price for checking into a three-star hotel in a double room is $24 per night. On average, the cost varies between $35-55. For those who prefer apartments to hotels, apartments are available on booking, the rental price of which starts from $35 per day and ranges from $38-55.
When choosing a hotel, it is very important to pay attention to the area of accommodation. If your destination is sightseeing, then the best place to stay is in the historic Ulus quarter. The most convenient area for traveling by public transport is the Kızılay district, where the main metro lines and main bus routes intersect. In addition, there are many restaurants, inexpensive cafes and large shopping centers in Kyzyl. If you are looking for a cozy and peaceful neighborhood with an abundance of coffee shops and bars, then it is best to book a hotel in Tunali.
Food
Rest in Ankara will definitely appeal to fans of high-quality restaurants and cafes, because the choice of such establishments here corresponds to the capital’s level. There are plenty of budget options in the city for a quick snack. So, lunch in an inexpensive restaurant will cost an average of $4 per person. And for $3.5, you can have a snack in one of the fast food outlets. You will pay $15 for a three-course meal for two at a medium-sized restaurant. Below are prices for popular drinks:
- local beer 0.5 – $2,
- imported beer 0.33 – $2.5,
- a cup of cappuccino – $1.4,
- Pepsi 0.33 – $0.65,
- Water 0.33 – $0.3,
After studying the places in Ankara that received the highest rating from visitors, we noted:
- L’avare (Italian, Mediterranean and European cuisine),
- Trilye Restaurant (seafood, Turkish and European dishes),
- Pizza Il Forno,
- No4 Restaurant Bar Lounge (international cuisine),
- The Bigos-Bahcelievler (fast food),
On a note! What dishes of national Turkish cuisine are worth trying for a tourist, we tell you here.
Shopping
The capital of Turkey is replete with a variety of shopping centers, which feature both world-famous brand stores and departments with popular Turkish brands. It is worth noting that the quality of local textiles is at a high level, so we recommend buying clothes in Turkey. You should also pay attention to leather goods – shoes, bags, outerwear.
Shopping in Ankara is best carried out in proven shopping centers, where a large selection of goods of various brands is presented. Among such complexes are:
- ANKAmall Alisveris Merkezi
- Armada Shopping & Business Center
- Cepa Shopping Mall
- Kentpark Alisveris Merkezi
Weather and climate
It is best to visit the Turkish capital during the warmer months, when your holiday will not be overshadowed by cold and precipitation or heat with scorching sun rays. The most comfortable months to visit Ankara are June and September. At this time, the daytime air temperature ranges from 23-30 °C. But July and August are not very favorable months for a visit to the metropolis. During this period, the thermometer does not fall below 31 °C, and this temperature can bring real discomfort, especially if you consider that the city is located far from the sea coast.
March and April in Ankara are characterized by overcast weather, and most precipitation falls in May, so it is better not to plan a trip to the capital for these months. In winter, it is cold, it rains, and when the temperature reaches subzero levels, snow falls. You can find more detailed information about the weather in Ankara in the table below.
| Month | Average daytime temperature | Average temperature at night | Number of sunny days | Number of rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3,5 °C | -2 °C | 14 | 3 |
| february | 7,2 °C | -0,3 °C | 13 | 1 |
| March | 11,6 °C | 2,6 °C | 16 | 3 |
| april | 18,1 °C | 7,1 °C | 21 | 3 |
| May | 22,9 °C | 11,1 °C | 22 | 6 |
| June | 27,5 °C | 14,6 °C | 28 | 2 |
| July | 31,4 °C | 18,8 °C | 30 | 0 |
| august | 31 °C | 19,7 °C | 30 | 1 |
| september | 27 °C | 16,5 °C | 28 | 1 |
| october | 19 °C | 10,6 °C | 26 | 2 |
| November | 12 °C | 4,6 °C | 21 | 1 |
| december | 5,7 °C | -0,2 °C | 17 | 2 |
Public transport links
You can get to Ankara by direct international flights or by connecting flights from many European cities and capitals of the CIS countries. The nearest airport is Esenboga Airport, 28 km northeast of the center of the Turkish capital. Flights are mainly operated by the Turkish companies “Pegasus Airlines “and”Turkish Airlines”.
There are three modes of transport available for traveling between cities within the country: plane, train, and bus. The easiest and fastest way to get to Ankara is on domestic flights, which are operated daily from almost all major cities. You can view tickets from well-established carriers – “Pegasus airlines”, “Onur Air”and” Turkish airlines”.
Turkey also has a well-developed network of intercity bus routes, so it is not difficult to get to the capital from different points of the country by bus. You can get acquainted with the ticket prices and schedule on the website www.obilet.com.
Many metropolitan areas are connected to Ankara by rail, so another way to get to the city is by train. To learn more about the available routes and the cost of your trip, visit our website ebilet.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr. Here, perhaps, are all the most convenient ways to get to the city of Ankara.
