Last Updated on: 19th December 2024, 04:46 am
Ankara is definitely worth visiting. It may not have Istanbul’s fame or glamour, but Ankara has a quieter, more genuine ambience. As a solo female traveller, I felt totally comfortable walking around, using public transportation and exploring by myself.
I spent a week house-sitting there for two adorable cats, and despite everyone warning me that I would probably get bored in Ankara, I found myself really loving it.
The city has a unique charm, blending modernity with deep historical roots. I discovered fantastic museums like the Rahmi M. Koc Museum, wandered around historic neighbourhoods like Samanpazari, and found fantastic cafes and traditional Turkish restaurants.
Here’s A List Of My 20 Must-do Things To Do In Ankara.
1. Anıtkabir
A monumental tribute to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey, Anıtkabir is a must-visit for its historical importance.
And if you time it right, you might also see the Changing of the Guard. When I was there, it happened at 1:20 pm.
While you are visiting Anitkabir, don’t miss the excellent museum beneath the mausoleum, which showcases Atatürk’s personal items and the history of the Turkish War of Independence.
The museum is free to enter. You can pick up an audio guide at the entrance for a small fee, but there is plenty of signage in the museum with an English explanation.
The museum is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm.
2. Ankara Castle (Ankara Kalesi)
Ankara Castle is probably the most touristy part of Ankara, but it’s fun to explore. The castle is located on top of Ulus Hill. Built by the Phrygians and renovated by Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans, it offers terrific views of Ankara. Climbing the castle walls is free.
When you first enter, you will see many shops selling the usual tourist tat, but wander off the Main Street, and it’s quite lovely. There is a lot of renovation going on, though.
But it was interesting to wander through the citadel’s historic streets, filled with Ottoman-era houses, quaint shops, and art galleries, and realise that people still lived there.
3 Rahmi M. Koç Industrial Museum
Located a few meters from the world-famous Ankara Castle, the Rahmi M. Koc Museum is home to an extensive collection of interesting exhibits related to transport and communication.
The Rahmi M. Koç Industrial Museum in Ankara is in a fantastic, renovated building. The museum has vintage machinery, classic cars, old trains, and even planes. You can explore the history behind transportation, communication, and manufacturing in Turkey through interactive exhibits that bring the past to life.
The museum is open every day except Mondays. Check their website here for opening hours and ticket prices.
4 The Museum of Anatolian Civilisations
The award-winning Museum of Anatolian Civilizations is not too far from the castle and the Rahmi M. Koç Industrial Museum.
The museum houses an impressive collection of over 200,000 artefacts from the many civilisations that called Anatolia home. Its exhibits span a vast timeline, from prehistoric eras to the early days of the Ottoman Empire.
I recommend spending at least one hour in the museum. Then, if you want, you can walk to Ankara Castle in about ten minutes. Or, better to avoid walking uphill, do it in reverse; then, you will walk down to the museum. There are already enough hills to contend with in Ankara, so you will always get a complete workout.
There’s also a nice garden in front of the museum, with plenty of seating.
The museum is open every day and costs 12 euros to enter.
5 . Samanpazari Old Quarter
Samanpazari was my favourite neighbourhood to stroll around. It’s a lovely old neighbourhood full of character, with small shops selling traditional handicrafts, copperware, and textiles.
This old quarter runs downhill south of Ankara Castle in Ankara. As well as the previously mentioned museums, it’s home to ancient mosques, historic buildings, and shops selling crafts, handwoven rugs, and antiques. Samanpazarı is an excellent place to explore after visiting the castle.
Lunch recommendation: Sadik Ustann Meshur Kebab. The lamb kebabs were just amazing!
6 Hamamönü Historic District
Hamamönü Historic District is a recently restored Ottoman-era neighbourhood featuring cobbled streets, traditional wooden houses, and cosy tea gardens.
For me, I found it to be a bit overrestored and soulless. Everything looked so new; it was hard to tell it was historic. But saying that, it’s still a nice place to stroll around.
7 Hacı Bayram Veli Mosque and Temple of Augustus
However, you must wander through Hamamönü to see the Hacı Bayram Veli Mosque and Temple of Augustus. There isn’t much left of the Roman temple, but it’s a unique combination of Ottoman and Roman history. These adjacent sites offer a fascinating glimpse into Ankara’s past.
A nice park is nearby, and lots of ladies are handing out sweets by the mosque with no strings attached.
8 Tunalı Hilmi Street
Tunali Hilmi Street was my local shopping area during my stay in Ankara. It is one of the city’s busiest shopping streets, but it is perfect for shopping, dining, and people-watching. It’s full of boutiques, bookshops, and trendy cafes.
Lunch Recommendation: I highly recommend trying Rumeli Restaurant for local Turkish food. It’s located just off Tunali Hilmi.
9 Kuğulu Park (Swan Park)
Located at the start or the end of Tunalı Hilmi Street, depending on where you start from, is the popular Kuğulu Park (Swan Park), known for its swans and ducks. It’s a peaceful place to take a break during your city explorations.
There is a lovely coffee shop in the park where you can relax and watch the swans.
10 Kocatepe Mosque
Kocatepe Mosque is the largest mosque in Ankara, an impressive example of modern Islamic architecture with a beautifully ornate interior.
11 Ulus Market (Ulus Hali)
I love wandering around local markets when I travel. The Ulus Markets offers fresh produce, spices, and traditional Turkish snacks. It’s an authentic experience to see locals doing their daily shopping. And do ask before taking photographs.
Lunch Recommendation: Bogazici Lokantasi
12 Atakule Tower
Ankara’s iconic 125-metre observation tower provides incredible views of the city. The tower also has a revolving restaurant and a shopping mall.
It costs 400 Turkish Lira (about €11 or $12 ) to go up the tower, but you can still enjoy impressive views from the coffee shops with outside terraces if you don’t want to pay that amount.
Next to the Atakule Tower are the Botanical Gardens.
13 Botanical Gardens
The Botanical Gardens are next door to Atakule Tower. I didn’t have a chance to explore properly, but it was lovely to see the autumnal colours of the trees from the tower.
14 Kızılay Square
The heart of Ankara, Kızılay Square, is lively and filled with shops, cafes, restaurants and a park. But I must admit, I found the shopping areas in Istanbul much better.
15 Cermodern
Cermodern is a contemporary art space in a converted railway workshop. It hosts rotating art exhibitions and cultural events and has a lovely cafe.
Check their schedule for any live music or film screenings.
16 Symphony Hall
Just across the road from Cermodern is the Symphony Hall. There were no concerts when I was there, but it does have an interesting free-to-enter museum about Ankara’s symphony orchestra.
17 Genclik Parkı (Youth Park)
Genclik Park is an urban park in the city centre with a lake, amusement rides, and colourful fountains. Spread across a vast area of 69 acres, it’s a lovely spot to take a break.
18 Roman Baths
An open-air museum: Only the basement and first floors of the baths remain. They were built in the 3rd century AD, during Emperor Caracalla’s time, to honour Asclepios, the god of medicine.
19 Atatürk’s Residence and Railway Museum
The Atatürk Residence and Railway Museum is located at Ankara Central Station. This museum is in the Ankara Railway Station building, where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk stayed during his time in Ankara while leading the Turkish War of Independence. 1964, it was converted into a museum to honour his legacy and historical contributions.
It has some impressive train models for all you train model nerds. If you’re near the train station, it’s definitely worth popping in.
It is free to enter and open daily from 9 am to 5 pm but closes for lunch between 12 and 1.
20 Çıtır Simit and Turkish Street Food
Remember to try street food as you explore Ankara. A freshly baked simit (a sesame-covered bread ring) from a street vendor is a good choice. The snack goes really well with Ayran, a yoghurt-based drink.
How to Get Around Ankara
On Foot: Many of Ankara’s attractions are within walking distance from each other, especially in areas like Ulus, Kızılay, and Tunalı Hilmi.
Public Transport: Use the metro and EGO buses with an AnkaraKart for easy and efficient travel. Alternatively, you can use your debit card to tap as you board. The buses can get very overcrowded.
Taxis: Taxis are affordable and convenient for longer distances or when public transport isn’t available. Ensure they put the meter on, but unlike Istanbul, every taxi I took did.
How Long Should I Spend In Ankara
Although I spent a week there and loved it, it was because I loved the cats that I was looking after but I would recommend two full days for visitors.
Where To Go After Ankara
From Ankara, I took the three-and-a-half-hour bus to Cappadocia. Note that when selecting a seat, you will be asked for your gender, and you will be able to see the gender of the passengers who have already chosen a seat. This allows passengers to sit next to someone of the same gender, which may provide a more comfortable experience for those who prefer it.
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