Ankara Travel Guide: What to See in Turkey's Capital

7 min read · Published: September 2, 2023 · Updated: October 29, 2026 · Prices and details checked: October 2026

Ankara is worth one or two days if you want to understand how modern Turkey began. The city became the capital in 1923, and its best sights explain the republic on one hand and Anatolia’s much older past on the other. It is a working government city rather than a resort, which is exactly why it feels so different from Istanbul.

Key takeaways

Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, is the one sight you should not skip. Plan a morning for it, including the museum under the terrace.
The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations covers Neolithic Çatalhöyük, the Hittites and the Phrygians in a restored Ottoman bazaar building.
The castle quarter around Hisar and Ulus is the old town: steep lanes, timber houses and city views.
The high-speed train (YHT) from Istanbul is the easiest way to arrive, and Esenboğa Airport handles flights.
One full day covers the highlights if you start early and use the metro for the longer hops.

Table of contents

Why visit Ankara and who is it for?
What is Anıtkabir and how should you visit it?
What will you see at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations?
What is there to see in the castle quarter and Ulus?
Is the Kocatepe Mosque worth the detour?
What about culture, food and evenings?
How do you get to Ankara and around the city?
FAQ

Why visit Ankara and who is it for?

Ankara suits travellers who like history and museums and who want a calm break from the coast. If you are after beaches or nightlife, choose another region. If you are building a longer trip, it fits well between Istanbul and Cappadocia, and our cultural route through Turkey shows how the stops connect.

The city spreads over several hills, so sights are far apart. Ulus and the castle lie in the old centre, Kocatepe sits in the modern Kızılay area, and Anıtkabir is on its own hill to the west. Think in three clusters and you will not waste time.

Soldier statue with crescent and star monument on rocks

What is Anıtkabir and how should you visit it?

Anıtkabir is the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Turkish Republic, and the most important national monument in the country. It was built over roughly a decade and finished in 1953, when his remains were moved here.

Wall relief and stairs at the Atatürk Mausoleum in Ankara — Atatürk Mausoleum in Ankara

You approach along a processional avenue lined with stone lions, cross a large ceremonial square and reach the hall of honour with the tomb. Below the terrace, a museum shows Atatürk’s personal belongings, gifts and exhibits on the War of Independence. Allow two to three hours for the whole site.

Practical points:

Expect a security check at the entrance, so bring photo ID and leave large bags behind.
Dress respectfully and keep your voice low. This is a place of national mourning for many Turks, not only a tourist sight.
Check the current opening hours and guard ceremony times on the official Anıtkabir website before you go, as they change by season and on public holidays.

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What will you see at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations?

The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations is the best archaeological museum in Turkey for a first visit, because it arranges its collection in chronological order from the Palaeolithic to the classical period. It occupies a restored 15th century Ottoman covered market (bedesten) and an adjoining caravanserai in the castle quarter.

The highlights are finds from Çatalhöyük, one of the oldest known settlements in the world, as well as Hittite reliefs, tablets and bronze objects. Look for the sun disc, a Hittite symbol that the city has adopted as an emblem. The Phrygian rooms bring together objects from the burial mounds at Gordion, and later halls cover Urartu, Lydia and the Roman period.

Two hours is enough for the main route. Ticket prices and opening days are set by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, so check the official museum page at muze.gov.tr on the day. The Museum Pass Türkiye, valid for 15 days from the first entry and covering more than 300 museums, pays off if you also plan Cappadocia or Ephesus.

What is there to see in the castle quarter and Ulus?

The castle quarter is where Ankara’s old town survives, and it is the best place for a slow walk. The citadel walls go back to Roman and Byzantine times and were repaired many times later. From the ramparts you see the whole city spread across the hills, which helps you grasp the geography.

Inside the walls, narrow streets climb between old houses, small shops selling copper, carpets and leather, and cafés in restored buildings. Walk down from the castle towards Ulus, the former centre of the young republic. In this area you will find Roman remains, including the Temple of Augustus and Rome, whose walls carry an ancient inscription, and the bath complex.

Illuminated mosque with minarets under purple evening sky

A short walk away, Hamamönü is a restored lane of Ottoman houses with tea gardens, craft shops and small restaurants. It is a good spot for lunch or an evening stroll, and it shows the older, more relaxed side of the city.

Is the Kocatepe Mosque worth the detour?

Yes, if you are in Kızılay anyway. Kocatepe is the largest mosque in Ankara, completed in 1987 in the style of the classical Ottoman mosques, with a large central dome and four tall minarets. The scale of the courtyard and prayer hall is the main attraction.

Kocatepe Mosque and its minarets in Ankara — Kocatepe Mosque in central Ankara

Visitors are welcome outside prayer times. Cover your shoulders and knees, women should bring a headscarf, and you remove your shoes at the door. Friday midday prayer is the busiest time, so avoid it.

What about culture, food and evenings?

Ankara has a stronger cultural scene than its reputation suggests, because the capital is home to the State Opera and Ballet, orchestras, theatres and many university events. Check local listings during your stay, as programmes change throughout the season.

For food, go for plain Turkish dishes done well: kebabs, pide, lahmacun, stuffed vegetables and the soups that locals eat at lunch. Neighbourhood lokantas near the government quarter are good value and busy at midday. Avoid restaurants right at the main sights, which mostly cater to groups. Finish with Turkish tea or coffee, and try the sweets sold in the old town.

For accommodation, stay in Kızılay or Çankaya if you want metro access and restaurants nearby. Stay around Ulus if you prefer the old town and plan to walk. Book ahead during conference weeks and national holidays, when business travel fills the hotels.

How do you get to Ankara and around the city?

The fastest ground link is the high-speed YHT train from Istanbul, which is more comfortable than the bus and avoids traffic at both ends. Book tickets on the official TCDD Taşımacılık website. If you are starting in Istanbul, our Istanbul guide covers what to see before you leave.

By air, Esenboğa Airport serves Ankara and has direct connections with Istanbul and other Turkish cities. Airport buses and taxis run to the centre.

In the city, the metro links the main districts, including Kızılay and Ulus, and buses cover the rest. Use a rechargeable transport card instead of cash. Taxis are useful for Anıtkabir and for the evening, but agree on using the meter before you set off.

FAQ

How many days do you need in Ankara?

One full day covers Anıtkabir, the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and the castle quarter if you start early. Two days let you add Kocatepe, Hamamönü and a slower lunch. A third day is only useful as a base for excursions.

Is Ankara safe for tourists?

Ankara is generally calm and the main sights are policed. Normal city precautions apply: watch your bag on crowded buses and avoid carrying everything in one pocket. Before you travel, check the current advice from your own foreign ministry.

When is the best time to visit Ankara?

Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for walking between the sights. Summer can be hot and dry in the middle of the day, and winters are cold with occasional snow. Plan outdoor sights like the castle and Anıtkabir for the morning in summer.

Is Ankara worth visiting compared with Istanbul?

They offer different things. Istanbul gives you the Ottoman and Byzantine skyline, while Ankara gives you the republic’s story and the best collection on Anatolian prehistory. Many visitors combine both on the way to Cappadocia.

Do you need to dress in a particular way?

For mosques, cover shoulders and knees and remove your shoes. Anıtkabir also calls for respectful clothing. Otherwise, everyday casual clothes are fine in the city.

If you would like help combining Ankara with Istanbul, Cappadocia or a coastal stay, you can ask our team about flights, trains and hotels via Travelissimo booking.