Things to Do in Ankara (182)

Ankara Travel Guide

Turkey's capital deserves more than a brief government stopover. Ankara sits on the Anatolian plateau, where ancient civilizations left their mark long before modern ministries claimed the hillsides. The city combines political gravitas with archaeological treasures, from Hittite artifacts to Roman temples. While Istanbul captures headlines, Ankara quietly preserves some of Turkey's most significant cultural heritage across 182 registered sites.

The Citadel crowns the old quarter, its Byzantine and Ottoman walls enclosing narrow streets where traditional houses lean against ancient stones. Below, the Roman Theatre of Ancyra reminds visitors that this was once a thriving provincial capital. Ulus, the historic commercial heart, spreads around the citadel's base with republican-era buildings and covered bazaars. Kızılay serves as the modern center, while Çankaya houses embassies and upscale neighborhoods.

Museums here rival any in Turkey. The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations transforms a 15th-century bedesten into a journey through millennia, displaying Hittite reliefs and Phrygian artifacts that shaped Anatolia's story. Anıtkabir, Atatürk's monumental mausoleum, combines memorial architecture with exhibits chronicling the republic's founding. The Ethnography Museum showcases Ottoman crafts and folk traditions in a beautifully restored building.

Archaeological sites punctuate the urban landscape. The Temple of Augustus preserves the Res Gestae, Augustus's own account of his achievements carved in Latin and Greek. Roman baths emerge beneath modern streets, while the Column of Julian marks the emperor's visit. These ruins integrate seamlessly with daily life, creating an open-air museum where commuters pass ancient stones.

Spring and autumn provide ideal weather for exploring. Summers bring intense heat to the plateau, while winters can be harsh with snow covering the citadel. The metro connects major sites efficiently, though walking the old quarter's steep alleys requires good shoes. Dolmuş minibuses fill gaps in public transport, and taxis remain affordable for longer distances across the sprawling city.

Start early at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations before crowds arrive. Walk uphill to explore the Citadel's ramparts and traditional houses, then descend to examine the Temple of Augustus ruins. Lunch in Ulus before taking the metro to Anıtkabir for the afternoon. End at one of Kızılay's rooftop restaurants, watching sunset paint the distant mountains while the city's lights begin twinkling below the ancient fortress walls.