Even being the capital of Turkey, Ankara is still one of the most underappreciated cities. However, there is no shortage of tourist sites and places to visit in Ankara.
The city first came into the limelight in 1919 when Mustafa Kemal decided to make it the country’s capital. It was earlier known as Angora and later renamed Ankara in 1930 after the Turkish War of Independence.
The city witnessed numerous development and technological advancements over the years combining a history of more than thousands of years.
For your reference, we have picked the top 10 best places to visit in Ankara that are worth including in your travel itinerary.
10 Best Places To Visit In Ankara
Ankara Castle
Sitting at the top of Ulus district, Ankara Castle was built around the 7th century. The castle went through several reconstructions during the region of Byzantine, Roman, Seljuk, and Ottoman Empire.
Today, Ankara Castle is one of the top 10 places to visit in Ankara. It also houses various art galleries, souvenir shops, cafes, and restaurants.
Apart from this, there are a bunch of squares inside the castle used as horse markets, sheep markets, commercial sites, and spots for gathering.
Talking about its interior, there are two to three floors that were built in different eras. In addition, the castle has two mosques named the Semseddin Mosque and Alaaddin Mosque.
- Best Time To Visit: All the year around
- Visiting Hours: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Location: Kale, Altındağ
Also Read: 10 Most Iconic Historical Sites In Turkey
Gordion – Tumulus of Midas
Gordian is an archaeological site that is famous for its three components, notably the Tomb of King Midas, Gordion Museum, and the Gordion ancient city.
It is situated around 117 km away from Ankara downtown in the heart of Polatli.
This is the same place where Roman King “Alexander the great ” cut the knot of Gordion and it also served as the main residence of King Midas.
Not only for Romans, but the place is also equally important to modern Turkey. The battle of Sakarya was fought here between the Greek and Turkish armies.
The main highlight of this location is the Gordion museum which exhibits collections of artifacts from different timelines.
- Visiting Hours: 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM
- Location: Yassıhüyük
Genclik Park
Genclik Park is one of the famous amusement parks in Turkey’s capital. It is a center of attraction among visitors for its stunning water features and abundance of greenery.
The amusement comprises an open-air theatre, plenty of rides, two small trains, and a swimming pool.
During the early years of the Turkish republic, the place where the park stands were originally marshland. The marshes dried sometime in the 1940s and later the park was established in 1943.
- Best Time To Visit: March to May
- Visiting Hours: 24 Hours
- Price: 0.25 Tl
Haci Bayram i-Veli Cami
Built in the 17th century, Haci Bayram Mosque is among the most prominent historical places in Ankara. Its structure represents the architectural design of the 17th and 18th centuries.
The mosque is also the final resting place of famous Turkish poet Haci Bayram i-Veli, after whom it is named.
The structure of this Cami may seem ordinary from the outside, but as soon as you enter the prayer hall it will leave you awestruck.
- Visiting Hours: 24 Hours
- Location: Hacı Bayram, Sarıbağ, Altındağ
Also Read: 10 Most Beautiful Mosques In Turkey That Are Not To Be Missed
Atacule
Atacule is an observation tower with a massive height of 410 feet. The name Atacule is derived from terms related to Turkish independence, the word Ata means ancestor in Turkey while Kule means a tower.
Being the tallest structure in the city, the towers offer a breathtaking aerial view of the entire Ankara.
There is a restaurant “Sevilla” at the top of the tower offering a variety of cuisine including traditional and international food. Just above the Sevilla restaurant, there is one more restaurant named Dome alongside UFO cafe.
- Visiting Hours: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Location: Çankaya
Kizilay
Also known as the heart of Turkey, Kizilay is one of the liveliest places in the city of Ankara. There are no historical landmarks in Kizilay nor any tourist sites.
It is one of the ideal places to visit in Ankara to click on good pictures.
Kizilay is surrounded by a range of shops where you can find plenty of things to buy at a reasonable rate.
If you want to experience the true metropolitan life of Ankara, then Kizilay is a place not to be missed.
- Main Highlights:
-Ataturk Boulevard
-Guven Park
-Selanik Street
- Visiting Hours: 24 Hours
- Price: Not Required
- Location: Çankaya
Eymir Lake
Eymir Lake is a perfect location to escape from the hustle-bustle of Ankara’s city life. Encompassed by numerous natural wonders, Emir Lake is not less than a paradise on Earth.
The lake is situated in a natural park and is usually surrounded by locals who come here for jogging or cycling. Besides this, Eymir Lake is quite popular for bird watching with a diverse range of bird species.
Don’t forget to check out the park’s sports club which organizes daily boat tours in Eymir Lake.
There is a restaurant too, that host’s bonfire sitting during winters and also offers lakeside dining in the summers.
- Visiting Hours: Any time
Melike Hatun Cami
The mosque carries the name of Melike Hatun, also known as “Sultan hatun” who lived around the 14th century. Melike Hatun was loved and admired by the people who lived during that time.
It can accommodate up to 7,000 worshipers at once. It is yet another mosque that was built by the great Ottoman Empire.
The architecture was designed by Muharram Hilmi Senalp, who designed the structure of the Tokyo Mosque. The interior is highly admired by visitors with Iznik tiles having the major contribution.
- Visiting Hours: 24 Hours
- Price: Not Required
- Location: Anafartalar, Atatürk Blv
Ataturk Mausoleum
Here lies the father of modern Turkey “Mustafa Kemal”, also referred to as Ataturk. Though, Ataturk’s tomb can not be accessible as it lies in an underground chamber.
However, the Hall of Honor is open for visitors and comprises Mustafa Kemal’s symbolic monument.
There is a museum named Anitkabir Museum of Ataturk situated under the Hall of Honor. The museum has 4 sections that exhibit his personal belongings, paintings, galleries, and some books written on Mustafa Kemal.
The mausoleum holds so much resemblance to the famous temple of Athens “Athenian Acropolis”.
- Visiting Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Price: Not Required
- Location: Yücetepe, Akdeniz
Ankara Airforce museum
The Ankara Airforce Museum was established by the TUAF and opened to the public in September 1998. It spans up to an area of 2000 square meters and exhibits a collection of airplanes, helicopters, and other MIG planes in an open-air space.
The museum showcases the glorious history of Turkish aviation and has collections of photographs, documents of Turkish Airlines, and some artifacts.
The main hall displays several medals, Turkish Air Force Uniforms, and certificates. Outside the museum, there is a garden where some of the popular Turkish aircraft have been put on display.
- Visiting Hours: 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM
- Price: Not Required
- Location: Doganbey