Ankara travel guide

The capital: Anıtkabir and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. Most people stay 1–2 nights. Best months: Apr, May, Sep, Oct.

Highlights

• Anıtkabir
• Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
• Ankara Castle
• Hamamönü

Things to do in Ankara

• Anıtkabir (Atatürk Mausoleum) & museum · 2.5 h · free. Free; bags are screened and behaviour is formal. The War of Independence museum is underneath the hall of honour.
• Museum of Anatolian Civilizations · 2 h · about ₹1,300 per person. Hittite, Phrygian and Neolithic finds including Çatalhöyük material; below the citadel.
• Ankara Castle (Kale) & old quarter · 1.5 h · free
• Hamamönü restored Ottoman houses · 2 h · about ₹600 per person
• Kocatepe Mosque · 0.75 h · free
• Rahmi M. Koç Museum (Çengelhan) · 1.5 h · about ₹600 per person. Industrial and transport collection in an old caravanserai below the castle; closed Mondays.
• Roman Baths & Temple of Augustus · 1.5 h · about ₹400 per person

Where to stay in Ankara

• Ulus / old town (budget, ₹2,500–₹5,000 a night): Near the citadel and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.
• Kızılay (mid, ₹5,000–₹9,500 a night): Central, on the metro, with restaurants on foot.
• Çankaya / Kavaklıdere (premium, ₹10,000–₹22,000 a night): Embassy district with upscale hotels and dining.

What to eat

• Ankara tava & simit: Ulus and Hamamönü restaurants
• Döner and lahmacun: Kızılay side streets

Getting there

• YHT high-speed train from Istanbul ~4.5h
• Ankara Esenboğa (ESB) ~30 min from the centre
• Bus to Cappadocia ~4h

Good to know

• Many museums close on Mondays.

Türkiye itineraries with Ankara

• Central Anatolia: Ankara, Konya & Cappadocia · 7 days · 7 days, Ankara → Konya → Cappadocia · from ₹72,700 per person, base estimate before flights. The capital's museums, Rumi's city by high-speed train, then Cappadocia by road via a Seljuk caravanserai.