Home to Türkiye’s governmental institutions, the capital city of Ankara contains a deeper historical and social significance to the country’s cultural inheritance than most people give it credit. Even though it is the country’s second-most populated city, it relies mostly on domestic tourism. With the number of tourists visiting Türkiye increasing each year, it is important to emphasize why this underrated city should be on your bucket list. Here are some of the foremost attractions you can visit that shows the beauty and rich culture of Ankara.
1. Anıtkabir Mausoleum
Not putting Anitkabir Mausoleum on the top of the list would be unjust to the city. It is the resting place of the founder and the first president of Türkiye, and it has attracted visitors from all over the world throughout the year since its construction in 1944. It is located in one of the most crowded districts of Ankara and occupies a great amount of space. The grand architecture of the building itself reflects the appreciation and respect the people of Türkiye remember Atatürk with. The tomb is accompanied by green gardens that expand through the Mausoleum. Upon entering, you come across The Lions’ Road, which is a 262-meter-long pedestrian walkway accompanied by sculptures of lions. At the end of the Lions’ Road, you get to the yard to the tomb, which gets heavily crowded during the bank holidays and the death date of Atatürk, the 10th of November. After visiting the tomb, you can enter the Atatürk and the War of Independence Museum built inside and learn about his importance to the nation. The museum contains reenactments of the most crucial moments of the War of Independence and paintings of important figures in Turkish history. You can also buy souvenirs from the shop close to the museum exit. The entrance to both the mausoleum and the museum is free, and it is only a 10-minute walk from the subway station, so don’t forget to visit it during your trip to Ankara.
2. Anatolian Civilizations Museum
Most people have yet to discover the rich and old history of Ankara. Along with many other museums, the Anatolian Civilizations Museum provides you with information about it with artifacts displayed from both Ankara and other parts of Türkiye. It is located in Ulus, home to many museums and historical buildings of Ankara. The two buildings that make up the museum, Kurşunlu Han and Mahmutpaşa Bedesten, are Ottoman-period historical buildings, adding to the air of the museum’s rich history. You can see artifacts from the civilizations that inhabited the Anatolian lands throughout history and even prehistoric times. The collection includes a wide variety of remnants from the Paleolithic Age to the Ottoman period. You can inspect the historical artifacts yourself or join a tour. Restored in 2014 to its current state, the Museum sheds light on the transformations the lands experienced and shows the rich history of Ankara. The museum was picked as the Museum of the Year in Europe in 1997. It is essential to understand the rich historical background of the city, which is why it should be on your destination list. The museum is open to visitors until 19:15, except for Sundays, and during that day, it closes at 18:15. The entrance fee is about 8 dollars. You can get there easily through multiple subway and bus lines.
3. Ankara Castle
Visiting Ankara Castle right after the Anatolian Civilizations Museum is easy because the the castle is located in the same area. The castle is estimated to have been constructed in the 7th century. It is accompanied by towers built at different periods by different civilizations and was used as fortification even during the Ottoman era. It was renovated multiple times throughout history, and it serves as an attraction today. You must walk uphill to get to the castle, but there are nuerous shops on the way that you may enjoy. A great view of Ankara awaits you at the top of the castle, but don’t forget to get there before its closing time, which is 8 PM. The scenery is even better at sunset. The castle is surrounded by museums, one of which is the Anatolian Civilizations Museum. Apart from that, Rahmi Koç Museum and the Museum of Words are among the nearby locations you must visit to enrich your Ankara experience. You can use the same subway and bus lines as the Anatolian Civilizations Museum.
4. Swan Park (Kuğulu Park)
Swan Park is one of the most popular places in the center of Ankara. As you can see from its title, the park gets its name from the white swans it inhabits, which were gifted by the Municipality of Vienna. The park is a regular part of the lives of people living in Ankara because it is located on a busy and no-matter-the-time active street, Tunalı Hilmi Street. It contains the most popular cafes and bars in Ankara and is frequented by the city’s younger generation. The small park, amid the rush of the city, acts as a short respite from the crowd with its cute swans and a small pond. Aside from its swans and ducks, the park is also home to 24 bird species and is also used as a meeting place by many people. It is one of the most popular landmarks of the city. You can get there either by walking from Kızılay Square, which is preferred by many and where all the subway lines of Ankara connect, or by a 5-minute bus ride from Kızılay.
5. Atakule Tower
The name “Atakule” is the combination of the words “father” or “ancestor” and “tower,” and it was constructed in 1989 as a communications and observation tower. Its 125-meter-high body and central position in the district Çankaya make for an excellent view of Ankara. The top of the tower is shaped like a globe, and inside, there are restaurants that you can enjoy, including a revolving restaurant that rotates as you dine. You can take in the panoramic view while refreshing yourself with a fancy cocktail and a quality dinner. A shopping mall occupies the lower parts of the tower. Occasional activities keep the tower busier, so you might run into an art exhibition if you are lucky. The tower also has a park, and Segmenler Park is within only a 5-minute walk. The tower is considered the symbol of Ankara and is featured as an emblem of the city. You can get there via the subway or the bus that stops right in front of the tower.
6. Eymir Lake
Eymir Lake is the perfect place to escape the city’s hectic pace and enjoy the natural beauties of Ankara. Situated approximately 20 kilometers away from the city center, the lake welcomes visitors with tranquility and offers you the opportunity to take a break from all the noise of the city. There is no bus directly to the lake, so you can take the bus to the Gölbaşı district and take a 5-minute taxi ride from there. Driving is also an option. Swimming in the lake and camping are prohibited for safety and conservatory reasons. You can hike, ride a bike, have a picnic, or dine at the beautiful restaurants that encapsulate the beauty of the lake. There are also informative tours that occur sometimes about the lake that you can join. If you are someone who likes to meditate or do yoga, Eymir Lake is the perfect place to bring your mat and stretch with the sound of nature. Birdwatching is another activity you can do in the area because the lake is home to many bird species. But come prepared in winter, because despite the lake being beautiful no matter the season, the temperature gets very cold in the winter.
7. Beypazarı
Take a different turn during your visit to Ankara and go to Beypazarı. Despite its being a bit far, buses arrive from both the city center and the Ankara Bus Station every 30 minutes to get you there. The historical houses in the area are the landmarks of the district. While the ground floor of the houses are made from stone, the first and second floors are made of wood, giving the buildings a distinct aura. The district is also renowned for its mineral water, which is one of the most popular mineral water brands of Türkiye. You can visit the factory there and learn about the brand’s production process. The historical bazaar of Beypazarı gives you the chance to enjoy the traditional artisanship and taste the local dishes of the native culture. The Living Museum of Beypazarı should be another visit in your Beypazarı experience. You can learn more about the history of the district while doing fun activities like paper marbling and molybdomancy in the museum. Suluhan, the most popular historical inn of Beypazarı, is your next stop. The two-story inn constructed in the Ottoman period provides you with a journey in time and shops where you can enjoy your Turkish coffee and buy souvenirs. From there, you can go to the Hıdırlık Hill and enjoy the splendid view of Beypazarı. The district is also suitable for trekking and camping because of its abundance of natural beauty.
Conclusion
With lots of destinations and activities to do, Ankara remains one of Türkiye’s most important and underappreciated cities to visit. The capital city combines the historical layer of the region and the modern culture of the country and provides you with a rich variety of enjoyments. So don’t forget to add Ankara to your bucket list and visit this beautiful city when you come to Türkiye.