Tourist Attractions in Ankara

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Ankara

Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps

About Ankara

The city is located on a territory that in the past belonged to different empires. The architecture is partly reminiscent of Byzantine and Roman times. Ankara is second to Istanbul in terms of population, but every year it is catching up with the former Ottoman capital in terms of culture and tourist opportunities.

Ankara received its present status only in the 20s of the last century. That’s when it started to sprawl and change. Some districts, such as Hamamonu, have been completely rebuilt and modernised. At the same time, old mosques were preserved and caravanserais were given to museum collections. The Rahmi M. Koç Polytechnic Museum was also built according to this principle. New buildings also appear in Ankara. So the presidential palace was erected in 2014, and the residence became one of the largest in the world.

Top-20 Tourist Attractions in Ankara

Anıtkabir

 4.9/5

116172 reviews

The tomb of Ataturk, the first president of Turkey. The construction was carried out from 1944 to 1953. The area of the complex is about 750 thousand m². On its territory there are many objects, including the Peace Park, the Lions Road, the Hall of Fame and the Ceremonial Square. Ottoman and Seljuk motifs were used in the design and decoration. A large collection of cars belonging to Ataturk is also available for viewing.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Ankara Castle

 4.4/5

17740 reviews

One of the city’s main landmarks. Also known as the “Citadel of Hizar”. Its elevated location allows you to see the impressive size of the structure from different parts of Ankara. The structure is a fortress surrounded by two levels of walls. They were erected in the VI and IX centuries. Only a few of the 20 towers have survived. Tourists are allowed to climb the eastern one to see the surroundings.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Presidential Complex of Turkey

 3.9/5

1113 reviews

The official residence of the Turkish leader. It is one of the largest of its kind in the world. It was commissioned in 2014. The first guest of the palace is Pope Francis. In addition to the main three-storey building on the territory there are two more, performing auxiliary functions. They are equipped with the latest technology and all belong to the Art Nouveau architectural style.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Tarihi Karacabey Hamami

 4.1/5

588 reviews

It is located in the central part of the Old Town. After a series of restorations, Hamamonu has largely become a pedestrianised area. About 250 objects have been rebuilt. The traditional Turkish architecture has been preserved, while many modern shops and recreational facilities have been added. On major public and religious holidays, the area is transformed and hosts various events.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM

Kizilay

 4.3/5

645 reviews

The central square of the city. It is surrounded by modern buildings: universities, shops, offices, restaurants. Transport routes converge here, so the square is easily accessible from any part of Ankara. Entertainment is within walking distance, including cinemas and exhibition halls. Kizilay has repeatedly been the site of protests and major New Year’s Eve events.

Open time

Kocatepe Mosque

 4.7/5

11943 reviews

It was built for almost two decades, starting in 1967. The architect Hüsrev Tayla was the author of the project. Originally a modern building was conceived, but in the course of the works the classical style was favoured. There are four minarets along the perimeter. The height of each minaret is 88 metres. The area of the whole complex is more than 4200 m². Inside, the walls and floor are decorated with marble, and the interior is highlighted by impressive crystal chandeliers.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Haci Bayram Mosque

 4.8/5

18790 reviews

The oldest of the mosques in the city. It was built in the Seljuk style. There are no other precise data about the time of its construction. Presumably, services here began to be held in 1428. It bears the name of a famous philosopher and poet. He was at the origin of one of Muslim currents. Followers of Haji-Bayram helped the needy and were engaged in enlightenment in questions of religion. The mosque was built for the needs of this doctrine.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Aslanhane Mosque

 4.9/5

535 reviews

It was built on the site of a Roman temple. In the design of the mosque one can notice details from Byzantine decor. In addition, the supporting structures remain from past buildings and also give away the continuity of styles. The preserved details of the interior show that in the past the mosque was richly decorated. Although not much of this splendour remains, services are still held here.

Open time

Museum of Anatolian Civilizations

 4.7/5

12054 reviews

It was founded in 1921 by personal order of President Ataturk. The exposition occupies the buildings of the caravanserai and covered market erected in the XV century. The main condition for the exhibits to be included in the museum collection is their relation to the nationalities that inhabited the lands of Anatolia. There are objects from different periods, starting from the Palaeolithic period. During the tour you can get an English-speaking guide to accompany you.

Open time

Monday: 8:30 AM – 4:45 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 4:45 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 4:45 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM – 4:45 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:45 PM
Saturday: 8:30 AM – 4:45 PM
Sunday: 8:30 AM – 4:45 PM

Rahmi M. Koc Museum Ankara

 4.8/5

5812 reviews

Turkey’s second polytechnic museum. The first one with a similar name is located in Istanbul. In Ankara, the collection is located in a caravanserai opposite the city fortress. The doors were opened to visitors in 2005. 3 floors are given for a vast exhibition, where you can see the first engine, agricultural machinery, old televisions, cars. There are also models of famous objects, including Hitler’s yacht.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Mustafa Ayaz Museum and Plastic Arts Center Foundation

 4.6/5

126 reviews

It has been welcoming visitors since 1997. The collection is timeless. Alongside works from the Roman and Ottoman Empires, the museum’s halls display works by contemporary artists and sculptors. Tourists get a chance to trace the changing trends and styles in the history of the area. The collection is temporarily supplemented by travelling exhibitions. There is an ethnographic museum nearby.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Etnoğrafya Müzesi

 0/5

One of the most interesting museums not only in Ankara, but in the whole of Turkey. It was opened in 1925, a little later the collection was moved to a new building. The museum includes a part of the old Muslim cemetery. The exposition includes finds from different places of the country. Especially noteworthy are the exhibitions of carpets and jewellery. During the tour, tourists get acquainted with the customs and crafts, as well as the life of local residents.

Cermodern

 4.5/5

4754 reviews

The Museum of Modern Art specialises mainly in temporary exhibitions. Here you can see paintings by world-famous artists such as Dalí. You can also look at an unusual exhibition of fabrics or works by Turkish artists. There are closed workshops under the roof of CerModern, which are sometimes open to tourists. There are cafés and spacious areas for events.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Ulucanlar Prison Museum

 4.7/5

13867 reviews

Turkey’s first museum of its kind. The real prison has been turned into a tourist attraction after restoration. The attraction has been open for visitors since 2011. The building was built in the 20s of the last century, it became a prison a few years later. The correctional institution was liquidated after the riots. Ulukanlar became infamous for torture and human rights violations during its existence.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Altınköy Açık Hava Müzesi

 4.4/5

11697 reviews

The open-air museum was created to preserve cultural traditions. The colourful area transports visitors back a hundred years. Houses, a mill, sown fields and vegetable gardens have been built on the spacious grounds. There is even a typical village square for gatherings. The crafts represented here are on the verge of extinction. Animals can be seen in the pens and pastures. A full-fledged museum is in operation to complete the overall picture.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Roman Baths

 4.2/5

904 reviews

The baths are currently an archaeological site. They were discovered during excavations in the middle of the last century. They were built in the 3rd century and were dedicated to the god of healing. The baths consisted of a cold hall with a room for changing clothes, a swimming pool, a hot hall, a steam room and a hall with medium temperatures for relaxation. Although not many objects have been preserved, the contours of the structure are clearly visible.

Open time

Monday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Turkish State Cemetery

 4.4/5

73 reviews

The necropolis has existed since 1981. It was built specifically for the burial of prominent political and military figures of the state. The first big ceremony took place in 1988, when the bodies of two Turkish presidents, Sunay Cevdet and Cemal Gursel, were transferred here. Nearby are the graves of 61 commanders who participated in the War of Liberation. The territory of the cemetery is under the authority of the Ministry of Defence.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Atakule

 4.4/5

6202 reviews

It was built in the 80s of the XX century in the city centre. The height is approximately 125 metres. The famous architect Rejib Iuluk was responsible for the design. The tower is crowned by a wide cap, similar to a dome. At the very top there is a viewing platform. A little lower is the restaurant. Its peculiarity is its location on a special platform. Thanks to this construction, the restaurant makes a complete revolution around the tower’s axis in an hour.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Gençlik Parkı

 4.2/5

894 reviews

The public park is located in the city centre. The area of the territory exceeds 27 hectares. In the past, these places were occupied by swamps. After they were drained, greenery was planted, but the park itself was not formed immediately. Tourists were attracted by various methods, including two mini-trains. Now there are concert venues, recreation and entertainment areas. Nearby there is an opera theatre, a stadium and a sports complex.

Open time

ALAR ET BALIK RESTAURANT

 5/5

1 reviews

It is located 20 kilometres from Ankara. The area is just over 1 km². The depth varies depending on the season. It forms a single ecosystem with Lake Mogan. Eymir is fed by its neighbour’s waters through a canal. Picnics are organised on the shore. It is surrounded by pine forest and wild almond bushes. In good weather, cyclists and joggers can be found in the neighbourhood. Swimming in the lake is not allowed.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM