Things to see and do on a trip to Ankara

Rising up in the centre of the country, in Central Anatolia, is Turkey’s capital and one of the most impressive cities to see in the whole country: Ankara. There is much to see here and although often overlooked in comparison to the famous Istanbul, Ankara is home to impressive monuments and a treasured cultural heritage. Sobering castles and imposing citadels stand in the centre of Ankara, endowing it with a unique beauty.

Surrounded by breathtaking natural scenery, Ankara is a destination that perfectly represents the essence of Turkey, combining elements of its important historical legacy with the modernity of the country’s most important political and administrative capital. Read on, and we’ll tell you all about what to see in unforgettable Ankara.

What are the best places to see in Ankara?

1. The Castle of Ankara

Turkey’s capital, Ankara, sometimes pales in visitors and connoisseurs compared to unforgettable Istanbul. But the truth is that there are plenty of charming corners and impressive sights to see in Akara, not least of which is (without a shadow of a doubt) the magnificent Ankara Castle.

Watching over the entire city from the top of Ulus, Ankara Castle is the centre of attention for thousands of visitors to the capital, and with good reason. The panoramic views it offers of the entire city are truly breathtaking, provided by its walls and impressive defence towers.

There have been different civilisations that have preserved this heritage, such as the Persians, the Byzantines and the Arabs. That is why the cultural mix is really palpable inside its walls, written on the walls that have lived through the passage of time and the different inhabitants of Ankara. Moreover, this iconic complex continues to be inhabited even today, as it was from the origins of its construction.

2. The Citadel of the Capital of Turkey

Immersed in the enormity of the capital of Ankara, is one of the most iconic buildings in the entire city: the Citadel of the Capital of Turkey, a complex that has stood in the centre of Ankara since the Byzantine times when the Byzantines inhabited the city.

Although it was originally built in the 7th century (or at least that is what is believed in the light of the latest research) it was not until more than ten centuries later that the walls surrounding the entire main building were built. This was the work of Emperor Michael II, who wanted to provide the citadel with greater protection and ordered the construction of such a wall.

The whole complex stands in stark contrast to the vast modern city of Ankara and is truly impressive, making it a must-see in Ankara. Strolling through the interior, which once housed a hundred or so shops and businesses, is a unique experience.

3. The Kocatepe Mosque

While there are some impressive sights to see in Ankara, there are a few that stand out in particular above the rest and without a doubt, the impressive Kocatepe Mosque is one of them. This iconic building is part of Ankara’s identity, as well as being the largest mosque in the capital, and can hold close to hundreds of thousands of people inside it.

The truth is that despite its majesty, it was not created so long ago, but has less than a hundred years of history. Even so, it has become a must-see in Ankara, as it is located right in the centre of the city, attracting thousands of visitors every day.

Its original design was at the centre of controversy, as its appearance was too modern for many, which led to a halt in the construction process, until a competition was held, and the winning design was chosen to complete the Kotatepe Mosque project.

4. Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Atatürk

In the extensive list of historic buildings in Turkey’s capital and to cap off the list of places to see in Ankara, there’s one name that springs quickly to mind: Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Atatürk, a memorial building that houses two very important tombs.

Its interior houses the tombs of two of Turkey’s presidents and also serves as a memorial to events of great importance to the country and its people, such as the War of Independence. It is an imposing building, with huge, square columns welcoming the thousands of visitors it receives daily.

In the immediate vicinity of the mausoleum is also a memorial garden, which houses the tomb of the second president of the Republic of Turkey. If you want to take it easy and visit the whole place, we recommend that you go early in the morning: it’s a very popular building and the visit is much more pleasant when the sun is not shining.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to see around Ankara, Turkey?

Lake of Gölbasi and Lake of Karagöl

Besides the huge attraction of the city of Ankara, the Central Anatolia region (where the capital is located) hides many natural sites to see and appreciate the beauty that Turkey has to offer. Just a few kilometres from Ankara, there are two lakes that are very popular with both locals and visitors to Ankara: Gölbasi Lake and Karagöl Lake.

Gölbasi Lake is located just south of the city, just a few minutes’ drive away, and as well as offering unbeatable views, there are a number of restaurants nearby. Karagöl Lake is a little further north of Ankara, but is a great place to go hiking and then enjoy the waters of Karagöl Lake.

What to see in Ankara in 1 day?

The truth is that Ankara has so many unique sights and monuments to offer that it’s difficult to cover them all in one visit. Even so, you’ll be able to enjoy the main ones in a day, so we’ve put together a short list of recommendations for you.

To start your tour of the city, the best thing to do is to visit the Kocatepe Mosque first and then go to the Citadel of the Turkish Capital. You can also go to Anitkabir first, as it tends to be quite crowded. Finally, visit Ankara Castle and enjoy a beautiful sunset with a panoramic view of the city at your feet.

Where to stay in Ankara?

Sometimes planning everything that goes into a trip is tiring and chaotic, so to make your stay much more enjoyable, we’ve put together a list of some accommodation for your days in Ankara:

• Warwick Ankara: located in the heart of the city centre, the Warwick has everything you could ask for for a luxurious stay. Its spacious rooms, decorated with exquisite taste, stand out. The price for a weekend stay is around 200€ for two people.
• Demora Hotel: another excellent option to enjoy a perfect location and complete facilities. For a price of 100€ for two people, you will be able to enjoy a fantastic four-star hotel.
• First Apart Hotel: an austere hotel, with good facilities and an even better location, from where you can move to the main attractions of the city comfortably. The price for a weekend stay is 50€.

What should I consider before travelling to Ankara?

• The official currency of Turkey is the Turkish Lira.
• The best time to travel to Turkey is in spring or autumn, when the weather is milder. In the summer it is very hot.
• In small towns it’s not as common for credit cards to be accepted as in the cities.
• It’s best to avoid exchanging money at the airport, as prices are high.
• The tap water is not safe to drink.
• From Spain, it is not necessary to have a visa if you are travelling for less than 90 days, but you must have a valid passport and be able to justify with your hotel reservations that the trip is for tourism.
• Be covered for possible medical emergencies: travel insured.
• The country is generally very safe, but just in case, be careful with your belongings and be careful at the border with Syria.

How to prepare what to see on your trip to Ankara?

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
• Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat. You can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference.
• Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map. You can take inspiration from the routes we present in the post.
• Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make any modifications you need to make, and you’re all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in Ankara in Turkey.

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about travelling to Ankara