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Capital

AnkaraAnkara

Come to Ankara for the Anatolian Civilisations Museum and Anıtkabir, as a one-night stop or a day from Istanbul, not as a base for a first trip.

Not field-verifiedbasic guide
Rules in force · 4
  • Türkiye (Turkey) ↗Check whether your passport needs a visa, and if so apply only on the official e-Visa portal; lookalike sites add fees.
  • Türkiye (Turkey) ↗At mosques cover shoulders and knees, take your shoes off at the door, and women carry a headscarf; do not walk in front of people praying.
  • Türkiye (Turkey) ↗Yellow taxis must run the meter; agree nothing else, or use a ride-hailing app that shows the fare upfront.
  • Türkiye (Turkey) ↗Carry Turkish lira in small notes for ferries, mosques, tea and markets; prices change fast, so check quoted prices against the current rate.

Ankara is Turkey's capital and its second-largest city, on the central Anatolian plateau. It is a government and university city with fewer tourist sights than Istanbul. The main draws are the Anatolian Civilisations Museum, the Anıtkabir mausoleum of Atatürk and the old citadel quarter.

At a glance

Known for
Anıtkabir · Anatolian Civilisations Museum · Ankara Citadel and Hamamönü · Government and embassy quarter
Best months
Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
Avoid
Jul–Aug (hot and dry), Dec–Feb (cold, some snow)
Nights
1
Airports
ESB Esenboğa International (Airport shuttle buses and taxis run to the centre; check the operator for current options.)

Where to sleep

Kızılay

Central; metro interchange, shops and restaurants.

Ulus

Next to the citadel and the museum; older, quieter at night.

Getting around

The metro and Ankaray tram cover the centre; buses and taxis fill the gaps. The high-speed train links Ankara with Istanbul, Konya and Eskişehir.

Watch out

  • Anıtkabir and some museums have security checks; carry photo ID.
  • Summer afternoons are hot and the city is dry; winters are cold.
  • Many museums close one day a week: check the official site before you go.

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Ankara. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

Back to Türkiye (Turkey)

Sources

Sources