Capital · Türkiye (Turkey)
Ankara
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.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot and dry), Dec–Feb (cold, some snow)
- Airport
- ESB
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 5
- Türkiye (Turkey) ↗Check whether your passport is visa-exempt; if it is not, apply only at evisa.gov.tr — lookalike sites charge extra and some sell nothing.
- Türkiye (Turkey) ↗At mosques cover shoulders and knees, take shoes off at the door, and women carry a headscarf; stay out during prayer times.
- Türkiye (Turkey) ↗Taxis must run the taximeter; refuse flat quotes, or book through BiTaksi or Uber so the ride is logged.
- Türkiye (Turkey) ↗Carry lira in small notes for tea, markets, tips and toilets; prices move with inflation, so treat every printed price as dated.
- Türkiye (Turkey) ↗Do not take stones, coins or tiles from ancient sites, and export no antiques without a museum certificate; travellers have been detained at airport customs.
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.
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ESB Esenboğa International (Airport shuttle buses and taxis run to the centre; check the operator for current options.)
Weather and climate
Ankara: next 7 days
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Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
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.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Kızılay
Central; metro interchange, shops and restaurants.
Ulus
Next to the citadel and the museum; older, quieter at night.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
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.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
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.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (hot and dry), Dec–Feb (cold, some snow)
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast
- 3 things to watch out for
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- officialTürkiye official tourism portal
- secondaryWikivoyage — Ankara