Esenboğa Airport
Ankara Esenboğa Havalimanı
Transport
The main and primary airport of Ankara
architecture
7/10
entertainments
7/10
nature
6/10
restaurants
7/10
tourist popularity
7/10
The capital of Turkey is not Istanbul, as many think, but Ankara — a city in the heart of the country, surrounded by hills and steppes. Even on the way, you will be greeted by barren landscapes that look like they came from another planet. In Ankara itself, modern buildings blend harmoniously with old quarters. The city is built on hills, making walks here a kind of workout. You can reach the capital by plane, high-speed train, car, or bus.
Ankara Castle
Ankara Kalesi
Sights
Historical fortification of the city
The first fortifications on the site of the castle appeared as early as the 7th century BC. Over its history, it has been rebuilt many times. The castle is located on a hill, offering magnificent views of the city. Inside the walls is a pedestrian quarter with souvenir shops, cafes, and even residential houses.
Taş Bebek Cafe
Insta places
Restaurant with a doll exhibition
Hidden in the wall of Ankara Castle is an amazing place — a doll museum-restaurant. Across two floors, thousands of dolls are displayed, collected by the owner from around the world for his daughter to help her overcome childhood fears. The terrace offers a stunning view of the city — a perfect spot to enjoy Turkish tea and sweets.
Anıtkabir
Anıtkabir
Sights
The main attraction of Ankara
The mausoleum of Kemal Atatürk is one of Ankara's main attractions. Its majestic architecture with clear geometric lines makes a strong impression. Watching the changing of the guard is especially interesting: the Turkish guard marches in an unusual formation, turning the ritual into a spectacular display. The ceremony occurs every hour, so it's worth setting aside time to see it in person.
Hogwarts Express Cafe
Restaurant
Atmospheric café for Harry Potter universe fans
A very unusual place with an amazing magical menu. Inside, there are many details and photo spots. You will be delighted. We especially liked the bubble cocktail with smoke.
Atakule
Atakule
Insta places
Shopping center with a tower
The shopping center on the hill attracts not only with its shops but also with a stunning observation deck offering views of the entire city. We recommend coming here by taxi and walking back — the stroll downhill towards the city center is a perfect way to end the visit.
Botanical Park
Botanik Parkı
Parks and reserves
Beautiful park near the tower
Ankara surprises with its varied terrain, and this park is located on a hill at the base of the tower. From here, you get a beautiful view of the city. The area is well-maintained, and the park is perfect for a peaceful walk.
Keçiören Falls
Keçiören Şelalesi
Parks and reserves
Picturesque artificial waterfalls
One of Ankara's most unusual attractions is the artificial waterfalls. Although man-made, the spectacle is impressive. It is especially beautiful in the evening when the water streams are illuminated with different colors.
Melike Hatun Mosque
Melike Hatun Camii
Sights
Huge and beautiful mosque
In Turkey, new mosques in Ottoman style continue to be actively built. This mosque impresses with its scale — it accommodates 7,000 people. The building looks especially beautiful in the evening when the lights are on.
CSO Ada Ankara
Insta places
Unusual concert hall building
Ankara stands out from many Turkish cities for its abundance of modern buildings. The concert hall is one example of modern architecture: its unusual shape immediately catches the eye.
Başkent Millet Bahçesi
Başkent Millet Bahçesi
Parks and reserves
Central modern park
A huge modern park with diverse landscapes, where you can spend several hours walking. Tram tracks with stops run along the park, but unfortunately, we never saw the tram itself.
Golden Pavilion Museum
MERİK KONAĞI (Altın Köşk)
Sights
Palace on the outskirts of Ankara
It's best to visit the palace by car — this makes it easiest to include it in your route, for example on the way to Cappadocia. Inside, the exquisite wooden decorations and interiors reminiscent of rich European designs are impressive. Behind the building is a quiet, cozy courtyard.
Kruvasante
Restaurant
Café with croissants
This is an unusual and very popular spot among locals. Waiting in line is normal — we had to wait about 20 minutes to get inside. The main specialty is croissants, and they are truly worth the wait. Highly recommended!
Kahveci Hacıbaba - Tandoğan
Restaurant
Turkish breakfast
If you haven't tried a real Turkish breakfast yet, be sure to visit here. It's beautifully presented, very diverse and delicious. Simits with tea became a true symbol of our travels in Turkey.
Double Zero Pizzeria
Restaurant
Very tasty pizzeria
Great spot for pizza lovers! They serve pizzas with all kinds of toppings — everything is very tasty. You can order a glass of Turkish wine with your meal. We tried the dry red from Cappadocia — and it was a great choice.
We have returned to Ankara three times, and each time the city seemed to draw us in with its special energy. Twice we rented a car at the station and set off on a journey to Cappadocia, but Ankara itself also left a strong impression. It is a modern, cozy, and very interesting city. We recommend staying here for at least 3–4 days to feel the atmosphere of the capital and discover an unusual Turkey — spacious and calm.
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You can get from the airport to the city in different ways. A taxi ride takes about 40 minutes. A more budget-friendly option is the Belkoair and Havaş buses, which go directly to the city center of Ankara.