Ankara Travel Guide

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.