Top 12 Things to Do in Ankara – Capital of Turkey

SEVEN different cavillations have called Ankara, Türkiye home – Hittites, Galatians, Greeks, Persians, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans. As a result, there are many interesting places to visit.

Things to do in Ankara include the Ankara Castle, Museum of Anatolian Civilization, and the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

Ankara has been the capital of the Republic of Turkey since 1923. With a population of 10.8 million, it is the second largest city in Türkiye, after Istanbul.

Read on to learn the Top 12 Things to Do in Ankara!

1) Anitkabir (The Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk)

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk is the Turkish version of George Washington. He was the leader of the Turkish War of Independence, and the founder and first President of the Republic of Turkey. He is the reason why Turkey is no longer ruled by sultans.

Ataturk instituted sweeping reforms turning Turkey into a modern, democratic, secular country.

Fun fact – “Ataturk” was not Mustafa Kemal’s birth name. In 1934 the Turkish Assembly passed a law requiring all Turkish citizens to adopt a hereditary surname. They bestowed the surname Atatürk (“Father of the Turks”) on Mustafa Kemal.

How to Visit the Ataturk Mausoleum

The Anıtkabir (or Ataturk Mausoleum) is the final resting place of Turkish President Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. It is a beautiful, marble building located on a mosaic covered plaza. Ataturk died in 1938. The complex was built from 1944-1953.

An avenue lined with Neo-Hittite stone lion statues and colonnades leads to the monument. And there is a large museum with exhibits on Atatürk’s life and the Turkish War of Independence.

The Ataturk Mausoleum is Open Daily from 9:00am-5:00pm in the Summer and 9:00am-4:00pm in the Winter. The museum closes for lunch from 12:00pm-1:00pm. Admission is free.

Anıtkabir Overview

Anıtkabir has 4 main sections: the Road of Lions, the Ceremonial Plaza, the Hall of Honor (location of Atatürk’s tomb) and Peace Park, which surrounds the complex.

Road of Lions

The Road of Lions is a pedestrian walkway that leads visitors to the mausoleum complex. There are 24 lion statues on both sides of the road that represent the 24 Oghuz Turkic Tribes. 

The lions were made in the Anatolian Hittie style, to honor the great importance Ataturk gave to Turkish and Anatolian history. The lions symbolize both power and peace.

Hall of Honor – Site of Ataturk’s Tomb

Atatürk’s tomb is located in the beautiful colonnade building called the Hall of Honor. Keeping with the Seljuk and Ottoman architectural styles, it is an octagonal shape. The pyramidal ceiling is inlaid with gold mosaics. And the walls are decorated with gilded inscriptions of Atatürk’s speeches.

There is a symbolic 40-ton sarcophagus located on top of the tomb. Atatürk’s body is buried below this in a special Tomb Room at basement level.

Modern Hieroglyphs

On the wall before the Hall of Honors is a wall with 2 reliefs -The Pitch Battle of Sakarya and the Battle of Commander-in-Chief. They both depict scenes from the Turkish War of Independence. Learn more here.

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2) Museum of Anatolian Civilization

The Museum of Anatolian Civilization – also called the Hittite Museum – is a must see. It features Anatolian archaeological artifacts starting from the Paleolithic Age (pre-8,000 B.C.)

The museum is located near Ankara Castle in a restored 15th century Ottoman caravanserai. Check out the virtual museum tour!

Cave Drawings

The Museum of Anatolian Civilization features cave drawings that are 10,000 years old!!! They were literally cut out of the cave walls and put on display at the museum.

Hittite Artifacts

The Museum of Anatolian Civilization contains the most extensive collection of Hittite artifacts in the world.

The Hittites lived in modern day Turkey from 1750-1200 B.C. They are mentioned repeatedly in the Bible, but archaeologists did not find proof of their existence until the late 1800s.

The history of the Hittite civilization is known from cuneiform tablets. The museum has a large collection of the tablets on subjects ranging from history to personal letters and recipes.

Hitites in the Bible

The Hittites are mentioned in the Bible 58 times. Here are some highlights:

• Noah’s grandson Canaan is the father of the Hittites (Genesis 10:15)
• Throughout Genesis the Hittites were friends and allies of Abraham (Genesis)
• The Hittites were 1 of the 7 strong nations that were living in the “land of milk and honey” that God promised the Israelites (Exodus 3:8)
• The Hittites supplied the Israelites with cedar, chariots, and horses (Kings)
• Uriah the Hittite was a captain in King David’s army and one of his “mighty men” (1 Chronicles 11:41)
• King David’s mistress Bathsheba was the wife of Uriah the Hittite (2 Samuel 11:3)

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3) Ankara Castle

Ankara Castle is a fortress on top of a hill built by the Hittites (1750–1200 B.C.) It has been inhabited by the Romans, Byzantines, Seljuk Turks, and Ottomans.

During the Seljuk period, the fortress changed hands between the Seljuk Turks and the Crusaders several times.

You have to climb a lot of stairs to get to the castle, but the panoramic views are worth it. There is a small community that lives within the castle walls in traditional Turkish houses.

For those who cannot walk the stairs, there is great shopping and restaurants at the base of the castle.

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4) Temple of Roma and Augustus

The Temple of Roma and Augustus is a Roman temple that was built in 25 B.C. It is dedicated to Roma, a goddess who was the protector of Rome. And to Augustus, Rome’s first emperor (reigned 31 B.C. – 14 A.D.) who was pronounced a deity upon his death.

The Romans conquered Central Anatolia in 190 B.C. and formed the Galatia province with Ancyra as its capital (As in Galatia from the Bible!)

Throughout history the conquered built on top of the conquered. Accordingly, the Hacı Bayram Mosque is currently located on top of the temple ruins.

The Temple of Roma and Augustus is located next door to the Ottoman era Hacı Bayram Veli Mosque. You can view the temple from the outside only. No ticket is required.

Emperor Augustus

Amazingly, there are currently ruins of ancient Roman temples in almost 20 countries.

The Ankara temple is notable because it has the world’s most intact copy of the Res Gestae Divi August (“The Deeds of the Divine Augustus”) engraved on its walls in both Latin and Greek.

It was written by Emperor Augustus and lists his military and political accomplishments. It’s a great read – I highly suggest it!

Copies of the text were carved in stone on monuments and temples throughout the Roman Empire. The original was engraved on bronze pillars in front of Augustus’ Mausoleum in Rome but it has been destroyed. There are only 2 other existing versions, but they are incomplete.

5) Roman Baths

The Roman Baths in Ankara are a vast bath complex built during the time of Emperor Caracalla (188-217 A.D.) It is dedicated to Asclepios the God of Medicine.

There are 3 main sections: a frigidarium (cold section), tepidarium (cool section), and caldarium (hot section). It was a very popular site due to the cold Ankaran winters.

The ruins were uncovered in 1937, and are now an open air museum. Unfortunately, only the basement and first floors remain.

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6) Kocatepe Mosque

The Kocatepe Mosque is the largest mosque in Ankara. It was built in the neo-classical Ottoman architecture style from 1967-1987.

It is located next door to the Temple of Roma and Augustus so plan to visit both at the same time.

7) The Atakule Tower

The Atakule is a 410 foot high communication and observation tower that is a symbol of the Ankara skyline. It is located on a hill in the city center and can be seen throughout the city.

At the top of the tower under the cupola is a non-revolving restaurant called Dome. Under that is a restaurant called Sevila, which rotates 360 degrees every hour. And there is a café called UFO.

Next door to the tower is a shopping mall that has several indoor and outdoor restaurants and a cinema.

8) Haci Bayram Mosque

The mosque was built in the 15th century. It is named after Hacı Bayram-ı Veli, a prominent Turkish Sufi saint and poet. The mosque reflects the architectural style of the Ottoman period.

The Hacı Bayram Mosque is situated in the Hacı Bayram district, on a hill at the north-western part of the Citadel within the Ulus area of Ankara, adjacent to the Temple of Augustus.

Architectural Features

The mosque exhibits characteristics of late 17th and 18th-century mosques due to renovations. It has a rectangular plan, with later additions on the north and west sides.

The mosque features a two-gallery minaret with a square stone base and a brick body. Its interior is adorned with floral motifs and a large hexagonal rosette at the center. Kütahya tiles decorate the walls, transitioning to plain walls with palmette borders.

The interior includes stained glass windows bordered with chiselled plant motifs. The mihrab (prayer niche) is intricately designed with inscriptions from the Quran. A colorful mimbar (pulpit) showcases fine craftsmanship using the “kündekari” technique.

Check out my blog Visiting Hagia Sophia in 2024: Ticket Price + Opening Hours.

9) Aqua Vega Aquarium

Aqua Vega Aquarium is Turkey’s longest tunnel aquarium inside a shopping mall. it provides an exciting blend of marine and wildlife encounters. The aquarium boasts a 107-yards-long tunnel. Aqua Vega entrance tickets can be purchased online.

The aquarium also features a salt cave, a seashells museum, coral reefs, and an antique WWII plane. In its contact pool section, you can feed fish with a bottle. 

Marine Life

Aqua Vega houses nearly 12,000 sea creatures, including sharks, sourced from oceans and rivers worldwide. It contains 24 different aquariums, with a water capacity of 5 million liters.

Wildlife Section

The Wildlife section was opened in 2017. It showcases more than 250 wild animals from forests and deserts, including poisonous reptiles and exotic creatures.

10) Erimtan Archaeology and Arts Museum

The Erimtan Archaeology and Arts Museum is located in the historic Ulus district of Ankara, near Ankara Castle. The modern museum houses a rich collection of ancient artifacts, including Roman, Hittite, Byzantine, and Urartian relics. These artifacts span from the 3rd millennium BC to the Byzantine Period.

The museum features over 2,000 objects, mostly of Anatolian origin. These artifacts range from ancient coins, ceramics, glassware, and tools. They provide insight into daily life in ancient Anatolia and surrounding regions.

The museum hosts concerts, art exhibitions, and educational programs for all ages. This includes a series of 16 concerts each season on Tuesdays.

The museum is wheelchair accessible. Also, strollers are permitted inside the museum.

Museum Highlights

• Urartian Belt: A beautifully decorated bronze belt from Urartian tombs, with a banquet scene.
• Clay Tablets: Ten cuneiform tablets from the Old and New Assyrian periods, some of which contain references to historical events and places like Maraş.
• Coins: A collection of Roman coins from the Valentinian Dynasty, discovered during the construction of the Kapulukaya Dam in Kırıkkale.
• Rython: A ceremonial drinking vessel, shaped like an ibex, reflecting Hittite traditions.
• Ring Stones: The collection that started it all—seal rings used in Ancient Greece and Rome, engraved with mythological and historical scenes.
• Glass History: A section on the history of glassmaking from the Roman Empire, presented through a video and glass artifacts.
• Roman Personal Care Items: Artifacts like strigils (scraping tools used in Roman baths) and mirrors offer a glimpse into ancient Roman bathing culture and personal grooming habits.

Fayum Portraits and Soundshower

Visitors can see mummy portraits from ancient Egypt, which are considered to be the earliest realistic depictions of people. An auditory experience complements the visual exhibit with examples of letters from the era.

Triclinium Area

This section of the museum illustrates ancient Roman dining customs, with a fresco from Pompeii and digital recreations of artifacts.

The museum has a café, gift shop, and bookstore. It’s a must-see for anyone interested in Turkish history and culture.

There is a paid parking lot open to the public nearby.

11) Rahmi M. Koç Museum

The Ankara Rahmi M. Koç Museum, opened in 2005, is the first industrial museum in Ankara. It’s located in two historic buildings, Çengelhan and Safranhan. The museum preserves and showcases industrial and engineering-related artifacts from different periods and countries.

Highlights of the Museum

• Kalender Steam Ferry (1911) – built in Newcastle, England.
• WWII-era Submarine (1944) – built in the USA, available for a tour.
• La Littorina Rail Car – preserved 1930s self-propelled train.
• Discovery Sphere – Istanbul’s first planetarium.

The museum’s collections are diverse. They feature exhibits on Atatürk, scientific instruments, rail and road transportation, maritime, aviation, communication devices, engineering, models and toys, the historic Fenerbahçe ferry, and special collections.

12) Gençlik Park

Gençlik Park is a large urban park and one of the city’s most iconic green spaces. It offers a mix of natural beauty and entertainment facilities. Gençlik Park is particularly vibrant at night when the fountains light up, creating a colorful display. The park is surrounded by landmarks like Ulus Square and Ankara Central Station

The park features large walking paths, well-maintained gardens, and a sizable artificial lake with evening fountain shows. The park is home to a cultural center, a youth center, kiosks, and an ongoing project to establish a science museum. Also, there are cafés and tea houses where you can relax and enjoy the view.

Check out my blog Miniaturk Park in Istanbul: Models of Turkey’s Famous Sites.

FAQs

What is special in Ankara Turkey?

Ankara, Turkey’s capital, is known for its historical landmarks like the Temple of Roma and Augustus and Ankara Citadel. It serves as the center of Turkey’s government and administrative functions. Anıtkabir is a significant symbol of modern Turkey.

When is the best time to visit Ankara?

The best time to visit Ankara is during the spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) months. During these periods, the weather is generally mild and pleasant, making it ideal for exploring the city’s attractions comfortably.

How many days is enough in Ankara?

Typically, 2 to 3 days is sufficient to explore Ankara and visit its major attractions. This timeframe allows you to visit landmarks such as the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Anıtkabir, Ankara Castle, and the Roman Temple of Augustus.

Is Ankara better than Istanbul?

Ankara and Istanbul offer distinct experiences based on their unique attractions. Ankara is Turkey’s administrative capital, focusing on government and political functions. Istanbul, on the other hand, is renowned for its rich history, cultural attractions like the Hagia Sophia, and vibrant city life. Both cities are essential for anyone looking to explore Turkey’s essence.

Final Thoughts

Ankara offers a unique blend of historical landmarks and modern attractions that capture the essence of Turkey’s cultural heritage. Whether you’re exploring ancient Roman ruins or Islamic architecture, Ankara provides a diverse and enriching experience.

A visit to this city reveals not only its historical importance but also its modern-day charm. There’s something for every traveler.

Check out my blog Top 20 Things to Do in Istanbul.

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