The city of Ankara (Turkish: Ankara) is the capital of Turkey, located in the central-western part of the country. The metropolis covers a huge area of 25,632 sq.km and is the largest city by territory in the country. As of 2024, Ankara’s population exceeds 5.44 million people, making it the second most populous city in Turkey and the third largest among European metropolises.
The city was founded in the 8th-7th centuries BC and was named Angira. By the 3rd century BC, it came under Celtic patronage but reached its highest prosperity during the Roman Empire’s rule. Despite its distance from the sea, Ankara gained enormous importance due to the intersection of major land routes. After the Romans, the Byzantines ruled the city, and in 1073 it was captured by the Seljuks, and Ankara became one of the most important cities of the Ottoman Empire.
Over the centuries, the metropolis gradually lost its significance and by the 19th century had become provincial. However, in 1893, the construction of the Anatolian railway began, connecting Ankara with Istanbul, thus restoring its status as a significant location. With the beginning of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s liberation struggle, the city became a center of revolutionary forces, and with his rise to power, it became the capital. Since 1923, the metropolis began to develop and expand rapidly, eventually growing into one of Europe’s largest cities.
Today, Ankara is Turkey’s most important commercial, industrial, and cultural center. Although it isn’t popular among tourists due to its distance from the coast, rare travelers visit it to explore various attractions. Ancient Roman structures have been preserved here, there are several interesting museums and beautiful mosques. And the highly developed urban infrastructure provides all conditions for organizing a comfortable stay. In the metropolis, you’ll find many hotels, cafes, restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping centers. What to see in Ankara and what to do during your stay in the city, we’ll tell you below.
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In many photos of Turkey’s capital Ankara, you can see a stern majestic building with columns. This is none other than Atatürk’s Mausoleum, visiting which you realize how much local residents love and respect their national hero. It was this political figure who led the country out of religious darkness, gave women voting rights, and made medicine and education accessible to all segments of the population. A beautiful location on a high hill was chosen for the Turkish leader’s tomb, offering a breathtaking panorama of the capital. The building itself is simple but solemn and also serves as a museum. Atatürk’s remains were moved here in 1944, and today hundreds of residents come to the mausoleum daily to pay tribute to their hero. It’s particularly interesting to watch the changing of the guard here.
If you’re vacationing in Ankara, Turkey, be sure to visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. It’s one of the most renowned historical museums in the world. Taking your time to view the exhibitions, you’ll immerse yourself in ancient epochs and learn about the cultures of the Celts, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans. All exhibitions are organized with high quality, featuring excellent lighting and meticulously planned design. The galleries follow chronological order, starting from the Neolithic era and ending with the Ottoman Empire period. There’s also an interactive walk through an ancient village available, which is particularly interesting for children.
This museum is a true paradise for children and men, with an incredible number of various exhibits. It features a huge collection of ship models, cars, trains, airplanes, bicycles, etc. The museum will tell you how Turkey developed over the centuries, show exhibitions about the daily lives of people from different classes, and present scientific inventions from various eras. In the center of the building is a fashionable restaurant considered one of the best in the capital. The museum is located in a historic building that previously served as a hotel. There’s also a small souvenir shop on its grounds.
One of Ankara’s oldest mosques, built in the 15th century on the site of a Byzantine church, was named after the Dervish mentor Haci Bayram. The building and the area around it have been restored in traditional Ottoman style and are located on a beautiful well-maintained square. Inside the structure, the door decoration is particularly impressive, which is a copy of authentic works, with the originals being preserved in one of Ankara’s museums. Near the mosque, you can see the ruins of an ancient pagan temple from the Roman era. There are also several cafes and shops around the building, located in restored historic buildings.
Another landmark of Ankara in Turkey is Kocatepe – the largest mosque and an unchanging symbol of the city. This relatively young building, constructed in 1987, was designed after the famous Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul. Externally, the structure impresses with its beauty and scale, while inside it amazes with an unusual crystal chandelier in the shape of a sphere. Visiting this attraction will be interesting for both admirers of Islamic culture and curious travelers. Notably, despite its size, the mosque is usually not crowded, so you can quietly walk around and appreciate its wonderful decoration. Kocatepe looks especially beautiful in the evening when its illuminating lights are turned on.
The historic district of Old Ankara is a cozy and clean town where it’s pleasant to walk and sit in cafes with a cup of Turkish coffee. This quarter has undergone quality restoration, and today you can observe neat houses, well-maintained streets, and perfectly preserved landmarks – mosques and a clock tower. Finding yourself in the Hamamonu district, you’ll get a complete picture of what Ankara was like a century ago. Besides numerous cafes and restaurants, various shops are located here, making the quarter a good place for shopping.
Another historical corner of the capital is the city citadel. The structure was built in the 7th century using stones remaining from former Greek and Roman fortresses. The citadel served as a reliable defender against enemies, as confirmed by its walls, which reach 8 meters in thickness. And although the building itself is almost ruined and hasn’t been reconstructed, ancient inscriptions and bas-reliefs have been preserved on it.
The attraction spreads across a hill and has several observation decks offering the most beautiful views of Ankara, especially after sunset. On the way up, you’ll encounter old houses and souvenir shops. Near the main entrance to the citadel is a Turkish restaurant where you can peacefully drink strong Eastern coffee while enjoying panoramic views.
Ankara, being Turkey’s capital, though not touristic, is ready to offer many accommodation options. Here you can find 3, 4, and 5-star hotels, as well as apartments. The minimum price for a double room in a three-star hotel is 108 TL ($24) per night. On average, the cost varies between 150-250 TL ($35-55). For those who prefer apartments to hotels, booking.com offers apartments with rental prices starting from 158 TL ($35) per day and ranging between 170-250 TL ($38-55).
When choosing a hotel, it’s very important to pay attention to the location district. If the purpose of your trip is visiting attractions, it’s most sensible to stay in the historic quarter of Ulus. The Kızılay district is most convenient for public transportation: here the main metro lines intersect and major bus routes pass through. Additionally, in Kızılay you can find many restaurants, inexpensive cafes, and large shopping centers. And if you’re looking for a cozy and quiet quarter with plenty of coffee shops and bars, it’s best to book a hotel in Tunalı.
A vacation in Ankara will definitely appeal to lovers of quality restaurants and cafes, as the choice of such establishments here matches the capital level. The city also has many budget options for quick meals. Thus, lunch at an inexpensive restaurant will cost an average of 20 TL ($5) per person. And for 16 TL ($3.5), you can have a snack at one of the fast-food places. A three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant will cost you 70 TL ($15). Below are prices for popular drinks:
Having studied Ankara’s establishments that received the highest ratings from visitors, we noted:
Turkey’s capital abounds with various shopping centers featuring both global brand stores and departments with popular Turkish brands. It’s worth noting that the quality of local textiles is at a high level, so we recommend buying clothes in Turkey. Also worth attention are leather products – shoes, bags, outerwear. Shopping in Ankara is best done in proven shopping centers where a large selection of goods from different brands is presented. Among such complexes:
It’s best to visit Turkey’s capital in the warm months when your vacation won’t be overshadowed by cold and precipitation or heat with scorching sun rays. The most comfortable months for visiting Ankara are June and September. During this time, the air temperature during the day fluctuates between 23-30°C. But July and August are not very favorable months for visiting the metropolis. During this period, the thermometer doesn’t drop below 31°C, and such temperature can bring real discomfort, especially considering that the city is far from the sea coast.
Cloudy weather is characteristic of March and April in Ankara, and the most precipitation falls in May, so it’s better not to plan a trip to the capital during these months. In winter it’s cold, it rains, and when temperatures reach below zero, it snows. You can find more detailed information about the weather in Ankara in the table below.
| Month | Average daytime temperature | Average nighttime temperature | Number of sunny days | Number of rainy days |
| January | 3.5 °C | -2 °C | 14 | 3 |
| February | 7.2 °C | -0.3 °C | 13 | 1 |
| March | 11.6 °C | 2.6 °C | 16 | 3 |
| April | 18.1 °C | 7.1 °C | 21 | 3 |
| May | 22.9 °C | 11.1 °C | 22 | 6 |
| June | 27.5 °C | 14.6 °C | 28 | 2 |
| July | 31.4 °C | 18.8 °C | 30 | 0 |
| August | 31 °C | 19.7 °C | 30 | 1 |
| September | 27 °C | 16.5 °C | 28 | 1 |
| October | 19 °C | 10.6 °C | 26 | 2 |
| November | 12 °C | 4.6 °C | 21 | 1 |
| December | 5.7 °C | -0.2 °C | 17 | 2 |
You can get to Ankara from Kyiv via direct international flights or flights with connections. The nearest airport, Esenboğa, is located 28 km northeast of the capital center and receives daily flights from Ukraine. Direct flights on these routes are operated by Turkish companies “Pegasus Airlines” and “Turkish Airlines”.
For travel between cities within the country, three types of transportation are available: airplane, train, and bus. The easiest and fastest way to get to Ankara is by domestic flights, which operate daily from almost all major cities. You can check tickets with carriers – “Pegasus Airlines”, “Onur Air” and “Turkish Airlines”.
Turkey also has an excellent network of intercity bus routes, so getting to the capital from different points of the country by bus won’t be difficult. You can check ticket prices and schedules on www.obilet.com.
Many metropolises are connected to Ankara by railways, so taking a train is another option to get to the city. To explore available routes and travel costs, visit ebilet.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr. These are probably all the most convenient ways to get to the city of Ankara.
Ankara is a city of contrasts, where ancient ruins harmoniously coexist with modern skyscrapers. It’s a place where history intertwines with modernity, offering travelers a unique experience. Although Ankara may not be the first choice for a typical tourist, it’s definitely worth the attention of those who want to immerse themselves in the authentic atmosphere of Turkey, learn about its rich history and culture.
From the majestic Atatürk Mausoleum to the cozy streets of the Hamamönü district, Ankara opens up countless opportunities for exploration and discovery. Regardless of your interests, you’ll find something special here for yourself.
Visit Ankara to feel the true spirit of Turkey, its past and present, and discover new facets of this amazing country.
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