1 km
from city center 1 out of 36
Things To Do in Ankara

One of Turkey's oldest sites, the Ankara Castle is a historical fortification dating back to the 7th century. The castle overlooks the city from its peak and is often associated with Ottoman, Seljuk, Roman and Byzantine empires. One of Ankara's must-visit destinations, the castle embodies different architectural styles and is home to twenty pillars and two gateways. The streets leading to the castle are studded with old Ankarian houses.

2 km
from city center 2 out of 36
Things To Do in Ankara

The Roman Baths of Ankara is an open-air museum featuring the ruined remains of an ancient Roman bath complex. It is situated on Çankırı Avenue around 400 m from Ulus, the heart of the old Ankara district. Along with the baths, this site includes an entire building featuring a palaestra (area for physical exercise), a colonnaded street, and other unidentified structures.

2 km
from city center 3 out of 36
Things To Do in Ankara

The father of the modern Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, found his resting place at the Anitkabir, a mausoleum in Ankara. Standing tall on a hilltop, this mausoleum is elaborate and carved with intricate designs. The complex has many areas to explore, like the Hall of Honor, Peacock Park, Aslanlı Yol’, and Monument Block, among others. The mausoleum looks mesmerizing at night, with its well-lit walls and borders.

1 km
from city center 4 out of 36
Things To Do in Ankara

The Haci Bayram Mosque is one of the most historically significant mosques in Ankara and Turkey. An iconic religious centre based on the 17th century and 18th-century mosque architectural styles, it is home to the mausoleum of Turkish poet and Sufi Haci Bayram Veli, whose name it takes. The site also includes a Roman Temple of Augustus where the walls depict how it looked during the Roman times.

5 km
from city center 5 out of 36
Things To Do in Ankara

Snuggled in Kalaba in the Keçiören metropolitan, the Keçiören Falls is a man-made waterfall that offers a mesmerizing view. There is a glass bridge over the falls, which is worth visiting. There are many pools and fountains in the area surrounding the waterfall.

8 km
from city center 6 out of 36
Things To Do in Ankara

Aqua Vega Aquarium is Turkey's longest shopping mall aquarium that houses nearly 12,000 sea creatures in thematic salt and freshwater tanks. Most of the magical creatures here, including sharks, are brought from all over the world's rivers and oceans and are only seen in documentaries.

1 km
from city center 7 out of 36
Things To Do in Ankara

Located in the Atpazarı area of Ankara, the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations is based in two Ottoman buildings near the Ankara Castle. The museum houses artefacts, handicrafts, tools, and furniture, among more pieces of history from the Neolithic, Chalcolithic and Bronze ages.

5 km
from city center 8 out of 36
Things To Do in Ankara

Located in the Canakaya district, the Atakule Tower overlooks Ankara from a height of 125 meters above the sea level. The panoramic view of the city alongside good food is definitely a plus, with a revolving restaurant and a café, Atakule is a great place to enjoy a romantic dinner at. The bottom structure of this tower is home to a shopping complex.

1 km
from city center 9 out of 36
Things To Do in Ankara

The Erimtan Museum is an archaeology and art museum and a popular museum venue in Ankara. It houses nearly two thousand portable artefacts of Anatolian origin. Located in the Ulus region of Ankara, the Erimtan Museum showcases works that belong to civilisations such as the Hittites, Urartu, Assyrians and Achaemenids. Concerts are also held in the museum building every Tuesday, with each season having about 16 concerts.

12 km
from city center 10 out of 36
Things To Do in Ankara

The Ataturk Statue, located in Ulus Square of Ankara near Atatürk Boulevard, is a group of bronze statues depicting soldiers in a battlefield. Built during the Turkish War of Independence, the central figure of the monument is that of an equestrian figure of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey and a military officer during World War I. There are three more figures of two soldiers and one woman.

2 km
from city center 11 out of 36
Things To Do in Ankara

The Kocatepe Mosque is one of the largest mosques in the world. It is also the largest mosque in Ankara that can be seen from almost anywhere in the central city. Standing 288 ft tall, the four minarets of the mosque and its gorgeous gold-plated dome are a mesmerising view. Like several other attractions in Ankara, you have to climb a hill to reach the mosque which is located near the city’s famous plaza, Kizilay Square.

37 km
from city center 12 out of 36
Things To Do in Ankara

Rahmi M. Koç Museum is the first industrial and transport museum in Ankara. Facing the Ankara Citadel, it is situated in the old quarters of two historic caravanserais. There are certain sections dedicated to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. A large chunk of the collection is believed to be donated by the famous Koc family.

0 km
from city center 13 out of 36
Things To Do in Ankara

The Aslanhane Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Turkey, with magnificent woodwork and stone elements. The 13th-century mosque is located in the old quarter of Ankara, next to Ankara Castle. The Aslanhane Mosque, literally translating to the house of the lion, derives its name from the lion statues surrounding it, which were buried in the walls of Şerafettin's mosque facing it.

1 km
from city center 14 out of 36
Things To Do in Ankara

One of the most important Roman period ruins in Ankara, the Monumentum Ancyranum or the Temple of Augustus and Rome, is home to the “Deeds of the Divine Augustus” (Res Gestae Divi Augusti), the autobiography of the first Roman Emperor. Unfortunately, the temple can be viewed from the outside as it is in danger of collapse due to several climatic factors, including air pollution and earthquakes, and is not accessible to visitors for sightseeing.

13 km
from city center 15 out of 36
Things To Do in Ankara

An alluvial set lake, the Eymir Lake, located in the town of Ankara Golbasi, is a famous picnic spot. The Lake is inside a natural park frequented by locals for walking, jogging or cycling with a bike, which can be rented at the entrance. It is also known for bird watching, and the most common bird species found at the lake are mallard duck, elmabaş patka and bahrid. Water sports activities such as rowing and fishing are also available.

1 km
from city center 16 out of 36
Things To Do in Ankara

Located in Hacettepe, Ankara, the State Museum of Paintings and Sculpture is dedicated to fine arts. It showcases an eclectic range of contemporary art from the late 19th century to the present day. The museum has a collection of permanent works that are the world’s finest pieces of Turkish art as well as some modern temporary exhibits by foreign artists.

4 km
from city center 17 out of 36
Things To Do in Ankara

Altinpark is the largest public park in Ankara with beautiful green landscape and artificial pond arrangements. Inside the park are a science centre, buffets and restaurants, playgrounds, lakeside lecture halls, a fair and congress centre, and kindergarten and summer school. There are also rashing boats, skating rink, electric excursion cars and a mini excursion train.

0 km
from city center 18 out of 36
Things To Do in Ankara

The Ankara Ethnography museum is dedicated to Turkish Arts and Culture, starting from the Seljuk period. From clothes and ornaments to shoes and other accessories, the museum captures the essence of Ankaraian ethnicity quite well. In addition, there is a library that houses a specialized collection of books covering folktales from Ankarian history and ethnography.

9 km
from city center 19 out of 36
Things To Do in Ankara

The Altinkoy Open Air Museum is based on village architecture, traditions and culture of the 1930-1950s. A beautiful picnic spot, the innovative museum, located in Altındağ district of Ankara, has a breathtaking green landscape covering 500 acres. Apart from being a delight for nature lovers, there are also many small museums inside, including a laundry place, a weaving workshop, a toy museum and workshop, and a wildlife introduction museum.

70 km
from city center 20 out of 36
Things To Do in Ankara

CerModern is a modern art museum for Contemporary Art and Photography located in Anafartalar, Altınsoy Cd. in Ankara. It is set inside an old railway workshop and conveys the essence of art in the present dynamic era. Some significant past exhibits of this museum include the works of Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo and the Istanbul Photo Awards.

9 km
from city center 21 out of 36
Things To Do in Ankara

One of the largest mosques in Turkey, the Ahmet Hamdi Akseki Mosque in Ankara is a mix of modern architecture, Arabic calligraphy and ancient Islamic features. Designed in a neoclassical style, it has a majestic moonlight effect on the dome, created by directed lights from its four 66 metre minarets.

0 km
from city center 22 out of 36
Things To Do in Ankara

The largest Opera house in Ankara, Ankara Opera House hosts Ballet and Opera performances. Based in the Atatürk Bulvarı area, the Opera House was originally constructed as an exhibition centre. Also known as Büyük Tiyatro, the building serves as a theatre for Turkish State movies. One can check and book shows on Ankara Opera House’s official website.

1 km
from city center 23 out of 36
Things To Do in Ankara

Believed to be the newest mosque in Ankara, the Melike Hatun Mosque is largely popular among the locals for its exhibition halls and modern features. Built on 19,500 square metres, the mosque can house around 7,000 people at a time and displays a unique style combining Ottoman, Seljuk and modern architecture.

0 km
from city center 24 out of 36
Things To Do in Ankara

Hattusha, an archaeological site, once enjoyed the status of the Hittite Empire's capital. Hattusha is known for its urban planning and the various surviving ruins, including temples, royal residences, and fortresses. The lavish Lions' Arch, Royal Gate, and the Yazilikaya group of rock art are some of the architectural delights here. Now recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Hattusha is a must-visit in Ankara.

7 km
from city center 25 out of 36
Things To Do in Ankara

The Bestepe National Mosque is one of the largest mosques in Ankara. Located inside the Presidential Palace complex of Ankara's Bestepe district, it symbolises Turkish culture and traditions and is a prominent example of traditional Turkish architecture. The mosque has a beautiful fountain at the entrance and looks stunning at night with its illuminated minarets.

6 km
from city center 26 out of 36
Things To Do in Ankara

Located in Yenimahalle, the Ataturk Forest Farm and Zoo is an expansive recreational park and the largest zoo in Ankara. It houses several small agricultural farms, greenhouses, restaurants, a dairy farm, and a brewery. The zoological garden is home to some big cats, monkeys, apes, ungulates, snakes, various species of birds, as well as an aquarium.

1 km
from city center 27 out of 36
Things To Do in Ankara

Column of Julian is a significant historical monument located in the Ulus district of Ankara. This ancient structure stands in a square surrounded by government buildings, notably between the old Ankara Governorship building and the current Social Sciences University building. The column, rising 15 meters high, is an exquisite piece of stone masonry. It features a fluted body composed of many grooved ring-shaped white stones.

1 km
from city center 28 out of 36
Things To Do in Ankara

Is bank museum is located in the third headquarters building of Turkey Is Bank in Ulus. Facing the Hakimiyet-i Milliye square, the building is an architectural marvel and the museum shares the bank's rich history and its crucial role in Turkey's economic independence. It is a free museum and is well connected by public transport.

0 km
from city center 29 out of 36
Things To Do in Ankara

Hamamonu is a historic neighborhood nestled in the Altindag district of Ankara. Known for its well-preserved Ottoman architecture, the neighborhood boasts several museums, mosques and houses of Ottoman era. It lies near Talatpaşa Boulevard and is just a short distance from major landmarks like Hacettepe Hospital. It is about a 10-15 minute taxi ride from both the intercity coach terminal and the central train station.

0 km
from city center 30 out of 36
Things To Do in Ankara

Situated in Altindag, Gokyay Foundation Chess Museum is renowned for its extensive collection of chess sets. Located in a historical home, the museum spans an area of 1,008 square meters and is known for housing the world's largest chess set collection, featuring 723 sets from 110 countries as of 2024. Materials used for the chess sets include wood, metal, fishbone, marble, soapstone, felt, polyester, and cast iron, among others.

37 km
from city center 31 out of 36
Things To Do in Ankara

A Turkish hammam, or bathhouse, is a traditional place for cleansing and relaxation. Visitors typically enjoy a steam bath, exfoliation, and a massage. In Ankara, there are both historical and local hammams to choose from. Historical hammams, like Eynebey and Karacabey, offer a blend of cultural heritage and quality service while local hammams, such as Baskent and Efes, provide a more authentic and budget-friendly experience. Most hammams cater to male clients, but some have separate sections for women.

1 km
from city center 32 out of 36
Things To Do in Ankara

Located in the Ulus neighborhood on Cumhuriyet Boulevard, the Republic Museum is situated southwest of the War of Independence Museum, which served as the Turkish Parliament from 1920 to 1924. It building itself was the Turkish Parliament building from 1924 until 1960. It is renowned for its extensive collection of historical artifacts from the Turkish War of Independence and the early Republican period. Same ticket can be used for visiting both first and second parliament.

4 km
from city center 33 out of 36
Things To Do in Ankara

Spanning over 67,000 square meters, Segmenler park is located in the Kavaklıdere District near Atatürk Boulevard, offering several attractions and activities. This public park houses a notable monument dedicated to the Segmenler and an open amphitheater. It is a favorite spot for families, young people playing music, and groups of friends enjoying picnics with pools, lush lawns, and various play areas.

1 km
from city center 34 out of 36
Things To Do in Ankara

Suluhan Bazaar is the oldest market in Ankara located in Ulus district. With a history of over 500 years, the market is a cultural experience and offers a traditional setup, where goods are displayed in an old-fashioned, storage-like manner without price tags, inviting customers to engage in the age-old practice of bargaining. The goods are mostly cheaper than other markets. There are several eateries and cafes in the market, as well. Use translating app as no one speaks English here.

21 km
from city center 35 out of 36
Things To Do in Ankara

Lake Mogan is a natural freshwater lake situated near Ankara, in the Golbasi district. It is located inside Mogan Park which is a frequented picnic spot for locals and tourists. It lies close to major roads, including the Konya highway, which provides convenient access by car. Several activities like bird-watching, boating, fishing, and sailing can be done here. There are numerous cafes and restaurants nearby.

2 km
from city center 36 out of 36
Things To Do in Ankara

Kizilay is a central district in Ankara known as shopping and nightlife hub. Main things to do around include Kizilay Square, Ankara castle, Carsi, and Ataturk Cultural Center. The square is a popular spot for social and political gatherings. It can be reached by buses, dolmus, metro’s M1 and M2 lines, and Ankaray light rail.