All citiesAnkara Things to do and walking itinerary
Türkiye Ankara travel guide
30 things to do in Ankara, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Ankara
- Anıtkabir — Atatürk's mausoleum in Ankara, Türkiye (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Museum of Anatolian Civilizations — museum in Ankara, Türkiye (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Kocatepe Mosque — mosque in Ankara, Türkiye (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Atakule — observation tower and shopping mall in Ankara, Türkiye (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Ankara Castle — castle in Ankara, Türkiye (visit ≈ 75 min)
- Temple of Augustus in Ankara — historic temple in Ankara (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Ethnography Museum of Ankara — museum in Ankara, Türkiye (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Aslanhane Mosque — mosque in Ankara, Türkiye (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Ankara Painting and Sculpture Museum — art museum in Ankara, Türkiye (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Roman Baths of Ankara — Roman baths in Ankara (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Turkish State Cemetery — graveyard in Türkiye (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Çankaya Mansion — Residence of the presidents of Türkiye (1923–2014), now the Vice President's office (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Maltepe Mosque — mosque in Ankara, Türkiye (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Presidential Complex of Türkiye — Official workplace of the President of Türkiye, in Ankara (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Gençlik Parkı — park in Ankara, Türkiye (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Kızılay Meydanı — urban square in Kızılay, Çankaya, Ankara (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Melike Hatun Mosque — mosque (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Julian Column — Roman monument in Ankera (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Ankara Palas — hotel in Türkiye (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Ulucanlar Prison Museum — prison (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Roman Road of Ankara — Ancient Roman road in Türkiye (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Erimtan Museum — a museum in Ankara (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Kuğulu Park — park in Çankaya, Türkiye (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Dikmen Valley — recreation park in Ankara (visit ≈ 45 min)
- St. Teresa Catholic Church, Ankara — Catholic church in Ulus, Ankara, Türkiye (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Hittite Sun Course Monument — monument in Türkiye (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Roman theatre of Ankara — Roman open-air theatre in Ankara, Türkiye (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Mehmet Akif Ersoy Literature Museum Library — Museum and archive dedicated to Turkish Literature (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Republic Museum — museum of the Republic in the "second parliament building" in Ankara (visit ≈ 120 min)
- TCDD Open Air Steam Locomotive Museum — railway museum in Ankara, Türkiye (visit ≈ 120 min)
2-day Ankara walking itinerary
Starting point: Kızılay. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 7.5 km · 10,150 steps · 1 h 41 min on the way): Kocatepe Mosque → Ethnography Museum of Ankara → Ankara Painting and Sculpture Museum → Museum of Anatolian Civilizations → Aslanhane Mosque
- Day 2 (≈ 9.7 km · 13,160 steps · 2 h 10 min on the way): Ankara Castle → Temple of Augustus in Ankara → Anıtkabir
Hidden gems and overlooked spots in Ankara
- Rahmi M. Koç Museum Ankara — In the Çengelhan and Safranhan inns near the citadel; transport, industry and everyday-life collections. (visit ≈ 75 min)
- CerModern — Contemporary art centre in former railway repair sheds; exhibitions inside industrial architecture. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Gökyay Foundation Chess Museum — Unusual museum displaying hundreds of chess sets gathered from around the world. (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Çıkrıkçılar Slope — Old market slope climbing from Ulus to the citadel, lined with coppersmiths and craft shops. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Suluhan — Restored 17th-century Ottoman inn around a courtyard, with a tea garden and small shops. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Atatürk Forest Farm — Historic early-Republic farm with a zoo, old brewery buildings and wide green spaces. (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Lake Eymir — Reed-fringed lake south of the city, loved for walks and cycling; an easy weekend escape. (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum — Museum in Bahçelievler presenting traditions, crafts and folk culture through lively displays. (visit ≈ 45 min)
- PTT Stamp Museum — Quiet museum in Ulus showing stamps from Ottoman times to today, plus postal and telegraph equipment. (visit ≈ 40 min)
- MTA Natural History Museum — Free natural history museum on the MTA campus: fossils, minerals and life-size dinosaur models in the garden. (visit ≈ 75 min)
- METU Science and Technology Museum — Collection of early computers, instruments and tech history on the wooded METU campus. (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Gordion — Capital of ancient Phrygia: the huge Midas Mound with its wooden tomb chamber, plus a museum at Yassıhöyük. (visit ≈ 180 min)
- Beypazarı — Popular day-trip town west of Ankara with restored Ottoman houses, silversmiths and a lively bazaar. (visit ≈ 240 min)
Where to stay in Ankara
- Kızılay: Heart of the city; metro hub and cafés.
- Ulus: Historic centre near museums and the citadel.
- Kavaklıdere / Tunalı: Stylish streets, restaurants and nightlife.
- Gaziosmanpaşa: Quiet embassy district, upscale hotels.
- Hamamönü / Citadel: Restored Ottoman houses and boutique stays.
- Bahçelievler: Local, student-friendly and affordable.
Getting from the airport to Ankara
- Esenboğa (ESB): Belko Air bus ≈ 45 min
Getting around
Metro and Ankaray lines meet at Kızılay; AnkaraKart also works on buses. BiTaksi is handy for taxis.
Classic places to eat
- Uludağ Kebapçısı: Buttery İskender kebab since 1956.
- Çengelhan Brasserie: Dining in a historic han at the Rahmi M. Koç Museum.
- Tavacı Recep Usta: Ankara tava and lamb tandır.
- Trilye: Long-running seafood restaurant in Çankaya; seafood mezes.
- Göksu Restoran: Classic Turkish dishes and grills in Kızılay.
- Cafe des Cafés: Nostalgic café on Tunalı; coffee and cake.
Romantic views
- Ankara Castle (Sunset): From the walls the whole city spreads out below you.
- Hamamönü (Evening): Restored wooden houses and quiet lanes look lovely under evening lights.
- Gençlik Park (Evening): A lakeside stroll with lit-up fountains.
- Seğmenler Park (Afternoon): A calm green park in Çankaya, good for sitting on the lawn.
- Dikmen Valley (Evening): A long walking path with ponds runs along the valley.
Football stadiums in Ankara
- Eryaman Stadium: Home of MKE Ankaragücü
Good to know before visiting Ankara
- Fine: Insulting the memory of Atatürk, the Turkish flag or state symbols is a criminal offence.
- Fine: Exporting antiquities is banned; keep receipts and, for old carpets or objects, ask for a museum export certificate.
- Fine: Photographing military zones and facilities is prohibited; obey "military zone" signs.
- Fine: Smoking is banned indoors and on public transport; lighting fires in forests in summer is fined.
- Warning: Carry your ID or passport; police may ask for it at checks.
- Warning: Shops and kiosks may not sell alcohol between 22:00 and 06:00.
- Emergency: 112
- Plugs: C/F, 230V
- Tap water: Tap water is treated, but most people drink bottled or jug water.
- Tipping: A 5–10% tip is common in restaurants; round up taxi fares.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Türkiye, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Resmî e-Vize, Wikivoyage — Turkey · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Ankara travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Ankara?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 5 days for the top 20 places within walking distance.
- What are the top things to do in Ankara?
- Highlights: Anıtkabir, Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque, Atakule and Ankara Castle. The map has 30 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Ankara?
- Kızılay: Heart of the city; metro hub and cafés. Other options: Ulus, Kavaklıdere / Tunalı, Gaziosmanpaşa, Hamamönü / Citadel and Bahçelievler.
- How do you get from the airport to Ankara city centre?
- Esenboğa (ESB): Belko Air bus ≈ 45 min
- How do you get around Ankara?
- Metro and Ankaray lines meet at Kızılay; AnkaraKart also works on buses. BiTaksi is handy for taxis.
- What is the emergency number in Ankara?
- Emergency: 112.
- Do you tip in Ankara?
- A 5–10% tip is common in restaurants; round up taxi fares.
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