Ankara Gezi Rehberi

Those who want to see the capital Ankara and are curious, gather around! I’ve prepared a comprehensive Ankara travel guide for you!

You may often hear negative things about Ankara: “The best thing about going to Ankara is returning,” they say. Don’t listen to them. Ankara is a beautiful and livable city with its history, nature, and urban structure. It has its own unique people and an interesting culture that you need to see and experience firsthand. In fact, you shouldn’t leave without talking to a true Ankara native and sharing their concerns. Besides, since Ankara is located in the center of our country, it’s easy to access from anywhere. So, what are we waiting for? Here’s the Ankara travel plan I’ve prepared for you to organize your trip.

Contents

• 1 Where is Ankara Located?
• 2 Brief History of Ankara
• 3 How Many People Live in Ankara?
• 4 Ankara Economy
• 5 Ankara Weather
• 6 How to Get to Ankara
• 7 Public Transportation in Ankara
• 8 Where to Stay in Ankara?
• 9 What to Eat in Ankara?
• 10 Shopping in Ankara
• 11 Ankara Nightlife
• 12 Festivals in Ankara
• 13 Places to Visit in Ankara
  • 13.1 Anıtkabir
  • 13.2 Ankara Castle
  • 13.3 Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
  • 13.4 War of Independence Museum
  • 13.5 Republic Museum
  • 13.6 Eymir Lake
  • 13.7 Atatürk Forest Farm
  • 13.8 Kuğulu Park

Where is Ankara Located?

Ankara is located in Central Anatolia, just above Konya, and below Kastamonu. It is not fully affected by either the Black Sea or the Mediterranean. It is somewhere in between. It forms the eastern part of the western half of Turkey. It is relatively central. If we were to move Ankara a bit further east together, it would be right in the center of Turkey.

Brief History of Ankara

Anatolia is already a paradise of civilization, a region that has been home to numerous civilizations throughout history. Ankara, being at the very heart of Anatolia, is therefore at the heart of civilization itself. Life has been present here since prehistoric times, with significant settlements established during the Neolithic and Copper Ages. The Hittites, Phrygians, Lydians, Persians, and Macedonians, among others, have all left their mark on this region, making it a hub of civilization.

In ancient sources, the founder of Ankara is known as King Midas of Phrygia, and it is believed that the city’s name was given by him. The area was also known as Ankyra, meaning “anchor,” in reference to a ship’s anchor. According to legend, Midas found an anchor and hid it in the temple of Zeus. The connection between Ankara and the anchor is quite interesting, isn’t it?

Ankara has been under the rule of many other civilizations, including the Romans, Arabs, Byzantines, Seljuks, and Ottomans. As of 1900, the city had a population of only around 30,000 people. During the War of Independence, it was declared the capital due to its difficult climate and remote location, making it a challenging target for military attacks. At that time, Ankara was a small and insignificant town, but this very fact helped to ensure its protection. With the advent of the Republican Era, the city rapidly developed and has since become a thriving metropolis, even boasting a dinosaur statue.

How Many People Live in Ankara?

The population of Ankara is approximately 5.5 million people, with the vast majority living in the city itself. The number of people living in rural areas is relatively small. The city’s area is 25,000 square kilometers, making it much larger than Istanbul. Ankara is indeed one of the largest cities in Turkey.

Ankara Economy

About three-quarters of Ankara’s population works in the service sector. Due to the lack of industrial development to accommodate the influx of migrants, people have turned to the service sector for employment. However, the city’s industry is still significant, with many important businesses and a contribution to Turkey’s income of around 12%.

Although we mentioned that the rural population is small, the agricultural areas in Ankara are well above the national average. About 60% of Ankara’s land is used for agriculture, with wheat, barley, and sugar beets being the main crops.

Ankara’s Climate

The climate in Ankara is harsh, with extremely cold winters. The temperatures often drop below 0°C, and it’s not uncommon to see -3°C. The city experiences cold weather for about half of the year, and when you factor in the bitter cold, it’s essential to dress warmly and take necessary precautions.

Ankara Climate is a continental climate, so spring months are almost non-existent. The weather warms up quickly and stays around 30-40 degrees in the summer. Especially in the city, it can be quite sweltering. If you happen to be in Ankara in July and August, I’d say accept defeat from the start.

How to Get to Ankara

You can choose from many options to get to Ankara. Traveling by land is straightforward, with buses available from everywhere. You can also opt for the railway or airway. If you’re in a hurry, I recommend flying. You can easily get to the city from the airport. If you have a bit more time, we definitely recommend the railway. Since it’s possible to travel to Ankara by high-speed train, time won’t be a significant issue. The railway is very comfortable for passengers, and you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the scenery. We often forget how beautiful our country is. The railway is one of the ways to remind us of this. I hope you enjoy the view!

Public Transportation in Ankara

As Ankara is a metropolis, you won’t have any problems with public transportation. The city buses are called EGO. The company thought it fitting to name it that way. You can travel very comfortably by bus. You can find a bus that goes from anywhere to anywhere.

Ankara also has a metro system. It’s not very extensive, but it passes through many central points, so it will be very useful for you. If you have the option to take the metro, be sure to use it. Of course, unless it’s raining! In some cases of heavy rain, the metro can flood.

Where to Stay in Ankara

Ankara offers a wide range of hotels. It’s entirely up to your budget and imagination. Accommodation in Ankara is not very expensive. However, if you want a good hotel that serves breakfast, the price will increase, of course. Moreover, these hotels are scattered throughout the city, so you can find one in any area you prefer. As the hotel’s star rating and services increase, so do the prices.

What to Eat in Ankara

My favorite part! Central Anatolia already knows how to make delicious food, with its own unique flavors: Ankara-style roasted meat, kapama, forest kebab, shepherd’s roast, sızgıç, eggplant with meat, and siyel are must-try dishes. If you’re a meat lover, this place is heaven. If you want to have some soup with it, you can choose from dutmaç, keşkek, miyane, and toyga. And if you’d like some dessert, you can pick from ayva boranası, höşmerim, kaygana, kar helvası, fıslak, and zerdali hoşafı.

Shopping in Ankara

There are many shopping malls in Ankara. You won’t have trouble finding a place to shop. Almost every neighborhood has a shopping mall. If you want to buy local products, you can visit Samanpazarı and Çıkrıkçılar Yolu. Apart from that, when you go to Ankara Castle, you can also see very interesting products. If you happen to be in Beypazarı, you can find many products there as well. Handmade products, decorative items, jewelry, ornaments, and many more.

Ankara Nightlife

Ankara nightlife is quite famous. Not just the mentioned pavyons. If you want to go out in the evening, you can find many places. Kızılay Square, Sakarya Street, Arjantin Street, Filistin Street have many bars and nightclubs. Mostly students go to these places and they know how to have fun. If you want to have a good time outside, I recommend these places.

If you are curious about Ankara’s pavyons, you might be a little disappointed. They don’t treat you like a person, and the prices are quite high. However, it can be a different experience for you.

Festivals in Ankara

• Ankara International Jazz Festival (2 – 27 February): This festival, which has its roots in the 90s and was organized by a few jazz enthusiasts, has become a very comprehensive and prestigious festival today. If you like jazz, don’t miss it, you can see important musicians from both abroad and Turkey.

• Ankara International Film Festival (28 April – 2 May): You can watch important films with important guests here. You can watch very interesting festival films from Turkey and especially Europe. At the same time, it can be a good opportunity to meet with Eastern cinema. It can be considered for those looking for alternatives in cinema.

• Ankara Theater Festival (18 – 28 November): A very comprehensive theater festival. The festival has been held since 1996 and so far 453 plays have been performed, many workshops and interviews have been held.

Places to Visit in Ankara

Anıtkabir

The symbol of Ankara and Turkey. You can’t go to Ankara and not see it. Sometimes people get emotional, sometimes they get goosebumps. My advice is to walk around quietly and slowly. If you prefer the hours when there are fewer people, you can have a very interesting experience. Especially if you are planning a day trip to Ankara, you can visit like this.

Ankara Castle

This place is as old as Ankara. It has a 4,000-year history and has been used by many civilizations. It is not known who built it, which makes it a bit mysterious. Festivals are held here, and there are museums inside. Plus, it has a beautiful view of Ankara.

Museum of Anatolian Civilizations

I have mentioned how important Ankara’s history is. Given this, a civilization museum was a must. You can embark on a journey that spans from the Paleolithic Age to the present day. The most valuable piece of the museum is a map containing the city plan of Çatalhöyük, which dates back to around 6200 BC.

War of Independence Museum

This place was once where the first Grand National Assembly gathered. It was built as the meeting building of the Committee of Union and Progress. It played an important role during the War of Independence. Later, it was converted into a museum. You can find important agreements of the War of Independence and the correspondence that built modern-day Turkey.

Republic Museum

As you know, there were two parliament buildings before the current one. This is the second one. It was later converted into the Republic Museum. You can see with documents what happened and how it happened during the period following the War of Independence.

Eymir Lake

It is located within the grounds of METU. A place of magnificent beauty. A paradise in the heart of the city. If you are interested in places to relax in Ankara, you can visit here. With its beautiful nature and scenery, it will take you away from all kinds of stress in life.

Atatürk Forest Farm

This place is a paradise that has been messed up in recent years. An important forest area and a farm inside it produce very delicious animal products. Moreover, it is an important national heritage. Recently, there has been talk of it being opened up to construction. If that happens, I say go and see it before these places turn into concrete, and witness what we might lose.

Kuğulu Park

A park that has become synonymous with Ankara. The park’s pond features swans, ducks, and geese. A sweet place. You can go and relax. It’s among the places to go with your lover in Ankara. A announcement to romantic travelers! It’s an ideal place to spend a pleasant time.

Now you can decide what the best part of visiting Ankara is! Have a good trip!

ankara travel guide