Forget the gray city cliché! From the spiritual peace of Anıtkabir to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, from Kuğulu Park to Kaleiçi, discover Ankara's most special routes.
Is it just the cold face of government offices and bureaucracy, or a living, vibrant historical scene? Ankara is ready to break all prejudices. With its deep-rooted heritage from the Hittites to the present, world-class museums, parks painted red in autumn, and its unique "Aspava" culture, we rediscover the Capital not as a tourist, but as an Ankaran.
For most Istanbulites or Izmirites, Ankara is just a cold stop for mandatory official procedures, military service, or a necessary transfer while heading to Anatolia. You often encounter clichés like "It has no sea, what does it have?" or "The best part of Ankara is the return to Istanbul." Yet, Ankara is a city with depth, order, and elegance, with historical walls witnessing the birth pains of the Republic of Turkey, museums preserving thousands of years of Anatolian civilizations, and vast green spaces.
To understand Ankara, you must give it a chance and lose yourself in its streets. From the spiritual pride you'll feel at Anıtkabir, to the lively streets of Tunalı Hilmi Avenue, from the antique shops with the scent of wood in Ankara Castle to the silent forests of Lake Eymir, this extensive guide will completely change your perspective on the Capital.
To prove that Ankara is not just a "gray bureaucracy city," get behind the wheel and start exploring this unique steppe city.
Anıtkabir should undoubtedly be the first and most important stop of your Ankara visit. Know these before you go:
Located on one of the highest hills of the city, Ankara Castle offers the best panoramic view of the city. The real beauty begins when you enter the castle; narrow cobblestone streets, authentically restored wooden and adobe Ankara houses, shops selling hand-woven carpets, and antique shops playing old records... Especially don't leave without having Turkish coffee cooked on embers in the courtyard of the old caravanserai "Pirinç Han".
To see with your own eyes the hardships, impossibilities, and difficult conditions under which the Republic was founded, it is essential to visit the first parliament buildings in Ulus Square. When you enter the I. Parliament building, you will deeply feel the spirit of those days when you see the small wooden school benches where the deputies sat, the coal stove burning in the middle, and the gas lamps.
Located right at the foot of Ankara Castle, in two historical Ottoman buildings (Kurşunlu Han and Mahmutpaşa Bedesteni). It gained worldwide fame by being selected as "Museum of the Year in Europe" in Switzerland in 1997. The most exquisite archaeological artifacts unearthed from the Anatolian geography, from the Paleolithic era to Hittite Sun discs, Urartian jewelry, and Phrygian artifacts, are exhibited here in an unparalleled chronological order.
When you leave the historical Ulus and head towards Çankaya, you encounter a much more modern European city atmosphere with its wide boulevards, embassy buildings, and vast parks.
It is the traditional meeting point of Ankara residents. After a pleasant shopping tour on the famous Tunalı Hilmi Avenue lined with shops, bookstores, and cafes, head to Kuğulu Park right at the corner of the avenue. Sitting in the shade of trees, watching the elegant swans gifted from Vienna years ago, and eating a freshly baked warm simit or kumpir from "Kıtır" across the park is the first rule of being an Ankaran.
One of the symbols of the city, Atakule, has been revitalized in recent years with the renovation of the modern shopping mall underneath. Going up to the observation terrace at the top of the Tower to watch Ankara uninterrupted at 360 degrees is a great experience. The "Botanical Park" located right under the Tower offers a great walking route with its magnificent vegetation despite its steep slopes.
Located a bit further up from Kuğulu Park, near the Çankaya Mansion, Seğmenler Park is Ankara's "Central Park." With its vast grassy areas, the amphitheater in the middle, people walking with their dogs, and young people playing guitar on the grass, it is the city's most free and lively green space.
Ankara is not just about the center. If you have a vehicle, you can set sail to completely different worlds within a 1-hour drive:
🏡 Historical Beypazarı HousesLocated 100 km west of Ankara, Beypazarı is famous for its unspoiled historical wooden mansions, silver craftsmanship (telkari), and magnificent cuisine. As you wander its streets, the smell of freshly baked "Beypazarı Kurusu" will captivate you. Don't return without eating "80-layer home baklava" and "Beypazarı Stew" for dinner.
🌲 Lake Eymir and METU ForestsLocated just 20 km away from the city, within the METU area, Lake Eymir is the weekend escape point for Ankara residents. Since motor vehicle entry is prohibited around the lake, you can only tour the lake (approximately 10 km) by renting a bike or walking. In autumn, it takes on a picturesque view with fallen leaves.
An unparalleled tradesman culture whose acronym stands for "May God Give Health, Money, Appetite, Amen." Before your order (Wrap/Iskender) arrives, the table is filled with fries, salad, and raw meatballs; after the meal, unlimited tea and semolina halva with ice cream are served.
🥯 Street Simit (Ankara Simit)It is very different from Izmir gevrek or Istanbul simit. Because it is dipped in double-roasted hot molasses, its color is much darker, the inside is dense, and the outside is incredibly crispy. Consume it with tea before it cools down.
🥩 Real Ankara DönerIt never contains minced meat, only pure lamb/beef slices are slowly cooked over a wood fire. No tomatoes/peppers or sauce are added, allowing you to taste the real flavor of the meat.
Historical Beypazarı houses, the healing thermal springs of Kızılcahamam, the nature of Lake Eymir, or the famous steep slopes of Çankaya... Although Ankara's center can be explored by public transport, its true beauties are hidden on the outskirts of the city.
To explore this vast geography without getting tired, wasting time with metro transfers, and listening to music as you wish, rent your vehicle with the assurance of LenaCars.
Show Ankara Rental Cars → 📞 24/7 Uninterrupted Support*We offer instant vehicle delivery service from Ankara Esenboğa Airport (ESB) and High-Speed Train (YHT) station.
10 dk
7 dk
12 dk
Forget the gray city cliché! From the spiritual peace of Anıtkabir to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, from Kuğulu Park to Kaleiçi, discover Ankara's most special routes.
Is it just the cold face of government offices and bureaucracy, or a living, vibrant historical scene? Ankara is ready to break all prejudices. With its deep-rooted heritage from the Hittites to the present, world-class museums, parks painted red in autumn, and its unique "Aspava" culture, we rediscover the Capital not as a tourist, but as an Ankaran.
For most Istanbulites or Izmirites, Ankara is just a cold stop for mandatory official procedures, military service, or a necessary transfer while heading to Anatolia. You often encounter clichés like "It has no sea, what does it have?" or "The best part of Ankara is the return to Istanbul." Yet, Ankara is a city with depth, order, and elegance, with historical walls witnessing the birth pains of the Republic of Turkey, museums preserving thousands of years of Anatolian civilizations, and vast green spaces.
To understand Ankara, you must give it a chance and lose yourself in its streets. From the spiritual pride you'll feel at Anıtkabir, to the lively streets of Tunalı Hilmi Avenue, from the antique shops with the scent of wood in Ankara Castle to the silent forests of Lake Eymir, this extensive guide will completely change your perspective on the Capital.
To prove that Ankara is not just a "gray bureaucracy city," get behind the wheel and start exploring this unique steppe city.
Anıtkabir should undoubtedly be the first and most important stop of your Ankara visit. Know these before you go:
Located on one of the highest hills of the city, Ankara Castle offers the best panoramic view of the city. The real beauty begins when you enter the castle; narrow cobblestone streets, authentically restored wooden and adobe Ankara houses, shops selling hand-woven carpets, and antique shops playing old records... Especially don't leave without having Turkish coffee cooked on embers in the courtyard of the old caravanserai "Pirinç Han".
To see with your own eyes the hardships, impossibilities, and difficult conditions under which the Republic was founded, it is essential to visit the first parliament buildings in Ulus Square. When you enter the I. Parliament building, you will deeply feel the spirit of those days when you see the small wooden school benches where the deputies sat, the coal stove burning in the middle, and the gas lamps.
Located right at the foot of Ankara Castle, in two historical Ottoman buildings (Kurşunlu Han and Mahmutpaşa Bedesteni). It gained worldwide fame by being selected as "Museum of the Year in Europe" in Switzerland in 1997. The most exquisite archaeological artifacts unearthed from the Anatolian geography, from the Paleolithic era to Hittite Sun discs, Urartian jewelry, and Phrygian artifacts, are exhibited here in an unparalleled chronological order.
When you leave the historical Ulus and head towards Çankaya, you encounter a much more modern European city atmosphere with its wide boulevards, embassy buildings, and vast parks.
It is the traditional meeting point of Ankara residents. After a pleasant shopping tour on the famous Tunalı Hilmi Avenue lined with shops, bookstores, and cafes, head to Kuğulu Park right at the corner of the avenue. Sitting in the shade of trees, watching the elegant swans gifted from Vienna years ago, and eating a freshly baked warm simit or kumpir from "Kıtır" across the park is the first rule of being an Ankaran.
One of the symbols of the city, Atakule, has been revitalized in recent years with the renovation of the modern shopping mall underneath. Going up to the observation terrace at the top of the Tower to watch Ankara uninterrupted at 360 degrees is a great experience. The "Botanical Park" located right under the Tower offers a great walking route with its magnificent vegetation despite its steep slopes.
Located a bit further up from Kuğulu Park, near the Çankaya Mansion, Seğmenler Park is Ankara's "Central Park." With its vast grassy areas, the amphitheater in the middle, people walking with their dogs, and young people playing guitar on the grass, it is the city's most free and lively green space.
Ankara is not just about the center. If you have a vehicle, you can set sail to completely different worlds within a 1-hour drive:
🏡 Historical Beypazarı HousesLocated 100 km west of Ankara, Beypazarı is famous for its unspoiled historical wooden mansions, silver craftsmanship (telkari), and magnificent cuisine. As you wander its streets, the smell of freshly baked "Beypazarı Kurusu" will captivate you. Don't return without eating "80-layer home baklava" and "Beypazarı Stew" for dinner.
🌲 Lake Eymir and METU ForestsLocated just 20 km away from the city, within the METU area, Lake Eymir is the weekend escape point for Ankara residents. Since motor vehicle entry is prohibited around the lake, you can only tour the lake (approximately 10 km) by renting a bike or walking. In autumn, it takes on a picturesque view with fallen leaves.
An unparalleled tradesman culture whose acronym stands for "May God Give Health, Money, Appetite, Amen." Before your order (Wrap/Iskender) arrives, the table is filled with fries, salad, and raw meatballs; after the meal, unlimited tea and semolina halva with ice cream are served.
🥯 Street Simit (Ankara Simit)It is very different from Izmir gevrek or Istanbul simit. Because it is dipped in double-roasted hot molasses, its color is much darker, the inside is dense, and the outside is incredibly crispy. Consume it with tea before it cools down.
🥩 Real Ankara DönerIt never contains minced meat, only pure lamb/beef slices are slowly cooked over a wood fire. No tomatoes/peppers or sauce are added, allowing you to taste the real flavor of the meat.
Historical Beypazarı houses, the healing thermal springs of Kızılcahamam, the nature of Lake Eymir, or the famous steep slopes of Çankaya... Although Ankara's center can be explored by public transport, its true beauties are hidden on the outskirts of the city.
To explore this vast geography without getting tired, wasting time with metro transfers, and listening to music as you wish, rent your vehicle with the assurance of LenaCars.
Show Ankara Rental Cars → 📞 24/7 Uninterrupted Support*We offer instant vehicle delivery service from Ankara Esenboğa Airport (ESB) and High-Speed Train (YHT) station.
10 dk
7 dk
12 dk
Ücretsiz filo analizi ile tasarruf fırsatlarını keşfedin.
Türkiye'nin en geniş araç filosu ile güvenli ve konforlu yolculuklar.
Ücretsiz filo analizi ile tasarruf fırsatlarını keşfedin.
Türkiye'nin en geniş araç filosu ile güvenli ve konforlu yolculuklar.