Travel writing based on first-hand experience
Let’s be honest — Ankara doesn’t always get the love it deserves. Everyone’s racing to Istanbul’s skyline or Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys while the capital quietly keeps its cool. But spend a day (or three) here, and you’ll see another side of Turkey — one that’s elegant, intellectual, and surprisingly soulful.
We’re talking monumental history, leafy boulevards, quirky museums, and the kind of traditional lokantas that still serve steaming lentil soup before sunrise. Ankara is less selfie chaos, more slow discovery — a city built for curious travelers who like a bit of politics with their pastry.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best places to visit in Ankara — from the grandeur of Anıtkabir to the cobblestone charm of Ankara Castle, with plenty of local stops in between. Lace up your sneakers, charge your camera, and get ready to meet the capital behind the headlines.
| Planning your Ankara itinerary? Ankara may not shout for attention like Istanbul, but give it a day or two and it quietly wins you over. These guides will help you go deeper: more sights, smarter day trips, and a broader feel for where the Turkish capital fits into the country’s bigger story. ➡️The ultimate list of things to do in Ankara ➡️Best Places To Eat in Ankara ➡️Where to Stay in Ankara ➡️Best day trips from Ankara for castles, lakes, and historic towns ➡️The most beautiful cities in Turkey to add to your route ➡️Turkey’s most fascinating UNESCO sites ➡️More Turkey travel guides for planning the rest of your trip |
Table of Contents
Getting Around Ankara
Ankara might be the political heart of Turkey, but it moves to a surprisingly laid-back rhythm. No frantic horns, no chaos on every corner — just wide avenues, tidy metro lines, and that crisp Anatolian air that makes you want to walk a little farther than planned. Getting around here is refreshingly simple once you know the system — and yes, there’s a system.
Ankarakart: Your Best Friend
Meet the Ankarakart, your golden ticket to everything that moves in the capital. This rechargeable smart card works on metros, buses, Ankaray light rail, and even some cable cars. You can grab one at kiosks or metro stations, load it with a few lira, and tap your way through the city like a seasoned local.
Pro tip: Each tap covers one ride, and transfers between systems within 75 minutes are discounted — perfect for those multi-leg adventures that end in a surprise café stop.
By Metro & Ankaray
The metro network in Ankara is compact but efficient. Think of it as a three-pronged fork: one line runs from Kızılay (the beating heart of downtown) to the northern suburbs, another shoots west to Batıkent, and the Ankaray light rail connects central spots like Maltepe and Dikimevi. Trains are clean, safe, and—most importantly—air-conditioned.
Pro tip: During rush hour, locals have the stealth of ninjas. Follow their lead — stand on the right, walk on the left, and never block the escalator unless you want side-eye in three languages.
By Bus
For the parts of Ankara where the metro dares not go, buses fill the gap. They cover every neighborhood, hill, and government complex you can imagine. Just tap your Ankarakart as you board. Routes and timetables are posted at stops, but locals will often help if you look even mildly confused — Ankara hospitality is real.
By Taxi & Apps
Taxis in Ankara are generally reliable and reasonably priced, especially compared to Istanbul. Meters start low and tick at an honest pace, but if you’d rather skip small talk about football, ride-hailing apps like BiTaksi and Uber work seamlessly across the city.
Pro tip: Always confirm the meter is on before you hit the road. And remember: traffic gets snarly near Kızılay at rush hour — patience and playlists required.
On Foot
Ankara’s center — especially Kızılay, Ulus, and the area around Ankara Castle — is perfectly walkable. Expect broad sidewalks, leafy parks, and steep climbs that will earn you every calorie at your next baklava stop. The city is spread out, so mix walking with metro rides to keep your legs happy.
Pro tip: Ankara sits at about 900 meters above sea level, so the air’s thinner and drier than the coast. Stay hydrated — that mountain-city sun can sneak up on you.
From the Airport to the City
The Esenboğa Airport (ESB) is about 28 km from the city center. The easiest route? Hop on the BelkoAir shuttle bus, which runs every 30 minutes between the airport and Kızılay. The ride takes around 40–50 minutes and costs far less than a taxi. If you’re arriving late or laden with luggage, taxis and ride apps are also available 24/7.
Once you’ve mastered the metro map and the rhythm of Ankara’s orderly streets, you’ll see why locals rarely complain about traffic — they’ve learned the art of balancing speed with serenity. And who knows? You might even start to appreciate that quiet efficiency too.
Best Places to Visit in Ankara
1) Anıtkabir, Anıttepe
Anıtkabir, home to the mausoleum of our country’s founder, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, is visited by everyone who wishes to show their love and respect for him. Atatürk’s sarcophagus is located in the Hall of Honor. Among the places you can visit at Anıtkabir are the Lion Road, the Atatürk and War of Independence Museum, the tomb of İsmet İnönü, various statues, and towers.
Anıtkabir can be visited free of charge between 9:00 am and 4:30 pm between February 1st and May 14th , between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm between May 15th and October 31st , and between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm between November 1st and January 31st .
Author’s note: Anıtkabir can get quite crowded on special days like November 10th and on weekends. Therefore, you may not be able to find a parking space for your car in the Anıtkabir parking lot. On such days, you can park your car in a suitable location close to Anıtkabir.
2) Ankara Castle, Altındağ
Ankara Castle, one of the city’s most important landmarks, is a must-see historical site. While its exact date of construction is unknown, it is believed to have been built in the early 5th century BC.
Renovated during the Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman periods, the historic castle may appear small from the outside, but its interior is even more spacious. The panoramic views of the city from the 110-meter-high Ankara Castle are genuinely breathtaking. Inside, there are tourist shops where you can shop. Ankara Castle can be visited free of charge every day of the week, between 8:30 AM and 5:30 PM .
Author’s note: If you’re visiting Ankara Castle outside of its opening hours, there’s a spot near the castle gate where you can enjoy a stunning view. You can also sample Ankara’s famous pear dessert at Divan Çukurhan, also very close to the castle.
3) Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Altındağ
The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, one of Ankara’s most comprehensive museums, is a must-see. Housed in the Mahmutpaşa Bedesten (Covered Bazaar) and Kurşunlu Han (Kurşunlu Han), the museum houses a wealth of historical artifacts, dating from the Paleolithic Age to artifacts found throughout Anatolia.
The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, which is at the top of the list of places to visit in Ankara , is open to visitors every day of the week between 08:30 and 19:00.
Location of the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
Anatolian Civilizations Museum entrance fee
- You can visit for free with the Museum Card.
- Entry fee without Museum Card: 280 TL
4) Kocatepe Mosque, Kızılay
Another of Ankara’s landmarks, the Kocatepe Mosque, was built in accordance with the style of Mimar Sinan. The mosque, with its four 88-meter-tall minarets, consists of a central dome supported by four elephant feet and four semi-domes. The mosque’s carpet patterns are modeled after those of the Afyonkarahisar Ulu Mosque. The illuminated appearance of the Kocatepe Mosque at night is just as majestic as its daytime counterpart.
The Temple of Augustus is open free of charge every day of the week. It is open from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm in the summer and from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm in the winter .
5) War of Independence Museum (1st Grand National Assembly Building), Altındağ
We mentioned in the introduction that Ankara is a historically significant city. The First Turkish Grand National Assembly building, which now serves as the War of Independence Museum, bears witness to this. The Assembly Building, located very close to Ulus Square, houses our first parliament, the table where the Treaty of Lausanne was signed, and the offices of prominent members of parliament.
The War of Independence Museum is open every day of the week, except Mondays, from 09:00 to 17:00.
War of Independence Museum location
War of Independence Museum entrance fee
- Entrance fee to the museum building: 60 TL
- Those under 18 and over 65 can enter the museum free of charge.
6) Ankara Republic Museum (2nd Grand National Assembly Building), Altındağ
The Second Grand National Assembly Building, which witnessed the birth of Atatürk’s principles and the revolution, now houses the Republic Museum. A must-see historical site in Ankara, the Republic Museum was built in 1923 by architect Vedat Tek as the Republican People’s Party headquarters. Due to the inadequacy of the first parliament building, the building was renovated and converted into a parliament building at Atatürk’s direction.
You can visit Ankara Republic Museum every day of the week between 08:30 and 20:00.
Ankara Republic Museum location
Ankara Republic Museum entrance fee
- Museum Card holders can enter free of charge.
- Museum entrance fee without a card: 60 TL
7) Roman Bath Open Air Museum, Altındağ
Located near Ulus Square, the Roman Bath Open Air Museum is among Ankara’s must-see historical sites. The Roman Bath was commissioned by the Roman Emperor Caracalla in the 3rd century in honor of Asclepius, the god of health.
The Roman Baths Archaeological Site is open to visitors every day of the week between 08:30 and 19:00.
Roman Bath Open Air Museum location
Roman Baths Archaeological Site entrance fee
- Museum Card holders can visit free of charge.
- Entry fee without Museum Card: 40 TL
8) Temple of Augustus, Altındağ
The Temple of Augustus is thought to have been built between 25 and 20 BC. Built as a symbol of devotion to Roman Emperor Augustus, the temple is believed to have been built on the site of a sacred precinct dedicated to the Phrygian gods Cybele and Men, which had been severely damaged over time.
A copy of the Res Gestae Divi Augusti, which recounts the emperor’s deeds during his lifetime, was inscribed on the walls of the Temple of Augustus, a historically significant temple. When the original inscription in Rome was lost, the monument, the only complete copy of this text to have survived, was dubbed the “Ankara Monument” (Monumentum Ancyranum) by historians.
Location of the Temple of Augustus
9) Hacı Bayram Veli Mosque, Altındağ
Completed in 1428, the Hacı Bayram Veli Mosque is among Ankara’s historic mosques. Named after the Hacı Bayram Mausoleum in its garden, the mosque’s woodwork, hand-carved ornamentation, and tilework are particularly striking. Located adjacent to the Temple of Augustus, the mosque’s two-balconied minaret has a square stone base and a cylindrical brick body.
Hacı Bayram Veli Mosque location
10) Rahmi Koç Museum, Altındağ
The Rahmi Koç Museum, Ankara’s first industrial museum, is located in a historic caravanserai called Çengelhan. A must-see in Ankara, the Rahmi Koç Museum is notable for both its architecture and its collection, which includes a wide range of industrial tools dating back to the 1850s.
You can visit the Rahmi Koç Museum, which is closed on Mondays, between 10:00 – 17:00 on Tuesdays and Fridays , and between 10:00 – 19:00 on Saturdays and Sundays .
Rahmi Koç Museum entrance fee
- Adult entrance fee: 160 TL
- Student entrance fee: 80 TL
11) State Painting and Sculpture Museum, Altındağ
The State Museum of Painting and Sculpture is housed in a historic building considered one of the finest examples of the First National Architecture Movement. The museum displays original works by renowned artists such as Osman Hamdi Bey, Abdülmecid Efendi, Şeker Ahmet Paşa, Fikret Mualla, Şevket Dağ, Şefik Bursalı, İbrahim Çallı, and Abidin Dino.
The State Museum of Painting and Sculpture is open to visitors every day of the week between 09:00 and 19:00.
State Museum of Painting and Sculpture location
entrance fee
- Museum Card holders can visit the museum free of charge.
- Entry fee without Museum Card: 70 TL
12) Ethnography Museum, Altındağ
The Ethnography Museum, where Atatürk’s remains were kept until they were transferred to Anıtkabir, displays examples of Turkish art from the Seljuk period to the present day. The museum also houses a library containing works on Anatolian ethnography, folklore, and art history. You can visit the Ethnography Museum every day of the week between 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM .
Ethnography Museum entrance fee
- Museum Card holders can enter free of charge.
- Entry fee without Museum Card: 50 TL
Author’s note: You can take photos and videos inside the museum.
13) Mehmet Akif Ersoy Museum House, Altındağ
The house where Mehmet Akif Ersoy, the author of the Turkish National Anthem, resided in Ankara during the War of Independence now serves as the Mehmet Akif Ersoy House Museum. Located in Hamamönü, the museum displays items belonging to Mehmet Akif Ersoy, including a pocket watch, eyeglasses, rosaries, and a rifle. Admission to the Mehmet Akif Ersoy House Museum is free every day except Mondays, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Mehmet Akif Ersoy Museum House location
14) Erimtan Archaeology and Art Museum, Altındağ
The Erimtan Archaeology and Art Museum, a must-see in Ankara, is located near Ankara Castle. In addition to its halls displaying archaeological artifacts, the museum also hosts temporary exhibitions.
Erimtan Archaeology and Art Museum, where scientific, cultural, and artistic activities are held, is open to visitors every day between 10:00 and 18:00, except Mondays.
Erimtan Archaeology and Art Museum location
Erimtan Archaeology and Art Museum entrance fee
- Full entrance fee: 70 TL
- Discounted entrance fee: 35 TL
15) Gökyay Foundation Chess Museum, Altındağ
The Gökyay Foundation Chess Museum, a must-see for chess enthusiasts, features 723 chess sets from 111 countries. The chess collection of Akın Gökyay, the foundation’s founder, entered the Guinness Book of World Records in 2012.
You can see the first and only registered chess collection in Turkey at the Gökyay Foundation Chess Museum. The museum is open daily except Mondays between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM .
Gökyay Foundation Chess Museum location
Gökyay Foundation Chess Museum entrance fee
- Full ticket price: 40 TL
- Discounted ticket price: 20 TL
16) Feza Gürsey Science Center, Altındağ
The Feza Gürsey Science Center, located in Altınpark, is one of Turkey’s first science centers. Named after the renowned physicist Feza Gürsey, the center was established in 1993. Featuring 48 experimental and exhibition units, the center is recommended by the Ministry of National Education for primary and high school students.
You can visit the Feza Gürsey Science Center, which is a great place to introduce your children to scientific experiments, every day of the week between 08:00 and 18:00.
Feza Gürsey Science Center entrance fee
- Full ticket price: 50 TL
- Discounted ticket price: 40 TL
17) Ulucanlar Prison Museum, Altındağ
Ulucanlar Prison, which operated in the Ulucanlar district between 1925 and 2006, now serves as a museum. The museum provides detailed information about imprisoned journalists, writers, poets, and politicians. The museum also displays personal belongings obtained from the families of these individuals and photographs taken during their incarceration.
Ulucanlar Prison Museum can be visited every day between 10:00 and 17:00, except Mondays.
Ulucanlar Prison Museum location
Ulucanlar Prison entrance fee
- Entrance fee: 30 TL
- Student entrance fee: 20 TL
18) Pirinc Han, Altındağ
While not Ankara’s first wooden inn, Pirinç Han was opened by restoring an old wooden mansion and converting it into a traditional inn. The three-story, courtyard-filled Pirinç Han was restored in 1985, preserving its original architectural features. Today, it houses antique shops, and the entrance wall of Pirinç Han features a poem by the renowned poet Faruk Nafız Çamlıbel, “Han Duvarları” (Inn Walls).
19) Ankara Palace, Altındağ
Ankara Palace, also known as the Ankara Foundation Hotel, is located directly across from the Second Parliament Building. Serving as a social facility for members of parliament and a guesthouse for official guests in the early years of the Republic, Ankara Palace has witnessed many significant events in Turkish political life. Today, the historic building serves as the State Guesthouse and is a must-see in Ankara.
20) Ankara Word Museum, Altındağ
The Ankara Word Museum, Turkey’s first museum of words, was opened by author Şermin Yaşar on Language Day, September 26th. Located opposite the Anatolian Civilizations Museum, the museum has been open for about a year and explores the concepts of words through art, visual design, and exhibitions.
The Word Museum, which also houses a three-dimensional digital statue of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, is open to visitors every day between 10:00 and 17:00, except Mondays .
Ankara Word Museum entrance fee
- Full ticket price: 80 TL
- Student ticket fee: 40 TL
21) Atatürk Residence and Railways Museum, Altındağ
The Atatürk Residence and Railway Museum, the first institution to hold private museum status under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, is located within the Ankara Train Station Complex. Built during the construction of the Baghdad Railway, the Directorate Building was allocated to Atatürk as his Commander-in-Chief Headquarters and residence upon his arrival in Ankara on December 27, 1919.
The ground floor of the residence, which was converted into a museum in 1964, now serves as the Railway Museum. The Atatürk Residence and Railway Museum are open to visitors free of charge every weekday between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm, except Saturdays, Sundays, and religious holidays .
Location of Atatürk Residence and Railway Museum
22) Ziraat Bank Museum, Altındağ
Located in Ulus, the Ziraat Bank Museum displays historical objects that illustrate the development of Turkey’s banking system. Opened in 1981, the museum is Turkey’s first banking museum. You can visit the Ziraat Bank Museum free of charge between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM on weekdays and weekends , except Mondays and public holidays.
23) Türkiye İş Bankası Economic Independence Museum, Altındağ
İş Bank’s headquarters opened as a museum in 2019. Located in a historic building near Ulus Square, the İş Bank Economic Independence Museum features objects used in banking and sections dedicated to the Turkish War of Independence. Admission is free and open daily between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm, except Mondays .
Location of the Turkish İş Bank Economic Independence Museum
24) Ankara Foundation Works Museum, Altındağ
The Museum of Foundation Works, opened in 2007, displays carpets and rugs, candlesticks, purses, Qurans, sultans’ endowments, clocks, manuscripts, metalwork, calligraphy panels, and tiles collected from all regions of Turkey. The Ankara Museum of Foundation Works is open to visitors free of charge every day of the week, except Mondays, between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm.
Ankara Foundation Works Museum location
25) Arslanhane Mosque, Altındağ
Arslanhane Mosque, also known as the Ahi Şerafeddin Mosque, is located at the southern end of Ankara Castle. One of Ankara’s oldest historical structures, the mosque is considered a must-see. Named after the lion statue on the exterior wall of the Ahi Şerafeddin Tomb, the mosque is one of the few structures that has survived from the Seljuk period to the present day.
26) Altınköy Open Air Museum, Altındağ
The Altınköy Open Air Museum, modeled on village architecture, traditions, and culture, is situated on a 500-acre site. The museum includes the village coffeehouse, the village headman’s office, stables, gardens, and traditional Turkish-style village houses. The Altınköy Open Air Museum is open every day of the week, except Mondays, from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM .
Altınköy Open Air Museum location
Altınköy Open Air Museum entrance fee
- Full ticket price: 20 TL
- Student ticket fee: 10 TL
27) Ankara Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum, Altındağ
The Ankara Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum, the first museum of its kind in Turkey, opened in 2013 with the joint contributions of Gazi University’s Turkish Folklore Research and Application Center and the Ankara Development Agency. You can visit the museum, which showcases cultural values from Turkish culture and traditions such as the storytelling tradition, Orta Oyunu (traditional Turkish folklore), Karagöz and Hacivat, village plays, marbling art, and linden printing, free of charge every day except Mondays between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm .
Ankara Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum location
28) PTT Stamp Museum, Altındağ
The PTT Stamp Museum, home to six thousand stamps from around the world, opened in 2013. Austrian architect Clemens Holzmeister designed the museum building in Ulus. Each floor of the five-story neoclassical building displays stamps with different themes. The PTT Stamp Museum is open to visitors free of charge every day of the week, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM .
29) Golden Pavilion, Cankaya
The Golden Pavilion, also known as the Merik Mansion, serves as a private museum in Ankara. Located in the Bilkent district, the Golden Pavilion stands out for its ornate structure. As Turkey’s first furniture and architecture museum, the Golden Pavilion displays numerous exquisite pieces of furniture and handcrafted items, along with the mansion’s architectural details.
The Golden Pavilion is open to visitors every day from 10:30 to 16:30, except Mondays, and children under 7 and those over 65 can enter free of charge.
Golden Pavilion entrance fee
- Full ticket price: 200 TL
- Discounted ticket price: 150 TL
30) Ahi Elvan Mosque, Altındağ
Located in the Ahi neighborhood of Samanpazarı, the Ahi Elvan Mosque was built towards the end of the 14th century. This historic mosque, which has stood the test of time, has a basilical plan with four platforms. While its exterior is quite unassuming and straightforward, the most artistically rich features of the Ahi Elvan Mosque are its mihrab, pulpit, and window sashes.
31) CerModern Arts Center, Altındağ
CerModern, located in Sıhhıye, contributes significantly to Ankara’s cultural and artistic activities. Hosting a variety of workshops, exhibitions, talks, film screenings, and theatre performances, CerModern is open daily, except Mondays, from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM .
CerModern Arts Center location
CerModern Arts Center entrance fee
- Full entrance fee: 60 TL
- Discounted entrance fee: 40 TL
32) Monument to the Turks Fighting in Korea, Altındağ
The monument, dedicated to the memory of Turkish soldiers who lost their lives in the Korean War, was opened in 1973. Renovated in 2000, the Monument to the Turks Fighting in Korea is a must-see in Ankara. Because Ankara is a sister city to Seoul, the capital of Korea, Ankara Park is located in Seoul.
Location of the Monument to the Turks Fighting in Korea
33) MTA Natural History Museum, Çankaya
The MTA Natural History Museum, a museum of natural history, paleontology, mining, mineralogy, and geology in Ankara, is a must-see in the city. Established in 1935 by order of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the MTA Natural History Museum, part of the Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA), opened in 1968. You can visit the museum free of charge every day except Mondays between 9:00 am and 4:30 pm.
MTA Natural History Museum location
34) Pink Mansion (İsmet İnönü House), Çankaya
The Pink Pavilion, where İsmet İnönü spent 48 years, is of great significance for hosting many firsts in our social and cultural life. For example, Ankara’s first ball was held here in 1927. The Pink Pavilion hosted the first concerts, exhibitions, and scientific meetings; chess, billiards, and horseback riding competitions were also held there.
Organized as a museum house by the İnönü Foundation, the Pink Mansion opens to the public every year on national holidays. The Pink Mansion, which you can visit free of charge, features items belonging to the İnönü family, including medals, the room where they dined with Atatürk, the table where İsmet İnönü played billiards with Atatürk, İsmet İnönü’s field glasses, a chess table, weapons, and uniforms.
Pink Mansion (İsmet İnönü House) location
35) Nuri Pakdil Literature Museum Library, Çankaya
The Nuri Pakdil Literature Museum Library, located on Mithatpaşa Street and opened in 2022 in the Mustafa Necati House, which was allocated to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Nuri Pakdil, also known as the Jerusalem Poet and for whom the building is named, is a writer best known for his essays, plays, poetry, translations, and travel books.
The Museum Library, affiliated with the Ankara Adnan Ötüken Provincial Public Library, features reading rooms, a meeting room, study areas, and multipurpose rooms. Some of Nuri Pakdil’s personal belongings are also exhibited, and all services are offered free of charge.
Nuri Pakdil Literature Museum Library location
36) Ankara Toy Museum, Yenimahalle
Ankara Toy Museum, Türkiye’s first toy museum, opened on April 20, 1990. Located within Ankara University, the Toy Museum displays original toys, along with replicas of antique toys currently on display in archaeological museums across the country.
You can visit the museum, which is closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays, between 09:00 – 12:00 and 13:30 – 17:00 on the remaining days of the week .
Ankara Toy Museum entrance fee
- Entrance fee: 2 TL
37) Meteorology Museum, Keçiören
The Meteorology Museum, one of the few meteorological museums in the world, is the only one in Türkiye operating in this field. Consisting of two main halls, the Museum was established to present the chronological development of meteorology in our country.
The first section of the museum houses written and visual historical documents, while the second section displays more than a hundred technological instruments and devices used in meteorology. The Meteorological Museum can be visited free of charge, by appointment, during weekday business hours , with a guide.
38) Ankara Air Force Museum, Etimesgut
The Ankara Air Force Museum, also known as the Ankara Aviation Museum, was established by the Turkish Air Force (THK). Opened on September 18, 1998, with the participation of Sabiha Gökçen, Atatürk’s adopted daughter and the first female fighter pilot, the museum displays various aircraft in its open area. The museum’s indoor area houses models of the vehicles used in the first flight attempts by 17th-century Ottoman figures Lagâri Hasan Çelebi and Hezârfen Ahmet Çelebi, as well as models of various aircraft.
The Turkish Air Force Museum is open to visitors between 09:00 and 16:30 from 15 October to 15 May, between 09:00 and 16:30 on weekdays from 15 May to 15 October, and between 10:00 and 17:30 on weekends and public holidays.
Ankara Air Force Museum location
Ankara Aviation Museum entrance fee
- Full ticket price: 60 TL
- Student ticket between 18 and 25 years old: 30 TL
- At the museum, Wednesdays are celebrated as Public Day every week and tickets are sold for 30 TL.
39) TRT Broadcasting History Museum, Çankaya
The TRT Broadcasting History Museum, located within the TRT Headquarters building in the Or-an neighborhood, offers a hands-on demonstration of the stages and rules of broadcasting, along with historical artifacts on display.
The TRT Broadcasting History Museum, which comprises the Atatürk Special Exhibition, Radio Exhibition Hall, Radio-Drama Exhibition Hall, and Television Exhibition Hall, can be visited free of charge every weekday between 10:00 and 17:00.
TRT Broadcasting History Museum location
40) Atatürk Forest Farm Museum, Yenimahalle
Established to preserve the memory of Atatürk Forest Farm for future generations, the Atatürk Forest Farm Museum displays machinery and equipment used in the past. Home to some significant artifacts, the museum includes the first ice cream maker used on the farm, bottling machines, old barrels, old agricultural tools, and old veterinary instruments. The Atatürk Forest Farm Museum, which also features a variety of important exhibitions, is open to visitors free of charge every day of the week, except Mondays and Tuesdays, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM .
Atatürk Forest Farm Museum location
41) Akköprü, Yenimahalle
Akköprü, one of Ankara‘s historic bridges, is located on the Istanbul Road. Built in 1222 by Ankara Governor Kızıl Bey, Akköprü served as a departure point for caravans, military personnel, and pilgrims during the Ottoman era. Registered as an urban protected area in 1959, the bridge is currently open only to pedestrians.
42) Ankara Orchard House, Keçiören
The Vineyard House, which embodies Ankara’s civil architecture, opened as a museum in 2007. Registered as a second-degree cultural asset on the Cultural Heritage List of the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the house is furnished in a style reflecting the traditional vineyard life. The Vineyard House displays furniture and furnishings, including dining, living, and bedroom spaces; a copper-plated floor table; sofas; rattan chairs; a brass bedstead; and embroidered linen curtains.
Ankara Vineyard House location
Adventure doesn’t end here.
➡️Still got the travel itch? Check out the best day trips from Ankara.
FAQs: Places to Visit in Ankara
What are the top attractions to see in Ankara?
Don’t miss Anıtkabir, the grand mausoleum of Atatürk, the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, and Ankara Castle for sweeping city views. The Hamamönü district is also perfect for historic Ottoman houses and cafes.
Is Ankara worth visiting for tourists?
Absolutely. Ankara isn’t just Turkey’s political capital — it’s a city layered with history, culture, and art. You’ll find ancient ruins, lively markets, and some of the best museums in the country, minus the Istanbul crowds.
How many days do you need to explore Ankara?
Two full days are ideal to explore the main highlights — Anıtkabir, the museums, the old citadel, and a few modern districts like Kızılay or Çankaya for dining and nightlife.
What is the best time to visit Ankara?
Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) are the most pleasant, with mild weather and fewer tourists. Summers can get hot, and winters are often cold and snowy.
Where can I get the best view of Ankara?
Head to Ankara Castle (Ankara Kalesi) or Atakule Tower in Çankaya. Both offer panoramic views of the city, especially stunning at sunset.
What are some family-friendly places in Ankara?
Families will love Gençlik Park, Ankara Wonderland Eurasia, and Atatürk Forest Farm and Zoo for a relaxing day outdoors.
Is there good public transport in Ankara?
Yes, the Ankaray light rail and Metro lines make it easy to get around. Taxis and buses are also convenient for reaching places outside the city center.
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