The 8 things to do in Ankara

Visit Ankara: What are the best things to do and see in this mythical city of Turkey?

Ankara, the cosmopolitan capital of Turkey, is located in the middle of the country, in the Central Anatolia region. Older than 4,000 years old – Hittites remains, which were discovered on the spot, attest to this – it is renowned for being a culture metropolis: it welcomes many of the scenic points of interest such as opera and State ballet, many internationally renowned theatre troops and the symphony orchestra of the presidency of the country. Today populated by more than five million inhabitants, the city, which was chosen in 1923 by Kemal Atatürk to be the capital of modern Turkey, is more than 900 metres above sea level: it is the second largest city in the country, right after Istanbul ! Once on site, tourists seeking to do in Ankara can just as well explore its splendid old town, discover fascinating historical monuments and buildings or enjoy the beauty of the landscapes typical of the Central Anatolia, which stretches its unspoiled steppes on plateaux juched at almost a thousand meters high.

Are you wondering what to do in Ankara during your visit to Turkey? Here is the answer with a selection of the must-have activities to be done when you visit Ankara and you don’t want to miss this incredible stay!

1. The citadel of Ankara

Ankara’s citadel is home to the historic heart of the city: at the top of a hill, it overlooks the city and offers tourists to visit Ankara an extraordinary panorama and the opportunity to take great shots! The exterior enclosure, which dates from the 9th century, stretches over 1500 meters, is about 15 meters high and has forty-two towers of pentagonals: it is penetrated through the door Hisar Kapisi, which gives access to a second wall, smaller but better preserved, than it is crossed by the Parmak Kapisi door. which leads the visitor to a sumptuous little village typically Anatolink.

The place is full of history: controlled by the Romans and Byzantines, then by the Seldjoukides, the Crusaders and again them. Seldjoukides, this monumental castle was finally enlarged by Ibrahim Pacha in 1832, a period considered the Ottoman golden age. If you want to discover what makes this place a unique place in Turkey, don’t hesitate anymore, go for a ride when you’re looking for what to do in Ankara!

2. Elmadag Ski Resort

An activity you don’t think of, but it’s worth visiting when you come to visit Ankara during the winter season: the city, perched at more than 900 metres above sea level, has a ski area attached to the ankaran agglomeration. L’ Elmada Ski Resort is a middle mountain ski resort, offering all the amenities necessary to enjoy the joys of the powder. Remonte-pentes, restaurants, bars, rental agencies of equipment.. It is possible to learn about the driving of sled dogs, to take ski lessons or to improve the hard art of snowboarding, while being located just a few dozen minutes away from the city!

In the summer, the corner is appreciated by local veterans and hikers, but will certainly please those who, seeking to do in Ankara, would like to discover the amazing landscapes of Anatolia, this so pretty mountainous region with spectacular landscapes.

3. The Watercity Aquapark Club

Located near the beach Mogan Gölü , a lake 25 kilometres south of Ankara, this amusement park is obviously not the best place to cultivate or immerse yourself in the rich Turkish culture when visiting Ankara. But you have time, and you can do it later!

It is one of the largest theme parks in Turkey, and if you are told, it is that outside of its privileged geographical position in relation to the city, it is cheap, modern, perfectly maintained, and it is very pleasant during the summer season where temperatures can easily exceed 30 degrees. but never much more, since the city is at altitude! If you want to take your friends or children to spend on dizzy slides, drink a cocktail of fruit on the terrace or simply dine the pill, don’t hesitate to take a tour if you still don’t know what to do in Ankara.

4. Kuğulu Park

When you come to visit Ankara, you don't necessarily think about it, but it Kuğulu Park is a small public park of one hectare in the pretty neighborhood of Çankaya.

You are told of this activity since this place is known throughout Turkey for its swans - the swans are a symbol of the city of Ankara- immaculate that barbotage in the ponds; the romantic walk will be the opportunity to enjoy a good ice with your darling while enjoying the freshness of the place. Familial, many inhabitants of the vintage come to relax in the family or enjoy a boronk - a typical dish of the corner - in the restaurant, before giving food to the ducks who cheerfully hunt! Water games will delight children, and if the place is small, it is nevertheless a place where the Ankarians often come to relax.

Small anecdote: Swans were evacuated from the park in June 2013 when demonstrations occurred in the city. The reason? The tear gas, which indisposed the volatiles and pushed the authorities to temporarily protect them from them! But don’t be afraid, these majestic birds have since been reintroduced into Kuğulu Park, and wait for the visitor to visit Ankara.

5. The Mausoleum of Anıtkabir

Anıtkabir is the name of the colossal palace erected in memory of the founder of modern Turkey, who was also his first president of the Republic: Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who died on November 10, 1938. This splendid mausoleum is located precisely on the hill of Anıttepe; Not content to be a national monument, this space not to be missed under any pretext when you visit Ankara is also a protocolary place, since official foreign visitors must, during their diplomatic stay in Turkey, come and drop a wreath and sign the book of honor! During the national holidays, the President of the Republic of Turkey in office must launch the celebrations.

Tens of thousands of Turks, on November 10, commemorate the death of their historic leader by respecting two minutes of silence at the exact time of his death: the importance of the Anıtkabir to the Turkish people is better understood! For the passing tourist seeking to do in Ankara, a museum dedicated to the founder of the country and to the war of Turkish independence (which took place between 1919 and 1922) allows to learn more about this almost sacred place. The number of visitors, all nationalities, exceeds the three million visitors each year: it is up to you to understand why by visiting this unique historic place!

6. The Roman Baths of Ankara

The baths? This. term derives from the Greek "thermals", meaning "hot", and is used to designate bathing establishments where the Romans came to relax while enjoying a collective and friendly swim. A sort of antique sauna, actually! Today, you will obviously no longer be able to swim in the Roman baths when you come to visit Ankara, but the remains of this thermal complex, which was discovered in the middle of the 20th century, can be explored by visitors wishing to be interested in the ancient past of the city. Built in the third century of our era by the emperor Caracalla on the plateau named Çankırı Kapı, which overlooks the historic centre of Ankara, they are now an archaeological treasure demonstrating the strong Roman influence on the current city.

This real open-air museum is worth a detour from its positioning in the middle of. state-of-the-art building, but also for the rich guided tours organized for those who seek to do in Ankara! We recommend the place if you want to enjoy an unusual and very interesting cultural stop.

7. The lunar landscapes of the Cappadoce

We don’t hide it from you, to get there, you will have to travel 250 kilometers of road from the Ankaran agglomeration. But the visit of this semi-arid region is La Cappadoce , in the centre of Turkey, famous all over the world for its fairy chimneys - conical rocky concretions - and its houses dating from the age of bronze carved in the walls by troglodytes, then serving as a refuge for the first Christians who went on site, clearly worth the detour. In fact, it’s one of the major points of interest when you go to Turkey or you just visit Ankara!

Don’t miss the famous canyon of Ihlara, which is deep over a hundred meters, which has seen the emergence of many rocky churches, or the hiking trails that run along these escarp spaces and that allow for fun while admiring sumptuous landscapes. Don’t hesitate anymore, this unusual place is clearly part of our heartburns and will conquer the passing visitor seeking to do in Ankara!

8. To see and do also in Ankara

• Kocatepe Mosque
• The ethnographic museum
• Folding and shopping in the streets Cikrikcilar Yokusu and Saraclar
• Ulcanlar Museum Prison
• Tasteer with Turkish specialities
• Attending a traditional music show

How to get to Ankara?

From France

Visiting Ankara from the air, it is necessarily going through the Esenboğa International Airport, the fourth in Turkey, which is located about 30 kilometers from the Turkish capital. From France, several cities such as Paris, Nice and Strasbourg and Toulouse have flights to Ankara. On average, count about 7 flight hours departing from Paris and count about two stopovers whatever your city of departure in France.

In terms of prices, everything depends on your departure city and your dates of stay: in high season (summer and school holidays), the prices rise while in November you can find a flight for the 100 euros go! To anticipate prices and therefore opt for a more economical ticket, consider taking a look at our partner's website Ulysses Compared to flights, make sure you find the best prices regardless of your departure dates.

Once at the airport, you stay 30 kilometres to reach the city of Ankara. To do this, you have a choice between the car (several rental agencies are located at the airport), the bus ( line 442 , every 20 minutes, count 8 TL the go simple), the shuttle Belko Air (every 30 minutes, from 5:00 a.m. to midnight and every 60 minutes between midnight and 5:00 a.m., count 10 TL the go simple) or Taxi (94.- TRY the race).

From Turkey

• By train

If you are already in Turkey, for example, Antalya or Istanbul, the Ankara train station will allow you to access the city using the train, easy to use and ecological transport.

• By car

And because enjoying the nature and typical landscapes is definitely one of the best things to do when you come to visit Ankara, many car rental agencies make it possible to use of a vehicle to walk freely: as with us, the road network is, at least close to the towns of good size, of very good quality because of the country's economic development over the last 30 years; Enjoy it!

Where to stay in Ankara?

Visiting Ankara is exploring a large Turkish city, so you will find many types of accommodation to choose according to your wishes, and your budget. The city has several hundred hotels and, it will not surprise anyone, it is obviously the simplest and flexible solution for the traveller looking to visit Ankara; moreover, you will find your ideal hotel by consulting the offers on this Compare hotels .

But it is also possible to plunge you into Turkish culture by renting an apartment in the heart of the city - we recommend you to opt for the old town, typically Turkish, or the district of Çankaya, which turns out to be ideal for a Western tourist. If, in the steppes of Central Anatolia, campsites welcome you in the vicinity of Ankara, there is more surprising: the wild campsite is quite encouraged in Turkey and it is perfectly possible to place its tent at an individual - after asking, of course. The practice is widespread and encourages exchanges: the Turks form a very warm and laughing people, open to the world and fringes of Western culture!

You don't know what area to choose to stay in Ankara? Rendez-vous on note article « In which area house in Ankara "!

Now you know how to best enjoy when you come to visit Ankara, and the charms of this region with so fascinating character during your stay. But will you manage to choose what to do in Ankara and... when would you like to leave?