Things to see in Ankara
Ankara is the capital of Türkiye, with an urban population of about 3.7 million. Below are 20 notable places within about 13 km of the centre, ranked by how widely they are covered on Wikipedia.
1Anıtkabir History
The monumental complex built for the mausoleum of Atatürk, founder of the Republic. Designed by Emin Onat and Orhan Arda, it was built between 1944 and 1953 and includes the wooded Peace Park.
2Museum of Anatolian Civilizations Museum
Archaeology museum on the south side of Ankara Castle, housed in the restored Ottoman Mahmut Paşa bazaar and Kurşunlu Han. It traces Anatolia's civilizations from prehistory onwards, including the Hittites.
3Ankara Castle History
Hilltop fortress above the old town, with roots in Phrygian and Galatian times; it was rebuilt by the Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks and Ottomans. The walls give wide views over Ankara.
4Kocatepe Mosque Place of worship
Ankara's largest mosque, built between 1967 and 1987 in the Kocatepe quarter of Kızılay. Its size and prominent location make it visible from most of central Ankara.
5Atakule Viewpoint
A 125 m communications and observation tower in Çankaya, opened in 1989 and one of the city's main landmarks. It has a shopping centre and a revolving restaurant at the top.
6Hamamönü Neighbourhood
One of Ankara's oldest quarters, named after the 15th-century Karacabey Hamamı. Ottoman-era and early Republican buildings stand side by side, including the Taceddin Dergahı where Mehmet Akif Ersoy lived.
7Rahmi M. Koç Museum Ankara Museum
Ankara's first industrial museum, opened in 2005 in the restored Çengelhan opposite the castle gate and later extended into Safranhan. Thousands of objects cover transport, industry, communication and science.
8Gençlik Parkı Park
A historic park in Ulus, opened in 1943 on former marshland. Known for its pond and amusement park, including a large Ferris wheel.
9CerModern Art
Contemporary art centre in former railway maintenance workshops built in 1926–27 near Ankara Station. The restored complex opened in 2010.
10Ulus Square History
The first modern public square of Republican Ankara, at the junction of Atatürk Boulevard and Anafartalar, Çankırı and Cumhuriyet streets. The Victory Monument stands at its centre.
11Altınpark Park
One of Ankara's largest recreation areas (about 64 ha) in Aydınlıkevler, Altındağ, built on a former golf course. Around 85% is green space and ponds.
12Hacı Bayram Mosque Place of worship
Historic Ottoman mosque in Ulus, next to the Temple of Augustus and named after the Sufi poet Hacı Bayram Veli. It was added to Turkey's UNESCO tentative list in 2016.
13Temple of Augustus and Rome History
Roman temple built around 25–20 BC, beside the Hacı Bayram Mosque. It carries the Monumentum Ancyranum, the most complete surviving copy of Augustus' Res Gestae.
14Roman Baths of Ankara History
Remains of a Roman bath complex, also called the Baths of Caracalla, excavated in 1937–1944 and now an open-air museum. It stands on a mound whose first layer dates back to the Phrygians.
15Column of Julian History
A Roman victory column in Ulus, popularly known as the Belkıs Minaresi (Belkıs Minaret).
16Ethnography Museum of Ankara Museum
Museum of Turkish ethnography in a building by Arif Hikmet Koyunoğlu, built in 1925–1928. Atatürk's sarcophagus was kept here from 1938 until Anıtkabir was completed in 1953.
17War of Independence Museum Museum
The first Grand National Assembly building on Ulus Square, used as parliament until 1924. It displays photographs, documents and furniture from the War of Independence.
18Atatürk Forest Farm and Zoo Nature
A large recreational farm founded in 1925 on Atatürk's initiative to pioneer modern agriculture. Today it has a zoo, farms, greenhouses and restaurants.
19Lake Eymir Nature
A small lake south of the city whose land belongs to Middle East Technical University (METU). It is the training ground of the METU rowing and sailing teams and has its own flora and fauna.
20Kuğulu Park Park
A small (about 1 ha) park in Kavaklıdere, near Tunalı, that has become a symbol of the neighbourhood. It is known for its swans, ducks and geese.
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Compiled from Wikipedia, Wikidata and official sources.