Contents
How to plan a trip to Ankara
Ankara bears the traces of two capitals: Roman–Seljuk–early Republican in Ulus; modern government and the everyday city in Kızılay–Çankaya. Plan Anıtkabir as a symbol in its own right and the museums as a separate history lesson.
The city isn't compact; there's traffic between the Citadel and Çankaya. Build geographic clusters, such as Ulus in the morning, Anıtkabir in the afternoon and Tunalı/Bahçelievler in the evening.
Things to do in Ankara
Anıtkabir
Check ceremony/visiting hours and special-day crowds through the official channel. The museum sections are extensive; don't leave with just a photo of the mausoleum.
Anatolian Civilisations and the Citadel
Visit the museum close to opening time; read the Palaeolithic–Hittite–Phrygian flow. Around the Citadel, distinguish restored streets from the living neighbourhood.
The Ulus Republic route
The First and Second Grand National Assembly museums, the Roman Baths and the Temple of Augustus are chosen according to your interests. Add Hamamönü as an evening dinner stop.
Area by area: where to go
Ulus/the Citadel suits history but is quiet at night; Kızılay transport; Tunalı/Kavaklıdere cafés and walking; Bahçelievler students/food; and Çukurambar business–restaurants.
Where to stay in Ankara
For a first visit, Kızılay–Kavaklıdere balances metro/bus access. In Ulus, history is close, but the night-time atmosphere and hotel quality vary by street; read recent reviews.
What to eat in Ankara
Ankara tava, aspava culture, simit, Beypazarı products and Central Anatolian meat-filled pastries stand out. 'SSK' (with sauce, onions and kaşar) servings vary by business; ask whether complimentary extras are included in the bill.
Ulus tradesmen's restaurants suit lunch, Tunalı contemporary cafés, and Çankaya fish/long evenings.
Getting to and around Ankara
From ESB Esenboğa, BelkoAir/Havaş and municipal options go to the centre; traffic affects the journey time. The YHT station is the main gateway for connections to Istanbul, Eskişehir and Konya.
The Ankarakart is used on the metro, Ankaray and EGO buses. Ulus–the Citadel is an uphill walk, Kızılay–Çankaya by metro/bus; for taxis, prefer official ranks/apps.
Cafés, nightlife and shopping
Tunalı–Bestekâr suits cafés/bars, Bahçeli 7th Street students, and CSO Ada and CerModern a cultural evening. When buying antiques and handicrafts around Bakırcılar/Çıkrıkçılar, ask about the product's origin; Beypazarı kurusu (biscuits) make an easy gift.
Day trips from Ankara
Beypazarı for historic houses and food, Gordion for Phrygian heritage, and the Salt Lake for seasonal scenery lie in separate directions. Eskişehir is easy by YHT but deserves its own night.
Best time to visit Ankara
Spring and autumn are comfortable; summer is dry/hot, and winter cold and frosty. On 10 November and national holidays, Anıtkabir can be extraordinarily crowded.
How to budget for your trip
Many state museums are affordable; transport and food can be more balanced than in Istanbul. Taxis and a scattered route raise costs; build geographic clusters.
Safety and common mistakes
Don't go to Anıtkabir without factoring in special-day crowds. Don't wander aimlessly into deserted streets around the Citadel in the evening. Don't assume the airport transfer has a rail option.
Where to eat: selected places
These aren't places to tick off one by one — they're the stops that best capture how the city eats. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go.
Boğaziçi Lokantası
Mid-rangeUlus · Classic Ankara lokanta
For trying stews, pilaf and meat dishes in the old centre.
Trilye
UpscaleÇankaya · Seafood
A careful, long fish evening in the capital.
Book ahead.
Zenger Paşa Konağı
Mid-rangeThe castle · Ankara views and local cooking
For combining a Citadel visit with a panoramic lunch.
Özçelik Aspava
Mid-rangeEsat · Aspava
For experiencing Ankara's late-night meal with plenty of complimentary extras.
Liva Pastanesi
Mid-rangeÇankaya · Patisserie and breakfast
A break in the city's established patisserie culture.
Kıtır
Mid-rangeTunalı · Pub and food
A long-standing meeting point on a Tunalı evening.
Dietary preferences
Vegan and halal restaurants in Ankara
For Ankara we picked one plant-based place and one aimed at Muslim travellers. Halal labels don't all mean the same thing: certification, the restaurant's own declaration and "some halal options" are shown separately on each card.
Vegan Pick
Fully veganVegan Taş Fırın
Kavaklıdere · Vegan Turkish oven dishes
A restaurant preparing pide, lahmacun, içli köfte and pizza entirely vegan.
Why we picked it: For its original menu, confirmed by 2026 reviews, that serves classic stone-oven flavours plant-based.
Verification note
The venue's plant-based coverage was checked in the directory; reconfirm the menu and opening days before booking.
Source: Plants Pack Turkey directory of fully vegan venues ↗Halal Pick
Re-check recommendedHacı Arif Bey
Kavaklıdere · Anatolian kebab
A long-established restaurant known for kebabs, pide and stews.
Why we picked it: For a classic kebab spread in the centre of the capital; don't label it definitively without seeing a current halal document.
Verification note
As no current independent certificate record was found, reconfirm meat sourcing, the shared kitchen and alcohol policy with the business.
Source: GİMDES current halal certificate search ↗Menus, suppliers and certifications change. If you keep strict halal, confirm the current certificate, alcohol, sauce ingredients and shared-kitchen risk directly with the restaurant.
Day-by-day itinerary
- 01
Day 1 — Ulus
- Morning
- Anatolian Civilisations
- Afternoon
- The Citadel and the Grand National Assembly museums
- Evening
- Hamamönü
- 02
Day 2 — Republican Ankara
- Morning
- Anıtkabir
- Afternoon
- CerModern/CSO Ada
- Evening
- Tunalı
- 03
Day 3 — Gordion or Beypazarı
- Morning
- An early start
- Afternoon
- A full day
- Evening
- Back to Ankara
Before you go
Ankara travel tips: what to know before you go
Anıtkabir
Check the special-days calendar.
The hills
Going up to the Citadel by car/bus and walking down is easier.
YHT
Don't confuse the entrances of the YHT station and the old Ankara Station.
Frost
In winter, the wind feels harsher than the temperature.
Continue your Türkiye route
This city works well on its own; if you have time, the stops below add a different region and city to the same trip.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need for Ankara?+
2 days for the main museums and Anıtkabir; 3 days with Gordion/Beypazarı.
Where to stay in Ankara?+
Kızılay for transport, Kavaklıdere–Tunalı for cafés/nightlife.
Do you need a car in Ankara?+
Not for the city; useful for Gordion/Beypazarı.
Ankara or Eskişehir?+
Ankara for deep history and the capital's museums; Eskişehir for a compact weekend and contemporary museums.
How do you get to Ankara?+
From ESB Esenboğa, BelkoAir/Havaş and municipal options go to the centre; traffic affects the journey time. The YHT station is the main gateway for connections to Istanbul, Eskişehir and Konya.
Note: Museum and business hours, event calendars, transport fares and entry fees change periodically. Re-check places that require reservations only through official channels, close to your visit date. Last updated: .
Official sources and latest check
Visa, transport, entry and visiting rules change — re-check them with these official sources before you travel.