Top Things to Do in the Ankara | Must-See Attractions & Experiences

Plan Your Travel To Ankara

Places To Visit In Ankara

Aslanhane Mosque

The Aslanhane Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Turkey, with magnificent woodwork and stone elements. The 13th-century mosque is located in the old quarter of Ankara, next to Ankara Castle. The Aslanhane Mosque, literally translating to the house of the lion, derives its name from the lion statues surrounding it, which were buried in the walls of Şerafettin's mosque facing it. The square building, with a wooden roof supported by 24 large carved wood columns, has only one minaret. It has three gates, and the mihrab is decorated with Seljuk style tiles. The forest-style wood-pillared prayer hall is breathtakingly beautiful with blue, white, and gold tinges. Although the mosque is open for visitors daily, it usually only holds six prayer times. Ensure you check out the intricate cedarwood minbar and the fish motifs framed on the main entrance door. Read More

Atatürk Forest Farm and Zoo

Located in Yenimahalle, the Ataturk Forest Farm and Zoo is an expansive recreational park and the largest zoo in Ankara. It houses several small agricultural farms, greenhouses, restaurants, a dairy farm, and a brewery. The zoological garden is home to some big cats, monkeys, apes, ungulates, snakes, various species of birds, as well as an aquarium. Inside the farm, visitors can sample old-fashioned beer, fresh dairy products, ice cream, and meat rolls and kebabs made on charcoal. In addition, the zoo breeds and sells Angora cats. Usually crowded in the evenings, the farm has beautiful orchards, playgrounds, and people of all ages can enjoy a relaxing time playing outdoor games. Locals love Kokorec, a Turkish delicacy available at a reasonable price at the restaurant inside the farm. Inside the farm, you will also find a historical black sea pool, a state cemetery, and a museum and exhibition hall. Read More

The Ataturk Statue, located in Ulus Square of Ankara near Atatürk Boulevard, is a group of bronze statues depicting soldiers in a battlefield. Built during the Turkish War of Independence, the central figure of the monument is that of an equestrian figure of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey and a military officer during World War I. There are three more figures of two soldiers and one woman. While one soldier is calling his friend to the battlefront, the other one is observing the front. The woman, carrying a cannonball, is a reference to the contributions of the Turkish women during the war. One of the symbols of Ankara's glorious past, the central Ataturk statue stands on a pedestal in a soldier's uniform, leaning on his sword. There are no inscriptions on the statute except for four victory wreaths. The statue stands in the middle of a fairly busy road and near the popular Zafer Bazaar of Ankara. Read More

The Bestepe National Mosque is one of the largest mosques in Ankara. Located inside the Presidential Palace complex of Ankara's Bestepe district, it symbolises Turkish culture and traditions and is a prominent example of traditional Turkish architecture. The mosque has a beautiful fountain at the entrance and looks stunning at night with its illuminated minarets. It has three floors, including a basement and a second floor exclusively for female worshippers. The Mosque has four minarets and a 21-metre-wide dome alongside four smaller domes. Drawing on Seljuk and Ottoman features, it houses multi-purpose halls which can be used to host public events. A presidential library and a congress centre was also being built inside the complex to host meetings by ministries and public agencies. It also has handicapped access for ease of access to the worshipping area. Read More

CerModern is a modern art museum for Contemporary Art and Photography located in Anafartalar, Altınsoy Cd. in Ankara. It is set inside an old railway workshop and conveys the essence of art in the present dynamic era. Some significant past exhibits of this museum include the works of Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo and the Istanbul Photo Awards. CerModern exhibits spectacular arts of the modern age and organises a myriad of enchanting events for visitors. A couple of galleries hold various exhibitions across the year. Other than the exhibitions, CerModern also holds movie screenings, concerts, and art workshops for different age groups. Due to the rotating exhibits, every visit to the CerModern museum offers a different experience. Besides, the museum also features a spacious restaurant and a museum shop. Read More

The Erimtan Museum is an archaeology and art museum and a popular museum venue in Ankara. It houses nearly two thousand portable artefacts of Anatolian origin. Located in the Ulus region of Ankara, the Erimtan Museum showcases works that belong to civilisations such as the Hittites, Urartu, Assyrians and Achaemenids. Concerts are also held in the museum building every Tuesday, with each season having about 16 concerts. The museum is named after the founder of the Cultural Heritage Collectors’ Society, Yüksel Erimtan, who shared his private collection from three thousand BC to the Byzantine times. It has a conference room, a cafeteria, a gift shop and a bookstore inside. In addition, the museum hosts other scientific, cultural and artistic activities, besides providing education programs for all ages. Put up in three newly renovated old buildings, the Erimtan Museum is a delight for anyone who wants to know about Turkish history and culture. Despite its contemporary architectural approach, the museum remains true to Ankara’s history and roots. Read More

The Haci Bayram Mosque is one of the most historically significant mosques in Ankara and Turkey. An iconic religious centre based on the 17th century and 18th-century mosque architectural styles, it is home to the mausoleum of Turkish poet and Sufi Haci Bayram Veli, whose name it takes. The site also includes a Roman Temple of Augustus where the walls depict how it looked during the Roman times. Built during the Ottoman Empire period, the ornamental wood ceiling, stained-glass windows, Kutahya tiles and floral and plant motifs of the mosque add to the intricate features of the historical architectural wonder. The facade of the Haci Bayram Mosque may seem to be basic and straightforward at first, but once you enter, the architectural features of the interiors will leave you mesmerised. The mosque only has one cylindrical minaret with two balconies on its southeast side. Around the site, you can find cafes, restaurants and religious book stores. Read More

Hattusha, an archaeological site, once enjoyed the status of the Hittite Empire's capital. Hattusha is known for its urban planning and the various surviving ruins, including temples, royal residences, and fortresses. The lavish Lions' Arch, Royal Gate, and the Yazilikaya group of rock art are some of the architectural delights here. Now recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Hattusha is a must-visit in Ankara. Read More

Snuggled in Kalaba in the Keçiören metropolitan, the Keçiören Falls is a man-made waterfall that offers a mesmerizing view. There is a glass bridge over the falls, which is worth visiting. The Keçiören Falls are conveniently located close to so many hotels. There are many pools and fountains in the area surrounding the waterfall. A beautiful concrete archetype of the Hungarian Esztergom Castle is also located here. Besides, an overhead cable car and a shopping centre are close to the falls. It is a peaceful place to visit. Read More

The Kocatepe Mosque is one of the largest mosques in the world. It is also the largest mosque in Ankara that can be seen from almost anywhere in the central city. Standing 288 ft tall, the four minarets of the mosque and its gorgeous gold-plated dome are a mesmerising view. Like several other attractions in Ankara, you have to climb a hill to reach the mosque which is located near the city’s famous plaza, Kizilay Square. Primarily renowned for depicting the frontiers of modern Islamic architecture, the mosque can accommodate 24,000 worshippers and is lavishly built for a spiritual experience. The artwork of the central dome and the use of marble and beautiful tinted glass windows draw inspiration from the neoclassical Ottoman design. The interiors are decorated with an ornamental ceiling and a regal-looking golden chandelier. The Kocatepe Mosque was fully built in 1987, as it took about two decades to complete the construction. Read More