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Things to Do in Ankara (2026)
Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, is a must-visit for its grand architecture and historical significance. Located on Anıttepe, it is open daily from 9:00 AM… 🏛️ Start at Anıtkabir
Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, is a must-visit for its grand architecture and historical significance. Located on Anıttepe, it is open daily from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM in winter and until 5:00 PM in summer. Arrive early to avoid crowds and take time to explore the museum inside.
🏺 Explore the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
Housed in a restored 15th-century caravanserai, this museum showcases artifacts from the Paleolithic era to the Ottoman period. It is located at Gözcü Sokak No:2 in Ulus and costs 60 TL for entry. Plan at least two hours to see the Hittite and Phrygian exhibits.
🏘️ Wander Hamamönü District
This restored Ottoman neighborhood offers narrow streets, historic houses, and artisan shops. It is located near the Hacı Bayram Mosque and is free to explore. Stop by the traditional coffeehouse for a Turkish coffee and watch craftsmen at work.
🛍️ Shop at Atakule Tower
Atakule is a 125-meter tower in Çankaya with a revolving restaurant and shopping mall. The observation deck costs 30 TL and offers panoramic views of the city. Visit in the late afternoon to see the sunset over Ankara.
🌳 Relax in Gençlik Park
This large urban park features a lake, walking paths, and amusement rides. It is located near Ulus and is open 24 hours, with the amusement park operating from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM. It is a great spot for a picnic or a leisurely stroll in the evening.
🍽️ Try Local Flavors in Çıkrıkçılar Yokuşu
This historic street in Ulus is lined with restaurants serving traditional Ankara dishes like Ankara tava (lamb and rice casserole). Meals average 80-120 TL per person. For dessert, try the famous ankara helvası at a local pastry shop.
🎭 Catch a Show at the State Opera and Ballet
The Ankara State Opera and Ballet, located at Atatürk Boulevard, offers affordable performances starting at 50 TL. Check the schedule online for operas, ballets, and concerts. Dress smartly and arrive 30 minutes early for the best seats.
🚌 Getting Around Ankara
Ankara has a modern metro system with two lines (M1 and M2) that connect major districts. A single ride costs 7 TL using an AnkaraKart, which can be purchased at kiosks. Buses and dolmuş (shared taxis) also cover areas not served by the metro.
I'd add that the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations is worth the 60 TL even just for the Hittite gallery alone. Those sphinxes and the bronze religious standards are incredible up close, and the audio guide is only 15 TL extra if you want more context.
For a quieter alternative to Genclik Park, try the Botanical Garden in Cankaya. It's smaller but has a nice rose collection and fewer crowds, especially on weekday afternoons. The entry is free and it's a short walk from Atakule if you want to combine the two.
One thing the guide doesn't mention is that Ankara has a surprisingly good street food scene around Kizilay. The simit stalls near Guvenpark are always fresh, and you can get a proper doner wrap for around 40 TL from the shops on Sakarya Caddesi. Much better than the tourist spots in Ulus.
The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations really is the highlight of Ankara for me. If you go, don't skip the basement level where they keep the Neolithic wall paintings from Çatalhöyük, they're faded but still striking after all these years.
For a proper lunch near Ulus, skip the main square and walk two blocks to the small restaurants on Hisar Parkı Caddesi. The Ankara tava there runs about 90 TL and comes with a side of yogurt and rice that's much better than what you'd get on the tourist strip.
The sunset from the Atakule observation deck is worth the 30 TL, but check the weather first. On a hazy day you can barely see past the next block, and the revolving restaurant upstairs is overpriced for what it is. I'd rather grab a beer at the ground floor cafe and watch the lights come on from outside.
Honestly the Hamamönü district is my favorite spot in Ankara, especially if you go on a weekend morning. There's a little antique market that pops up near the Hacı Bayram Mosque around 10am where you can find old coins and vintage postcards for like 10-20 TL each. The coffeehouse they mention is called Şengül Hamamı Cafe and their Turkish coffee comes with a side of lokum, which is a nice touch.
One thing that caught me off guard my first visit is how spread out Ankara is, so don't try to walk between Ulus and Çankaya unless you're really up for it. The metro is fine but the bus system can be confusing if you don't read Turkish, so I'd recommend using the dolmuş for shorter trips since the drivers usually know some English and can point you in the right direction. The AnkaraKart works on all of them though, which saves a lot of hassle.
Ankara on a Budget: Tips 2026
For budget stays, consider hostels like Deeps Hostel in Kızılay (dorms from 200 TL/night) or pension-style guesthouses in Ulus. Booking a few weeks ahead on sites like… 🏠 Affordable Accommodation
For budget stays, consider hostels like Deeps Hostel in Kızılay (dorms from 200 TL/night) or pension-style guesthouses in Ulus. Booking a few weeks ahead on sites like Booking.com can save you up to 20%.
🍽️ Eating on a Budget
Skip tourist spots and head to local esnaf lokantası (workers' restaurants) in Ulus or Kızılay for a full meal under 150 TL. Try Hacı Arif Bey in Ulus for traditional Ankara döner at 120 TL. Street simit from vendors costs 15 TL.
🚌 Getting Around Cheaply
Use the AnkaraKart for buses and metro; a single ride costs 13 TL. Buy a prepaid card at any metro station for 25 TL deposit. Walking is free and the best way to explore the compact city center.
🎫 Free and Cheap Attractions
Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Atatürk, is free and open daily 9am-5pm. The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations costs 150 TL (free with Müzekart, which is 300 TL/year). Walk through Gençlik Parkı for free.
💰 Money-Saving Tips
Locals avoid taxis; instead, use the metro or dolmuş (shared minibus) for fixed routes. Buy produce at the weekly farmers' market in Çankaya on Sundays for half the supermarket price. Tap water is safe to drink.
🏛️ Cheap Cultural Experiences
Visit the Ethnography Museum (free on Fridays) or the State Art and Sculpture Museum (50 TL). Many museums offer free entry on certain days; check their websites before going.
🌳 Free Outdoor Fun
Hike in the Atatürk Forest Farm and Zoo (free entry) or explore the historic Ankara Castle area with panoramic views. The Botanical Garden in Çankaya is open daily and perfect for a picnic.
🛍️ Budget Shopping
For souvenirs, head to the Ulus Market for copperware and spices at negotiable prices. Avoid shops near Kızılay Square, which mark up prices for tourists. Local brands like LC Waikiki offer affordable clothing.
The guide is spot on about esnaf lokantası, but I'd add that the ones in the Maltepe neighborhood near the old TCDD train station are even cheaper and less crowded than Ulus. I grabbed a full porsiyon of kuru fasulye with rice and salad for 110 TL last week at a place called Lezzet Durağı. Also, the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations is worth the full price if you're into history, but the free Friday entry at the Ethnography Museum is a better bet for a quick visit since it's smaller.
This is a solid guide, I've lived in Ankara for three years and can vouch for most of it. One thing that's missing is the neighborhood of Bahçelievler, especially around the 7. Cadde area. You can find excellent and cheap gözleme or pide for under 100 TL at small shops there, and it's a nice walk from Kızılay. Also, for the AnkaraKart, you can top it up right from your phone using the official app now, which saves you hunting for a machine.
Nice breakdown, I've used most of these myself. One thing the guide doesn't mention is that the Ankara Castle area has a few tiny tea gardens tucked into the old stone houses where a glass of çay is 10 TL and the view over Ulus is free. I'd also say the simit from street vendors is usually freshest before 10am, when they're still warm from the bakery. For a cheap evening, the Kızılay Yüksel pedestrian street has live music from buskers most nights and you can just sit on a bench and listen.