All of Türkiye
Ankara
Türkiye / Ankara, Konya & Safranbolu / Ankara

Ankara

The Capital, Atatürk's Mausoleum and Anatolian Civilisations

Plan this trip
1 dayIdeal stay₹3,600From / night₹1,500Food / day₹1,600Entry

Turkey's capital and its rail hub: high-speed YHT trains run to Istanbul, Konya and Eskişehir. Anıtkabir, Atatürk's monumental mausoleum, and the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations (Hittite and Phrygian treasures, one of the best museums in the country) are the reasons to stop; the old citadel quarter has carpet shops and views. A practical stop between Istanbul and Cappadocia (4.5 h by bus), and the way to Safranbolu's Ottoman mansions, 3 hours north.

Highlights

  • Anıtkabir and the changing of the guard
  • Museum of Anatolian Civilisations
  • Ankara Castle views
  • Hamamönü restored Ottoman street
  • Kocatepe Mosque
  • Temple of Augustus inscription

Things to do

  • Anıtkabir mausoleum & museumMorning · 2h
  • Museum of Anatolian CivilisationsAfternoon · 2h
  • Ankara Castle & the old quarterAfternoon · 2h
  • Hamamönü evening walk & dinnerEvening · 2h

Tours & tickets

Tours & tickets in Ankaravia GetYourGuideTours & tickets in Ankaravia Klook

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When to go

Best time: April – June, September – October

Worth knowing

Bayram Holiday: Buses and Flights Sell Out

Ramazan Bayramı (about 9-12 March 2027) and Kurban Bayramı (about 16-19 May 2027, often stretched to nine days off) send millions of Turks travelling. Intercity buses and domestic flights sell out and prices jump, coastal hotels fill, and some museums close on the first morning. Book transport and rooms early, and avoid travelling on the first and last days of the holiday.

  • Ramadan (Ramazan) — The fasting month, expected from about 8 February to 9 March 2027. Life for visitors carries on: restaurants, cafes and sights stay open, and alcohol is still sold in tourist areas. In conservative cities (Konya, Mardin) eat discreetly in daylight. At sunset the iftar meal fills restaurants and Sultanahmet's square becomes a night market; drummers wake the neighbourhoods before dawn.
  • Ramazan Bayramı (Eid al-Fitr) — The holiday ending Ramadan (expected about 9-12 March 2027). Millions of Turks travel home: intercity buses and domestic flights sell out and prices jump, so book a few weeks ahead. Some museums close on the first morning; Istanbul's bridges and public transport are often free.
  • Kurban Bayramı (Eid al-Adha) — The four-day feast of the sacrifice (expected about 16-19 May 2027), often stretched to nine days off. The biggest travel rush of the year: buses, flights and coastal hotels book out and fares double, and the Aegean and Mediterranean resorts fill with Turkish families. Avoid moving between cities on the first and last days.
  • Republic Day (Cumhuriyet Bayramı) · 29 Oct — The founding of the Republic in 1923: flags everywhere, parades in Ankara, fireworks over the Bosphorus in Istanbul. Government offices close; most sights and shops stay open.