Ankara

1) Museum of Anatolian civilization

The famous Museum of Anatolian civilization was the first museum to be built in Ankara and it came into existence in 1921. This museum was also named as the "Museum of the Year” in Switzerland in 1921. It is one of its kind museums in the world with artifacts going back to circa 8000 BC.

There are few museums in the world that exhibit relics from the Paleolithic era. The stone tools of that age, followed by agricultural tools of the humans of Neolithic age, metal tools in the Chalcolithic age, alloyed artifacts in the Bronze Age, the museum is a rich repository of these precious collections. A visit to this museum should not be missed at any cost.

- Location: Gözcü Street No:2 06240 Ulus, Ankara
- Timing: 9:00 AM to 6 PM except on Mondays
- Price: 36 TLs, children below 8 years can enter free of charge

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2) Ankara Castle 

The Ankara Castle is one of the chief attractions of the city dating back to the medieval ages. Although the exact date of the castle is unknown, it is believed to have been handed down by the Romans to the Ottomans through the ages. Thousands of tourists visit this castle which has survived through the ages and withstood the ravages of many a war fought here. While some believe that the castle was built in the 7th century, others believe that the castle dates back to 1600 BC in the era of the ancient Hittite empire.

In fact this is the primary reason for the castle's popularity because each empire has left its unique mark in it. The beautiful castle built of white quartz fortified the whole city in the ancient times with its three-layered walls. The innermost Rocky walls encircled the city's repository of arms and ammunitions and about 600 houses made of wood adobe and bricks.

There are also charming market squares inside the inner castle. Climbing the stairs to reach the top of the hill on which this historic Castle is perched, is no mean task, but the experience upon reaching above is worth the effort.

- Location: Kale, 06240 AltIndag/Ankara, 
- Timing: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM 
- Price: It is free of cost

3) Kocatepe Mosque

The Kocatepe Mosque is one of the largest mosques in the world and can accommodate 24000 worshippers at the same time. This mosque reflects Ankara's secularism, modernity and tolerance in its architecture.  The contemporary design of the mosque was a point of contention between the conservatives and the free-thinkers and the construction of the mosque had to be stalled for a few years due to this reason.

Nevertheless, when the mosque was completed in 1967, it became an important landmark in Ankara as well as the whole of Turkey. In spite of divisive opinions about the mosque’s architecture being too far away from traditional, one cannot help but be amazed at the beautiful minarets that soar up the city skyline.

The many-tiered ornately designed dome, the luxurious decor, the graceful stairs also deserve to be marveled at. The mosque bathed in white light at night is truly a sight to behold. Tourists enter the mosque into the marbled courtyard and are transported into an oasis of peace surrounded by the bustle of Ankara city. 

- Location: Kültür, Dr. Mediha Eldem Sk. No:67, 06420 Çankaya/Ankara
- Timing: 10:00 AM to 4 PM for visitors 
- Price: Entry to the mosque is free for the worshippers as well as non-worshippers

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4) Anitkabir 

Anitkabir is also called the Mausoleum of Ataturk who was the founder of Turkish Republic and also a leader who led the country through its independence. The Mausoleum museum houses the personal belongings, gifts, badges of honour of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. The monument is so important that it features in the Turkish bank notes. The remains of the second president of Turkish Republic, is also housed in the mausoleum.

The Peace park surrounding the Anitkabir was built to honour Ataturk’s message of peace. It houses more than 50000 trees which were donated by 25 different countries. Anitkabir is definitely one of the first stops for a tourist visiting Ankara. The Independence Tower, Freedom Tower, Peace Tower, Mehmetcik Tower, Victory Tower, Female and Male statue group are some of the other attractions to be seen while visiting this monument..

- Location: Yücetepe, Akdeniz Cd. No:31, 06570 Çankaya/Ankara
- Timing: 9 AM to 5 PM (4:00 PM in the winters) 
- Price: The Mausoleum is free of cost 

5) Atakule 

The Atakule Tower is Ankara’s emblem of pride as it rises high to the skyline atop a hill, standing at a dizzying 125 meter. Tourists who visit Ankara look for the Atakule tower as soon as they reach the city because it is clearly visible from any point in Ankara on a clear day. The round cupola on top of the tower houses a semi-circular restaurant that rotates to give a 360-degree view of Ankara city to the visitors.

There is another restaurant and a cafe in the tower just below the dome, which are stationary but provide a good view too. Capture a video while rising to the top of the tower in an elevator, of the cityscape appearing smaller and smaller. The tower was built in 1989 and since then it has remained a must-see for all tourists visiting Ankara. 

- Location: Çankaya, 06690 Çankaya/Ankara, Turkey 
- Timing: 11 AM to 7 PM - Price: 3 TL; although a booking at the restaurant will exempt a tourist from paying the entry fee at the tower entrance. 

6) Roman Bath of Ankara 

These ancient public baths were built in the third century by Roman Emperor Caracalla and were used until the 8th century. The great bath was divided into three complexes - the hot bath (Caldarium), cold bath ( frigidarium), and the lukewarm bath (tepidarium).

Tourists spend approximately a couple of hours here to observe the amazing construction of the bath, in which the underground chambers were heated using a furnace to heat up the water above. Unfortunately, the baths were destroyed by a great fire and today the basement and the ground floor remain for the visitors to see. 

- Location: Anafartalar, Çankiri Cd. No:43, 06050 Altindag/Ankara 
- Timing: 8:30 AM to 5PM - Price : 6 TL

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1) Explore the energy-packed Kizilay square

Kizilay is a popular neighborhood in Ankara where tourists gather in the morning or evening alike to get a pulse of the city. Bustling with life, the Kizilay square displays the Ankaran lifestyle on its sidewalks. From shops, restaurants, bars to open stalls, peddlers, shoe shiners Kizilay has got it all.

It is very close to the Anitkabir and the Kocatepe mosque, and is also the hub of public transport, making it easy to reach anywhere else in Ankara from here. Kizilay Square is the place to retire after sightseeing for a mug of beer and resume refreshed to explore the shops and amusement centers located here.

- Location: Kizilay, 06420 Çankaya/Ankara, Turkey
- Timing: Open throughout, bustling at night
- Price: Free

2) Altinkoy Open Air Museum

The Altinkoy Museum, also known as the "museum of buildings," displays the Turkish community life. Tourists here can get a glimpse of the regular household activities in a typical Turkish village such as farming, spinning wheel, butter churning, cooking.

Works of village craftsmen such as weavers, blacksmiths, painters and potters are displayed in the museum too.The idea behind setting up this museum was to highlight the problem of cities devouring villages. The suspension bridge in the museum is notable as are the barns, cereal mills, cattle farms, village school and rustic cottages built inside the museum.

- Location: Besikkaya, 2044/1. Sk., 06230, Altindag/Ankara
- Timing: Open from 10 AM to 7 PM, closed on Mondays
- Price: The tickets to enter the museum costs 5 TL

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3) Ski through the gentle slopes of Elmadag

The Elmadag is 20 kms east of Ankara and can be reached on a shuttle bus from the city to enjoy winter vacation skiing. Ankara Tourism promoted Elmadag because the 1.5 kms icy slopes here are gentle and therefore ideal for the novices and the intermediates.

The ski resort has a capacity of boarding 33 tourists and it easily gets full in the peak season. Therefore a pre booking is preferable or else tourists need to stay in Ankara City.

- Location: Yakupabdal, Elmadag Kayak Merkezi, 06705 Çankaya/Ankara
- Timing: The skiing remains open from 10 to 5 (5:30 PM on weekends) from January to March.
- Price: 5 rides cost 7.5 Turkish Lira

4) Admire the graceful swans at the Kugulu park

Unlike many parks which are away from the city, the "Park of the Swans" (Kugulu means Swans in Turkish) is built right in the center of the city. After a day's shopping at the Tunali Hilmi Street, (which is just beside the park), tourists can rest at this nice green oasis and watch the geese, ducks, and swans wade out from their wooden houses into the water and swim around the fountain.

Sip through Turkish tea from one of the kiosks inside the park and watch the dogs at play in the little canine playground inside the Kugulu park.

- Location: Kugulu Park, Çankaya, 06690 Çankaya/Ankara
- Timing: The park remains open 24 hours
- Price: Free

5) Experience Hamam at Karacabey

What could be better than to bathe like an Ottoman in one of their traditional hammams. This public bath at Karacabey is one of the oldest in Ankara Turkey built-in 1440. It's a natural lighting system and marble basins are really attractive. Tourists visit the Tarihi Karacabey Hamami to experience the traditional benefits of the hammam ritual.

- Location: Sakarya, Talatpasa Blv No:101, 06230 Altindag/Ankara
- Timing: The bath is open to tourists for 24 hours a day. But women can book a session only between 7 am to 8 PM.
- Price: A basic hamam with hot room, exfoliation and bubble bath costs 14 euros.

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6) Mohair shopping

It would be a sin to visit Ankara and return without buying the prized wool from Angora goats, native to Ankara. Drop into the famous Mohair Angora flagship store in the Sheraton Ankara Hotel to view the widest collection of authentic Angora fiber made products.

Prepare to be mesmerized by the soft as silk fabrics, scarfs, pullovers made from the precious wool. Buy them as a souvenir or gift or utility and cherish it forever.

- Location: Sheraton Ankara Hotel, Noktali Sokak, Kavaklidere, Çankaya, 06700 Ankara
- Timing: The shop remains open from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM and remains closed on Sundays.
- Price: Free

7) Take a historical walking tour at the Hamamonu Restored area

This is a small neighborhood in Ankara where the Seljuks-Ottomans had settled and their houses still remain after multiple restorations carried out by the state. The place is a piece of art in itself with wood-framed houses, manicured lawns, colourful flower carts and beautiful trolleys selling interesting bric-a-bracs.

Wander through the narrow lanes and by-lanes and stop at any of the cafes to taste the Turkish coffee served in ornate mugs.

- Location: Hacettepe, 06230 Altindag/Ankara, Turkey
- Timing: The street remains open all day but the best time to visit in the daytime before sunset to enjoy the vibrant of the neighborhood
- Price: Free

8) Have a farm-fresh ice cream at the Ataturk Forest Farm and Zoo

The Ataturk Forest Farm and Zoo is a recreational farming zone that houses a zoo, brewery, dairy farm and a restaurant as well. The furry, purry Angora cats are bred and sold in the zoo. The place was initially privately owned by Ataturk before he donated it to the Turkish State.

Walkthrough the farm and visit the zoo which houses several exotic species of animals and birds. Taste some traditional beer, bite into an icy dollop made from the farm fresh milk or nibble into the mouthwatering Turkish kebabs slow-cooked on charcoal grills.

- Location: Gazi, CumhurbaskanlIGI Blv No:150 D:150, 06560 Yenimahalle/Ankara
- Timing: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Price: Free

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- By Flight: Directly by flying to the Ankara Esenboga Airport.

- By Train: A number of high-speed trains from all other cities in Turkey. High-speed train from Istanbul to Ankara takes about 3.5 hours.

- By Bus: Buses leave from Istanbul every 15 mins and reach Ankara in 6 to 7 hours.

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Indian passport holders need to apply for a single entry e-visa and can stay in Ankara Turkey for a continuous stretch of maximum 30 days. The online visa system of Turkey is fast, smooth and hassle-free and the visa can be obtained within 3 working days from the date of request submission.

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Ankara is 448 KMS southeast of Istanbul. The distance can be easily covered through regular flights between the two international airports and a one-way flight takes about an hour's time to reach Ankara City.

Buses ply between the cities very frequently and take about 6 and half hours. Train followed by a ferry ride is also a widely used means of transport and the total time has taken is about 5 hours.