48 hours in Ankara – Weekend Edition
Ankara In Less Than 48 Words
In 1923, Ankara officially took over the role of being Turkey’s capital city from Istanbul. Located right in the country’s heart, it is home to over 3.5 million people, and is a place where mystical eastern touches meet with a buzzing nightlife scene and fabulous 20th century architecture.
Kocatepe Mosque (Photo by galpay)
First 24 Hours
You can fly to the Turkish capital via the Esenboğa International Airport, which is located around 28 kilometers northeast of the city center. From there, you can catch a bus that arrives at the terminal every half hour. The journey takes about 35 minutes, and will cost you TRY10, although between 12 am and 6 am you will be charged 25 per cent higher. Alternatively, you can use a cooperative taxi arrangement (0312/428-5282, website) along with three other passengers for around TRY75.
Ankara is the second biggest city in Turkey, and so it is fairly difficult to navigate, especially for the first-timers. The city’s highway system is pretty efficient, although its back streets and avenues can sometimes prove to be complicated. You can collect valuable travel information from its tourist information center (Gazi Mustafa Kemal Bulv. 121, Tandogan, 0312/231-5572).
CHECK IN: Get your bearings back at Ankara’s hotels
You can arrange your stay in Ankara at one of its excellent hotels. One of the best in the city is the Ankara HiltonSA hotel (Tahran Caddesi No 12 Kavaklidere, Ankara, Turkey 06700, 90-312-455-0000, website). It is a five-star hotel conveniently located near embassies and shops, with comfortable rooms, modern amenities, and excellent service.
The Presidential Suite of Swissotel Ankara (Photo from Google images)
You can also try out the Swissotel Ankara (Çankaya, Jöse Marti Caddesi, 06550 Yıldızevler, 0312 409 3000, website), which offers excellent rooms, attentive staff, and delicious breakfast at reasonable prices. A nice alternative is the Hotel Houston (Çankaya, Güniz Sokak, 26, 06700 Barbaros, 0312 466 16 80, website). It has a nice location near restaurants and shops, and offers delicious breakfast and excellent service.
KOCATEPE MOSQUE: Let’s take a view
Perhaps one of the most prominent landmarks in the Ankara skyline is the Kocatepe Mosque (Olgunlar Sokagi, Kocatepe, southeast of Kizilay). It is the largest mosque in the city, and its perch atop the hill of Kocatepe makes it visible from almost anywhere in the city center.
Built in 1967, it has a traditional Ottoman style infused with elements of modern Islamic architecture. It can accommodate around 100,000 worshippers, and is known for its stained glass windows, decorative tiles, crystal chandeliers, and gold leaf ornaments. From the mosque, you can enjoy great views of the Ankara cityscape. You can also find a superstore located inside its basement area. The site is open from dawn to dusk, and admission is free.
ATATURK MAUSOLEUM: Pay your respects to the great Turkish leader
Among the most popular tourist attractions in Ankara is the Ataturk Mausoleum (Akdeniz Cad., Anittepe, Ataturk, 0312/231-7975). Also known as Anitkabir, it is the final resting place of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk – the man who led the Turkish War of Independence and became the founder of the Turkish republic. It was constructed in 1944, and is perched on a hill called Rasattepe (Observation Hill).
Ataturk Mausoleum (Photo by Frank Kovalchek)
It is known for its vast mosaic courtyard, towers, and sculptures. You can also watch the Changing of the Guard at the site. Inside, you’ll find the Hall of Honors that contains the tomb of the famous leader, which is inlaid with gold leaf décor. Other attractions inside the complex include gift shops and the Ataturk and War of Independence Museum. You can also take a stroll through the Peace Park that features more than 50,000 decorative shrubs, trees, and flowers taken from more than 25 countries.
The site is open during Tuesdays to Sundays from 9 am to 5 pm, and admission is free.
MUSEUM OF ANATOLIAN CIVILIZATIONS: Have a historical experience
Another noteworthy attraction for tourists in Ankara is the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations (Hisarlar Caddesi, Atpazari, 0 312 324 31 60-62, website). It is a museum dedicated to preserving the legacy of the ancient Anatolian civilizations, and is renowned for its possession of the finest archaeological collection in Turkey.
Museum of Anatolian Civilizations (Photo by rbw2007)
In fact, it was declared as the European Museum of the Year back in 1997. It is housed in an old Ottoman Mahmut Paşa bazaar storage building, and you can find inside various artifacts from almost every civilization that had flourished in the land, such as an 8,000-year old wall, wall paintings from Çatalhöyük, solar discs, jewelry, more than 20,000 clay tablets, monumental statues, and many more. The site is open daily from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, and admission will cost you TRY10.
DINNER TIME: Discover Ankara’s restaurants
Trilye Restaurant (Photo from Google images)
You are guaranteed a delicious dinner at the restaurants available all over the city. One of the best in the city is the Trilye Restaurant (Kazım Özalp Mh. İzci Sk. 06610 Çankaya Ankara, 0312 447 12 00, website). It serves a delicious seafood cuisine, and is considered as one of Turkey’s best seafood restaurants. A nice alternative is Uludag Kebapçısı (Altındağ, Ulus Dolmuşları, Doğanbey, 0312 309 04 00, website), which offers traditional Turkish dishes.
Have a taste of Italy in Ankara at the Mezzaluna Restaurant (Çankaya, 68. Sokak, 1, Birlik, Turkey), which serves an authentic Italian cuisine, such as pasta, pizza, and salads. You can also try out Tike Kavaklidere (Billur Sokak No 17/2, Ankara, (0312) 426 01 41, website). It offers both international and Turkish delicacies, and is known for its grilled dishes and kebabs.
Next 24 Hours
You can discover Ankara’s other tourist attractions during your next 24 hours in the city. One of them must be The Roman Baths (Çankiri Ave., west of Cumhuriyet Bulv., Ulus). It is an ancient complex built by Emperor Caracalla in honor of Asklepios, the god of medicine.
The Roman Baths (Photo by Steve Cadman)
It is divided into three sections, one of which is the frigidarium that contains a pool and changing rooms. Another is the caldarium, which has a washing area and a sweating room. Last but not the least is the tepidarium, which is used for relaxation purposes. You can also find various hearths, courtyards, storage rooms, and service areas there. The site is open daily from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, and admission will cost you TRY2.
MUSEUM OF THE REPUBLIC: Learn more about the Turkish Republic’s history
Haci Bayram Mosque (Photo from Google images)
You can learn more about the history of the Turkish Republic by exploring the Museum of the Republic (Atatürk Bulv., Ulus, 0312/310-7140). It is housed in the former Grand National Assembly building that dates back to 1923, with rooms furnished in the traditional Selçuk and Ottoman styles. Inside, you’ll find various exhibits and documents dating back to the early days of the Turkish Republic, although guided tours might be necessary as all displays are labeled only in the Turkish language. The site is open during Tuesdays to Sundays from 8:30 am to 5 pm, and admission will cost you TRY2.
HACI BAYRAM MOSQUE: Let’s go to a mosque
You must make ot a point to visit the Haci Bayram Mosque (from Ulus Meydani follow Hisar Parki Cad., turn left onto Hükümet Cad.), which is regarded as one of the most important of its kind in Ankara. It dates back to the 15th century, and is dedicated to Haci Bayram, a Sufi poet who had founded the Bayrami dervish sect. The structure is noted for its Selçuk style of architecture, as well as for its ornamental wood ceiling and Kütahya tile decorations.
Inside, you can also find the Haci Bayram Mausoleum that serves as the final resting place of the Sufi mystic. It has a marble façade and a lead dome, and is often visited for prayer and inspiration. The site is open daily from dawn until dusk, and admission is free.
ANKARA CITADEL: Visit a fortress
Another noteworthy tourist attraction in Ankara is the Ankara Citadel (Ulus, Hisar Parki Cad, Ankara), a fortress located in the oldest settled section of the city. Also known as Hisar, it is believed to date back to the time of the Galatians, and is noted for its various historical buildings and monuments. You can also see its massive inner and outer walls, large courtyards, traditional wood-beamed houses, and a castle. Today, it is home to numerous restaurants and shops where you can eat, buy, and relax.
Ankara Citadel (Photo from Google images)
NIGHTLIFE: Enjoy Ankara’s vibrant nightlife scene
At night you may proceed to Ankara’s bars and clubs to have a taste of the city’s exciting nightlife. One of the most popular is Meyhane (Koza Sok. 157A, Gaziosmanpasa, 0312/446-5454). It is a tavern that offers Greek appetizers, creative drinks, and live fasil music, and advance reservation is essential. A nice alternative is The Lord Kinross (Cemâl Nadir Sok. 18, Çankaya, 0312/439-5252), a pub that is popular among the expatriate crowd, and offers typical pub food and a dart center.
You can also try out The North Shield Pub (Güvenlik Cad. 11, Asagi Ayranci, 0312/466-1266). It is an Anatolian pub with an open-air garden and a host of imported whiskeys – an ideal place to spend the night in.
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