General Information

A symbol of the Turkish National Movement as the headquarters from which the Turkish War of Independence was managed after 1920, Ankara became the capital of the Republic of türkiye on October 13, 1923.

Bringing together cultures as the capital of the Republic of Türkiye, Ankara is located in the Central Anatolia region of Türkiye. Ankara is surrounded by Kırıkkale and Kırşehir in the east, Çankırı in the north, Bolu in the northwest, Eskişehir in the west, and Konya and Aksaray in the south of the city. With an area of ​​26,897 km2 in the region covered by the plains formed by rivers Kızılırmak and Sakarya, Ankara has an average altitude of 890 meters above sea level.

Historical and Cultural Values

Ankara, the capital, holds a diverse cultural heritage. The Mausoleum, the Ankara Castle, the Augustus Temple, the Roman Bath, the Ankara Roman Theater, the Julianus Column, the Zağfiran (Safran) Inn, the Sulu Inn, Gordion, Akköprü, Kayabaşı Mosaic, Gavurkale, Külhöyük, and the Kalecik Castle are among the most significant historical and cultural values ​​of Ankara.

Museums

The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, the Republic Museum, the Ankara Painting and Sculpture Museum, the Ethnography Museum, the Gordion Museum, the Roman Bath Open Air Museum and Ruins, the Şefik Bursalı Museum, the War of Independence Museum are among the museums and ruins in the province of Ankara that are affiliated with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.  In addition; the Anıtkabir Atatürk and War of Independence Museum, the Alagöz Headquarters Museum, the State Cemetery Museum, the Cartography Museum, the Gendarmerie Museum, the MSB-Archive Museum, the Air Force Museum, the Sakarya Martyrs Victory Monument and Museum, and the Artillery and Missile School Museum are among the Military Museums in Ankara.

Exhibition Areas, Art and Culture Centers

Ankara is also home to various exhibition areas, as well as art and culture centers.  Among the exhibition areas in Ankara are the Republic Era Exhibition Area, the Atatürk Education Exhibition Area, the Polatlı Agriculture Exhibition Area, the Keçiören Estergon Castle Ethnographic Exhibition Area, and the CerModern Art Center.

Monuments and Mosques

There are many monuments and mosques in the city of Ankara. Among the monuments are the Hatti Monument, the Mimar Sinan Monument, the Mithat Pasha Monument, the Victory Monument, the Security Monument, the Duatepe Monument, the Mehmetçik Monument, the Zübeyde Hanım Bust, and the Ulus Republic Monument. Among the mosques are the Hacı Bayram Mosque, the Ahi Elvan Mosque, the Kocatepe Mosque, the Ağaç Ayak Mosque, the Ahi Yakup Mosque, the Aslanhane (Ahi Şerafeddin) Mosque, the Alaaddin Mosque, the Taceddin Mosque, the Karacabey Mosque, the Cenab-ı Ahmed Mosque, the Çiçekçioğlu Mosque and the Zincirli Mosque.

Old Houses and Historical Mansions 

The city of Ankara offers a glimpse of the cultural heritage with its old houses and historical mansions in the Hamamönü district.  Ankara Houses, Ayaş Houses, Güdül Houses, Beypazarı Houses and the Kamil Paşa Mansion, the Beynamlızade Mansion, and the Kabakçı Mansion in the Hamamönü district add to the architecture of the city.

Shopping

Ankara, the capital, also offers alternatives for shopping. The old shops on the Çıkrıkçılar Hill near Ulus, and the “Bakırcılar Bazaar” are attractive authentic places where many old and new items such as carpets, rugs, clothes, antiques, jewelry, and ornaments may be bought. Going towards the Ankara Castle, you may find shops selling all kinds of products such as spices, dried fruits, etc. all in abundance, and fresh. In addition to the countless stores in central locations such as Ulus and Kızılay, there are also modern stores for all our needs inside many large shopping malls and business centers. These shopping malls include Karum, Atakule, and 365 AVM in Çankaya, Panora in Oran, Ankamall in Akköprü, and Maltepe Park in Maltepe. Armada, Bilkent Ankuva, and Cepa on the Eskişehir road, Galleria in Ümitköy; Arcadium, Gordion and Koru Mesa Plaza in Çayyolu, Antares in Etlik, Optimum Center in Eryaman, and CarrefourSA and Atlantis in Batıkent are among significant shopping centers of the city.

Culture and Arts

As the capital of culture and arts, Ankara is home to the centers of State Theaters, State Opera and Ballet, Presidential Symphony Orchestra, centers of cultural and artistic activities organized by the state. There are many private theaters in Ankara. Culture and art galleries, local and foreign film events, international festivals, April 23 International Children's Day that is unique to Türkiye, European and Asian biennials, sports and cultural events, exhibitions, folklore, various art competitions, and rich folk dances are among the activities that always keep sports, culture and arts alive in Ankara.

Leisure

As a safe and orderly city, Ankara also offers various alternatives for leisure. The quality and various entertainment venues that constitute an important part of city life in Ankara are quite popular. You may enjoy traditional Turkish dishes at restaurants inside the Ankara Castle in Ulus. Gölbaşı is best for picnics and recreation.  The food, beverage and entertainment venues in areas such as Tunalı Hilmi, Tunus, Çayyolu Park Caddesi, and Koru Mesa Plaza offer attractions for those looking for a good time.

Climate

As for its climate, Ankara generally experiences the continental climate; with cold and wet winters, hot and dry summers. Certain climate differences may be experienced locally across the vast province. The southern side of Ankara experiences the steppe climate, the distinctive Central Anatolian weather; whereas it is milder and rainier towards the north, with the influence of the Black Sea climate. Average temperatures for Ankara by month (in Centigrade) are: January (5.4), February (-0.3), March (3.2), April (10.3), May (19.0), June (22.6), July (23.5), August (24.3), September (18.0), October (14.4), November (8.0), December (1.9); with the annual average at: 12.5 C°.

Transportation

As for transportation, you may go anywhere in Türkiye from Ankara and vice versa by bus via the intercity bus terminal (AŞTİ) located at the heart of the highway network in Ankara.  You may also travel by train to many Turkish cities from Ankara and back, including high-speed train rides. Air transportation is managed via the international Ankara Esenboğa Airport, located 28 km away from the city center, and offering domestic and international services. The domestic and international terminals of Ankara International Esenboğa Airport are state-of-the-art terminal buildings, and include parking spaces for vehicles; as well as food courts, shops, banks, and car rental, taxi and bus services. Passengers may travel to the city center of Ankara from Esenboğa Airport and back using the private HAVAŞ buses, or the EGO buses (Line 442).

*The information above is a compilation based on the official website of the Ankara Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye. Original souce available at:

https://ankara.ktb.gov.tr/