This joyful city is Turkey's epitome of independence. Under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, when Turkey won its fight to become a republic country, it was named the capital of Turkey, instead of the Ottoman-occupied Istanbul. While Istanbul till today remains one of the most popular cities in Turkey, Ankara too flourishes with its commercial, cultural and rich heritage and captures the hearts of tourists across the world. The most ideal time to visit Ankara is during Spring and Summer when the city's weather is fine and festivities are at its highest.

Considered the second busiest tourist season in Ankara, Spring is a great time to visit with the weather being quite pleasant, especially during the later months. The average day temperature is 18°C while the nights can get cold at around 12°C. There is hardly any chance of rain during these months, which makes it easy to get around.

The Ankara International Film Festival is held between April and May and has been getting bigger and better with each passing year since its inception in 1988. It's definitely an interesting time to visit if you are a movie buff. Also held in the Spring are other festivals such as the Ankara Music Festival, Ankara International Cartoon Festival and Flying Boom International Women’s Film Festival

The summer months can leave you with strong sunburn as the sun is quite harsh in the dry weather of Ankara. But with the right amount of protection, it is still very enjoyable. The temperature averages around 25°C, with a high of 35°C and a low of 18°C. It is peak tourist season in Ankara and can get very crowded - but that's city life!

Büyük Ankara Festival is a fun-filled series of events that can be enjoyed by the entire family. The festival usually takes place in July. On August 30th, all of Turkey celebrates what they call 'Victory Day' to commemorate the win in their final battle in the Turkish revolution. Ankara especially is a great place to be at during this time, to see the grand parade of Turkish Soldiers and Air Force demonstration flights at Ataturk's Mausoleum.

Similar to spring, the temperature in the fall seasons are far more pleasant than the summertime. In September, the average temperature is 22°C and by November it falls to around 14°C. However, there are not many cultural activities and festivals during this period and it is a slow tourist season. This sometimes can work in your favour if you are looking for cheaper hotel bookings and flights.

The winters of Ankara are cold and sometimes snowy. Though a slow tourist season, it is a good time to visit for people who enjoy the cold and snow over warm weathers. The city can get quite picturesque in its whitewashed landscape. The average temperature is around 3°C.

Here's something interesting to keep you warm. Ankara has a dance festival that happens every December. The Ankara International Dance Festival is a 4-day event where internationally famous dancers and artists perform in concerts and hold workshops. There are also different dress codes every day, making it a combined celebration of dance and fashion.