Tourist Places To Visit In Ankara

Ankara, the capital city of Turkey, is located in the heart of the country and is known for its city life. It's a great place for thriving businesses, students who are pursuing university and all kinds of trade. But keeping up with the heritage of Turkey, there are some fantastic tourist places to visit in Ankara as well, which offers architectural as well as cultural experiences. Though the city as it is today is quite newly built, its origin does dates back to around 2000 BC, as proven by the remains of Hittites, Persians, Greeks and Romans found here .

Built in the 7th century AD, it was owned by the many rulers in Turkey including the Roman Empire, Byzantine Empire, Seljuk Turks and the Ottomans. Some of the towers and outer walls of the castle still stand and proudly emit the architectural style typical to Turkey. If you travelling during the summer, look out for concerts that take place in the castle grounds. There are also many artworks on display at the castle which are open to the public. The castle is located in Ulus, which can be reached easily by metro.

Anıtkabir, also known as Ataturk Mausoleum, is the burial place of the man who founded the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. The mausoleum is a beautifully designed building which also is open to the public as a museum, housing a huge collection of paintings and exhibitions of the War of Independence. The complex is divided into 4 parts - a Peace Park rich in flora and fauna, Road of Lions where Turkish Soldiers parade, the Hall of Honor where the tomb is situated and the Ceremonial Plaza.

This 68-acre park was created in 1943 and houses a cultural centre, youth centre, Municipality Convention Hall and a swimming pool! A great place to wind down and relax. Many concerts and performances are hosted here, especially during the summer months. There are many food kiosks that can be found all over the park where you can enjoy nice Turkish ice cream and some corn on the cob (bhutta). Drop by in the evenings for a spectacular light show near the pool area.

The Ethnography Museum was built around 1928 and has on display the artefacts that reflect Turkey's core culture and character. From jewellery to manuscripts, stone and wooden artefacts, metal items, glass and tile works and embroidered goods. A wide collection of Turkish carpets can be found here with different geometric and animal patterns. This museum was also the first resting place of the first president of the Republic of Turkey until his mausoleum was completed in 1953.

This stunning place of worship is the largest mosque in Ankara. It took 20 years to build and was finally open in 1987. The 4 Minarets of the mosque can be seen from almost everywhere within central Ankara. It was built in the neoclassical Ottoman architectural style and can accommodate almost 25 thousand people at any given point of time.

Also known as the Ankara Citadel, it is the historic quarter of Ankara and dates back to over 3000 years ago from the times of the Hittites. Within the ancient walls, there are still some traditional Turkish villages that have remained within the citadel for centuries. Enter through the Finger Gate to see the large Clock tower. There are many restaurants and cafes to pass your time easily. One of the highlights is the beautiful views of the city from the top, as the citadel is located on a hill.

The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations is the best place to start if you want to know more about Turkish and Ankara history. It exhibits artefacts in chronological order, right from the Palaeolithic era to the Ottoman period and present-day Turkey. There are many artefacts and figurines on display, some of which date back to the first millennium BC.

Atakule opened in 1989 as a communications and observation tower. At a height of 410 feet, the 360° view from the observation deck of the city is stunning and is one of the main landmarks of the city. There is also a revolving restaurant at the top, which lets you enjoy a nice meal along with the wonderful view. It is located in the district of Çankaya.