Anadolu Medeniyetleri Müzesi

Museum

This museum is reason enough to include Ankara. It's the only place in the country where you can grasp the full scope of Anatolia's pre-Classical-era human history. The most important finds from the Neolithic village site of Çatalhöyük, near Konya, including the wall painting thought by some archaeologists to be the world's first town map and the famed fertility goddess statue, are displayed here in the first hall.

Kuğulu Park

Park

Public park featuring walking paths, a children's playground & a pond populated with swans & ducks.

Anıtkabir (Atatürk Mausoleum)

Landmark

One day my mortal body will turn to dust, but the Turkish Republic will stand forever. Ankara's most visited attraction is also Turkey's most important modern pilgrimage site. Sitting on a hilltop, just to the west of the city center, is the mausoleum of Atatürk (Mustafa Kemal), the founder of the state of Turkey. As well as the actual mausoleum, with its lavish use of marble, the site, centered round a vast plaza, contains a large museum complex. It contains both exhibits on the War of Independence, led by Atatürk, which resulted in the birth of Turkey as a modern nation, and displays focused on Atatürk's life.

Ankara Castle

Must to See

Ancient castle built on a rocky hilltop, offering panoramic views of the city in all directions.

Ataturk & Independence War Museum

Museum

Paintings, documents & replica weapons describing the establishment of the Turkish republic.

Erimtan Arkeoloji ve Sanat Müzesi

Museum

Anatolian Civilizations and Classical era! Eschewing traditional museum curation, the Erimtan's contemporary storytelling displays bring the exhibits of this private collection to life, allowing you to understand more about daily life during the Greek and Roman periods. As well as the permanent collection, the Erimtan also hosts regular temporary exhibitions in its lower hall, which often focus on specific archaeological sites or Turkish culture. The museum grounds also host a periodic program of evening classical music concerts.

Haci Bayram Veli's Birthplace

Must to See

Hacı Bayram Camii

Mosque

Honor of the Muslim holy man! For non-pilgrim visitors, a stop here is more interesting for the surrounding area than for the mosque's interior. The area around the mosque, with its gardens and restored Ottoman-era mansions, has been prettily landscaped and is a popular spot for local families in the early evening.

Atatürk House

Museum