Destination guideTürkiye
30 Things to Do in Ankara (2026)
Ankara, the capital of Turkey as of 2026, is situated in the central Anatolian plateau and serves as a primary site for the observation of regional historical layers.
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The city’s heritage spans several millennia, including periods under the Phrygians, Galatians, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks, and Ottomans. Ankara Citadel (Ankara Kalesi): This fortification, established on a volcanic pipe, contains masonry from various eras. The inner walls date to the 7th century, while the outer walls were expanded during later periods. The site features reused Roman and Byzantine stones in its construction.
- 30 spots
- 8 must-try dishes
- Researched October 2026
- 24 sources
Must-try in Ankara8 dishes
Ankara Simidi Where to order it in Ankara
Vegan İskender Where to order it in Ankara
Çiğ Köfte (Vegetarian) Where to order it in Ankara
Zeytinyağlı Enginar (Artichokes in Olive Oil) Where to order it in Ankara
Oven-Baked Falafel Where to order it in Ankara
Peynirli Su Böreği Where to order it in Ankara
Spinach and Cheese Gözleme Where to order it in Ankara
Mercimek Köftesi Where to order it in Ankara
The short answer
- The top things to do in Ankara, from 24 sources researched October 2026, start with:
- Kocatepe Mosque (Kültür)
- Ankara Castle (Kale)
- Cermodern (Hacı Bayram)
- CSO Ada Ankara (Hacı Bayram)
- Ahlatlıbel Atatürk Parkı (Ahlatlıbel)
- 8 must-try dishes are on the map, each with the places to order them.
30 places worth your time in Ankara
Things to see and do
Kocatepe Mosque
Why it’s on the map
Completed in 1987, this is the largest mosque in the city and a dominant feature of the skyline. Built in a neo-classical Ottoman style.
Kültür, Dr. Mediha Eldem Sk. No:67, 06420 Çankaya/Ankara, Türkiye
Ankara Castle
Why it’s on the map
Perched atop a volcanic hill, this ancient citadel offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the capital.
Kale, 06240 Altındağ/Ankara, Türkiye
Cermodern
Why it’s on the map
Ankara’s premier hub for contemporary art, this venue is currently hosting the 'Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu Digital Exhibition' on its Flow Digital Stage through late 2026.
Hacı Bayram, Altınsoy Cd. No:3, 06101 Sıhhıye / Altındağ/Altındağ/Ankara, Türkiye
CSO Ada Ankara
Why it’s on the map
Opened in late 2020 and serving as a premier cultural hub in 2026, this avant-garde complex is the home of the Presidential Symphony Orchestra.
Talatpaşa Bulvarı, No: 38 Opera, Hacı Bayram, 06330 Altındağ/Ankara, Türkiye
Ahlatlıbel Atatürk Parkı
Why it’s on the map
A massive recreation and sports complex situated on a high ridge, offering panoramic views and clean air away from the urban center.
Ahlatlıbel, Çankaya Bld. Dinlenme ve Spor Tesisleri, 06805 Çankaya/Ankara, Türkiye
Lake · Oran
Lake · Gölbaşı
Park · Çankaya
Place to see · Çankaya
Place to see · Mebusevleri
Tourist Attraction · Kale
Event Venue · Söğütözü
Tourist Attraction · Kale
Event Venue · Çankaya
Museum · Hacettepe
Where to eat
See the full Ankara food guide: where to eat and what to order.
Turkish Restaurant · Ulus
Restaurant · Küçükesat
Kebab Shop · Ümitköy/Çankaya
Bakery · Çankaya
Coffee Shop · Kavaklıdere
Vegan Restaurant · Remzi Oğuz Arık
Vegan Restaurant · Remzi Oğuz Arık
Vegan Restaurant · Kavaklıdere
Seafood Restaurant · Kazım Özalp
Coffee Roastery · Erzurum
Vegan Restaurant · Yukarı Bahçelievler
French Restaurant · Kale
Shops and markets
Shopping Mall · Gaziosmanpaşa
Shopping Mall · Gaziosmanpaşa
Shopping Mall · Anafartalar Mahallesi
25 more places on the map
12 to eat · 10 to see and do · 3 to shop · 8 must-try dishes with where to order each
Start
When is the best time to visit Ankara?
- The best time to visit Ankara is during the spring (May to June) or autumn (September to October) when the weather is mild and ideal for sightseeing. Summers can be intensely hot and dry, while winters are often freezing with significant snowfall, making the shoulder seasons the most comfortable for outdoor exploration. These periods also avoid the peak domestic holiday crowds of mid-summer while offering lower prices and shorter lines than the busiest tourist months.
How do I get around Ankara?
- Intercity High-Speed Train (YHT) High-speed trains (YHT) connect Ankara to Istanbul (4-4.5 hours), Eskişehir, Konya, and Sivas. Trains arrive at the modern Ankara YHT Garı, which features a shopping mall and direct connections to the city's metro and Ankaray light rail systems.
- Esenboğa Airport Shuttles & Buses From Esenboğa Airport (ESB), the Havaş shuttle offers direct service to the AŞTİ bus terminal, while the EGO 442 municipal bus provides a 24/7 budget-friendly route to the Kızılay city center and AŞTİ terminal (requires an AnkaraKart).
- Ankara Metro & Ankaray Light Rail The city is served by an extensive rail network consisting of the Ankaray light rail and several metro lines (M1-M4). These connect major hubs like Kızılay and the AŞTİ bus terminal, requiring a rechargeable AnkaraKart for contactless payment.
What should I know before visiting Ankara?
- Purchase a rechargeable AnkaraKart at kiosks or metro stations to access the city's extensive network of buses, metro lines, and the Ankaray light rail.
- Always remove your shoes before entering a Turkish home, as keeping them on is considered disrespectful and unhygienic in local culture.
- Use your right hand for eating, passing dishes, and greeting others, as the left hand is traditionally reserved for personal hygiene.
- In the Ulus and Castle districts, use official yellow taxis with meters for uphill travel and walk down to explore the historic narrow streets safely.
What’s new in Ankara in October 2026?
- Ankara Culture Route Festival: A city-wide cultural celebration featuring the 'Young Art: 7th Poster Design Competition' exhibition at CSO Ada Ankara, open until October 19, 2026.
- Ankara Music and Fine Arts University Orchestra: A newly debuted 70-member ensemble trending for its unique fusion of traditional Turkish instruments with Western orchestral sounds.
- ArtNova Ankara: A major contemporary art and architecture fair upcoming at the ATO Congresium from October 21 to 25, 2026, focusing on the integration of fine arts and structural design.
- Esat Hal: A recently revitalized trendy hub in the Esat neighborhood, currently popular for its concentration of new boutique stores, artisanal bakeries, and civic-led cultural initiatives.
Research receipt
How this Ankara guide was researched
- Live web search, 14 of 14 research areas completed.
- Places verified against real place data — address, hours and coordinates come from the place record, not the article.
- Researched October 2026. A newer build for Ankara replaces this page automatically.
Sources checked
Planning questions
What are the top things to do in Ankara?
Start with Kocatepe Mosque, Ankara Castle, Cermodern, CSO Ada Ankara, and Ahlatlıbel Atatürk Parkı: the places Varedelo's research (from 24 sources researched October 2026) puts first, each with its reason in the list on this page. All 30 places are pinned on the Ankara map.