Ankara is the vibrant capital city of Turkey, and it is the country’s second-largest city after Istanbul. Located in the heart of Anatolia, Ankara has been a mainstay of culture and history since time immemorial. The city has seen many changes over the years but remains one of Turkey's most important hubs.

Ankara is home to a population of almost 5 million people from all walks of life, making it one of Turkey’s most diverse cities. It is also home to some of the country’s top universities, making it a great place for students looking for an academic home away from home.

Despite its cosmopolitan nature, Ankara has deep historical roots that go back thousands of years. In fact, records show that Ankara was inhabited as far back as 2500 BC! In the following years, Ankara was ruled by many different civilizations, including the Hittites, Phrygians, Greeks, and Romans.

The modern history of Ankara began with the establishment of the Republic of Turkey in 1923. At this time, Ankara was declared the new Turkish capital and soon became an important regional political and cultural center. After this period, Ankara continued to develop rapidly, with modern infrastructure being built throughout its streets and neighborhoods. As a result, it quickly became a significant hub for business, trade, and industry in Turkey.

Today, visitors can explore its many monuments, which remind them of its past glory days, such as Anitkabir (the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk) or Kocatepe Mosque, which is one of Ankara’s most iconic landmarks. Not only this, but you can also visit some fantastic museums, such as the Anadolu Medeniyetleri Muzesi (Museum of Anatolian Civilizations), which offer insight into Ankara’s rich cultural heritage.

For those who enjoy being outdoors, there are countless parks and gardens throughout Ankara, such as Genclik Parki or Cubuk Baraj Golu, where you can enjoy peaceful strolls or participate in exciting activities like cycling or camping trips nearby! For those looking for more out-of-the-ordinary experiences, why not try out some traditional Turkish food at Karakoy Gulluoglu, one of Ankara’s famous eateries?

Ankara truly is an amazing place full of fascinating sites to explore and plenty to do! Whether you’re interested in exploring its rich history or simply want to enjoy its vibrant nightlife, then you can easily find something suitable for your interests here! So come check out what makes this Turkish gem so special today! Here are some of the best tourist attractions in Ankara:

Mausoleum of Ataturk in Turkey

Are you a history buff? Then you don’t want to miss the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the most important symbol of Turkish heritage and nationhood. This famous site is in Ankara and is a must-see for anyone who wants to learn about the country's history.

The Mausoleum of Ataturk is a memorial to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who led the fight to free Turkey from the Ottoman Empire during World War I and turn it into a modern republic afterward. Ataturk's life and work are remembered at this impressive site, with a gorgeous marble mausoleum, beautiful gardens, and several other memorials to his life and work. Inside his tomb lie his remains, enclosed in a glass chamber beneath a marble sarcophagus.

Ataturk's personal library, with things he collected throughout his life, and an exhibition hall with photos and documents from his life are also available for visitors to see at the mausoleum. Spend some time looking through these sections. They will tell you a lot about the life of this great leader and how he changed Turkish history.

The mausoleum is open daily, and visitors can expect to spend 1-2 hours exploring the entire complex. Be sure to dress appropriately (no shorts or tank tops) out of respect for this important national monument.

Take some time out of your travels in Turkey to visit this moving tribute to one of its most influential leaders: the Mausoleum of Ataturk!

Museum of Anatolian Civilizations – Discover Turkey’s Rich History

Located in the heart of Ankara, the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations is an incredible destination that showcases the richness of Turkey’s cultural history. The museum building is a former Ottoman-period bedesten (Turkish bazaar), or covered market, constructed in 1461. It was converted into a museum in 1961 and opened publicly in 1968.

The collections inside are extensive and feature artifacts from multiple civilizations, including the Hittites, Phrygians, Lydians, Urartians, Assyrians, and Ancient Greeks. Visitors can marvel at these civilizations' remarkable ancient sculptures and gold jewelry. There are also thousands of coins from different empires and pieces of pottery from different times. The museum also holds numerous archaeological finds that date back to Paleolithic times.

The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations also offers visitors plenty of educational activities. These range from guided tours with audio-visual presentations to various educational workshops, such as calligraphy classes and lectures on Turkey’s culture and history. Visitors can also participate in interactive programs designed to provide hands-on activities related to traditional crafts and folk art exhibits at the museum.

The museum also serves as an excellent destination for learning about Turkey’s vibrant culture through its permanent exhibitions, like ‘‘Life in Anatolia Through Ages’’, ‘’History of Carpets’’, "Garments’’, "Archaeology," "Gods & Goddesses," ‘'Myths & Legends’', and ‘'Armoury.’' With its fascinating artifacts and educational activities, the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations provides visitors a fantastic opportunity to explore this beautiful country's rich history.

Ankara Castle

Built by the Byzantines in the 14th century, this old castle sits on a hill overlooking Ankara and looks out over the city. Inside, you will find a museum full of artifacts from various civilizations that ruled over what is now modern-day Turkey, including ancient Roman and Byzantine artifacts and 19th-century Ottoman relics.

Kocatepe Mosque

This iconic mosque sits atop Kocatepe Hill, offering incredible views out onto the city below. It was built in 1967, when Islamic architecture was very popular in Turkey. Its impressive size shows how big statements about faith and power were made during this time. Even if you don’t enter the mosque itself, its large courtyard makes for an excellent spot for relaxing away from crowds while admiring its majestic beauty.

Ankara Citadel

This ancient citadel is one of the oldest parts of Ankara. It was built by the Byzantines and then remodeled by the Ottomans during the 16th century, when it served as their military base until the 1920s, when it became an open-air museum housing ruins from various civilizations ruling over what is now modern-day Turkey, dating back to Roman times up until the early 20th century Ottoman period. Inside, you can admire beautiful mosaics and artifacts from different eras, as well as some newly added monuments such as the Liberty Monument built by the Turkish Republic to honor Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who founded the modern-day Republic of Turkey in 1923 after World War I ended the Ottoman Empire's rule over the Middle East region, including today’s Turkey itself. An elegant courthouse now serves the area around the citadel too, making it a must-visit destination when visiting Ankara!