Things to Do in Ankara: Anıtkabir, the Citadel & Anatolian Civilisations

What to see in Ankara — top sights

• Anıtkabir — the mausoleum of Atatürk, founder of the Turkish Republic, with a ceremonial court and museum.
• Museum of Anatolian Civilisations — outstanding Hittite, Phrygian and Urartian collections, in a restored Ottoman covered market building.
• Ankara Citadel (Hisar) — the old walled quarter on the hill, with lanes of traditional houses inside the walls.
• Temple of Augustus and Rome — the Roman temple carrying the fullest surviving copy of the Res Gestae, Augustus's own account of his reign.
• Roman Baths of Ankara — the excavated remains of a large third-century bath complex.
• Kocatepe Mosque — the largest mosque in the city, in classical Ottoman style.

Why visit Ankara

Ankara is where you go to understand Anatolia rather than to sit on a beach. The Museum of Anatolian Civilisations alone justifies the trip for anyone interested in the Hittites, and the Temple of Augustus carries the best-surviving text of Augustus's own political testament.

FAQ

Is Ankara worth visiting?

Yes, if you are interested in archaeology and modern Turkish history. Anıtkabir and the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations are both first-rate. It is a capital city rather than a holiday destination, so most visitors give it a day or two.

What is Anıtkabir?

Anıtkabir is the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder and first president of the Turkish Republic. It sits in a large landscaped complex with a ceremonial court, a colonnade and a museum covering his life and the War of Independence.