Ankara Travel: 100 Questions Answered based on NeemTime research
I. General Impressions & “Is Ankara Worth Visiting?”
Q: Is Ankara a good tourist destination?
A: Opinions vary. Many travelers say Ankara isn’t as “touristy” as Istanbul or coastal cities, but it offers a deep dive into modern Turkish history and culture. Some find it “boring” compared to Istanbul, while others appreciate its calmer, more authentic vibe.
Q: How many days should I spend in Ankara?
A: Most suggest 2-3 days are enough to cover the main sights. Some recommend even less if you’re primarily interested in history. If you’re staying for longer (e.g., a week or more), many suggest day trips to nearby areas like Cappadocia or Beypazarı.
Q: What’s the overall vibe of Ankara?
A: It’s the capital, so it’s a bustling city but generally less chaotic than Istanbul. It’s known for being greener than expected, with a lot of parks and a “city inside a forest” feel. People describe it as orderly, with good amenities, and a more “local” experience than heavily touristed areas.
Q: Is Ankara boring?
A: Some find it lacking in “major historical values” or “shining star” attractions from certain periods, making it less visually striking than some European capitals. However, many find plenty to do, especially those interested in Turkish history and contemporary culture.
II. Must-See Attractions & Activities
Q: What are the absolute must-see places in Ankara?
A:
Anıtkabir: The mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Turkish Republic. Highly recommended for its historical significance and impressive architecture.
Anatolian Civilizations Museum (Anadolu Medeniyetleri Müzesi): Housed in a renovated Ottoman building, it’s considered world-class for its collection of ancient Anatolian artifacts.
Ankara Castle (Ankara Kalesi): Offers panoramic city views and the surrounding old neighborhood (Kale/Samanpazarı) is great for traditional crafts and atmosphere.
Q: What other museums should I visit?
A:
Museum of the War of Independence (Kurtuluş Savaşı Müzesi): Located in the first parliament building.
Museum of the Republic: Another significant historical museum.
Ethnography Museum: Focuses on Turkish culture and ethnography.
Rahmi M. Koç Museum: A private collection with various historical items, including toys and industrial artifacts.
Ulucanlar Prison Museum: A former prison turned museum, offering a unique and somber experience.
Erimtan Archaeology and Arts Museum: For those interested in archaeology and art.
MTA Nature Museum: For natural history enthusiasts.
PTT Stamp Museum: A niche museum for stamp collectors.
Q: What historical sites are there besides the main ones?
A:
Roman Bath Ruins: Remains of a large Roman bath complex.
Temple of Augustus and Rome: Ancient Roman temple.
Hamamönü: A charming, restored old neighborhood with Ottoman-era architecture, good for walking around and having breakfast.
Q: Where can I get good city views?
A: Atakule (a tall tower with a rotating restaurant/observation deck) and Ankara Castle offer the best panoramic views of the city.
Q: Any good parks or green spaces?
A:
Kuğulu Park (Swan Park): A popular central park, known for its swans.
Seğmenler Parkı: A nice park where young people often gather.
Botanik Parkı: A botanical garden near Atakule.
Lake Eymir: Good for cycling or a leisurely walk, with lake view restaurants.
Atatürk Orman Çiftliği (Atatürk Forest Farm): A large area dedicated to forestation, with recreational facilities.
Q: Are there any “hipster” neighborhoods or areas for younger crowds?
A: While not traditionally “hipster,” Ayrancı is mentioned for good food and interesting stores. Tunalı Hilmi Caddesi, Bestekar Sokak, and Bahçelievler are known for their lively bar/pub scenes and are popular with youth. Kızılay is also a central, bustling area with many options.
Q: What about art and culture beyond museums?
A: Cermodern is a contemporary art gallery that also hosts open-air cinema and jazz concerts.
Q: Any hidden gems or less-known places?
A: Travelers sometimes mention specific local eateries, smaller antique shops in Ulus/Samanpazarı, or concert venues for classical music.
III. Food & Drink
Q: What local Ankara dishes should I try?
A:
Beypazarı Baklavası: A famous regional baklava.
Etli Ekmek: A meat and bread dish (similar to lahmacun but often thicker).
Aspava: This is a concept rather than a dish. It’s a type of kebab restaurant where you order a main dish, and many complimentary side dishes (like fries, salad, cacık, çiğ köfte, spicy ezme) are included. It’s a popular local experience.
İskender Kebap: A classic Turkish dish of thinly sliced döner meat over pita bread with tomato sauce and yogurt. Uludağ Kebapçısı is a recommended place.
Et Döner: Good quality döner meat. Mutlu and Özler are mentioned.
Hatay Dürüm: A chicken wrap with sauce, recommended at Öncü or SR Döner.
Lahmacun: A thin Turkish flatbread with minced meat. Cennet Kuşu is suggested for the best lahmacun.
Ciğer Kebap: Liver kebab. Ciğerci Apo is recommended.
Peçenek Döner: Another spot for good döner.
Q: Where are good places to eat “Aspava” style?
A: Meşhur Özçelik Aspava (considered oldest), Kral Aspava, and Gülçimen are mentioned. Çukurağa Sofrası is suggested as an alternative for good kebabs with freebies.
Q: Where can I find good traditional Turkish food?
A: Boğaziçi Lokantası and Göksu Lokantası are recommended for good quality traditional Turkish food. “Esnaf lokantası” (shopkeepers’ restaurants) are also good for cheaper, authentic Turkish meals.
Q: Any recommendations for vegetarian food?
A: Veganka and Gurmefil in the Tunalı district are mentioned as good vegan/vegetarian options.
Q: What about cafes and coffee shops?
A: Kırk Fırın (in Kaşmer Center Mall, also good for breakfast) and Timboo (in Atakule Mall) are suggested. Coffy chain is noted as a cheaper option for coffee.
Q: Where to go for drinks/nightlife?
A: Tunalı, Bestekar, and Tunus regions have the most lively bar/pub scenes. Specific recommendations include:
Always Rock Bar (for rock/metal music)
Afitap Meyhane (for Rakı and meze)
Bunch the Pub
Last Penny
Alice’s House
Pint (lively, good for meeting people)
Cute the Wonderland (for queer nightlife/younger crowd)
Backyard Secrets (for electronic music/dancing)
IF Sokak (multiple locations, good deals on drinks).
Q: Are there any specific food areas to avoid?
A: Generally, avoid eating at Kızılay if possible for main meals, as it’s often low-quality convenience food. Some also criticize Aspava as “overrated” or “culturally low-life,” but this is a minority opinion.
Q: What about desserts?
A: Definitely try Havuç Dilimi (carrot slice baklava) at Düveroğlu, and Helvacı Ali for various desserts.
IV. Accommodation & Neighborhoods
Q: What’s a good neighborhood to stay in?
A:
Çankaya: A large district, often recommended as the best place to stay, especially areas like Aşşağı Ayrancı, Yukarı Ayrancı, Gazi Osman Paşa (GOP), and Kavaklıdere, due to their central location, access to transportation, and general amenities.
Bahçelievler & Tunalı: Popular areas for youth, lively, good for hanging out.
Ulus: The historical center with many museums, but some travelers strongly advise against staying in hotels in Ulus due to safety concerns (potential for prostitution/shady nightlife). It’s better for daytime visits.
Q: How to find a good, reasonable hotel?
A: Use online hotel websites (Trivago, Hotels.com, Booking.com, etc.). If visiting a university, check if they have guest houses for parents/visitors.
V. Transportation
Q: What’s the best way to get from Ankara Esenboğa Airport (ESB) to the city center?
A: Belko buses are the cheapest and most common option, running hourly and taking about 40 minutes to Kızılay.
Q: What’s the best way to get around Ankara? Public transport or taxi?
A:
Public Transportation (Metro, Ankaray, Buses): Highly recommended and generally efficient. Get an “Ankara Card” (Ego card) from metro stations to pay for rides; it’s much cheaper than paying per ride without one. Google Maps is helpful for planning routes.
Taxis: Be cautious. Many travelers report taxi drivers trying to overcharge foreigners.
Tips for Taxis: Agree on the price before starting the ride. Have a navigation app open to monitor the route. Use apps like Uber or BiTaksi as they are more regulated, though sometimes slower to hail than street taxis. Avoid hailing taxis if there’s a taxi stand nearby. Hotels often have taxi stands.
Q: Is it safe to use public transport at night?
A: Generally, public transport is safe. However, outside of central areas like Çankaya, some suggest avoiding taxis late at night due to potential for overcharging.
VI. Safety & Scams
Q: How safe is Ankara/Turkey for tourists?
A: Generally considered a safe country. Common sense precautions apply. Avoid political demonstrations or large gatherings.
Q: What are common tourist scams to be aware of?
A:
Taxis: The most frequently mentioned scam. Drivers overcharge, take longer routes, or try to cancel app rides to demand cash. Always agree on a price beforehand, monitor with GPS, and don’t hesitate to dispute unfair charges.
Restaurants/Bars: Some places might try to bring un-ordered items and charge you, or have different “foreigner” menus with inflated prices. Always ask for a menu with Turkish text and check prices before ordering. Check your bill carefully.
“Friendly” Strangers: Be wary of overly friendly strangers inviting you for drinks, as this can lead to exorbitant bills.
Beggars/Flower Sellers: Don’t engage with them, as they can be persistent and follow you.
Merchants: Be cautious of “for you” prices, which are often inflated. Bargaining might be possible in some markets but not in restaurants.
Pickpocketing: Common in crowded places. Secure your belongings.
Q: Is English widely spoken?
A: Outside of highly touristy areas (which Ankara has fewer of compared to Istanbul), English proficiency can be limited. Learning a few basic Turkish phrases is highly recommended and can reduce the chances of being scammed. Google Translate is very useful.
Q: Is Ankara safe for solo female travelers?
A: General consensus is that it’s safe, but common sense and awareness are always advised.
VII. Money & Shopping
Q: Do I need to carry a lot of cash?
A: It’s always good to have some cash for smaller purchases or local shops, but cards are widely accepted in most places.
Q: Are there supermarkets in Ankara?
A: Yes, plenty. BIM, ŞOK, and A101 are budget-friendly supermarket chains.
Q: Where can I buy local crafts/souvenirs?
A: The Samanpazarı neighborhood around Ankara Castle, especially Suluhan, is known for traditional crafts and antique shops. While Suluhan now mostly sells beads and fake flowers, it’s still good for the historical atmosphere and a cup of Turkish coffee.
Q: Any specific shopping areas/malls?
A: AnkaMall and Armada are large shopping malls. For branded items, Amerikan Pasajı/Pazarı is mentioned for above-average quality fake brands.
Q: Are prices expensive in Ankara?
A: Due to inflation, prices have generally increased in Turkey. However, eating at smaller, local restaurants or “esnaf lokantası” can be more affordable. Fast food chains are common.
VIII. Weather & Best Time to Visit
Q: What’s the weather like in Ankara?
A: Ankara has a continental climate.
Spring (April/May/June): Warm and sunny, but can be quite cold after sunset. Afternoon rains are common in spring.
Summer (July/August): Can be very hot during the day.
Winter (Dec/Jan): Cold, usually dry, not much rain or snow.
Q: What should I wear?
A: Depending on the season, bring layers. Even in spring/summer, a sweater or light jacket for evenings is recommended.
IX. Day Trips & Beyond Ankara
Q: Is it easy to do day trips from Ankara?
A: Yes, Ankara is a good hub for reaching other parts of Turkey.
Q: What are popular day trips from Ankara?
A:
Cappadocia: About a 3-hour drive, highly recommended for its unique landscapes and hot air balloons.
Konya: Home to the Mevlana Museum (Rumi) and a significant historical city.
Beypazarı: A charming town known for its Ottoman houses and baklava.
X. Miscellaneous Tips
Q: Are there specific apps that are helpful for travel in Ankara?
A: Google Maps for navigation (public transport and walking), Uber/BiTaksi for taxis, and potentially Jourma (a travel planner app that shows transport, events, restaurant prices, and etiquette tips).
Q: Is it hard to meet English-speaking people?
A: In central areas like Çankaya, especially near university campuses and embassies, you’ll find more English speakers. Bars and pubs popular with a younger crowd might also have more English speakers.
Q: Are there any cultural norms I should be aware of?
A: Don’t talk too loudly in public transport or libraries. People don’t expect you to be a Turkey expert, so don’t worry too much. Be mindful of public displays of affection; while not forbidden, excessive PDA might draw stares.
Q: Is alcohol sale restricted at certain times?
A: Yes, alcohol sales from supermarkets/markets are forbidden after 10 PM. Bars, discos, and restaurants are not affected.
Q: What are emergency numbers in Turkey?
A: 155 for police, 112 for general distress.