Best things to do in Ankara

Goreme

The small town of Goreme is situated in the middle of the Valley of Fairy Chimneys in the historical region of Cappadocia. It's surrounded by the eerie shapes and fantastic rock formations that have made the region famous. It's one of the few remaining villages where fairy chimneys and rock-hewn houses are still inhabited, and several restaurants and cafes are carved into the rock. Its biggest attraction is the Goreme Open-Air Museum, which has over 30 beautifully frescoed Byzantine rock churches. The town makes an excellent base from which to explore the surrounding rock formations, villages and vineyards. For shoppers, carpets and kilims are plentiful.

Anitkabir

Anitkabir, a revered monument in Ankara, is accessed via a wide avenue lined with lion statues. This mausoleum is the final resting place of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic. It attracts visitors from across Turkey, who come to honour their national hero. The site is also a fascinating attraction for tourists, with its imposing colonnaded structure leading to a spacious courtyard that houses a museum. Inside the main hall, the ceiling is adorned with stunning gold leaf mosaics, and throughout the site, there are numerous reliefs and statues to admire.

Museum of Anatolian Civilizations

The museum charts the history of Asia Minor and is housed in a lovely 15th-century restored building close to the centre of Ankara. Originally a market and caravanserai close to the centre of Ankara, it's the ideal place to visit for anyone intending to travel through Turkey and delve into the past. It's filled with fascinating collections of archaeological finds, from monolithic statues to delicate jewellery, including some from Catal Huyuk, believed to be the earliest known human social community in the world. From the Palaeolithic and Neolithic, and through all the great civilisations since, this museum is like a time machine for ancient history buffs.

The Ethnography Museum of Ankara

When the founder of the Turkish Republic, Ataturk, died in 1938, he was buried in the courtyard of the building that now houses the Ethnography Museum. Although he was moved to his final resting place at the imposing Mausoleum in Ankara, the museum is still well worth the visit. Guarded by an imposing bronze statue of the national hero astride his horse, it contains a vast collection of historical artefacts that include costumes, arts and crafts.

Website www.turkishmuseums.com/museum/detail/1942-ankara-ethnography-museum/1942/4

Natural History Museum

Anyone with an interest in the natural world will enjoy Ankara's Natural History Museum, which contains some fascinating exhibits and dioramas detailing the (often extinct) wildlife of Anatolia, as well as a large collection of fossils and minerals. Most interesting are the fossilized footprints of humans who walked the Anatolian steppes 25,000 years ago, and the skeleton of a Maras elephant, which lived in the area 193 million years ago.

Mount Ararat

Mount Ararat lies in the far east of Turkey and is home to the twin peaks of a dormant volcano, which also boast the highest summit in the country. According to legend, the remains of Noah's Ark are said to rest on its snow-capped slopes. While many tours offer the chance to climb or even ski the mountain, solo climbing without a guide or permit is not allowed. The ascent to the top is relatively straightforward, requiring only a basic level of fitness, making it suitable for non-professional climbers. For those who prefer not to climb, the local Kurdish villages at the foot of the mountain offer a rich cultural experience. Added to that, the nearby town of Dogubayazit not only provides stunning views of Ararat but also has the second-largest meteor crater in the world. Noah's Ark National Park, located on the mountain, houses a museum that features what are believed to be the fossilised remains of the ark.

Ankara

Things to do in Ankara

Goreme

Anitkabir

Museum of Anatolian Civilizations

The Ethnography Museum of Ankara

Natural History Museum

Mount Ararat

Are you a travel professional?

Already a member?

Goreme

Anitkabir

Museum of Anatolian Civilizations

The Ethnography Museum of Ankara

Natural History Museum

Mount Ararat