Ankara

Introduction

Anıtkabir

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Ankara, Turkey's capital and second largest city, has a long history. It was first made a capital by the Galatians in the 3rd century BC, before being conquered by various armies through the ages. Kemal Atatürk made it the base for the War of Liberation and as a consequence of that role and its strategic location, it was made capital of the new Turkish Republic in 1923. Visitors to the city can learn all about Atatürk at his mausoleum, Anitkabir. The various Roman and Galatian ruins in Ankara offer further evidence of the importance this city has had through the ages.

Neighbourhoods

Sights and Activities

• Anıtkabir, Atatürk’s mausoleum.
• The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations houses a collection of Neolithic, Paleolithic, Chalcolithic, Lydian, Hatti, Phrygian, Hittite, Urartian and Roman works.
• The Ethnographical Museum has a good collection of folkloric artifacts. (Open Tue-Sun).
• The Ankara Citadel lies in the oldest part of Ankara. Its foundations were laid by the Galatians, before the Romans completed it.
• The Temple of Augustus is a Corinthian style temple, dating to the 1st century BC. It was dedicated to Emperor Augustus at the start of the 1st century AD.
• The Roman Bath, in Ulus on Cankiri Av, dates back to the 3rd century.
• The Column of Julian dates to the 4th century, most likely commemorating a visit by Emperor Julian the Apostate.
• Haci Bayram Mosque was built in the 15th century in honour of Haci Bayram Veli.
• Rahmi Koc Industrial Museum.

Events and Festivals

Weather

Ankara, like most areas in the higher central parts of the country, experiences a continental climate similar to that of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, though slightly less extreme in winter and drier in summer compared to the eastern part of Turkey.
Winters are cold and snowy and last from December to March with around 0 °C during the day and around -5 °C at night, though -31 °C has been recorded in winter. Summers are hot and dry and last from June to September with around 26 °C to 30 °C during the day and 12 °C at night, though it can reach 35 °C. Precipitation is low, but precipitation can be observed throughout the year, with around 50 mm of precipitation (as snow in winter) on average in April, May and December which are twice that of June, July and August, which have only few days with rain. Due to Ankara's high altitude and dry climate, daily temperatures in the summer are quite pleasant and nightly temperatures are cool.

Getting There

By Plane

Ankara's Esenboğa International Airport (ESB) is located 28 kilometres from the centre of Ankara. Turkish Airlines has a secondary hub at the airport and is the dominant airline. Condor Airlines, BMI, Austrian Airlines and Lufthansa are among a handful of international airlines that serve the airport.

To/from the airport
The airport is connected with the city centre and Ankara Intercity Bus Terminal by EGO city bus number 442 (from 6:00am to 11:00pm). Transportation to the city center is also by taxi. A taxi ride to the city's centre costs 80 YTL or more one way. Alternatively, Havaş airport buses cost 10 YTL (US$8/€6) and take about 45 minutes to make the journey. Many consider the buses more comfortable than the taxis!

By Train

Turkish Railways has several rail connections between Ankara and Istanbul and Ankara going east towards Kayseri, Erzurum and other cities. The train to Tehran in Iran stops in Ankara as well.

By Car

By Bus

Varan and Ulusoy are just a few of dozens of companies offering bus travel to and from Ankara to numerous destinations throughout Turkey.

By Boat

Getting Around

By Car

By Public Transport

By Foot

By Bike

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Budget

• Bilkent Student Guest Houses & Dorms.

Mid-Range

• Hotel Dedeman Ankara.
• Radisson SAS Hotel Ankara.
• Swissotel.
• Ramada Ankara.
• King Hotel Gankaya.
• Ankara Gold Hotel.
• Allstar Ickale Hotel.

Upscale

• Asya KIzIlcahamam Termal Tatil Koyu.
• Sheraton Hotel & Convention Center.
• Alatimya Village.
• Ankara HiltonSa.
• Buyuk Anadolu Hotel.
• Surmeli Ankara Hotel.
• Etap Altinel Hotel.
• Esenbooa Airport Hotel.
• Bilkent Hotel and Conference Center.
• Aktif Metropolitan Hotel.
• Gordion Hotel.

Work

Learn

• Ankara University

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

Post

PTT is the national post service. Services are generally moderately fast but quite reliable. Sending a standard letter or postcard costs €0.65 within Turkey and €0.80 (letters) or €0.85 (postcards) internationally. There is an extended price list on the PTT website. For sending packages one might also use international companies such as DHL and UPS and local companies such as Yurtici Kargo. Post offices bear the distinctive yellow PTT sign and are generally open between 9:00am to 12:00 noon and 1:30pm to 5:00pm from Monday to Friday.