Ankara

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Quick Facts

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Coordinates

• Latitude: 39.943873
• Longitude: 32.856034

On Travellerspoint

• 4 Ankara Hotels

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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, Anıtkabir. 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, experience weather conditions similar to the continental climates of Eastern Europe and Central and Northern Asia, though less cold in winter.
Winters last from December to February with around 5 degrees Celsius during the day and around -5 at night, though -25 degrees Celsius has been recorded. Summers last from June to September with 26 to 30 degrees Celsius and nights of 14 degrees Celsius. Precipitation is low throughout the year with around 25 mm of rain (or sometimes snow) on average though particulary May and December are twice as wet. July and August have only a day or so with some rain.

Getting There

By Plane

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

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 ~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

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

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