What are the best things to do in Ankara?
Top picks in Ankara include Ankara Castle, Sultan Alaeddin Mosque, Arslanhane Mosque, Ahielvan Mosque. See the full list and itinerary on this Ankara travel guide.
Photo: Boubacar Amadou Cisse · CC BY-SA 4.0
Why visit Ankara
Travel guide for Ankara, Türkiye — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
Ankara is a stop in Türkiye, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 4 days. If time is short, prioritise Ankara Castle, Sultan Alaeddin Mosque, Arslanhane Mosque instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 45–110 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: November–March for cooler, drier conditions. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
November–March for cooler, drier conditions
Weather
Varies from tropical to temperate depending on the season
Experiences
Things to do in Ankara
1
Ankara Castle
2
Sultan Alaeddin Mosque
3
Arslanhane Mosque
4
Ahielvan Mosque
5
Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
6
Kelime Museum
7
Koç Museum
8
Ankara Opera & Ballet
Budget travel
Free things to do in Ankara
Sultan Alaeddin Mosque
Arslanhane Mosque
Ahielvan Mosque
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
Ankara itinerary (4 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Ankara Castle
- Visit Sultan Alaeddin Mosque
- Visit Arslanhane Mosque
- Eat at Ward Restaurant and café مطعم ورد
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit Ahielvan Mosque
- Visit Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
- Visit Kelime Museum
- Eat at Zelal Cafe
- 3
Day 3
Markets, parks & hidden corners
- Visit Koç Museum
- Visit Ankara Opera & Ballet
- Visit Goksu Park
- Eat at Nado's
Budget
Ankara trip cost
Budget
USD 20–40
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 45–110
per person / day
Luxury
USD 125–210+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Ankara, Türkiye. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Ankara
Estimated total (USD)
$2,040
≈ $1,020 per person · $291 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $80/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Ankara mid-range ground costs (budget 20–40 · mid 45–110 · luxury 125–210+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
Ward Restaurant and café مطعم ورد
This is the place to come for Iraqi food.
Zelal Cafe
Inexpensive trad food.
Nado's
Friendly budget pizzeria.
Kırık Oklava
Great place by Ankara University Cebeci Campus for inexpensive wraps and pancakes.
Yargitay Evi Lokali
Inexpensive place looking onto Kızılay Square, quality erratic.
Tarihi Çiçek Lokantası
Smart place with good cuisine.
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
Hotel Midas Kavaklıdere
Welcoming central mid-price hotel.
King Hotel
Simple rooms but good value for the prime location.
New Park Hotel
Boxy modern hotel, usually clean, some street noise.
Radisson Blu
Good value hotel 500 m from railway station.
Yeni Bahar Oteli
Clean and helpful, you can find cheaper on this strip north of Ulus Square but most are dismal.
Shopping
- Ankamall
- Armada
- Karum AVM
- Metromall
- Kentpark AVM
Nightlife
- Telwe Bar
- Soul Pub
- Corvus
- Twister
- Sakal Kafe Bar
- Sixtiees Pub
Museums & culture
- Ankara Castle
- Sultan Alaeddin Mosque
- Arslanhane Mosque
- Ahielvan Mosque
- Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
- Kelime Museum
In pictures
Ankara gallery
Photos: Boubacar Amadou Cisse, A.Savin, Uğurgüler06 — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Ankara travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Ankara?
November–March for cooler, drier conditions.
How many days do I need in Ankara?
Plan at least 4 days in Ankara for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Ankara?
Popular stays in Ankara include Hotel Midas Kavaklıdere, King Hotel, New Park Hotel. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Ankara cost?
On the ground in Ankara (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 20–40 per person per day, mid-range about 45–110, and luxury about 125–210+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Ankara, Türkiye. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
Keep exploring
.jpg?width=1920)
