Daily life
Ankara has been Turkey's capital since October 13, 1923, and by population it ranks as the country's second-largest city after Istanbul. Its history reaches back to when the Roman emperor Augustus made it the capital of the province of Galatia in 25 BC; the Temple of Augustus and Rome from that era still stands, alongside the Roman Baths built under Emperor Caracalla (212-217 AD). The city's oldest core, Ankara Castle (Hisar), rises roughly 150 meters above the bank of the Ankara River, its narrow stone streets and old houses still carrying the historic character of the old town. Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Republic founder Atatürk, was designed by architects Emin Onat and Orhan Arda after an international competition held in 1941-1942; construction began in 1944 and finished in 1953, the year Atatürk's remains were transferred there. The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations occupies the 15th-century Mahmut Paşa Bedesten and was named European Museum of the Year in 1997. The restored Ottoman houses of Hamamönü, the four minarets of Kocatepe Mosque, and the funfair of Gençlik Parkı, opened in 1943, sit side by side across the city's layers. Government offices and foreign embassies cluster in Yenişehir, while the wider region is historically known for Angora goat mohair and the white-coated Ankara cat.
Transport
The fastest way to reach Ankara is through Esenboğa Airport, about 30 kilometers north of the city center. The high-speed train (YHT) from Istanbul takes roughly 4.5 hours, and from Konya about 90 minutes. Intercity buses run through AŞTİ (the Ankara Intercity Bus Terminal); the Istanbul-Ankara route takes around 6 hours. Exact schedules and fares vary by season and operator, so it's worth checking current details before traveling. Within the city, transport runs on Ankaray (the east-west light rail line) and the Ankara Metro, whose lines cross at Kızılay station, alongside the widely used EGO buses. Distances between Anıtkabir, the Castle, and the museum district are best covered by public transport rather than on foot.
Safety notes
For Ankara, current safety advisories, opening hours, prices and booking details are not verified in this pilot pack; the correct answer is.
FAQ
When should I visit Anıtkabir, and is there an entrance fee?
Anıtkabir is open to visitors at all hours and entry is free. The complex holds the remains of Republic founder Atatürk, transferred there in 1953; the building itself was constructed between 1944 and 1953 to a design by architects Emin Onat and Orhan Arda. The statues along the Road of Lions and the wide Peace Park can easily turn a visit into a half-day outing, so morning hours are worth choosing if you want to avoid the busiest crowds.
Can Ankara Castle and nearby Hamamönü be visited in a single day?
Yes, Ankara Castle and Hamamönü are within walking distance of each other and can comfortably be covered in one day. The castle is an old hilltop fortress rising about 150 meters above the Ankara River, its narrow streets and old houses preserving the city's earliest urban fabric. Hamamönü nearby is known for its restored Ottoman houses, now adapted into cafes and restaurants. Walking between the two districts takes roughly half an hour.
Is the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations worth visiting, and what will I see there?
The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations occupies the Mahmut Paşa Bedesten, a covered market built in the 15th century, and was named European Museum of the Year in 1997. Its collection includes bronze ceremonial standards from the Hittite period, Mother Goddess figurines from Çatalhöyük, and Akkadian-language tablets found at Boğazköy. For anyone wanting to see thousands of years of Anatolian history under one roof, it's the city's most comprehensive museum, and a visit usually takes one to two hours.