Things to Do in Ankara

Ankara is located in central Turkey on the Anatolian Peninsula, the Asian side of this continent-spanning nation. The city sits at an altitude of 850 metres (2800 feet) and has existed as a settlement for several thousand years. For many centuries it was an important trading post on the Silk Route connecting Europe with the riches of Asia and Africa. In 1923 the city became the capital of new Republic of Turkey and a tremendous growth spurt began. With around 6 million inhabitants today, it is the second largest city, after Istanbul, in modern Turkey.

The places that we will see and talk you about are:

• Melike Hatun Mosque (Republican Style - Outside)
• Youth Park
• Eynebey Turkish Bath (Ottoman Period - Outside)
• Historical Sengul Turkish Bath (Ottoman Style - Outside)
• Karacabey Turkish Bath (The oldest bath of Ankara - Outside)
• Old Jewish Quarter (Ruined Buildings)
• The Only Synagogue in Ankara (Outside)
• Historical Ankara Houses (2011 European Excellence Award - Outside)
• Chess Museum (Outside - The largest chess sets collection in the world)
• Ankara African Cultural House
• Aslanhane Mosque (Inside - Seljuk Style - Unesco World Heritage List)
• Ankara Castle (The Highest Point in Ankara)
• Rahmi Koc Museum (Outside - The first industrial heritage museum in Turkey)
• Erimtan Archaeology Museum (Outside)
• Word Museum (The only kind in Turkey - Outside)
• Museum of Anatolian Civilizations (Outside - nicknamed as the Princess of Museums in Europe)
• Roman Theatre (excavations are going on - Outside)
• Spice and Fish Bazaar
• Augustus Temple (Built in the year of 25 BCE)
• Julianus Column (Built in the year of 362) 
• Hacı Bayram-ı Veli Mosque (Outside- Ottoman Style Mosque and the most holy shrine in Ankara)
• Treasury Museum (Outside)
• Financial Independence Museum (Outside)
• Victory Monument (The largest Atatürk Statue in Ankara)
• First Turkish National Assembly (Outside)
• Second Turkish National Assembly (Outside)
• Ankara Palace (outside)
• Historical and New Ankara Train Stations (Outside)
• Atatürk's Mausoleum

I invite you to discover Turkey on her heart and to learn her beats with a unique walk which will make you tired but satisfied. You will have the chance to gain too much information about Turkish culture, the capital city of Turkey and her deep history.


Notes;

a) This tour is an exclusive tour which has an itinerary you cannot find anywhere else. It is not for group tour and is limited up to 5 people or less so it can be considered as a boutique or private tour. Price per person is 50 Euro and it can only be done if there are at least two people and I am available on the requested day.

b) Meals, drinks, transportation (if any) and museum entrances (if any) are not included in the tour. Places where we will be going are not touristic so prices will be comparably more affordable than those of  Cappadocia and Istanbul. 

c) Please wear appropriately and bring a headscarf or something to cover your head if you are a lady and want to enter into the tomb and mosque. No shorts over your knees allowed for the mosque if you are a gentleman. 

d) As I am a licensed tour guide affiliated to the Turkish Cultural Ministry, I can only conduct tours with my official badge on me and a piece of official paper which shows all details about the tour. I have to show them to tourism officials in case of any inspection. 

Ankara Walking Tour: 

Castle, Temples & more:

Step into history on this walking tour in Ankara, exploring the city’s most iconic landmarks and ancient sites. With your knowledgeable local guide, discover treasures from Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman eras, as well as modern Turkish history. 

Highlights of the Tour:

• Ankara Citadel (Ankara Castle): Walk through centuries of history and enjoy panoramic views of the city.
• Museum of Anatolian Civilizations: Admire artifacts from the Stone Age, Neolithic, Hittite, Phrygian, and Urartian periods.
• Temple of Augustus & Rome: Explore one of Ankara’s most significant Roman monuments.
• Hacı Bayram Mosque: Discover the rich cultural and religious heritage of the Ottoman era.

Why Travelers Love This Tour:

• Private walking experience.
• Fascinating insights into ancient and modern Turkish history.
• Perfect for history lovers, culture seekers, and first-time visitors to Ankara.

Additional Information:

• Duration: Half-day (approx. 2,5-3 hours).

Additional Costs: Entrance to the Anatolian Civilizations Museum is 12 Euros.

Please contact me to customize the reservation hours.

Hello, I'm Musa—your local travel buddy in Ankara! 

Let’s explore the city’s rich history on a two-hour walking tour, starting at the Column of Julianus, a Roman monument dating back to the 4th century. From there, we’ll head to the Temple of Augustus and the Hacı Bayram Mosque, a spiritual and architectural landmark currently on UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List. 

We’ll then enjoy a scenic walk toward the Ankara Citadel, passing by the recently restored Ancient Roman Theatre. Before reaching the Citadel, we’ll visit Aslanhane Mosque, a stunning example of medieval Anatolian wooden hypostyle architecture. 

Inside the Citadel, we’ll explore the historic Sultan Alaaddin Mosque, and finally, climb to the top of the Citadel for a panoramic view of Ankara that you won’t forget. 

✨ All sites on this tour are free to enter, making it an enriching and budget-friendly experience. 

Join me for a journey through the layers of Ankara’s history, culture, and timeless charm! 

Hello, I am your travel companion Aişe.
If you are interested in a two-hour walk through the Turkish capital Ankara, you have come to the right place.

We begin our tour with a visit to the Ankara Citadel. This ancient fortress offers impressive views of the city.

On the way up to the Citadel, we will visit the Sultan Alaaddin Mosque . It is a historic mosque located closest to the highest point of the Citadel.

On another path leading down from the Citadel, we will visit another historic mosque that was recently added to UNESCO, the Aslanhane Mosque.

Strolling through the Old Bazaar, past the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and the Roman Theater, we reach the Haci Bayram Mosque, an important pilgrimage site in Ankara. The mosque is modeled on the Temple of Augustus, an ancient Roman temple built in honor of the Roman Emperor Augustus.

This tour offers a mix of history, culture, architecture and local atmosphere.