Top 10 best tourist attractions in Ankara, Turkey

By We Find You Go - 2017-01-9

Ankara is a province of Turkey, which is situated partly in the region of Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Central Anatolia. Ankara Province is the home to the capital city of the Turkey, which is also named as Ankara City. The province is full of historical landmarks, Ottoman architecture, Turkish traditions and culture. Province of Ankara has a continental weather, dry and hot in summers and snowy, cold in winters, while rainy in autumn and spring. Ankara is one of the best regions for vacations and trips.

10) Lake Eymir

Ankara is full of many beautiful spots of nature and wilderness. Lake Eymir is one of the landmarks and beauty of nature, situated at a distance of 20 kilometres from the Center of the Ankara City. Local people and tourists come here to relax far away from the noise, pollution and daily busy routine of their life. This beautiful small lake is the segment of a natural park with 10 kilometres long perimeter, which is used by the people for jogging, cycling and walking. Surroundings of the lake have various picnic spots and natural wilderness. The lake is the home of more than 150 species of birds, which include shearwaters and ducklings. There is a historical building near the lake, which is used as a restaurant that has a beautiful outdoor seating to enjoy the fabulous beauty of nature.

9) Ataturk Forest Farm & Zoo

The Ataturk Forest Farm & Zoo is an extensive recreational site located in the municipality of Ankara. This farming area includes a small zoo, an aquarium, various agricultural farms, some greenhouses and restaurants. There is also a brewery and a dairy farm, which are administered by the Ministry of the Agriculture and Village Affairs of Turkey. The zoo at the farm has covered an area of 79 acres, which is home to the various birds, big cats, apes, monkeys and snakes. Visitors can taste the fresh products of dairy and brewery like a cup of beer and ice-cream. Restaurants serve meat rolls, charcoal kebabs and other traditional foods to the visitors. People of all ages enjoy this forest farm equally.

8) Genclik Park

Genclik Park is an attractive place of entertainment for the local families of Turkey and tourists from various region of the world, which is situated in the centre of the Ankara city. The park has covered an area of 38 hectares and was initially opened in 1943. This park provides equal entertainment to the people of all age groups. Various beautiful tea gardens, colourful water fountain shows and the Luna Park Funfair Amusement Park are main attractions of this spot. There is a huge swimming pool for swimming and rowing and different carrousels and the Ferris wheel to entertain adults and children in the same way. It is one of the must visit places in Turkey.

7) Atakule

The Atakule is an observation and communication tower with a height of 125 meters, which is situated in a hilly district of Cankaya in Central Ankara. It is the most famous landmark of the city and a most visited tourist spot in Turkey. There is an outdoor terrace and a revolving restaurant named Sevilla, which provides a complete panoramic view of the city by completing its round in an hour. One more static restaurant is available above the Sevilla and also a UFO café is serving under the terrace. The base portion of the tower is a shopping mall, which houses different brand shops and other small and famous restaurants.

6) Aqua Vega Aquarium

The Aqua Vega Aquarium is the largest aquarium tunnel of the Turkey and most probably of Europe too. Situated in the most famous shopping mall (Nata Vega Outlet 2) in Dogukent Bulvari, Ankara. This 98-meter long tunnel is formed by 24 aquariums, which are containing 4.5 million litres of fresh and salt water along with various marine environmental characteristics. The aquarium is home to 12,000 marine creatures which include various uncommon species of fish ranges from sharks and Napoleon fish to Koi fish and Clownfish. It is one of the best places in Turkey to visit with family and children.

5) Ankamall Alisveris Merkezi

ANKAmall was initially opened in 1999, with the name of the Ankara Migros Shopping Center in Ankara. In 2006, the mall changed its name to the ANKAmall shopping center. It is the second largest shopping mall in Turkey, which has covered an area of 176,000 square meters. The mall houses more than 320 world famous brand stores like Kactos, Electro World, Marks & Spencer and much more in its 108,000 square meters rentable area. Along with a pleasant, comfortable and qualitative shopping, ANKAmall provides its visitors various opportunities of entertainment by its 10 HD Cinemas, playland for children and various famous restaurants and cafes with an organized parking space of more than 6000 cars.

4) Ankara Citadel

Citadel of Ankara is also known as Ankara Castle, which is situated on a 978-meter high hill in the town of Ulus Bentderesi in Old Ankara. The castle is a symbolic landmark of the town and an ancient tourist spot. No one knows the exact date of the construction of the Citadel. Initially, it was administered by the Romans and Byzantines and later it was captured by the Seljuqs in 1073 and crusaders afterwards in 1101. Crusaders returned the citadel to the Byzantines, which was again conquered by the Seljuqs in 1227. The citadel has faced many restorations since Ottoman era. The Ankara Citadel has divided into inner and outer Castle, which has 43 pentagonal watch towers along with its 14 to 16 meters high defensive walls. The castle is a great ancient architecture which attracts lots of visitors towards its prehistoric value every year.

3) Hamamonu Restored Area

Hamamonu is one of the earliest settled areas of the Altindag in the capital city of Turkey. The area has the residency of bureaucrats, political persons and strong businessmen of the earlier Republic of Turkey but, lost its importance after some years. In 2006, the area was maintained as a prehistoric tourist place after the restoration project initiated by the Municipality of Altindag. It is a beautiful place to visit and walk, which represents the Turkish culture and beauty of ancient houses on the streets. The place is serving as a hub of hang out and tourism in the town. There are many shops, cafes and restaurants in the area to facilitate the visitors in accordance with the Turkish traditions and culture.

2) Ethnography Museum of Ankara

Ethnography Museum of Ankara is dedicated to the cultures and traditions of the ancient Turkish civilizations. The museum was built on a Namazgah Hill in Ankara between the years of 1925 to 1928. The museum exhibits artifacts belonging to the ancient civilizations and some belongings to the Ataturk Mustafa Kamal. These artifacts include handwoven clothes, Turkish cultural glass and tiles, prehistoric manuscripts, ancient stone and wooden art pieces and weapons used by the ancient Turkish civilizations. A method is also displayed about how Turkish civilisation used to make coffee in earlier times. The place is a complete informative and entertaining site for the people of all age groups.

1) Kocatepe Mosque

Kocatepe Mosque is a spectacular sight and a marvellous cultural wonder located in Ankara, the capital city of Turkey. The construction of the mosque was started in 1967 and was completed in 1987. The mosque is the largest mosque in Ankara and is famous for its beautiful 88 meters high minarets around its main dome. In clear weather, people can see the minarets of the mosque almost from any corner of Ankara. The Kocatepe mosque is a masterpiece of the Turkish architecture whereas the walls and the roofs of the mosque are decorated with various cultural ornaments. About 24,000 people can offer their prayers at the same time in this mosque. The mosque is always open for the visitors to experience this awe-inspiring architecture of religious wonder.