Ankara
Ankara is Türkiye's capital and seat of government since 1923, with Roman ruins and Ottoman houses in the old town of Ulus, and Atatürk's mausoleum on Anıttepe hill.
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Ankara is the capital of Türkiye and the centre of Ankara Province, in the Central Anatolia Region. It is the second-largest city by population, after Istanbul. The capital moved here from Istanbul in 1923, a few weeks before the Republic was proclaimed, and the city had been the headquarters of the Turkish War of Independence movement. Earlier it was known as Ancyra and Angora, and under the Romans it was the capital of the province of Galatia.
The historic centre is a rocky hill above the Ankara River, crowned by Ankara Castle. Below it, the old town of Ulus has the Roman Baths, the Column of Julian and the Temple of Augustus and Rome, next to Ottoman mosques and restored houses. The modern new town, Yenişehir, is centred on Kızılay Square. Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, stands on Anıttepe hill and is open every day. Summers are hot and dry, winters cold and snowy, and most rain falls in spring and autumn.
Ankara in five
- Give Anıtkabir a morningIt is open daily with seasonal hours: 9:00 to 17:00 from 15 May to 31 October, 9:00 to 16:30 from 1 February to 14 May, and 9:00 to 16:00 from 1 November to 31 January. The approach is long, so do not arrive near closing.Anıtkabir hours
- Check which halls are open at the Anatolian museumThe ministry lists the museum open daily, 8:30 to 17:30, but its Ankara Hall and Classical Hall are closed for maintenance from 14 September 2026 to 2 March 2027. The older Anatolian collections stay the reason to go.Ministry page
- Add a second museum only on a two-day stopThe Museum of the Republic of Ankara is listed open daily, 9:00 to 17:00, in the Ulus area. One night fits Anıtkabir and the Anatolian museum; two nights leave room for it and the old citadel streets.
- Plan the onward leg to Cappadocia earlyAnkara to Göreme is a long surface day, so most itineraries decide here between a bus or car through Central Anatolia and a flight from another city. Settle it before you book the Cappadocia nights.Göreme
Things to do in Ankara
See all attractions in Ankara
Need to know
- Airport
- Esenboğa (ESB), north of the city
- Getting there
- Flights from Istanbul and other Turkish cities, rail and buses
- Getting around
- Metro and buses; Anıtkabir and the Ulus museums are in different districts
- Best base
- Kızılay or Çankaya for hotels; Ulus for the old town
- Time needed
- 1 to 2 days
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, snow
- FebruaryCold
- MarchCool
- AprilSpring
- MayMild, green
- JuneWarm
- JulyHot, dry
- AugustHot, dry
- SeptemberMild, dry
- OctoberMild
- NovemberCool, wet
- DecemberCold
Right now in Ankara
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
12
- Feels like
- 11°
- Humidity
- 71%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 5%
Ankara
11:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today18°9°5%Monday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Tue17°10°43%Tuesday: Rain. High 17°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 43%.
- Wed15°10°65%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 15°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 65%.
- Thu11°7°25%Thursday: Rain. High 11°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 25%.
- Fri9°5°8%Friday: Rain. High 9°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Sat7°1°0%Saturday: Rain. High 7°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun7°-1°0%Sunday: Cloudy. High 7°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 08:40 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 49.94 TRY
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Eskişehirabout 1.5 hours by trainA relaxed university city with river canals and old wooden houses.Read the guide
- Gordionabout 1.5 hours by carThe Phrygian capital with a ministry museum, listed open daily from 9:00 to 18:00.
- Cappadociaabout 4 to 5 hours by roadA long day by bus or car, better as a transfer than a round trip.Read the guide
Before you go to Ankara
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Rules for Ankara, checked
- Anıtkabir is open daily: 9:00 to 16:00 (1 Nov to 31 Jan), 9:00 to 16:30 (1 Feb to 14 May), 9:00 to 17:00 (15 May to 31 Oct).Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- Museum of Anatolian Civilizations: open daily 8:30 to 17:30; Ankara Hall and Classical Hall closed for maintenance 14 Sep 2026 to 2 Mar 2027.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Ankara
A student city on the line toward Istanbul
Read the guideGöreme travel guideThe Cappadocia base town and its balloon season
Read the guideBlack Sea CoastGreen hills and monasteries north of the capital
Read the guideIstanbul travel guideMosques, bazaars and the Bosphorus
Read the guideGetting around TürkiyeFlights, buses and rail between regions
Read the guideAll of TürkiyeCities, coasts and entry basics for a Türkiye trip
Read the guideAnkara FAQ
Is Ankara worth visiting?
Yes for one or two days, mainly for Anıtkabir and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. It is a working capital with few resort pleasures, so treat it as a stop, not a destination week.
How many days do you need in Ankara?
One full day covers Anıtkabir and the Anatolian museum if you start early. A second day suits the Museum of the Republic, the citadel quarter and a slower evening in Kızılay or Çankaya.
How do you get from Ankara to Cappadocia?
By road, about 4 to 5 hours to Göreme by bus or car, or by combining a flight to a nearer city with a transfer. Compare the options for your dates on the transport page.
Is Anıtkabir open every day?
Yes, the official site says it is open every day, with hours that change by season: 9:00 to 16:00 in winter, 9:00 to 16:30 in late winter and spring, 9:00 to 17:00 in summer.
Is the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations worth it?
Yes, it is the main reason to stop in Ankara. Note that two of its halls are closed for maintenance until 2 March 2027, so check which collections you will see.