Places to Visit in Türkiye and Ankara: Travel Guide

Why does this page exist?

Patients who come to Ankara for check-up appointments, whether from other cities in Türkiye or from abroad, often ask us, "What can I see between appointments?" In this guide we have compiled well-known historical, cultural and natural places to visit in Ankara and across Türkiye, organised by region. The list does not aim to cover every place in the country, but to introduce a selection of stops that may be useful at first glance.

Museum hours, entry conditions, restoration work and open/closed status may change; before you go, we recommend confirming current information on the official page of the institution concerned or with the local tourist information office.

Places to visit in Ankara

Anıtkabir and Republic-era history

• Anıtkabir: The mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk; the Lion Road, the Ceremonial Plaza, the mausoleum and the Anıtkabir Museum are all within the same complex.
• War of Independence Museum (First Grand National Assembly Building): In Ulus, the building where the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye first convened.
• Republic Museum (Second Grand National Assembly Building): In Ulus, the parliament building of the Republican period.
• Atatürk Forest Farm: The model farm founded by Atatürk; large green areas, the Marmara Pavilion and sites that hold Atatürk's memorabilia.
• Çankaya Presidential Mansion (Atatürk Museum): The mansion where Atatürk lived in Ankara.

Ulus, the Citadel and Hamamönü: the historic city

• Ankara Castle and the Hisar district: The walls that surround the old city, narrow streets, traditional houses and views over the city.
• Museum of Anatolian Civilizations: The archaeological collection of Anatolia, from the Palaeolithic period to the Hittite, Phrygian and Urartian civilizations.
• Rahmi M. Koç Museum: A collection on the history of industry, transport and communication.
• Roman Bath, Temple of Augustus, Column of Julian and Roman Theatre: Roman and Galatian-era remains around Ulus.
• Hacı Bayram-ı Veli Mosque: Next to the Temple of Augustus, one of the oldest and most visited mosques in the city.
• Alâeddin Mosque and Arslanhane Mosque: Mosques from the Seljuk and Anatolian Beylik periods.
• Hamamönü: Restored old houses, bazaar streets, cafés and handicrafts.
• Cer Modern: A contemporary art centre created by converting former railway workshops.

Museums and art

• Ethnography Museum: A collection of Turkish-Islamic art and ethnography; the building served as Atatürk's temporary resting place until Anıtkabir was completed.
• Painting and Sculpture Museum: Turkish painting and sculpture of the Republican era.
• MTA Natural History Museum: A collection of fossils, minerals and natural history; suitable for families with children.
• Ankara Palas Museum: A historic hotel building that tells of city life in the early years of the Republic.

Parks, lakes and city life

• Kuğulu Park, Güvenpark, Gençlik Park and Seğmenler Park: Walking and resting areas in the city centre.
• Atakule: A tower with an observation terrace in Çankaya, with a shopping area around it.
• Kızılay and Tunalı Hilmi Avenue: The central district where shops, cafés and restaurants are concentrated.
• Lake Eymir and Lake Mogan (Gölbaşı): Natural areas for walking, cycling and birdwatching.
• METU Forest: A large forest area within the university campus.

Day trips around Ankara

• Beypazarı: A district known for its preserved historic houses, its bazaar and its local food.
• Kızılcahamam (Soğuksu National Park): A wooded area with thermal springs and walking trails.
• Gordion Ancient City (Polatlı): The capital of the Phrygian kingdom; the Midas Tumulus and the Gordion Museum. It is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
• Salt Lake (Tuz Gölü): A large salt lake on the border of Ankara, Konya and Aksaray; known for sunsets and flamingo watching.
• Haymana and Ayaş: Options for thermal spring and nature trips.
• Nallıhan: Birdwatching and nature walks.

Places to visit in Türkiye, region by region

Istanbul and Marmara

• Istanbul: Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace, the Sultanahmet (Blue) Mosque, the Basilica Cistern, the Süleymaniye Mosque, the Grand Bazaar, the Galata Tower, Dolmabahçe Palace, a Bosphorus cruise and the Princes' Islands.
• Edirne: The Selimiye Mosque and its complex (UNESCO).
• Bursa: The Grand Mosque (Ulu Camii), the Green Tomb, the village of Cumalıkızık (UNESCO) and Uludağ.
• İznik (Bursa): Ancient city walls and the tile-making tradition.
• Çanakkale: The Ancient City of Troy (UNESCO), the Gallipoli Peninsula Historical National Park and the Martyrs' Memorials, Assos (Behramkale), Bozcaada and Gökçeada.

Aegean

• İzmir: Kemeraltı Bazaar, the Clock Tower, the Asansör (Historical Elevator), Kadifekale, Alaçatı, Çeşme and Foça.
• Selçuk (İzmir): The Ancient City of Ephesus (UNESCO), the House of the Virgin Mary and the village of Şirince.
• Bergama (Pergamon, İzmir): The Pergamon and its Multi-Layered Cultural Landscape (UNESCO): the Acropolis, the Asklepion and the Red Basilica (Kızıl Avlu).
• Denizli: The travertine terraces of Pamukkale and Hierapolis (UNESCO).
• Aydın: The Ancient City of Aphrodisias (UNESCO), Miletus and the Temple of Apollo at Didyma (Didim).
• Muğla: Bodrum (Bodrum Castle, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus), Marmaris, Datça, Akyaka, Dalyan (İztuzu Beach, the Kaunos rock tombs).
• Kütahya: The Ancient City of Aizanoi (UNESCO), Çavdarhisar.

Mediterranean

• Antalya: Kaleiçi (the old town), the Düden and Kurşunlu waterfalls, the Aspendos Theatre, Perge, Side, Termessos, Olympos and Çıralı, Kaş, Kekova, Kalkan and Patara.
• Demre: The Ancient City of Myra and the Church of St. Nicholas.
• Fethiye (Muğla): Ölüdeniz, Kayaköy, Saklıkent Gorge, the Ancient Cities of Xanthos and Letoon (UNESCO).
• Mersin: Kızkalesi (the Maiden's Castle), the Caves of Heaven and Hell (Cennet and Cehennem), Tarsus.
• Adana: The Stone Bridge, the Central Mosque (Merkez Camii) and the banks of the Seyhan River.
• Hatay (Antakya): Ancient and multicultural heritage. Because rebuilding continues after the 2023 earthquakes, it is advisable to check the current situation before visiting.

Central Anatolia

• Cappadocia (Nevşehir, Kayseri, Aksaray, Niğde): Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia (UNESCO); the Göreme Open-Air Museum, Uçhisar, Ürgüp, Avanos, Zelve, Paşabağları (Monks Valley), the underground cities of Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı, and the Ihlara Valley.
• Konya: The Mevlâna Museum, Alaaddin Hill, Sille and the Neolithic Site of Çatalhöyük (UNESCO).
• Eskişehir: The Odunpazarı Historic Houses, the area around the Porsuk River and Sazova Park.
• Kayseri: Kayseri Castle, the Hunat Hatun Complex and Mount Erciyes.
• Sivas: The Gök Madrasa, the Twin Minaret Madrasa (Çifte Minareli Medrese) and the Great Mosque and Hospital of Divriği (UNESCO).
• Çorum: Hattusa (Boğazkale), Yazılıkaya and Alacahöyük (the Hittite capital Hattusa is on the UNESCO list).

Black Sea

• Trabzon: Sumela Monastery, Uzungöl, the Hagia Sophia Museum and the Atatürk Pavilion.
• Rize: Ayder Plateau, the Fırtına Stream and Zil Castle; tea gardens.
• Artvin: Borçka Karagöl, Macahel and Şavşat.
• Safranbolu (Karabük): Ottoman-era houses and bazaar (UNESCO).
• Amasya: The Yalıboyu houses and the Pontic King Tombs (Kral Kaya Mezarları).
• Bartın: Amasra.
• Kastamonu: Valla Canyon, İnebolu and the historic city centre.
• Sinop: Sinop Fortress and Hamsilos Bay.
• Bolu: Lake Abant and Yedigöller (the Seven Lakes).

Eastern Anatolia

• Kars: The Ruins of Ani (UNESCO), Kars Castle.
• Erzurum: The Twin Minaret Madrasa (Çifte Minareli Medrese), the Three Tombs (Üç Kümbetler) and the Palandöken ski resort.
• Van: Lake Van, Akdamar Island and its Church, Hoşap Castle, Çavuştepe.
• Ağrı: İshak Paşa Palace in Doğubayazıt and Mount Ararat (Ağrı Dağı).
• Bitlis: The Ahlat Seljuk Cemetery (Ahlat Selçuklu Meydan Mezarlığı) and the Nemrut Crater.
• Malatya: Arslantepe Mound (UNESCO) and Battalgazi.
• Elazığ: Harput Castle and Lake Hazar.
• Tunceli: Munzur Valley National Park.

Southeastern Anatolia

• Şanlıurfa: Göbekli Tepe (UNESCO), Balıklıgöl, Harran and the Şanlıurfa Museum.
• Mardin: The streets of Old Mardin, the Kasımiye Madrasa, Deyrulzafaran Monastery.
• Diyarbakır: The Diyarbakır Fortress and Hevsel Gardens Cultural Landscape (UNESCO), the Great Mosque (Ulu Camii) and the Ten-Eyed Bridge (On Gözlü Köprü).
• Gaziantep: The Zeugma Mosaic Museum, Gaziantep Castle and the Coppersmiths' Bazaar (after the 2023 earthquakes, repairs may still be under way at some buildings).
• Adıyaman: Mount Nemrut (UNESCO), the Karakuş Tumulus and the Cendere Bridge.
• Batman: The Hasankeyf area and the new Hasankeyf settlement.

How can you fit your travel plans around your treatment schedule?

• Patients undergoing clear aligner treatment remove their aligners during meals; on days out, keep your aligner case with you, and after eating, brush your teeth and put the aligners back in.
• Planning the dates of your check-up appointments in advance and setting your sightseeing days around them will make things easier for you.
• For what to do if an aligner is lost or broken, you can see the page on clear aligners while travelling.
• If you are coming from another city, the page for patients from outside the city gives you an idea for planning your check-ups.
• For getting to our clinic, you can look at the page on getting here from Gölbaşı, İncek and Beytepe.
• For visitors from abroad, the page on orthodontics for foreigners has contact information in English, German and Russian.