Ankara journeys: your travel to Ankara
Table of contents
Ankara parks
Before we explore the various Ankara journeys with its distinctive museums, beautiful mosques, historical and cultural landmarks, many visitors enjoy starting their tourist trips with the city’s amusement parks. Recreational Ankara journeys are indeed beautiful and very enjoyable, as the city boasts numerous parks and diverse green spaces. For this reason, we’ve dedicated a full page to them, which you can find at the following link:
Ankara Castle (Ankara Kalesi)
Ankara Castle was built to serve as a center for defending the city, situated on top of a high hill, offering visitors the opportunity to see views of the Turkish capital Ankara from all directions. Inside the castle, there are two- and three-story houses and it also houses some historical mosques like Aladdin Mosque. At the top of the castle, there is the “Ati” Museum and the “Aq Qala” Museum, which means the White Castle.
Elmadag Ski Resort
One of the most famous winter Ankara journeys is elmadag Mount, where the mountain is blanketed in a bright white during the winter, making it an ideal place for ice skiing. The mountain stands at an altitude of 1,850 meters above sea level and is about 22 kilometers from the city center. The area is perfect for beginner and intermediate skiing, but skiing is limited to the winter season only. A fully equipped hotel is available in the area, providing necessary services for visitors.
Altinkoy Open Air Museum (Altınköy Açık Hava Müzesi)
The open-air Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, one of the distinctive tourist destinations in Ankara journeys, spans an area of approximately 500 acres. It allows you to see and experience traditional village life through the exhibited houses and structures. You can smell the scent of freshly baked bread in one of the bakeries and experience the aroma of ground corn in water mills. Additionally, you can observe the fields, various trees, and animals that once lived in the region.
Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii)
Koja Tepe Mosque, built on a 4,500 square meter area, includes modern facilities such as a conference hall, library, parking lot, and commercial and administrative units on the lower floor. The main prayer hall of the mosque features a central dome and four semi-domes supported by four columns. The mosque has four minarets, each towering 88 meters high, with access to their balconies via stairs or an elevator.
Aqua Vega Akvaryum
Enjoy Ankara journeys with Aqua Vega Aquarium, home to one of the largest tunnel tanks in Turkey and Europe. Aqua Vega Aquarium attracts thousands of visitors annually to see over 12,000 marine creatures living in diverse aquatic environments, including sharks, rays, and more. The facility includes a large tank measuring 98 meters in length with a total capacity of 4.5 million liters of water, along with various sized tanks and exhibits.
Blue Lake Recreation Area (Mavi Göl Rekreasyon Alanı)
Lake Mavi Göl, also known as the Blue Lake, consists of four interconnected lakes of varying sizes. The lake is famous for its color changing from green to blue as snow melts in May, blending with a waterfall flowing in a stream to form five bowl-shaped lakes in a picturesque setting. The lake offers many recreational activities such as a horseback riding club, a sports track for exercise, and fishing opportunities.
Beştepe National Mosque (Beştepe Millet Camii)
You can visit the Presidential Complex as part of Ankara journeys, which includes the Büyükşehir National Mosque located in the Baştepe neighborhood of the Yenimahalle district. It is part of the Presidential Complex and serves as the residence for the President of Turkey. The mosque features four minarets towering 60 meters high, each with two balconies. The total area of the mosque’s residential space is 5,117 square meters, and it is characterized by a main dome covered by four semi-domes.
Museum of the War of Independence (Kurtuluş Savaşı Müzesi)
The Independence War Museum, with an area of 5,200 square meters, is entered through the National Pact Tower entrance on the right. The museum consists of four main sections. The first section displays items used by Atatürk, while the second section features photographs and oil paintings depicting some of the wars. The third section includes halls depicting the War of Independence and revolutions, and the fourth section houses Atatürk’s personal library.
Rahmi M. Koc Museum Ankara
Rahmi Koç Museum in Ankara journeys is distinguished as the city’s first industrial museum. It is located near the main entrance gate of Han Castle in Ankara and is known for its diverse collection of exhibits related to industry and history. The museum welcomes visitors in 32 rooms showcasing over 4,000 pieces that depict the history of various industries, ranging from maritime transportation to aviation and classic cars.
Hamamönü Area
The Hamamönü area is one of the oldest tourist destinations in Ankara, renowned for its historical Ottoman architecture that reflects its authentic Ottoman heritage. Here, you can witness artisans practicing traditional handicrafts, showcasing their skills in various crafts. You can purchase these handmade products from local residents. The area is particularly vibrant during Ramadan, attracting attention with its festivities and wonderful activities.
Republic Museum (Cumhuriyet Müzesi)
The Museum of the Republic in Ankara is classified among the most important archaeological museums in the city, showcasing the history of the Ottoman Empire. It ranks among the favorite tourist destinations in Ankara journeys. The museum houses rare collections of approximately 1,050 archaeological pieces, ancient maps, historical manuscripts, sculptures, Islamic art collections, artistic paintings, ancient coins, traditional costumes, and more.
Aslanhane Mosque (Aslanhane Camii)
As part of Ankara journeys, Aslan Khan Mosque, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, spans an area of 400 square meters. It features a single minaret and a wooden ceiling supported by 24 large wooden columns. The mosque includes three gates facing north, south, and west, with 12 windows and a mihrab decorated in Seljuk style. It is renowned for its stone walls and lead-covered pointed roof.
Atakule
Atakule is a telecommunications and observation tower standing at a height of 125 meters, located in the Çankaya district in central Ankara. It is one of the primary tourist landmarks in Ankara journeys. Situated on a hill in Çankaya, Atakule can be seen from any part of the city on clear days. The upper section of the tower features an open-air observation deck and a revolving restaurant that rotates 360 degrees in one hour. The lower structures include a shopping center and several indoor and outdoor restaurants.
living Museum (Yaşayan Müze)
The Museum of Living (Museum of Everyday Life) is Turkey’s first museum of applied culture, showcasing the everyday life and its production. It’s also Turkey’s pioneering example of outdoor museums. The museum utilizes live exhibitions, various animations, and interactive display techniques, organizing over 15 exhibitions and events. This places visitors at the heart of the events, effectively learning about culture.
Sea World (Keçiören Belediyesi Deniz Dünyası)
Sea World is one of the most enjoyable recreational tourist destinations in Ankara journeys. You can explore the glass tanks and listen to the sounds of water and the sea ambiance. You can observe various types of fish and marine creatures in their diverse colors and shapes, such as sharks, sea turtles, coral reefs, marine plants, and amphibious animals like crocodiles and reptiles. Additionally, you can watch fish feeding shows or participate in one of the educational tours.
After exploring the most famous Ankara journeys, let’s discover all the tourist attractions in Turkey.
