Best Day Trips from Ankara (2025)

Just 90 minutes from Ankara lies Gordion, the legendary capital of the Phrygian Kingdom and home of King Midas — the ruler said to have the golden touch. This UNESCO-listed site lets you walk through millennia of history, from Bronze Age settlements to the iconic Tumulus MM, believed to be Midas’s tomb.

Explore the Gordion Museum, where you’ll see ancient artifacts, wooden furniture, and jewelry discovered from royal burials. Outside, wander among the mounds and remnants of the Phrygian citadel, with sweeping views over the Anatolian plains. It’s a must for history lovers and one of the most fascinating day trips from Ankara for those who want to experience Türkiye’s ancient roots firsthand.

The ancient city of Hattusa, located near modern-day Boğazkale and about 200 kilometers east of Ankara, was once the powerful capital of the Hittite Empire. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hattusa offers a remarkable journey into the heart of Bronze Age Anatolia. The vast archaeological site reveals the grandeur of a civilization that flourished around 1600 BCE, featuring monumental gates such as the Lion Gate and King’s Gate, massive city walls stretching for kilometers, and the impressive Great Temple complex dedicated to the storm god Teshub and the sun goddess Hebat. Walking through Hattusa’s remains, you can still sense the scale of its political and religious importance in the ancient world.

The site’s dramatic hilltop location provides breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside, adding to the sense of awe as you explore ancient streets, fortifications, and royal residences. Many visitors pair Hattusa with nearby Yazılıkaya and Alacahöyük on a day trip from Ankara. I

Alacahöyük, situated about 36 kilometers from Hattusa, is one of Türkiye’s most significant archaeological sites and an essential stop for anyone exploring the Hittite heartland. The site’s origins date back to the Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Ages, long before the Hittite period, making it a window into the dawn of Anatolian civilization. Among its most striking features are the famous Sphinx Gate, decorated with intricate reliefs depicting ceremonial scenes, and the remnants of a royal necropolis where gold and bronze treasures were uncovered during excavations. These finds, now housed in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara, testify to the wealth and sophistication of Alacahöyük’s early rulers.

A small on-site museum and a well-preserved archaeological layout make it easy to imagine how this ancient city once functioned as both a religious and political center. Visitors can wander through the excavated temples and courtyards, surrounded by the quiet Anatolian countryside. Alacahöyük offers a more intimate experience than Hattusa, ideal for those seeking a sense of discovery away from crowds. Together with nearby sites, it forms a cornerstone of any exploration of Türkiye’s ancient past.

Just a few kilometers from Hattusa, the Yazılıkaya Rock Sanctuary is one of the most evocative sites in the ancient Hittite world. Carved directly into limestone cliffs, this open-air temple was used for religious ceremonies, particularly those related to the New Year and the worship of the Hittite pantheon. The sanctuary’s main chambers feature over sixty rock reliefs depicting gods, goddesses, and mythological beings in detailed procession, with the storm god Teshub and the sun goddess Hebat at the center. These carvings, dating from the 13th century BCE, remain some of the finest examples of Hittite artistry and religious expression.

Visiting Yazılıkaya offers an extraordinary glimpse into the spiritual life of an empire that once ruled vast parts of Anatolia and the Near East. The quiet, open setting among rocky hills enhances its mystical atmosphere, especially in the early morning or late afternoon light. The combination of natural beauty, ancient art, and sacred history makes Yazılıkaya a place where the ancient gods still seem to whisper through the stone.

For those with a taste for adventure, though around 3 hours away, Cappadocia is the ultimate day trip from Ankara — a destination where nature, history, and imagination converge in an unforgettable landscape. Though it’s around three hours by road, the journey across Central Anatolia is well worth it for the surreal beauty that awaits. As you approach, the terrain transforms into an otherworldly panorama of volcanic tuff shaped into fairy chimneys, valleys, and cave dwellings that seem to belong to another world. Beneath the surface, vast underground cities like Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı reveal how ancient communities once lived and sought refuge, creating one of the most fascinating cultural legacies in Türkiye.

The highlights of a Cappadocia day trip include the Göreme Open-Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with rock-cut churches painted with centuries-old frescoes, and Uçhisar Castle, the region’s highest lookout offering sweeping valley views. In Devrent Valley, whimsical rock formations ignite the imagination, while early-morning hot-air balloon rides — often offered through GetYourGuide tours — deliver a once-in-a-lifetime sunrise experience. Whether you explore by foot, balloon, or cave passage, Cappadocia feels like stepping into a dreamscape, making it one of Türkiye’s most magical and unforgettable destinations.