Self-Guided Walking Tour of Ankara (2025)

Standing proudly on Atatürk Boulevard, the Melike Hatun Mosque is one of the largest and most visually striking mosques in Ankara. Completed in 2017, it blends classical Ottoman architectural motifs with modern craftsmanship, its gleaming domes and four towering minarets dominating the skyline near Kızılay.

The mosque was named after Melike Hatun, a 14th-century Seljuk noblewoman remembered for her contributions to education and social welfare. Inside, the prayer hall dazzles with chandeliers, intricate calligraphy, and traditional Iznik tilework, creating a space that feels both majestic and serene.

Visitors are welcome outside prayer times, and the mosque’s central location makes it easy to include in a city walking tour. Whether you come for its spiritual calm or its aesthetic beauty, Melike Hatun Mosque stands as a powerful symbol of Ankara’s living faith and architectural grace.

The Ankara Citadel (Ankara Kalesi) crowns the city’s historic hilltop and offers sweeping views across modern Ankara. Its origins stretch back to the Galatians, later expanded by the Romans, Byzantines, and Seljuks — each leaving their mark on the fortifications that still stand today. The citadel’s sturdy walls and towers, built from repurposed ancient stones, enclose a labyrinth of narrow, cobbled streets that echo centuries of history.

Inside the walls, you’ll find traditional Ottoman houses, small artisan workshops, and a scattering of cozy cafés where you can pause and soak in the atmosphere. The upper ramparts are accessible, and from here, the panoramic view reveals the striking contrast between the old red-roofed quarters below and the sleek skyline of modern Ankara beyond.

Exploring the citadel is like walking through living history — each turn reveals a new perspective, from ancient masonry to local life unfolding quietly within its gates. It’s one of the best things to see in Ankara, especially near sunset when the city glows golden beneath the fortress.

Just below the citadel lies the Çengelhan Rahmi M. Koç Museum, a beautifully restored 16th-century Ottoman inn transformed into a museum celebrating industry, transport, and communication. Part of the Rahmi M. Koç Museum family (which also includes branches in Istanbul and Ayvalık), this museum blends Ankara’s history with the story of human innovation.

Inside, you’ll find exhibits ranging from vintage cars, steam engines, and typewriters to model trains and historic scientific instruments. The museum’s design retains much of its original charm — arched stone ceilings, wooden beams, and a serene courtyard that now houses a café perfect for a short break.

This museum offers something for everyone: children marvel at the mechanical displays, while adults enjoy the nostalgic and educational exhibits. It’s one of the top attractions in Ankara and a highlight of any walking tour of Ankara, offering both culture and comfort in equal measure.

The Erimtan Archaeology and Art Museum is one of Ankara’s most elegant and modern cultural spaces, seamlessly blending ancient history with contemporary design. Located near the historic Ankara Citadel, the museum was founded by engineer and art collector Yüksel Erimtan, who dedicated his life to preserving and sharing Türkiye’s archaeological heritage. Opened in 2015, the museum’s architecture — a fusion of stone, glass, and steel — harmonizes beautifully with the surrounding old city walls. Inside, the collection of over 2,000 artifacts showcases millennia of Anatolian civilization, including ancient jewelry, ceramics, glass, and coins that reveal the artistry and craftsmanship of the region’s past.

Beyond its permanent exhibits, the Erimtan Museum is a vibrant cultural hub. It regularly hosts temporary art shows, musical performances, and lectures, making it a dynamic meeting point for history lovers and contemporary art enthusiasts alike. The intimate on-site café overlooks the citadel, offering visitors a tranquil place to reflect after exploring the galleries. Elegant, thoughtful, and immersive, the Erimtan Archaeology and Art Museum stands out as one of the best places to see in Ankara, capturing the city’s spirit where the ancient and modern coexist in perfect harmony.

Housed in two restored Ottoman buildings near the citadel, the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations is widely considered one of Türkiye’s most important museums. Its exhibits trace the deep human history of Anatolia — from prehistoric times to the classical period — through thousands of beautifully curated artifacts.

Highlights include Neolithic figurines from Çatalhöyük, intricate Hittite reliefs, and Phrygian treasures from Gordion. The museum’s thoughtful layout leads visitors through time, offering an intimate look at how ancient peoples lived, worshipped, and built civilizations across the Anatolian plateau.

More than just a museum, it’s a window into the soul of Türkiye’s past, making it one of the must-see places in Ankara for history lovers and casual travelers alike. After your visit, enjoy a coffee on the terrace overlooking the old city walls — a perfect pause between ancient worlds and modern life.

The Julian Column, also known as the Belkıs Minaret, stands tall in Ulus as one of Ankara’s oldest monuments. Erected in 362 CE to honor Emperor Julian’s visit to the city, it’s one of the few surviving Roman structures still standing upright in the modern capital.

Made of red Ankara stone, the 15-meter column once supported a statue at its top, now long gone. Its endurance through earthquakes and centuries of change makes it a striking reminder of the city’s ancient past.

One of Ankara’s most spiritually and historically significant landmarks, the Hacı Bayram Mosque dates back to the early 15th century. Built in honor of Hacı Bayram Veli, a revered Sufi mystic, the mosque sits near the remnants of the Roman Temple of Augustus, symbolizing Ankara’s layered past.

The mosque’s warm brick exterior and intricately carved wooden interior create a tranquil atmosphere. The surrounding Hacı Bayram Square is lively, filled with pilgrims, families, and street vendors selling simit and tea.

It’s a place where faith, community, and history converge — one of the best things to see in Ankara, and a perfect spot to pause and reflect amid the city’s energy.

Standing quietly beside Hacı Bayram Mosque in Ankara’s Ulus district, the Temple of Augustus and Rome is one of the city’s most important ancient monuments. Built during the 1st century BCE, when Ankara was known as Ancyra, the temple was dedicated to the Roman Emperor Augustus and the goddess Roma. Its enduring walls offer a rare glimpse into Ankara’s Roman past, contrasting beautifully with the Ottoman architecture surrounding it. The temple’s limestone columns and foundations hint at the grandeur of what was once the civic and religious heart of Roman Ancyra.

The temple is best known for its Res Gestae Divi Augusti inscription — the “Deeds of the Divine Augustus.” This text, carved in both Latin and Greek, records the emperor’s achievements and is one of the most complete copies found anywhere in the world. Although weathered with time, the inscription remains legible in parts and provides vital insight into Roman imperial ideology and the history of the early empire. For historians and travelers alike, it’s a fascinating connection to the global reach of Rome’s influence.

The Roman Baths of Ankara are among the city’s most impressive ancient ruins, offering a tangible connection to life in Ancyra nearly two thousand years ago. Built during the 3rd century CE in honor of the god Asclepius, the deity of healing, the baths once formed part of a large public complex that served as both a social and therapeutic center for the citizens of Roman Ankara. Set along Çankırı Avenue in the Ulus district, the site spreads across a wide open area, giving visitors a real sense of scale and Roman urban planning.

The remains of the baths reveal the ingenuity of Roman engineering. Visitors can clearly see the outlines of the frigidarium (cold room), tepidarium (warm room), and caldarium (hot room), as well as the hypocaust system that heated the floors — an early form of central heating. Excavations have also uncovered marble columns, decorative mosaics, and remnants of statues that once adorned the complex. It’s easy to imagine citizens gathering here not just to bathe, but to socialize, exchange news, and conduct business — the Roman equivalent of a modern community center.

Today, the Roman Baths are open-air ruins surrounded by walkways and informative panels. Though partly in ruins, they remain one of the top sights in Ankara, especially for those interested in ancient history. The site is often visited on walking tours of Ankara, pairing perfectly with nearby landmarks like the Temple of Augustus, Hacı Bayram Mosque, and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. The tranquil atmosphere amid the ancient stonework makes it a rewarding stop where you can pause and reflect on how daily life once unfolded in the heart of Roman Anatolia.

As the symbolic center of Ankara’s old town, Ulus Square has witnessed much of the nation’s modern history. Once the commercial heart of the early Republic, it remains a vibrant hub surrounded by historic buildings, government offices, and bustling streets.

At its center stands the Victory Monument (Zafer Anıtı), a striking bronze statue of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk on horseback, commemorating Türkiye’s struggle for independence. The square serves as both a meeting point and a marker of Ankara’s transformation from provincial town to capital city.

Today, Ulus is lively with shops, cafés, and pedestrians heading toward the citadel or museums nearby. It’s an essential stop for understanding Ankara’s political and cultural evolution — a space where old and new coexist.

Hidden beneath the modern cityscape lies the Ancient Roman Theater of Ankara, a fascinating archaeological site discovered in the 1980s. Dating back to the 2nd century CE, the theater once seated thousands of spectators who came to watch dramas and public events.

Although only the lower seating area and stage foundations remain, ongoing excavations and reconstructions help visitors imagine its original grandeur. Informational panels explain the theater’s layout and its place in Roman Ancyra’s civic life.

Located near the citadel, the site is an easy addition to your walking tour and offers a glimpse of how deeply classical heritage runs through Ankara’s urban fabric.

Housed in the First Grand National Assembly Building, the Museum of the War of Independence tells the story of Türkiye’s struggle for sovereignty under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s leadership. The building itself, completed in 1920, is a masterpiece of early Republican architecture with stone walls and arched windows.

Inside, visitors can see photographs, documents, and personal items from the war years, including Atatürk’s speeches and maps used during key campaigns. The exhibits convey the tense yet hopeful atmosphere of the period when the Republic was born.

For those interested in understanding modern Türkiye’s roots, this museum is an essential stop — both historically rich and emotionally powerful.

Gençlik Park, located between Ulus and Kızılay, is Ankara’s most beloved green oasis. Established in 1943, it remains a favorite escape for locals seeking open space, fresh air, and relaxation in the heart of the capital.

The park features a large artificial lake, tree-lined paths, and charming bridges, making it an inviting place for a stroll or a picnic. Families enjoy the amusement rides and small train that circles the park, while evening visitors are treated to a colorful fountain show.

Surrounded by tea gardens and small cafés, Gençlik Park offers a peaceful contrast to the urban bustle. It’s a great spot to unwind after exploring nearby landmarks like Ulus Square or the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.