City guides
Ankara
Turkey's capital is a calm, modern government city on a high plateau, with wide avenues, good metro lines and fewer tourists than Istanbul. Its highlights are Atatürk's mausoleum, one of the world's best museums of ancient Anatolia and the old citadel quarter. Many Iranians come for embassy or visa appointments, and it works well as a quiet two or three day stop.
Good for
- Embassy and visa appointments
- Museums and history
- Quiet city stay
- Older travellers
- Short stops
A good length: 3 days
One day for Anıtkabir and Kızılay, one day for the citadel, the museum and Hamamönü, and a third day for Beypazarı or simply rest around your appointment.
Best months
April, May, June, September, October
Per person per day
- Budget
- US$45
- Mid-range
- US$95
- Comfort
- US$220
Per person per day with two sharing: hotel, three meals, metro and buses, and one paid museum. Ankara is usually cheaper than Istanbul for hotels and food (2026).
Where to stay and spend time
Kızılay
Good baseThe city centre and main metro hub, with many hotels, shops and restaurants, the airport bus stop and short rides to the embassy district.
For: First-timers, embassy visitors, budget to mid-range
Watch out: Busy and noisy by day; demonstrations sometimes gather around the main square, so walk away from crowds.
Open in mapUlus and the Citadel
Stay or visitThe old heart of Ankara: the castle, the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, old markets and Hacı Bayram Mosque, with simple cheaper hotels.
For: History lovers, budget travellers
Watch out: Steep cobbled streets up to the castle and quiet, dim streets late at night.
Open in mapHamamönü
Worth a visitRestored wooden Ottoman houses with tea gardens, handicraft shops and home-style restaurants, between Kızılay and Ulus.
For: Families, couples, anyone wanting a pleasant walk
Open in mapKavaklıdere and Tunalı Hilmi
Good baseLeafy streets in Çankaya with cafés, Kuğulu Park and many embassies nearby, including Iran's on Tahran Caddesi.
For: Mid to upscale, embassy visitors, café lovers
Watch out: Hotels and cafés cost more than in Kızılay; the area is hilly.
Open in mapSöğütözü and Çukurambar
Good baseNewer business district with modern hotels and big shopping malls, close to the AŞTİ intercity bus station and on the metro.
For: Families who want modern hotels and malls
Watch out: Little old-city character; you will ride the metro to the sights.
Open in mapBeypazarı
Worth a visitA small town about 100 km west with whitewashed Ottoman houses, silver workshops and local food; a gentle day out.
For: Families, older travellers, day trippers
Watch out: Very crowded on weekends; go on a weekday.
Open in map
Places worth your time
- SightsFree
Anıtkabir (Atatürk Mausoleum)
Tandoğan · 2 to 3 hours
A grand hilltop memorial with a long ceremonial avenue, a museum on modern Turkey and guard changes. Free; there is a security check, and it is a long walk, so go on a weekday morning.
- Museums
Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
Ulus · 2 hours
World-class finds from the Stone Age, the Hittites, Urartians and Phrygians, in an old Ottoman market hall below the castle, with a renewed display since July 2026. Worth the ticket even for short visits.
- ViewsFree
Ankara Castle
Ulus · 1 to 2 hours
Old walls with a lived-in village inside and the best view over the whole city. Free; the paths are steep and uneven.
- SightsFree
Hamamönü old houses
Hamamönü · 1 to 2 hours
Stroll the restored lanes, have tea in a courtyard and try home cooking; lovely in the evening when the lights come on.
- SightsFree
Kocatepe Mosque
Kızılay · 30 minutes
Ankara's largest mosque, built in classical Ottoman style, visible from much of the city. Visit outside prayer times and dress modestly.
- SightsFree
Hacı Bayram Mosque and Temple of Augustus
Ulus · 45 minutes
A historic mosque standing beside the walls of a Roman temple, in a square with small shops selling local sweets and souvenirs.
- With childrenFree
Gençlik Park
Ulus · 1 to 2 hours
A large city park with a pond, fountains and children's rides, near the main train station. Entry is free; rides are paid.
- ParksFree
Kuğulu Park
Kavaklıdere · 30 minutes
A small park with a swan pond at the end of Tunalı Hilmi Street; a calm place to sit before or after an embassy appointment.
- Museums
Rahmi M. Koç Museum
Ulus · 1 to 2 hours
Old cars, toys, tools and science objects in historic inns below the castle; children and grandparents both enjoy it.
- ParksFree
Eymir Lake
South of the city · 2 hours
A green lake with a flat path around it, popular with locals for walks, cycling and picnics on weekends.
- ShoppingFree
Tunalı Hilmi Street
Kavaklıdere · 1 to 2 hours
Ankara's favourite street for clothes shops, cafés and evening walks; prices are fair compared with Istanbul's tourist areas.
- Day tripsFree
Beypazarı
Beypazarı · Full day
Ottoman houses, silver filigree shops, carrot juice and a long breakfast; buses leave from AŞTİ, or go with a driver. Go on a weekday.
- Day tripsFree
Salt Lake (Tuz Gölü)
South of Ankara · Half a day
A vast white salt flat you can walk on in summer, about two hours south on the road towards Cappadocia; bring sunglasses and water.
Getting around
From the airport
EGO bus 442about 50 min
City bus from both terminals to Kızılay (Güvenpark) and the AŞTİ bus station, with some night departures. The airport is about 30 km out and there is no metro yet. No cash on board: pay with an Ankarakart or a contactless bank card; ask at the information desk where to buy a card.
about 3 USD (around 130 to 150 lira, 2026)
Havaş shuttleabout 50 min
Coaches timed with flights run to the AŞTİ bus station via Pursaklar, with room for luggage. To return, they leave AŞTİ from platforms 129 and 130.
about 4 to 5 USD (around 230 lira, 2026)
Taxiabout 35 min
Taxis wait outside arrivals around the clock and use the meter; the ride to Kızılay or Kavaklıdere is about 30 km on the highway.
about 25 to 35 USD on the meter (2026)
In the city
Ankarakart
The rechargeable card for EGO buses, the metro and Ankaray. Visitors can buy one at metro stations and kiosks and top up with cash; a full fare is 40 lira (about 0.8 USD) since August 2026.
Metro and Ankaray
Kızılay is the hub: lines run to Ulus, the AŞTİ bus station, the main train station area and the western suburbs. Clean and simple to use.
Dolmuş
Shared minibuses run along main avenues such as Atatürk Bulvarı; wave one down and pay the driver in cash. Cheaper than a taxi for short hops.
Taxis and ride apps
Yellow taxis are metered: since March 2026 about 65 lira to start, with a minimum of about 200 lira for short rides. Hotels and restaurants will gladly call a taxi for you. Pay in lira cash, ask for the meter, and have the embassy or hotel address written in Turkish.
On foot
Kızılay, Kavaklıdere and Hamamönü are pleasant on foot, with wide pavements. The castle and Çankaya are uphill, so take the metro or a taxi up and walk down. Winters bring snow and ice.
Food
Halal food: Meat is halal almost everywhere. Lokantas and kebab houses around Kızılay and Ulus are family-friendly and inexpensive; some restaurants in Kavaklıdere serve alcohol.
Persian food and community: Ankara has a small Iranian community, mostly students and families, and no Persian district. Turkish home cooking (rice, stews, grilled meat) is close to Iranian taste, so most visitors manage easily.
- Try Ankara tava (lamb with rice) and İskender kebab in a lokanta.
- Hamamönü cafés are a nice place for tea and Turkish coffee with older parents.
- Lunch menus near offices in Kızılay are cheap and quick on weekdays.
- Drink bottled water and keep a bottle with you; the air is dry.
- Leave about 5 to 10 percent for good table service.
Money and phone
Cash: Bring US dollars or euros and change them at exchange offices (döviz) in Kızılay or Ulus, which give better rates than the airport. In early November 2026 one dollar was about 50 lira. Some embassies and visa centres ask for fees in a specific way, so check your appointment letter.
Cards: Iranian cards do not work in Turkey, so carry enough cash. A card from a relative abroad or an international prepaid card helps for visa centre fees, taxi apps and online bookings.
SIM and internet: Turkcell's tourist pack is about 1,800 lira (about 36 USD) for 20 GB and 28 days in 2026, sold in its stores with your passport; Vodafone and Türk Telekom sell similar packs. A foreign phone works on a Turkish SIM for 120 days; buy and install any travel eSIM before you fly, as several eSIM websites are blocked in Turkey.
What travellers say
Advice that travellers from many countries repeat, chosen for Iranian visitors.
- Visit Anıtkabir on a weekday morning; weekends and national holidays are very crowded.
- See the citadel and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations on the same day; they are next to each other.
- Use the metro from Kızılay for most trips; traffic on the big avenues is slow at rush hour.
- Ankara is cold and snowy in winter and hot and dry in summer; spring and autumn are the best times.
- Fewer people speak English than in Istanbul's tourist areas; a translation app helps.
- Dress modestly for mosques; women need a headscarf.
- Fast trains (YHT) link Ankara with Istanbul and Konya and are an easy alternative to flying.
For Iranian travellers
- Many Iranians come for embassy and visa centre appointments; most embassies are in Çankaya (Kavaklıdere and Gaziosmanpaşa), so a hotel in Kızılay or Kavaklıdere saves time.
- Arrive early for appointments with printed papers; phones and bags are often not allowed inside, so do not bring more than you need.
- The Embassy of Iran is on Tahran Caddesi in Gaziosmanpaşa, Çankaya, for passport and consular matters.
- Iranians can enter Turkey for short trips without arranging a visa in advance; see our visa page for the current rule.
- Bring enough cash for the whole stay, including any appointment fees that must be paid locally.
- Leave a spare day around an appointment in case it moves or documents are requested again.
Stay safe
- Emergency number for police, ambulance and fire: 112.
- Ankara is generally safe; avoid demonstrations around Kızılay square and government buildings.
- Pickpockets are rare but present on crowded buses and at the AŞTİ bus station; keep bags closed.
- Use metered taxis and count your change; ask for the meter if the driver quotes a fixed price.
- In winter, pavements and hillside streets get icy; wear shoes with good grip.
Checked 7 November 2026