Things to Do in Ankara
Plan your days in Ankara, your way
Start with Anıtkabir in the morning calm, the one sight everyone agrees matters.
Wander up through Ulus to the Citadel, getting pleasantly lost in the old lanes.
Lunch on Ankara tava at a neighborhood lokanta where the menu is spoken, not printed.
Spend the afternoon in Hamamönü, coffee in a courtyard, watching local life unhurried.
Kuğulu Park's swans offer a gentle pause before the evening begins.
Sunset from a Çankaya rooftop, the city turning amber below the hills.
Dinner is meze and grilled fish at a meyhane where the waiter recommends everything.
The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations fits in on day two, two hours well spent.
Leave room for chance: a street festival, a market, an invitation to tea.
Ankara reveals itself in layers, and a balanced week catches most of them.
Top attractions and places to eat in Ankara
Mersinli Ciğerci Apo
A grill eatery specializing in liver (ciğer) dishes in the Mersin style. Travelers go for a traditional Turkish liver kebab experience.
restaurant · 4.4 rating
Doğata
A cafe and eatery in Ankara offering coffee and casual food in a comfortable setting. A relaxed spot for a break or light meal.
restaurant · 4 rating
Meşhur Tavacı Recep Usta
A Konya-style restaurant known for tava (roasted lamb) and traditional central Anatolian dishes. Travelers come for authentic regional Turkish cuisine.
restaurant · 4.2 rating
Quick China
A Chinese restaurant in Ankara offering familiar Chinese dishes in a casual format. Travelers visit for quick, accessible Asian cuisine.
restaurant · 4.6 rating
Kebap 49
An Ankara kebab restaurant known for Erzurum-style cağ kebabı, skewered lamb roasted horizontally. Travelers come for this distinctive eastern Turkish specialty.
restaurant · 4.1 rating
Müslüm Kebap
An Ankara kebab house serving southeastern Turkish grilled meats and meze. A spot for classic, hearty kebab meals.
restaurant · 4.2 rating
Fevzi Hoca Balık Lokantası
A fish restaurant serving fresh seafood and Turkish mezes. Travelers visit for a classic seafood dining experience.
restaurant · 4.2 rating
Anıtkabir
The monumental mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Turkish Republic, and a major national landmark with a museum and ceremonial grounds.
attraction · 4.8 rating
Çukurağa Sofrası
A traditional Turkish home-style eatery (sofra) serving classic Anatolian dishes and stews. A place for authentic everyday Turkish cooking.
restaurant · 4.4 rating
Elizinn Patisserie Restaurant
A combined patisserie and restaurant serving desserts alongside full meals. Suited for both a sweet treat and a sit-down dining experience.
restaurant · 3.9 rating
Pikolet Kokoreç
A casual spot specializing in kokoreç, the grilled seasoned offal street-food dish. A place for an authentic Turkish street-food bite.
restaurant · 4.2 rating
Cafe des Cafes
A relaxed coffee shop serving specialty coffee and light bites. A pleasant spot to unwind or work.
cafe · 4.3 rating
Urfalı Hayrağ'nın Yeri
A Şanlıurfa-style eatery serving southeastern Turkish specialties such as spicy kebabs and regional dishes. A place for authentic Urfa-style flavors.
restaurant · 4.4 rating
Bogazici Lokantasi
A traditional Turkish esnaf lokanta in Ankara serving home-style ready-cooked dishes and daily specials. Popular for a quick, affordable authentic meal.
restaurant · 4.2 rating
Urumchi Uyghur Restaurant
A restaurant in Ankara serving Uyghur cuisine, including hand-pulled noodles and Central Asian specialities. Travelers come for authentic and distinctive Uyghur dishes.
restaurant · 4.4 rating