Museums in Ankara

Most visitors pass through Ankara on the way to Cappadocia, but the capital has two museum layers worth a stop: the archaeology of Anatolia at the foot of the citadel, and the buildings of the early Turkish Republic in Ulus, the old centre. Both sit within a small area, so one or two days is enough.

Ulus and the citadel

Start with the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, housed in two Ottoman buildings on the southern slope of the citadel (Kale). Its galleries run in order from the Palaeolithic through the Hittites and Phrygians; allow two to three hours. Opposite, the Çengelhan Rahmi M. Koç Museum fills an old caravanserai with vehicles and machinery and works well for families. Afterwards, walk up into the walled quarter of the citadel.

Down in Ulus Square stand the first two parliament buildings of the Republic, now the War of Independence Museum and the Republic Museum. A few streets away, the Temple of Augustus, next to the Hacı Bayram Mosque, and the Roman Baths show the Roman city of Ancyra. The Ethnography Museum and the Painting and Sculpture Museum share a hilltop called Namazgah and are a walk from Ulus.

Anıtkabir and beyond the city

Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Atatürk, founder of the Republic, stands on a hill in Anıttepe and is easy to reach by metro. The monument and the museum underneath take about half a day together; the ceremonial avenue is long, so wear comfortable shoes. It is a place of national remembrance, so dress and behave as you would at a memorial.

Gordion, the Phrygian capital linked to King Midas, lies near Polatlı and is a separate trip by car or tour. The great burial mound and the Gordion Museum fit into one visit.

In the centre, the metro and your feet are all you need; Ulus station sits between the archaeological and the Republican sights. For a two-day plan see the two days in Ankara route. Opening days vary, so check each museum page before you go.