Ankara tours and excursions

Ankara tours

Guided City Tours

As Ankara isn't a big tourist destination there aren't many local tour agencies. If you want to explore the city with a local guide, it's usually best to book with an operator in Istanbul or in Cappadocia. Turkish Heritage Travel in Göreme can organise bespoke Ankara itineraries for tourists.

Tel: +90 384 271 2687
Website: http://www.turkishheritagetravel.com

Ankara Monuments Tours

Tour guide Burak Sansal offers a half-day Ankara tour as part of his wide range of Turkey tours. The tour concentrates on the city's two top sights: the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations and the Anıtkabir. It can also be combined with a Hattuşa excursion or a Cappadocia tour.

Website: http://www.allaboutturkey.com

Ankara excursions

Hattuşa

A three-hour drive (230km) brings you to Boğazkale village and the ruins of Hattuşa, the ancient capital of the Hittites (1340-1200BC). Highlights of this UNESCO World Heritage site, scattered across the hillside, include the Great Temple, and Yer Kapı with its tunnel and stairway leading to the Sphinx Gate.

Website: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/377

Cappadocia

The rock formations and Byzantine rock-church remnants of Cappadocia (270km east of Ankara) deserve at least an overnight trip. Base yourself in Göreme, home to the famed fresco-filled churches of Göreme Open-Air Museum, and then strike out into the surrounding valleys of weirdly-shaped rock to discover more hidden rock-cut churches.

Website: http://www.goreme.com

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

Book Accommodation

Featured Hotels

Sheraton Ankara Towers

This prominent landmark hotel soars high above the central city and offers unrivalled views of Ankara's bustling Kavaklıdere district. Rooms are classically styled in earthy tones and come with full modern amenities, while the hotel has bars and restaurants, a pool and fitness centre.

Otel Mithat

Neat and tidy (though small) rooms, friendly staff who speak some English and a central location are the major bonuses at this downtown Ulus hotel, just off the main road. The included breakfast is very good and unlike a lot of hotels in the Ulus district, rooms aren't too noisy.

Murat Bey Konağı

Nestled amongst the alleyways of the citadel district, this charming small hotel delivers oodles of cosy appeal, wrapped up in a restored, wooden Ottoman mansion. The outdoor courtyard is a tranquil escape from the city, while the smallish rooms have original Ottoman features but are decorated in a modern style.

Grand Sera Hotel

This is a solid budget choice in downtown Ulus which punches above its weight, offering decent-sized rooms freshly decorated in light colours, comfortable beds and modern amenities. Staff don't speak much English but are very friendly and helpful.

Hotel Abro

For a mid-range, comfortable option, this place takes some beating. Highly popular with both business and leisure travellers, Abro's minimalist-style, spacious rooms are fitted out with modern amenities and are in a prime Kızılay location, close to Ankara's vibrant cafe and restaurant scene.

Divan Çukurhan

One of Ankara's most atmospheric hotels, this luxury property is set inside the restored Çukurhan caravanserai building which dates back to the 16th century. Rooms boldly fuse Turkish and Asian decoration with contemporary, colourful design, while the central courtyard holds onto its historic features but has a glass roof.

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