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Türkiye
Ankara travel rewards curious visitors with hotels of international standard, superb museums and a clear view of modern Türkiye. The capital is also the easiest gateway by road to Cappadocia and the heart of Anatolia.
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At a glance
From the United States
The essentials for American travelers, at a glance.
Checked October 18, 2026. Rules and schedules change, so confirm on the official portal before you book. Connecting on a Gulf or Turkish carrier? See stopover programs, and plan with your first trip.
Why go
Ankara became the capital of the Republic of Türkiye in 1923 and grew from a small Anatolian town into a planned modern city of ministries, embassies, universities and parks. It is calmer and more orderly than Istanbul, and it holds some of the most important collections in the country.
The old citadel still crowns the hill above the city, with restored Ottoman houses and craft workshops inside its walls, while the Roman Temple of Augustus and the Roman baths recall far older layers. For the wider country, see our Türkiye luxury vacation guide.
Connect through Istanbul from the US with Turkish Airlines; the domestic flight is about an hour. Ankara is also linked to Istanbul by high-speed train in about four and a half hours, a comfortable alternative; read more on our trains page. Esenboğa airport serves private jets, and a chauffeur can take you on to Cappadocia in about three and a half hours.
Best hotels
Ankara's top hotels are polished international properties, many popular with diplomats and business travelers.
A large, well-run hotel next to the city's main shopping mall, with a full spa and several restaurants.
Official site ↗An intimate luxury hotel in the embassy district, with spacious rooms, a spa and fine dining. A calm, discreet choice for diplomatic and business travelers.
Official site ↗A landmark cylindrical tower in the embassy district, close to restaurants and shopping.
Official site ↗A long-established favorite of the diplomatic community, centrally placed near the embassies.
A business hotel with spacious rooms, a large spa and views across the city.
A contemporary tower hotel with good meeting facilities and a comfortable club lounge.
Official site ↗A small boutique hotel in a restored sixteenth-century caravanserai beneath the citadel, full of character.
Official site ↗Ankara is not yet covered by the Michelin Guide Türkiye, which is expanding nationwide, but the city has a good dining scene in Çankaya and Kavaklıdere, from refined Turkish restaurants to steakhouses and international kitchens. Try Ankara tava, a slow-cooked lamb and rice dish, and spend an evening in the restaurants inside the citadel walls. See the finest restaurants in the region for wider recommendations.
Things to do
The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, housed in a restored Ottoman bazaar and caravanserai, traces life in Anatolia from the Stone Age through the Hittites, Phrygians and Urartians, and is one of the finest archaeological museums anywhere; see our museums guide. Visit Anıtkabir, the monumental mausoleum of Atatürk, founder of the Republic, set in a vast ceremonial park with a museum of his life. Walk up to the citadel, see the Temple of Augustus and the Hacı Bayram Mosque, and browse the shops of Hamamönü's restored Ottoman streets. For the story of the country, read our page on Türkiye's history and culture.
Gordion, capital of the Phrygian king Midas, is about an hour and a half away. The Hittite capital of Hattusa, a UNESCO site, is a long day trip. Cappadocia is the natural next stop.
Business and property
As the seat of government, Ankara draws steady business and diplomatic travel and has a stable residential market, with new developments in Çankaya and along the western corridor. Most international buyers focus on Istanbul and the coast; see Istanbul Luxury Real Estate and Bodrum villas and our guide to business travel and conferences.
Questions travelers ask
Yes, especially for the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Anıtkabir and the citadel, and as a gateway to Cappadocia. One or two days is enough for the highlights.
By a one-hour flight or the high-speed train, which takes about four and a half hours.
Yes, in hotels, restaurants and bars, though the city is generally more conservative than Istanbul.
Dress modestly. At mosques, women cover their hair, shoulders and knees, and everyone removes shoes.
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Weather
Average day highs, night lows and rainy days for each month, in Fahrenheit and Celsius side by side. The months in gold are the most comfortable for visiting.
| Month | Day high | Night low | Rainy days | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| °F | °C | °F | °C | ||
| Jan | 44° | 6° | 27° | -3° | 10 |
| Feb | 47° | 8° | 29° | -2° | 6 |
| Mar | 52° | 11° | 33° | 0° | 12 |
| Apr | 65° | 18° | 43° | 6° | 10 |
| May | 72° | 22° | 49° | 10° | 11 |
| Jun | 80° | 27° | 58° | 14° | 9 |
| Jul | 88° | 31° | 62° | 17° | 3 |
| Aug | 91° | 33° | 65° | 18° | 1 |
| Sep | 81° | 27° | 57° | 14° | 2 |
| Oct | 69° | 21° | 47° | 8° | 2 |
| Nov | 57° | 14° | 38° | 3° | 5 |
| Dec | 49° | 9° | 33° | 0° | 8 |
Averages for 2020–2024, Open-Meteo historical weather (ERA5). Rainy days: days with at least 1 mm (0.04 in) of rain. Weather data by Open-Meteo.com.
Checked October 2026. Prices and dates are approximate and can change. See our standard.