Welcome to Ankara, Türkiye’s capital and a living timeline of Anatolia. While Istanbul dazzles, Ankara rewards with depth: Hittite treasures, Roman stones, Seljuk traces, and the modern heartbeat of the Turkish Republic. Here, you’ll find monumental tributes like Anıtkabir alongside hillside neighborhoods of timbered houses and copper workshops.

Beyond history, Ankara thrives on daily rituals—steaming tea in tulip glasses, crisp simit for breakfast, and meze-laden dinners that stretch into conversation. The city’s museums are exceptional, its parks are restful, and its culinary identity proudly local—think Ankara tavası, döner, çubuk pickles, and Beypazarı kurusu.

Practical notes: Esenboğa Airport (ESB) sits about 30–45 minutes from the center. The metro and buses use AnkaraKart, taxis are plentiful, and rideshares are common. For smooth connectivity, consider a local eSIM and pre-book an airport transfer if you arrive late or with luggage.

Ankara

Set on Anatolia’s high plateau, Ankara evolved from Phrygian and Roman settlement to Seljuk stronghold to the strategic capital of modern Türkiye. Its citadel crowns the city, while Kızılay–Tunalı–Çankaya hum with cafés, galleries, and nightspots. Expect a balanced city break: big sights in compact clusters and authentic cuisine without the tourist gloss.

Top highlights include the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations (a masterpiece), Anıtkabir (Atatürk’s mausoleum), the Roman Temple of Augustus beside Hacı Bayram Mosque, and the Rahmi M. Koç Museum in the vaulted Çengel Han. Don’t miss Hamamönü’s restored Ottoman houses and the viewpoints from Ankara Castle at sunset.

• Where to stay: Browse a wide range of stays on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com. Specific picks: JW Marriott Hotel Ankara (sleek, spa, great skyline views), Holiday Inn Ankara - Cukurambar (reliable comfort near business and dining), and Deeps Hostel Ankara (budget, social atmosphere near Kızılay).
• Getting in: Fly into ESB—search fares on Omio (flights), Trip.com (flights), or Kiwi.com. From Istanbul, flights take ~1 hour (often $30–70). The high-speed train (YHT) Istanbul–Ankara is ~4–4.5 hours—check Omio (trains)—typically $20–40. Long-distance buses also run (6–7 hours)—see Omio (buses).
• Onward transfers & connectivity: Pre-book a private ESB transfer if you prefer door-to-door: Private ESB→Central transfer or Central→ESB. For data, consider this easy Ankara eSIM.

Day 1: Arrival, Kızılay–Tunalı stroll, and sunset views

Afternoon: Land at ESB and head to your hotel. For a simple arrival, book a private ESB→Central transfer. Check in, freshen up, and walk Tunalı Hilmi Avenue to Kuğulu Park—watch the swans and sip your first çay.

Evening: Dinner at Hacı Arif Bey (shish kebab, spicy ezme, and fluffy lavaş) or Boğaziçi Lokantası (classic esnaf fare—stuffed peppers, stews, and rice pilav). For dessert, Liva Pastanesi’s almond “Beypazarı kurusu” or chocolate “Ankara tava.” Cap the night with Atakule’s observation deck for city lights or a mellow drink at The James Joyce in Tunalı.

Day 2: Citadel, museums, and old Ankara lanes

Morning: Fuel up with simit and clotted cream at Liva Pastanesi, then head to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations—arguably Türkiye’s best, spanning Paleolithic to Phrygian treasures. Climb to Ankara Castle for panoramic views; duck into the Rahmi M. Koç Museum next door inside the 16th-century Çengel Han for nostalgic industry and transport exhibits.

Afternoon: Lunch at Zenger Paşa Konağı, a restored mansion with citadel views—try mantı or lamb tandoor. Stroll to Hacı Bayram Mosque, then examine the adjacent Roman Temple of Augustus and its famous Res Gestae inscription. Continue to Hamamönü for coffee at Kirit Café and browsing copperwork on Çıkrıkçılar Yokuşu.

Evening: Book a locally-led introduction for tomorrow or tonight: Ankara: Private Walking Tour With A Guide.

For dinner, try an Ankara classic—an Aspava (such as Özçelik Aspava) for sizzling meats, tahini piyaz, and a table that never seems to empty. Night owls can catch a show at IF Performance Hall.

Day 3: Anıtkabir, arts quarter, and a home-cooking class

Morning: Breakfast at Kocatepe Kahve Evi (strong Turkish coffee). Visit Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk—arrive early for the changing of the guard and the museum’s poignant exhibits. Continue to the Ethnography Museum and the nearby State Art and Sculpture Museum for Ottoman dress, Anatolian crafts, and early Republican art.

Afternoon: Walk to CerModern, Ankara’s contemporary arts center set in restored railway workshops—its rotating shows and café terrace are local favorites. Late lunch at Göksu Restaurant (pide with sujuk or cheese; grilled meatballs and ayran).

Evening: Join a warm, family-run culinary experience: Turkish Cuisine Cooking Class at Local Home with Family.

Learn to prepare dolma, çorba, and syrup-soaked desserts; sit down together for a home-cooked feast you’ll remember.

Day 4: Ankara with an archaeologist (full-day tour)

Spend the day in expert hands on the Private Ankara City Tours by an Archaeologist.

You’ll weave together Ankara Castle, Alaeddin Mosque, the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, and Ulus’s historic core with context only a specialist can provide—ideal after you’ve laid your own groundwork. In the evening, treat yourself to seafood at Trilye (mezgit, Aegean greens, olive oil starters) or contemporary plates at Fige Restaurant in Gaziosmanpaşa.

Day 5: Lakeside Ankara, parks, and neighborhood cafés

Morning: Grab börek and fresh juice to-go from Liva, then head to Eymir Lake for a lakeside walk or bike loop (rentals available at the gates on busy weekends). It’s a beloved local escape—watch coots and grebes, and join the joggers tracing the shore.

Afternoon: Continue to Seğmenler Park and Tunalı’s Karum area for boutique browsing. Pop into Varuna Gezgin (traveler-themed café) for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. If you’re curious about Ankara’s agricultural legacy, swing by Atatürk Orman Çiftliği (AOÇ) for dairy ice cream and seasonal market stands.

Evening: Dinner at Tavacı Recep Usta (slow-cooked lamb, smoky eggplant meze) or Zenger Paşa if you want another citadel-view meal. For a nightcap with city views, check the JW Marriott’s Skye Vue Lounge (if you’re staying) or wander to Tunalı’s wine bars.

Day 6: Day trip to Hattusa—the Hittite capital (full-day tour)

Trade city streets for Bronze Age grandeur on the Daily Hattusas / Boğazköy Tour.

It’s an all-day outing from Ankara (about 3 hours each way) to the Hittite heartland: the Lion Gate, King’s Gate, and potently silent city walls. Nearby Yazılıkaya’s open-air sanctuary preserves processions of gods carved in relief—a unique Anatolian wonder. Return to Ankara in the evening for a comforting plate of kuru fasulye and pilav at a local lokanta.

Day 7: Grand mosque, Roman baths, and farewell lunch

Morning: Start at Kocatepe Mosque, a modern landmark with a soaring dome and elegant calligraphy. Swing through the Roman Bath ruins in Ulus for a tangible slice of the city’s ancient grid, then pick up edible souvenirs—Beypazarı kurusu, çubuk pickles, and lokum—from neighborhood shops.

Afternoon: Lunch at an esnaf lokantası like Göksu or Şehir Lokantası—point to what looks best behind the glass: stewed okra, roasted eggplant, imam bayıldı. If timing is tight, arrange a smooth ride to ESB with a pre-booked central→airport transfer and savor one last Turkish coffee before departure.

Optional Extras (fit them where you like)

• Guided city sampler: If you prefer a structured overview instead of DIY, consider the Private Ankara Sightseeing Tour.

  

• Connectivity: Get online quickly with the Ankara Data eSIM.

  

Where to Eat & Drink (save this shortlist)

• Breakfast & coffee: Liva Pastanesi (fresh börek, simit, pistachio cakes), Kocatepe Kahve Evi (classic Turkish coffee), Coffee Lab Tunalı (specialty brews).
• Lunch: Göksu Restaurant (pide, meatballs), Boğaziçi Lokantası (daily stews, pilav), Varuna Gezgin (global comfort plates, traveler vibe).
• Dinner: Hacı Arif Bey (kebaps, mezes), Zenger Paşa Konağı (view + Ottoman recipes), Trilye (seafood and olive-oil mezes), Tavacı Recep Usta (slow-cooked lamb specialties).
• Night: The James Joyce (pub classics), IF Performance Hall (live music), rooftop lounges in Çankaya for city views.

Hotel Booking Quick Links

• JW Marriott Hotel Ankara
• Holiday Inn Ankara - Cukurambar
• Deeps Hostel Ankara
• VRBO – Ankara stays
• Hotels.com – Ankara hotels

In seven days, you’ll have traced Anatolia’s story from Bronze Age Hittites to the birth of the Republic—while eating exceedingly well and living like a local. Ankara rewards curiosity; it’s a city that opens up in layers, and you’re leaving with the keys.