What To Do In Ankara In 1 Day? | Day Trips To Ankara
What to do in Ankara in one day with family?
Ankara is the capital of Turkey, and because of its many historical and tourist attractions, many travelers travel to this city every year.
Indeed, Ankara is not as famous as Istanbul; But with its special charms, it is one of the main destinations for a trip to Turkey and can entertain you for a whole day. This city has many important historic structures, art galleries, museums, shops, and restaurants.
In the following article from the Travelling Topic magazine website, I will introduce you to the sightseeing and historical places of this city so that you can choose and visit them according to your interest. So stay with me until the end of this article.
What to do in Ankara in 1 day?
Table of Contents
- What to do in Ankara in 1 day?
- Visit Anitkabir
- Ankara amusement park | Luna Park
- Atakule Tower
- Visiting Cer Modern arts
- Buy souvenirs from Çıkrıçılar Yokuşu market
- Have your lunch at Çengelhan restaurant
- Get to know the history of Türkiye at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
- Go to Tunalı Hilmi for shopping
- Do not miss Kuğulu Park
- Go to Trilye for dinner
Visit Anitkabir
The tomb of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder and first president of Turkey, is certainly the most important attraction of Ankara. Amin Onat and Ahmet Orhan Arda, from concrete, travertine, and marble, built this magnificent structure.
This mausoleum is located in the center of the city and on top of a hill called Anıttepe, and it is considered the second highest point of Ankara after Ankara Kalesi or Ankara Castle.
Ankara amusement park | Luna Park
If you are not interested in historical places, you can visit Ankara amusement park. Wonderland Eurasia, or Ankapark, is the largest park and one of the tourist attractions of Ankara. Ankara Grand Amusement Park, with an area of one million square meters, is one of the largest amusement parks built in the world, and its games are designed according to world standards.
This amusement park, the largest theme park on the continent of Europe, is suitable for all age groups of children, youth, and adults with all kinds of exciting games and can bring an unforgettable day to the visitors.
Tourists can also use the roller coaster, which is about 870 meters long and over 35 meters high, in this amusement park, and it is interesting to know that the giant Ferris wheel in this amusement park is one of the biggest in the world.
Atakule Tower
Ankara Atakule Tower is located in the center of the city. The height of this tower reaches more than 410 feet (125 meters), and it is placed in a panoramic position; that is, you can see this tower wherever you are in the city of Ankara, and also from the top of this tower you can see the whole city of Ankara under your feet. The construction of this tower started in 1987 and lasted for 2 years.
At the top of Ankara’s Atakule Tower is a revolving restaurant with a large terrace, allowing you to enjoy Ankara, Turkey, and eat. On the lower floors of this tower, there is also one of Ankara’s shopping centers. The whole mall is 5 floors and has several restaurants and cafeterias. Recreations such as jumping with Parachute from the top of the tower are other attractions of this city.
This 125-meter tower is used for telecommunications and as a place for tourists to refer to and watch the city view. The designer of this building, Buluç Ragıp, designed this tower so that tourists can quickly go to its large terraces and watch the city. Beautiful lighting has been planned for the Atakule Tower, which gives a beautiful night view. In general, the height of this tower and its age have made it a symbol of Ankara.
Visiting Cer Modern arts
Cer Modern Gallery is one of Turkey’s largest contemporary art centers, located in an old railway station. It displays the works of numerous artists from all over Europe in its wonderful exhibitions. This gallery also hosts many workshops, such as literature, understanding art, etc. The cafe of this place is also worth visiting; in addition to its stunning architecture, you can also enjoy the menu of homemade and delicious dishes. It takes about an hour to visit this place.
Buy souvenirs from Çıkrıçılar Yokuşu market
Going to Çıkrıçılar Yokuşu open-air market is one of the best ways to get souvenirs and shopping. You can find copper goods and handmade jewelry, antiques, and even clothes at a reasonable price in this market. Visiting this market takes about two to three hours.
Have your lunch at Çengelhan restaurant
After visiting the places I have introduced to you, if you feel hungry at noon, go to the Çengelhan restaurant, which is part of the Divan Çukurhan Hotel. This place used to be an Anatolian caravanserai dating back to 1522. For this reason, it has a historical feel, and the restored stone architecture with a glass roof gives this place a beautiful effect.
Get to know the history of Türkiye at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
Museum of Anatolian Civilizations is another must-see attraction in the old neighborhood of Ankara, which is located in the renovated building of the former Ottoman market “Mahmud Pasha”. There are wonderful exhibits in the museum that deals with Anatolian archeology from the Paleolithic to the Neolithic, Assyrian, and Hittite, as well as the Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman Empires.
The works of these exhibitions are bronze, gold, marble, silver, and glass items that belong to the second half of the first millennium BC and are arranged chronologically. Visiting this museum takes about two and a half hours.
Go to Tunalı Hilmi for shopping
Tunalı Hilmi Street is one of Ankara’s most lively shopping centers, allowing tourists to mingle with the locals. Famous brands operate on this street, but be sure to visit the large branches of “Beymen” and “Vakko”, among the luxury fashion brands in Turkey.
Do not miss Kuğulu Park
Kuğulu Park is nostalgic for the people of Ankara; most of them have fed the swans in the park’s small pond. Sit on one of the chairs to relax and observe the daily life of the local people.
Go to Trilye for dinner
After exploring the park, you can visit this restaurant to satisfy your hunger and fatigue. “Trilye” ultra-modern seafood restaurant is one of the famous restaurants of this city, which, in addition to its beautiful decoration, also has an excellent menu. Choose from Aegean dishes and Mediterranean appetizers, and take advantage of its delicious drinks.
