Discover Ankara

2-3 days is sufficient for most travelers to see Ankara's main highlights. Day one covers the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations (one of the world's best archaeological museums) and Ankara Castle with its old town streets. Day two is for Anitkabir (Ataturk's Mausoleum) — allow 2-3 hours for the museum complex and the changing of the guard — plus the Kocatepe Mosque. With a third day, you could add the Roman Baths, the Temple of Augustus, the Ethnography Museum, or a trip to the ancient Hittite capital of Hattusa about 2 hours away. Most visitors spend 2 days before moving on to Cappadocia or Konya.

Ankara is often overlooked by tourists who head straight to Istanbul and Cappadocia, but it's definitely worth a visit, especially for history buffs. The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations alone is reason enough to visit — it houses one of the world's finest collections of Hittite, Phrygian, Urartian, and Neolithic artifacts. Anitkabir is a powerful and moving tribute to Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey. Ankara has a more laid-back, intellectual vibe than Istanbul. If you're traveling between Istanbul and Cappadocia by train, Ankara is a natural stopover point on the high-speed YHT train line.

The best time to visit Ankara is spring (April-June) and autumn (September-October) when the weather is mild and pleasant. Ankara has a continental climate with cold, snowy winters and hot, dry summers. Summer temperatures can exceed 35°C (95°F) in July and August, though the dry heat is more bearable than coastal humidity. Winter (December-February) is cold with significant snowfall — beautiful but not ideal for sightseeing. May and October are especially pleasant with comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds.

The high-speed YHT train is the best way to travel between Istanbul and Ankara. The journey takes about 4 hours and 15 minutes, with trains running frequently throughout the day from Istanbul's Pendik or Halkali stations to Ankara Central Station. Tickets are affordable and the ride is smooth and comfortable with free WiFi and a snack service. Flying takes about 1.5 hours but you need to factor in airport transit time. Long-distance buses take about 6-7 hours and are the budget option. If you're driving, it takes about 6-7 hours via the E80 highway.

Ankara has excellent traditional Anatolian cuisine. The most famous local specialty is Ankara kebab — cubes of lamb marinated and grilled, often served with vegetables. Doner kebab is also everywhere and excellent. Try kofte (meatballs), which come in many varieties, and borek (savory pastries). For desserts, look for Ankara's version of kazandibi (caramelized milk pudding) and Turkish delight. Tunalı Hilmi Street and Kizilay are packed with restaurants and cafes. The city also has many cheap, delicious lokantas (self-service cafeterias) serving home-style Turkish food at very affordable prices.

Yes, Cappadocia is accessible from Ankara and it's a popular route. The drive takes about 3.5-4 hours. There are frequent buses from Ankara's bus station to Goreme, Nevsehir, or Avanos — companies like Metro and Kamil Koç run services several times a day and the journey takes about 4 hours. You can also take the high-speed train to Kayseri (about 2 hours) then a bus to Cappadocia (about 1 hour). Flying is another option — Turkish Airlines flies from Ankara to Kayseri or Nevsehir, but the train plus bus combo is often more practical and scenic. Many travelers do an Ankara-Cappadocia-Konya route by train and bus.