Turkey, or Türkiye in Turkish, is a country that spans two continents. It’s mostly situated on the Anatolian Peninsula in West Asia but also has a small part on the Balkan Peninsula in Southeast Europe. The official name of the country is the Republic of Türkiye.
Ankara, the capital of Turkey, gets fewer tourists than Istanbul, its more famous cousin.
Did you know that Turkey’s central Anatolia region is home to a vibrant city often overlooked by tourists? It’s a hidden gem in Europe waiting to be explored!
Ankara is such an amazing city to visit! It’s got everything you could ever want – from ancient architecture to historical wonders and delicious food.
It’s the perfect place for a fun and exciting city break. When you visit Ankara, you’ll have the chance to explore artifacts from ancient civilizations and indulge in delicious sizzling kebabs.
It’s a city that offers many unforgettable experiences, sights, and sensations. If you’re considering visiting the Turkish capital, let us persuade you to discuss whether Ankara is worth visiting.
Ankara Worth Visiting?(5 reasons to visit Ankara)
As mentioned above, one of Turkey’s most interesting tourist sites is the country’s capital, Ankara.
There are so many interesting historical sites in the area! You’ll find a variety of museums and even some fun entertainment parks to explore.
Ankara is a great place to have a blast with your family and friends! So many awesome tourist attractions will keep you entertained and having a great time.
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To continue, we will introduce you to 10 reasons you should visit Ankara and Is Ankara Worth Visiting?
1. It is the site of a masterpiece of Islamic architecture.
One of the most outstanding examples of Islamic architecture is the Kocatepe Mosque in the center of Ankara.
The mosque is stunning! It was built in the neo-classical Ottoman style, and let me tell you, it’s a sight to behold.
People from all corners of the globe come to admire its beauty. It’s really difficult not to feel peaceful when you look up at the beautiful domes and spires of this amazing place of worship, and it is interesting to know that this mosque can hold up to 100,000 people.
It’s the biggest one in the whole city! Whether religious or not, visiting Kocatepe Mosque to see the architecture is amazing.
You should check out this place at night! The mosque looks attractive when lit up against the dark sky.
It’s the perfect opportunity to capture some truly magical photos and this attraction place cause the worthiness of Ankara.
2. A heaven for foodies
Hey foodies, we’ve got something to tell you. Ankara is worth a visit just for its incredible food scene.
As expected, you’ll find that kebabs are a big part of the menu. But not just any kebabs; we’re talking about mouthwateringly tasty doner kebabs cooked over an open wood fire and served on freshly baked bread.
And guess what? The city’s culinary scene is wider than just that. It’s surprising, but although Ankara is landlocked, it has many delicious seafood restaurants.
You can’t go wrong with fresh seasonal fish grilled to perfection and with various delicious salads. And, of course, remember to enjoy it all with a glass of refreshing raki.
Also, do remember he mezze spots! They’re perfect for sharing with a big group. You’ll find delicious platters filled with hummus, falafel, roasted veggies, creamy yogurt-based dips, and lots of bread.
It’s considered a bit impolite to skip out on having a delicious bite of baklava, especially when it’s generously soaked in syrup.
People say that Hacibaba makes the absolute best baklava around. And to top it off, a rich and velvety Turkish coffee would be the perfect companion.
Now have you heard about the milk pudding in Ankara? It’s quite a regional specialty, and there’s a rumor that Zeynel makes the best one in town.
Ankara is a city with a wide variety of flavors. That is the first reason to visit Ankara on a journey that will excite your taste buds!
3. Not a crowded attraction
The other great reason to visit Ankara is that it’s not overcrowded with tourists. Did you know that Istanbul is a more popular tourist destination than Ankara?
Istanbul attracts around 1.2 million monthly tourists, while Ankara usually receives only about 56,000 visitors.
That sounds like a perfect place for travelers who want to escape the crowds and immerse themselves in the authentic Turkish lifestyle.
That means it’s quite affordable to visit. Living in Ankara is 13% cheaper than living in Istanbul. You’ll find that food, drinks, and accommodation prices are generally lower there.
But Ankara still has its touristy areas. You know, the streets of the Old Quarter are filled with so many overpriced restaurants and street vendors selling souvenirs and trinkets.
It’s what you’d expect. Walking around these cobblestone streets is such a delight!
But if you’re looking for a great place to eat, we suggest checking out the hip neighborhood of Kizilay in downtown Ankara. You’ll have a better chance of finding some awesome deals there. By all these details, Ankara is worth visiting!
4. It’s a theatre for plays & other shows.
If you like the performing arts, Ankara is worth a trip if you enjoy opera or ballet. The city is buzzing with all these amazing cultural venues!
They showcase the best music, dance, theatre, and more talent. It’s such an exciting time to be here! Do you like catching some opera at the Ankara opera house or enjoying live music in a more relaxed setting?
Either way, you’re lucky because Ankara has various performing arts options to cater to your preferences.
If you come here in April, you’ll come across the International Ankara Music Festival. If you’re a live performance fan, check out this festival!
They have an amazing program that includes jazz, chamber music, modern dance, flamenco, and much more. The opening and closing concerts by the Turkish Presidential Symphony Orchestra are something you want to take advantage of.
So, you can see that art is another important reason you should visit Ankara.
5. Discover a wide variety of stunning parks.
Ankara is flooded with green areas ideal for an afternoon or evening walk away from bustling sightseeing tours.
So, 3 important and attractive parks cause worth visiting in Ankara, to continue we will talk about them:
- The first is Youth Park, one of Ankara’s oldest and most well-known parks! This park has a lovely variety of trees and flowers, making it a great place to find shade and escape the Turkish sun. It’s also perfect for people-watching and enjoying the outdoors. It is interesting that you know the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Theater is also located on the grounds, and there’s a fantastic children’s park too! It’s the perfect place for a fun family outing.
- The second is the 50th Year Park in Ankara, one of the city’s most beautiful parks. This place is huge! It covers an area of 50,000 square meters. There’s much to explore here, like beautiful gardens with waterfalls, cozy cafés, and even multiple playgrounds.
- The third is a lovely park called Kuğulu Park in the city center. It’s worth checking out! You’ll love this place! It’s right near the bustling Tunalı Hilmi Street, where all the locals go shopping. It’s perfect for a leisurely evening walk.
The last word about is Ankara Worth Visiting?
If you’re considering visiting a beautiful and captivating destination, consider visiting Ankara.
As it said, Ankara is the capital city of Turkey! It’s got some amazing sightseeing spots that draw in visitors and cause Ankara’s worthiness.
In this article, we tried to list the reasons that caused you to travel to Ankara, and we hope that there were helpful to you and caused you to enjoy your trip.
Now it is your turn to tell us that did you travel to Ankara up to now?
So, if your answer is yes, which one of the places in Ankara attracts you?
Finally, you can add extra data to our article about “Is Ankara worth visiting?” and share your ideas in the comment section.
