# Ankara, Hattusa and Safranbolu Ankara, Turkey's capital, has the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations below its citadel, voted European Museum of the Year in 1997. It is worth one or two nights and makes a base for three World Heritage sites: Hattusa, the Hittite capital, 2 h 35 by road; Gordion, 1 h 30; and the Ottoman town of Safranbolu, 2 h 45. Source : https://sabaro-travel.com/en/turkey/ankara/ Ankara has been Turkey's capital since the founding of the Republic, an administrative, modern city that many travellers pass through without stopping. It deserves one or two nights for three reasons: the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, which tells the country's story from prehistory onwards; the old town of Ulus around the citadel; and its location, within driving distance of three UNESCO World Heritage sites. ## The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations Housed in an Ottoman bedesten (covered market) and han below the citadel, the museum displays Palaeolithic, Hittite, Phrygian and Urartian collections. It was voted European Museum of the Year in 1997. It is open daily from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm local time and costs €13 from 1 April 2027, audio guide included. Worth knowing for winter 2026-2027: the Ankara hall and the classical hall are closed for maintenance from 14 September 2026 to 2 March 2027. The rest of the museum stays open. ## Ulus, the citadel and Anıtkabir Ulus is Ankara's old town: the citadel on its hill, lanes, hans and workshops. This is where the hotel in Sabaro's selection stands, [Divan Çukurhan](/en/hotels/divan-cukurhan/), in a restored Ottoman caravanserai opposite the citadel entrance. It was restored between October 2007 and May 2010, and its courtyard is now roofed with glass. Price recorded for two nights in early June 2027: about €145 per night for two, without breakfast. Further south, **Anıtkabir** is the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Republic, with the War of Independence museum; it is run by the Ministry of Defence. The Roman Baths (€5), the Ethnography Museum (€5) and the Republic Museum (€7) round off a visit. ## Three World Heritage day trips ### Hattusa, capital of the Hittites 2 h 35 by road to the east, near the village of Boğazkale, Hattusa was the capital of the Hittite empire. The site, inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1986, includes the remains of the city and, a little apart, the rock sanctuary of Yazılıkaya. It is open daily from 8 am to 6:30 pm local time and costs €5 from 1 April 2027; the Boğazköy museum also costs €5. Alacahöyük, another Hittite site, is 40 minutes away. It makes a long day out and back from Ankara. ### Gordion, the Phrygian capital 1 h 30 by road to the west, Gordion, King Midas's capital, has been on the World Heritage List since 2023. Tickets cost €5 from 1 April 2027. Half a day is enough. ### Safranbolu, an Ottoman town 2 h 45 by road to the north, Safranbolu has been on the World Heritage List since 1994 for its half-timbered Ottoman houses and its bazaar. Its caravanserai, Cinci Han, dates from 1645. The town museum, on the castle square, is open from 8:30 am to 5 pm local time except Mondays and costs €5 from 1 April 2027. No hotel in Safranbolu is in the selection yet: go as a day trip from Ankara, or ask us to arrange a night there. ## When to go In Ankara the average high is 17.5 °C in April, 22.8 °C in May and 20.3 °C in October; it reaches 31 °C in July and August. Winter is cold, with average lows below 0 °C in December, January and February. April to June and September to October suit best, Hattusa included, as it is entirely outdoors. ## Getting to Ankara Ankara Esenboğa Airport (ESB) is 30 minutes from Ulus, with domestic flights from Istanbul. High-speed trains link Ankara with Istanbul and [Konya](/en/turkey/konya/). [Cappadocia](/en/turkey/cappadocia/) is 3 h 10 by road. ## Safety None of the European foreign ministries followed by Sabaro advises against Ankara or the nearby sites. Several European ministries recall that attacks have targeted the capital, in October 2023 outside the Interior Ministry and in October 2024 against the Turkish Aerospace Industries headquarters, 40 km north-west of the city, and ask travellers to avoid gatherings and demonstrations. The "Travel advice" table on this page gives the advice of your country. ## Frequently asked questions ### How long should I stay in Ankara? One day for the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, the citadel and Anıtkabir. One more night if you go to Hattusa or Safranbolu. ### Is the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations open in winter? Yes, daily from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm local time. The Ankara hall and the classical hall are closed from 14 September 2026 to 2 March 2027. ### Can I visit Hattusa from Ankara? Yes, in a day: the site is 2 h 35 by road. Tickets cost €5 from 1 April 2027, and Alacahöyük is 40 minutes from Hattusa. ### Where should I stay in Ankara? At [Divan Çukurhan](/en/hotels/divan-cukurhan/), a restored Ottoman caravanserai opposite the citadel entrance, in the museum quarter. ### Is Ankara safe? None of the European ministries followed by Sabaro advises against it. There were attacks in 2023 and 2024: avoid gatherings and follow the authorities' instructions.