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.
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, 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. 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.
What to see
- Museum of Anatolian Civilizations — Palaeolithic, Hittite, Phrygian and Urartian collections in an Ottoman covered market and han below the citadel; daily 8:30 am-5:30 pm (ticket office until 4:45 pm), local time; Ankara hall and classical hall closed from 14 September 2026 to 2 March 2027; €13 from 1 April 2027, audio guide included KTB (ministère turc de la Culture et du Tourisme), fiche « Anadolu Medeniyetleri Müzesi » sur muze.gov.tr
- Citadel and Ulus district — Ankara's old town around the citadel, with its hans, lanes and the Çukurhan caravanserai GoTürkiye, Ankara
- Anıtkabir — Atatürk's mausoleum and War of Independence museum, run by the Ministry of Defence Anıtkabir, site officiel
- Roman Baths, Ethnography Museum, Republic Museum — €5, €5 and €7 from 1 April 2027 KTB, barème des musées et sites pour les visiteurs étrangers à partir du 1er avril 2027 (reproduit par alomaliye.com)
- Hattusa and Yazılıkaya, World Heritage (day trip) — Hittite capital and rock sanctuary, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986, at Boğazkale, 2 h 35 by road from Ankara; daily 8 am-6:30 pm (ticket office until 6:15 pm), local time; €5 from 1 April 2027; Boğazköy museum €5; Alacahöyük 40 min away, €5 KTB (ministère turc de la Culture et du Tourisme), fiche « Hattuşa Ören Yeri » sur muze.gov.tr
- Gordion, World Heritage (day trip) — Phrygian capital inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023, 1 h 30 by road from Ankara; €5 from 1 April 2027 UNESCO, Gordion
- Safranbolu, World Heritage (day trip) — Ottoman town inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994, half-timbered houses and the Cinci Han caravanserai (1645), 2 h 45 by road from Ankara; Safranbolu museum 8:30 am-5 pm, local time, closed Mondays, €5 from 1 April 2027 UNESCO, ville de Safranbolu
When to go
Climate in Ankara
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max. (°C) | 4.7 | 7.4 | 12.2 | 17.5 | 22.8 | 27.3 | 31.0 | 31.0 | 26.5 | 20.3 | 13.0 | 6.7 |
Source: NOAA, normales OMM 1991-2020, station 17130 (Ankara Bölge, 891 m) — 1991-2020, accessed 22 October 2026
Getting there
- Ankara Esenboğa Airport (ESB), 30 min from Ulus; domestic flights from Istanbul OSRM (calculateur d'itinéraire sur données OpenStreetMap), durée de conduite sans arrêt ni trafic
- High-speed trains (YHT) to Istanbul and Konya France Diplomatie, Turquie, Informations utiles (trains à grande vitesse)
- By road: Göreme 3 h 10, Hattusa 2 h 35, Safranbolu 2 h 45, Gordion 1 h 30 OSRM (calculateur d'itinéraire sur données OpenStreetMap), durée de conduite sans arrêt ni trafic
By air
| Airport | By road | Direct flights |
|---|---|---|
| Ankara Esenboğa (ESB) | 27 km, 0h26 |
|
| Zonguldak (ONQ) | 253 km, 2h53 | |
| Kastamonu (KFS) | 236 km, 3h04 |
Hotels chosen in the region
| Hotel | Category | Suits | Guest rating | Indicative price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Divan Çukurhan | Restored Ottoman caravanserai facing the citadel, 5 stars | Boutique and historic hotels, Museums and culture, Honeymoon | 4,7/5 (Google) | from 144 € per night |
Chosen activities
- Day trip to Hattusa, Yazılıkaya and Alacahöyük — full day
- Day trip to Safranbolu — full day
Read next
Travel advice
| Country | Official advice | Source |
|---|---|---|
| France | Heightened vigilance (yellow), as in most of the country; the terrorist risk remains high nationwide: keep away from gatherings and demonstrations. The areas advised against are the vicinity of the Syrian and Iraqi borders and seven south-eastern provinces. Attacks cited in Ankara: on 1 October 2023 outside the Interior Ministry and on 23 October 2024 against the Turkish Aerospace Industries headquarters. Taxis: check that the taxi has a meter. | France Diplomatie, Turquie, Sécurité (Site last updated 15 September 2026) |
| Belgium | No advice specific to the region: stay alert and avoid crowds, political gatherings and the vicinity of official buildings. Travel is advised against near the Syrian, Iraqi and Iranian borders. Tick-borne fever reported in rural areas of central Turkey. | SPF Affaires étrangères (Belgique), Turquie, sécurité générale (Site last updated 2 July 2026) |
| Switzerland | No advice specific to the region; the risk of attacks persists nationwide. Travel is advised against in the border areas with Syria and Iraq and in Şırnak and Hakkari provinces. Most attacks have taken place in the south-east, Istanbul and Ankara. | DFAE (Suisse), Conseils pour les voyages, Turquie (Site last updated 30 September 2026) |
| United Kingdom | No advice specific to the region; only the 10 km strip along the Syrian border is advised against. Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks, mostly in the south-east, Ankara and Istanbul. Travelling against FCDO advice can invalidate travel insurance. October 2024 attack on Turkish Aerospace Industries at Kahramankazan, 40 km north-west of Ankara: 5 killed and 22 injured. | GOV.UK (FCDO), Turkey travel advice (Site last updated 19 October 2026) |
| Germany | Terrorist threat nationwide, especially in large cities; avoid demonstrations. Police raids against LGBTIQ people on 12 and 13 September 2026 in fifteen provinces, including Ankara. Travel that is not strictly necessary should be avoided only in the immediate border area with Syria and Iraq. | Auswärtiges Amt, Türkei, Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise (Site last updated 20 October 2026) |
| Luxembourg | Luxembourg's foreign ministry publishes no Turkey-specific advice: it refers travellers to the advice of Belgium, France and Germany. | Ministère des Affaires étrangères et européennes (Luxembourg), Avis de voyage (accessed 22 October 2026) |
| Ireland | High degree of caution (level 2 of 4) nationwide; travel is advised against only near the Syrian border and in Hatay, Kilis and Şırnak provinces. There have been attacks in Istanbul and Ankara. | Department of Foreign Affairs (Irlande), Türkiye travel advice (Site last updated 30 September 2026) |
| Sweden | No advice specific to the region; travel is advised against only within 10 km of the Syrian and Iraqi borders and in Hatay, Kilis, Şırnak and Hakkari provinces. | Utrikesdepartementet (Suède), UD avråder, Turkiet (Site last updated 28 March 2022) |
| Denmark | Take extra care (yellow), as across the country outside the south-eastern border provinces, because of the risk of unrest and terrorism. | Udenrigsministeriet (Danemark), Rejsevejledning Tyrkiet (Site last updated 17 June 2026) |
| Poland | Level 1 of 4, normal caution, as across the west and centre of the country. | MSZ (Pologne), service Odyseusz, Turcja (Site last updated 15 October 2026) |
| Czechia | Increased caution. Weigh carefully any travel to the big cities, including Ankara; strictly avoid crowds and demonstrations. | MZV (Tchéquie), Turecko, bezpečnostní upozornění (Site last updated 12 March 2026) |
| Netherlands | Yellow, as for most of the country: specific security risks. The red and orange areas are along the Syrian and Iraqi borders and in Şırnak and Hakkari provinces. There have been attacks in Istanbul and Ankara in recent years. | Nederland Wereldwijd, Reisadvies Turkije (Site last updated 16 October 2026) |
| Norway | Not checked by Sabaro: see Regjeringen | |
| Austria | Not checked by Sabaro: see BMEIA | |
| Italy | Not checked by Sabaro: see Viaggiare Sicuri | |
| Spain | Not checked by Sabaro: see exteriores.gob.es | |
| Portugal | Not checked by Sabaro: see Portal das Comunidades | |
| Finland | Not checked by Sabaro: see Ulkoministeriö (um.fi) | |
Rules change: always check the official website before you travel.
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, 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.
A travel advisor replies by email. Free, no commitment.