Traveling in Ankara

Located at the heart of Turkey near Central Anatolia, Ankara is the capital city and second largest city in the country after Istanbul. Formerly known for its long-haired goats and textiles, the city has since developed into a metropolitan mix of modern cultures with historic landmarks.
Neighborhoods & Around
Ankara is a fairly large city with unique towns and neighborhoods throughout. Ulus is the historic center of the city, where most of the museums are located as well as historic buildings and the ancient Ankara Castle. From Ulus Square, in a north-south direction, extends Ataturk Boulevard, along which most of the city's attractions are situated. While Ulus is the historic center, much of its charm has been lost to a more crowded, modern atmosphere. To experience the way Ankara used to be, visit Hamamonu District instead, a beautifully restored neighborhood with old Ottoman-style Ankara houses. To see Ankara's political center, head to Kizilay Square where there are also plenty of cafes, restaurants, bars, and clubs. Other interesting neighborhoods include Sakarya Caddesi (Sakarya Road) pedestrian area with fisheries, street sellers, and restaurants or Yuksel Caddesi (Yuksel Road) pedestrian area with cafes, restaurants, cultural centers, and bookstores. While Ulus and Kizilay are important centers of activity with a few sights worth seeing, locals and visitors looking for charm and quality will frequent Ankara's other neighborhoods.