Wide highways lined with the high-rise towers that make a bold first impression from when you’re still up in the air, and a multitude of other residential, administrative and official buildings like Navy, Army and Airforce HQs, embassies, universities and hospitals.
Large parks like Genklic, Kuğulu, Dikmen Vadisi and Segmenler, where families gather for afternoon picnics and youths party until the early hours, and over 20 shopping malls like the Armada, Atakule and Kızılay for all-day experiences. The bold red Turkish flag fluttering everywhere, and a scattering of imposing monuments such as the Equestrian Statue of Kemal Ataturk mark the capital’s history.
The Turkish capital is industriously active, yet very spread out and spacious, not making you feel crammed or overwhelmed by its officialdom or pace, as there are plenty of views of greenery and open skylines. It is not a cosy, ambience-rich city, but one where one clearly feels that regardless of the residential areas surrounding the centre, this is the place where the country’s most important priorities are met.
One of those key priorities today is medical tourism. The Turkish medical system is emerging as sophisticated and exemplary, and over the last decade has managed to attract a plethora of global visitors for aesthetic treatments like hair implants, plastic surgery and teeth correction as well as treatment with ultra-modern machinery for illnesses such as cancer and heart disease.
Today, Ankara is home to 60 hospitals, both public and private. The public health system is heavily invested in and provides local and international citizens with well-organised, speedy and advanced care, in environments often reminiscent of four star hotels and polished shopping malls. Large, spotless corridors flooded with natural light and decorated with plants, high tech administration and tailor-made patient programmes, rooms that are bright, spacious and comfortable, and most importantly, doctors who are devoted to sharing their expertise and ongoing study in bettering their practice, are some of the most notable features.
Public hospitals like the Gazi University Hospital, which caters to patients from 140 countries and prides itself in its use of robotic surgery, indeed make for an impressive sight, and reveal the direction being taken by the country. One of the best examples of these is the Ankara Bilkent City Hospital. Opened in 2019 shortly before Istanbul’s new $12 billion airport, it is the country’s largest, and third largest in the world. It was funded by eight foreign and domestic banks with a sum of around 1 billion euros and represents the country’s new era of medical care. Meanwhile private hospitals, such as the Acibadem and Guven, take those features up a few notches, fit to accommodate the likes of high ranking officials and VIPs. These are decked out with luxurious facilities, advanced equipment and sophisticated parallel care in other areas like complimentary medicine and physical therapy, all carried out in specialised wings with spas, gyms, and other such wings.
Medical tourism in Ankara naturally goes hand in hand with cultural toursim, as visitors and their loved ones come to stay for a few days to a few weeks for their treatment. The Turkish state, in a collaboration with USHAS, a branch under the Ministry of Health dedicated to enhancing international health services in Turkey, and Go Turkiye!, the national tourism board, has now set its target on generating awareness of the city’s health-centred as well as cultural attributes so that medical tourists can reap the best possible experience of the city.
Whether you are visiting Ankara for medical reasons or simply to explore its history and culture, gastronomy and hospitality, it’s worth coming prepared with a list of the best things to see and do. Transport around the city includes public buses, taxis, trains and a metro system, making the city easy enough to navigate. Locals are generally welcoming and friendly, but many don’t speak English, even at airports and other key transport hubs.
The food and culture scene in Ankara is colourful, varied and enjoyable, and after a very recent visit we have selected the top hotspots to visit for the most memorable food and culture experiences.
What to See in Ankara
In Ankara’s Atpazarı, close to the iconic Ankara Castle, the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations unfurls Turkey’s rich tapestry of history. Housed within the historic Ottoman-era Mahmut Paşa bazaar and Kurşunlu Han, it showcases a vast archaeological collection. Visitors journey from the Paleolithic age, through Hittite, Phrygian, and Urartian eras, to Byzantine and Ottoman times. Treasures from renowned excavation sites, alongside precious gold, silver, and bronze artefacts, beckon.
Ankara Castle, perched atop the city’s highest point, is a historic gem reflecting epochs from the 8th century BC Phrygians to the Ottomans. Its dual structure, with an inner and outer sanctum, whispers tales of myriad cultures, including evidence of Armenian and Greek influences. As you explore, panoramic views of Ankara unfold, offering photo opportunities, especially during sunrise and sunset. Beyond its rich tapestry of history, in the castle’s vicinity are cosy eateries and souvenir stops, making it an unmissable experience.
The Ethnography Museum is a testament to the rich tapestry of Turkic civilisations. Designed by the celebrated architect Arif Hikmet Koyunoğlu between 1925 and 1928, this institution once cradled the sarcophagus of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk till 1953. As you wander, you’ll see Turkish art that spans from the Seljuk era to contemporary times: intricate textiles from across Anatolia, exceptional carpets woven in Turkey’s most revered regions, and 15th-century Mamluk and Ottoman metalwork. Complete the journey with Besim Atalay’s generous donation and delve deeper in the museum’s specialist library.
Tucked away near Ankara’s pulsing heart lies CerModern, a beacon of modern art and photography. Once echoing with the clatter of railway tools, this repurposed architectural space now resonates with artistic expression. Within its transformed train garages, one discovers radiant, voluminous galleries adorned with contemporary masterpieces. But it isn’t merely about the art – the very soul of the edifice invites wonder. Completing this cultural sojourn is a chic enclave, home to a curated café and bookshop.
Atakule, soaring 125 metres in Ankara’s Çankaya district, is a city signature. The city sprawls beneath, especially beautiful at glow time when the sun is setting, and the city lights glimmer and sparkle. The tower’s zenith reveals the Sevilla restaurant, spinning a full circle every hour, whilst the static Dome sits beneath a crown-like cupola. Below, the UFO café tempts, set against a backdrop of evolving retail spaces. Dive into the ‘Ankara Simulation’—a heady virtual journey, amplifying Ankara’s rhythm and sights. Moreover, contemporary artist Emre Yusufi’s “The Golden Ride” graces Atakule, adds a modern touch of creative edge.
Near the Ethnography Museum in Ankara, the State Art and Sculpture Museum stands as a luminous testament to Turkey’s rich artistic heritage. Commissioned by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in 1930, it cradles a dazzling array of Turkish art from the late 19th century to contemporary works. Beyond its permanent collection, the museum has vibrant guest galleries, workshops, and a promise of dedicated spaces for ceramics and sculpture. This cultural beacon not only showcases global artistry to Turkish enthusiasts but also champions Turkish masterpieces abroad.
Top 5 Dining Spots in Ankara
You’ll find a broad array of quality traditional eateries serving various renditions of kebab around the capital, but here we present the most exemplary classic and modern spots in Ankara’s evolving dining scene.
Trilye Restaurant
The city’s most prestigious fish restaurant, Trilye uses fresh, seasonal catch of the day and other quality ingredients, offers a sophisticated yet unpretentious dining experience. The restaurant also serves pasta dishes, paella and select cuts of meat like filet mignon and succulent lamb.
Gunyadin Armada Steakhouse
With 40 restaurants across Turkey, the Gunyadin brand started as a small butcher’s shop in Istanbul. Its Ankara store serves up hearty meat dishes from the grill, oven or pot, alongside a variety of modern Turkish meze dishes and salads.End your meal with the a melt-in-your-mouth, pistachio-stuffed Katmer, topped with ice cream.
Alma Table
This trendy, super atmospheric ‘secret garden’ in the city is the perfect alternative to classic cuisine. With contemporary, creative and experimental strokes, Alma Table’s menu includes dishes that change from week to week according to their seasonal availability and the chef’s own vision. Don’t miss out on the mouthwatering cocktails.
Chef Bros
Bathed in natural and ambient lighting, lush greenery and an extensive variety of fish, served in a large, airy and elegant space. Chef Bros combines plush modernity with a Mediterranean freshness. Try the shrimp kadyif with tempura sauce as an appetizer and any of the fish mains.
Uludag
For a more taverna-style experience in an open courtyard and authentic food with a high reputation, this restaurant serves tender and juicy kebab – here served on pitta bread cubes that the waiter soaks with melted butter sauce followed by a tomato sauce – as well as a broad choice of other tradition-inspired starters and mains, like meatballs with cheese and spicy chicken.
