Ankara is the “heart” of Turkey and is the perfect mix of the modern and the historical. It is one of the emerging tourist destinations in Turkey and there has been a recent surge in popularity of the city. But you will find prices here are generally lower than in Istanbul and the coastal resorts and your Turkish Lira (TL) will go much further. Ankara is the capital of Turkey and is located near the centre of Turkey in Anatolia province. It is the second largest city in Turkey, after Istanbul, and is a commercial hub and an interesting yet less-traveled place to visit. The city has a population of 4.3 million and foreign embassies, government institutions and military bases are located here. Ankara receives many visitors in its own right and many tourists who stopover on their way to other parts of Anatolia like Cappadocia or the Black Sea coast. TABLE OF CONTENTS: Ankara is a major university city and students dominate the streets of shopping areas like Kizilay and Sakaya during most of the year. Consequently, Ankara has a lively nightlife. The city has many recreational green areas like Genclik Park, the oldest park in the city yet only dating from 1943. But don’t let that fool you. Ankara has had a long and diverse history and the city retains many aspects of its magical past. Great civilizations such as Roman, Ottoman, Hellenistic, Byzantine, Phrygian and Hittite have left their mark on the city in the form of grand castles and well-preserved ruins. TABLE OF CONTENTS: Introduction to Ankara Overview Culture Location & Orientation Climate & When to Visit Sightseeing Highlights Atatürk's Tomb & Museum (Anitkabir) Road of Lions Ceremonial Plaza Hall of Honor Peace Park Anitkabir Atatürk Museum Ankara Opera House Kocatepe Mosque Roman Baths of Ankara Ankara Citadel (Hisar) Museum of Anatolian Civilizations Hattusha Ancient Ruins Hamamönü Restored Area Recommendations for the Budget Traveler Places to Stay Yeni Yavuz Hoteli Han Hostel Ankara Deniz Atlanta Hotel Divan Cukurhan Places to Eat & Drink Cankaya Lokantasi Ozge Piknik Aba Piknik & Hosta Piknik Simit Cafes Trilye Seafood Restaurant Places to Shop Çikrikçilar Yokuşu Bakircilar Çarsisi Karum Is Merkezi Cheap Charlies Bilkent Plaza
