The Best Hotels in Ankara

Ankara Hotels

Ankara is the large, bustling capital city of Turkey, situated in the central region of Anatolia. The city offers a unique blend of ancient and modern architecture, with a central hub of glitzy high rises and well-maintained gardens, and a rocky hill speckled with awe-inspiring Roman, Ottoman, and Byzantine ruins and temples. Spend days learning about Ankara’s heritage in its many historic museums, immerse yourself in the inspiring art galleries, and splurge in the large, ritzy shopping malls.

Things to see

In the morning, as the golden rays of Turkey’s balmy sun sweep across the sleepy city, venture to Ankara’s historic centre, and let the rocky landscape - speckled with pear trees and ancient grape vines - transport you back to bygone eras. Begin at the Ankara Castle, a towering, well-preserved red-brown ruin which dates back to Roman times, and bears the scars of several wars. Then, move on to the Temple of Augustus and Rome, a magical white-stone structure that dates back almost 1000 years, with Roman text inscribed on its walls. As the afternoon rolls around, head to the modern part of Ankara. On your way to the museum district, stop at the shimmering silver towers and domes of Kocatepe Mosque, the largest in the city. Art lovers should head to the inspirational modern art gallery Cer Modern, and history buffs should check out the War of Independence Museum.

Hotels in Ankara

If you’re after an inexpensive hotel laced with a truly Turkish charm and Ankara authenticity, then stay in one of the older 3-star hotels, where the comfortable rooms overlook bustling streets, and the hospitable hosts are glad to give you insider information about the surrounding area. For something slightly more luxurious, stay in a 4-star Ankara hotel. Set in more modern buildings - with enormous rooms and fine in-house dining - these hotels are in abundance, and can vary in price. For a slice of paradise, stay in a 5-star complex, which offer full spa services and relaxed bar lounges.

Where to stay

For a taste of local living, stay in the Ulus area of Ankara, which houses many of the city’s historic buildings and museums. While the area offers many key Ankara sights, it has not become overrun by tourists, and an old-world vibe hangs over the buzzing cafés and sweet aromatic fruit stalls. Stay slightly south of the centre to be surrounded by refined, top-end restaurants and designer clothing boutiques - and to be within close reach of Ankara’s vast malls. If you’re after a cool area with a trendy, youthful atmosphere, stay in Kavaklidere, which offers neon-washed clubs and bouncing bars.

How to get to Ankara

Catch a year-round flight to Turkey’s Esenboga International Airport, a mere 28 kilometres north of the city. From there, regular and affordable buses run directly into the historic hub of Ankara - the Ulus area - and to the central transport centre. Alternatively, an equally inexpensive and more relaxing option is to hop in a taxi at the airport, and unwind as you’re raced to your destination. A number of Ankara’s top hotels will also offer pick-up services from the airport. Once in the centre, you can get around via the efficient bus network or 2 line metro.