Collection · A day without a wallet
Free Things to Do
Most of Ankara’s best costs nothing: ramparts, monuments, mosques, parks and ancient streets. A full-day plan that never meets a ticket booth.
Open spaces and places of worship listed here are generally free; access can change on special dates or during restoration.
Ancient streets
Ankara Castle
The crowning citadel of old Ankara, bearing architectural layers from Galatians, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks, and Ottomans with commanding 360° city vistas.History & Heritage · Altındağ
Temple of Augustus
Monumental 1st-century BC temple dedicated to Emperor Augustus and the Goddess Roma, preserving the world-famous 'Monumentum Ancyranum' inscription.History & HeritageColumn of Julian
A 15-meter fluted Corinthian column erected in 362 AD in Ulus to commemorate the imperial visit of Roman Emperor Julian the Apostate.History & HeritageRoman Bath Open-Air Museum
Monumental 3rd-century AD bath complex built under Emperor Caracalla dedicated to Asclepius, featuring intact hypocaust heating and open-air lapidarium.History & HeritageAkköprü
Historic 7-arched stone bridge built across the Ankara Stream in 1222 during the Seljuk reign of Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I along the Baghdad trade road.History & HeritageMonuments and squares
Ulus Republic Monument
Iconic 1927 bronze equestrian monument in Ulus Square sculpted by Heinrich Krippel, commemorating the heroes and solidarity of the War of Independence.History & HeritageGüven Monument
Monumental 1935 sculpture in Kızılay Güvenpark designed by Anton Hanak and Josef Thorak, celebrating the strength and security of the young Republic.History & HeritageVictory Monument
1927 bronze statue by Italian master Pietro Canonica in Sıhhiye, depicting Atatürk in military coat leaning decisively on his sword.History & HeritageHittite Monument
Monumental bronze replica of the 4,500-year-old Hittite Sun Disk of Alacahöyük, erected in Sıhhiye Square in 1978 as the capital's civic symbol.History & Heritage
Anıtkabir
The monumental mausoleum of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Turkish Republic; an architectural masterpiece featuring Peace Park, symbolic towers, and the War of Independence Museum.History & Heritage · ÇankayaParks and shores
Gençlik Park
Ankara's historic 1943 urban park in Ulus, featuring an expansive central lake, amusement fairground, city theatres, and evening light shows.Parks & NatureKuğulu Park
Beloved central park on Tunalı Hilmi Street in Kavaklıdere, famous for its resident white and black swans gifted by Vienna, weeping willows, and lively cafes.Parks & Nature
Seğmenler Park
Charming 67,000 m² valley amphitheatre park in Çankaya along Iran Avenue, famous for the Seğmenler Bronze Monument, open-air concerts, and sprawling lawns.Parks & NatureGöksu Park
508,000 m² recreation park in Eryaman, Etimesgut, centered on Lake Göksu, featuring an alpine coaster track, pier restaurants, and boat docks.Parks & NatureDikmen Valley
Award-winning urban valley in Çankaya spanning multiple phases, renowned for cascading waterfalls, Japanese sakura cherry blossoms, and walking trails.Parks & Nature
Mogan Park
645,000 m² lakeside nature park along Lake Mogan in Gölbaşı, boasting wooden boardwalks, birdwatching towers, marina docks, and waterfront dining.Parks & Nature
Eymir Lake
Pristine nature reserve and lake managed by METU between Çankaya and Gölbaşı, famous for car-free cycling, jogging trails, and rowing regattas.Parks & Nature
Tuz Lake
Turkey's second-largest lake in Şereflikoçhisar; a surreal white mineral expanse famous for breeding Greater Flamingos and breathtaking sunset walks.Parks & NatureSacred architecture
Kocatepe Mosque
Monumental grand mosque of modern Ankara in Çankaya, built between 1967 and 1987 in classical Ottoman imperial revival style.Mosques & TombsHacı Bayram Veli Mosque
Built in 1427–1428 adjoining the ancient Temple of Augustus, featuring exquisite carved woodwork and Kütahya tiles as the spiritual heart of Ankara.Mosques & TombsMelike Hatun Mosque
Monumental grand mosque in Ulus inaugurated in 2017 in honor of 14th-century benefactress Melike Hatun, blending Seljuk and Ottoman styles.Mosques & Tombs
Ahmet Hamdi Akseki Mosque
Monumental neoclassical mosque on Eskişehir Highway opened in 2012, featuring a 33-meter dome and illuminated calligraphy.Mosques & Tombs
North Ankara Mosque and Complex
Monumental complex in North Ankara / Pursaklar seating 15,000 worshippers, surrounded by landscaped recreation lakes.Mosques & Tombs