From the Ankara Tourism Master Plan
The master plan proposes ten themed routes that stitch the province together: Phrygian archaeology and balloons, the 22-day Sakarya Victory Way, the Silk Road corridor, Old Town Roman-to-Ottoman axis, Sufi faith trails, regional gastronomy, Republic founding sites, Kızılcahamam geoparks, wetlands ecotourism and Cittaslow valley escapes.
Cultural Routes & Tourism
“To welcome cultural tourists to Ankara, we are connecting our districts that bear the marks of the National Struggle, our ancient civilisations, and our rich geography through living themed routes.”
01Mounds, legendary kings and hot-air balloons
Centered around the UNESCO World Heritage site of Gordion, this route connects King Midas’s tumulus, the Phrygian city gate, local archaeological museums and vineyard tastings — with sunrise hot-air balloon flights envisioned across the Polatlı steppe.
02Walking the 22-day turning point of the War of Independence
Following the historic 100-km defensive front across Polatlı and Haymana: Duatepe, the Kartaltepe Mehmetçik Monument & Panoramic Museum, Sakarya Martyrs Cemetery, Mangaldağ trenches and Alagöz Headquarters.
03From Seljuk hans to mud-brick Ottoman towns and bird wetlands
Following the ancient caravan route west from Ankara’s hans (Çengelhan, Suluhan) through Ayaş thermal mansions, Güdül’s Cittaslow valleys, Beypazarı’s living museums and silver bazaars, all the way to Nallıhan’s Rainbow Hills and Taptuk Emre lodge.
04Roman, Ahi, Ottoman and Early Republican layers in one walkable core
A seamless pedestrian journey connecting the Ulus Republic Monument, Roman Baths, Temple of Augustus, Julian’s Column, the Citadel heights, Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, UNESCO-listed Aslanhane Mosque, and the craft quarters of Hamamönü.
05The sacred heart of Anatolia: Ahis, Sufi masters and dervish lodges
Connecting the capital’s most revered spiritual landmarks: Hacı Bayram Veli Külliyesi, the 13th-century wooden-pillared Aslanhane Mosque, Cenab-ı Ahmet Paşa, Taceddin Lodge, Kocatepe, Hüseyin Gazi, and Bünyamin Ayaşi in the west.
06One table, twenty-five distinct district flavours
A culinary journey through Ankara Tava in Ulus, sourdough wood-fired Bazlama in Kızılcahamam, traditional fermented pickles in Çubuk, ancient vineyards and Kalecik Karası wines, Beypazarı buttery rusks, Ayaş sundried tomatoes and Güdül roasted chickpea snacks.
07Walking the footsteps of the founders from Anıtkabir to the Assemblies
Walking through the monuments of modern Türkiye: Anıtkabir mausoleum and War of Independence museum, First and Second Grand National Assemblies in Ulus, Atatürk Museum Mansion in Çankaya, and the Atatürk House at the Forest Farm.
08Fossil forests, black vulture crags and therapeutic hot springs
A restorative circuit linking Soğuksu National Park’s black vulture observation towers, the 10-million-year-old petrified fossil trees, the Abacı Fairy Chimneys, Mahkemeağcin rock monastery and historic thermal spas.
09Bird flyways, crater lakes and pink flamingos
From central urban sanctuaries Eymir and Mogan to the hidden bird paradise of Yağlıpınar, Nallıhan’s Bird Sanctuary against colourful geological strata, Karagöl crater lake in Çubuk, and the infinite salt-crusted horizons of Lake Tuz.
10Slow living, cave settlements, canyon treks and calm waters
Explore Central Anatolia’s first Cittaslow town Güdül with its timber-framed Ottoman mansions, Roman cave dwellings in İnönü, Kirmir River canyon, SUP boarding on Sorgun Pond, and paragliding takeoffs at Ayaş Kumludoruk.