Ankara Historical Museums in a 3-Day Route

Ankara is the heart of Türkiye, serving as the capital and lying at the country’s geographic centre. This city, which carries the traces of ancient civilisations, also witnessed the founding of the modern Republic. The historical museums in the city continue to host the traces of this witness and the related artefacts.

How about exploring this unique city, where ancient civilisations once thrived, and the steps toward the founding of the modern Republic were taken? Here’s a 3-day historical museums route that combines the past and future of Ankara and Türkiye:

8 Points

13 km

1 h

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On the first day, you will visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations, one of the largest museums in Türkiye. The rest of the day is spent exploring Ankara, its culinary culture, and urban life.

The Museum of Anatolian Civilisations displays a vast collection of artefacts spanning thousands of years of human history in Anatolia. These artefacts can be classified as bones and remnants from early human settlements, simple items made of bones or stones, pottery and decorative items, clay tablets with cuneiform writing, monumental stone reliefs, and sculptures. The museum houses numerous objects which belong to ancient Anatolian civilisations, which make you feel like you’re stepping into the past, as the area's history comes alive.

For the rest of the day, you have time to visit Ankara’s other landmarks and taste Turkish cuisine. The Roman Bath and Open-air Museum is another place worth visiting. At dinner, try delicious Ankara Tava, a local dish unique to the city, made with lamb and rice. The sour Çubuk-Style Pickled Cucumbers will be an amazing complementary appetiser for your meal.

The second day will be a journey into the recent past of Türkiye and the founding of the Republic, since you will visit the Museum of the War of Independence (The First Building of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye) and the Republic Museum (The Second Building of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye).

These two museums were formerly parliament buildings during the early period of the Turkish Republic. Today, they are one of the most important museums where you can see old documents, clothing, and various items belonging to the foundation period. These museums, which display the period's décor, are also informative for visitors who wish to understand the history of that era. By touring these museums, you can embark on a journey of discovery into the modern history of Türkiye.

After seeing these two museums about the foundation period, you can visit the Anıtkabir, the final resting place of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Türkiye. It is a significant symbol of the nation's history and one of the important places in Ankara, with its impressive architecture and historical significance.

If you’re interested in a blend of art and history, the last day of the route is for you. You will visit the Ankara Ethnography Museum and the Ankara Painting and Sculpture Museum to discover Turkish art from the past and today.

The Ankara Ethnography Museum showcases traditional Turkish clothing, handicrafts, folk art samples, and a diverse collection of ethnographic objects. Additionally, various tools and musical instruments reflecting the daily life and traditions of the Turkish people are on display for visitors. The Ankara Painting and Sculpture Museum showcases important examples of modern Turkish painting and sculpture. Its rich collection includes paintings, sculptures, and other works of art by famous artists. This last day, with the perfect combination of traditional and modern art, will be a unique experience for art history lovers. You can end your day by visiting the famous Ankara Castle, which is near the museums, and enjoying the panoramic view of the city from there.