Türkiye’s capital is packed with cultural treasures, many of which will be on display this year

Ankara is having a moment. Last year, Türkiye’s vibrant capital was added to UNESCO’s Tentative List, and this year, it’s been chosen as the Turkic World Tourism Capital. It’s an accolade bestowed by the Organisation of Turkic States, a body aiming to promote the history, culture and unity of its member states which include Turkic peoples from across Siberia, the Kipchak, Karluk and Oghur regions , as well as Turkic countries from around the world.

As host city, Ankara will be looking to demonstrate its cultural legacy through festivals, workshops, concerts and other immersive events highlighting the region's deep heritage.

Honours aside, Türkiye’s capital city – which has held the title for over 100 years – doesn’t need a cultural movement to show off its offerings. The buzzy metropolis is packed with first-class museums, incredible artistic performances and a gastronomy scene to make even the least foodie-inclined salivate. Here’s where to start with Türkiye’s magical capital.

History inside and out

A capital city is usually a good place to start when it comes to learning about the country you’re visiting, and Ankara is certainly a great scene-setter. Home to more than 20 museums, Ankara enables visitors to learn about almost all facets of Turkish history, from the storied past of its Anatolian peoples (Museum of Anatolian Civilizations) to the War of Independence which saw the country achieve autonomy (War of Independence Museum).

This year, it would be particularly apt to visit the Ethnography Museum of Ankara, as it details the various different cultures of the Turkic civilizations and has expansive displays of clothing, crafts and weaponry from across the centuries.

History is everywhere in Türkiye, but perhaps no more prominently on show than in the 8th-century BCE ruins of Ankara Castle, which serve as a kind of natural outdoor museum. Access is easiest by foot and follows an uphill route which takes visitors past narrow streets and storied homes. The castle’s elevated position provides amazing views across the city – especially at sunset – and is the perfect spot to soak up the capital’s electric atmosphere. Within its walls, cafes and shops sell refreshments and souvenirs, while curated exhibitions and craft ateliers provide a more visceral account of the site’s history.

For a taste of more recent cultural turns, take a stroll around the Hamamönü Historic District, a neighbourhood which has proudly preserved its Ottoman-era buildings, many of which sport wooden balconies, stone-walled ground floors and delicate detailing. It’s a hub for craftsmen, and visitors can enjoy seeing various artisans creating products along Sanat Sokağı (Arts Street). Live music and festivities are also commonplace here – particularly during Ramadan.

A seriously artistic heritage

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Republic, was keen to make Türkiye a major player in the Western arts scene, something Ankara specifically benefitted from. In 1924, he moved the Imperial Orchestra from İstanbul to Ankara to form the Presidential Symphony Orchestra, before also establishing the Ankara State Conservatory in 1936 to formalise music training. These days, the orchestra performs on Fridays at the CSO Ada Ankara concert hall, which they have built themselves.

A decade later architect Şevki Balmumcu’s famed exhibition centre was transformed into Ankara’s Opera House, which today plays host to global operatic superstars, ballet troupes and dance performances. This year some of the venue’s highlights will include the "Deli Dumrul Modern Dance Performance" by the Ankara State Opera and Ballet Modern Dance Company, as well as a concert adaptation of the opera "Epic of Gilgamesh" composed by one of the ‘Turkish Five’: Ahmet Adnan Saygun.

Ankara will also be under the spotlight this year as it hosts one part of the Türkiye Culture Route Festival (Türkiye Kültür Yolu Festivali) in September. A celebration of Turkish culture which started out in 2021, the festival takes place all across the country in various provinces (Aydın, Bursa, Konya and Ordu are some of the other locations it will stop at). While the line-up is still to be announced, past performers have included high-profile Turkish artists such as Emir Can İğrek, Ferhat Göçer and Bengü. A jam-packed schedule of international concerts, exhibitions and cultural performances including ballet, opera and visual arts will fill the city for eight days.

It’s not all about music, however. Türkiye’s fascinating artisanal heritage will be the talk of the town in March at the ATO Congresium for the 12th ArtAnkara International Contemporary Art Fair. Previously bringing together over 1,500 artists and 83,000 visitors, this is the event for art lovers. With just a 500TL entry fee, the fair is bargain, as it brings together artists, galleries, collectors, and art enthusiasts in a melange of exhibitions, workshops, discussions and live performances.

Great gastronomy

Türkiye’s culinary chops have been established for years now; döner kebab, köfte and sweet baklava have become some of the most popular global exports from the country. Within Türkiye, there’s still a wealth to discover, however, from mezze-style delights such as dolma (stuffed vine leaves) and kısır (bulgur salad) to gözleme (stuffed flatbread) and sucuk (spiced sausage).

Unsurprisingly, Ankara is one of the best places to try out Türkiye’s best offerings, with a diverse array of dining, from haute cuisine and luxury restaurants to street food markets and casual meyhanes.

Seafood is a particular delight here, with Türkiye’s vast coastline offering up all sorts of succulent treats. At Trilye restaurant on Kuleli Sokagı, diners can enjoy delectable plates including octopus carpaccio, crayfish and crispy striped mullet accompanied by wines selected from one of the most generous cellars in the city. For buzzier dining vibes, try Fige Restaurant, which serves high quality international cuisine to a soundtrack of live music in a romantic yet upbeat setting.

As ambiance goes, there’s not often anything which beats dinner with a view, which is where Zenger Paşa Mansion comes in. Set within an Ottoman-era mansion near Ankara Castle, diners tuck into traditional local and Anatolian dishes accompanied by panoramic views of the city.

And let’s not forget about Turkish coffee. While tea gets a lot of (deserved) attention, there’s also a strong coffee scene in Türkiye. With roots dating back to the 16th century, coffeehouses (kahvehane) were once a popular place for socialising and heated political discussion – as well as not infrequent fortune-telling. Today, Ankara flaunts a flourishing coffee culture, with traditional coffee-brewing practices – slow-cooked in a cezve over sand – being registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage item. Taste it best in the city’s oldest quarters such as Zeynel and Seyfi Usta, where various cafes sell authentic Turkish coffee honouring traditional brewing methods.