Ankara

Turkey’s capital is not Istanbul.

Shock, horror to many people!

1Whilst Istanbul used to the capital city back in the days of the Ottoman Empire, when it was known as Constantinople, the site of the capital was moved after the formation of the Turkish Republic. Ankara was thought to be a better choice because it is located in the centre of the country, not in the far north western corner, as Istanbul is located. In addition, Ankara was seen as being a city easier to defend, as it isn’t located on a sea coast, as Istanbul is.

At first glance, Ankara looks like a sprawling concrete jungle, but when you peer into it a little closer, you will see that it is actually quite charming and classy. Of course, the capital city is the main area for Government business, and as a result there are many Government workers around, as well as foreign diplomats and embassy staff. You will see a huge range of different types of people, so you’re bound to meet someone from a different country and background every single day.

Ankara is the second largest city in Turkey, behind Istanbul, and it has an estimated population of around 4.5 million people. It’s central location means that most people venturing to Ankara do so for either Government business, e.g. they need paperwork for a visa or some other form of red tape, or as a transit point or the other nearby towns, such as Konya, for example. Despite that, the city does have many redeeming qualities, and a visit is something which should certainly be done, if you get the chance.

Now, if you had to choose between Ankara and Istanbul, certainly go for Istanbul every time, but if you get the chance to visit Ankara too, go for it. The huge Government buildings are certainly a sight for the eyes, and around the Ulus region of the city, there are many historic buildings, such as the medieval Ankara Castle.

This is a relatively well kept castle, and you can still wander around the ruins today, and capture a sense of how it used to be back in the day. As with most castles, it is sited on a large hill, so you can see a fantastic view from the top, with a 360 degree panorama over the city itself.

Hen you visit Ankara totally depends on what the weather is going to do, as this is a city with seasons. Winters are cold, and often quite snowy, whereas summers are warm, at around 30 degrees on average. The snow, when it falls, often stays for a good while, so if you love the white stuff, head to Ankara between December and February in particular, when the temperatures rarely get above freezing point.

The Rahmi Koc Museum is another good spot to visit for history and culture lovers, as well as the Augustus Temple and the iconic Roman Baths. These are all located in the central Ulus region, so they are very easy to get to and from. The city is also very well connected by bus, train, and taxi use, so you can explore the capital quite easily.

Of course, Ankara is not as busy as Istanbul, and at times that is a blessing. The ability to be able to walk around a little more freely is a good thing, especially during the summer months and that means you can easily explore without becoming stressed out with crowds; this is often the case with Istanbul. We mentioned that Ankara is the second largest city in Turkey, after Istanbul, and that is because it is quite sprawling.

Reaching Ankara in the first place is quite easy. The city has a large international airport, and it is linked by trains and long distance coaches within the country. Travelling by this type of coach is a positive experience, although it can take a considerable length of time to complete your journey, depending on where you’re travelling from in the first place. These coaches usually have free Wi-Fi, seat back TVs, charging capability, and a seat back TV showing films and TV shows.

Whilst Ankara isn’t packed with a million and one things to see and do, it certainly does have a charm, and the chance to say you visited the capital is something you should take.

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