Things to do in Ankara for self travelers

This self-guided walking audio tour explores Ankara through its Roman, Ottoman, and modern heritage, making it ideal for first-time visitors, history lovers, and travelers curious about how Turkey’s capital took shape. You will follow an easy route through the city’s historic core, where ancient ruins, sacred landmarks, museums, and fortress streets stand close together. The walk starts at Victory Monument in Ulus Square, then moves to the Julian Column and the Roman Baths Open-Air Site for a first look at ancient Ancyra. From there, the route leads to Hacı Bayram Mosque and the Temple of Augustus and Rome, a remarkable pair of neighboring monuments that bring Ottoman devotion and Roman imperial history into one scene. The tour continues uphill into the old castle quarter, including the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, the Erimtan Archaeology and Art Museum, and the Çengelhan Rahmi M. Koç Museum. The final stretch reaches Ankara Castle, where the outer walls and inner citadel streets reveal centuries of rebuilding and daily life. The tour ends at Ankara Castle Inner Citadel Streets. Along the way, the most memorable moments include standing beside Roman inscriptions next to a living mosque, stepping into beautifully restored market buildings turned museums, and taking in sweeping views over the capital from the castle hill.