Ankara Experience

Keep Manhattan - I'll Take Ankara

Advantages: Something for everyone; easy to get around
Disadvantages: Very cold in winter; wine is expensive and can double the cost of your meal

We have been travelling to Ankara at least twice a year every year for nearly nine years now, and I have grown to love the city even more than Istanbul. Ankara is very, very different to Istanbul and, in many ways, it is unfair to compare the two. So, why do I love Ankara? Basically because it provides all the things I want in a city (given that I'm not really a "city person"). Truly, it has something for everyone. If you want history, it's got ...
...let the people who dismiss Ankara as a "boring, modern city" put you off - the chances are they haven't properly explored the place themselves! Even if you are only routing through Ankara to the more touristy attractions of Cappadocia or the eastern Black Sea area, take time out and give the city a chance; it's worth it. ...

roundthekitchentable 27.02.2008 · Read full review
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Review of Ankara (Turkey)

A tale of Two Cities

Advantages: Friendly people, the grandeur of the Anitkabir, cheap accommodation
Disadvantages: Bad sign-posting, not very tradtional, new areas brash

...and historic sites. However, Ankara is the capital city of Turkey; it is some 350 kilometres from Istanbul and is situated on the edge of the Anatolian plain. It has been the capital since 1923 when Kemal Mustafa Attaturk declared the first Turkish Republic. At the time Ankara was a small dusty town of some 70,000 inhabitants. It was chosen because Attaturk wanted to distance himself from the legacy of the Sultans and this was not possible in Istanbul ...
...the Sultans' influence there. Ankara offered the space to create a new city with the sort of buildings Attaturk wanted to embody the new Republic, a kind of showcase for the rest of the world. Indeed, Attaturk wanted more than just to start anew with the governemnt offices and public buildings, his plan was for the secularisation of Turkey, a plan which still has repercussions today. While I was in another Turkish city, Edirne, I met a couple who ...

fizzytom 05.12.2006 · Read full review
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Review of Ankara (Turkey)

Ankara- The Capital city of Turkey

Advantages: History, Everything is Cheap, Easy to Reach
Disadvantages: Very Cold in Winter

Ankara is one of cities I like very much in Turkey. I spent my childhood there. I love this city. It is also the capital city of Turkiye (Turkey) Ankara is located at the center of Anatolia on the eastern edge of the great, high Anatolian Plateau. It is bordered by the cities of Cankiri and Bolu to the north, Eskisehir to the west, Konya and Aksaray to the south, and Kirikkale and Kirsehir to the east. The region's history goes back to the Bronze ...
...Additionally, I can say that Ankara is the centre of Turkey's very extensive coach network; it is possible for you to travel to city to most Turkish cities, and also many major European cities. You can also use Turkish railways to reach a number of cities. In Ankara, the summers are long and very hot. Nights are generally cool in Ankara in the summer time. Humidity level is very low. The winters are pretty cold with some rain and snow. When travelling, ...

Emrahsenel 28.09.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Ankara (Turkey)

Ancient Culture in a modern city - updated

Advantages: Cosmopolitan and full of culture
Disadvantages: It is a modern city

...Istanbul with its long history, Ankara is a modern city, founded by Atatürk in the location of the provincial town of Angora, and declared Turkeys Capital in 1923. It is a carefully planned Metropolis with wide boulevards flanked by Embassies and parks, huge modern shopping centres and a number of Universities on its outskirts. In comparison to Istanbul, it will never have the same oriental feel about it. Only the old part, on and around the old ...
...area I would return to Ankara time and time again just to see this museum, which incidentally won the award of "European Museum of the Year in 1998 or 99", I think. Another sight not to miss whilst in Ankara is the Anit Kabir, Atatürks Mausoleum. Build on a hill overlooking the city, set amongst immaculate parks and guarded by honour guards from all military forces, it houses the body and the memory of the founder of the nation. Attached to it is ...

anjuschka 15.05.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Ankara (Turkey)