This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Ankara.
Ankara, Turkey's sprawling capital, can be a bit intimidating at first and definitely not as immediately appealing as Istanbul; however, if you dig a little deeper, you'll find that Ankara has plenty to offer. A lot of people assume that Istanbul is the Turkish capital, but the capital is actually located about five hours east, in central Turkey, with a lot less glitz and glamour. A big, urban metropolis, Ankara is very modern and busy but still has plenty of shady green space and some impressive architecture.
When visiting Ankara, the must-see destination is definitely the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, which contains many incredible artifacts, carvings, and relics from Anatolia's lengthy and intriguing history. If you plan on traveling around Turkey, it's definitely worth a visit to get a feel for the country's rich and varied past.
Ankara hostels offer dormitory and private rooms, usually with breakfast and Wi-Fi access included; there are scores of accommodation options in every district for all budgets and tastes from lovely boutique options to grimy dirty rooms that won't be much fun to stay in ... check the room out first! Hostels in Ankara are all easily accessible buy many forms of transport from metro, mini bus, inner city bus, and taxi; most Ankara hostels should be within walking distance from the main square.
Ankara also has many impressive mosques to see, plus a massive shrine to its beloved "father," Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, as well as many pubs, clubs, and restaurants catering to locals and the many diplomats and foreigners based in Ankara.
Give Ankara a chance and it might just get under your skin! If you end up here in transit, consider taking a later bus, so you have a chance to explore this not-so-glamorous, but still appealing capital.
Written by local enthusiast for Ankara hostels
michael cowgill
