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Free things to do in Ankara

19 places in Ankara with free entry or no charge, based on guide listings and map data.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Ankara Castle, Ankara
Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0 (licence)

Free things to do in Ankara

  1. SeeCastle

    Ankara Castle

    This volcanic outcrop has probably been fortified since the dawn of mankind, but the earliest traces are from the Phrygians of 8th century BC. The castle was reinforced by the Galatians then the Romans. You stroll up through cobbled streets to the double walls and can climb one of the towers, with views of the sprawling city and distant mountains.

    Daily 10:00-20:00Free

  2. SeeAttraction

    Kocatepe Mosque

    This had been in the planning since 1944, but attempts at a modern style were thwarted by the conservatives. So what was built from 1967 to 1987 is a neoclassical Ottoman structure.

    24 hoursFree

  3. SeeTechnology museum

    Aviation Association Museum

    Türk Hava Kurumu Müzesi

    Small collection of aircraft around a parachute training tower (only 41 m, so don't expect much freefall time), and a small indoor collection. Not to be confused with the military aviation museum west edge of the city.

    Tue-Sun 08:30-17:30Free

  4. SeeHistory museum

    Atatürk & Independence War Museum

    Atatürk ve Kurtuluş Savaşı Müzesi

    This is beneath the Hall of Honor and displays belongings and memorabilia of Atatürk, the 1915 battles of Gallipoli / Çanakkale and the 1920/21 War of Independence, and the postwar overthrow of the Ottomans and proclamation of the republic.

    Mon-Sat 09:00-17:00Free · Free entry · Wheelchair accessible

  5. See

    METU Science and Technology Museum

    Odtu Bilim Ve Teknoloji Müzesi

    Large museum of science and technology. Has a particularly good collection of military aircraft, and a large steam locomotive. However, not accessible to the general public usually - you have to have an invitation to the METU campus or TEKNOKENT to pass security.

    Mon-Fri 09:00-17:00Free - appointment only

  6. SeeHistory museum

    Atatürk Forest Farm

    Atatürk Orman Çiftliği

    Extensive model farm established by Atatürk, to prove that the dusty steppes around Ankara could be converted into good farmland. (His successors preferred to cover everything with concrete.) The barn has been turned into a museum of farming methods.

    Wed-Sun 09:00-17:00Free

  7. See

    Roman Theatre

    Scrappy remains of the stage and backstage, they haven't restored the seating. Statues from the site are in the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations.

    Mon-Sat 09:00-19:00, Sun 10:00-17:00Free

  8. See Not mapped

    Vakif Museum

    Crowded collection of antique Turkish carpets, candle holders and Korans, watches, woodworks, tiles and other crafts. The 1927 building used to be a law school.

    Tue-Sun 09:00-17:00Free

  9. See Not mapped

    Mehmet Akif Ersoy Home Museum

    Ersoy (1873-1936) trained as a vet but became politicised in the dying days of the Ottoman Empire. He's best known for composing the Turkish national anthem. This museum reconstructs his stay here.

    Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00Free

  10. See Not mapped

    Temple of Augustus

    Monumentum Ancyranum

    The Romans conquered Anatolia in the Mithridatic Wars of 88-63 BC, and created the province of Galatea with Ancyra as its capital. From 25 BC they built over what had been a Phyrigian temple to make an "Augusteum" for the worship of their emperor Octavian or Augustus (an outstanding ruler, a contrast to his successor, the dark and dissipated Tiberius). In the 5th century it was converted into a church by the Byzantines. Only the side walls and ornate doorway remain.

    24 hoursFree

  11. SeeHistory museum

    İş Bank Economical Independence Museum

    .Tasarruf bilinci ve finansal okur yazarlığın gelişmesi adına bireysel ve öğrenci atölyeleri yer almaktadır.

    Closed · opens 10 amFree entry

  12. See Not mapped

    PTT Post Museum

    Display of stamps and other postal memorabilia.

    Daily 09:00-17:00Free

  13. SeeHistory museum

    Foundation Works Museum of Ankara

    Çocuk müze derneği eğitim çalışmaları/Çağdaş drama derneği eğitim çalışmaları

    Closed · opens 9 amFree entry

  14. SeeMuseum museum

    Somut Olmayan Kültürel Miras Müzesi

    Çocuklara yönelik-somut olmayan kültürel miras yaz okulu, geleneksel çocuk oyunları atölyesi,karagöz-hacivat gösterileri, çeşitli atölyeler(kanaviçe,kışa hazırlık, ebru,ahşap boyama,geleneksel türk şerbetleri v.b)

    Closed · opens 10 amFree entry

  15. SeeTechnology museum

    Türk Telekom Telekominikasyon Müzesi

    lkokul ve ortaokul öğrencilerine rehberli müze gezisi , telekonilasyon cihazlarının tarihi eğitimi ve uygulama seansları düzenlenmektedir.

    Closed · opens 8:30 amFree entry

  16. SeeHistory museum

    Mehmet Akif Ersoy Evi Müzesi

    9 M.Akif Ersoy Sokak

    Closed · opens 10 amFree entry

  17. SeeMuseum

    15 Temmuz Demokrasi Şehitleri Müzesi

    Free entry

  18. DoZoo

    Kedi Adası

    Free entry

  19. DoZoo

    Yetişkin Ankara Tavşanı Adası

    Free entry

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Ankara (CC BY-SA 4.0). Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Place data from Overture Maps.