Unlock Ankara (Turkey) ‘s Best-Kept Secrets: List of 25 museums
Welcome to Ankara (Turkey) . Whether you’re a local or a visitor, we have a carefully curated list of 25 must-see museums that will inspire your sense of adventure. If you’re looking to experience Ankara (Turkey) like a local, we’ve got you covered with 25 hidden museums gems waiting to be discovered. And for those who crave excitement, we’ve compiled 25 thrilling museums that will get your heart racing.
Information about Ankara (Turkey)
The city of Ankara, the current capital of Turkey, is the city of civilization and heritage, and the city of culture and ancient castles. Ankara is the second largest city in Turkey in terms of population and area after Istanbul, and the second largest city in terms of the number of tourists after Istanbul. Tourism in Ankara is distinguished by the fact that its most famous tourist attractions are close to each other, so you only have to arrive from Ankara Airport to the city center to be near most of Ankara’s tourist attractions. The city of Ankara has become one of the most famous tourist destinations in the country because it contains all the factors that may make any place attractive to tourists, including the presence of many places of entertainment such as hotels, resorts and nightclubs, as well as the presence of many amazing historical monuments left by the civilizations that passed through the city through the ages. , including Roman, Ottoman, Byzantine, modern European civilization and many others.
A list of the best Museums in Ankara
Looking for the best museums in Ankara (Turkey) ? Look no further than our carefully curated list, selected by our team based on visitor ratings and reviews to help make your trip planning a breeze.
1- Safran Han
Safran Han – Khan Al-Zafaran is one of the distinctive accessories of the Rahmi Koc Museum. It is an inn built by Haj Ibrahim Bin Mehmet (İbrahim Bin Mehmet) with the characteristics of an Ottoman inn, and it is believed that it was built in 1512 AD to include 20 shops, and the building served as a warehouse for one period and a prison for another. The inner courtyard and its old shops may catch your eye with a completely different concept than the rest of the country’s shops and inns.
Place address: Atpazarı Mah. Salman Cad., Altındağ Merkez, Altındağ, Ankara, Kale, 06250 Altındağ/Ankara, Turkey
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2- Turkey Isbank Museum of Economic Independence
Turkey Isbank Museum of Economic Independence – The Turkish Isbank Museum of Economic Independence was established by Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in 1924 AD, when the Turkish Business Bank turned the historical building in Ankara into the Museum of Economic Independence in order to share its experience, which has great importance in terms of national economic history, and the museum was named by this name in line with With the vision of Atatürk, the bank’s founder, that military victories can only be permanent with economic victories. In this architectural masterpiece, you can see traces of Ottoman and Seljuk architecture on the facade of the building. Today, the museum houses a safety deposit box in the basement of the museum, tables and cash desks on the ground floor. Bank books are also sold on the ground floor, and meeting rooms are located on the first floor.
Place address: Ulus, Çam Sk. No: 3, 06041 Altındağ/Ankara, Turkey
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3- Presidential Atatürk Museum Pavilion
Presidential Atatürk Museum Pavilion – Who would have thought that this wing of the Atatürk Presidential Museum, which was built at the end of the 19th century in the village of Cankaya in Ankara, would be a witness to the history of the great? In the year 1921 AD, the residents of the city of Ankara bought this house and presented it to Ataturk in the name of the people of Ankara. Ataturk accepted this gift on the condition that it be transferred to the army and called it the “Army Wing”, which is a historical building that was used as the first presidential palace of the Turkish Republic until the new presidential palace that It was built in June 1932 AD, and it consists of two floors, and it has witnessed many restoration operations throughout the ages. And when you set your feet in the courtyard of the entrance to this humble house, you will find yourself in the year 1920 AD, and you will see the traces of Ataturk on the furniture, and in every corner you will have an expected feeling that he will suddenly come out of one of the doors, and with the excitement that you feel as if you are living in those days, the entire building will settle. In your mind.
Place address: TR, 06, Çankaya, Ziaur Rahman Cd., 06690 Çankaya/Ankara, Turkey
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4- Ataturk & Independence War Museum
Ataturk & Independence War Museum – Ataturk Museum and the War of Independence, which was inaugurated on June 21, 1960 AD; It is located under the Hall of Honor where Ataturk’s mausoleum is located in Anitkabir. From 1960 AD to November 2001 AD, it served as the Ataturk Museum only, however, it was expanded in 2001 AD, to become a museum of the War of Independence, and the Ataturk Museum and the War of Independence itself appears in four different sections, in the first part, Ataturk’s personal belongings are included, and in the second part In the second, documents and information about the decisive war are presented, and in the third part, there are detailed information about the Battle of Sakarya and the Great Offensive, and in the last section, the introduction to Atatürk’s reforms and the vaulted corridor draws attention with distinctive Islamic decorations and architecture.
Place address: Maltepe, Anıt Cd., 06570 Çankaya/Ankara, Turkey
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5- War of Independence Museum
War of Independence Museum – The construction of the War of Independence Museum, the first building of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, began in Ankara Ulus Square in 1915 AD, becoming one of the most distinctive buildings in the country as it consists of two floors, and is designed in the Turkish architectural style with inscriptions, motifs and traditions inspired by Islamic architecture. The building, which was used as the first major national assembly of Turkey, continued its function as the headquarters of the Republican People’s Party and the Faculty of Law, and in the context of celebrating the centenary of Ataturk’s birth, it was reopened to visitors on April 23, 1981 AD as the “Museum of the War of Liberation” or “Museum of the War of Independence” as a result of the restoration work. The presentation is by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Place address: Doğanbey Mah. Cumhuriyet Cad, Anafartalar, Ulus No:14, 06050 Altındağ/Ankara, Turkey
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6- Gendarmerie Museum
Gendarmerie Museum – In 2005, the Gendarmerie Museum was opened, which was established to introduce the history of the organization of the gendarmerie and the level it has reached today in all respects, and to transfer this military cultural heritage to future generations. The museum includes an exhibition hall for the period of the Ottoman Empire, and on the first floor there are exhibition halls for the period of the Republic, and in these halls, the historical development of the gendarmerie is explained in chronological order with weapons, clothes, pictures, and information panels.
Place address: Ahlatlıbel Beytepe, Incek Şht. Savcı Mehmet Selim Kiraz Blv, 06805 Çankaya/Ankara, Turkey
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7- Türkpusat Traditional War Purses Museum
Türkpusat Traditional War Purses Museum – The Turkbusat Museum of Traditional War Carriers presents authentic military and war collections that were kept during different periods of the country’s wars, which aims to enable its visitors to experience, touch and feel history. The museum also aims to display traditional holdings used by the Turks, and it is possible to obtain information Historical and technical about the intricacies of the Turkish art of war, especially archery, where arrowheads, bows, range and war arrows, swords, daggers, shields, axes, spears, shields, stalkers and trenches are displayed. This museum provides its visitors with the opportunity to learn about the stages of production and methods of using these materials.
Place address: Kale, Gözcü Sk. No:9, 06250, 06250 Altındağ/Ankara, Turkey
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8- MTA Sehit Cuma Dag Natural History Museum
MTA Sehit Cuma Dag Natural History Museum – MTA Jabal Shahid Juma Museum of Natural History, unique in Turkey, was built in 1968 AD, under the supervision of the General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration, to display a collection of 5,000 important and valuable historical specimens, collected from Turkey and the rest of the world. The museum building consists of 4 floors with a ground floor, in a distinctive architectural configuration, that gives you the opportunity to experience a journey into the vast space, and to obtain information about the planets of the solar system, and here you will be able to see samples of the thunder stone, as well as the global imaging system “Science On Sphere”. and a 3D viewing system in the shape of a Planetarium, and you will also be able to buy unique gifts and souvenirs.
Place address: Çukurambar, Dumlupınar Blv. No:33/A, 06800 Çankaya/Ankara, Turkey
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9- Atatürk House
Atatürk House – Ataturk House is a historical archaeological museum in Ankara, which was the residence of President Mustafa Kemal Ataturk between 1921 AD and 1932 AD, during the early years of the Republic. It is a traditional building with a distinctive design consisting of three floors. It was restored in 1981 AD and repainted in the original pink color. It includes all the original home furnishings that Atatürk used throughout his life here. The ground floor consists of four rooms and on the first floor is the reception room, with European sofas and a large console table and chased brass, and a large sitting room, with low banquettes around the walls. One of the most impressive rooms on the second floor is the one in which Ataturk was born. It is a large room with a banquet, an office and a large fireplace. It faces another room in which some of Ataturk’s belongings are displayed. These include official clothes, smoking accessories, cutlery and cups, and all documents related to Ataturk’s days are suspended. On the walls, the pomegranate tree planted by Atatürk’s father still grows in the yard.
Place address: Beştepe, 06560 Yenimahalle/Ankara, Turkey
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10- Pink Mansion
Pink Mansion – The Pink Palace, one of the oldest houses in Ankara, witnessed many “firsts” in social and cultural life after Ankara became the capital. Here, meetings headed by Atatürk and revolutionary work were held, and the first ball for Ankara, the first concerts, exhibitions, scientific meetings, horseback riding tours and jumping competitions were held in this The house, and in its garden, for the first time in the city, experiments were carried out to grow flowers, trees and pine trees suitable for the climate of Ankara. When you visit this palace, you will go through a journey through the history of Turkey, and you will see old clothes, weapons, furniture, Atatürk’s library, and many items that will take you back to its great history.
Place address: Çankaya, Şht. Ersan Cd. No: 14, 06690 Çankaya/Ankara, Turkey
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11- Armoni Art Gallery
Armoni Art Gallery – The Armoni Art Gallery was established in 1986 AD in the city of Ankara, after which it became one of the most important artistic tourist attractions in Turkey. As a private exhibition, the exhibition opened new horizons in the country, and it brought together exhibition organizations for the country’s artists at home and abroad, and organized a number of distinguished exhibitions to display their distinguished paintings and works of art.
Place address: Yıldızevler, 724. Sk. No:2 D:No:1, 06550 Çankaya/Ankara, Turkey
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12- Evliyagil Museum
Evliyagil Museum – The Evli Yağıl Museum was established in Ankara in 2015. It is located in a comprehensive cultural complex consisting of an exhibition area of 750 square meters, an outdoor garden in which 3D artworks are displayed, a movie theater and a library. Within the museum there are two art projects, one called ArtOda, where exhibitions and short-term projects are held every year in certain periods and with different concepts, and Alpha, which allows young artists from Ankara who have not held solo exhibitions before to promote their work.
Place address: İncek, Şevket Evliyagil Sk. No:1, 06830 Gölbaşı/Ankara, Turkey
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13- Turkish Air Force Museum
Turkish Air Force Museum – The Turkish Air Force Museum, one of the most important open museums in the country, is located in the city of Ankara, with the aim of displaying an authentic collection of the Turkish Air Force. Open, the Air Force Museum allows visitors to enter the pilot’s house of a training and fighter-bomber aircraft for these aircraft used by the Air Force Command. In the museum’s indoor exhibition area, important events related to Turkish and world aviation and the history of the Turkish Air Force are displayed in chronological order with many pictures, models and animations.
Place address: 12. Km, Erler, İstanbul Yolu, 06500 Etimesgut/Ankara, Turkey
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14- Mustafa Ayaz Museum
Mustafa Ayaz Museum – The Mustafa Ayaz Museum extends over a spacious area in the city of Ankara of 5000 square meters, consisting of 7 floors. It is a private museum for the Turkish artist Mustafa Ayaz, who spent his life developing art. It contains the artist’s private office and workshop, and on the first, second and third floors, the artist’s works are displayed in different periods. The exhibition aims to meet art lovers by organizing periodic exhibitions and various artistic events for local and foreign artists on their way to developing contemporary plastic arts. In addition to the exhibition, the museum includes different sections such as the café, souvenir shops and the library on the ground floor as well.
Place address: Nasuh Akar, Ziyabey Cd. No:25, 06520 Çankaya/Ankara, Turkey
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15- Erimtan Museum
Erimtan Museum – The Erimtan Museum is under the authority of the Turkish Ministry of Antiquities and Arts, and includes about two thousand moving works for recording and monitoring the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. The museum is located in the Ankara Citadel and began hosting its visitors in 2015. The museum takes you on a journey back to 3000 BC, as it houses a private archaeological collection, and you can also see artifacts from the Byzantine and Roman eras closely here.
Place address: Kale, Gözcü Sk. No:10, 06240 Altındağ/Ankara, Turkey
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16- Beypazarı History and Culture House
Beypazarı History and Culture House – The Beypazari Historical Museum is located in the Rustem Pasha School, which was built in 1928 AD. It is one of the distinguished museums in the city of Ankara, and it consists of three floors. In the museum, there are works that highlight the history of the Beypazari region, as well as various holdings from the early ages. The museum provides its visitors with the opportunity to closely examine the history of the region in 5 sections, namely the First, Ottoman and Seljuk eras, the Tanzimat period, the Republic period, and Baypazari today.
Place address: Cumhuriyet, Bulgurdede 5. Sk No:2, 06730 Beypazarı/Ankara, Turkey
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17- Ankara Foundation Museum
Ankara Foundation Museum – The Ankara Foundation Museum was built in 1927 AD, during the period called the First National Architecture Period (1908-1930 AD), which covers the early years of the Republic, and was used as a law school between the years (1928-1941 AD), and opened as the Ankara Foundation Works Museum in 2007 AD, It is one of the early examples with very simple facades without the use of traditional ornamentation and traditional architectural elements. Carpets, rugs, wood, metal, tiles, leather and manuscripts are displayed in the museum, and there are rare artifacts such as wood from the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, manuscripts from the sixteenth century, tiles and carpets.
Place address: Anafartalar, Atatürk Blv No:23, 06050 Altındağ/Ankara, Turkey
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18- Turkiye Buyuk Millet Meclisi Cumhuriyet Muzesi
Turkiye Buyuk Millet Meclisi Cumhuriyet Muzesi – The Grand National Assembly of Turkey (Türkiye Büyük Millet Meclisi), commonly abbreviated as TBMM or Parliament, is Turkey’s unicameral legislature. This building was designed by architect Vedat Tek and built as the headquarters of the Republican People’s Party in 1923. It is the only body endowed with legislative powers under the Turkish constitution. It was established in Ankara on April 23, 1920 in the midst of the national campaign.
Place address: Doğanbey Mh., Former Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Cumhuriyet Cd., 06030 Altındağ/Ankara, Turkey
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19- Alagoz Karargah Museum
Alagoz Karargah Museum – During the historical Sakarya War, the village of Alaguz was chosen as the headquarters of the region’s command by the Turkish armies, and the house in which the current museum is located was also designated as the presidential headquarters of the armed forces. This building, which was used by its owners until 1965 AD, was transferred first to the Ministry of National Education and then to the administration of the Atatürk Museum, after which it became one of the most important historical museums in the country, and it displays the armies’ equipment and clothes, and the stamps and seals of the army command, in addition to some distinctive pieces of furniture. .
Place address: Alagöz, Polatlı Merkez, 06909 Polatlı/Ankara, Turkey
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20- Gordion Museum
Gordion Museum – The Gordion Museum dates back to 1963 AD, when 500 people lived in the Polatli district of Ankara. This museum contains a large collection dating back to the Lydian era, the Hellenistic era, and the Roman era, especially the ancient Bronze Age. The Galatian tomb and the Phrygian and Roman mosaics in the museum’s collection can be considered one of the rare archaeological historical groups that are difficult to see anywhere else easily.
Place address: Yassıhöyük Köyü, Yassıhüyük, 06900 Polatlı/Ankara, Turkey
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21- Golden Pavilion Museum
Golden Pavilion Museum – The Golden Pavilion Museum is one of the architectural rarities in the city of Ankara, which has managed to this day to maintain its unique beauty. It was built in 1996 AD, with a distinctive external structure made of a rare type of tree called “red wood” that was brought from America and grown for 500 years. The architecture of the building consists of 1000 iconic shapes and motifs used inside and outside the architecture of Anatolia, as it was designed as a mixture From the rich cultural accumulation sampling 30 historical buildings in the country. Entering this place is like entering a magical spot from Wonderland, where the gilded ceilings, luxurious furniture, tall wooden columns, and chandeliers drop from the tall ceilings.
Place address: Beytepe, Bilkent Bahçe Konutları, 06800 Çankaya/Ankara, Turkey
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22- Republic of Turkey State Railways Museum and Art Gallery
Republic of Turkey State Railways Museum and Art Gallery – The State Railways Museum and Art Gallery was designed and constructed according to Ataturk’s instructions to “build hotels for major stations” in 1924 AD, by one of the city’s distinguished railway engineers. It is a two-storey stone building, in which railway cars, train tracks and wagons are displayed, and visitors can take a tour inside the captain’s trailer.
Place address: 3, Doğanbey Mah., Talatpaşa Bulv. Merkez Gar Binası No:1, 06050 Altındağ/Ankara, Turkey
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23- Atatürk Forest Farm
Atatürk Forest Farm – Ataturk Forest Farm is one of the distinctive natural areas in the city of Ankara, and it is a vast zoo that includes hundreds of varieties of animals, birds, and domestic and predatory reptiles. Rehabilitation of an area of 6 dunums, and the garden also contains a rose garden with 500 roses, a swimming pool, and landscaping made of seasonal flowers. In the park there is a private natural museum, which contains historical works such as the first ice cream maker used on the farm, packaging machines, old barrels, old agricultural tools, old veterinary tools and various equipment, in addition to a photography exhibition, whose mission is to transfer the institutional memory of Atatürk Forest Farm to future generations, to display Machinery and equipment used in the past and to protect the spiritual structure from the past, to host various events such as exhibitions, presentations and competitions.
Place address: Gazi, Cumhurbaşkanlığı Blv No:150, 06560 Yenimahalle/Ankara, Turkey
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24- 75th Anniversary Republic Education Museum
75th Anniversary Republic Education Museum – The Republican Education Museum was opened in Ankara in 1988 by the Ministry of National Education. The Education Museum, which first started operating in Turkey, operates in a separate one-storey building in a large garden next to Atatürk High School, and displays educational items dating back to ancient times including books, notebooks, stamps, pens, ink, manuscripts and tests. Primary and secondary school students in Ankara and students studying in the teaching department of universities visit the museum every year to learn about the history of education in Turkey.
Place address: Korkutreis, Lale Sk. No:3, 06430 Çankaya/Ankara, Turkey
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25- REVERSE HOUSE ANKARA
REVERSE HOUSE ANKARA – The Inverted House Museum in Ankara is distinguished for being one of the wonders of architectural design, which highlights innovation and modernity in the arts of architecture. It is the second inverted house design in Turkey and the first inverted house in Ankara, as it was designed to create an attraction center for Ankara, and it was completed in 6 months from It was owned by a private company, and it extends over an area of approximately 120 square meters. In fact, all the elements on the roof of the house create astonishment from the first entrance, as the upside down house opens its doors to welcome its guests after passing the necessary security checks.
Place address: Ankara’da, Kentpark Alışveriş Merkezi’nde HAVELSAN KARŞISI, Mustafa Kemal, 06530 Çankaya/Ankara, Turkey
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Conclusion
As your journey through Ankara (Turkey) comes to an end, we hope you take with you unforgettable memories and experiences that will last a lifetime. This amazing region is home to diverse landscapes, ancient cultures, and welcoming communities that have something special to offer every traveler. Our guide has provided you with the top destinations and hidden gems that make Ankara (Turkey) such a unique and special place. But, we encourage you to continue to explore this region on your own and uncover new adventures and treasures along the way. As you journey back home, don’t forget to reflect on the moments that made your trip so special and share your experiences with others. Remember to keep the spirit of adventure and curiosity alive in your everyday life and continue to seek out new experiences. We hope our guide has been a valuable resource in planning your trip, and we look forward to hearing about your travels. Safe travels and until next time!