“Our first trip to Ankara”

We have never been in Ankara before -- and heard no stories about the capital of Türkiye from our friends. We came for an international symposium held at the Ankara University. Firstly, the University campus is a big park (almost forest!) in the very centre of the city -- and it is amazing! The ent… more

We have never been in Ankara before -- and heard no stories about the capital of Türkiye from our friends. We came for an international symposium held at the Ankara University. Firstly, the University campus is a big park (almost forest!) in the very centre of the city -- and it is amazing! The entire city is full of parks, green squares, public gardens... Public transportation (buses, underground) is perfect and cheap. Some places worth visiting are: 1. Anitkabir -- a memorial complex and symbolic mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. On the hill, in the very centre of the city, easily accessible and very impressive. It is the main National Memorial Centre, where all the important ceremonies take place. Apart of this, there is a perfect viewpoint with impressive panorama of the entire city. Worth a visit! 2. Ankara Castle -- a nicely preserved fortress building with a magnificent panoramic view above the city. Worth a visit, however, needs an effort to climb to the fortress, but it worth any effort. 3. The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations -- a real must to visit! It is an archeological museum with an outstanding collection of artifacts, from the Stone era, through the Bronze, and so on -- till the medieval period. All the artifacts are maintained in a very good condition, accessible and perfectly displayed and illuminated. One of the best collections we have ever seen! Do not miss this unique museum. Warmest recommendation to come and spend 2 - 3 hours, at least. You can easily find a lot of information on the web about these -- and more -- places of interest in Ankara, so I am not adding any photos. Probably, those you will find are better than mine... Few words more: The hotel we stayed Altinel Ankara Hotel -- is warmly recommended! The airport of Ankara is well designed, spacious and cosy.

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“Very outdated desperate need of renovation”

Stayed for two nights only due to the vicinity of Anitkabir. I’m sure this hotel was grand in the day. I definitely would not return. The staff were amazing. The lobby looks and smells great. The lift well that’s when it started going down hill. When I walked out of the lift onto the 4th floor I s… more

Stayed for two nights only due to the vicinity of Anitkabir. I’m sure this hotel was grand in the day. I definitely would not return. The staff were amazing. The lobby looks and smells great. The lift well that’s when it started going down hill. When I walked out of the lift onto the 4th floor I saw a sen chair which was soiled dirty and then the carpet was disgraceful there were stains everywhere. When I walked into my room I was sharing with two other adults the smell was very offensive and old. The rooms are definitely 1970’s. The towels were old they too smelled and I had to call for more towels cause the ones folded had stains on them. The throw I had on the pull out out bed was also dirty with stains on it. Definitely not a hotel I would recommend to anyone. Breakfast was extremely ordinary and dry.

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