Turkey’s capital and administrative center, Ankara has risen quickly from its small complement of 30,000 at the beginning of the 20th century to become the hip young international center of Anatolia. HAPPYCAR is here to help you find the best car hire Ankara has to offer so you can take full advantage of this vibrant city. We check the prices of international and local providers so that you don’t have to check each website to provide you with the best deals to make your money go further on a rental car that fits your specific vacation needs.
General Information
Ankara’s history spans back over three millennia, enjoying various cultural peaks and troughs until Atatürk won victory and made it the official capital of Turkey. Since then, the population has swelled to 4.5 million, and while not as flashy as its sister city Istanbul, Ankara has a lot to offer the prospective visitor, and with a car hire in Ankara, you are guaranteed to make the most of your time. The cosmopolitan nature of Ankara becomes apparent when you search for a native Ankarali – the population is a melting pot from all over Turkey, so the nightlife is lively and the conversations intellectual.
To Do
In the popular Ulus tourist quarter you can find some beautiful, imposing landmarks such as the Lion's Den Mosque, the Yeni Mosque and the ancient Column of Julian. For the best views of the city, head to Cankaya and climb to the top of the Atakule Tower. There are several notable museums to be found within Ankara, showcasing the city's rich Ottoman history and the founder of the Republic of Turkey. The award-winning Museum of Anatolian Civilizations should certainly feature at the top of any sightseeing itinerary, along with the Ankara Ethnography Museum.
Attractions
Ankara has a lot to offer as Turkey’s capital. The city's Citadel Walls go back over a millennium and feature a mixture of different architectural styles through the ages. Roman Baths of Ankara are also a big draw for visitors, and remain is a good state of repair considering that they are more than 1,700 years old. Sitting on a hill overlooking the Anittepe quarter, the Anitkabir hosts the mausoleum of Atatürk, perfectly accessible with an Ankara car rental. The Atatürk Mausoleum is another popular sight, while for families, the Atatürk Forest Farm and Zoo and Aquapark Club Watercity comes highly recommended.
Eating
Ankara is known for its döner kebab, and a trip to the capital wouldn’t be complete without a visit to one of its many quality döner restaurants. Though nowhere near the ocean, perhaps Ankara’s best dining comes in its seafood, with various types of fish restaurants to compare. Raki is a favorite fish in Ankara and deserves a try. Owing to its diverse population, Ankara also offers a wide array of restaurants for various regions within Turkey, and you can find any sort of Turkish food you can think of here. Of course the cafes abound and there is nothing better than whittling away the hours with a cup of cay, Turkish coffee, with some good company.
Excursions
If you are planning to head outside of Ankara for day trips, you will be pleased to find a wide range of appealing Turkish delights within easy reach of the city. For the historical hit, take a car rental Ankara to the traditional town of Beypazari or the beautiful ancient city of Antalya, standing proudly alongside the Mediterranean coastline and overflowing with characterful mosques. For something very different, be sure to take a car hire in Ankara and check out the unique, moon-like rock formations of Cappadocia. The allure of Istanbul is quite undeniable, and though it is 350 kilometers to the northwest it certainly deserves a longer excursion. If you really want to make it a road trip, you can drive to the west to visit Greece or take the slightly longer but well worth trip to Bulgaria.