Ankara lies approximately 215 km north of Aksaray via the O-21/D750 motorway, reachable in about 2.5 hours by car or approximately 3 hours by intercity coach. The centrepiece of this day trip is the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations (Anadolu Medeniyetleri Müzesi), located in the Ulus district of Ankara within a restored 15th-century Ottoman bedesten. The museum houses the world's most comprehensive collection of artefacts from Anatolia's prehistoric, Chalcolithic, Bronze Age, Hittite, Phrygian, Urartian, and Lydian periods, including the largest single collection of Hittite art outside the Hittite heartland itself. Notable pieces include the Standards of Alacahöyük — gold and silver sun discs and stag figures from royal Bronze Age tombs — the Hittite laws tablet, colossal lion gate reconstructions, and Çatalhöyük wall paintings among the oldest known examples of settlement art. A visit requires 3 to 4 hours to do justice to the main galleries. Visitors travelling from Aksaray should depart by 07:00 by car or on the first coach from Aksaray Otogar (departures from approximately 06:00) to allow museum arrival by 10:00 when the site opens. The Ulus neighbourhood around the museum contains Ottoman-era han buildings and the Ankara Kalesi (city castle) a short walk uphill, adding an hour to the itinerary. Lunch is well catered in Ulus with a cluster of traditional meyhane and lokanta restaurants below the castle. Return coaches to Aksaray depart from Ankara AŞTİ bus terminal, accessible by Ankaray metro from Maltepe station. Museum Pass Turkey covers entry; without it, admission is approximately ₺200-250.
How to get there
- Car: D750 north / O-21 motorway to Ankara; approx 2.5h
- Bus: Aksaray Otogar → Ankara AŞTİ (₺350-550; frequent; approx 3h)
Location
Anadolu Medeniyetleri Müzesi, Gözcü Sk. No:2, 06240 Ulus/Ankara, Turkey
39.9401, 32.8607 View on map
Highlights
- Museum of Anatolian Civilizations: world's finest collection of Hittite, Phrygian, and Bronze Age Anatolian artefacts
- Standards of Alacahöyük: gold and silver sun discs and stag figures from 3rd-millennium BCE royal tombs
- Çatalhöyük wall paintings: among the oldest known examples of representational human art, displayed in context
- Ottoman bedesten building housing the collection — a double attraction of historic architecture and world-class content
- Ankara Kalesi (city castle): 7th-century Byzantine and Ottoman ramparts with views over the capital, a short walk from the museum
Tips for visiting
- Depart Aksaray by 07:00 by car or take the earliest coach (approximately 06:00 from Aksaray Otogar) to reach Ankara by 09:30-10:00 when the museum opens
- The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations is closed on Mondays — check the day of the week before making the long drive
- Museum Pass Turkey is valid here; without it, admission is approximately ₺200-250 — the pass pays for itself quickly when visiting multiple Turkish museums
- Parking near the museum in Ulus is limited; arriving by coach and using the Ankaray metro (Maltepe stop for AŞTİ on the return) is the more comfortable option
- Allow 3-4 hours inside the museum; the Hittite and Bronze Age halls alone warrant 2 hours — do not rush them
When to visit
Year-round, Tuesday to Sunday. Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) offer the most pleasant Ankara weather for combining the museum with outdoor sights. Arriving at opening time (09:00) allows the galleries to be enjoyed before midday coach groups from Cappadocia arrive.
Accessibility
The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations is wheelchair accessible via a ground-floor entrance ramp and the main gallery floor is level. The Ottoman bedesten inner courtyard is paved. Ankara Kalesi involves steep cobbled streets and is not wheelchair accessible. The Ankaray metro system has elevators at most central stations.
Frequently asked questions
Is a car necessary for this day trip?
No. Intercity coaches from Aksaray Otogar to Ankara AŞTİ run frequently, with multiple companies (Metro Turizm, Ulusoy) offering departures from approximately 06:00. The journey is about 3 hours and costs ₺350-550 one-way.
Is entry to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations covered by the Museum Pass Turkey?
Yes. The Museum Pass Turkey is valid for entry. The pass can be purchased at the museum entrance or online before visiting.
How much time should be allocated for the full day trip?
Allow 2.5 hours travel each way by car (3 hours by coach), plus 3-4 hours in the museum, plus 1-2 hours for Ulus and Ankara Kalesi. A 06:00-07:00 departure from Aksaray and a 19:00-20:00 return is a realistic framework.
What is the museum's weekly closing day?
The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations is closed on Mondays. It is open Tuesday to Sunday. Arriving on a non-Monday is essential given the long travel distance from Aksaray.
Are there other sights worth combining with the museum in Ankara?
Yes. Ankara Kalesi (city castle) is a 10-minute walk uphill from the museum. Anıtkabir (Atatürk's mausoleum) is accessible by metro or taxi and adds 1.5-2 hours if time permits.