Hattusa, near the village of Boğazkale in Çorum Province, was the capital of the Bronze Age Hittite Empire and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 1986. The sprawling ruins spread over a hillside of monumental city walls, the Lion Gate, the Sphinx Gate and the rock sanctuary of Yazılıkaya with its carved relief processions of gods. It is a long but rewarding full-day archaeological excursion best done by car, ideally paired with the nearby Hittite site of Alacahöyük.
Hattusa, near the village of Boğazkale in Çorum Province, was the capital of the Bronze Age Hittite Empire and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 1986. Located about 180 km southwest of Amasya, the site is best reached by private car in approximately 2.5 to 3 hours via Çorum city and Sungurlu. The ruins spread across a hillside and valley covering several square kilometres and demand at least three to four hours of walking to explore properly, making this a long but highly rewarding full-day excursion. The main archaeological zone includes the Great Temple of the Storm God in the lower city, the royal citadel of Büyükkale, and the monumental Lion Gate and Sphinx Gate set in the massive Hittite upper-city walls. One kilometre from the main site, the open-air rock sanctuary of Yazılıkaya is cut into natural limestone outcrops and decorated with one of the finest surviving Hittite relief processions — parallel parades of dozens of deities carved in profile that reward close study. A small site museum at the entrance provides period context and displays recovered artefacts. The nearby Boğazkale village has a few simple restaurants for lunch. Combining Hattusa with the Bronze Age mound of Alacahöyük, about 25 km to the north, is possible but makes for a demanding day. Visitors without a car can take a coach to Çorum, connect to a bus or shared taxi to Sungurlu, and then hire a taxi for the final 30 km to Boğazkale — though the logistics reduce time at the site considerably. A private guided tour from Amasya through a local agency is the most practical public-transport alternative.
How to get there
- Car: Amasya to Çorum, then Sungurlu and Boğazkale (about 2.5-3 hours)
- Bus + taxi: coach to Çorum, bus to Sungurlu (about 1 hour), then taxi to Boğazkale (30 km)
- Private guided day tour from Amasya through a local agency
- Combine with Alacahöyük Hittite site nearby (about 25 km from Boğazkale)
Location
Hattuşa Ören Yeri, Boğazkale, 19400 Çorum, Turkey
40.0194, 34.6153 View on map
Highlights
- Lion Gate and Sphinx Gate: massive ceremonial Hittite gates set in the monumental upper-city walls
- Yazılıkaya rock sanctuary: open-air gallery of Hittite deity reliefs carved into natural limestone
- Büyükkale citadel: royal palace compound with panoramic views over the Hittite city
- Great Temple of the Storm God with visible storage chambers in the lower city
- UNESCO World Heritage Site (1986) — capital of the Bronze Age Hittite Empire
Tips for visiting
- A private car is strongly recommended; public transport requires three changes and leaves little time at the site
- Allow at least 4 hours on site to cover both the main ruins and Yazılıkaya, which are 1 km apart
- Wear sturdy shoes — the upper-city circuit involves uneven rocky terrain and steep paths
- Arrive when the site opens (around 08:00) to explore before tour-group arrivals around 10:30
- The Turkish Museum Card covers entry to both Hattusa and the Çorum Museum on the return drive
- No vendors inside the site; carry water and snacks or eat in Boğazkale village before entering
When to visit
April to June and September to October offer the most comfortable walking temperatures on the exposed hillside ruins. Summer visits are feasible but the upper city becomes very hot between 11:00 and 15:00.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Hattusa from Amasya without a car?
Take a coach to Çorum (about 1.5 hours), then a bus to Sungurlu (about 1 hour), and finally a taxi the final 30 km to Boğazkale. A private guided day tour booked through a local Amasya agency is the more practical option for most visitors.
How long does it take to explore Hattusa?
A thorough visit to both the main archaeological zone and the Yazılıkaya rock sanctuary takes at least 3 to 4 hours on foot. The two areas are about 1 km apart and each warrants an hour or more.
Is Hattusa suitable for children?
The site is open and requires walking on uneven rock surfaces, which suits older children and teenagers well. The dramatic Lion Gate and the carved deity processions at Yazılıkaya tend to capture younger visitors' interest.
Can Hattusa and the Çorum Museum be combined in one day from Amasya?
Yes, comfortably by private car. Leave Amasya before 08:00, spend three to four hours at Hattusa, then stop at the Çorum Museum on the return drive for about one hour. Allow time for a simple lunch in Boğazkale village.
Is there an entry fee for Hattusa?
Yes, a standard Turkish archaeological site fee applies. The Turkish Museum Card covers admission to both Hattusa and the Çorum Museum, making it worth purchasing if visiting multiple sites in the region.