Ankara is the capital of Turkey and the country's second-largest city, home to around 5.8 million people in the metropolitan area. Founded as the Republic's capital in 1923 by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Ankara replaced Istanbul as the seat of government and grew rapidly throughout the 20th century. The city blends its ancient Hittite and Roman heritage with modernist Republican architecture and a vibrant contemporary urban scene. Anıtkabir — Atatürk's mausoleum — is the defining landmark, while the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations ranks among the world's finest archaeological collections. Ankara sits on the central Anatolian plateau at roughly 850 metres above sea level, giving it a continental climate with hot dry summers and cold snowy winters.
Best photo spots
Iconic and lesser-known locations worth shooting.
Anıtkabir at Dawn
The monumental mausoleum glows in morning golden light. The Lion Road approach provides strong geometric leading lines. Arrive at opening (09:00) for best light and fewest visitors.
Best time: 30 minutes after sunrise
Tip: Wide angle for the Lion Road; telephoto for carved details.
Ankara Citadel Ramparts — Sunset
Best panoramic view in Ankara: the modern skyline to the south and Kocatepe Mosque minarets silhouetted against the orange sky. Explore the lanes for candid street photography.
Best time: 45 minutes before sunset
Tip: Wide angle for panorama; 50–85mm for street scenes within the citadel.
Hamamönü Lanes
Narrow cobblestone lanes with red-tiled stone houses, wooden balconies, and colourful window boxes. Morning before shops open for quiet street photography; afternoon light warms west-facing lanes.
Best time: 09:00–11:00 for quiet lanes; 15:00–17:00 for warm afternoon light
Tip: 35mm for street; 85mm for compressed alley shots.
Temple of Augustus — Morning Light
Roman temple columns in soft morning light contrast warm stone with carved-surface shadows. Adjacent Hacı Bayram Mosque provides striking architectural contrast for split-frame compositions.
Best time: 08:30–10:00
Tip: 50mm or 85mm for columns; wide angle for columns-plus-mosque composite. Low angle excludes background clutter.
Museum of Anatolian Civilizations — Hittite Hall
The 15th-century caravanserai interior with a magnificent domed ceiling is as compelling as the exhibits. Hittite lion gate sculptures and orthostat reliefs reward close-up photography.
Best time: Opening time (08:30) for empty halls
Tip: Wide angle for the domed ceiling; 50–85mm for artefact detail; high ISO essential. Shoot in RAW.
Eymir Lake — Blue Hour
Mirror-clear reflections of pine forest and sky at dawn and dusk. Blue hour before sunrise produces the most atmospheric mist conditions. Herons and grebes visible from the shoreline.
Best time: 20 minutes before sunrise or after sunset
Tip: Bring a tripod for long exposures. Spring mornings often produce mist on the water.
Gordion Tumulus Field
Open steppe landscape dotted with giant Phrygian burial mounds — surreal and otherworldly. The Great Tumulus rises 53 metres from flat farmland.
Best time: Sunrise or sunset (golden hour)
Tip: Shoot from the western side in late afternoon for side-lit texture. Include farmland for scale.
Kızılay at Night
Neon signage, tram lights, and the illuminated Kocatepe Mosque backdrop. Atatürk Bulvarı provides excellent light-trail photography from the central reservation.
Best time: 20:00–22:00
Tip: Tripod for light trails; 24–70mm for street life. Metro entrance at Kızılay has dramatic underground lighting.
By subject
Match your shooting interest to Ankara's strengths.
Architecture photography
Street photography photography
Nature landscape photography
Museum interiors photography
Panoramic cityscape photography
Ancient ruins photography
Best times to shoot
Light, weather, and seasonal considerations.
- Golden Hour Morning
- Varies by season: May sunrise ~05:30, December sunrise ~07:30. Anıtkabir and Eymir Lake are priority morning locations.
- Golden Hour Evening
- Varies by season: May sunset ~20:15, December sunset ~17:15. Citadel ramparts and Gordion for evening golden light.
- Blue Hour
- 20–30 minutes before sunrise or after sunset. Eymir Lake reflections and Kızılay city lights at their best.
- Midday
- Avoid harsh midday light (11:00–15:00) for most outdoor photography in summer. Museum interiors are ideal at this time.
- Night
- 20:00–22:00. Kızılay, Atatürk Bulvarı light trails, and Kocatepe Mosque illumination.
Photography tips
Make your shots stand out.
Shoot during golden hour (1 hour after sunrise, 1 hour before sunset) for warm, directional light.
Always ask permission before photographing people, especially in religious or cultural contexts.
Carry spare batteries and storage — opportunities for great shots appear unexpectedly.