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 souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Angora Wool / Mohair Products
Ankara (Angora) gives its name to the legendary Angora wool from Angora goats. Scarves, shawls, and jumpers in mohair are the city's most distinctive souvenir.
Price: 200–2000 TRY (~$6–61 USD)
Where: Çıkrıkçılar Yokuşu market street and specialty shops in Ulus
Hand-Woven Carpets and Kilims
Central Anatolia is a major Turkish carpet-weaving region. Authentic hand-knotted wool carpets and flat-weave kilims available in the Citadel bazaar.
Price: 500–50,000+ TRY (~$15–1500+)
Where: Ankara Citadel Bazaar, İçkale area
Copper and Brassware
Traditional hand-hammered copper trays, coffee sets, and decorative items are Ankara specialties. The craft dates to the city's Ottoman trading heritage.
Price: 100–1500 TRY (~$3–45 USD)
Where: Ankara Citadel Bazaar and Ulus area shops
Evil Eye Amulet (Nazar Boncuğu)
Blue glass evil eye pendants are Turkey's most iconic souvenir. Widely available in all sizes from small pendants to large wall decorations.
Price: 10–200 TRY (~$0.30–6 USD)
Where: Citadel bazaar, Hamamönü shops, and tourist areas throughout the city
Pistachio Baklava
Quality Turkish baklava made with pistachios or walnuts in sweet syrup. Available from reputable pastane (pastry shops) and vacuum-packed for travel.
Price: 200–500 TRY (~$6–15 USD) per kilo
Where: Güllüoğlu (multiple Ankara locations), Çiçek Pastanesi (Atatürk Bulvarı No:126, Kızılay)
Turkish Tea and Coffee
Quality Turkish black tea (çay) and ground Turkish coffee make excellent gifts. Available in attractive packaging at supermarkets, bazaars, and specialty food shops.
Price: 50–300 TRY (~$1.50–9 USD)
Where: Kahve Dünyası (Kızılay), supermarkets, and Hamamönü artisan shops
Turkish Ceramics
Hand-painted Iznik-style ceramic plates, bowls, and tiles are widely available. Quality ranges widely — look for hand-painted over printed designs.
Price: 100–1000 TRY (~$3–30 USD)
Where: Hamamönü boutiques and Citadel bazaar
Silver Jewellery
Beypazarı (100 km northwest) is famous for its silver jewellery workshops. Day-trip visitors can bring back high-quality filigree silver pieces at factory prices.
Price: 200–3000 TRY (~$6–91 USD)
Where: Beypazarı town (day trip) or Hamamönü boutiques
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Ankara Citadel Bazaar
Inside and around the Ankara Citadel walls, a cluster of small shops sells carpets, kilims, copper goods, silver jewellery, ceramics, evil eye amulets, traditional clothing, and antiques. Bargaining expected.
Where: İçkale, Altındağ, Ankara
Hours: 09:00–19:00 daily
Çıkrıkçılar Yokuşu (Weavers' Hill)
A historic market street below the Citadel selling fabrics, textiles, traditional clothing, and haberdashery wholesale. Ankara's angora wool tradition is most evident here.
Where: Çıkrıkçılar Yokuşu, Ulus, Ankara
Hours: 08:00–19:00 Monday–Saturday
Hamamönü Artisan Shops
The restored Ottoman neighbourhood has boutique shops selling handmade jewellery, local ceramics, artisan food products, natural soaps, and Turkish tea. Prices are fixed and quality is curated.
Where: Hamamönü Sk., Altındağ, Ankara
Hours: 09:00–20:00 daily
Pazar (Weekly Neighbourhood Markets)
Every district of Ankara holds a weekly open-air market (pazar) selling fresh vegetables, cheese, olives, pickles, bread, and local produce. Excellent for authentic local shopping.
Where: City-wide; Çankaya pazar on Saturday, Kızılay area on Thursday
Hours: 08:00–14:00 on market day
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Kızılay Commercial District
The main commercial artery of modern Ankara with a mix of Turkish fashion chains, electronics, bookshops, and department stores. Ziya Gökalp and Karanfil streets are packed with mid-range clothing brands.
Best for: Clothing, Electronics, Everyday goods, Bookshops
Ankara Citadel Bazaar
Inside and around the Ankara Citadel walls, a cluster of small shops sells carpets, kilims, copper goods, silver jewellery, ceramics, evil eye amulets, traditional clothing, and antiques. Bargaining expected. Authentic atmosphere.
Best for: Carpets and kilims, Copper craft, Silver jewellery, Ceramics, Souvenirs, Antiques
Hamamönü Artisan Shops
The restored Ottoman neighbourhood has boutique shops selling handmade jewellery, local ceramics, artisan food products, natural soaps, olive oil, and Turkish tea. Prices are fixed and quality is curated.
Best for: Artisan gifts, Handmade jewellery, Local foods and tea, Ceramics
Armada Shopping Mall
One of Ankara's largest malls with 200+ stores, a cinema, food court, and hypermarket. Easily reached from the AŞTİ metro station. Major Turkish and international brands present.
Best for: Fashion, Electronics, Entertainment, Grocery, International brands
Koru Shopping Mall
Premium mall in the affluent southern suburbs with luxury brands, an international food hall, and Migros hypermarket. Frequented by Ankara's diplomatic and professional community.
Best for: Luxury fashion, International brands, Premium food hall
Karum Mall
Boutique-style mall in the heart of Kavaklıdere, with mid-to-upscale Turkish fashion, homeware, and a well-stocked supermarket. Conveniently located near major hotels.
Best for: Turkish fashion brands, Homeware, Supermarket, Convenience
Çıkrıkçılar Yokuşu (Weavers' Hill)
A historic market street below the Citadel selling fabrics, textiles, traditional clothing, and haberdashery wholesale. This is where Ankara's angora wool tradition is most evident — mohair and wool products at factory prices.
Best for: Angora/mohair wool, Fabrics, Traditional clothing, Wholesale textiles
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Armada Shopping Centre
Large mall in southern Çankaya with international and Turkish fashion brands, a cinema multiplex, food court, and supermarket. Reached by M2 metro to Söğütözü station.
Hours: 10:00–22:00 daily
Ankamall
One of Ankara's largest malls on the western side of the city. Over 300 shops, an IMAX cinema, and a large food court. Accessible by M3 metro (Atatürk Orman Çiftliği station).
Hours: 10:00–22:00 daily
Galleria Ankara
Upscale mall in Çankaya serving the embassy district. Boutique brands, a gourmet supermarket, and high-end cafés. Walking distance from major Çankaya hotels.
Hours: 10:00–22:00 daily
Bilkent Center
Mall attached to Bilkent University campus in western Ankara, near Ankara City Hospital. Popular with students and hospital visitors.
Hours: 10:00–22:00 daily