Visa Information

To enter Turkey, you are required to have a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date you travel to Turkey. In addition, nationals from some countries require a visa to enter Turkey. Depending on your country of origin, you may purchase a visa stamp at the point of entry, or you must apply for the visa before arriving in Turkey. For information on whether you require a visa to enter Turkey, visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Ankara

Ankara is Turkey’s young and vibrant capital city, located in the heart of the Anatolian region. Ankara has been the crossroads of many civilizations, dating back to the Bronze Age and was declared as the capital of the Turkish Republic by Ataturk in 1923. The name Ankara comes from the word ‘Ancyra’ which means ‘anchor’. The city, located on the High Anatolian plain, is the hub of governmental activities for all of Turkey and, as host to embassies and a variety of international organizations, is a gateway to the rest of the world.

Now, Ankara is the capital city of Turkey and the second largest city in the country after Istanbul.. The population is around 3.5 million. Ankara is the administrative center of Turkey and a huge university town such that most of its inhabitants consist of civil servants, students and academics.

Places to Visit

• Anitkabir

  It is situated on an imposing hill in the Anittepe quarter of the city is the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, completed in 1953. A museum nearby displays a large collection of Atatürk memorabilia and paraphernalia. (Open daily, But museum open daily except Mondays)

• Museum of Anatolian Civilizations

  (Anadolu Medeniyetleri Müzesi)
  Display of artifacts remained from Asia Minor/Anatolian civilizations. Oldest artifacts in display date back to Paleolithic. This museum is one of the best in Turkey and it makes Ankara worthwhile to visit.

• Rahmi Koç Museum

  Display the technological progress from 1850s onwards is on display in this museum housed in an old Ottoman caravanserai.

Turkish Cuisine

It is said that three major kinds of cuisine exist in the world; Turkish, Chinese, and French. Fully justifying its reputation, Turkish Cuisine is always a pleasant surprise for the visitor. Pieces of lamb threaded on a skewer and grilled over charcoal form the famous “Sis kebab”, now known in many countries of the world. “Doner kebab” is another famous Turkish dish, being a roll of lamb on a vertical skewer turning parallel to a hot grill. You should also try “Alinazik”, “Saç kavurma” and different types of “Kofte” as typical meat dishes Mezes are “Hors d’oeuvres” or appetizers figuring mainly at meals accompanied by wine or raki . Eaten sparingly, they arouse the appetite before the meal proper.Turkish sweets are famous throughout the world and many of these have milk as the basic ingredient such as “sütlac”, “tavuk gögsü”, “kazandibi”, “helva”, “asure”, but the best-known are “baklava” “kunefe” and “kadayif” pastries.

Currency Exchange

Credit/bank cards may be used at ATMs at the airport or in the city to get Turkish Liras (TL). The international arrivals area has currency exchange offices and bank branches. The best exchange rates are found in banks and currency exchange offices in the city center.

Electricity

Electricity in Turkey operates on 220 volts, 50 Hz, with round-prong European-style plugs that fit into recessed wall sockets/points. If your device does not accept 230 volts, 50 Hz you will need a voltage converter and if your appliance plug has a different shape, you will need a plug adapter.

Weather

The climate in Ankara is continental. The weather in May has an average high of 25°C and an average low of 12°C

Dialing Codes

International country code: +90 (Turkey)
Ankara Area Code: 312
Local phone numbers have 7 digits.