Hattusas day trip from Ankara: Hittite ruins & Yazılıkaya

Yazılıkaya's stone reliefs catch the morning light before you reach the main ruins.

This day trip from Ankara takes you to Hattusas, the capital of the Hittite Empire, with a live guide in your choice of language and stops at both the main archaeological site and the open-air temple at Yazılıkaya 2 km away. The itinerary visits Yazılıkaya first, timed so the sunlight hits the carved reliefs directly, then moves to Hattusas in the afternoon to walk the Lion's Gate, King's Gate, Citadel and Grand Temple. Transport, lunch, water and snacks are included. The full day runs 11 hours from Ankara.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Hattusas and Yazılıkaya Sanctuary

• Depart from Ankara in morning
• Drive to Yazılıkaya open-air sanctuary
• See bas-reliefs in sunlight
• Visit Hattusas ancient capital ruins
• Explore Lion’s Gate and tunnel
• See King’s Gate and Citadel
• Visit Grand Temple
• Return to Ankara

The experience

Hattusas sits within the Boğazköy-Alacahöyük National Park, built around 1600 BC after the destruction of an earlier settlement. The site holds the town's walls and gates, palace, archives and temples: layers of habitation that stretch back to the Paleolithic Age, with the oldest Hittite writing found here dating to 1800 BC. The tour moves through these structures methodically: the Lion's Gate and tunnel first, then the King's Gate, the Citadel and the Grand Temple. A guide fluent in your chosen language walks you through each stop and explains what you're standing in front of.

Yazılıkaya comes first in the day, before Hattusas, because the timing matters. The rock shrine sits in two natural chambers carved with reliefs of Hittite gods, goddesses and the Grand King Tudhalie IV: the first known open-air temple in Anatolia. The guide times the visit so sunlight falls directly on the bas-reliefs and makes the carved figures legible. After that, you return to the vehicle for lunch and the drive to the main ruins.

An air-conditioned minibus handles the meandering drive from Ankara, and the operator includes bottled water, soda and a meal. Parking fees and fuel are covered. The day is long, 11 hours total, but the route is built around two distinct sites rather than a single sprawl, which gives the morning and afternoon a different rhythm.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned transport from Ankara.
• a live guide in your chosen language.
• lunch.
• bottled water and soft drinks.
• parking fees and fuel surcharge.

Options for this experience

2 options

Prime LanguagesGuide in 4 languages · No fixed timeThis tour is available for purchase in English, German, French and Turkish. Please see other language options. Pickup is included.

Other LanguagesGuide in 6 languages · No fixed timeAvailable for purchase in Spanish, Italian, Russian, Greek, Chinese (Traditional), Japanese, Arabic and other languages. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian and Turkish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Deren Koray Tourism

Is this one for you?The 11-hour day suits travelers who want both sites (Yazılıkaya's reliefs and Hattusas's gates and temples) without splitting them across two separate trips. The morning timing at Yazılıkaya means you see the carved figures in direct sunlight, which is the only way to read them clearly.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Arabic, Russian, Chinese, Japanese and Turkish.

What is Hattusas and why does it matter archaeologically?

Hattusas was the capital of the Hittite Empire, one of the two largest civilizations of its age. The city was founded around 1600 BC and contains the oldest known Hittite writing, dated to 1800 BC. Excavations show continuous settlement from the Paleolithic Age through the Old Bronze Age, with the town's walls, gates, palace, archives and temples still standing today.

Why does the tour visit Yazılıkaya before the main ruins?

Yazılıkaya is an open-air temple 2 km from Hattusas, carved with reliefs of Hittite gods and the Grand King Tudhalie IV. The guide times your arrival so sunlight shines directly on the bas-reliefs, making the carved figures visible and detailed. After Yazılıkaya, you move to Hattusas for the afternoon portion of the day.

What sites do you visit inside Hattusas itself?

The tour includes the Lion's Gate, a tunnel, the King's Gate, the Citadel and the Grand Temple. Each is a distinct structure within the ancient capital, and the guide explains the layout and history of each as you walk through them.

Is lunch included, and what about water and refreshments during the day?

Yes, lunch is included in the tour price, along with bottled water and soda. The air-conditioned vehicle provides a comfortable base between sites, and the guide manages the pacing to include a proper meal break.