Private Ankara tour: Citadel, Museum, Mausoleum with guide

Artifacts from the first known human settlement sit inside a museum built into Ankara's oldest quarter.

A private half-day tour of Ankara with a live guide in English, German or Turkish, visiting the Citadel of Ankara, Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Aslanhane Mosque and Ataturk Mausoleum. Hotel pickup is included. Admission to the attractions is not. The tour is customizable, and children from age 4 are welcome. Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Ankara Castle30m · entry included
2. Museum of Anatolian Civilizations1h 30m · entry included
3. Aslanhane Mosque20m
4. Ataturk Mausoleum1h 30m · entry included

Explore Ankara's historic landmarks

• Visit the Citadel of Ankara
• Tour the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
• See the Aslanhane Mosque
• Explore the Ataturk Mausoleum

The experience

The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations anchors this tour, its collection beginning with artifacts from Çatalhöyük (often called the first known human community in the world), and moving through the Hittite, Phrygian and Urartian periods. Your guide walks you through tablets whose translations show how little has changed in human concerns over millennia. The museum sits inside the old quarter near the Citadel of Ankara, which commands the city from a hilltop built by the Hittites or Phrygians before 2000 BC, with residents still living in largely unchanged ways from 600 years ago.

The tour also includes the Aslanhane Mosque, a 13th-century Seljuk structure famous for intricately carved wooden columns and ceiling that have survived over 700 years. It is one of the rare UNESCO-listed mosques that preserves its original form. You'll visit the Ataturk Mausoleum, completed in 1953 and decorated with contributions from numerous Turkish artists, overlooking the city where Atatürk, founder of the Turkish Republic, was buried that same year. Hotel pickup and drop-off are arranged. Bottled water is provided throughout. The tour runs roughly four hours and can be customized before you book. Contact the operator to adjust the itinerary to your interests.

What’s included

• Bottled water throughout the tour.
• hotel pickup and drop-off from your Ankara accommodation.
• a live guide in English, German or Turkish.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private tour of Ankara lasting half a dayGuide in English, German or Turkish · 09:00Includes pickup

Customized TourGuide in English, German or Turkish · 09:00Tailor your tour to your liking: we can personalize your experience, so please contact us before the tour. 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 dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (9 to 66 years) · Child (4 to 8 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, German and Turkish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.You can choose from 30 pickup points.

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

Paid on siteUS$ 13.53

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Hakan

Is this one for you?Book the customizable option if you want to choose which sites to visit and set your own pace. The standard half-day tour covers the main four sites in a fixed sequence.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, German and Turkish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 8 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What artifacts will I see at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations?

The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations displays pieces from Çatalhöyük and the Neolithic, Stone Age, Hittite, Phrygian and Urartian periods, with particular emphasis on tablets whose translations reveal continuities in human life across thousands of years.

How old is the Citadel of Ankara?

The Citadel was built by the Hittites or Phrygians and is the oldest area of the city, with evidence of habitation prior to 2000 BC. Residents have lived there largely unchanged for the past 600 years.

What is special about the Aslanhane Mosque?

Aslanhane Mosque dates to the 13th century and is a masterpiece of Seljuk architecture, known for its intricately carved wooden columns and ceiling. It is one of the rare UNESCO-listed mosques that still preserves its original structure after over 700 years.

Is hotel pickup included in this tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off from specific hotels in Ankara are included in the tour price.

Can I customize the itinerary?

Yes, the tour is customizable. You should contact the operator before booking to adjust the stops and focus to match your interests.