These Instagrammers Have Captured Ankara's Spirit Perfectly

With its many monuments, lively neighborhoods, and parks, a great way to see Ankara is through the eyes of locals whose Instagram accounts show the city from all its angles, capturing the changing seasons. Here are some of our favorites.

Kuğulu Park in Tunalı is one of the best places to read a book and look out over the small man-made lake.

https://instagram.com/p/BSGwfNjFcfe/

When the weather is rainy and gray, the colors of Ankara’s houses, as well as the mosque minarets, contrast beautifully.

Ankara’s simit sellers are famous for carrying the sesame covered pastries on their heads for hours.

https://instagram.com/p/BJxH8nAhAbB/

In the spring the city’s parks are full of blooming flowers that sometimes obstruct the view (of Atakule).

https://instagram.com/p/BPAkuwWgES7/

The Ankara Castle looks out over Ankara’s old city, where renovated Ottoman style houses speak of the past.

https://instagram.com/p/BPVfxQFhTRX/

Just like Istanbul, Ankara’s adorable cats can be found all over the city, looking like they own the place!

https://instagram.com/p/BOPtyyPB9UI/

The stunning Victory Monument in Ulus Square was designed by Austrian sculptor Heinrich Krippel in 1927.

https://instagram.com/p/BQdNWUalhAu/

The beautiful Güven Anıtı in Güvenpark was created by Austrian sculptors Anton Hanak and Joseph Thorak in 1935.

https://instagram.com/p/BF3ntsnLt7f/

Looking out over the snow covered trees, Anıtkabir (the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk) is even more striking.

https://instagram.com/p/BBhboeYLau2/

The Kızılay neighborhood is always lively, especially when there’s a celebration on the streets.

https://instagram.com/p/BSJLpmFBUFI/

When the New Year rolls around the whole city is decorated with lights that stand out in the snow.

https://instagram.com/p/BOr3PZfABuw/

Ankara’s Gençlik Parkı (Youth Park) has been around since 1943, it’s a nostalgic place for many locals.

https://instagram.com/p/BRLujusAU4i/

In the winter, the city’s many trees turn completely white as they carry the weight of the season’s heavy snowfalls.

https://instagram.com/p/BO4HQoWgyU5/

Ankara is full of romance when there’s a beautiful sunset over the city.

https://instagram.com/p/BNRO4uzgQhA/

One of the city’s many striking architectural features, the İş Bankası building in Ulus was built in 1929 by Giulio Mongeri.

https://instagram.com/p/BLOg_OcA45z/

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.