13 Great Weekend Destinations Close to Ankara
If you live in Ankara, it means that you need to meet with some greenery on the weekend and find peace by the sea. Because every Ankara resident has at least once complained about the lack of places to visit in Ankara. In fact, there are many beautiful routes to visit around Ankara. Of course you know many of them, but we have compiled 10 amazing week routes close to Ankara for you so that you can be aware of them all and discover a new place next week!
Photo: Yedigöller
1- Abant
The short distance of 227 km between Ankara and Bolu makes Abant indispensable for Ankara residents on weekends. Especially if you want to meet with nature and start the day with an exquisite lake view, you can also spend a weekend in Abant.
What to do in Abant?
Although Abant is a small place, it promises countless activities to its visitors. You can start the day with a pleasant breakfast at the lakeside restaurants. Another option for breakfast is a picnic! You can enjoy being with your loved ones in picnic areas overlooking the lake. If you like taking nature photos, you can enjoy the photogenic view of Abant. Or you can make the sunset enjoyable with walks by the lake.
Places to Visit in Abant
Places to visit in Abant may be limited, but if you can spare enough time, you can visit Yedigöller, another beauty of Bolu, especially Gölcük.
What to Eat in Abant?
There are many trout facilities at the entrance of the National Park in Abant. You can enjoy a fishing trip in these facilities built on the banks of water streams. You can have a rich breakfast at the restaurants by the lake and enjoy both the view and the table. We recommend a place for breakfast and fish: Çamlık Restaurant!
For Abant Guide and Abant Hotels: https://www.boutiquesmallhotels.com/abant-hotels
2- Beypazari
Beypazarı, whose popularity has been increasing day by day in recent years not only for Ankara residents but also for all the provinces around it, is one of the places that those living in Ankara should see.
What to do in Beypazari?
You cannot return from Beypazari without visiting the historical Beypazari houses! You can visit the 2- or 3-story Beypazari houses, which attract attention with their wooden details, and shop in Beypazari's famous bazaar. While shopping in Beypazari, do not forget that the handicraft and copper products of the region are very popular.
Places to Visit in Beypazari
Since the distance between Beypazari and Ankara is only 98 km, the region gets a bit crowded on weekends. If you want to escape the crazy crowds, you can go up the Inözü Valley and enjoy the view. Or if you say "I want to get lost among the crowds", you can enjoy your time in the bedesten in Beypazarı Bazaar. Living Museum, Boğazkesen Kumbet and Suluhan Mosque are among the other places you can visit in Beypazarı…
What to Eat in Beypazari?
Beypazari is famous for its stew. For this reason, we say do not return from here without eating Beypazarı stew. Beypazarı dolma, Beypazarı kurusu, höşmerim and carrot lokum are among the other flavors you can try here.
Accommodation and Travel Guide: https://www.boutiquesmallhotels.com/ankara-beypazari-hotels
Photo: Wikipedia
3- Akçakoca
Akçakoca, one of the most beautiful corners of the Western Black Sea, is only 275 km from Ankara and awaits Ankara residents who want to be alone with nature.
What to do in Akçakoca?
You cannot go to Akçakoca and not return without swimming in the sea. You can dive into the cool waters and enjoy the sun on the beautiful beaches of the region. You can also explore the natural beauties of the region and add pleasure to your pleasure.
Places to Visit in Akçakoca
There are many places to visit and see in Akçakoca. Fakıllı Cave, Karaburun Beach, Aktaş Waterfall and Kurugöl Canyon are among them.
What to Eat in Akçakoca?
Since you are on the Black Sea coast, the answer to the question "What to eat in Akçakoca?" is naturally fish. You can enjoy seasonal fresh fish in the fish restaurants in the region. You can buy hazelnuts from the region where hazelnuts are also of high quality, both to eat and to take as a gift to your loved ones.
Akçakoca Accommodation: https://www.boutiquesmallhotels.com/livadi-otel
4- Goynuk
Göynük, another beautiful district of Bolu, is one of the indispensable routes close to Ankara... If you have not seen this district, which is famous for its calmness, you can give it a chance next weekend.
What to do in Goynuk?
In Göynük, you can visit beautiful mansions that are examples of civil architecture. You can go shopping in the bazaar and buy handicrafts and local products unique to Göynük.
Places to Visit in Goynuk
Despite its small surface area, Göynük offers its visitors many places to visit and see. Akşemseddin Hazretleri Tomb, Victory Tower, Monument Tree, Çınarlar Bridge, Georgian Mansion Museum and Akşemseddinoğlu Mansion are some of the places you can visit in the district…
What to Eat in Goynuk?
Famous walnut spoon stem ravioli, casserole, walnut noodles with kesli, stuffed leaves with meat, oklava baklava and tahini pita are among the flavors you can eat in Göynük... We recommend you to eat these delicious tastes at Paşazade Restaurant.
Accommodation and Travel Guidein Bolu region: https://www.boutiquesmallhotels.com/bolu-hotels
5- Kızılcahamam
As an Ankara resident, if you haven't been to Kızılcahamam yet, you are missing a lot. So, how about spending this weekend in Kızılcahamam?
What to do in Kızılcahamam?
The best activity you can do in Kızılcahamam is of course to find peace in the thermal waters! Having the best thermal waters of Turkey in terms of minerals, you can leave yourself to the healing power of water in thermal facilities serving for health seekers in Kızılcahamam.
Places to Visit in Kızılcahamam
Of course, the places you can visit in Kızılcahamam are not limited to thermal facilities! We recommend you to visit Soğuksu National Park, Alicin Monastery and Abacı Fairy Chimneys, which are among the top places to visit in Kızılcahamam.
What to Eat in Kızılcahamam?
There is no flavor specific to Kızılcahamam. But you can try the famous flavors of Ankara cuisine here. Yaşar Ustanın Evi, Sultan Köfte and Tokdoyuran are among the places where you can try Ankara flavors in Kızılcahamam.
Accommodation and Travel Guide: https://www.boutiquesmallhotels.com/kizilcahamam-hotels
6- Corum
We are sure that many Ankara residents have not visited Çorum yet. If you still haven't seen Çorum with its rich history, natural beauty and delicious cuisine, you can spend a weekend here.
What to do in Çorum?
You can wander around the ruins that shed light on history and find peace in addresses that attract attention with their natural beauty.
Places to Visit in Çorum
İncesu Canyon, Sıklık Nature Park, Çorum Clock Tower and Yazılıkaya are some of the places to visit in Çorum. Hattusa has a very special place! Don't forget to visit this historical site, which played an important role in history and was included in the UNESCO List in 1986.
What to Eat in Çorum?
Hingal ravioli, Çorum chickpeas, stuffed Iskilip and pole kebab are among the most special flavors of Çorum cuisine. Let us note that Katipler Mansion and İskilip Dolma House are waiting for those who want to try these flavors.
7- Safranbolu
If you live in Ankara and haven't seen Safranbolu yet, this beautiful town is waiting for you at the end of a 2.5 hour journey!
What to do in Safranbolu?
You can visit the most special examples of Ottoman architecture in Safranbolu, which is famous for its houses. In Cinci Han, you can order yourself a Turkish coffee made in the embers and increase the memory of Safranbolu in you for 40 years.
Places to Visit in Safranbolu
Government Mansion, also known as the City History Museum, Safranbolu houses, Cinci Han, Yemeni Bazaar Arastasi, Tokatlı Canyon and Glass Terrace are some of the places you can visit in Safranbolu... If you have enough time, you can also visit Karabük and add color to your holiday.
What to Eat in Safranbolu?
In Safranbolu, which proves its success in pastries, you cannot return without eating piruhi ravioli. The most beautiful place where ravioli is made is Safranbolu Sofrası in the old bazaar. Kuyu kebab, pilaf with saffron, simit and saffron Turkish delight are among the other flavors you should eat in Safranbolu. Imren, Zafiran and Tarihi Şekerci Dükkanı are the places where you can find the most beautiful Turkish delight for yourself and as a gift for your loved ones.
Accommodation and Travel Guide: https://www.boutiquesmallhotels.com/safranbolu-hotels
8- Konya
Another place you can visit around Ankara is Konya. You can reach the city in 3 hours by car and you can reach it in a shorter time by high speed train.
However, if having a more comfortable journey is a priority for you rather than traveling faster, or if you are traveling with a crowded group or a family with children, it would be the most rational option to set off by private car. If you do not have a car, there are numerous Ankara car rental companies you can use in the region. For this, there are sites like Enuygun where you can compare prices.
What to do in Konya?
In Konya, of course, you can visit the places where you can reach spiritual peace and follow the divine love and tolerance on the streets bearing traces of Mevlana.
Places to Visit in Konya
There are countless places you can visit and see in Konya. You need to spare a few days to visit each of them. Mevlana Museum, Karatay Madrasa, Konya Science Center, Ince Minareli Madrasa, Nasreddin Hodja Archeology and Ethnography Museum are among the places you should see in the city.
What to Eat in Konya?
In Konya, of course, first and foremost, you should eat meat bread, whose fame exceeds the borders of the country! Okra soup, oven kebab, oven kebab, sheet metal, tirit and knife knife are among the most delicious flavors of Konya cuisine. Those who want to try these flavors can choose Cemo, Bolu Lokantası, Efe Çorba and Tiritçi Mithat.
Accommodation and Travel Guide: https://www.boutiquesmallhotels.com/konya-hotels
9- Cappadocia
Cappadocia, one of the most beautiful corners left by nature to Turkey's borders, is one of the most preferred routes for short weekend vacations. Don't be late to see this beauty, 310 km from Ankara!
What to do in Cappadocia?
You can take exquisite photos among the fairy chimneys in Cappadocia. You can go down to the underground cities and forget the concept of time, and greet the sunrise by hopping into a balloon and soaring over the valleys of Cappadocia.
Places to visit in Cappadocia
Pigeon Valley, Three Beauties, Ihlara Valley, Goreme Open Air Museum, Derinkuyu Underground City and Hacı Bektaşı Veli Tomb are some of the places to visit in Cappadocia. If you have enough time, you can also visit carpet and ceramic workshops.
What to Eat in Cappadocia?
Test kebab, dried clotted cream, stuffed leaves, dolaz and köftür are some of the Cappadocia delicacies you should definitely try. Seki Restaurant, Saklı Konak and Kadıneli Restaurant are some of the best Cappadocia restaurants where you can try these flavors.
Accommodation and Travel Guide: https://www.boutiquesmallhotels.com/nevsehir-hotels
10- Kayseri
Kayseri, which is about 3 hours away from Ankara, can also be a great option for weekend vacations. Don't wait any longer to visit this Anatolian city famous for its cuisine.
What to do in Kayseri?
There are countless historical places you can visit and see in Kayseri. You can start your vacation by visiting these places. You can spend a day in Erciyes and learn the intricacies of skiing. Or you can find yourself paragliding on Mount Ali.
Places to visit in Kayseri
There is no limit to the places you should visit in Kayseri. For this reason, it is useful to allocate at least 2 days for your Kayseri vacation. Kayseri Tower, Clock Tower, Alaca Kumbet, Grand Bazaar and Kazancılar Bazaar, Gevher Nesibe Hatun Madrasah and Healing Center are just a few of the places you should visit...
What to Eat in Kayseri?
Kayseri Manti, yağlama, yağ manti, pastrami and nezine are among the most ambitious flavors of Kayseri cuisine. If you want to turn your visit to Kayseri into a gourmet experience, you can try these flavors at Çemen's Mutfak, Konak Restaurant and Kemal Koçak Meat Restaurant.
Erciyes Accommodation and Kayseri Travel Guide: https://kucukoteller.com.tr/kayseri-otelleri
Photo: hometurkey.com
11- Kastamonu
Kastamonu, which is also known for the town of Inebolu, where the Dress and Hat Revolution was held, has very few old mansions left from the Ottoman period. Unlike the houses in Kastamonu, the architecture of Inebolu is more of a mix of Greek and Italian architecture. Since the center of the city is subject to concretization, we will mostly visit and compile the surroundings of Kastamonu in this article.
In Kastamonu, which is the choice of vacationers with its snow-white cover in winter and lush green nature in summer, the operators of the hotels try to please their guests with their friendly and quality services. While walking around the bazaar, you should buy hand embroidery from local women and visit the inns and baths from the old times. You should spend at least one day in Kastamonu and take plenty of photos during your walks in the city and in nature. If you have decided to spend your holiday in Kastamonu, which lives its most beautiful times in the fall and winter seasons, you will be surprised how affordable the prices of Kastamonu boutique hotels are. For Kastamonu Accommodation and Hotel Recommendations https://kucukoteller.com.tr/kastamonu-otelleri
Places to Visit in Kastamonu?
- In Kastamonu, a city with a long history, it is possible to find many artifacts and historical ruins from the past to the present. When you enter the city, you are first greeted by the 12th century Byzantine Kastamonu Castle. The castle was restored in 2005. You can watch the whole city from the castle.
- You can visit Zımbıllı Tepe Mound(Pompeipolis). Located near Taşköprü district center, the ancient city was founded by the Romans in 64 BC as the center of Paphlagonia province. Many artifacts and mosaics were unearthed during archaeological excavations.
- You can see many mosques from the Seljuks, principalities or Ottoman period. Atabey Mosque, Mahmut Bey Mosque, Ibni Neccar Mosque, Nasrullah Mosque, Ismail Bey Complex are some of them.
- There are many historical inns in the city. You can visit places such as İsmail Bey, Camel, Urgan and Gökçeağaç Inn. You can visit Kastamonu Archeology and Ethnography Museums.
- You can visit historical Kastamonu houses, which are densely populated in districts such as Taşköprü, İnebolu and Abana, and take plenty of photos while wandering through the pages of history.
- You can visit Ilgaz and Küre Mountains National Park and Kastamonu Nature Monuments in Kastamonu, which has many regions and national parks that have been declared as urban protected areas.
- The Black Sea is famous for its plateaus. There are many plateaus in Kastamonu. You can visit these places and refresh yourself with fresh air. You can visit the caves in Pınarbaşı and Küre districts.
- You can go to Gideros Bay. With its long coastline, nature and sea, spending time in a corner of paradise will make you feel good.
- You can go to Horma Canyon. There is also a natural lake at the exit of the canyon consisting of deep lakes and waterfalls. You will be mesmerized.
- Ilıca Waterfall It took about 2 hours on the village roads between Ilıca Waterfall and Kastamonu Center, but it is worth it for that beautiful view of nature. Attention! Some parts of the road are more suitable for off road cars.
- Valla Canyon Valla Canyon in Kastamonu, which is 12 kilometers long and 1.1 kilometers deep in places and is not allowed to pass without a guide due to the risks, is shown among the deepest and most difficult canyons in the world.
- Malyas Waterfall is a place where you can swim.
What to Eat in Kastamonu
Kastamonu has been home to many civilizations and has created its own deep-rooted culture until today by taking something from almost every civilization. Kastamonu cuisine contains very rich and delicious dishes. First of all, the best quality and delicious garlic of our country is grown in Kastamonu.
The richness of Kastamonu cuisine stems from the blessings of nature. Delicious herbs, spices and meat dishes are at the forefront in Kastamonu. Almost every Sunday you can hear the smell of pastrami pita and meat bread in the bakeries. But when you come to Kastamonu, you should not return without eating kuyu kebab.
Kastamonu's local dishes include mancar dish, meat bread, sour rice, tarhana soup, fenugreek, tirit, cırık dessert, anakız soup, caba casserole, banduma, stuffed leek, keskek soup, halukça, kaygana, ecevit soup, corn muffin, spoon halva, pull halva, flour halva with molasses, hasüde. You can have the opportunity to taste many of them on your trip to Kastamonu.
Try Tirit and Banduma, two local flavors of Kastamonu, at Münire Sultan Sofrası. It is worth mentioning that the place is very shabby. You should also definitely eat döner at Naila.
Another suggestion is to have lunch or dinner at Uğurlu Konakları. They are both comfortable and serve local flavors perfectly.
12- Eskisehir
Eskişehir, which has achieved many firsts in our country, is a city worth seeing and worth living in with the Porsuk River resembling Venice, clean streets, Adalar and Doktorlar Streets that are lively at all hours of the day, Kent Park with an artificial sea for the first time in our country, Sazova Cultural Park and many other places. So what to do here?
What to do in Eskisehir?
You can go to Atlıhan Meerschaum Bazaar, Kent Park, Sazova Science and Culture Park, Haller Youth Center and Love Island.
You can visit the bazaar of Eskişehir and the shops on the old Hamam Road Street and shop. You can also spend time in big shopping centers. You can visit the campus of Anadolu University and go to the Japanese Garden.
You can go to Sivrihisar and see both the pointed rocks and Nasreddin Hodja's house. You can experience all kinds of flights and jumps at an air sports center just outside the city.
In the city famous for its hot springs, you can go to hot springs such as Sakarıılıca, Hasırca, Kızılinler, Yenisofa and spend a day full of healing and health.
When you come to Eskişehir, you can take a nice museum tour. You can see the Museum of Glass Arts, the Museum of the History of the Republic, the Air Museum, the Cartoon Museum and the Wax Museum with wax sculptures made by Metropolitan Mayor Yılmaz Büyükerşen and the first Turkish car Devrim. You can go to the historical Odunpazarı district and stroll through the streets that smell of history and visit Odunpazarı Houses.
When you come to Eskişehir, you should take a river tour with gondolas after your stroll by the Porsuk River. Afterwards, you can stroll around Adalar or Doktorlar and have a tiredness coffee in the cafes.
Where to Eat in Eskisehir?
Sempre Ristorante Italiano: A decent and quality restaurant with an amazing garden in the Eti building in the city center. The tenderloin with cafe de paris sauce was great, and although the appearance of their pizza was similar to super fresh pizza (although not successful in presentation), it was very good in flavor. They need to improve the presentation because the meats were very fancy.
I recommend Meze Restaurant for another evening, you will love the fish appetizers.
You should definitely taste the traditional food of Eskisehir, cig börek, which you can find in many places in the center. My recommendation is Crimea Çi börekçi Salonu. It is a place where we went with a lot of suggestions and has delicious cig fritters that taste like impact bread. Other recommendations are; ESKİŞEHİR ÇIBÖREK HOUSE and CAN ÇİBÖREK (near abdülselam).
Balaban kebab is also a must-eat. For balaban kebab, Abdülselam or Hüsmen on Muttalip Street are recommended. Also met halva is very famous.
For those who love Boza, Eskişehir's Boza is also great. We recommend Black Cat Bozacısı. And let's not forget #pinoeskisehir, a hamburger place unique to Eskisehir 😍
Not to forget the blind Kamilide! You can eat the best milk desserts in Mazlum, not to forget the delicious cakes and ice cream of Venice!
Where to stay in Eskisehir?
Check out https://www.boutiquesmallhotels.com/eskisehir-hotels for Eskişehir Hotels !
13- Bartın - Amasra
Bartın is our recommended route close to Ankara. Bartın is a peaceful city in the west of the Black Sea, which is just beginning to spread its fame (in fact, it would be much more beautiful if it were not famous and untouched), hiding every shade of green and blue. Even though it is in the west of the Black Sea, it reflects its atmosphere very much. It is a Black Sea city with its lush green plateaus, national parks, sea and forests.
What to Eat in Bartın?
When it comes to Bartın cuisine, we wanted to start with local dishes. Although Bartın cuisine is more dessert-oriented, it is more of a square Western Black Sea cuisine and of course, it has no small amount of experience in other subjects. Pum Pum Soup, Chicken Dumpling, Spoon Halva, Bartın Style Tirit, Egg Isbut, White Baklava, Fig Ice Cream, Wedding Halva, Upholstered Mancar, Bartın style Water Pastry, Parsley Meatballs, Sweet Dumpling, Rice Dumpling, Şap Meatballs are the flavors that are unique to this place. To list the places you can go as famous places in Bartın, Live Fish Restaurant Mustafa Uncle's Place, Marina Cafe, Sahil Fish Restaurant, Çeşmi Cihan Restaurant and especially for breakfast, Türkan Hanım's Place, Karadeniz Pide, Sezgin Pide and Atafırın from bakery products are recommended. Amasra Sofrası, Konak Cafe, Yakamoz Fish House, Canlı Trout, the very famous Local Food House and Çınar Restaurant are recommended.
Bahar Lokantası and Yalçın Büfe are also recommended as an appetizer. Their toasts are good. If you want to enjoy the ocakbaşı, Urfa Beykonağı Ocakbaşı is one of the good places to go. You can get good presentations for dinner at the Sunset Restaurant. You can drink your tea and coffee at Kahve Evi, the roasted coffee is good. We also recommend Taş Han Cafe.
Places to Visit in Bartın
If we need to start from historical places to visit in Bartın, we see that historical places are mostly gathered in Amasra. When you come to Bartın, be sure to see the Amasra Museum. Güzelcehisar Castle, Bartın Fatih Mosque, Kuşkayası Road Monument, Direkli Rock, Amasra Kemerdere Bridge, Amasra Lighthouse, which has shed light on ships for years, Amasra Ancient Theater, Amasra Genoa Castle, that is, Genoese Castle is one of the must-see places. Amasra Edhem Aga Mansion, Amasra Castle should also be visited in the meantime. Amasra District Governorship House is an old-rooted place. If we continue from natural beauties, if you want to watch the landscape and watch the sunset, you should definitely go to Bakacak Hill. Amasra Rabbit Island is one of the important places that show how beautiful the blue of the sea is. Especially Bartın Stream awaits you with its magnificent clarity. İnkumu Beach, Ulukaya Waterfall, Amasra Boztepe are among the places to visit. Amasra Beach is already a very famous place. Amasra Weeping Tree attracts a lot of attention. Amasra Büyük Liman Beach is one of the important beaches of the Black Sea and Güzelcehisar Bay is one of the places to swim in the sea. If you are looking for natural forests, you can go to Uluyayla covered with pine forests and Göldere Waterfall, Küre Mountains National Park is also a place that receives many visitors.
Hotels to Stay in Bartın
Check out the link about hotels to stay in Bartın! https://www.boutiquesmallhotels.com/Bartin-Hotels
