Hattusa (Hattusha)
Merkez, Boğazkale, Çorum
Located deep in Turkey’s (officially the Republic of Türkiye) Anatolia region, Hattusa (also written Hattusha, Hattuşaş, or Hattusas) is one of the country’s biggest archaeological sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During its pomp in the second millennium BC, Hattusa was the capital of the Hittite Empire, wielding power across Anatolia and beyond. Its ruins coat a large hillside and include temples, fortifications, gates, and statues.
Visitors pay a small entry fee and can explore Hattusa on foot, by private car, or by tour vehicle—the ruins are widely dispersed and roads lead around them with stopping places at key sights. The site, however, is best explored with a guide who can explain the relics and the city’s history. Highlights include the Great Temple, the Lion’s Gate flanked by lion sculptures, a rock tunnel, and the carved limestone reliefs at nearby Yazilikaya.
Travelers wanting to skip the hassle of arranging their own travel can take full-day Hattusha tours from Ankara that include convenient return transportation. Other options include multi-day tours from Istanbul, Cappadocia, Konya, and Ankara that cover Anatolia’s and Cappadocia’s highlights and include day-long tours of Hattusas.
Hattuşaş is a must-see for history enthusiasts.
Allow about 3 to 4 hours to explore in full.
Wear comfortable shoes if you plan to walk: The main sightseeing route measures about 3.5 miles (6 kilometers).
Bring water, sunscreen, and a hat or umbrella, as there’s little shade and nowhere to buy drinks.
Hattusas is not wheelchair- or stroller-friendly.
Entry tickets include access to the rock-art complex at Yazilikaya.
The Hattusa ruins lie just outside the village of Bogazkale, about 129 miles (208 kilometers) west of Ankara. The easiest way to visit is on a tour. Alternatively, you can drive or catch one of the regular buses from Ankara to Sungurlu Otogari, from which cabs can take you on the 19-mile (31-kilometer) journey from there.
Hattusa is open year-round and generally daily, but you will need to confirm opening times once you’re in Turkey. Due to its relative remoteness, the site is never crowded, and many visitors find themselves exploring alone.
Many visitors combine Hattusa with a visit to nearby Yazilikaya. Used as a Hittite religious sanctuary, this cluster of rocks is inscribed with reliefs depicting processions of gods. As it’s included in entry tickets to Hattuşaş, most Hattusha tours stop at the site. If you have time to spare—either independently or on a customizable private tour—try and visit the small Bogazkale Museum, where assorted treasures recovered from Hattusa are displayed.
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