Museum of Anatolian Civilizations

Visitors can explore the museum independently or with an audio guide. It's best to walk in a counterclockwise direction through the chronologically ordered halls. After roaming the Paleolithic and Neolithic displays, you'll move through galleries on the Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Ages before studying artifacts from the Assyrian, Hittite, Phrygian, Late Hittite, Urartian, and Lydian periods. At the end is a collection of ancient Greek and Roman treasures in the downstairs Classical Hall.

The museum is a key inclusion on private Ankara tours, all of which allow time to explore its highlights with a guide. As one of the city's star attractions, it’s also included on most multi-day Turkey tours that feature Ankara between visits to Istanbul and Cappadocia.

• The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations is ideal for history buffs.

• Allow about 2 hours to explore the collections.

• Facilities include restrooms, a gift shop, and cafés with free Wi-Fi access.

• Audio guides are available for a small additional fee.

• The museum is largely wheelchair- and stroller-friendly.

The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations sits on Gözcü Skokak, about a 5-minute walk from Ankara Castle. Parking is difficult nearby, so it’s easiest to take the metro to the nearest station—Ulus. From there, expect a fairly steep 20-minute walk—though the shops and markets en route to the museum gate make for an interesting stroll. You can also take a cab from Ulus, Ankara Castle, or the city’s Ankara Gar train station or ASTI bus terminal.

The museum is open daily, apart from on religious public holidays. Opening times vary throughout the year, with slightly longer opening hours during the summer months, but it’s worth double-checking the schedule before visiting. The site can get busy with tour groups—especially around 11am—so arriving early is your best chance of avoiding crowds.

The museum houses items spanning 8,000 years of early Anatolian history, from rudimentary Palaeolithic tools to Roman-era statuary. Highlights include Neolithic-period Mother Goddess statues and stunning Hittite-era bull and stag ornaments, to coin collections, inscribed tablets, and weaponry through the ages. The building itself is a museum piece—as you explore, take note of the 10-domed Hittite hall—once the center of the medieval bazaar.