4-Day History and Nature Tour from Ankara to Istanbul

Are you ready for a four-day family trip stretching from Ankara's role in Republican history to Istanbul's scenic views? This route allows you to both discover the deep history of the capital and enjoy pleasant time in Istanbul's breathtaking green spaces and along the Bosphorus shores. With this plan full of stops that will also attract children's interest, you will witness a different story every day.

War of Independence Museum (First Grand National Assembly of Turkey Building)

Located in Ulus, Ankara, this historic building where the Grand National Assembly of Turkey first convened on April 23, 1920, now serves as the War of Independence Museum. Built in 1916 for the Committee of Union and Progress, the structure is today filled with documents, personal belongings, and artifacts from that period. As you step inside, you feel the atmosphere of those days when the country's destiny was being shaped. Its facade covered with Ankara stone and the general assembly hall reflecting the spirit of the era make this place, where the first steps of the national struggle were taken, significant.

Republic Museum (Second Grand National Assembly of Turkey Building)

Located right next to the War of Independence Museum, the Republic Museum hosted the Second Grand National Assembly of Turkey between 1924 and 1960. In this hall, where Atatürk delivered his Great Speech, the fundamental revolutions of the Republic were realized. The general assembly hall, where 116 parliamentary seats are preserved, is filled with original parliamentary furniture and photographs from the period. This important witness to Turkish political history offers visitors a journey into the founding years of the Republic.

PTT Stamp Museum

Located in Ulus, in the historic Emlak ve Eytam Bankası building, the PTT Stamp Museum tells the history of postal services from the Ottoman Empire to the Republic with over 6,000 stamps. This three-story museum has a rich collection of philatelic objects such as old postal uniforms and vehicles. There is also a special section for children, allowing them to discover the enjoyable world of stamp collecting.

Temple of Augustus

Leaning against the Hacı Bayram Mosque, the Temple of Augustus is a Roman-era structure dating back to 25-20 BC. The Res Gestae inscription on it, conveying the will of Emperor Augustus, constitutes an important source for world historians. This area, containing Phrygian, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman layers, shows that Ankara is a very ancient settlement.

Our second day's route proceeds towards Ankara's more poignant and personal histories.

Ulucanlar Prison Museum

Located in Altındağ, Ankara, the Ulucanlar Prison Museum is a historical prison used between 1925 and 2006, transformed into a museum. This place, where many important figures like Deniz Gezmiş were imprisoned, offers a powerful testimony to Turkey's recent history with its Hilton Ward, gallows, and solitary confinement cells. Personal belongings of the prisoners make visitors feel the harsh conditions of that period.

Mehmet Akif Ersoy House Museum

This modest wooden house, where Mehmet Akif Ersoy, the author of the Turkish National Anthem, lived during the War of Independence years, is located in the Hamamönü district. Serving as a museum since 1949, admission to the building is free. Inside the house, you can capture the spirit of that period with photographs and personal belongings of Ersoy. With its location next to the Tacettin Sultan Dervish Lodge, you can also explore the historical texture of Hamamönü.

Kocatepe Mosque

Kocatepe Mosque, which has become a symbol of Ankara, is the largest mosque of the Republican era, built between 1967 and 1987. The structure, combining classical Ottoman architecture with a modern interpretation, draws attention with its four 88-meter-high minarets and central dome. With its spacious courtyard and outdoor photography opportunities, it holds an iconic position in the Ankara skyline.

On the third day, we will explore Ankara's natural beauties and a different historical structure.

Dikmen Valley

Dikmen Valley, located in the Çankaya district of Ankara, is an urban park offering walking paths, tea gardens, and children's playgrounds with 378,000 m² of green space. Especially in April, when it is adorned with cherry blossoms, the valley is ideal for escaping the city noise. You can enjoy pleasant family time with its walking trails and cafes.

Kuğulu Park

Located in the Kavaklıdere district, on Tunalı Hilmi Street, Kuğulu Park has been a beloved meeting point for Ankara residents since 1958. It offers a peaceful corner with swans and ducks swimming in its pond, sculptures, and green areas. Known for its Kissing Lovers statue and its status as a protected area, the park is especially preferred for relaxation in the evenings.

Seğmenler Park

Spread over an area of 67,000 square meters in the Kavaklıdere valley in Çankaya, Seğmenler Park stands out with sculptor Burhan Alkar's Seğmenler Monument. With its amphitheater, children's playgrounds, and wide grassy areas, it appeals to visitors of all ages. It offers a refreshing environment with its wooded structure where you can enjoy nature in the city center.

Merik Mansion (Golden Pavilion)

Merik Mansion, popularly known as the Golden Pavilion, is a private museum built inspired by Ottoman palace architecture. It holds the distinction of being Turkey's first furniture and architecture museum. With its gold-gilded interiors and antique furniture from the reign of Abdülhamid II, it offers visitors a unique cultural experience. The wooden carvings and wall paintings are noteworthy.

Our fourth day begins with the transition from Ankara to Istanbul, and we set out to explore the city's historical and natural beauties.

Gülhane Park

Gülhane Park, the former outer garden of Topkapı Palace, is a historic park opened to the public in 1912. With its century-old plane trees, tulips blooming in spring, and Bosphorus views, it is one of Istanbul's most beloved green corners. In this historic area where the Tanzimat Edict was proclaimed, you can also visit the Column of the Goths and the Museum of the History of Science and Technology in Islam.

Museum of the History of Science and Technology in Islam

Located within Gülhane Park, this museum showcases the scientific development of the Islamic world between the 9th and 16th centuries. Opened under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Fuat Sezgin, the museum exhibits copies of 585 tools and devices. With astronomy, medicine, and navigation instruments, it is an educational and engaging stop for children as well.

Galata Tower

Rising in Istanbul's Beyoğlu district, Galata Tower is a 62.59-meter structure built by the Genoese in 1348. Its open terrace offers a 360-degree panorama of Istanbul. As one of the city's most iconic landmarks with its museum-converted floors, the tower offers particularly stunning views at sunset.

Sveti Stefan Church (Iron Church)

Located on the Golden Horn shore in Balat, Sveti Stefan Church is one of the rare structures in the world built entirely of cast iron. Opened for worship in 1898, this Bulgarian Orthodox church draws attention with its Neo-Gothic architecture and the story of its prefabricated construction, transported by ships from Vienna. While exploring the historical texture of the Balat and Fener districts, be sure to see this unique structure.

This four-day route from Ankara to Istanbul offers both historical riches and natural beauties. While experiencing the unique atmosphere of both cities, you will collect pleasant family memories. For transportation, you can consider intercity bus or high-speed train options, and within the city, you can prefer public transport or taxis. For stops in Istanbul, tram and ferry also offer practical options.