Deep Traces of Anatolia in 4 Days from Ankara to Afyon

How about embarking on a 4-day journey starting from the capital texture of Ankara, extending to the spirituality of Mevlana's city Konya, the ancient ports of Antalya, the pearl of the Mediterranean, and finally to the spirit of the National Struggle in Afyonkarahisar? This route brings together the different faces, deep history, and nature of Anatolia. Each stop will whisper a new story to you.

Beştepe Millet Mosque

Our first stop in Ankara is the Beştepe Millet Mosque, located within the Presidential Complex. With a capacity of 3000 people and four 60-meter minarets, it is one of the newest and most impressive places of worship in the capital. Reflecting modern Ottoman architecture, this mosque has been open to visitors since 2015. The architectural structure and surroundings of the mosque are frequently admired by guests.

T.C. Presidential National Library

Right next to the mosque, the National Library, rising in Beştepe, is Turkey's largest library with a massive area of 125,000 square meters. With a capacity of 5,500 people and over 2 million works in 134 languages, it serves researchers and book lovers. With its design inspired by Ottoman and Seljuk architecture, it is not just a library but also a cultural center. Its spacious and clean interior and extensive collection receive full marks from visitors.

Pink Mansion (İsmet İnönü Museum House)

In Çankaya, the Pink Mansion, where İsmet İnönü lived from 1925 onwards, is a place that has witnessed important memories of Republican history. The ground floor of the mansion has been converted into a museum and can be visited free of charge on special days such as April 23 and October 29. With İsmet İnönü's personal belongings, study room, and a library of 8,000 books, it offers visitors not just a museum tour but also an opportunity to establish a personal connection with Republican history.

Anfa Altınpark

Anfa Altınpark, with its vast green area of 640 thousand square meters in Ankara's Altındağ district, is one of the city's largest recreation areas. With facilities such as walking trails, the Feza Gürsey Science Center, and Fairy Tale Island, it is ideal for both families and those who want to relax intertwined with nature. Its wide walking paths and regular landscaping are appreciated by visitors.

Keçiören Municipality Sea World

With a short transition from Altınpark, you can reach Keçiören Municipality Sea World. This facility, Turkey's first and only educational aquarium, houses freshwater and saltwater creatures, tropical fish, and giant aquarium tunnels in a 2,700 square meter indoor area. Moreover, admission is free. It is a pleasant and educational stop, especially for families with children.

After completing your first day in Ankara, we set off for Konya. The journey will take approximately 2.5-3 hours.

Sille Village

Located 8 kilometers northwest of Konya, built on both sides of a deep valley, Sille Village carries traces of Byzantine, Greek, and Ottoman history on the same street with its approximately 3,000-year-old past. With the Hagia Eleni Church, the Museum of Time, and its historical hammam, it is one of Konya's lesser-known but valuable corners. While wandering its stone streets, you may come across handicraft workshops.

Kilistra and Lystra Ancient Cities

Kilistra, 45 km from Konya, resembles Cappadocia with its rock-carved churches and tuff cliffs, but it is a much calmer place. Located on the historical King's Road, structures and tombs from the Byzantine period can be seen in this ancient city. Nearby Lystra is known as an ancient city visited by Saint Paul on his missionary journeys.

Fasıllar Hittite Rock Monument

This colossal rock monument, located in the village of Fasıllar, part of the Beyşehir district, dates back to the Hittite period, approximately 3,500 years ago. The work, 8 meters high and weighing 70 tons, is one of the largest rock monuments in the world. With its reliefs depicting the storm god and lion figures, it leaves a powerful impression on visitors.

Beyşehir Eşrefoğlu Mosque

The Eşrefoğlu Mosque, located within walking distance of Lake Beyşehir, stands out as Anatolia's largest wooden-pillared mosque. Considered a masterpiece of Seljuk beylik period architecture, the mosque carries the atmosphere of centuries ago to the present day with its tiled mosaic mihrab and carved wooden minbar. The fact that the mosque has stood for over 700 years inspires admiration in visitors.

Beyşehir Lake

Lake Beyşehir, Turkey's third largest and widest freshwater lake, is a paradise for nature lovers with its 23 islands and rich bird population. You can walk around the lake, take a boat tour, or watch the sunset. Picnic areas and cafes on the lake shore offer nice options for relaxation.

Our next stop after Konya is Antalya, the pearl of the Mediterranean. We will arrive in Antalya after a journey of approximately 4-5 hours.

Kaleiçi

Antalya's historical center, Kaleiçi, harbors a layered past extending from Roman walls to Ottoman mansions. Its narrow stone streets, ancient harbor, Hadrian's Gate, and Yivli Minare make it the city's most unique corner. Lively throughout the year, Kaleiçi attracts visitors with both its historical texture and vibrant atmosphere.

Antalya Necropolis Museum

The Antalya Necropolis Museum, located within walking distance of Kaleiçi, is Turkey's first necropolis museum. Opened in 2023 on the cemetery area of the ancient city of Attaleia, the museum preserves and exhibits approximately 1,000 tombs in situ. With findings displayed in three indoor halls and the Young Eurymedon mosaic, it is an important stop for understanding the ancient world.

Phaselis Ancient City

Phaselis, in Antalya's Kemer district, is a port city founded by Rhodian colonists in the 7th century BC. With its three natural harbors, colonnaded street, theater, and beaches in the middle of the ancient city, it offers both history and sea pleasure. With its paths through pine forests and sea views, it is ideal for nature and history lovers.

Yanartaş (Chimaera)

Located near Çıralı village, within the Olympos Beydağları National Park, Yanartaş is known for its natural gas flames that have been burning for thousands of years. This natural fire area, which has guided sailors since ancient times, is identified with the myth of Chimaera in mythology. You can experience the impressive sight of the flames in the dark by visiting especially in the evening.

Kekova

Kekova, part of Antalya's Demre district, is a sunken city known for its Lycian period building remains submerged by an earthquake in the 2nd century AD. With ancient ruins visible beneath its clear waters, turquoise coves, Kaleköy castle, and Üçağız village, Kekova is one of the indispensable routes for boat tours. This place is one of the world's few open-air museums with its underwater heritage.

Our last stop after Antalya is Afyonkarahisar. We will reach the city after a journey of approximately 3-4 hours.

Great Offensive Martyrs' Memorial and Mustafa Kemal Atatürk Monument

Located 16 km from Afyonkarahisar, rising on Işıktepe, this martyrs' memorial is dedicated to the Turkish soldiers who fell during the Great Offensive, which began on August 26, 1922. At the back of the memorial, the Commander-in-Chief Mustafa Kemal Atatürk Monument, reaching 18 meters in height, is one of the symbols that most deeply convey the spirit of the National Struggle. It is a calm and well-maintained area that inspires deep respect in visitors.

Colonel Reşat Çiğiltepe Martyrs' Memorial

This martyrs' memorial, located in Çiğiltepe, is a historical area where one of the fiercest battles of the Great Offensive took place. Named after Colonel Reşat Bey, the memorial is one of the stops that most deeply convey the spirit of the National Struggle. This place, which inspires deep gratitude in visitors, keeps the memory of the martyrs alive.

Avdalaz Castle

Avdalaz Castle, rising near Ayazini village in Afyonkarahisar's İhsaniye district, is a historical settlement consisting of rock-carved rooms and tunnels used since the Phrygian period. The fact that a massive tuff rock was carved out and transformed into a multi-story settlement is found to be quite impressive by visitors. Admission is free.

Ayazini Ancient Site (Metropolis)

Located in the heart of the Phrygian Valley, Ayazini Ancient Site is a rock settlement bearing traces of a deep history extending from the Phrygians to the Byzantines. With its rock-carved houses, churches, and tombs, it is one of Turkey's most unique archaeological sites. The most striking element of the region is the structures created by carving out the rock, with each floor accessible by stairs.

Hayran Veli Sultan Tomb

Located in Kayıhan town, part of the İhsaniye district, the Hayran Veli Sultan Tomb is a historical structure dedicated to a Khorasan saint and folk healer believed to have lived in the 13th-14th centuries. Forming a spiritual integrity with its adjacent mosque, the tomb is visited for healing and prayer. Visitors find a peaceful and spiritual atmosphere here.

This 4-day Anatolian route will offer you the opportunity to experience Turkey's different geographies and rich cultural heritage. Don't forget to taste local delicacies and chat with the locals in each city. For inter-city transfers, you can consider public transport or private car rental options. Remember to check the venues' websites for current admission fees and hours.

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