Capital city, Turkey
Ankara for solo travelers
Is Ankara good for solo travel?
Turkey's calm, orderly capital: strong museums, Anıtkabir, good metro and a student scene. Less scenic than Istanbul or the coast, with hot summers and cold, polluted winters.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 3/5 · Good, with some effort |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Common in tourist areas |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | Usually comfortable alone, more so than in many Turkish cities. Expect some staring; dress modestly in Ulus and avoid empty streets late. |
How to meet people in Ankara
University-heavy city: language exchanges, café meetups and Couchsurfing gatherings in Kızılay and Çankaya, plus hostel evenings in Ulus and guided walks.
Good things to do alone
- Visit Anıtkabir and its museum on a weekday morning
- See Anatolian Civilizations Museum, Turkey's best archaeology collection
- Walk Hamamönü's restored Ottoman streets
- Browse bookshops and cafés on Tunalı Hilmi
- Day trip to Safranbolu or Beypazarı
Where to stay in Ankara
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Kızılay | Central, metro hub, student bars and cheap eats |
| Çankaya–Kavaklıdere | Embassies, cafés, safe leafy streets, long stays |
| Ulus (Citadel area) | Old Ankara: museums, Hamamönü, budget hotels |
| Çayyolu–Ümitköy | Modern suburbs with newer flats and malls; needs a car or metro |
Solo travel across Turkey
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Istanbul | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Antalya | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Cappadocia | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Bodrum | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Fethiye | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Alanya | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Izmir | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Kaş | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Ölüdeniz | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Marmaris | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Dalyan | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Selçuk | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Gaziantep | 4/5 | Limited |
| Pamukkale | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Ankara | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Kuşadası | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Side | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Çeşme | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Kemer | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Kalkan | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Trabzon | 3/5 | Limited |
| Bursa | 3/5 | Limited |
| Didim | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Belek | 2/5 | Common in tourist areas |
Quick answers
Is Ankara good for solo travelers?
Good, with some effort (3/5). Turkey's calm, orderly capital: strong museums, Anıtkabir, good metro and a student scene.
How do you meet people in Ankara?
University-heavy city: language exchanges, café meetups and Couchsurfing gatherings in Kızılay and Çankaya, plus hostel evenings in Ulus and guided walks. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Ankara?
Common in tourist areas.
Is Ankara safe for solo female travelers?
Usually comfortable alone, more so than in many Turkish cities. Expect some staring; dress modestly in Ulus and avoid empty streets late.
More about Ankara
Going to Ankara solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Ankara meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.