Ankara, despite its long history, is a thoroughly modern, well-planned city. The city is distinguished by its wide avenues, green parks, elegant shops, embassies and government buildings, and a large number of first class restaurants and hotels.The city has been inhabited since the Bronze Age, continously. The very fine Museum of Anatolian Civilizations describes the flotsam and jetsam of cultures that have esconsed their way through this region -- the Hittites, the Phrygians, Lydians and Persians – to the Galatians, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuk Turks and Ottomans.

Ankara developed very quickly after October 13, 1923, when from a small provincial town it became the international example of Turkey, after Kemal Ataturk named it the capital of the new Republic. It is the only city in Turkey with an urban development plan dating back to the 1930s. The imposing limestone structure, completed in 1953, represents a fusion of ancient and modern architectural concepts. Ankara today is a center of history and culture. The Ethnographical Museum and the Sculpture and Painting Museum are noteworthy for their wide collections of artifacts from the area. The performances of the well-known philharmonic orchestra and frequent artistic events include ballet, theater, opera and folk-dancing.

In addition are two yearly international festivals: "The Arts and Music Festival" and the "Children's Festival", both held every April. Also present around the city are some sites of natural importance,  such as the lakes of Golbasi, Cubuk Dam, Kurtbogazi Dam, and Mount Elmadag for winter sports. In addition, Kizilcahamam is a thermal and hot springs center for places such as Ayas, Haymana and Beypazari. The city has good excursion opportunities to the historical and natural sites of Cappadocia, Gordion, Hattusas, and Alacahoyuk.