Western Anatolia holidays

An unusual capital city, Ankara is often overlooked by travellers to Turkey, with Istanbul being their first choice. However, Ankara does contain the country’s finest museum – the Museum of Ancient Civilisations. This displays a huge array of artefacts and treasures, with the emphasis on the Hittite civilisation. Ankara also contains the mausoleum of Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the modern Turkish Republic, which is open to view.

Further to the south of Ankara is the city of Konya. Home to the Mevlevi Order, better known as ‘the whirling dervishes’, there is an interesting museum, the Mevlana, which was once their lodge.

Explore Western Anatolia

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Places to Visit

Ankara

Ankara is located at an altitude of 850 metres above sea level, on a plateau in the Eastern range of the High Anatolian Mountains, in the Central Anatolia region. It became the capital of Turkey in 1923 due to its historic significance and position within the country. The city has had several different rulers in the past including Romans, Byzantines and Selucks. Today it is the second largest city in modern Turkey

Konya

Founded by the Hittite Empire, the city of Konya has existed for almost 4,000 years. Influenced by the Phrygrians and then the Romans, Konya eventually became the capital of the Seljuk Turks in the 11th century for 200 years. It is located on the central plateau of Anatolia and has a population of one and a half million. It is known in present day Turkey for being a conservative and religious city