Things to Do at Museum of Anatolian Civilizations

Complete Guide to Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara

About Museum of Anatolian Civilizations

Visiting Museum of Anatolian Civilizations offers an authentic journey through Ankara's cultural heritage, with expertly curated displays that bring the past to life. The structure features hand-carved wooden beams installed during the original construction period, while preserved furnishings reflect the daily life of historical inhabitants. Admission tickets are priced at 1,212 TRY (approximately $39 USD), with student discounts available upon presentation of valid identification. Archaeological surveys revealed foundations extending three meters below current ground level, confirming the site's historical significance. Local guides fluent in multiple languages provide valuable context and are available at the main entrance. The scent of aged timber mingles with incense from nearby chambers, enhancing the immersive historical atmosphere.

What to See & Do

Hittite Collection

The crown jewel of the museum, featuring cuneiform tablets, relief sculptures, and artifacts from the Hittite Empire (1650-1200 BCE). You'll find the famous Hittite hieroglyphic inscriptions and bronze figurines that give you a real sense of this often-overlooked ancient superpower.

Çatalhöyük Displays

Fascinating reconstructions and artifacts from one of the world's first urban settlements (7500-5700 BCE). The wall paintings and goddess figurines here actually predate Stonehenge by thousands of years, which puts things in perspective.

Phrygian Artifacts

Beautiful metalwork, pottery, and wooden furniture from the kingdom of King Midas (yes, that Midas). The wooden furniture pieces are surprisingly well-preserved and give you a glimpse into Iron Age craftsmanship that's genuinely impressive.

Assyrian Trade Archives

Thousands of cuneiform tablets from Assyrian merchants who lived in Anatolia around 2000 BCE. It's basically ancient paperwork, but it's fascinating paperwork that shows how sophisticated early trade networks actually were.

Urartian Bronze Work

Exquisite bronze shields, cauldrons, and decorative items from the Urartian Kingdom (9th-6th centuries BCE). The craftsmanship is intricate enough that you might find yourself wondering how they achieved such detail with ancient tools.

Practical Information

Opening Hours

Tuesday-Sunday 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM (until 7:00 PM in summer). Closed on Mondays, as you'd expect with most Turkish museums.

Tickets & Pricing

Around 60 Turkish Lira for adults (roughly $2-3 USD). Students get discounts with proper ID. You can buy tickets at the entrance - no need to book ahead unless you're coming with a large group.

Best Time to Visit

Weekday mornings tend to be quieter, especially Tuesday-Thursday. Avoid weekend afternoons if you prefer a more contemplative museum experience.

Suggested Duration

Plan for 2-3 hours if you want to do it justice. You could rush through in an hour, but you'd be missing the point.

Getting There

The museum sits in Ankara's old town (Ulus district), a 10-minute uphill walk from Ulus Square. Take the metro to Ulus station from downtown and follow castle signs-you'll walk right past it. Taxis are cheap. They'll drop you at the entrance, which beats the climb if you're not feeling energetic. Limited parking exists nearby for drivers, but the narrow streets are tough to navigate. Don't expect easy maneuvering.

Things to Do Nearby

Ankara Castle
A 5-minute walk uphill from the museum. The castle itself is decent, but the real draw is the panoramic view over Ankara and the charming cobblestone streets of the old quarter.

Temple of Augustus
Ancient Roman temple ruins about 15 minutes away on foot. It's where you'll find the famous Res Gestae inscription - Augustus Caesar's own account of his achievements carved in stone.

Rahmi M. Koç Museum
An engaging industrial and technology museum housed in a restored Ottoman factory. It's quite different from the ancient focus of the Anatolian Civilizations Museum, which makes for a nice contrast.

Ulus Historic District
The surrounding neighborhood is worth wandering through, with traditional Turkish architecture, small tea houses, and the kind of authentic local atmosphere that's increasingly rare in modern Ankara.

Tips & Advice

The museum shop actually has some quality books and replicas if you're into that sort of thing - better than the usual tourist tat you might expect

Photography is allowed in most sections, but check for signs since some special exhibitions restrict it

The building can get chilly even in summer due to the stone construction, so you might want to bring a light jacket

If you're interested in archaeology, consider hiring one of the official guides - they can provide context that the English placards sometimes miss