On day 15 we drive to Ankara, the capital of Turkey and an important hub for the trade that was driven along the Silk Road. We drive through a beautiful mountain and wooded area. The roads wind through mountains and valleys and are narrow and sometimes damaged or partly unpaved. There are few places to stop for lunch or a drink, so it is important that you stock up on supplies for this ride before departure or during the stop in İğdir.

Drive this route slowly, enjoy the beautiful surroundings and stop short for a photo if possible. Lunch can be planned at one of the picnic spots in the Çeşmeli forest, where you can enjoy the tranquility and the beautiful nature. Another option is to get something to eat at one of the gas stations along the short stretch of highway between Dağtarla and Atkaracalar, halfway through the route.

The end point of the trip is in Ankara, the second largest city after Istanbul, and also the capital of Turkey. The city has a total of more than four million inhabitants and is visited by many thousands of tourists every year. There are many good hotels where you can stay overnight.

You can plan a longer stay in Ankara to visit the many sights and to give the engine some rest and maintenance, after all, we have already driven more than 4,500 kilometers so all fluids can be checked.

Atatürk founded modern Turkey and is commemorated with Atatürk Mausoleum and the Atatürk Museum. It is the largest structure you can find in the whole country. The mausoleum has a huge mosaic in the courtyard, and has a gold leaf interior. A must visit if you are in Ankara. Atatürk is honored with the Ethnographic Museum which displays fine collections of embroidery, woodwork and porcelain. Furthermore, this museum shows Atatürk's former workspaces and you can see photos of his funeral. The building is built in a post-Ottoman style with a marble base and is impressive to see.

Furthermore, in Ankara there are many more sights to visit, such as;

The Ankara Citadel or Ankara Castle which originally belonged to the Romans and was later modified by the Seljuks and Byzantines. The whole area is admirable to see, with small, narrow and winding streets. There are many beautiful old buildings that have been restored over the years and that now accommodate various catering establishments, where you can enjoy local dishes.

The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations is housed in an old bazaar, built by Sultan Mehmet II between 1464 and 1471. In the museum you can admire works of art from various periods, such as the Bronze Age, the Hittite Age and the Stone Age.
Ankara has many mosques and places of worship which are definitely worth a visit. The Arslanhane Carnii Mosque is the oldest mosque in Ankara and has beautiful decorations made of walnut or mosaic. This mosque is an important tourist attraction and is therefore often visited. The mosque was built in the thirteenth century.
The Kocatepe Mosque is the newest mosque in Ankara and was built in 1987. This mosque is the newest and the largest in the city. The mosque is built in Ottoman style with many marble and gold leaf decorations. The mosque also has many stained glass windows and an impressively large crystal chandelier. From the hill where this mosque was built you have a beautiful view.

Visit and relax in one of the Roman Baths built in the third century AD. These baths are very well preserved. You can visit the Roman Baths on Cankiri Caddessi. This can be found on the northern side of the Ulus Meydani. There is much to see in the Roman Baths, such as the frigidarium (the cold room), the apodeterium (the dressing room), the tepidarium (the warm room), the caldarium (the hot room) and the unique heating system.

A completely different point to visit is Kizilay Square, a kind of Times Square like in New. You will also see many illuminated signs and billboards. The intersection itself is one of the largest intersections in the country and is home to many large and modern buildings. Various shops and restaurants can be found on Kizilay Square and you can enjoy yourself here.

For even more tips and ideas, I refer you to the link in this review. Enjoy this ride and your stay in Ankara!