Anıtkabir Travel Guide: Visiting Hours and Surrounding Places

Anıtkabir is the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and a place everyone should visit at least once. It holds great significance for the Republic of Turkey. On our visit, we drove about 2.5 hours and stopped in Eskişehir along the way—check out our Eskişehir travel guide for more details.

This guide covers how to get to Anıtkabir, things to see, entrance fees, and visiting hours.

Where is Anıtkabir and How to Get There?

Located in Ankara’s Çankaya district, on Anıt Hill, Anıtkabir attracts visitors from Turkey and around the world each year. It is easily accessible by public transport or private vehicle from central Ankara.

By Intercity Bus: Arrive at AŞTİ bus terminal, then take the Ankaray metro and get off at Tandoğan station. From there, it’s a 300-meter walk to Anıtkabir.

By High-Speed Train: From Istanbul (Halkalı station), the journey takes around 5 hours. Once in Ankara, walk about 15 minutes from Anadolu Square to reach Anıtkabir.

By Plane: Fly into Ankara Esenboğa Airport. From the airport, take the Belkoair shuttle to Hipodrom stop, then walk about 10 minutes to Anıtkabir.

By City Bus: Use bus lines 203, 204, 256, 264, 221-3, 220-3, 202-3, 340, 341, 362, 366, 370, 376, 410, 545 to reach Anıtkabir.

By Minibus: Take the Ulus–Gençlik Parkı–Bahçelievler line, get off at Tandoğan Square, and walk to Anıtkabir.

Anıtkabir Visiting Hours and Entrance Fee

You can visit Anıtkabir at any time of the year, but spring is the best period. I visited in October, and it was a bit crowded because it was just before Republic Day (29 October). Entry is free, including the museums inside.

Special Dates: On 23 April, 19 May, 29 October, 10 November, and 30 August, visitor numbers increase significantly, and you might have to queue for museum entry. It’s best to visit during quieter periods.

Anıtkabir Visiting Hours:

• 1 February – 14 May: 09:00 – 16:30
• 15 May – 31 October: 09:00 – 17:00
• 1 November – 31 January: 09:00 – 16:00

How Long to Visit Anıtkabir?

You can comfortably explore Anıtkabir in 1.5 – 2 hours. If you want to see the museum and exhibition areas, plan for up to 2.5 hours. Keep this in mind when scheduling your visit.

Key Sights at Anıtkabir

Anıtkabir covers 750,000 m², so exploring the site can take half a day. It consists of two main sections: the Monument Block and Peace Park. Visiting is not just about seeing everything quickly; it’s about experiencing the site thoughtfully. Every detail, including the design of the stairs and paths, has a meaning, so take your time to fully appreciate it.

Monument Block (Anıt Blok)

The Monument Block is not a single section but an area that includes several important parts of Anıtkabir, namely the Lion Road (Aslanlı Yol), the Mausoleum (Mozole), and the Ceremonial Square (Tören Meydanı). If you enter Anıtkabir from the Tandoğan entrance, you can reach the Monument Block by passing through Peace Park.

Lion Road (Aslanlı Yol)

Entering from the Tandoğan Gate, you walk along the Lion Road, one of Anıtkabir’s most symbolic features, leading to the Ceremonial Square. The path begins with a 26-step staircase and stretches 262 metres, lined with 24 seated lion statues.

The number 24 is symbolic, representing the 24 Oghuz tribes, inspired by the artistic traditions of the Hittites. Designed by Hüseyin Özkan, the lions symbolize strength and calmness. Notice that the stones are arranged with 5 cm gaps between them, creating an asymmetrical pattern. This encourages visitors to focus on the path and walk respectfully towards Atatürk’s mausoleum with bowed heads.

Ceremonial Square (Tören Alanı)

At the end of the Lion Road lies the Ceremonial Square, which can hold 15,000 people. The ground is decorated with 373 carpet and rug patterns, using stones in yellow, black, red, and white, creating an impressive mosaic.

Mausoleum (Mozole)

The Mausoleum is accessed via a 42-step staircase in the Ceremonial Square. This is the most important section of Anıtkabir, housing Atatürk’s symbolic tomb.

• The marble podium features circular geometric motifs and Atatürk’s famous phrase: “Sovereignty unconditionally belongs to the Nation.”
• The left side displays Atatürk’s speech to Turkish youth, while the right side features the 10th Year Speech.
• All inscriptions are carved in stone with gold leaf.
• The podium was crafted by Kenan Yontuç.

The Mausoleum’s significance lies in its role as the final resting place of Atatürk and his symbolic sarcophagus, making it the central focus of the Monument Block.

Peace Park (Barış Parkı)

Barış Parkı hosts around 49,000 plants and trees from 104 different species collected from many countries. The park is designed based on Atatürk’s famous principle: “Peace at Home, Peace in the World.”

Towers (Kuleler)

Anıtkabir contains 10 towers, each symbolizing different values of the Turkish nation. Some of the notable ones include:

İstiklal Tower

• Located at the right side of the Lion Road entrance.
• Inside, a youth holding a sword and an eagle relief are displayed.
• The eagle symbolizes power, independence, and freedom; the youth represents the Turkish nation.

Hürriyet Tower (Freedom Tower)

• Located on the left side of the Lion Road entrance.
• Inside, a relief shows an angel holding a document, representing the Declaration of Freedom.
• The rearing horse symbolizes independence.

Mehmetçik Tower

• At the end of Lion Road on the right, the exterior relief depicts a soldier leaving home for the front.
• Inside, a 60-seat mini theater shows documentaries about Atatürk and Anıtkabir.

Müdaafa-i Hukuk Tower

• Features a male figure holding a sword warning the enemy to “stop.”
• The walls display Atatürk’s statements on national defense, such as:
  • “National power must be active and national will sovereign.”
  • “History can never deny the blood, rights, and existence of a nation.”
  • “The most essential and obvious desire and faith of the Turkish nation had been revealed: Liberation.”
  • “From now on, the nation itself will protect its life, independence, and existence.”

Misak-ı Milli Tower

• Shows a relief of four hands on a sword hilt, symbolizing unity and solidarity.
• Represents the oath of the Turkish army and people to defend the homeland.
• Atatürk’s words on the walls include:
  • “The iron hand of the nation inscribed the national oath in the pages of history.”
  • “Nations without a national identity become prey to others.”
  • “We want to live freely and independently within our national borders.”

Victory Tower (Zafer Kulesi)

Displays the gun carriage that transported Atatürk’s coffin from Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul on 19 November 1938.

Located at the end of Lion Road.

23 Nisan Kulesi

Inside the 23 April Tower, on its inner wall, there is a depiction of the opening of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey on 23 April 1920. A woman is shown holding a paper with “23 April 1920” in one hand and a key symbolising the opening of the Assembly in the other. The walls of the 23 April Tower also feature Atatürk’s words about independence and sovereignty:

“There was only one decision: to establish a new Turkish State that is independent, based on national sovereignty, and not subject to any conditions.”
“Our approach is that power, strength, sovereignty, and government should be given directly to the people and held in their hands.”
“The only and true representative of the Turkish State is, and can only be, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.”

The 23 April Tower also houses Atatürk’s personal Cadillac car, which he used between 1936 and 1938.

Republic Tower

In the Republic Tower, models of the Sivas and Erzurum Congress buildings, the TBMM building, and the Manastır Military High School, where Atatürk studied, are displayed. The walls of the tower also feature Atatürk’s words about the Republic:

“Our greatest strength and most reliable support is that we have understood national sovereignty, put it into the people’s hands, and truly proved that it can be held by the people.”

Peace Tower

On the inner wall of the Peace Tower, there are reliefs emphasising Atatürk’s principle, “Peace at Home, Peace in the World.” One relief shows villagers working in the fields, protected by a soldier holding out his sword. Atatürk’s words about peace are also displayed:

“Citizens of the world must be educated to avoid jealousy, greed, and resentment.” (1935)
“War is a crime unless the life of the nation is threatened.”
“Peace at Home, Peace in the World.”

Additionally, the Peace Tower exhibits Atatürk’s Lincoln ceremonial and official cars, which he used between 1935 and 1938.

Reform Tower

The Reform Tower is considered a continuation of the Atatürk Museum. In this tower, Atatürk’s clothing is on display. A relief on the inner wall shows a hand holding a dying torch (representing the final years of the Ottoman Empire) and a strong hand shining with light (representing the Republic of Turkey).

The tower also houses a life-size wax statue of Atatürk, created by Prof. Dr. Yılmaz Büyükerşen. On the walls of the Reform Tower, Atatürk’s words are displayed:

“We have drawn our inspiration not from the sky or unknown realms, but directly from life.”
“A society cannot advance or become civilised unless all its women and men walk together towards the same goal.”

Women’s Statue Group

In front of the Independence Tower stands the Women’s Statue Group, featuring three Turkish women dressed in traditional national costumes. The sculpture expresses the deep sorrow felt over Atatürk’s death. Two of the women, wearing national dress, hold a wreath made of large sheaves of wheat reaching the ground, symbolising the fertile lands of our country.

The woman on the right holds a vessel representing God’s mercy. The woman in the centre covers her face with her hand as she weeps. The woman on the left extends her hand forward, offering a blessing for Atatürk. This work was designed by Hüseyin Özkan.

Men’s Statue Group

In front of the Freedom Tower stands the Men’s Statue Group, consisting of three statues symbolising the deep grief felt by Turkish men over Atatürk’s death. The man on the right, wearing heavy armour and a helmet, represents the Turkish soldier. The man on the left, holding a book, represents the enlightened Turkish youth. Behind him, in the centre, stands a man in traditional local clothing, wearing an old woollen headpiece and holding a long stick in his left hand, representing the Turkish peasant and the people.

İsmet İnönü Mausoleum

The mausoleum of İsmet İnönü, commander of the Western Front during the War of Independence and Atatürk’s closest comrade-in-arms, can be visited between the Peace and Victory Towers. The burial chamber is located on the lower floor. İsmet İnönü, the second President of Turkey, passed away on 25 December 1973 and was buried on 28 December 1973.

Atatürk Museum at Anıtkabir

The Atatürk Museum was opened on 21 June 1960, between the National Pact and Reform Towers. The museum displays items used by Atatürk as well as gifts presented to him. In addition, personal belongings of Atatürk donated by his adopted children, Afet İnan, Rukiye Erkin, and Sabiha Gökçen, are also exhibited. Entry to the museum is free, but on special occasions, there can be very long queues. It is recommended to visit at a quieter time.

Atatürk and the Turkish Revolution Library

The Atatürk and the Turkish Revolution Library is located between the Victory and Mehmetçik Towers. The library contains books in Turkish and foreign languages about Atatürk, the reforms, and the national struggle. It can be visited on weekdays from 09:00 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 17:00.

Flagpole and Pedestal

Flagpole and Pedestal

The 33.5-metre flagpole was gifted by Nazmi Cemal, a Turkish-American living in the United States. Four metres of the pole are hidden under the pedestal, while 29.5 metres are visible. It is located in the middle of the 28-step staircase leading to the ceremonial plaza. The top of the flagpole features an olive branch, a helmet, a torch, an oak branch, and a sword, symbolising Turkish civilisation.

Art Gallery

The Art Gallery is located between the Republic and Defense of Rights Towers. This section contains Atatürk’s personal library, reflecting his love of reading. A total of 3,118 books in many languages are on display. Visitors can also see sentences written or underlined by Atatürk in his own handwriting.

Anıtkabir Frequently Asked Questions

Places to Visit Near Anıtkabir

After visiting Anıtkabir, you can take a short drive to Eskişehir. The city offers both historical and modern attractions. Famous for the Odunpazarı Houses, the Porsuk River, and its cafés, Eskişehir is ideal for a day trip. For more details and recommendations, check out our Eskişehir travel guide.

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