Anıtkabir is the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic, on a hill above Ankara. It is the most solemn place in Türkiye: a complex of pale stone with an avenue of lions, a vast square, a Hall of Honour where the sarcophagus lies beneath a golden ceiling, and a museum that tells the story of the War of Independence. Turks come here as they would to a place of worship, and within two hours foreign visitors understand why this man’s portrait hangs in homes all over the country.
Entry is free, and it is the one visit not to miss on any stop in the capital, even if you are only passing through on the way between Istanbul and Cappadocia.
A little history
Atatürk died in 1938 at Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul, and his body was kept at the Ethnography Museum in Ankara while the mausoleum was built. The architects Emin Onat and Orhan Arda won the design competition, and construction ran from 1944 to 1953, with stone brought from all over the country, in a style that blends ancient Anatolia with the monumental architecture of the 1940s. In 1953 his remains were moved here in a ceremony attended by huge crowds.
Since then it has been the setting for national commemorations, for the visit every foreign head of state makes to Ankara, and for 10 November, the anniversary of his death. In 1973 İsmet İnönü, his comrade-in-arms and the second president of the Republic, was buried on the opposite side of the square.
What to see at Anıtkabir
The Road of Lions
From the entrance, a 262-metre avenue is lined with 24 Hittite-style stone lions, set in pairs, that stand for strength and peace. The paving is deliberately uneven, so that you walk slowly and with your head bowed. At the start, on either side, stand two towers decorated with reliefs, and sculptures of three men and three women who represent the Turkish people.
The Ceremonial Square
A vast esplanade for 15,000 people, surrounded by colonnades and paved in patterns inspired by Turkish carpets. This is where the changing of the guard takes place, with soldiers from the army, navy and air force marching in slow motion, and where official visitors lay their wreaths.
The Hall of Honour
A wide flight of steps, with Atatürk’s speeches inscribed on the walls, leads up to the hall of the sarcophagus: a 40-tonne block of marble beneath a ceiling of gold mosaics, with soil from every province of Türkiye buried below. You enter in silence; Turkish visitors stop and salute.
The museum
Beneath the colonnades is the museum, with Atatürk’s personal belongings, his cars and his library, and a large section with dioramas and sound that follows the story from Gallipoli through the War of Independence to the proclamation of the Republic. It is long; with a guide you can see the essentials in 45 minutes.
İnönü’s tomb and the park
Opposite the Hall of Honour is the tomb of İsmet İnönü, and around the whole complex lies the Peace Park, planted with trees donated by countries from around the world, with views over the whole of Ankara.
Tips for your visit
Allow two hours. Everything is outdoors except the Hall of Honour and the museum; the Road of Lions is long and the climb up to the hall has plenty of steps, although there is a lift and step-free access.
- There is a security check at the entrance; large bags and drinks have to stay outside.
- Dress respectfully and keep a low profile: no posed photos in the Hall of Honour or with the soldiers.
- The changing of the guard is announced over the loudspeakers, so be in the square in good time.
- If you are travelling with children, the lions, the soldiers and the cars in the museum always go down well.
Tickets and prices
Entry is free. At the time of writing (2026) it opens at 09:00, and there is a security check at the gate. On my tours there is nothing for you to arrange: your guide plans the visit around the changing of the guard.
Where it is and how to get there
Anıtkabir stands on Anıttepe hill in central Ankara. The nearest metro station, Anadolu, is about ten minutes’ walk from the gate, and there is a car park. From the high-speed train station it is 15 minutes by taxi; from Esenboğa Airport, about 40.
Fitting it into your tour
Anıtkabir is the natural morning stop in Ankara on any route that travels overland between Istanbul and Cappadocia, followed by the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations. My Classic Türkiye 10 Days tour flies to Cappadocia but, like all my tours, it can be adapted to go by road if you would like to stop here. For the rest of the city, see what to see in Ankara; and to understand the man, read about Turkish culture.
If your trip passes through the capital, tell me when you plan your tailor-made trip and we will make the most of the stop.