Best classic places spots hotspots sites sights views photo locations to photograph for photography with maps tips ideas composition postcard photos cool beautiful pictures
Grand Prize in the National Self-Published Book Awards
Benjamin Franklin Award for Best First Book
Best Travel Guide, Benjamin Franklin Awards finalist
“Impressive in its presentation and abundance of material.”
— National Geographic Traveler
“PhotoSecrets books are an invaluable resource for photographers.”
— Nikon School of Photography
“One of the best travel photography books we’ve ever seen.”
— Minolta
“Guides you to the most visually distinctive places to explore with your camera.”
— Outdoor Photographer
“This could be one of the most needed travel books ever published!”
— San Francisco Bay Guardian
“The most useful travel guides for anyone with a camera.”
— Shutterbug’s Outdoor and Nature Photography
“Takes the guesswork out of shooting.”
— American Way (American Airlines magazine)
PhotoSecrets Ankara, first published May 3, 2016. This version output April 21, 2018.
Curated, coded and designed by Andrew Hudson. Copyright © Andrew Hudson for PhotoSecrets (Photo Tour Books, Inc.). Photos, text and maps copyrights are listed in the credits section.
“‘And what is the use of a book,’ thought Alice ‘without pictures or conversations?’”
— Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll
Thank you to the many talented photographers that generously made their photos available. Photos distributed by the following:
Text copyright of Wikipedia editors and contributors. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA).
Map data from OpenStreetMap and its contributors. Open data licensed under the Open Data Commons Open Database License (ODbL).
Cover image by Uğurgüler06/Wikipedia.
Back cover image by .
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any way without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner(s) and the publisher of this book.
The information provided within this book is for general informational purposes only. Some information may be inadvertently incorrect, or may be incorrect in the source material, or may have changed since publication, this includes GPS coordinates, addresses, location titles, descriptions, Web links, and photo credits. Use with caution; do not photograph from roads or other dangerous places or when trespassing, even if GPS coordinates and/or maps indicate so; beware of moving vehicles; obey laws. The publisher and author cannot accept responsibility for any consequences arising from the use of this book. There are no representations or warranties, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the information, products, services, images, or graphics contained in this book for any purpose. Any use of this information is at your own risk.
For corrections, please send an email.
A great travel photograph, like a great news photograph, requires you to be in the right place at the right time to capture that special moment. Professional photographers have a short-hand phrase for this: “F8 and be there.”
There are countless books that can help you with photographic technique, the “F8” portion of that equation. But until now, there’s been little help for the other, more critical portion of that equation, the “be there” part. To find the right spot, you had to expend lots of time and shoe leather to wander around, track down every potential viewpoint, and essentially re-invent the wheel.
In my career as a professional travel photographer, well over half my time on location is spent seeking out the good angles. Andrew Hudson’s PhotoSecrets does all that legwork for you, so you can spend your time photographing instead of wandering about. It’s like having a professional location scout in your camera bag. I wish I had one of these books for every city I photograph on assignment.
PhotoSecrets can help you capture the most beautiful sights with a minimum of hassle and a maximum of enjoyment. So grab your camera, find your favorite PhotoSecrets spots, and “be there!”
Bob Krist has photographed assignments for National Geographic, National Geographic Traveler, Travel/Holiday, Smithsonian, and Islands. He won “Travel photographer of the Year” from the Society of American Travel Writers in 1994, 2007, and 2008.
For National Geographic, Bob has led round-the-world tours and a traveling lecture series. His book In Tuscany with Frances Mayes spent a month on The New York Times’ bestseller list and his how-to book Spirit of Place was hailed by American Photographer magazine as “the best book about travel photography we’ve ever read.”
The parents of three sons, Bob and his wife live in New Hope, Pennsylvania.
Thank you for reading PhotoSecrets. As a fellow fan of travel and photography, I hope this guide will help you quickly find the most visually stunning places, and come home with equally stunning photographs.
PhotoSecrets is designed to show you all the best sights. Flick through, see the classic shots, and use them as a departure point for your own creations. Get ideas for composition and interesting viewpoints. See what piques your interest. Know what to shoot, where to stand, when to go, and why it’s interesting. Now you can spend less time researching and more time photographing.
The idea for PhotoSecrets came during a trip to Thailand, when I tried to find the exotic beach used in the James Bond movie The Man with the Golden Gun. None of the guidebooks I had showed a picture, so I thought a guidebook of postcard photos would be useful for us photographers. Twenty-plus years later, you have this guide. Thanks!
Now, start exploring — and take lots of photos!
Originally an engineer, Andrew Hudson started PhotoSecrets in 1995. His first book won the Benjamin Franklin Award for Best First Book and his second won the Grand Prize in the National Self-Published Book Awards.
Andrew has published 38 nationally-distributed photography books. He has photographed assignments for Macy’s, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Men’s Health and Seventeen, and been a location scout for Nikon. His photos and articles have appeared in Alaska Airlines, National Geographic Traveler, Shutterbug Outdoor and Nature photography, Where, and Woman’s World.
Andrew has a degree in Computer Engineering from Manchester University and a certificate in copyright law from Harvard Law School. Born in Redditch, England, he lives with his wife, two kids, and two chocolate Labs, in San Diego, California.
At a Glance | |
---|---|
Name: | Ankara |
GPS: | 39.933, 32.867 |
Address: | Ankara Province, Central Anatolia Region, Turkey, Middle East |
Fame: | Capital of Turkey |
Size: | Turkey’s second largest city, after Istanbul |
Nickname: | Heart of Turkey |
Country: | Turkey |
Region: | Central Anatolia |
Province: | Ankara |
Population: | City 4,587,558 (2014) Metro 5,150,072 (2014) |
Time zone: | EET (UTC+2) |
Ankara formerly known as Ancyra and Angora, is the capital of the Republic of Turkey.
Photographer: Bernard Gagnon
Year: 2014.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Ankara Castle is a fortification from ancient or medieval era in Ankara, Turkey.
Addr: | Ankara, Ankara Province, Central Anatolia Region, Turkey, Middle East | Where: | 39.943908 32.858111 |
When: | Afternoon | Look: | East-southeast → |
Far: | 0.64 km (0.40 miles) |
Photographer: Peace01234
Year: 2005.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Addr: | Ankara, Turkey | Where: | 39.94167 32.86500 |
What: | Wall | When: | Anytime |
Photographer: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen
Year: 2009.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations is located on the south side of Ankara Castle in the Atpazarı area in Ankara, Turkey.
Addr: | Where: | 39.93833 32.86194 | |
What: | Museum | When: | Anytime |
Wik: |
Photographer: Roweromaniak
Year: 2006.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 2.
Photographer: Roweromaniak
Year: 2006.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 2.
Photographer: Roweromaniak
Year: 2006.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 2.
Photographer: Nevit Dilmen
Year: 2012.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Photographer: Roweromaniak
Year: 2006.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 2.
Photographer: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen
Year: 2009.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Photographer: Georges Jansoone Jojan
Year: 2007.
Source: Wikipedia
License: Released by author into the public domain.
Photographer: Roweromaniak
Year: 2006.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 2.
Photographer: Roweromaniak
Year: 2006.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 2.
Photographer: Georges Jansoone
Year: 2007.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Photographer: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen
Year: 2009.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Photographer: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen
Year: 2009.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Photographer: Georges Jansoone Jojan
Year: 2007.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Photographer: Georges Jansoone Jojan
Year: 2007.
Source: Wikipedia
License: Released by author into the public domain.
Photographer: Uğurgüler06
Year: 2015.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 4.
The Kocatepe Mosque is the largest mosque in Ankara, the capital of Turkey.
Addr: | Ankara, Ankara Province, Central Anatolia Region, Turkey, Middle East | Where: | 39.91667 32.86056 |
What: | Mosque | When: | Anytime |
Wik: |
Photographer: Scisa
Year: 2006.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Atakule is a 125 m high communications and observation tower located in the Çankaya district of central Ankara, Turkey, and is one of the primary landmarks of the city.
Addr: | Where: | 39.88611 32.85611 | |
What: | Tower | When: | Anytime |
AKA: | Atakule Tower | Wik: |
Photographer: Elelicht
Year: 2009.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Photographer: Aykut Uludağ
Year: 2012.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY 2.
The Sheraton Ankara is a hotel and convention center in Ankara, Turkey.
Addr: | Where: | 39.9000761 32.8647933 | |
What: | Hotel | When: | Anytime |
Wik: |
Photographer: Nosferatü
Year: 2008.
Source: Wikipedia
License: Released by author into the public domain.
Kuğulu Park is a 1 ha public park in the Çankaya neighborhood of Ankara, Turkey.
Addr: | Where: | 39.901924 32.860166 | |
What: | Park | When: | Anytime |
AKA: | Swan Park | Wik: |
Photographer: Albay Hardal
Year: 2011.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Photographer: Nosferatü
Year: 2008.
Source: Wikipedia
License: Released by author into the public domain.
Photographer: Nosferatü
Year: 2008.
Source: Wikipedia
License: Released by author into the public domain.
Photographer: Dostoyevski1881
Year: 2011.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Bilkent Concert Hall (Bilkent Konser Salonu) is home to the Bilkent Symphony Orchestra.
Addr: | Where: | 39.8689242 32.754968 | |
What: | Performing arts center | When: | Anytime |
AKA: | Bilkent Konser Salonu | Wik: |
Photographer: Veritas-Tr
Year: 2009.
Source: Wikipedia
License: Released by author into the public domain.
Middle East Technical University (METU) is a public technical university focusing on research and education in engineering and natural sciences.
Addr: | Ankara, Ankara Province, Central Anatolia Region, Turkey, Middle East | Where: | 39.89139 32.78472 |
What: | University | When: | Anytime |
AKA: | METU | Wik: |
Photographer: Veritas-Tr
Year: 2009.
Source: Wikipedia
License: Released by author into the public domain.
METU Science and Technology Museum (ODTÜ Bilim ve Teknoloji Müzesi) is a museum within the campus of the Middle East Technical University.
Addr: | Where: | 39.902 32.772 | |
What: | Museum | When: | Anytime |
AKA: | ODTÜ Bilim ve Teknoloji Müzesi | Wik: |
Photographer: Nosferatü
Year: 2008.
Source: Wikipedia
License: Released by author into the public domain.
Roman Baths of Ankara are the ruined remains of an ancient Roman bath complex.
Addr: | Ankara, Ankara Province, Central Anatolia Region, Turkey, Middle East | Where: | 39.9465 32.853 |
What: | Roman baths | When: | Anytime |
AKA: | Roman baths | Wik: |
Photographer: Nosferatü
Year: 2008.
Source: Wikipedia
License: Released by author into the public domain.
Photographer: Nosferatü
Year: 2008.
Source: Wikipedia
License: Released by author into the public domain.
Photographer: Blcksprt
Year: 2013.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Photographer: Blcksprt
Year: 2013.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Photographer: Nosferatü
Year: 2008.
Source: Wikipedia
License: Released by author into the public domain.
Photographer: Ahmet Keles
Year: 2006.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Photographer: Nosferatü
Year: 2008.
Source: Wikipedia
License: Released by author into the public domain.
Photographer: Nosferatü
Year: 2008.
Source: Wikipedia
License: Released by author into the public domain.
Akköprü is a historical bridge in Yenimahalle district of Ankara, Turkey, crosses the Ankara River in front of Varlık neighbourhood.
Addr: | Where: | 39.953889 32.832389 | |
What: | Historical bridge | When: | Anytime |
Wik: |
Photographer: Oscarkosy
Year: 2013.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Göksu Park is a public park in Ankara, Turkey.
Addr: | Where: | 39.9902417 32.6482333 | |
What: | Park | When: | Anytime |
Wik: |
Photographer: Vikiçizer
Year: 2012.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Designed by Doğan Tekeli and Sami Sisa, 1993.
Addr: | ankara, Turkey | Where: | 39.910492 32.794612 |
What: | Building | When: | Anytime |
Photographer: Veritas-Tr
Year: 2013.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
The Roman Road of Ankara or Cardo Maximus is an ancient Roman road in Ankara, the capital of Turkey.
Addr: | Ankara, Ankara Province, Central Anatolia Region, Turkey, Middle East | Where: | 39.9422861 32.8559639 |
What: | Roman road | When: | Anytime |
AKA: | Cardo Maximus | Wik: |
Photographer: Михал Орела
Year: 2007.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY 3.
Addr: | Sıhhiye Square, Ankara, Turkey | Where: | 39.92778 32.85500 |
What: | Sculpture | When: | Anytime |
Photographer: Nedim Ardoğa
Year: 2013.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Photographer: Nedim Ardoğa
Year: 2013.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Suluhan is a historical caravanserai in Ankara, Turkey.
Addr: | Ankara, Ankara Province, Central Anatolia Region, Turkey, Middle East | Where: | 39.93972 32.85833 |
What: | Historical building | When: | Anytime |
AKA: | Hasanpaşa Han | Wik: |
Photographer: Ex13
Year: 2013.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
The TCDD Open Air Steam Locomotive Museum is a railroad museum in Ankara, Turkey, which traces the history of steam locomotives.
Addr: | Ankara, Ankara Province, Central Anatolia Region, Turkey, Middle East | Where: | 39.932662 32.846316 |
What: | Museum | When: | Anytime |
AKA: | TCDD Açık Hava Buharlı Lokomotif Müzesi | Wik: |
Photographer: Ex13
Year: 2013.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Photographer: Ex13
Year: 2013.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Photographer: Ex13
Year: 2013.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Photographer: Ex13
Year: 2013.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Photographer: Ex13
Year: 2013.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Photographer: Ex13
Year: 2013.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Photographer: Ex13
Year: 2013.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Photographer: Ex13
Year: 2013.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Photographer: Ex13
Year: 2013.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Photographer: Bernard Gagnon
Year: 2014.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
The Ethnography Museum of Ankara is a museum of ethnography dedicated to the cultures Turkish civilizations.
Addr: | Where: | 39.932668 32.854894 | |
What: | Museum | When: | Anytime |
Wik: |
Photographer: Elelicht
Year: 2009.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Photographer: Kafkasmurat
Year: 2009.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
The Ethnography Museum of Ankara is a museum of ethnography dedicated to the cultures Turkish civilizations.
Addr: | Where: | 39.932668 32.854894 | |
What: | Equestrian statue | When: | Anytime |
Photographer: Jojan
Year: 2007.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY 3.
Victory Monument (Zafer Anıtı, Ulus Atatürk Anıtı) is a group of bronze statues with an equestrian Atatürk in the center.
Addr: | Where: | 39.9416 32.8548 | |
What: | Monument | When: | Anytime |
AKA: | Zafer Anıtı, Ulus Atatürk Anıtı | Wik: |
Photographer: Avniyazicicommonswiki
Year: 2006.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Ankara Palas is a historical building, which is used as an official state guest house in the capital Ankara, Turkey.
Addr: | Where: | 39.94064 32.85229 | |
What: | Historical building | When: | Anytime |
Wik: |
Photographer: Husshho
Year: 2011.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY 3.
The State Art and Sculpture Museum is a museum dedicated to fine arts and sculpture in Ankara, Turkey.
Addr: | Where: | 39.933056 32.855833 | |
What: | Museum | When: | Anytime |
AKA: | Resim ve Heykel Müzesi | Wik: |
Photographer: Burakotto
Year: 2016.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 4.
Addr: | Ankara, Ankara Province, Central Anatolia Region, Turkey, Middle East | Where: | 39.9419028 32.8543333 |
What: | Bank | When: | Anytime |
Photographer: Nedim Ardoğa
Year: 2015.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 4.
Aslanhane Mosque is a 13th-century mosque.
Addr: | Ankara, Ankara Province, Central Anatolia Region, Turkey, Middle East | Where: | 39.93667 32.86528 |
What: | Mosque | When: | Anytime |
Wik: |
Photographer: Quintucket
Year: 2012.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
The Çengelhan Rahmi M.
Addr: | Ankara, Ankara Province, Central Anatolia Region, Turkey, Middle East | Where: | 39.93750 32.99722 |
What: | Museum | When: | Anytime |
Wik: |
Photographer: Cetorhinus
Year: 2010.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Crowne Plaza is a hotel built in 2006.
Addr: | Ankara, Turkey | Where: | 39.951707 32.832971 |
What: | Hotel | When: | Anytime |
Photographer: Ali Tinaz
Year: 2009.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 2.
Gençlik Parkı is a public park opened in 1943 from a drained marsh.
Addr: | Ankara, Ankara Province, Central Anatolia Region, Turkey, Middle East | Where: | 39.93742 32.84998 |
What: | Park | When: | Anytime |
Wik: |
Photographer: Ex13
Year: 2012.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Photographer: Mcdrwal
Year: 2010.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 4.
Originally the Tekel Building (1928).
Addr: | Ankara, Turkey | Where: | 39.938637 32.854564 |
What: | Building | When: | Anytime |
Photographer: Ex13
Year: 2015.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 4.
Addr: | Ankara, Turkey | Where: | 39.9364 32.8438 |
What: | Train station | When: | Anytime |
Photographer: Stephan Garcia
Year: 2006.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 2.
Column of Julian is a Roman column.
Addr: | Ankara, Turkey | Where: | 39.942027 32.849274 |
What: | Column | When: | Anytime |
Photographer: Nosferatü
Year: 2008.
Source: Wikipedia
License: Released by author into the public domain.
Hands sculpture is a sculpture by Metin Yurdanur.
Addr: | Abdi Ipekci Park, Ankara | Where: | 39.927924 32.856128 |
What: | Sculpture | When: | Anytime |
Photographer: Atilim Gunes Baydin
Year: 2007.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Küçük Tiyatro is a theatre in Ankara, Turkey.
Addr: | Ankara, Ankara Province, Central Anatolia Region, Turkey, Middle East | Where: | 39.938485 32.852992 |
What: | Theatre | When: | Anytime |
Wik: |
Photographer: Noumenon
Year: 2010.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Maltepe Mosque is a mosque in Ankara, Turkey.
Addr: | Ankara, Ankara Province, Central Anatolia Region, Turkey, Middle East | Where: | 39.92472 32.84722 |
What: | Mosque | When: | Anytime |
Wik: |
Photographer: Cetorhinus
Year: 2010.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 4.
Originally Stad Oteli (1970), designed in 1964 by Doğan Tekeli, Sami Sisa and Metin Hepgüler.
Addr: | Ankara, Turkey | Where: | 39.939793 32.851262 |
What: | Hotel | When: | Anytime |
AKA: | formerly Stad Oteli |
Photographer: Şevki Balmumcu
Year: 2007.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Ankara Opera House of the Turkish State Opera and Ballet is the largest of the three venues for opera and ballet in Ankara, Turkey, the other two being Leyla Gencer Sahnesi in Ostim and Operet Sahnesi in Sıhhiye.
Addr: | Ankara, Ankara Province, Central Anatolia Region, Turkey, Middle East | Where: | 39.93528 32.85333 |
What: | Opera house | When: | Anytime |
AKA: | Opera Sahnesi | Wik: |
Photographer: Atilim Gunes Baydin
Year: 2007.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Thank you to the many wonderful people and companies that made their work available to use in this guide.
Photo key: Tap the camera icon to see the photo. The two letters reference the distributor and license. Key for distributors: w:Wikipedia. Key for license: a:CC-BY-SA; b:CC-BY; m:public domain.
Cover image by .Nedim Ardoğa ( wa); Avniyazicicommonswiki ( wa); Atilim Gunes Baydin ( wa); Blcksprt ( wa); Burakotto ( wa); Cetorhinus ( wa); Nevit Dilmen ( wa); Dostoyevski1881 ( wa); Elelicht ( wa); Ex13 ( wa); Bernard Gagnon ( wa); Stephan Garcia ( wa); Albay Hardal ( wb); Husshho ( wa); Georges Jansoone ( wb); Jojan ( wm); Georges Jansoone Jojan ( wa); Kafkasmurat ( wa); Ahmet Keles ( wa); Mcdrwal ( wb); Михал Орела ( wm); Nosferatü ( wa); Noumenon ( wa); Oscarkosy ( wa); Peace01234 ( wa); Quintucket ( wa); Roweromaniak ( wa); Scisa ( wa); Şevki Balmumcu ( wa); Ali Tinaz ( wa); Bjørn Christian Tørrissen ( wa); Uğurgüler06 ( wb); Aykut Uludağ ( wm); Veritas-Tr ( wa); Vikiçizer ( wa). Some text adapted from Wikipedia and its contributors where noted by the URL path in the “Wik” table field, used and modified under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC-BY-SA) license. Map data from OpenStreetMap and its contributors, used under the Open Data Commons Open Database License (ODbL).