Things to Do in Çamlıdere: 13 Places to Visit

Places to Visit in Çamlıdere

• 3 Religious
• 4 Museum
• 6 Nature

🌳 Natural Wonders 6

8 🌳 Nature

Çamkoru Forest Camp

A forest camp and picnic area within the district boundaries.

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9 🌳 Nature

Çamlıdere Fossil Forest

Fossilised tree remains dating from approximately 15–20 million years ago are the most important natural heritage of Çamlıdere. The silicified tree trunks shed light on the geological past of the region and are a valuable area for scientific research.

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i Photo: Peter Reed (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Source

10 🌳 Nature

Çamlıdere Dam

The Çamlıdere Dam, one of the dams meeting Ankara's drinking water needs, offers an ideal landscape for nature photography together with the surrounding forests. The surface area of the dam lake is approximately 5 km².

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11 🌳 Nature

Peçenek Plateau

The Peçenek Plateau, located in the high parts of Çamlıdere, is preferred for nature camping and walking thanks to its cool summer climate and pine forests.

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12 🌳 Nature

Çamkoru Forest Camp and Picnic Area

According to Wikipedia, within the district boundaries; Benli Plateau is also within the district boundaries.

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13 🌳 Nature

Aluçdağı National Park

The picnic areas and adventure park within the park are, according to the municipality, among the favourite destinations for weekend outings.

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While you are in Çamlıdere, you can also see the highlights of Ankara province. These places are in other districts; Çamlıdere is about 100 km from the provincial centre.

• Anıtkabir — The mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, designed by Emin Onat and Orhan Arda and built on Rasattepe between 1944 and 1953. The Lion Road leads to the ceremonial square; the Hall of Honour holds the symbolic sarcophagus, and Atatürk's body lies in the tomb chamber on the lower floor.
• Museum of Anatolian Civilisations — Housed in the Mahmud Paşa Bedesten and Kurşunlu Han, the museum began at Atatürk's wish as a 'Hittite Museum' and today displays Anatolia's civilisations in chronological order.
• Ankara Castle — The exact date the castle in Altındağ was built is unknown; it is known that the Roman emperor Caracalla had its walls repaired in AD 217. Repaired in the Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman periods, it is the historic core of Ankara, with narrow streets inside and views of the city from the walls.
• Arslanhane (Ahi Şerafeddin) Mosque — A Seljuk mosque at the southern end of the castle, dating from the 13th century, with wooden columns and a wooden ceiling; it is one of the oldest and most important buildings in the city.
• Hamamönü — This district takes its name from the Karacabey Hammam in the complex of Karaca Bey, the Beylerbey of Anatolia, in the 1430s.
• Temple of Augustus — The temple beside the Hacı Bayram Mosque was built in the name of the emperor Augustus in about 25–20 BC. Its walls bear the Res Gestae inscription, known as the Monumentum Ancyranum, which recounts Augustus's deeds; it has been protected with the support of the World Monuments Fund.

Practical Information for Visiting Çamlıdere

Suggested time

1 day

Best time to visit

Spring and summer

Places to visit

13 places

• 🍽️

  Çamlıdere Höşmerim Dessert

  Çamlıdere Höşmerim Dessert was registered as a protected geographical indication on 10 March 2021 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 691). Product group: bakery and pastry products, dough products, desserts. Registered by: Ankara Chamber of Commerce.

• 🥟

  Çamlıdere Mantısı

  A mantı specific to the region, made by boiling large pieces of dough filled with minced meat, and drizzled with garlic yoghurt and buttery sauce.

• 🍲

  Keşkek

  Keşkek, prepared by slow-cooking and pounding wheat and meat, is the traditional dish of weddings and festival tables in Çamlıdere.

• 🍯

  Pine Honey

  Pine honey produced in Çamlıdere's extensive pine forests, known for its dark colour and distinctive aroma. It is one of the most valuable natural products of the region.

• 🍽️

  Çamlıdere Höşmerim Dessert (Flour Halva)

  A dessert specific to the Çamlıdere district of Ankara.

• 🍽️

  Kuzu Kapama

  A meat dish made with the thyme-scented meat of animals raised on the plateaus and in the forests.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Çamlıdere

• 🌲

  Forest Village Life

  Çamlıdere is the most forested district in Ankara. Most of the population makes its living from forestry and beekeeping. Traditional wooden house building and the gathering of forest products form the basis of the way of life.

• 🐝

  Traditional Beekeeping

  The beekeeping tradition passed down from generation to generation in Çamlıdere is an important part of the district's cultural identity. Hive making and honey harvesting are carried out using traditional methods.

Local Products

• Pine Honey — Honey produced in the pine forests from which Çamlıdere takes its name, one of the highest-quality pine honeys in Türkiye. It is known for its dark amber colour and intense aroma.
• Forest Products — Pine nuts, mushrooms and various forest fruits are among the region's natural riches. They are sold fresh in local markets.

Economy

Çamlıdere's economy is based on forestry, beekeeping and livestock rearing. Pine honey production is the district's most important source of income. Ecotourism potential is developing around the dam lake. Small livestock rearing and rural farming also contribute to the economy.

How to Get to Çamlıdere

Çamlıdere is about 100 km from Ankara city centre. It is reached by road via Kızılcahamam. There are regular minibus services from Ankara.

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Çamlıdere: Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Your Trip

• 🍽️ What to Eat in Çamlıdere Famous dishes and local products →
• 🗺️ Things to Do in Ankara The province's 21 best places and all its districts →

Other Districts of Ankara

• Akyurt 7 places İdris Mountain, Akyurt Castle and Karacaören Köyü Kaya Mezarları
• Altındağ 11 places Ankara Castle, Hacı Bayram Mosque and Temple of Augustus
• Ayaş 6 places Ayaş Hot Springs, Ayaş Castle and Ayaş Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami)
• Balâ 10 places Kesikköprü Dam, Afşar Höyüğü (Afşar Mound) and Yavaşlar Höyüğü (Yavaşlar Mound)
• Beypazarı 13 places Hırkatepe, Beypazarı Historic Houses and Taş Mektep (Stone School)
• Çankaya 7 places Anıtkabir, Kocatepe Mosque and Cengelhan Rahmi M. Koç Museum
• Çubuk 10 places Karagöl Lake, 1402 Battle of Ankara Battlefield and Çubuk Dam (Çubuk-1 Dam)
• Elmadağ 4 places Vezir Pınarı Fountain, Elmadağ Ski Centre and Elmadağ Ammunition Factory Historic Site
• Etimesgut 5 places Eryaman Gölbaşı Park, Turkish Air Force Museum (Aviation Museum) and Etimesgut Atatürk Forest
• Evren 4 places Evren Castle Ruins, Evren Çayı Valley and Evren Central Mosque
• Gölbaşı 4 places Mogan Lake, Eymir Lake and Tulumtaş Cave
• Güdül 12 places Kirmir Stream Valley, Sorgun Pond and Güdül Canyon
• Haymana 7 places Haymana Thermal Baths, Gavurkale Ruins and Battle of Sakarya Historical National Park
• Kahramankazan 7 places Mürted Air Base, Kazan Museum and Saray Höyük
• Kalecik 5 places Kalecik Castle, Kızılırmak Valley and Hasbey Mosque
• Keçiören 5 places Estergon Castle (Keçiören), Keçiören Botanical Park and Kalaba Park and Pond
• Kızılcahamam 4 places Soğuksu National Park, Kızılcahamam Hot Springs and Martyrs' Tree
• Mamak 7 places Mount Hüseyin Gazi, Hatip River and Mamak Castle (Kayaş Castle)
• Nallıhan 9 places Sarıyar Dam, Nallıhan Bird Sanctuary (Davutoğlan Bird Sanctuary) and Rainbow Hills (Girl's Hill)
• Polatlı 10 places Gordion Ancient City, Battle of Sakarya and Gordion Ancient City (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
• Pursaklar 3 places Saray Köşkü Park, Pursaklar Municipality Culture Centre and Altınova Park
• Sincan 5 places Temelli, Sincan Tulip Festival Area and Temelli Mound
• Şereflikoçhisar 7 places Tuz Lake (Tuz Gölü), Koçhisar Castle and Şereflikoçhisar Castle
• Yenimahalle 5 places Atatürk Forest Farm (AOÇ), Ankara Zoo and 75th Year Ankara Hippodrome