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5 places to visit in the Etimesgut district of Ankara: Eryaman Gölbaşı Park, Turkish Air Force Museum (Aviation Museum) and Etimesgut Atatürk Forest. Plan your trip to Etimesgut with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Etimesgut is one of the metropolitan districts of Ankara province.

Origin of the Name

Ahi Mesud, an Ahi leader who lived in Ankara in the 14th and 15th centuries, inspired the current name of the district. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk ordered that a model village be established here, and the local people named it ‘Etimesut’.

History

Remains found in archaeological excavations suggest that human settlement in the region may go back as far as the Chalcolithic Age. In the 8th and 7th centuries BC, Ankara and its surroundings came under Phrygian rule.

History and Culture

In the Roman period, Etimesgut was a point where eight roads met.

Highlights

The area on which Etimesgut district was founded lay within the lands of the Hittite and Phrygian civilisations in ancient times. The Etimesgut region was established in 1924–25, on Atatürk’s orders, as a 50-household village for Turkish migrants from Western Thrace. Ahi Mesud and Ahi Elvan, Turkish notables after whom the Etimesgut region was named, are among its namesakes.

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Places to Visit in Etimesgut

  • 2 Ancient City
  • 2 Nature
  • 1 Attraction
Nature

Eryaman Gölbaşı Park

A park in the Eryaman quarter of Etimesgut, popular with families for its artificial pond, walking trails and children's play areas.

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Turkish Air Force Museum (Aviation Museum) - Etimesgut
Attraction

Turkish Air Force Museum (Aviation Museum)

A museum near Etimesgut Air Base, displaying aircraft, helicopters and military equipment from Turkish aviation history. Retired fighter jets can be seen in the open-air display area.

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Nature

Etimesgut Atatürk Forest

A wooded area in the west of the district, used for picnics, walks and cycling. Bird-watching is possible in the forest, which is dominated by Calabrian pines.

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Ancient City

Yalıncak Mound (lion relief)

A basalt lion relief with its mouth open, on a small mound at Yalıncak. This relief has been moved to the Istanbul Museum.

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Ancient City

Göksu Pond Shore (Eryaman)

Settlement traces from the hunting period, uncovered during infrastructure works in Eryaman.

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Places to Visit Around Ankara Province

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While you are in Etimesgut, you can also see the highlights of Ankara province. These places are in other districts; Etimesgut is about 15 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 Etimesgut

Suggested time
Half a day
Best time to visit
Spring and autumn
Places to visit
5 places

What to Eat in Etimesgut

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  • Ankara Tava (lamb and pepper casserole)

    Ankara tava, lamb cooked with onions and peppers in a casserole, is also on the menus of traditional restaurants and eateries in Etimesgut.

  • Pide

    Pide with minced meat, kaşar cheese and diced lamb is served at pide shops in various quarters of Etimesgut.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Etimesgut

  • Aviation Tradition

    Etimesgut is one of the important centres of Turkish aviation history. Etimesgut Air Base, founded in 1925, became one of the first bases of the Turkish Air Force.

  • Modern Urban Development

    The Eryaman mass housing project, which has developed rapidly since the 1990s, is one of the largest planned settlement areas in Türkiye. It stands out for its infrastructure designed with a modern approach to urban planning.

Local Products

  • Eryaman Market Produce — Fresh vegetables, fruit and homemade products brought from surrounding villages are sold at weekly markets set up in Eryaman, the largest quarter of Etimesgut.

Economy

Etimesgut's economy is based on the services sector, trade and the defence industry. Large settlements such as Eryaman and Elvankent are areas where commercial activity is concentrated. Defence industry companies and military facilities make an important contribution to the district's economy.

How to Get to Etimesgut

Etimesgut is 15 km from Ankara city centre. The Ankara Metro Batıkent–Kızılay line runs through the district. All neighbourhoods are reached by EGO buses and dolmuş minibuses. The Ankara–Eskişehir road passes through the district.

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Etimesgut: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top things to see in Etimesgut?

The 5 highlights in Etimesgut are Eryaman Gölbaşı Park, Turkish Air Force Museum (Aviation Museum), Etimesgut Atatürk Forest, Yalıncak Mound (lion relief) and Göksu Pond Shore (Eryaman).

What should I eat in Etimesgut?

Ankara Tava and Pide are the standout dishes on Etimesgut's tables.

What is Etimesgut famous for?

Etimesgut is known for Eryaman Market Produce and its aviation tradition. Weekly markets set up in Eryaman, the largest quarter of Etimesgut, sell fresh vegetables, fruit and homemade products brought from surrounding villages.

How do I get to Etimesgut?

Etimesgut is 15 km from Ankara city centre. The Ankara Metro Batıkent–Kızılay line runs through the district. All neighbourhoods are reached by EGO buses and dolmuş minibuses. The Ankara–Eskişehir road passes through the district.

How much time should I set aside for a visit to Etimesgut?

Suggested time for the visit: half a day. Best time to visit: spring and autumn.

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