Things to Do in Gölbaşı: 4 Places to Visit

Places to Visit in Gölbaşı

i Photo: Vindicatio (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Source

1 🌳 Nature

Mogan Lake

One of the important natural lakes of Gölbaşı, Mogan Lake covers an average area of 6 km².

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i Photo: Nedim Ardoğa (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Source

2 🌳 Nature

Eymir Lake

A lake in Gölbaşı, connected to Mogan Lake from the east.

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3 🌳 Nature

Tulumtaş Cave

Tulumtaş Cave, in the south of Gölbaşı, is a natural formation notable for its stalactites and stalagmites. The cave is about 400 metres long in total.

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i Photo: collage bird's eye v… (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Source

4 🌳 Nature

İncek Valley

The valley in the İncek quarter of Gölbaşı, with its pine forests and walking routes, is suitable for outdoor sports. There are also horse-riding facilities in the area.

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While you are in Gölbaşı, you can also see the highlights of Ankara province. These places are in other districts; Gölbaşı is about 20 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 Gölbaşı

Suggested time

1 day

Best time to visit

Spring and summer

Places to visit

4 places

• 🍽️

  Gölbaşı Sevgi Çiçeği

  Gölbaşı Sevgi Çiçeği was registered as a designation of origin on 4 February 2019 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 412). Product group: other products. Registered by: Gölbaşı Municipality.

• 🐟

  Lake Fish

  Fresh carp and sea bass are served grilled or steamed in restaurants around Mogan Lake.

• 🍳

  Ankara Tava (lamb and pepper casserole)

  Ankara tava, lamb cooked in a casserole with onions and peppers, is also served in the traditional restaurants of Gölbaşı.

• 🥩

  Barbecue and Picnic Favourites

  Facilities on the shore of Mogan Lake offer the chance to have a barbecue (mangal). Lamb chops and chicken wings are the most popular grilled choices.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Gölbaşı

• 🏞️

  Lake Culture and Recreation

  Mogan Lake is Ankara's most important natural recreation area. Festivals, concerts and sports events organised around the lake enrich the district's cultural life.

• 🎓

  ODTÜ (METU) and Academic Life

  The fact that Eymir Lake lies within the boundaries of the ODTÜ campus gives the area an academic and intellectual atmosphere. University events and outdoor sports come together here.

Local Products

• Fresh Fish — Freshwater fish caught in Mogan and Eymir lakes are served fresh in restaurants around the lakes.
• Organic Vegetables and Fruit — Organic farming is practised in the rural areas of Gölbaşı, and the produce is sold in local markets.

Economy

Gölbaşı's economy consists of services, trade and tourism. Shopping malls (AVM), restaurants and entertainment venues are concentrated in İncek and the Gölbaşı centre. Tourism facilities around Mogan Lake are an important source of income. In recent years, housing projects and commercial investments have gained momentum.

How to Get to Gölbaşı

Gölbaşı is 20 km from Ankara city centre, on the Konya road. Transport is by EGO buses and dolmuş minibuses. The Ankara–Konya highway passes through the district.

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Gölbaşı: Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Your Trip

• 🍽️ What to Eat in Gölbaşı 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)
• Çamlıdere 13 places Şeyh Ali Semerkandi Tomb, Çamkoru Forest Camp and Çamlıdere Fossil Forest
• 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
• 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