Things to Do in Güdül: 12 Places to Visit

Places to Visit in Güdül

• 5 Historic
• 1 Ancient City
• 2 Religious
• 3 Nature
• 1 Other

🌳 Natural Wonders 3

9 🌳 Nature

Kirmir Stream Valley

The valley formed by the Kirmir Stream contains caves dating from the Hittite, Phrygian and Roman periods.

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10 🌳 Nature

Sorgun Pond

A natural pond in the north of the district, in the area of Sorgun Village.

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i Photo: Berkay0652 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source

11 🌳 Nature

Güdül Canyon

Güdül Canyon, formed by the Kirmir Stream eroding the rocks over thousands of years, with its steep slopes and green valley, is an ideal spot for nature photography and walking.

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While you are in Güdül, you can also see the highlights of Ankara province. These places are in other districts; Güdül is about 80 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 Güdül

Suggested time

1 day

Best time to visit

Spring and summer

Places to visit

12 places

• 🐟

  Trout

  Trout raised in the Kirmir Stream is served grilled or pan-fried. It is Güdül's best-known delicacy.

• 🍲

  Keşkek (pounded wheat and meat)

  Made by simmering and then pounding cracked wheat and meat, keşkek is the traditional dish of wedding and holiday tables.

• 🫓

  Bazlama (griddle bread)

  Flatbread cooked on a griddle, served at breakfast with fresh butter and village cheese.

• 🍽️

  Leblebi (roasted chickpeas)

  There are leblebi workshops in the town centre; the product is said to be sent to every part of Türkiye.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Güdül

• 🏔️

  Canyon and Nature Culture

  Güdül is one of the districts of Ankara with the highest potential for nature tourism. Canyon walks and trout fishing are important parts of the district's cultural identity.

• 🏡

  Traditional Village Life

  Traditional farming and livestock-rearing ways of life continue in Güdül and the surrounding villages. The tradition of imece (communal work) and neighbourly relations remain strong.

Local Products

• Trout — Fresh trout raised at the trout farms on the Kirmir Stream is Güdül's most important local product.
• Honey — Flower honey produced in the district's wooded areas is sold in local markets for its natural aroma.

Economy

Güdül's economy is based on farming, livestock and trout farming. Trout farms operate along the Kirmir Stream. Potential for nature tourism is developing. Wheat and fruit growing are also practised.

How to Get to Güdül

Güdül is about 80 km from Ankara city centre. It is reached via the Beypazarı road. There are regular minibus services from Ankara.

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Ankara

Güdül: Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Your Trip

• 🍽️ What to Eat in Güdül 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
• Gölbaşı 4 places Mogan Lake, Eymir Lake and Tulumtaş Cave
• 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