Photo: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) · Source 10 places to visit in the Polatlı district of Ankara: Gordion Ancient City, Battle of Sakarya and Gordion Ancient City (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Plan your trip to Polatlı with local food, practical tips and transport information.
Polatlı is the district of Ankara Province closest to Ankara, in the western part of the province, on the Eskişehir–Ankara State Highway. The district covers 3,618 km² and has an average elevation of 876 metres above sea level. It became a district on 1 August 1926 under Law No. 877.
The earliest known human settlement in Polatlı dates back to around 3000 BC, and the ancient city of Gordion, located in Yassıhöyük Neighbourhood, is known to have been inhabited. The civilisations known to have lived in the region, in order, are the Hittite, Phrygian, Lydian, Persian, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman civilisations. The Battle of Sakarya, one of the most important events of the War of Independence, took place on the lands of Polatlı. The headquarters from which Atatürk directed the Battle of Sakarya was located in Alagöz Neighbourhood.
Polatlı, one of Türkiye’s important grain stores, also has one of the most active grain exchanges. The district is home to major Turkish industrial enterprises such as Şişecam, Ortadoğu Rulman Sanayi and the Ankara Dişli Dövme Sanayi gear factory.
Polatlı became a district on 1 August 1926. The present settlement of Polatlı developed after the Ankara–Istanbul railway passed through in 1892. The Battle of Sakarya took place on the lands of Polatlı. Gordion was the best-documented settlement of the Phrygian Kingdom at the beginning of the 1st millennium BC.
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The capital of the Phrygian Kingdom, Gordion was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023. The legendary tumulus of King Midas, palace remains and megaron structures are the most important remains of Phrygian civilisation from the 9th–7th centuries BC.
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Photo: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) · Source The Battle of Sakarya, fought over 22 days in 1921, was the turning point of the Turkish War of Independence. The national park in Polatlı contains battlefields, trenches and monuments. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk assumed the role of Commander-in-Chief during this battle.
View on mapAt 53 metres high, the Midas Tumulus is the largest tumulus in Anatolia, dating to around 740 BC. The wooden chamber and burial goods inside shed light on Phrygian royal traditions.
View on mapA 32-metre monument on Kartal Hill commemorating the bayonet charges of the Sakarya Victory.
View on mapLocated in Yassıhöyük Neighbourhood, the ancient city was inhabited from around 3000 BC and hosted many civilisations.
View on mapA monument and museum erected in memory of the martyrs of the Battle of Sakarya. Documents from the battle are on display.
View on mapThe farmhouse that served as the headquarters of the Western Front Command during the Battle of Sakarya. It is known as the place Atatürk directed the battle.
View on mapThe museum of the station that served as a logistics centre during the Battle of Sakarya. Trains and aircraft are on display.
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Photo: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) · Source The museum, which displays Phrygian, Hittite and Roman-period artefacts excavated at Gordion, stands next to the ancient city. Its collection includes ceramics, bronze objects and wooden furniture.
View on mapOne of the most important events of the War of Independence, it took place on the lands of Polatlı.
View on mapWhile you are in Polatlı, you can also see the highlights of Ankara province. These places are in other districts; Polatlı is about 80 km from the provincial centre.
Polatlı İşkembe Çorbası was registered as a protected geographical indication on 5 May 2026 (TÜRKPATENT registration no: 1849). Product group: dishes and soups. Registered by: Polatlı Chamber of Commerce.
Prepared by slow-cooking lamb in a clay tandır oven, Polatlı tandır kebabı is the district's best-known flavour. The meat is cooked until it is tender enough to come away from the bone.
Lamb cooked in a clay pot with onions and peppers, Ankara tava is also an important dish on traditional tables in Polatlı.
Tarhana, made by mixing yoghurt, tomato and wheat flour and then drying the mixture, is an indispensable soup on winter tables. Prepared in autumn, tarhana is dried for consumption throughout the winter.
Onion soup, displayed among the special products of Polatlı, was prepared by the women of Polatlı.
As the capital of the Phrygian Kingdom, the ancient city of Gordion was one of Anatolia's most important centres of civilisation in the 9th–7th centuries BC. The legend of King Midas and the story of the Gordian Knot were born in these lands.
The fact that the Battle of Sakarya took place on the lands of Polatlı has made the district one of the most important sites of the Turkish struggle for independence. Commemoration ceremonies are held every year in September.
The economy of Polatlı is based on agriculture and industry. The district is one of Türkiye's largest grain production centres, growing wheat, barley and sugar beet. The Polatlı Commodity Exchange is an important centre of grain trade. The ancient city of Gordion contributes to cultural tourism.
Polatlı is 80 km from Ankara city centre. It lies on the Ankara–Eskişehir highway and railway. High-speed trains (YHT) stop at Polatlı. There are regular bus services from AŞTİ.
The 10 highlights of Polatlı are: Gordion Ancient City, Battle of Sakarya, Gordion Ancient City (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Gordion Museum, Battle of Sakarya Historical National Park, Midas Tumulus, Sakarya Martyrs and Victory Monument Museum, Alagöz Headquarters Museum, TCDD Malıköy Railway Station Museum and Mehmetçik Monument.
Polatlı İşkembe Çorbası (Polatlı Tripe Soup), Polatlı Tandır Kebabı, Ankara Tava and Tarhana Soup are the standout flavours on Polatlı's tables.
Polatlı is known for Polatlı Onion and the Phrygian Civilisation Heritage. Registered at TÜRKPATENT as a protected geographical indication product.
Polatlı is 80 km from Ankara city centre. It lies on the Ankara–Eskişehir highway and railway. High-speed trains (YHT) stop at Polatlı. There are regular bus services from AŞTİ.
Suggested visit length: 1–2 days. Best time to visit: spring and autumn.