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Photo: Gargarapalvin, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Atatürk took a liking to this countryside mansion, which was rebuilt to become the presidential home after the capital moved to Ankara. The mansion became centrepiece of a large government campus, so "Çankaya" meant the presidency similar to "White House", "Kremlin" or "Downing Street". In 2018 the president's residence was moved 10 km north to the humongous (and off-limits) Ak Palace, but the vice-president's residence and several government offices remain here. It used to be possible to arrange guided tours of the mansion and other buildings, but these are no longer available.
The Çankaya Mansion is the official residence of the vice president of Turkey and previously the official residence of the president of Turkey from 1923 to 2014.
This volcanic outcrop has probably been fortified since the dawn of mankind, but the earliest traces are from the Phrygians of 8th century BC. The castle was reinforced by the Galatians then the Romans. You stroll up through cobbled streets to the double walls and can climb one of the towers, with views of the sprawling city and distant mountains.
Scrappy remains of the stage and backstage, they haven't restored the seating. Statues from the site are in the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations.
Ahi Şerafeddin Camii
Built in 1290 in Seljuk style, and repaired in 1330 under Ahi Şerafeddin hence its other name. Well worth the hike up the hill for its finely-carved interior, notably the ceiling supported by a forest of wooden columns. In 2023, five wooden mosques in Central Anatolia were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List - Aslanhane was one of them.
Anadolu Medeniyetleri Müzesi
Excellent display ranging from prehistory to the proto-Greek and Roman eras.
Gökyay Vakfı Satranç Müzesi
More chess sets ancient and modern than you'd think possible, including weird versions such as the three-sided game.
Molla Büyük Cami
A modest building in spite of the name, this was built around 1500.