Who would have thought that one could find a place like this in the middle of Ankara, a city with a population of over 4 million? So green! Filled with flora and fauna! A perfect place to take a nice quiet stroll in the evening. Can you guess where it is?
Slideshow – Spring in Ankara
Adventures in Ankara 
Dikmen Vadi?
Good guess Mary, but no.
That is the University Lake, do not no the proper name, but you mangaged not too show all the garbage and plastic bags!!!!
Which university and which lake, Nicole? Here’s a clue, there was absolutely no garbage and no people!
I don’t know Ankara well so can’t make a guess but it looks a lovely area. I love the picture of the Lizard you must have been quick to snap him.
Thanks Kerry. It was lovely! And that little guy actually paused after his initial short run, to pose for me!
It looks a bit like Eymir Golu, and yet not quite. Plus calling that ‘the middle of Ankara’ would be a stretch…
Is it Narnia? Did you walk through the back of your closet? 😛
You are very very warm Tim, but not Eymir. A 15-minute drive from Kizilay. I could only dream of my closet looking like that!
I think it’s Atatürk Orman Çifliği and this place is near Ankara Jokey Club,the Ankara zoo,sorry I don’t remember the zoo’s name.You must eat kokoreç or döner there,they are great places to eat here and you can listen the cooks’ musical show here while they are cutting the kokoreç:)I know it sounds weird but you have to go and watch it.
Well now you have given me a place to check out! Thanks! I haven’t been to the zoo — and this is not it! This location is peppered with dirt trails, one of which obviously leads to the lake. I was there for over an hour. I saw one other person the entire time, save the two guards at the lake. No music. No food. Bring your own water!
Wow, I really don’t know…..lol That’s not out on Rt.842 is it? 🙂
Some day Artie. Some day.
I don’t know the name of it, but is it the big forest place down by Panora AVM? (Give me a break, I’ve only lived here 3 months!) Wherever it is, you MUST share because I want to go there immediately!
Good try Joni! I will share at the end of the day. 🙂
That’s Eymir Golu, which is also owned by METU/ODTU (which is what someone meant by the university owned place too I guess). So we all struck out on that one…
I assumed that was what she meant. You are both sooooo close!
. . in the middle of Ankara – where’s me prize>
Good one Alan! Of course, if you read all the comments, and do some research to find that Kizilay is downtown and hence what I call the middle of Ankara, you are a 15 minute drive off! I guess I shouldn’t call it the “middle” without actually measuring! But it sure is close!
And the answer is . . . 39.870265, 32.775407 (those are the coordinates in case you are checking a map).
It is on METU’s campus. (ODTU). And no one seems to know it’s there! (Students and professors alike.) Great place to ride a bike, go for a run, or just take a stroll. Birds, lizards, turtles, and of course, dogs – so bring a friend. I knew there was a lot of land there, but didn’t realize there were trails. Cars are not permitted. You can see the trails by plugging those coordinates into Google Maps. If you have questions of how to get there, send me a message.
Ah!
In theory, I thought, non students are not permitted in…? I guess they only stop cars, and strolling or cycling in doesn’t attract any attention (and I’m sure they don’t really give a toss anyway).
Looks nice. It won’t be so quiet and tranquil now that you’ve told everyone ;D
ps deffo not ‘in the middle’ but I’ll try not to be a pedant!
I don’t think I would describe that as the “middle” either, it reminds me of that saying… “an American thinks 100 years is old, a Brit thinks 100 miles is far..” Although if you considered Ankara as a whole county, rather than just the actual city bit in the middle I guess it would be pretty central. As it was, I was worried my guess of Dikmen Vadi, wasn’t central enough!
I agree with you and Tim, Mary. I consider Kizilay the center, but truly, have no idea on a map. Turks don’t use maps. Everything is just a couple of km away! North, east? South, west? Seems like they never use these! And Ankara is a province, not just a city. I should check on this . . . maybe I was right — or just be American! LOL.
That is the theory Tim. I hear it’s pretty easy to get on campus, except when they have big events.
I was very worried abut telling everyone. Honestly, I would have been mean and never told! But My hubby said I needed to give the coordinates. He’s my better half!
Now, there are rules: (1)if you see me, pretend you don’t. I’ll do the same. 🙂 (2) if you leave trash behind, you will find a large pile at your front door (I’m not saying of what.)
Enjoy!!!
Merhaba,
So great to bump into your blog; I was born in Ankara (in 1971!!) and it was much more green that time. Used to love walking along Kugulu Park!
I’m glad you found us and hope you keep coming back! I’m told Ankara has changed tremendously in the last 10 years alone! The number of malls in the city is astounding! The parks are great though. It’s so nice to have the green space.