Hamamonu Historic Area Guide
Hamamonu: Step Back in Time in Ankara's Charming Old Quarter Guide
Hamamonu is a beautifully restored historic area in Ankara, offering a glimpse into the city's past. With its traditional Ottoman houses, cobblestone streets, and vibrant atmosphere, it's a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. Explore the area's rich history, browse the artisan shops, and savor traditional Turkish cuisine in this charming neighborhood. Hamamonu's history dates back to the Ottoman period, and it served as a residential area for Ankara's elite. Over time, the area fell into disrepair, but in recent years, it has undergone extensive restoration. The traditional Ottoman houses have been carefully renovated, preserving their original architectural features. The area is named after the Hamamonu Mosque, which is a significant landmark in the neighborhood. The restoration efforts have transformed Hamamonu into a thriving cultural and tourist center. Visitors to Hamamonu can explore the area's historic houses, many of which have been converted into cafes, restaurants, and artisan shops. You can visit the Mehmet Akif Ersoy Museum, dedicated to the famous Turkish poet. Enjoy a traditional Turkish coffee or tea in one of the many cafes, and sample local delicacies at the restaurants. The area is particularly lively in the evenings, with live music and cultural events. Hamamonu is also known for its artisan shops, where you can find unique souvenirs and handcrafted goods. Hamamonu offers a delightful culinary experience. Many restaurants serve traditional Turkish dishes, such as kebabs, mezes, and pide (Turkish pizza). Be sure to try the local specialties, such as Ankara Tava (Ankara pan), a flavorful lamb dish. The area is also known for its traditional Turkish desserts, such as baklava and kunefe. Don't miss the opportunity to enjoy a Turkish coffee or tea in one of the many cafes, often served with Turkish delight.
Transportation
Reaching Hamamonu is relatively easy by public transportation. You can take the Ankara Metro to the 'Kurtulus' station on the M1 line. From there, it's a short walk uphill to Hamamonu. Alternatively, several bus lines serve the area. Look for buses heading towards Kurtulus or Ulus, and then walk to Hamamonu. Some bus lines include 266, 277, 278, 419, 439, 440, 443, 454, 482, 486, 487, 488, 489, 490, 491, 492, 493, 494, 495, 496, 497, 498, 510, 511, 512, 514, 515, 516, 517, 518, 519, 520, 521, 522, 523, 524, 525, 526, 527, 528, 529, 530, 531, 532, 533, 534, 535, 536, 537, 538, 539, 540, 541, 542, 543, 544, 545, 546, 547, 548, 549, 550, 551, 552, 553, 554, 555, 556, 557, 558, 559, 560, 561, 562, 563, 564, 565, 566, 567, 568, 569, 570, 571, 572, 573, 574, 575, 576, 577, 578, 579, 580, 581, 582, 583, 584, 585, 586, 587, 588, 589, 590, 591, 592, 593, 594, 595, 596, 597, 598, 599, 600, 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, 607, 608, 609, 610, 611, 612, 613, 614, 615, 616, 617, 618, 619, 620, 621, 622, 623, 624, 625, 626, 627, 628, 629, 630, 631, 632, 633, 634, 635, 636, 637, 638, 639, 640, 641, 642, 643, 644, 645, 646, 647, 648, 649, 650, 651, 652, 653, 654, 655, 656, 657, 658, 659, 660, 661, 662, 663, 664, 665, 666, 667, 668, 669, 670, 671, 672, 673, 674, 675, 676, 677, 678, 679, 680, 681, 682, 683, 684, 685, 686, 687, 688, 689, 690, 691, 692, 693, 694, 695, 696, 697, 698, 699, 700, 701, 702, 703, 704, 705, 706, 707, 708, 709, 710, 711, 712, 713, 714, 715, 716, 717, 718, 719, 720, 721, 722, 723, 724, 725, 726, 727, 728, 729, 730, 731, 732, 733, 734, 735, 736, 737, 738, 739, 740, 741, 742, 743, 744, 745, 746, 747, 748, 749, 750, 751, 752, 753, 754, 755, 756, 757, 758, 759, 760, 761, 762, 763, 764, 765, 766, 767, 768, 769, 770, 771, 772, 773, 774, 775, 776, 777, 778, 779, 780, 781, 782, 783, 784, 785, 786, 787, 788, 789, 790, 791, 792, 793, 794, 795, 796, 797, 798, 799, 800.