Available as a full-day experience from Ankara or Cappadocia.
If you are drawn to ancient civilizations, a visit to the Hittite capital Hattuşaş and its nearby open-air sanctuary Yazılıkaya is one of those rare journeys where history comes alive before your eyes. Just a few hours’ drive from either Ankara or Cappadocia, you can spend a day walking in the footsteps of kings and queens who once rivaled Egypt and Babylon.
Hattuşaş was the heart of the Hittite Empire, a Bronze Age superpower that signed the world’s first peace treaty — a replica of which stands today at the United Nations in New York. As you pass through lion- and sphinx-guarded gates, explore monumental city walls, and step into vast temple complexes, you will sense the scale and confidence of a civilization that left a lasting imprint on world history.
Only a short distance away lies Yazılıkaya, the open-air sanctuary where Hittite kings honored their gods. Here, rows of deities carved more than 3,000 years ago line the rock walls, their images remarkably vivid in the daylight. To stand in this space is to touch the spiritual heart of the Hittites, where religion and power converged in stone.
The journey is comfortable, with scenic countryside unfolding along the way. Our day is paced to give you time to explore without rush, and to enjoy a lunch at a local restaurant — another window into everyday life in Anatolia.
Walking: moderate.
- Your guide and driver will meet you in Ankara or Cappadocia.
- Tour can be tailored to your travel plans and interests.
What’s included
- A certified SRM guide
- Private chauffeured vehicle
- Tolls and parking
- Lunch
- Admissions
