Kırıkkale, Turkey: cities, destinations and things to do

The province

Get to know Kırıkkale

Kırıkkale lies east of Ankara, in the valley of the Kızılırmak River. The city grew in the 20th century around steelworks and industry, and it is a university town and a stopover on the route between Ankara and the country’s east.

The Çeşnigir bridge, from the Seljuk period, spans the Kızılırmak with stone arches near Karakeçili, in front of the Büklükale hill, a Hittite archaeological site. In Hasandede, about 12 km from the provincial capital, the early 17th-century mosque and mausoleum receive visitors and pilgrims.

In Keskin, Sulu Mağara is a three-level cave with roughly 285 metres of galleries open to visitors. Karaahmetli Nature Park has woodlands and a lavender garden, and the lake of the Kapulukaya reservoir lies close to town.

For the traveler, Kırıkkale works as a day stop from Ankara or en route to Yozgat, Sivas and Cappadocia.

When to go

May to June and September to October are usually the best months for the Çeşnigir bridge and the parks. Karaahmetli’s lavender typically blooms between June and July. Summers are hot and dry; winters are usually cold, with snow.

Getting there

The airport serving Kırıkkale is Esenboğa (ESB) in Ankara. The high-speed train between Ankara and Sivas stops at Kırıkkale, and there are frequent buses from Ankara. For Çeşnigir, Hasandede and Sulu Mağara, a car is more practical.

Your questions

Frequently asked questions about Kırıkkale

Is Kırıkkale worth visiting?

It’s worth it for travelers driving between Ankara and the east who enjoy old bridges and off-the-beaten-path places. Half a day is enough for Çeşnigir and Hasandede.

Where is the Çeşnigir bridge located?

In the Kızılırmak valley, near Karakeçili. It is reached by car, and a walk across the bridge and along the riverbank takes under an hour.

What is the visit to Sulu Mağara like?

The cave has walkways and lighting on all three levels, with limestone formations and flowing water. The temperature is cool year-round; bring a jacket and check opening days before you go.

Can Kırıkkale be visited as a day trip from Ankara?

Yes — by high-speed train or by bus in under an hour. For Çeşnigir and Sulu Mağara, rent a car.

Tap a province to see its destinations. Limites: Natural Earth (domínio público). Ilhas do Mármara e dos Príncipes: geoBoundaries / © colaboradores do OpenStreetMap (CC BY-SA). Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.