Kuğulu Park — swans in the center of Ankara

Ankara AttractionsKuğulu Park — swans in the center of Ankara

Kuğulu Park: A Swan Garden in the Heart of Ankara

In the Çankaya district, on Tunalı Hilmi Street, nestled among upscale buildings and bustling cafes, lies a small but beloved oasis—Kuğulu Park, which translates to “Swan Park.” Covering just one hectare, it has become one of Ankara’s symbols, on par with Atatürk’s Mausoleum and the Citadel. The swan—a bird that locals associate with the park—is even depicted on the park’s emblem. People meet here for dates, take their children for walks, and wait for friends before heading to the cafes on Tunalı Street.

History

The park was created in 1958 as part of a program to develop green spaces in the new capital. By that time, Ankara was growing rapidly, and the Çankaya and Kavaklıdere districts needed small public spaces. A small plot with a bean-shaped pond and neat paths fit perfectly into the urban fabric.

Soon, the park gained its famous residents: the swans in the pond were a gift to Ankara from its sister city, Vienna. Since then, ducks and geese have joined the swans, and today you can always spot a whole flock of birds in the pond. In 2012, the pond underwent a major renovation: the banks, the water circulation system, and the resting areas for the birds were updated.

The park made the news for another reason as well. During the mass protests of 2013, known as the Gezi protests, Kuğulu Park became one of the centers of protest gatherings in Ankara—an analogue to Istanbul’s Gezi Park. In June 2013, 35 birds were temporarily evacuated from the pond to protect them from tear gas. After the protests ended, all of them were returned.

What to see

The pond and its inhabitants

The park’s main attraction is the pond with swans in the center. It is home to white swans, various species of ducks, and geese. Feeding them bread is not recommended (and often prohibited), but you can admire them as much as you like. The birds are used to people and swim close to the shore.

Sculptures and fountains

Small sculptures and fountains are placed around the perimeter of the pond. In the evening, the lights come on, and the park turns into one of the most romantic spots in the city. Newlyweds often come here to take photos.

Nearby Streets

Kuğulu’s main advantage is its location. Right at the exit begins Tunalı Hilmi Street with its countless cafes, pastry shops, and bookstores. After a walk through the park, it makes sense to continue your day there—it’s the most laid-back and lively part of Ankara.

Interesting facts

  • The park covers just 1 hectare (about 2.5 acres), making it one of Ankara’s smallest urban parks, yet this doesn’t prevent it from being one of the most popular.
  • Swans are the park’s symbol and are unofficially considered one of Ankara’s symbols. The first birds were gifted by Vienna, the capital of Austria, as part of a goodwill exchange.
  • In 2013, during the Gezi protests, the park became Ankara’s equivalent of Istanbul’s Gezi Park. Thirty-five birds were temporarily evacuated to protect them from tear gas.
  • The pond has been rebuilt several times—the last major renovation took place in 2012, which restored water circulation and improved conditions for the birds.
  • Despite its tiny size, the park has official status as a protected natural area of the Çankaya municipality.

How to get there

Kuğulu Park is located in the Çankaya district, at the intersection of Tunalı Hilmi Caddesi and Atatürk Bulvarı. GPS coordinates: 39.9019° N, 32.8602° E. The nearest metro stations are Kızılay (about 1.5 km on foot, M2 ANKARAY and Metro M1 lines) and Maltepe.

From Esenboğa Airport, it’s easiest to take a taxi or Havaş to Kızılay, then walk 15 minutes or take another short taxi ride. From Anıtkabir, it’s about a 25-minute walk or a 5-minute drive. A taxi from anywhere in the city center is inexpensive. Parking in the area is difficult; it’s best to use public transportation.

Tips for travelers

The park is open year-round, seven days a week, and there is no admission fee. The best time to visit is in the spring, when the tulips and flower beds are in bloom, or in early fall with its soft light. In the summer, it can get hot even in the shade during the day, so locals tend to come here in the evening.

Bring water and a light snack—there’s a café right outside the park fence, but it’s more comfortable to sit on a bench inside with a view of the pond. You shouldn’t feed the birds bread: it’s harmful to them, and the municipality regularly reminds visitors of this with signs.

It’s convenient to combine a visit to the park with a walk along Tunalı Hilmi: after Kuğulu, walk down this street to the end, try some local sweets at one of the pastry shops, and stop by the Pandora bookstore. A full visit takes 30–45 minutes, but if you like, you can hang out here for half a day—it’s a place for a slow, unhurried way of spending time in the very heart of the Turkish capital.

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Frequently asked questions — Kuğulu Park — swans in the center of Ankara Answers to frequently asked questions about Kuğulu Park — swans in the center of Ankara. Information about the service's operation, capabilities, and use.
Admission to Kuğulu Park is completely free. The park is open year-round, seven days a week, and welcomes visitors at any time of day—no tickets or registration are required.
Feeding birds bread is not recommended and is often expressly prohibited—such food is harmful to the health of swans, ducks, and geese. The Çankaya Municipality regularly reminds visitors of this with signs posted around the entire perimeter of the pond. The birds are accustomed to people and swim very close to the shore, so you can watch them to your heart’s content.
The first swans were gifted to Ankara by Vienna, the capital of Austria, as a gesture of friendship between the two cities. Over time, ducks of various breeds and geese joined the swans, and today the pond is home to a whole flock of birds. The swan has become the park’s unofficial symbol and has even been incorporated into its official emblem.
Yes. During the Gezi protests in 2013, Kuğulu Park became one of the main gathering points for protesters in Ankara—the local equivalent of Istanbul’s Gezi Park. In June of that year, 35 birds were temporarily evacuated from the pond to protect them from tear gas. Once the protests ended, all the birds were returned to the pond.
There are no cafes inside the park. It’s best to bring your own water and a light snack and settle down on a bench overlooking the pond. Just beyond the fence is Tunalı Hilmi Street, which offers a wide selection of coffee shops, bakeries, and restaurants—they’re literally just a few steps away.
In the evening, the sculptures and fountains around the pond are illuminated, transforming the park into one of Ankara’s most romantic spots. Newlyweds often come here for photo shoots. In the summer, locals prefer to visit in the evening, as it can get quite hot even in the shade during the day.
Kuğulu Park was established in 1958 as part of a greening program for Turkey’s new capital. Covering just one hectare, it is one of Ankara’s smallest urban parks. Despite its modest size, it holds official status as a protected natural area within the municipality of Çankaya and ranks among the city’s most popular and recognizable landmarks.
In 2012, the pond underwent a major renovation: the banks, the water circulation system, and the bird resting areas were upgraded. This helped preserve the pond’s ecosystem and improve conditions for its avian inhabitants.
Finding parking in the densely built-up Çankaya district near the park is difficult. We recommend using public transportation: the nearest metro stations are Kızılay (lines M2 and M1, about a 1.5-kilometer walk) and Maltepe. A taxi ride from anywhere in central Ankara is quick and inexpensive.
The park is perfect for just about everyone: couples, families with children (kids love the ducks and swans), photographers, and anyone looking for a brief escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Its compact size and free admission make it an ideal spot for a quick stop during a longer stroll through Ankara.
Tunalı Hilmi is a bustling street right at the exit of Kuğulu Park, one of the most laid-back and popular streets in Ankara. It is home to dozens of cafes, pastry shops, and bookstores. The park and the street form a single route: locals come to see the swans and then continue their evening at one of the cafes on Tunalı Hilmi.
Kuğulu Park translates from Turkish as “Swan Park”—from the word kuğu (swan). The swan is considered the unofficial symbol not only of the park but of the entire Çankaya district, and its image is featured in the park’s official emblem.
User manual — Kuğulu Park — swans in the center of Ankara Kuğulu Park — swans in the center of Ankara User Guide with a description of the main functions, features, and principles of use.
The best time to visit Kuğulu Park is in the spring, when the tulips and flower beds are in bloom, or in early fall, when the light is soft. In the summer, visit in the evening: it can get quite hot even in the shade during the day, but after sunset the lights come on and the atmosphere becomes especially pleasant. The park is open year-round and admission is free at all times.
The park is located in the Çankaya district, at the intersection of Tunalı Hilmi Caddesi and Atatürk Bulvarı (GPS: 39.9019° N, 32.8602° E). The nearest metro stations are Kızılay (lines M2 and M1, about a 1.5 km walk) and Maltepe. From Esenboğa Airport, the most convenient way to get there is to take the Havaş bus to Kızılay, and then walk or take a short taxi ride. Driving your own car is not recommended: parking in the area is difficult.
The centerpiece of the park is a bean-shaped pond with white swans, ducks, and geese. The birds have long been accustomed to people and swim right up to the shore. Do not feed them bread: it is harmful to their health, as signs around the perimeter warn. Just watch them—it is a pleasant activity in itself.
Take a stroll along the paths around the pond: small sculptures and fountains line the banks. Find a bench with a good view of the water and relax—the park is perfect for a leisurely stroll. The entire walk around the perimeter takes about 20 minutes, but there’s no need to rush.
There are no kiosks or cafés inside the park, so be sure to bring your own snacks and drinks. With a bottle of water and a light snack, it’s nice to settle down on a bench by the pond and take your time. If you’re in the mood for hot coffee or something sweet, there are bakeries and coffee shops just a stone’s throw away, right outside the fence.
After Kuğulu Park, you’ll emerge right onto Tunalı Hilmi Street—the liveliest and most laid-back part of Ankara. Walk to the end of the street: along the way, you’ll come across dozens of cafes, pastry shops, and bookstores, including Pandora. Try some local sweets and pop into a bookstore—it’s a natural and pleasant way to end your stroll through the heart of the Turkish capital.