Winter in Ankara: Things to Do

Lavarla — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 07:39:34 +0000

We learned how to protect the frosty winter in Ankara, but we didn’t talk much about what is there to be done in this city during the icy weather. Let’s face it, our winters are mostly spent in the cinema-theater-shopping triangle. There are also warm cafes to meet friends. However isn’t it important to enjoy every season? To make winter in Ankara more enjoyable, we gathered small but delightful tips that will make your time in the city beautiful.

Snowball Fight

Every year when it snows, Seymenler Park turns into the scene of legendary snowball battles. You may find events on Facebook to follow it. But it is more like a non-verbal agreement that everyone knows. It is traditional to gather friends and visit the park when it snows. After a challenging and wet struggle, you can enjoy a warm cup of chicken soup in Zeynel Restaurant at Tunus Street.

Ice Skating

Yes, maybe ice skating is not a traditional sport in Turkey. But it is not like we all do oil wrestling every day! The idea of sliding on the ice for the first time is perhaps a little daunting, but easier and more enjoyable than you think! At first, maybe the steps are timid, but after a while, it feels like flying! It’s important to dress appropriately when you’re going on the ring and keep in mind that you can borrow the skates from the facilities.

Belpa: Akdeniz Cad. No: 57 Bahçelievler / Çankaya- Ankara / 0312 223 35 13
Lozanpark Buz Pisti: Birlik Mah. Kahire Cad. No:3/A Lozanpark Çankaya / 0549 440 8181
Atatürk Buz Pateni Spor Tesisleri: Kurtuluş Parkı, Çankaya

Tips to Warm Up # 1: Mulled Wine

One of the best activities during the dreadful cold weather is drinking mulled wine while chatting in a dimly lit place during the winter in Ankara. Our city has so many spots for mulled wine: Sardunya, Botanica, Don Kişot, Ekşi Maya, Aylak Madam, and Cafe des Cafe. You can also try to make it at home by following an easy recipe. Instead of going out, you can have a good time at home with gathering friends at home, having mulled wine together, and enjoying a nice movie or a good playlist. Check out the recipe of Lavarla author, Eliçe.

You need one bottle of red wine, preferably one of the cheap ones. Pour 1/3 of it into a cooking pot and add half a glass of sugar (you may add more as you want). When the sugar is completely melted, add 2-3 cinnamon sticks, 3-4 cloves, and half a lemon zest. You can also include fruits as well. Wait until 40 mins to get the ultimate taste

Sliding with Plastic Bags

Maybe you don’t have a slide, but that doesn’t mean that you can have fun in winter in Ankara! Traditionally, the best plastic bag slides were the old school ones, that are used by Turkish mamas for different reasons like preserving knitting materials of house shoes. Nowadays, supermarket bags, sturdy washcloths, and garbage bags are new favorites. Whatever you choose, don’t forget to aim a point (pole, tree, etc.) that will stop you before it slips.

The Beauty of the City under the Snow

When the snow is new, gazing at the city from a high point connects you a little more to Ankara. Under the evening lights, you can forget about the frosty air and the cold weather. Some of our favorite spots are 50. Yıl Parkı, top of any hilly street in Ayrancı district, and Teleferikler district in Yenimahalle. You can enjoy the view with a thermos of tea or coffee!

Tips to Warm Up # 2: Heating Stove

Heating stoves are very popular in our city and help you to enjoy the winter in Ankara. The best linden tea is made on top of the stove at Gramafon Cafe, and one of the best coffees can be enjoyed in Kirit Cafe. You can also enjoy the chestnuts that are cooked in the stove at Nostalji Cafe. If you decide to discover the historical center of the city, you can visit Dantel Cafe protects from the cold of the region.

Chestnut Kebab

In winter, you can find chestnut kebab vendors in the city everywhere, from Tunali to Bahçeli; and from Kızılay to Ulus. The price of a paper bag of chestnut is usually around 5 or 10 Liras. Keep in mind that the price may increase slightly towards Tunalı. It is also a way to warm hands in the winter in Ankara as well!

Enjoy New Things

Instagram has entered our lives with the input not only clothing but also the food, decoration, even the music we listen to have to be as fashionable as possible. How many of us didn’t decorate houses with cactuses and tiny lights we bought from IKEA because they were fashionable, or how many of us didn’t even look at the coffee machine in the house and went to the third wave shops because they are instagrammable? We are all guilty! Nowadays, clean eating is fashionable. That brings making sour own almond milk, fermenting your own yogurt, and drinking pumpkin soup to our attention! But we are including it to our list to intrigue you to try. If you can’t do it at home, Elvan does the best for you; Bonapple in winter is a good spot to stop by. Note: You can also enjoy Crab Soup there as well.

Take Care of Stray Animals!

Credits: www.ezgikonucu.com

Townies who taught that animals would not experience cold because of their tick furs started to realize that indeed they can! That way, we started to see cat houses, blankets over dogs and food for them outside during the winter. This might be not everyone’s cup of tea, but you can also support this cause by showing some empathy! Here is a guide to make a cat house for your friendly neighbors.

Enjoy a Bootee

One of the most beautiful things to do in Ankara in winter is to stay at home. Wear the bootees while you are waiting for the tea to boil, and enjoy your favorite book or binge watch the series that you love!

Cover Photo: Taner Ekici

Translated by Jeyan İdil Aslan

This article is also available in Turkish. Click here to take a look.

Winter in Ankara: Things to Do yazısı ilk önce Lavarla - Kültür-Sanat ve Kent Yaşamı üzerinde ortaya çıktı.

A Beginner’s Guide to Crispy Ankara Air

Eliçe Kılıç — Sun, 13 Jan 2019 10:11:17 +0000

Back in the elementary school, we all wrote down the same… “In Ankara, summers are dry and hot; and winters are snowy and cold”. But the extent of the cold was something that we haven’t taught of! Jokes were on others, but locals know the exact meaning of these words. Those who came to Ankara later on in their lives saw, how crispy it can get. As the cold weather approaches, this is an important subject to visit, so how to deal with this cold of Ankara? Here is the “Beginner’s Guide to Crispy Ankara Air”!

Don’t be Fooled by the Forecast!

When you wake up in the morning, you’ll probably check the forecast before deciding what to wear. Sometimes the forecast states that it is sunny, but don’t be fooled! One simply cannot trust to Ankara’s sun. It doesn’t make life warmer in the winter.

Layer Up!

It is not enough to wear a coat over your thickest sweater. Start layering up with a t-shirt inside. As a result of the cold outside, indoor areas will be warm. It is useful to layer down once you are inside and no longer faced with cold. This way you would avoid getting cold outside once you are out.

Do not Underestimate the Power of Long Johns

Although surprising to newcomers, long johns, thermal tights, pantyhose, and many others are very important for the Ankara weather – and they are a must… Try it, you will feel the comfort!

Wrap Your Scarf Thoroughly

Remember how your mother used to wrap your scarf when you were little? Only eyes were visible… That’s what you need! Once you got a hat on, that is perfect!

Keep Your Sunglasses Close

Don’t wait to see the sun to put on your glasses. The ones that suffer from lacrimation know it better. Carry your sunglasses with you in order to avoid crystalized tears caused by Ankara weather.

One Wish for Tonight: Seeing the Bus Arrive Early!

Even though you are dress appropriately, put on a pair of long johns and wrapped the scarf all around; you cannot avoid the sharp wind slicing your face like a knife while you are in the bus stop. There’s not much left to do other than to wish the bus would come in as soon as possible to avoid facial paralysis.

Leave the House Early If You Have a Car

After an ice-cold night, nothing stays the same. It will probably take some time for the car engine to warm up and work. Be aware.

Have a Cup of Joe

Nowadays you can find a coffee shop in every corner of Ankara. A cup of warm joe will keep your hands warm, like a glove!

Enjoy!

Despite cold weather, dry air, cracks on the hands, red noses and frozen tears; Ankara weather is beautiful in the winter. The tranquility of Kuğulu Park under snow, or treating yourself with some chestnuts on your way to the bus stop makes the winter wonderful.

Do not forget: It is the cold that is famous, not the city!

This article is available in Turkish! Click here to take a look!