Higher Ulus is a poor and old neighborhood, so it looks less safe. And to be honest, the last time I went there at night was 9 years ago (I did not see a problem then). Which remings me to suggest that you go to one of the restaurants in the Citadel for the evening for dinner and live traditional music.

Some of the cheap hotels in Ulus may be used for red-light purposes, due to their cheap price. But I have seen other (richer) neighborhoods where the red light people hang around, so I wouldn't classify Ulus as a red light district. I guess they "work" where they can.

The lower parts of Ulus are better, where for example, Radisson SAS (hotel ranked 5th in Ankara among TA hotels, see through the link on the top left) is located. Again, I'm basing this recommendation only on location. Radisson SAS is about 1 km from where you get on/off the airport shuttles, 2.5 km from the Mausoleum and 1 km from the rest of historic stuff (including Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and the Citadel). So everything will be within cheap reach by taxi.

It is also immediately next to a subway stop - if you get fed up with historical sightseeing, you can take it outbound for 2 stops, disembark at Akkopru, and get to Ankamall (superhuge shopping mall with lots of shops, restaurants, IMAX); or take it inbound for 2 stops, disembark at Kizilay, and mix into the downtown crowd.

Is the Citadel in Ulus? I ask because one of the most recommended hotels in forums is Angora House which is described to be in the Citadel area. The photos of the Citadel I've seen posted in VirtualTourist portray dilapidated houses and crumbling buildings... not very encouraging. Although Angora House itself seems highly recommended. Just wondering what the neighborhood would be like if we stayed there, and if we can safely walk around at night. Or would we need to use a taxi everywhere..

Yes, the Citadel, Museum of Anatolian Civilization, Ethnographic Museum, First Parliament, Second Parliament, Roman bath ruins and all other historic buildings are in Ulus.

I don't know Angora Hotel specifically, but I guess it is one of the several small and cheap (and not necessarily bad) hotels in Ulus.

I cannot comment on many hotels in Ankara but I have visited 3 times..once staying in the Dikmen area..lovely views of the park...and also in the Kizilay district..the other was at a friends house so cant remember the areas name..

However I did call my neice who is studying at the Ankara University last night for the past three years...and asked her about the area of Ulus..and like NKT has said before it is a pooer district and the hotels are cheaper there therefore may not always bring in the best for guests..

The areas she recommended were the Kizilay due to its central location for visiting the many areas and aslo the access to the metro..

Tandogan and Maltepe...we another recommendations for areas ...

My family and I did stay at the Enerj hotel ( Energy ) in the Kizliay..for a few days on winter while we were visiting her..it is mostly businessmen and turkish govt. members parties that stay in this area due to the location of the turkish ministries..TBMM (Turkish Grand National Assembly, & shopping district.

But I cannot find any info about the hotel over the internet and to be honest it was ok for a hotel but not worth the money we paid...but I think it is very hard to find a good hotel for a cheap price in Ankara..just like Istanbul...and the same goes for Izmir..

try these links..

http://www.ankarashotels.com/

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%87ankaya,_Ankara

www.gototurkey.co.uk/hotelguide/category.php…

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just some info I found on Ulus over the internet..

Ulus is a quarter in Ankara, Turkey and is located at the center of the capital city. It was once the heart of old Ankara. The name means "nation" in Turkish.

It is now a predominately a commercial and touristic area made up of banks, malls, shops, hotels, businesses, restaurants, and many historical sites. The first Turkish Grand National Assembly convened here in 1923 in the parliament building at Ulus Square (Turkish: Ulus Meydanı), which still stands in original. Across from the historical parliament building is the city's oldest hotel, the Ankara Palas, where Ataturk had stayed. Ankara Citadel, another historical attraction, is located immediate east of Ulus.

In the center of Ulus Square, there is a memorial called Monument of Republic, which was erected in 1927 as a symbol of Atatürk's and the Turkish people's struggle in the War of Independence.

Places of interest

Temple of Augustus

Column of Julianus (362 AD)

Roman Bath (3rd century AD)

War of Independence Museum (Kurtuluş Savaşı Müzesi) - originally the first parliament building

Ankara Ethnography Museum

Hacı Bayram Mosque

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just changed to a google search in turkish and found the hotel we did stay at..

Adres : Bayındır 1 Sokak No : 8 KIZILAY / ANKARA - Tel : (0312) 435 49 50 - Fax : (0312) 435 49 55

info@enerjiotel.net

http://www.enerjiotel.net/home.asp

more useful links...

turkeytravelplanner.com/go/…hisar.html

and looking at the photos on this page..it reminds me of the same type of old restored houses here in Antalya...in the Kaleiçi ( "Kalekapisi" ) Yat Limanı (Eski Liman)

trying the link again as it did not seem to work..if it still does not just go to Wilkpedia and then type in Cankaya ( Çankaya )

…wikipedia.org/wiki/…2C_Ankara

Wow! THANK YOU VERY MUCH for this information. I will certainly read up... am discovering a lot about your country...

you are very welcome of the help..sorry for any spelling mistakes..my brain and fingers dont always work together on the kyeboard...LOL