Ankara may not have Istanbul's impressive palaces, ancient mosques or archaeological excavations, but it still remains a worthy stopoff during a trip to Turkey. For me, Ankara reflects modern Turkey; a young, dynamic town that blends economic growth and modernity, whilst staying true to tradition. The view over Ankara shows minarets huddled next to glass skyscrapers, institutes and Embassy compounds.
Even though I think Ankara's worth every penny, it can be a bit frenzied, with noisy, traffic laden streets in a town centre that seems to be designed for vehicles rather than pedestrians. So, if that's not your thing, don't worry - the region around Ankara has plenty of quietier getaways on offer.
Ankara is a modern city which is full of history. However, although it is the capital, this city can be disappointing compared with Istanbul. Indeed, history enthusiasts, particularly about Anatolia, can visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations and the old citadel of Ankara. Unfortunately, I would say it is rather a calm and peaceful city. There are numerous museums to visit, but you must find other centres of interest.
However, Ankara can be a stop-off point if you are heading to the region of Cappadocia, in the South-East of Turkey. That means you can to stop off halfway when leaving from Istanbul, and you can enjoy the calm in Ankara compared with the daily activity in Bosphorus.