Boğazkale (Hattusha), 200 km (124 miles) east of Ankara, was the capital of the Hittite Empire 2300 years ago, and is a striking sight today.
Located 30 km (19 miles) southeast of Sungurlu (map) on the way to Çorum and the Black Sea coast, Boğazkale (boh-AHZ-kah-leh) is impressive not so much for its buildings—there are none left, only their foundations—but for its setting, its layout, and its great antiquity.
Guided day tours run from Cappadocia to Boğazkale/Hattusha and back. More…
The Hittites are mentioned in the Bible as the conquerors of Babylon and challengers of the Egyptian pharaohs. Hattusha) was their power center, the site of their temples to the Storm God and other deities.
Yazılıkaya
At Yazılıkaya, 2.6km (1.6 miles) uphill from the entrance to the Hattuşa site (map), bas reliefs of ceremonial processions were carved into the sheer rock walls of a natural holy-place. The Hitit Yolu (Hittite Way) walking path, marked by signs, shows you the way. More…
Alacahöyük
Alacahöyük, 36 km (22 miles) north of Boğazkale, was another important Hittite city, and is worth a look if you’re interested enough in Hittite history and art to visit Bogazkale.
Museum of Anatolian Civilisations
The world’s best collection of Hittite art is beautifully displayed in Ankara‘s Museum of Anatolian Civilisations, informally called the ‘Hittite Museum.” More…
Transportation
Kamil Koç has frequent daily buses from Ankara‘s AŞTİ bus terminal that stop in Sungurlu on their way to Çorum, a trip of about 2 hours. From Sungurlu you can take a minibus, or hire a taxi, for the final 30-km (19-mile) trip to Boğazkale (35 minutes).
Frequent buses return from Sungurlu to Ankara in the afternon and early evening. Check departure times in Sungurlu when you first arrive there on your way to Boğazkale.
The nearest airport is Ankara‘s Esenboğa Airport. The nearest train station is at Yerköy, but there are few trains, they are slow, and at inconvenient times.
Distances & Travel Times
Amasya: 175 km (109 miles) NE, 2.75 hours
Ankara: 200 km (124 miles) W, 3.5 hours
Cappadocia (Ürgüp): 240 km (149 miles) S, 4 hours
Çorum: 83 km (52 miles) N, 1.5 hours
Istanbul: 650 km (404 miles) NW, 10 hours
Kayseri: 230 km (143 miles) SE, 4 hours
Sinop: 390 km (242 miles) N, 8 hours
Sivas: 260 km (162 miles) E, 4.25 hours
Sungurlu: 30 km (19 miles) W, 35 minutes
Yozgat: 35 km (22 miles) S, 40 minutes
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