On the southern side of Ankara, near to posh Çankaya, Kavaklıdere is another upmarket part of town albeit with some more ordinary shops, restaurants and cafes too.
This is not a place to come sightseeing although neat little Kuğulu (Swan) Parkı is a pleasant place to sit in the sun on a hot summer’s day.
The main shopping street in Kavaklıdere is Tunalı Hilmi Caddesi which runs northeast from the park and the small Kanum Shopping Mall. Here you’ll find a pleasing mix of chain and one-off stores as well as several inviting cafes including Cafe des Cafes which has been catering to weary shoppers for many a long year.
For an even better choice of cafes head instead along Arjantin Caddesi which runs southeast past the Sheraton Hotel. Hotspots come and go with revolving-door rapidity here but a quick stroll uphill is bound to throw up something to draw you in.
Sleeping
Sheraton Hotel & Convention Centre
Transport info
Many buses run along Atatürk Bulvarı from Heykel in Ulus to Kavaklıdere, passing through Opera. Most require you to buy a ticket before boarding.
