Parks

Walk south of Ulus Meydanı along Atatürk Bulvarı and you'll reach the entrance to Gençlik Parkı (Youth Park), where Atatürk had a swamp converted into an artificial lake. The park gets going during summer, but at other times it appears to be returning to swampland. The Luna Park funfair overlooks the slow decay, and there are çay bahçesi (tea gardens) by the lake; single women should only go to those with aile (family) in their name. In fact, single women should avoid the park altogether.

Other oases in the city are Kuğulu Parkı(Swan Park), at the southern end of Tunalı Hilmi Caddesi, and the Botanik Parkı (Botanical Park), spilling into a valley beneath the Atakule.

Further out of town in Gölbaşı, Aquapark Club Watercity has outdoor, indoor and children's pools, water slides, sports facilities and restaurants. Dolmuşes (shared taxis; can be a minibus or sedan) run here from Opera Meydanı.