Kars in Photos
Hotels, Tours and Excursions in Kars, Turkey
Kars
Kars is located in the Eastern Anatolia region in northeastern Turkey, near the border with Armenia. The nearest larger cities are Erzurum and Ardahan, and Ağrı Province lies to the south. The city sits at the crossroads of historic routes and natural landscapes, making it a convenient base for day trips into the surrounding area.
Kars is known as a historic city with a layered past: Hurrians and Urartians, Persians and Byzantines, Armenian and Georgian principalities, Seljuks, Mongols and Ottomans all held sway here. In the 19th century the city came under the control of the Russian Empire, leaving a noticeable mark on the urban layout and architecture. All of this created a unique cultural mosaic visible in the streets and monuments.
The central attraction of the city is the fortress on a high rock, around which the old quarters developed. The old town with its narrow lanes and the Russian section with its grid layout form a contrast of eras and architectural styles. A promenade runs along the river, and historic bridges and hammams add to the atmosphere.
Kars attracts tourists with a variety of routes - historical and archaeological excursions, photography trips, ethnographic tours and winter tourism. From the city it is convenient to reach the famous ruins of Ani and Lake Çıldır, as well as to explore the surrounding mountains and pastures.
The city has Kars Harakani Airport, which connects Kars with other Turkish cities, and there is also rail service, which makes planning trips easier. The infrastructure allows accommodation both in small guesthouses in the old center and in modern hotels in the new part of town.
The climate is continental - winters are cold and snowy, summers are short and cool; the best seasons to visit are late spring and summer, when the roads and historic sites are accessible and the weather is milder.
Kars - the ruins of Ani, a historic fortress and the snow-covered plateaus of Eastern Anatolia.
Kars - Ani
The ruins of Ani are located several dozen kilometers from Kars and are one of the main reasons history lovers come here. Ani is a medieval city with numerous churches and fortifications, often called the city of a thousand and one churches; its area clearly shows traces of Armenian and Georgian architecture.
Another popular destination from Kars is Lake Çıldır, which in summer attracts nature lovers and anglers, and in winter turns into a frozen expanse for sleigh rides and photo sessions. The surroundings are suitable for walking and driving tours, birdwatching and lakeside relaxation.
In Kars itself it is worth paying attention to the legacy of the Russian era - the railway station and stone administrative buildings with characteristic 19th-century architecture, as well as historic Seljuk and Ottoman period sites, in addition to nearby archaeological monuments. Themed archaeological tours, photography excursions and ethno-cultural tours are available to tourists.
The local cuisine is based on regional products - meat dishes and cheeses play an important role in Kars gastronomy, so be sure to try traditional regional flavors during your trip. The best seasons to visit depend on interests: for archaeology and walking - late spring and summer, for snowy landscapes and lake activities - winter.
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