At 1,768 meters above sea level, this cold Turkish city has Ottoman fortifications, medieval Armenian ruins, and mountain rivers known for trout fishing.
Kars, a city in northeastern Turkey, sits at an elevation of 1,750 meters near the Armenian border. Walk through streets lined with 19th-century Russian Baltic architecture, climb the 12th-century castle for city views, or cross the 1725 Stone Bridge spanning the Kars River. You'll find carved stone details at the Church of the Apostles, sample locally-made aged cheese, and can take day trips to explore the medieval ruins of Ani.
Getting to Kars
You can reach Kars by air through daily flights from Istanbul and Ankara to Kars Harakani Airport. The Doğu Express train departs from Ankara daily at 18:00 and arrives in Kars 26 hours later, taking you through the Turkish countryside. Regular bus services connect Kars to other major cities.
Weather and Best Time to Visit
Kars has dramatic temperature changes throughout the year. Summer days reach 27°C (81°F) with cool nights, while winter temperatures drop to -30°C (-22°F). Snow covers the ground from December through March. Visit between May and October for mild weather ideal for city exploration, or come in winter for snow activities at Lake Çıldır.
Russian Architecture
Russian rulers shaped Kars's cityscape between 1878 and 1918, building streets in a geometric grid pattern filled with Baltic-style buildings. These stone structures have distinctive features: high ceilings, ornate facades, and large windows. The Cheltikov Mansion from 1874, now a hotel, displays the period's architectural elements with its symmetrical design and decorative stonework.
Local Food Scene
Local cheese makers produce aged Kashar and Gruyere using techniques dating to the 19th century, when Russian Molokan settlers established dairy farms in the region. In winter, try the regional specialty of Kars goose, which locals dry and serve with pilaf cooked in the meat's broth.
Historical Sites
Climb the Castle of Kars for panoramic views from its rocky hilltop location. The fortress, open daily from 9:00 to 17:00, has thick stone walls dating to the Bagratuni Armenian period. At the Church of the Apostles, built in the 10th century, you can examine the detailed stone carvings on its exterior walls. The Stone Bridge from 1725 remains an active crossing point between old and new Kars.
Day Trips from Kars
Visit the medieval city of Ani, 45 kilometers east of Kars. This UNESCO World Heritage site contains ruins from the 8th-13th centuries, including churches with original frescoes and 4,500-meter city walls. In winter, Lake Çıldır freezes solid, and local operators run horse-drawn sleigh rides across the ice. The lake is about 60 kilometers from Kars, accessible by rental car or tour.
