Kars
Kars is a city on a high plateau in northeastern Turkey, near the Armenian border. It’s a gateway to the abandoned Armenian city of Ani to the east, with its ruined 11th-century churches, mosques and palaces in a remote open field. On the outskirts of Kars, the Kars Museum has historical artifacts, including images of the excavation of Ani. The hilltop Kars Castle overlooks the meandering Kars River.
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Historic Sites
The Castle of Kars is a reconstructed fortress on a hill overlooking the Kars River, first built by the Saltuk Turks in 1153 and later destroyed by Tamerlane in 1386. It has been rebuilt several times since and contains a variety of structures such as a Janissary barracks, an arsenal, a small mosque, and the tomb of Celal Baba who died during a Mongol attack. The castle offers stunning views of the city below and surrounding mountains.
This castle, built in 1152 by vizier Firuz Akay by the order of Sultan Melik İzzeddin during the Saltuklu Principality, is a monument not only made of stone and brick, but also bearing the traces of history and emotions. Here are my feelings and thoughts while wandering around this fascinating building:
When I started to tour the castle step by step, I was impressed by the atmosphere of this place intertwined with history. The solidity of its stone walls symbolized the power of time and the durability of this masterpiece created by human hands. When I walked in, I felt like ghosts of the past. All the events that took place here, all the words spoken here were felt as living memories in the marks on the walls.
This castle is not just a structure, but also a personality that has witnessed the lives of many people. Saltuklu Sultan Melik Izzeddin's idea of having this castle built was perhaps a reflection of the power and magnificence of his time. Timur's destruction, III. Reconstruction by order of Murad, destruction by Shah Abbas I of Iran and subsequent repairs; all these reflected people's devotion to this castle and its historical importance.
While visiting the castle, I couldn't stop myself from thinking about the flow of history. All the events that took place here and the efforts spent to repair this castle help us understand the history of humanity. People fought, repaired and rebuilt to defend this castle. This castle represents the resilience and determination of humanity.
Castle walls are a place where history speaks loudly. The coldness of the stones makes this structure, which has been the silent witness of centuries, even more impressive. Walking among these stones feels like a meeting with the past. It seems like there is a story under every stone, a period of time hidden behind every wall. This castle, like time itself, is a monument that bears the traces of past experiences, and witnessing this monument was a magical experience for me.
Emrah — Google review
Really beautiful, because it is on a hill it gives you a beautiful view over the city and the snow/mountain's behind it. At night it is even more amazing
Cool castle! You get a great view over pretty much all of Kars. Has some information plaques in English too. But there were pretty much no security measures, a lot of open edges and windows with big drops. Also quite a bit of littering, and the top of the castle was locked off. Still, it's free and the view is great, so go up and get a nice view of Kars.
This is free entrance for the Kars Castle. One of the beautiful castle, visit during winter, full of snow. Castle located right at the city centre, walking distance like 1km. Surrounded with other iconic attraction, such as Kumbet mosque and stone bridge and etc. Is a MUST visit when you in Kars.
Castle of Kars is located on the top of the city and has amazing view down of couple of mosques, old bridge and city itself.
Fascinating place in forgotten part of Turkey. I was really surprised with offered services and modern shops and coffee places. Smiling friendly staff and amazing atmosphere during the night. Highly recommended!
One of the most romantik place for walking on evening...Light is awesom...you can observed city...
A visit to Kars Castle is like stepping into a timeless journey through history. The place is not just wonderful; it's meticulously maintained by the municipality. Moreover, its convenient proximity to the city center allows for a leisurely stroll. Whether you explore it in the summer or winter, its charm remains captivating.
You'll find serene mosques for prayer, and charming riverside cafes, all adding to the allure of this remarkable destination.
Great view of Kars once you reach the top. 12 century castle.
Wow wow wow!!! This is a must if you visit Kars. Allow 90 to 120 minutes to wander around. Take a camera and snap away. We visited in January 2022, and there was snow on the ground. There is a little tea shop at the top, but although it was open, we did not grab anything to drink/eat.
It got really cold when the sun set.
There are toilets available.
All photos shown were taken on my phone.
Located in the centre of town. great day out with family also a bunch of lads. Beautiful views overlooking the city aswell as great selecting of restaurants and shopping
Well preserved ruins with a great view of Kars.
Spectacular panorama at sunset, laid back vibe. Good spot for a coffee. Or local cheese with fresh ekmek.
A quintessential example of Medieval castles, dominating the historical and modern day Kars from the top of the hill. Worth to climb to get a nice view of Kars.
Kaleiçi, 36100 Kars Merkez/Kars, Türkiye•
Permanently closed
Historical landmark
Sights & Landmarks
Kumbet Mosque, a historic monument situated on the southern side of Kars Castle and in the neighborhood of Kale C, was originally built as an Armenian-Georgian church during the Bagratuni Kingdom era. It later transformed into a mosque in 1064 and subsequently converted into a Russian Orthodox Church under Russian rule. In 1918, it once again became a mosque before being repurposed as a museum in 1964.
(Translated by Google) I liked it very much. The inside of this structure, in the form of a dome, is also beautiful. The attendant at the mosque gave us information and took our panoramic photo. The Church of the Apostles, located in the Kale İçi Mahallesi on the southern skirt of Kars Castle, is one of the Armenian churches in the city and was built by King Abbas during the reign of Bagratlı Kingdom between 932-937 AD.
The church is centrally planned and has a right-angled space resembling four clover leaves, expanding with four niches. Later, this church in the region, which passed under Muslim rule in 1064, was converted into a mosque and named  Kümbet Mosque. When the region came under Russian rule, the mosque was converted into the Russian Orthodox Church, and when it came under Turkish rule in 1918, it was turned into a mosque again. In 1964, it was converted into a museum and historical artifacts obtained from the excavations in Kars began to be exhibited here. This old place of worship, also known as Kars Museum, continued its function until 1981. It has been used as a mosque since 1993.
(Original)
Ben çok beğendim. Kümbet şeklinde bu yapının içi de güzel. Camideki görevli bize bilgi verdi ve panoramik fotoğrafımızı çekti. Kars Kalesi'nin güney eteğinde Kale İçi Mahallesi'nde yer alan Havariler Kilisesi şehirdeki Ermeni kiliselerinden birisi olup Bagratlı Krallığı döneminde Kral Abbas tarafından MS 932-937 yılları arasında yaptırılmıştır.
Kilise merkezi planlı olup dört yonca yaprağını andıran, dört nişle genişleyen dik açılı bir mekana sahiptir. Daha sonra 1064 yılında Müslüman egemenliğine geçen yöredeki bu kilise camiye dönüştürülerek Kümbet Camisi adını almıştır. Bölge Rus hakimiyetine girince camii Rus Ortodoks Kilisesi'ne çevrilmiş, 1918 yılında Türk hakimiyetine girince yeniden camiye çevrilmiştir. 1964 yılında ise müzeye dönüştürülerek, Kars´ta yapılan kazılardan elde edilen tarihi eserler burada sergilenmeye başlanmıştır. Kars Müzesi adıyla da bilinen bu eski ibadethane, bu işlevini 1981 yılına kadar sürdürmüştür. 1993 yılından bu yana yine cami olarak kullanılmaktadır.
betul artis — Google review
Armeense Kerken die verandert worden in Moskee! Schaam je turken, we zullen West Armenië bevrijden en onze Kerken redden! Amen!
(Translated by Google)
Armenian Churches being turned into Mosques! Shame on you Turks, we will liberate Western Armenia and save our Churches! Amen!
Ok
Kümbetin dışındaki havariler ve içindeki Matta, Markus, Luka ve Yuhanna silüetlerini iyi incelemeden ayrılmayın.
Kümbet Camisi - Kars
Kars Kalesi'nin güney eteğinde Kale İçi Mahallesi'nde yer alan Havariler Kilisesi şehirdeki Ermeni kiliselerinden birisi olup Bagratlı Krallığı döneminde Kral Abbas tarafından MS 932-937 yılları arasında yaptırılmıştır.
Kilise merkezi planlı olup dört yonca yaprağını andıran, dört nişle genişleyen dik açılı bir mekana sahiptir. Daha sonra 1064 yılında Müslüman egemenliğine geçen yöredeki bu kilise camiye dönüştürülerek Kümbet Camisi adını almıştır. Bölge Rus hakimiyetine girince camii Rus Ortodoks Kilisesi'ne çevrilmiş, 1918 yılında Türk hakimiyetine girince yeniden camiye çevrilmiştir. 1964 yılında ise müzeye dönüştürülerek, Kars´ta yapılan kazılardan elde edilen tarihi eserler burada sergilenmeye başlanmıştır. Kars Müzesi adıyla da bilinen bu eski ibadethane, bu işlevini 1981 yılına kadar sürdürmüştür. 1993 yılından bu yana yine cami olarak kullanılmaktadır.
Kaynak: Kars İl Kültür ve Turizm Müdürlüğünü
(Translated by Google) It was built as an Armenian-Georgian church during the period of the Armenian Bagratuni Kingdom, which ruled in and around Kars in the 10th century, and provided an opportunity for worship to the Armenians and Georgians living in this area. The church built by King Abas was completed in five years. Rather than being a place of worship, this building was built to commemorate the 12 Apostles, who have great sanctity for Christianity.
Later, in 1064, this church in the region came under Muslim rule and was converted into a mosque and named Kümbet Mosque.[2] When the region came under Russian rule, the mosque was converted into a Russian Orthodox church, and when it came under Turkish rule in 1918, it was turned into a mosque again.[3] In 1964, it was converted into a museum and historical artifacts obtained from the excavations in Kars began to be exhibited here. This old place of worship, also known as Kars Museum, continued this function until 1981. It has been used as a mosque since 1993.[4
(Original)
10. yüzyılda Kars ve civarında hüküm sürmüş Ermeni Bagratuni Krallığı döneminde bir Ermeni-Gürcü kilisesi olarak inşa edilmiştir, bu civarda yaşayan Ermenilere ve Gürcülere ibadet imkânı sağlamıştır. Kral Abas'ın yaptırdığı kilise beş yıl içinde bitirilmiştir. Bu yapı bir ibadethaneden ziyade Hristiyanlık için büyük bir kutsallığa sahip olan 12 Havari'yi anma münasebeti ile de yapılmıştır.
Daha sonra 1064 yılında Müslüman egemenliğine geçen yöredeki bu kilise camiye dönüştürülerek Kümbet Camii adını almıştır.[2] Bölge Rus hakimiyetine girince cami Rus Ortodoks kilisesine çevrilmiş, 1918 yılında Türk hakimiyetine girince yeniden camiye çevrilmiştir.[3] 1964 yılında ise müzeye dönüştürülerek, Kars'ta yapılan kazılardan elde edilen tarihi eserler burada sergilenmeye başlanmıştır. Kars Müzesi adıyla da bilinen bu eski ibadethane, bu işlevini 1981 yılına kadar sürdürmüştür. 1993 yılından bu yana yine cami olarak kullanılmaktadır.[4
(Translated by Google) Kümbet Mosque or Church of the Apostles is a historical building located in Kars. Built as the Armenian cathedral church in the 10th century, the building is described as the Hagia Sophia of the East.
(Original)
Kümbet Camii ya da Havariler Kilisesi Kars'ta yer alan tarihi bir yapı. 10. yüzyılda Ermenilerin katedral kilisesi olarak inşa edilen yapı, Doğu'nun Ayasofya'sı diye nitelendirilir.
(Translated by Google) It is one of the buildings that was converted from a church to a mosque. It is small but its interior architecture is impressive..
(Original)
Kiliseden cami ye dönüşen yapılardan bir tanesi. Küçük ama iç mimarisi etkileyici..
(Translated by Google) Located in the city center of Kars, Kümbet Mosque is one of the symbolic architectural structures of Kars, known as the Hagia Sophia of the East. The building, which was built as an Armenian-Georgian church in the 10th century during the Bagratid Kingdom reign in Kars and its surroundings, called the Church of the Apostles, is one of the historical places to see in Kars.
Kars Kümbet Mosque was built in the 10th century during the Bargatlı Kingdom in the name of the 12 Apostles. It was converted into a mosque after the Seljuk conquest of Anatolia. The religious temple, whose purpose of construction was to commemorate the 12 apostles of Jesus, who are of great importance in the Christian faith, rather than a place of worship, is located in Kaleiçi District, on the southern outskirts of Kars Castle.
(Original)
Kars şehir merkezinde yer alan Kümbet Camii, Doğu’nun Ayasofyası olarak anılan, Kars’ın sembol mimari yapılarından. Kars ve çevresinde hüküm süren Bagratlı Krallığı Dönemi’nde, 10. yüzyılda bir Ermeni-Gürcü kilisesi olarak Havariler Kilisesi adıyla inşa edilen yapı, Kars’ta görülecek tarihi yerlerden.
Kars Kümbet Camii, 10. yüzyılda Bargatlı Krallığı döneminde 12 Havariler adına yaptırılmış. Selçukluların Anadolu’yu fethinden sonra camiye çevrilmiş. Yapılış amacı ibadethaneden çok Hristiyanlık inancında büyük önem taşıyan İsa’nın 12 havarisini anmak olan dini mabet, Kars Kalesi‘nin güney eteklerinde, Kaleiçi Mahallesi’nde yer alıyor.
(Translated by Google) A beautiful historical building built as a church architecture right next to the Kars Castle.
(Original)
Kars kalesinin hemen dibinde kilise mimarisi olarak yapılmış güzel bir tarihi yapı.
(Translated by Google) Located on the south side of the Kars Castle and in the neighborhood inside the castle, it was built as an Armenian-Georgian church during the Armenian Bagratuni Kingdom.
It was later converted into a mosque in 1064, and later on, under Russian rule, it was converted into a Russian Orthodox church. It was used as a mosque again in 1918 and as a museum in 1964. It has been used as a mosque since 1993. The location, stone workmanship and planning are very nice. I liked the day and night view very much.
(Original)
Kars kalesinin güney tarafında ve kale içi mahallesinde yer alan,ermeni Bagratuni Krallığı döneminde bir ermeni -Gürcü kilisesi olarak inşa edilmiş.
Daha sonrasında 1064 yılında camiye dönüşmüş,bilahare Rus hakimiyetinde Rus ortodoks kilisesine çevrilmiş, 1918 yılında tekrar cami,1964 yılında müze olarak kullanılmış.1993 yılından itibaren cami olarak kullanılmaktadır. konumu ,taş işçiliği, planlaması çok güzel.gündüz ve gece görünümü ben çok beyendim.
(Translated by Google) It is located behind the Ebul Hasan Harakani Hazrat Mosque. Its exterior appearance is beautiful, but if a minaret was added, it would look like a mosque. It doesn't look like a mosque because it doesn't have a minaret. We couldn't get in because it was closed.
(Original)
Ebul Hasan Harakani Hazretleri Camisinin arka tarafında kalıyor. Dış görüntüsü güzel fakat minare eklenmiş olsa camiye benzerdi. Minare olmadığı için camiye benzemiyor. Kapalı olduğu için içine giremedik.
3Kars bazaar yöresel hediyelik & cafe
Museum
The Kars bazaar is a must-visit destination for both food and visual enthusiasts. The well-organized streets are lined with numerous cheese shops, offering an array of options to satisfy your taste buds. Whether you choose to sample the cheeses on-site or have them delivered to your doorstep, the experience is sure to please. Additionally, the museum provides valuable insight into Kars' rich historical and cultural heritage, accompanied by informative discussions with knowledgeable staff members like Cevdet.
(Translated by Google) It's a very nice place, from the manager Cevdet, enough information about the historical and cultural development of Kars and a pleasant conversation with a nice tea brewed in the kitchen stove.. A place you should definitely visit when you come to Kars.
(Original)
Çok güzel bir mekân işletmeci Cevdet abiden Kars'ın tarihî ve kültürel gelişimi hakkında yeterli bilgiye ve hoş sohbete kuzine sobada demlenmiş güzel çay eşliğinde doyum olmuyor.. Kars'a gelince muhakkak uğramanız gereken bir mekân
Mustafa Enes — Google review
Beautiful place for taking some coffee or tea feeling the warm and soul of Traditional turkish home and buy some antiques
(Translated by Google) The place is very nice, there was a young friend of ours playing guitar when we went, it was very nice. Their pleasantly flavored tea is 10 TL. You can play tabla, there is a warm stove. The gentleman who takes care of you is very polite. You can also buy souvenirs
(Original)
Mekan çok cici biz gittiğimizde gitar çalan genç bir arkadaşımız vardı gayet güzeldi. Çayları aromalı hoş 10 tl. Tabla oynayabilirsiniz, soba var sıcacık. İlgilenen beyefendi çok kibar. Hediyelik eşyalarda alabilirsiniz
(Translated by Google) It is a very nice place where you can have a quiet time, listen to good music and have the names of the districts of Kars on every table. The teas are delicious, the owners are friendly. Also, when you come, do not forget to ask to see pictures of the beautiful landscapes of Kars. They postcards.
(Original)
Sakince vakit geçirebileceğiniz, güzel müzikler dinleyip her masada Kars’a ait ilçelerin isimlerinin olduğu çok güzel bir mekan. Çayları lezzetli, sahipleri güleryüzlü. Ayrıca geldiğinizde Kars’ın güzel manzaralarını fotoğraflarını görmeyi istemeyi unutmayın. Kartpostallaştırmışlar.
(Translated by Google) We came to eat hot roasted potatoes in the oven. It takes 1 to 1.5 hours to be ready to cook. (I think if you don't want to wait, call before you come)
There were 2 medium sized potatoes in one portion, 1 kind of çecil cheese, clarified butter, butter, tea were served with it. (bread, salt, red chili pepper, ground black pepper)
It was 100 TL for 2 people.
(Original)
Fırında sıcak köz patates yemek için geldik. Pişmesi hazır olması 1 ila 1,5 saat sürüyor. ( beklemek istemezseniz gelmeden arayın bence )
Bi porsiyonda 2 tane orta boy patates vardı,Yanında 1 çeşit çeçil peyniri, sadeyağ , tereyağı , çay verildi.( ekmek , tuz, kırmızı pul biber, toz karabiber)
2 kişi için 100 tl alındı.
(Translated by Google) It's a very sweet place. Be sure to try the potatoes in the stove. You just have to call ahead and say you want potatoes. It's a very nice environment.
(Original)
Çok çok tatlı bir yer. Sobada patatesi mutlaka deneyin. Önceden arayıp patates istediğinizi söylemeniz gerekiyor sadece. Çok güzel bir ortam.
(Translated by Google) A place run by two excellent people….
They were so friendly and hospitable and very helpful.
For potatoes, you need to give at least 1 hour notice.
The portion is not exaggerated, it is quite satisfying with local tasting products.
Be sure to stop by. The price of the potato menu for one person is 90 TL.
(Original)
Mükemmel iki insanın işlettiği bir mekan….
O kadar samimiler ki ve çok misafirperverler çok yardımcı oldular.
Patates için en az 1 saat önceden haber vermeniz gerekiyor.
Porsiyon abartılı değil yöresel tadımlık ürünlerle gayet doyurucu.
Mutlaka uğrayın. Fiyatı da tek kişilik patates menü 90 tl
(Translated by Google) It was beautiful. Her linen is nice too. The communication of the sister who made these is better than all of them :) Thank you <333
(Original)
Gayet güzeldi. Ketesi de güzel. Bunları yapan ablanın iletişimi hepsinden daha güzel:) elinize sağlık<333
(Translated by Google) A small place in Kars where you can find local souvenirs and sit and drink a hot tea by the stove. Prices are very affordable. The atmosphere is great
(Original)
Kars içinde hem yöresel hediyelik ürünler bulabileceğiniz hem de oturup soba basında sıcacık bir çay içebileceğiniz küçük mekan. Fiyatlar çok uygun. Atmosferi harika
(Translated by Google) We would like to thank uncle Cevdet and his son Tolga for hosting us. It's a really nice shop, they are friendly and sincere. Their tea and potatoes are very nice. Have a profitable job.
(Original)
Cevdet amca ve oğlu Tolgaya bizi ağırladıkları için çok teşekkür ediyoruz. Gerçekten güzel bir dükkan samimi ve içtenler. Çayları patatesleri çok güzel. Bol kazançlı işleri olsun.
(Translated by Google) What a beautiful place, we felt as if we went to a family's house in the village, and luckily we were the only ones there, the breakfast is great, the people are very friendly. Go and eat and then buy a souvenir hat. If you want to eat potatoes, you need to call two hours in advance.
(Original)
Ne kadar güzel bir yer, sanki köyde bir ailenin evine gitmiş gibi hissettik bir de şansımıza sadece biz vardık, kahvaltı harika insanlar çok samimi..gidin yiyin sonra da bir tane hediyelik şapka alın.eğer patates yemek istiyorsanız iki saat öncesinden aramanız gerekli
(Translated by Google) Roasted potatoes were much better for us than all the traditional Kars dishes. It is a very authentic place, there is a stove in the middle, tea pots are served from there, hot on top. I deducted 1 point because there was a lot of cigarette smell, I will definitely go there again if I come across it again.
(Original)
Közde patates tüm geleneksel Kars yemeklerinden çok daha iyi geldi bize.Çok otantik bir mekan ortada soba var sıcacık üstünde çay demlikleri oradan servis ediliyor.Çok fazla sigara kokusu olduğu için 1 puan kırdım yine yolum düşerse kesin giderim.
4Grand Ani Hotel
Hotel
Grand Ani Hotel is a top choice for those seeking a centrally located, tidy, and trustworthy accommodation option in Kars. With an emphasis on affordability, this bed and breakfast establishment offers a delightful open buffet breakfast to start your day. Additionally, if you arrive by plane, the hotel provides convenient airport transfer services.
lt has a very beautiful environment in a place like Kars. The gym and swimming facilities are great. Also, Ms. Seher is very caring and experienced; she helps me with everything.
Hüseyin Susan — Google review
Kars turned out to be a pleasant stay, especially at this hotel. All in all, we had a great time staying here. They have a lovely pool with hamam, which we enjoyed a lot.
The staff were so helpful and welcoming. Shout out to Beyza, the lovely lady at the reception who gave her best to assist us with our further journey to Georgia. 🙏
I really enjoyed my stay in Kars. The rooms were clean, the staff were friendly (especially Begum), and the breakfast was fresh. Beautiful city and nice hotel!
Great people who want to help you. We had just come overland from Hopa some 6 hours on a bus. We were very tired when we got to the hotel but we loved their help and offers of a drink and a comfy seat while they booked us in.The food in their restaurant was the best. Again very helpful waiters to guide you through the menu. If you are looking to stay in Kars go there. You will not be disappointed. David and Sarah UK
As Turkish Americans, embarking on a heartfelt journey to our motherland to reconnect with the places our parents once called home, the Grand Ani Hotel became a radiant highlight during our 9-day Eastern Turkey and Georgia expedition. In a town like Kars, we admittedly held Western standards in high regard, yet the Grand Ani Hotel exceeded even those expectations, instilling a sense of pride in us for its presence in this charming locale.
With roots firmly planted in both Turkish and American cultures, our perspective was uniquely poised to evaluate the hotel's offerings. From the impeccable cleanliness to the meticulous attention to detail, the Grand Ani Hotel showcased a level of professionalism that resonated with us deeply.
As we indulged in each expertly crafted dish, we marveled at the culinary experience that rivaled those of global gastronomic hubs. This, combined with the thoughtfulness of providing essentials like toothbrushes and toothpaste, spoke volumes about the hotel's commitment to guest comfort.
The staff's warmth and local knowledge seamlessly enriched our travels, ensuring that our exploration of our parents' heritage was layered with insight and connection. Having stayed in numerous hotels of similar price points across different cities, the Grand Ani Hotel's supremacy was undeniable and profoundly appreciated.
Our visit to the Grand Ani Hotel transformed not only our stay but also our entire journey into a tapestry of cherished memories. As Turkish Americans seeking to honor our roots, we found ourselves pleasantly surprised by the hotel's alignment with Western standards, and profoundly proud that such an establishment flourishes in Kars. For a hospitality experience that blends seamlessly with international norms, the Grand Ani Hotel stands tall as a beacon of excellence.
Make reservations online. We paid $124 vs 39 US. In the middle of the city excellent restaurants near by. Watch out the hotel charges for any beverages other than tea. Even at the included breakfast and dinner.
Old room facilities, leaking ceiling in bathroom, staff at front desk who’s trying every means to deceive guests and cover their problems, never think about solving the problem. It is a pity that such things happen in Kaş
The food was delicious. The variety of the breakfast food was awesome. We love it very much.Very tasty Turkish food. And the service was excellent
Cumhuriyet, Haydar Aliyev Cd. No:91, 36000 Kars Merkez/Kars, Türkiye•
4.7
(5134)
4.5
(795)
Open air museum
Sights & Landmarks
Historical place
Ancient Ruins
Historic Sites
Amazing ruins, fascinating place to see buildings from 11th century. It's like complex so you can walk a lot. It cost 22TL for entry per person.
The Laventure — Google review
Ani is a spectacular site. The landscape is beautiful. The site does require a considerable amount of walking so be prepared with good walking shoes and water. The paths are clearly marked and easy to follow. There are signs at each site explaining the history. The MuzeKart works at this site. There are simple toilet facilities and a little cafe on site as well. You can even see Armenia across the way from the ruins.
One of the largest cities of the period, it is said to have a population of 100 thousand people. It is a very beautiful place, fascinating but there are many missing points. We walked for about 3 hours on average. The temperature of the weather makes the trip a little difficult. I wish there were long descriptions in front of the ruins. There is definitely a need to work on environmental cleaning and organization. Entrance is 100 TL, but you can get a museum card. There is also a discount for students for the museum card, which costs 60 TL per person. The fact that we can use it in other places is also a plus point. You are next to the Arpaçay River, which separates the border between Turkey and Armenia. The flags of the countries are waving on both sides, but of course, nothing compares to the nobility of the Turkish flag...
If anyone wants to fall in love with historical details and stories he/she should visit this magical place, i stand in front of the ruins stunning, Thinking about how beautiful life they had before.
This was my favorite place in Turkey that I visited. It was a wonderful tour through history. It is amazing to imagine how this city was built and the walls on the edge of the canyon with such beautiful views.
It is out of the city you should visit there either with a tour shuttle or a vehicle. I have visited it in November it wasn’t that cold, it is better to visit with a tour guide otherwise you may not understand what is what, overall I am not disappointed to visit, some rehabilitations are ongoing I am sure it will be much better within few year but for now you will be able to touch the history, you will need a museum card, for nationals you can use your national museum card, for foreigners it should not be more than 25-30Euros and you can use the card for all around the country
İf you're visiting Kars, you should definitely visit Ani. İt's 42 kms away from Kars, you can take a shuttle from the city to go there. A place you must visit!
Wonderful experience to visit this unique historical site. It is quite moving to stand there and think of the grans city that one was and envisage life there. Entry price now 50TL. We took the shuttle from Mix Point Café cost 20TL return. The bus left Ani at 1.30pm. It was very hot and sunny at Ani but so worth it.
Amazing place…isolated ruins floating on a sea of grass. Be prepared to walk ( at your own pace ) quite a distance to cover the whole site. Amazing isolated location looking over a canyon to Armenia.
One of the pretty and amazing ruined Ani, i would really suggest to go by own if possible, because i follow the tour, they only allow us to spent 1hr 15mins which is not enough for me. Generally if you going to see everything, i think minimum you may need to spend 2hrs or more, slowly walk through and see each places. This is amazing place that must visit during your Kars trip. The entrance ticket is 160TL. Visit during winter, the sky is grey, if in summer or any good weather with blue sky, so you can take a nice photo with the landscape too.
Amazing setting, wonderful ruins. One of the most impressive archeological sites I've ever visited, just after Gize, Rome, Petra, Angkor Wat, Bagan, Machu Picchu and Tikal.
Beautiful ruins with an amazing surrounding landscape! Price as of November 2023 is 180 TL per person to enter without a Museum Pass. There is a convenient bus from the centre of Kars that takes you there for 60 TL return. It currently leaves at 9am from next to the Chocolade Boutique. Great day trip!
Amazing ruins in Ani, train travel from Ankara to Kars is really 27 hours at a speed of 60kmh average. Good experience but fortunately the body health can follow it
Worth the visit, if you like history and exploration you’ll need good 3-4 hours maybe 6. You just don’t want to leave. If you don’t care much, you can walk it in 1-2 hours.
More than 4000 years of history here!
The river divides Türkiye of Armenia
Exceptional site - is more like an open air museum rather than ruins. Do consider doing a guided tour as the site is huge and full of many ruins some more some less obvious to the naked eye. Highly recommended.
Şehitler, Şehitlik Caddesi No:87, 36000 Ocaklı/Kars Merkez/Kars, Türkiye•
Top places to eat
1Sini Ev Yemekleri ve Hamur İşleri
affordable
Restaurant
Sini Ev Yemekleri ve Hamur İşleri is a charming eatery that serves mouthwatering homemade meals with a strong emphasis on local flavors. Their menu offers a variety of delectable options, including meat dishes, salads, and herb soup. The attentive and friendly staff creates a welcoming atmosphere for diners to enjoy their delectable food. This traditional restaurant showcases the beauty of Turkish cuisine, offering special dishes like the renowned Kars goose meal that is exceptionally delicious.
Local, home made foods. All are very delicious. Very nice staff. Meat, local dishes, salads, herb soup are all very good.
tuliz b. — Google review
To have local foods of Kars, this is the right place.
Very beautiful and traditional restaurant. You can find special Kars goose meal. It is absolutely amazingly delicious.
Great turkish food with great service for a very logic price
(Translated by Google) Goose meat served with bulgur pilaf was very delicious. Stone meatballs (meatballs with plums in them) and cut soup (with lentils and noodles) are also very successful. Revani was served thinner than normal.
(Original)
Kaz eti bulgur pilavı ile servis ediliyor oldukça lezzetliydi. Taş köfte (içinde erik olan köfte )ve kesme çorbası (mercimek ve erişteli )da oldukça başarılı . Revani ise normale göre daha ince şekilde servis edilmişti.
(Translated by Google) It is a business located in the center of Kars. Since I have never eaten piti or Hangel before, I cannot compare them, but I can easily say that they were both incredibly delicious. I added the video of the piti service and the picture of the hangel. I can no longer comment positively or negatively on prices anywhere. Life is very expensive, we are going through a period that will clearly change again when we leave tomorrow. If you want to taste local dishes, I can recommend this place with peace of mind. Bon appetit to those who go.
(Original)
Kars merkezde olan bir işletme. Daha önce piti ve Hangel yemediğim için karşılaştırma yapamayacağım ama her ikisi de inanılmaz lezzetliydi bunu çok rahat yazabilirim. Pitinin servisinin videosunu ve hangelin resmini ekledim. Fiyatlar için artık hiç bir yerde olumlu yada olumsuz yorum yapamıyorum. Hayat çok pahalı yarın gittiğimizde yine değişeceği net olan bir dönemden geçiyoruz. Eğer yöresel yemekleri tatmak istiyorsanız size burayı gönğl rahatlığı ile tavsiye ederim👍 gidenlere şimdiden afiyet olsun.
(Translated by Google) We came to Kars upon recommendation during our 2-day trip. A true family business. We ate the best local food in Kars here. Goose meat is very delicious here because it is low in salt. Piti si soup was great. I strongly recommend it.
(Original)
Karsta 2 günlük seyahatimizde tavsiye üzerine geldik. Tam bir aile işletmesi. Karsta en güzel yöresel yemekleri burada yedik. Kaz eti burada tuzu az olduğu için çok lezzetli. Piti si çorbası harikaydı. Şiddetle tavsiye ediyorum.
(Translated by Google) We ate Piti and Hengel and both were delicious. We were curious about some dishes that were on the menu but not available in the restaurant. For this reason, the options were a bit limited in our opinion. You decide the prices. I am attaching the menu to the photos for you to review.👇 (December 2023)
(Original)
Biz Piti ve Hengel yedik ve her ikisi de lezzetliydi. Menüde yazan ama restoranda bulunmayan bazı yemekler vardı merak ettiğimiz. Bu sebeple seçenekler bizce biraz kısıtlıydı. Fiyatlara ise siz karar verin. Fotoğraflara incelemeniz için menüyü ekliyorum.👇(aralık 2023)
2Tadım Döner Salonu
affordable
Doner kebab restaurant
Tadım Döner Salonu is a place where you can enjoy delicious doner, including an option without minced meat. The price for a portion of doner and ayran is reasonable, and they also offer complimentary salads and tea. While the environment may seem a bit shabby with mostly local and older patrons, it's actually quite welcoming. Despite some servers lacking enthusiasm, the authentic Turkish kebap and good soup make up for it.
Super good BBQ beef, authentic Turkish kebap, good soup. Just some servers without passion, outside good not welcoming even just a juice drink.
Shaden — Google review
It is famous but I found it average
(Translated by Google) Doner is delicious. If you want to eat meat doner without minced meat, you can choose it. I paid 27₺ for 1 portion of doner and ayran. Salads and Tea were treats. The environment is shabby, there are more local and old people, but there is never an environment where you will feel uncomfortable, on the contrary, when they realized that I was a foreigner, they were very interested.
(Original)
Döneri çok lezzetli. Kıymasız mis gibi et döner yemek istiyorsanız tercih edebilirsiniz. 1 porsiyon döner ve ayrana 27₺ verdim. Salatalar ve Çay ikramlarıydı. Ortam salaş, yerli ve yaşlı insanlar daha çok var ama asla rahatsızlık hissedeceğiniz bir ortamı yok aksine yabancı olduğumu anladıklarında çok ilgilendiler.
Super
(Translated by Google) Doner is delicious, 1 portion is filling. The price is reasonable, the service staff is polite.
(Original)
Doner lezzetli 1 porsiyon doyurucu. Fiyat makul, servlstekiler kibar.
(Translated by Google) Meat doner kebab served with a mini salad. It's a clean and decent place. Above average standard taste. The fault is the doner, excessive tail fat. It is not disturbing while eating. After eating it, you feel its dull aroma on your palate. There is no taste that will make you want to come back again and again.
(Original)
Mini bir salata eşliğinde yaprak et döner yeri. Temiz nezih bir yer. Ortalamanın üstünde standart lezzet. Kusuru döner aşırı kuyruk yağlı. Yerken rahatsız edici değil. Yedikten sonra damakta donuk aromasını hissediyorsunuz. Tekrar tekrar gelmeyi arzu edeceğiniz bir tat yok
(Translated by Google) If you come to visit Kars, it is a nice place to eat close to Kars Castle, I recommend the doner kebab, it is very delicious.
(Original)
Kars'ı gezmeye geldiyseniz kars kalesine yakın lokasyonda yemek yemek için güzel bir yer, döner çok lezzetli tavsiye ederim.
(Translated by Google) A place with good service in a very nice location. The doner kebab is a little sloppy but very delicious. If you are not too obsessed with fat in meat dishes, the fat content will not bother you. If you come to Kars, I strongly recommend you to stop by. There is 120gr in one portion of doner kebab. There is meat doner and its price is 140₺. If you don't buy rice toppings, you may not be full.
(Original)
Gayet güzel bir konumda güzel hizmet veren bir mekan. Döneri birazcık özensiz fakat çok lezzetli. Et yemeklerinde yağ konusunda çok takıntılı değilseniz yağ oranı sizi rahatsız etmez. Şayet Kars’a geldiyseniz uğramanızı şiddetle tavsiye ederim. Bir porsiyon dönerin içinde 120gr. et döner varmış, fiyatı ise 140₺. Pilav üstü almadığınız takdirde doymayabilirsiniz.
(Translated by Google) I think it is at a level that can stand out from other doner restaurants in terms of taste. The place doesn't have much appeal and I can't say the cleanliness is perfect, but the staff are attentive and have sweet conversations. My only choice in Kars
(Original)
Lezzet bakımında diğer dönercilere fark edebilecek seviyede olduğu düşünüyorum. mekanın pek bi albenisi yok temizlik de mükemmel diyemem ama çalışanları ilgili, tatlı sohbetleri var. benim Kars'ta tek tercihim
Yusufpaşa, Kazım Karabekir Cd. No:18, 36000 Kars Merkez/Kars, Türkiye
3Kristal Döner Kebap Yemek Salonu
Doner kebab restaurant
Kristal Döner Kebap Yemek Salonu in Kars is known for its delicious piti, a traditional dish made with lamb and chickpeas. The restaurant has recently switched from enamel cups to stainless steel ones, but the taste remains as delightful as ever. Visitors praise the flavorful broth in which the lamb is cooked, giving it a unique and unforgettable taste.
(Translated by Google) super venue
(Original)
Süper mekan
Atilla Özşahin — Google review
(Translated by Google) They make piti well. Goose can be tried. It is relatively light. Nice and cheap doner kebab
(Original)
Piti yi güzel yapıyorlar. Kaz denenebilir. Nispeten hafif oluyor. Dönerde güzel ve ucuz
(Translated by Google) Goes
(Original)
Geht
4Kars Kazevi Restaurant
4.0
(3012)
4.0
(677)
affordable
Turkish restaurant
Kars Kazevi Restaurant is a fantastic dining establishment in Istanbul that offers a unique experience with Caucasian folk dance and local bard shows. While the latter may not be appealing to tourists, the restaurant makes up for it with its great food selection and newly introduced red wine options. The pricing, although considered cheap by Istanbul standards, may still be relatively high compared to local prices.
Oh what a delicious dinner we ate there, I love it, their service is fantastic, good choice for new year night or any other day, they are so clean so classy, helpful gentle guys working there, nice music, and good table with a famous painting in the background, I highly recommend to you guys ❤️
Mohammed ATIK — Google review
Loved the service and food! Excellent options for vegetarians (vegetable soup, cheese plate, and Hengel).
Amazing food and probably the best service I have had in Turkey. Missus thought it was a lamb restaurant, which is why we came. Yet we ordered the goose and it was spectacular. Get the goose and enjoy. Dog bag for the dogs also. Highly recommend. Bulent is the best waiter in turkey
Good restaurant with caucasian folk dance and local bard shows. Even though the second one will not appeal to foreign tourists, the food is great and they have very recently started serving red wine. There is only one kind and you can only get it by the glass. The pricing is cheap based on Istanbul standards, but I think it kust be quite high compared to local price levels. Goose is a must have, reyhan serbeti (basil sherbet) is somewhat sweet but tastes great.
Very overpriced but generally good food. The goose leg was kinda like confit duck, very tender with super crispy skin. The other thing I recommend to try is the “foie gras” served on bread. The flavor is pretty close to the French one while the texture is a bit coarse, with slight aftertaste of liver. For me personally it’s more impressive than the goose leg.
You must go if you want to try local foods all-in-one night. Ravioli without meat, local soup with herbs, piti (lamb meat with chick peas and local pita bread), goose meat. Service is very good and fast. They also have a small traditional local dance show.
I arrived in Kars on a Tuesday, the first person I asked recommended this restaurant. The staff was friendly, the savory meal unforgettable. Nuran charming presence is a unique exemple in this community, I feel humbled to have met this pioneer in such remote Anatolia, do not miss the opportunity to enjoy this amazing local cuisine, you won’t regret the experience.
Kars is said to be famous for gooze but it was not my type...all of Kars food seems different from other normal Turkish food
Restaurant inside looks very classic
This is the famous goose house in Kars. As the name they are famous with their goose but you can try other local specialities as well. A bit pricey compared to other places in town but worth give a try.
Yusufpaşa, Merkez, Atatürk Cd. No:1, 36100 Kars Merkez/Kars, Türkiye•
5Han-ı Hanedan
4.3
(1033)
4.5
(622)
affordable
Restaurant
The amiable general manager proficient in the English language provided valuable assistance during the ordering process. While a multitude of menu items were left untouched, the frozen beef proved to be challenging in terms of texture, whereas the chicken with curry was delightfully fresh. The desserts and tea offered were also satisfactory. However, it should be noted that credit card payments were not accepted by the establishment's staff, necessitating payment in cash.
Just wow.. It's been a couple weeks and I just want to revisit now, only if I were in Kars. In fact, the hotel staff recommended this which turned out to be one of the best experiences in Kars. All in short, to me it was like a Michelin star restaurant. Food was good, the whole experience - wine, service and atmosphere was top notch. The staff member was lovely. The desert was really good too!! I strongly recommend this place and would revisit the next time I'm in Kars.
Julie — Google review
Presentation serve, kindness, taste music and so on... to sum up , everything was impeccable thanks to Mr. naïf and all staff.. I suggest that you can’t leave from Kars without see and visit here.
High end restaurant with views of the streets below. Stocks good wines. Owner attended us with personal attention. Staff was attentive. Ladies in the kitchen I thank you. For us very reasonable. We're US and Republic of Georgia inhabitants. In US dollars it was $30 each with wine.
I thought the whole experience was excellent... and probably the best Mixed Kabab that I have tasted.
Good food and reasonable prices, and great service.
Very delicious food, with good selection of authentic meals. Service is exceptional and making the visit very special. Pleasant music. Definitely highly recommended ❤️
The friendly general manager who speaks English was very helpful with my order. There were many items on the menu that were not ordered, the frozen beef was tough but the chicken with curry was fresh. Desserts and tea were also good. The staff said that credit card payments were not accepted, so I gave them cash. The staff tried not to give me change. Looks like he wanted a tip.
This was our first meal in Turkey, arriving from Georgia, and the staff was really welcoming and friendly and translated the menu to us in English. The ratatouille is a great vegetarian option as is the salad! The lamb was good too, as was the dessert (specialty of the restaurant).
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What's the weather like in Kars?
It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA on what the weather is like in Kars for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.
- Weather in Kars in January
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- Weather in Kars in December
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Kars throughout the year
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