Kars
A frontier city of Baltic-style architecture, snow, and the ruins of medieval Ani.
Kars feels unlike anywhere else in Türkiye, with stone buildings from its time under Russian rule in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and a harsh, beautiful winter landscape.
Nearby, the ruins of Ani — a UNESCO site on the Armenian border — are one of the most evocative ancient cities in the region.
What to see in Kars
The places worth your time — and the ones we build a day around.
Planning Kars
The practical answers, before you book anything.
December–February for snow and the Eastern Express; June–September for Ani in green landscapes.
2–3 days.
Kars Harakani Airport (KSY), or the Eastern Express from Ankara, which takes more than a day.
Kars: common questions
Is the Eastern Express worth it?
For many travellers, yes — it is slow and simple, but the snowy scenery is the experience. Tickets sell out quickly in winter.
How cold is Kars in winter?
Very cold; temperatures below −20°C are not unusual. Proper winter clothing is essential.
Which of these is your kind of day?
Tell us what pulls at you and we will build Kars around it — the right hours, the right guide, and an honest word on what to skip. How we charge is set out in How we work.