Location: Kars
Top Things to do in Kars
Top 10 Things to do in Kars, Turkey
Kars in Turkey, from Europe region, is best know for Historic Sites. Discover best things to do in Kars with beautiful photos and great reviews from traveller around the world here!
Restaurants in Kars
1. Ani Antik Kenti
Overall Ratings
5 based on 466 reviews
Reviewed By Queenscout - Berkshire, England
We spent almost a whole day exploring the astonishing Ani Ruins. The place is magnificent but desolate and we had a howling gale most of the time we were there, which make the climb to the top of the Citadel outright dangerous, enough to put off about half our party of 16. Uninhabited for a thousand years, Ani at its peak had a population of over 100,000 but has suffered badly from neglect owing to political problems between the Turks and the Armenians. No proof, but the Armenians allege the Turkish army at one time used the site for artillery target practice, but all sides seem now to agree that salvaging and restoring what is left is the priority. That's all moving very slowly so far as we could see. Don't let that put you off - it is a site not to be missed!
2. Kars Citadel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 189 reviews
Built by Saltuks in 1152, only seven of the original 220 towers of this historic structure remain today.
Reviewed By Margie C - Aspendale, Victoria, Australia
Walking up through the city, and historic buildings on the way up is great. The views from the top and seeing how the Citadel was perched on the cliffs/hilltop are inspiring. The large cafe inside is popular with locals who drive up the back road
3. Ani Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 56 reviews
Reviewed By iSmartTraveller - Istanbul
According to various historical sources and inscriptions, it is known that building work started in the year 989 under King Smbat II (977-89) and was completed, after a halt in construction, by the year 1001 (or 1010 depending on the Reading of the inscription) by order of Queen Katranideh (Catherine), the wife of King Gagik Bagratuni, Smbat's successor. The Cathedral was the work of Trdat, one of the most celebrated architects of medieval Armenia.
During the siege of 1064 the Cathedral held a symbolic importance. As the victorious Turks looted the city, one of them climbed the roof of the Cathedral and tore down the large cross that rose from the top of the dome's conical roof. (It is said that this cross was later sealed under the threshold of a mosque so that it could be continuously tramped upon.) The Cathedral was then converted to a mosque and renamed the Fethiye Camisi, the Victory Mosque.
It was returned to Christian usage in 1124, and inscriptions tell of restoration work carried out in the early 13th century. The devastating earthquake of 1319 brought down the dome and may have marked the end of the building's formal religious use.
4. Sarikamis-Kars Kis Turizm Merkezi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 92 reviews
Reviewed By Concierge34 - Istanbul, Turkey
Been in Uludag, Erciyes, Ilgaz. Definetely the best one in Turkey. Crystal snow only availably in Sarıkamıs and in Alps in the world, it's like cotton. Unfortunately Sarıkamıs is not in the list of Popular ski destinations in Turkey. Once you get there the running track shocks you. Daily unlimited pass is 45 TL per person. Lift is perfect and it's for 4 people. First stage is 3 km and there are 3 others. Total almost 6 km.
We flew from Sabiha Gokcen to Kars in 1,5 hrs, 15 minutes to Kars Bus Station, 50 minutes to Sarıkamış.
5. Museum of Apostles (Havariler Museum)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
The Museum of Apostles has a display of colorful bas-reliefs of the twelve apostles in the exterior of the drum of the dome.
Reviewed By Carbo1960 - Belgrade, Serbia
The title of this attraction is wrong: the building in question isn't a museum at all (in fact, it housed a museum for a brief period in late 1980s / early 1990s), but a 10th century Armenian church of the Holy Apostles which during its long history has been turned several times into a mosque and back into a church; finally, in 1998 it was reconstructed as Kumbet Camii (Mosque). On the outside, note crude reliefs of 12 apostles around the dome (binoculars are reccomended); inside is plain, except for the unusual altar screen (now without the icons it once held). Porticos are a 19th century Russian addition. We've found it open to visitors just before or after prayer times.
6. Kars Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 52 reviews
One of the most important sights in Kars, this museum houses many archaeological finds from the area including wood carvings, coins and local costumes.
Reviewed By gsrs - usa
A small museum and a treasure trove with remains from paleolithic era onward. Allow time to read the informative boards and look at the details.
7. Kars Fethiye Camii
Overall Ratings
4 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By Petsku83
Perhaps historically the most fascinating structure among the many interesting things in Kars, Fethiye mosque was originally built as a church when the Russians occupied the area. After Turks got it back they converted it into a mosque and added minarets. The mosque is in a street that has many other buildings from the Russian era.
8. The Church of Tigran Honents
Overall Ratings
5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By junior1907 - Istanbul
Ani harabeleri içinde yer alan bu kilise de yıllar içinde bakımsız kalmanın bütün yönlerini yansıtıyor.Sağolsun vatandaşlarımız da ısrarla freskler üzerine slogan vs yazıp görüntü kirliliğine neden oluyorlar.Fazlaca söyleyecek bir şey yok.Bu muazzam yapı da inşallah yeni dönemde gelişmesi planlanan şehirler arasında bulunan Kars ilinin bütçeden alacağı pay ile çok daha iyi duruma getirilir diye düşünüyor ve temenni ediyorum.
9. Harrani Turbesi
10. The Armenian St. Pirkitch Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By Papudrakus - Warsaw, Poland
Armenian churches are one of last traces after Armenian society in Turkey. Current ideology disagree with any other nation lived in the past in Turkey and had not followed by general Turkish rules. This church is an example of old Armenian building style. Different than mosques, but so specific for this region. Church match to landscape and is not any obstacle for government or people. This is the reason, why it still exist. It used to be closed, but from time to time there is a guy, who open it. I had a chance to look inside. Interior is quite poor, crude as Mountains. It is located on the way to castle, so easy to find it. This is kind of a hint for you, I you like such architecture, think about trip to ANI. This is abandoned city, where Armenian lives for thousand years.
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