Kars Travel Guide – Attractions, Transport, Best Time to Visit

Last update February 11, 2026

Kars is a city located in the northeastern region of Turkey, within Kars Province in Eastern Anatolia. It lies near the borders with Armenia and Georgia, surrounded by mountainous terrain and high plateaus. The city exhibits a mix of historical architecture, reflecting its Ottoman, Russian, and Armenian influences, and serves as a gateway to cultural and natural sites in the region.

Reasons Travelers Visit Kars

• Historical significance due to the medieval Ani Cathedral ruins and Ottoman-era sites
• Natural features including surrounding mountains and high plateaus
• Local culinary specialties such as Kars honey and cheese
• Geographic location as a border city connecting Turkey with the Caucasus region

Best Time to Visit

The best visiting months are June through September for warm, dry weather and outdoor activities. Winter months, especially February and March, attract visitors interested in snow landscapes and cold weather. Spring and autumn are cooler with potential precipitation. Summer months experience the highest visitor levels while winter months have lower crowds.

Season	Months	Weather	Crowd Level
Summer	June – September	Warm, mostly dry, daytime temperatures 20-25°C	High
Autumn	October – November	Cooler, occasional rain, temperatures 5-15°C	Medium
Winter	December – March	Cold, snow common, temperatures -15 to 0°C	Low
Spring	April – May	Cool, rain possible, temperatures 5-15°C	Medium

How to Get There

Kars is accessible by air, road, and rail from major cities in Turkey. Kars Airport provides domestic flights. Long-distance buses and trains connect Kars with other regions. Roads link Kars with nearby cities and border crossings.

• Nearest major city: Erzurum (approximately 200 km southwest)
• Transport options: flight, bus, train, car
• Travel times vary by origin and transport mode

From Istanbul

• Flight: Direct flights to Kars Airport take approximately 2.5 hours
• Bus: Long-distance buses take approximately 18–20 hours
• Car: Driving distance about 1,300 km, approximately 15–17 hours
• Train: No direct train; combination of flights and buses recommended

From Izmir

• Flight: No direct flights; route via Istanbul with total flight times around 4-5 hours including layover
• Bus: Buses take approximately 22–24 hours
• Car: Driving distance about 1,600 km, approximately 19–21 hours
• Train: No direct train available

From Antalya

• Flight: No direct flights; route via Istanbul with total flight times around 4-5 hours including layover
• Bus: Long-distance buses take approximately 20–22 hours
• Car: Driving distance about 1,500 km, approximately 18–20 hours
• Train: No direct train available

From Ankara

• Flight: Direct flights available; approximately 1.5 hours
• Bus: Buses take approximately 10–12 hours
• Car: Driving distance about 850 km, approximately 10–11 hours
• Train: Overnight train service available taking approximately 18 hours

Getting Around

• Local buses and minibuses operate within Kars city
• Taxi services are available for short distances
• City walkability is moderate; central attractions are within 2–3 km
• Distances between city center and major attractions range from 1 to 15 km

Top Attractions in Kars

Ani Ruins

Ani is a medieval archaeological site located approximately 45 km east of Kars city. The ruins include churches, mosques, and fortifications from the 10th–13th centuries. Type: Historical ruins. Average visit duration: 2–3 hours.

Kars Castle

An Ottoman-era fortress located on a hill overlooking Kars city center. Contains ruins and offers panoramic views. Type: Fortress ruins. Average visit duration: 1–2 hours.

Fethiye Mosque

An 18th-century Ottoman mosque located in the city center, known for its architectural style. Type: Religious/historical building. Average visit duration: 30–45 minutes.

Kars Museum

Museum exhibiting archaeological and ethnographic artifacts from the Kars region. Type: Museum. Average visit duration: 1–1.5 hours.

Common Visitor Activities

• Exploring the Ani medieval ruins and archaeological area
• Visiting Kars Castle and panoramic city views
• Touring Kars Museum for regional history and culture
• Tasting local dairy products such as Kars cheese and honey
• Hiking and nature walks in surrounding high plateaus and hills

Suggested Kars Visit Duration

A minimum of one day allows visiting main city attractions. Two to three days are recommended to explore Ani ruins, local museums, and natural areas around Kars. Half-day visits are limited to city center highlights.

Nearby Destinations

• Ani ruins – 45 km (approximately 1 hour by car)
• Sarıkamış – 55 km (approximately 1 hour by car)
• Arpaçay Border Crossing (Turkey-Armenia) – 80 km (approximately 1.5 hours)
• Erzurum – 200 km (approximately 3 hours by car)

Practical Information

Category	Details
Climate	Continental climate with cold, snowy winters and warm summers
Seasonality Notes	Summer best for outdoor activities; winter offers snow landscapes but cold temperatures
Crowd Levels	Highest in summer; low in winter and shoulder seasons
Constraints / Limitations	Winter transport interruptions possible due to snow; limited direct flights from some regions

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of travelers visit Kars?

Kars attracts:

• History and archaeology enthusiasts
• Cultural travelers exploring Ottoman and Russian heritage
• Nature and hiking visitors interested in mountainous landscapes

The city supports low to medium tourism development levels.

How many days are needed to visit Kars?

Recommended duration is 2 to 3 days to cover city museums, Ani ruins, and surrounding nature. One day may suffice for a city center visit; half a day allows limited sightseeing.

Is Kars a safe destination for travelers?

Kars is generally considered safe for tourists with low crime rates. Visitors should exercise normal precautions typical for urban travel in Turkey, especially in less populated areas near borders.

What is the best time to visit Kars?

The best travel periods are:

• June to September for warm, dry weather and outdoor activities
• February to March for snow-covered landscapes and winter scenery

Visitor crowds peak in summer and decrease significantly in winter.