Turkey
Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
SwitzerlandTurkey
Mexico
the Dominican Republic
South Africa
Fiji
Kars · Turkey
Fortress, regional museums and an outing to the medieval churches and walls of Ani.
In the photo: Ruins of Ani
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Get to know the place
Kars is the base for Ani, a ruined medieval city beside the river valley that marks the border with Armenia.
Ani has walls, churches and other buildings that show the importance of a medieval trading center. The ensemble is a World Heritage Site and occupies open terrain where the landscape is part of how the structures are read. Allow a dedicated period to explore the site, rather than trying to see everything in a short stop.
In the city of Kars, the castle sits on a rise above the river and the museum houses archaeological and ethnographic pieces from the region. Urban architecture also deserves attention while walking between the central areas.
The Doğu Ekspresi train links Ankara to Kars in a long journey. The regular and tourist services have different conditions and schedules, so purchase according to the service you want. Prepare the trip in advance: winters tend to be harsh, while milder months make walking easier.
This destination brings together 1 city: Kars.
One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
Limites: Natural Earth (domínio público). Ilhas do Mármara e dos Príncipes: geoBoundaries / © colaboradores do OpenStreetMap (CC BY-SA). Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.
✈ Kars Harakani Havalimanı (KSY), in Kars · 7 km to Kars
Kars has KSY airport and a railway station. The Doğu Ekspresi is a travel option from Ankara, depending on schedule and availability. For Ani, arrange the road segment from Kars, including return transportation.
The local experience
Walls, churches and other buildings of a medieval city occupy open landscape beside the Arpaçay valley.
Fortifications atop a rise allow views of the river, the old core and Kars’s defensive position.
Archaeological objects, stone pieces and ethnographic holdings place Ani and Kars in a longer regional history.
The exhibition in an old military structure links the plateau landscape to Kars cheese-making techniques.
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
From May to September it is usually easier to walk in Ani and visit Kars. April and October can be cold. From November to March the winter is often harsh, with snow and short days; plan travel according to conditions.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Two full days: one for the city and another for Ani. Add the necessary nights for arrival and departure, especially if the trip includes the train.
Kars city center offers restaurants and urban walks. Compare access to the station and the airport with transport on the day of arrival. For Ani, it is not necessary to change accommodation, but the vehicle needs to be arranged.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
Get your questions answered
Yes. Ani can be visited as a round trip by road from Kars. Arrange the return and allow enough time to walk around the site.
There are services with different offerings. Check which modality is being sold, the schedule, the type of accommodation and the duration before buying.
From May to September conditions are usually more favorable for outdoor walking. In winter, cold and snow can affect the route and transport.
Two full days allow for the city and Ani. The train journey requires additional time and should not be counted as a short transfer between attractions.
