Kars
Kars is home to the largest meadow of the Eastern Anatolian Region, with an average altitude of 1768 metres. This is Türkiye’s gate to the Caucasian Region and the Central Asia. The city has always been very important in trading because of its strategic location that is on the intersection point of old and new trading routes. Because of its harsh winter conditions, the best time to visit the city is in spring and summer.
Hurrian, Urartu, Scythian, Parsian, Sassanid and East Rome civilizations had dominated the region. Seljukid Monarch Sultan Alpaslan had conquered the city and the surrounding area in 1064 and therefore the road of Anatolia had been granted for the following Turkish nations. Finally, the city had been entered under the reign of Ottoman Empire after 1514 by the conquest of Yavuz Sultan Selim.
Ani Ancient City
48 kilometres from the Kars city centre, the ancient city of Ani was founded at the banks of the Arpaçay River flowing in the vicinity of Türkiye – Armenia border and is in the borders of the Ocaklı Village. The archaeological site was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2016. Ruins of this ancient city fascinates with its rugged and wild appearance.
Other attractions to visit include the Seljuk Palace (Located at the northwest end of the Ani ancient city and is quite magnificent. The external entrance gate is adorned with rich mosaic geometrical patterns); the Kars Castle (Also called as Central Castle or Inner Castle and was constructed in the 10th Century); the Beylerbeyi Palace (constructed by the order of Lala Mustafa Paşa in 1579); the Evliya Mosque; the Taşköprü Bridge (constructed in 1579 by the order of Sultan III. Murat); the Muradiye Bath and Mazlumağa Bath, and Kars Museum.
Highlights: The province of Kars hosts numerous plateaus and has a great potential of plateau and ranch tourism. Also, Çalı and Kuyucuk lakes are ideal for birdwatching and promises a picturesque natural scenery.
The city boasts several cheese museums: one in the city centre, and the other is in the Boğatepe Village.
The Kars Cheese Museum in the city centre is one of the newest tourist attractions in the city, consisting of a 1,000 m2 of museum area and a 240 m2 of museum shopping area. The project had been realized by completing the restoration of the historical monument called the “Süvari Tabya”, thus protecting it while promoting the production of Kars Gruyere cheese, the cheese culture, and the cheese varieties produced in Kars.
Boğatepe Cheese Museum, an interesting tourist attraction in the village of Kars which is specialized in cheese production was opened, as the first cheese museum in Türkiye. Many varieties of cheese, both local and international, are produce here, including ‘Kaşar’, ‘Gruyere’ and ‘Çeçil’. This museum aims at keeping the cheese making tradition alive, and promote local cheeses.
Doğu Express
Dogu Express (Eastern Express), operated by the Turkish Railways Company (TCDD) between the capital city of Ankara and Kars, the most eastern part of Türkiye, offers a unique experience to travellers, photographers, and nature enthusiasts. The train takes you out on an unforgettable journey to see the natural and cultural heritage of the Minor Asia.
The trip takes about 26 hours and is listed one of the top 10 railway journeys of Europe.
Touristic Doğu Express: There are 10 rooms in the wagons of the Touristic Doğu Express. Rooms are equipped with socket, sinks and desk. Clean sheets are ready for every passenger before arrival. Toilet is available for common use in each carriage. The trip takes about 32 hours.
The Route: Departing from Ankara, the train passes through the lowlands of Anatolia, arriving the mountainous East. This is one of the main modal of transport on the Kırıkkale – Kayseri – Sivas – Erzincan – Erzurum – Kars route.