Introducing Kars
This is the city that provided the setting for Orhan Pamuk’s prize-winning novel Kar (Snow). Kars always elicits strong reactions – negative or positive, depending on your perspective. Some travellers loathe it (‘muddy’, ‘lethargic’, ‘stark’, ‘sad’); others scratch below the surface and realise that Kars is high on personality and atmosphere. All right, it’s a bit nibbled around the edges, but when the sun shines, the stately, pastel-coloured stone buildings look almost chirpy, giving the town the look of a Little Russia in Turkey. And the mix of influences – Azeri, Turkmen, Kurdish, Turkish and Russian – adds to the appeal.
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The main reason for coming to Kars is usually to visit Ani, but don’t forget to enjoy the delicious local bal (honey) and peynir (cheese); these will certainly keep your spirits high. When the border with Armenia reopens, which is bound to happen one of these days, business with nearby Gyumri will thrive.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: bus travel from Dogubeyazit to Goreme in late September
by bedknobs 01 June 2012
See below for details of Dogu Express Train, about halfway down the page. Leaves Kars at 23.55 daily and arrives Kayseri at 20.33 one…
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RE: bus travel from Dogubeyazit to Goreme in late September
by reephubb 01 June 2012
Thank you for your suggestions. I do definitely want to see Ani and so getting to Kars and starting from there may be a good option. Should…
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RE: bus travel from Dogubeyazit to Goreme in late September
by sarikanarya 01 June 2012
I can't find any direct buses but there are buses from Ağrı to Kayseri from where you can take the local bus to Goreme. Ağrı Doğu Anad…
Hotels & Hostels in Kars
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Güngören Hotel
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