2 Days in Kars: Day-by-Day Itinerary

Historic & Cultural

Cathedral of Ani

The Cathedral of Ani is the largest standing building in Ani, the capital city of medieval Bagratid Armenia, located in present-day eastern Turkey, on the border with modern Armenia. Its construction was completed in the early 11th century by the architect Trdat and it was the seat of the Catholicos, the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, for nearly half a century. In 1064, following the Seljuk conquest of Ani, the cathedral was converted into a mosque.

Included in the Ani ticket

Religious Sites

Church of Saint Gregory of Tigran Honents

The Church of St Gregory of Tigran Honents, or Church of Saint Gregory the Illuminator is a medieval religious structure located in Ani, in Turkey's Kars province next to the closed border with Armenia. It was built by the Armenian Tigran Honents under the Zakarids in 1215, according to an inscription in Armenian on the exterior of the church.

Included in the Ani ticket

Religious Sites

Church of the Holy Redeemer

The Church of the Holy Redeemer in Kars Merkez is a significant example of medieval Armenian architecture and a central monument of the Ani Archaeological Zone. It was built by Prince Ablgharib Pahlavid in 1035 to house a fragment of the True Cross. The church is notable for its geometrically sophisticated design and Armenian inscriptions on its exterior panels. Within walking distance are the Cathedral of Ani (323 m), Tigran Honents Church (206 m), and the Church of St Gregory of Abughamrens (669 m).

Included in the Ani ticket

Religious Sites

Church of Saint Gregory of Abughamrents

The Church of St Gregory of Abughamrens in Kars Merkez is a well-preserved, rotunda-shaped place of worship located in the ruins of Ani. The church is one of the earliest monuments constructed after Ani became the capital of the Armenian Bagratid kingdom in 961 AD. It is thought to have been founded around 980 by Prince Grigor Pahlavuni or his wife Shushanik. It is within walking distance of the Cathedral of Ani (377 m), the Church of the Holy Redeemer (669 m), and the Citadel (680 m).

Included in the Ani ticket

Historic & Cultural

Ani

Ani is a historic site located in the Kars Merkez district of Kars. Within walking distance are the Cathedral of Ani (228 m), Tigran Honents Kilisesi (689 m), and the Church of St Gregory of Abughamrens (182 m).

Plan 3 hours

Historic & Cultural

Castle of Kars

The Castle of Kars is a former fortification located in Kars, Turkey. It is also known under the name İç Kale.

Historic & Cultural

Alperenler Tomb

Alperenler Tomb, located in Kars Merkez, is a historical site situated on the slope of Kars Castle. This tomb houses the graves of two soldiers, Halil and Teyfik, who were among the first Alperens to be martyred while fighting in Khorasan to facilitate the Seljuks' entry into Anatolia. The tomb is within walking distance of Kars Castle (82 m), İlbeyoğlu Muradiye Bath (64 m), and Mazlum Ağa Bath (215 m).

Turkish Baths & Spa

Mazlum Ağa Baths

Mazlum Ağa Hamamı is a historic hammam located in Kars Merkez, built in the 18th century with Ottoman architecture. It is situated below Kars Castle, on the banks of the Kars Stream. The hammam was constructed using cut stone and rubble stone, and it consists of cold, warm, and hot sections. Mazlum Ağa Hamamı is within walking distance of Kars Castle (288 m), İlbeyoğlu Muradiye Hamamı (176 m), and Alperenler Türbesi (215 m).

Turkish Baths & Spa

İlbeyoğlu Baths

The İlbeyoğlu Muradiye Hamamı, located in Kars Merkez, was built in the 18th century during the Ottoman period and is also known as Muradiye Hamamı or Balkonlu Hamam. Constructed from cut and rubble stone, the hamam is covered by a central dome. After many years of service, it closed in 2002 and was restored by the Kars Governorship in 2018, reopening as a cafe-restaurant. It is within walking distance of Kars Castle (145 m), Alperenler Tomb (64 m), and Mazlum Ağa Hamamı (176 m).

Museums

Kars Museum

The Kars Museum was opened in 1963 in the Cathedral of Kars of Kars, Turkey. The structure was first built as an Armenian church under the Armenian Bagratuni dynasty by Abbas in 930–937. In 1579, it was converted to a mosque.

Closed every Monday