Things to Do in Kars: Places and Attractions

Historic & Cultural

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

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.

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).

Historic & Cultural

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).

Bardız Castle or Bardisi Castle is a castle from the Middle Ages, inherited from Georgians in the historical Tao region. Today it is in Gaziler village of Şenkaya district. It is also known as Bardusi Castle and Gaziler Castle.

Turkish Baths & Spa

Historic & Cultural

Nature & Adventure

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.

The Bagnayr Monastery is a monastery in Kozluca, Kars, 7 kilometers northwest of Ani, built in the 11th century CE. It was "one of the most renowned monastic complexes in medieval Armenia". The monastery was standing at the end of the 19th century, but is now almost completely in ruins.

Religious Sites

Religious Sites

Religious Sites

Historic & Cultural

Historic & Cultural

Historic & Cultural

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).

Museums

Nature & Adventure

Historic & Cultural

Historic & Cultural

Historic & Cultural