Kars City Guide
Kars is a very characteristic city with its historical and natural beauties, architectural structures and white cover that is not missing for most of the year. The city is located in East Anatolia Region of Turkey. Kars, one of the oldest settlements in history, attracts attention with its Ani Ruins, Kars Castle, historical domes, mansions, bastions and mosques. The number of visitors to Sarıkamış Ski Center increases exponentially every year. Home to many people from different ethnic groups, we hope Kars will reach the value it deserves as soon as possible. The economy of the city is based on tourism and agricultural activities. Akyaka Border Gate is located in Kars city that connects Turkey to Armenia.
Check out the most comprehensive Kars city guide now. You will find the answers of many questions like “Places to see in Kars” or “How to get to Kars ?” in this guide.
| City name | KARS |
| Region | East Anatolia |
| Population | 285,410 |
| Population Density | 23/km2 |
| Pop. Growth Rate | -1,20% |
| Surface Area | 9,939 |
| Postal Code | 36xxx |
| Area Code | 474 |
| GDP (Per capita) | 7,396 $ |
After city center, Kağızman and Sarıkamış are the most developed districts of the city with 100.000 total population.
The districts of Kars are Akyaka, Arpaçay, Digor, Kağızman, Sarıkamış, Selim and Susuz. You will find detailed information for all districts of Kars in this guide.
Short History of Kars
The tools and equipment found in archaeological excavations show that Kars has a long history dating back to the Paleolithic Age. The first inhabitants of the Kars region, which has been used as a settlement for thousands of years. It is estimated that there were Hurrians in this region in the 5000s BC. In the known written history, the first settlers of Kars and its surroundings were Urartians. The Urartians, who dominated the region after BC 9th century. They were effective in Kars and its surroundings until 550 BC. In the following periods, the region ruled by the Altınordu State, Karakoyunlu and Akkoyunlular, joined the Ottoman Empire in 1535. This region, where the Ottoman-Russian conflict has been going on for a long time, is also under Armenian, Georgian and British occupations. Kars, which remained under Russian rule for 40 years between 1877 and 1918, was taken back by the Turks on 30 October 1920. 1921 Treaties of Moscow and Kars bordered the city, after the proclamation of the republic has been one of Turkey’s provinces.
Accommodation in Kars will be important if you are not resident in this city. There are only a few hotels in different parts of the city.
If you are looking for real estate for sale in Kars or real estate for rent in Kars, you are on the right page. As of the end of July 2020 in the central district of Kars, the prices of houses for sale increased by 26.97% in the last year. Average for sale residential property size is 155 square meters. Considering the annual averages, the neighborhoods that gained the most value in the Central district of Kars province as of the end of July 2020 are Yenişehir, Şehitler, İstasyon, Cumhuriyet, Ortakapı in order.
Do you want to get detailed information about hospitals in Kars ? In Kars, there are 6 state hospitals. Almost all districts have hospitals in different regions of the city.
Road Transportation
You can find direct bus services from major cities to Kars. Kars Bus Station is approximately 4 km from the city center. away, is located in the Atatürk District.
Air Transportation
Kars Harakani Airport is located within the borders of Kars province. This airport is about 5 km from the city center. to the south, in Yenişehir Mahallesi. Both municipal buses and private shuttles operate between the airport and Kars center. You can also take advantage of the taxi and car rental services at Kars Harakani Airport. You can find flights to Kars Harakani Airport directly from Istanbul, Izmir and Ankara, and connecting from other cities.
Railway Transportation
One of the most enjoyable ways to go to Kars is by train. Because Kars is the last stop of the Eastern Express, which is one of the popular train services of our country and where you can witness wonderful views. You can reach Kars by rail by using the Dogu Express, which operates between Ankara and Kars every day. It takes about 24 hours between Ankara and Kars by train.
Kars, which has become the shining star of the Eastern Anatolia Region in tourism with the changes it has experienced in recent years and the steps taken one after another, has great potential. There are many historical monuments and natural beauties to be visited, seen and visited in the city center and surrounding districts. Ani Ancient City is located in Armenia-Turkey border which is the most important historical destination in the city. The ancient city surrounded by walls with a length of more than 4,500 meters and a height of up to 8 meters, is unsatisfied with its taste and is a feature that drives people to time travel at every second. Sarıkamış Ski Center, which is shown among the most suitable facilities in the world in terms of snow quality and ski slopes, is the heart of Kars. The ski resort, preferred by many ski lovers from Turkey and abroad during the winter season, has a 12 km long, 5-stage track. Kars Castle is one of the best spots to feel the urban texture in Kars. The castle, which is preferred for a bird’s eye view of Kars city center and to breathe the air of the city, was built in 1153.
You will find the answers of the “Best places to visit in Kars” or “Top 10 things to do and see in Kars” questions in this guide.
There are only one state university located in Kars named as Kafkas University.