Sarıkamış Travel Guide

City City in Kars Province with historical sites

Snow clings to Sarıkamış’s pine forests; skiers come for dry powder and long cross-country tracks. The town also bears World War I cemeteries and small wooden cottages that hold local winter cuisine.

Costs

Affordable, seasonal pricing

Affordable - expect $60-140 per day depending on ski-season demand and mountain lodging.

Safety

Safe but winter-hazardous

Generally safe but remote alpine conditions can be hazardous in winter; prepare for cold and avalanches.

Best Time

Winter for skiing; autumn for hiking (Dec-Mar, Sep-Oct)

December-March for skiing; September-October for hiking and autumn colours.

In This Guide

Why Visit Sarıkamış?
Top Things to Do
Plan Your Visit
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Time

—

Weather

—

Population

23,665

Infrastructure & Convenience

Mountain roads and small ski facilities; limited English, basic hotels and seasonal services.

Popularity

Attracts skiers, winter tourists and history buffs; quieter off-season except for local visitors.

Known For

ski resort and winter sports, WWI Sarıkamış battle sites and memorials, dense pine forests, heavy snowfall, alpine scenery, cross-country trails, local Kars cuisine, mountain lakes

Sarıkamış's winter campaign in WWI (1914-1915) led to massive Ottoman casualties from freezing temperatures.

Why Visit Sarıkamış? #

High in the Allahuekber range, Sarıkamış is prized for crisp winter snow, pine forests and a ski centre where powder skiing is reliably good. The town’s wooden houses and memorials recall regional history, and visitors sample Kars-style cheese, honey and hearty stews after a day on the slopes. Cross-country trails and quiet alpine scenery show a different side of eastern Turkey.

Top Things to Do in Sarıkamış

All Attractions ›

Allahuekber Mountains

Mountain range in eastern Turkey with rugged peaks

Mountains

Mount Kösedağ (Ağrı)

Mountain in Ağrı Province of eastern Turkey

Mountain

Don't Miss

Sarıkamış Ski Resort - Alpine-style slopes, powder-friendly terrain, and winter sports facilities at high elevation.
Sarıkamış Memorial Complex - Commemorative site remembering World War I soldiers with museums and monuments.
Sarıkamış Pine Forests - Extensive pine woodlands offering snowshoeing and summer hiking trails among tall trees.

Hidden Gems

Local honey cooperatives - Small producers selling high-altitude honey varieties and bee products unique to the area.
Traditional Erzurum-style bakeries - Neighborhood bakeries serving regional flatbreads and wood-fired pastries popular locally.
Scenic alpine meadows - Quiet highland pastures ideal for short hikes and observing summer wildflowers.

Day Trips

Kars and Ani Ruins - Medieval Ani ruins and Kars' historic district accessible within a few hours' drive.
Lake Çıldır - Highland lake famous for winter ice fishing and summer lakeside vistas, reachable by car.

Best Time to Visit Sarıkamış #

Sarıkamış is a high-altitude town with long, severe winters and short, cool summers. Visit in summer for hiking and clear skies, or winter for excellent snow and skiing.

Winter

December - February · -20--5°C (-4-23°F)

Winters are brutally cold with heavy snow-world-class skiing, crisp alpine air, and frozen landscapes; expect subzero temperatures and sturdy winter gear.

Spring

March - May · -5-10°C (23-50°F)

Spring is short and changeable; snow lingers into April, but late May offers clear days for hiking before mosquitos appear.

Summer

June - August · 10-20°C (50-68°F)

Summers are cool and pleasantly mild with long daylight-ideal for highland treks, photography, and avoiding lowland heat during July and August.

Best Time to Visit Sarıkamış #

Climate

Sarıkamış's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -13°C to 24°C. Moderate rainfall (532 mm/year).

Best Time to Visit

AugustJulySeptember

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

35°

Warmest Month

-28°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of -3°C and lows of -13°C. The driest month with just 24 mm and mostly overcast skies.

40 Poor

Comfort

-8°

Feels Like Freezing

-8°C

Temperature

-13° – -3°

92%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

24 mm

Rainfall

1.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.4

UV Index

Low

9.5h daylight

February

February is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -13°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

38 Poor

Comfort

-7°

Feels Like Freezing

-7°C

Temperature

-13° – -2°

89%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

30 mm

Rainfall

1.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.7

UV Index

Moderate

10.5h daylight

March

March is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -8°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

36 Poor

Comfort

-3°

Feels Like Freezing

-3°C

Temperature

-8° – 1°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

39 mm

Rainfall

2.1 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.1

UV Index

High

11.8h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

53 Acceptable

Comfort

4°

Feels Like Cold

4°C

Temperature

-1° – 9°

76%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

61 mm

Rainfall

2.4 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.3

UV Index

High

13.1h daylight

May

May is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 3°C. The wettest month with 87 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.

51 Acceptable

Comfort

8°

Feels Like Cold

8°C

Temperature

3° – 14°

73%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

87 mm

Rainfall

2.3 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.7

UV Index

Very High

14.3h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

67 Good

Comfort

12°

Feels Like Cool

12°C

Temperature

5° – 19°

69%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

70 mm

Rainfall

2.2 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.2

UV Index

Extreme

14.8h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

85 Excellent

Comfort

16°

Feels Like Cool

16°C

Temperature

9° – 24°

64%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

42 mm

Rainfall

2.3 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.3

UV Index

Extreme

14.6h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm).

87 Excellent

Comfort

16°

Feels Like Cool

16°C

Temperature

8° – 24°

59%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

36 mm

Rainfall

2.3 m/s

Wind

Calm

2.0

UV Index

Extreme

13.6h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm).

77 Very Good

Comfort

12°

Feels Like Cool

12°C

Temperature

4° – 21°

60%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

30 mm

Rainfall

2.1 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.4

UV Index

High

12.3h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

63 Good

Comfort

6°

Feels Like Cold

6°C

Temperature

0° – 13°

67%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

47 mm

Rainfall

1.9 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.8

UV Index

Moderate

11.0h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

51 Acceptable

Comfort

1°

Feels Like Cold

1°C

Temperature

-5° – 6°

77%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

38 mm

Rainfall

1.9 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.4

UV Index

Low

9.8h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -10°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.

44 Poor

Comfort

-5°

Feels Like Freezing

-5°C

Temperature

-10° – -1°

87%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

28 mm

Rainfall

1.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.3

UV Index

Low

9.2h daylight

How to Get to Sarıkamış

Sarıkamış is reached primarily by road from Kars (Kars Harakani Airport) or Erzurum; domestic flights to Kars plus a bus or taxi complete the journey. Winter road and weather conditions can lengthen travel times, so plan accordingly.

By Air

Kars Harakani Airport (KSY): The nearest airport for Sarıkamış, located near Kars city. From Kars airport the road journey to Sarıkamış is typically around 1-1.5 hours by taxi or private transfer.

Erzurum Airport (ERZ): Another regional option used in winter sports seasons; Erzurum is farther but sometimes used when flight schedules suit. From Erzurum the drive to Sarıkamış takes longer (a few hours) and is mainly by road.

By Train & Bus

Train: Kars is served by Turkish State Railways (TCDD) on the line from Ankara/Istanbul via Erzurum in some seasonal/overnight services; however, for Sarıkamış you will generally arrive at Kars and continue by road.

Bus / dolmuş: Regular intercity buses and local minibuses (dolmuş) run between Kars and Sarıkamış; the road trip from Kars takes around 1-1.5 hours depending on conditions, and dolmuş are the common public option for the last leg.

How to Get Around Sarıkamış #

Sarıkamış is a small mountain town; the centre is straightforward to walk and many hotels offer transfers to the nearby ski slopes. Local minibuses (dolmuş) and taxis operate for short trips; regional buses link Sarıkamış with Kars. In winter, allow extra travel time for snowy or icy roads and confirm transfers with hotels or tour operators in advance.

Where to Stay in Sarıkamış #

Budget

Town centre / Near slopes - TRY 400-800/night

Sarıkamış is a small ski town with basic guesthouses and pensions; budget options are rustic and close to slopes.

Local hostels and pensions - Basic mountain guesthouses
Kars tourism listings (nearby) - Regional budget accommodation info

Mid-Range

Near ski area - TRY 800-1500/night

A handful of comfortable ski hotels and small resorts operate in Sarıkamış; mid-range choices are best for slope access and amenities.

Sarıkamış hotels (local mid-range) - Comfortable hotels near pistes
Kars mid-range hotels (regional) - More choices in provincial capital

Luxury

Ski resort area - TRY 1500+/night

Sarıkamış has a few higher-end ski hotels and boutique chalets, but top luxury choices are limited compared with larger ski centres.

Kars luxury hotels (nearest) - Upscale lodging in the provincial centre
Regional premium chalets & resorts - Higher-end options regionally

Where to Eat in Sarıkamış #

Nightlife in Sarıkamış #

Nightlife is very limited and largely centred on hotel bars and cosy cafes; après-ski socialising typically happens at accommodation venues rather than in a club circuit. Visitors looking for lively nightlife should plan evenings around hotel events or travel to larger towns.

Shopping in Sarıkamış #

Shopping in Sarıkamış is focused on small shops and markets selling essentials, regional produce and winter clothing. You can find locally made knitwear and woollen goods in small stores. For a wider shopping range, Kars is the nearest larger centre.

Nearby Cities #