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75 · City guide

Ardahan

City of Lake Çıldır, yaylas and goose meat

Ardahan is a highland province on the banks of the Kura River, at an elevation of about 1,800 meters, that spends most of the year under snow. The city's symbol is the Ottoman-era Ardahan Castle on the Kura riverbank; the Congress Building in the city center preserves the memory of the local congresses held during the War of Independence. Çıldır Lake in the Çıldır district is one of the large lakes of Eastern Anatolia; in winter, when its surface freezes, it is known for ice fishing and horse-drawn sleighs, and in summer it is visited for its lakeside villages and Akçakale Island. Şeytan Kalesi (Devil's Castle), built above a deep canyon in Çıldır, offers one of the province's most striking views. In Damal, from late June to early July, the mountain's shadow can be seen forming a silhouette of Atatürk at certain hours. Posof's apple orchards and yaylas (highland pastures), the meadows of Hanak and Göle, Ardahan goose meat and flower honey complete the province's rural character.

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Note
Posof and Çıldır are close to the Georgian border; stay on marked roads in areas near the border. In winter, roads may be closed by snow and blizzards
Climate
Very cold, long winters; cool, short summers
Best time
June–September for the highland pastures and lakes; January–February for ice activities (check ice conditions with local sources)
Getting there
There is no airport in the province; the nearest is Kars Harakani Airport (about 90 km). There are road connections toward Kars and Artvin
Getting around
The castle and city center are walkable; Çıldır Lake, Şeytan Kalesi, Damal and the highland pastures require a car