The small provincial capital of Artvin with its population of 20,000 is located on a hill above the road linking Kars and Hopa. Artvin is a charming small town with old Ottoman houses and a spectacular mountain setting. Also the ride to Artvin from Kars and further onwards to Hopa and Rize offers a wonderful scenery.
We visited Artvin in 2003, while traveling through Eastern Turkey. Coming to Artvin from Kars, buses take the long route (4-5 hours) and drop you off at the bus station in the valley while the actual town center is on the top of the hill. You have to take a taxi to the center.
The fresh trout at the Nazar Restaurant (İnönü Caddesi 5/B, Tel +90 (466) 212 17 09 is delicious. Accompanied by a bottle of raki and the breathtaking scenery outside makes the meal a feast both for eye and stomach.
We stayed at Otel Karahan, İnönü Caddesi 16, Phone +90 (466) 212 18 00. After a stay of one night, which is really too short but weather conditions got bad, we headed on via Hopa and Rize to Trabzon.
Here are the photos of Tarsus, click on the thumbnails to see greater pictures
Bus Kars-Artvin
Wild horses in the steppe
between Kars and Artvin
Bus stop between Kars and Artvin
Bus Stop
Bus Stop
Landscape between Kars and Artvin
Artvin's Main Street
Artvin Scenery
Artvin Scenery
Before the introduction of the New Turkish Lira amounts could be astronomical
Artvin Scenery
Artvin Scenery
Artvin Scenery
Artvin Scenery
Artvin Scenery
Artvin Scenery
Scenic Road between Artvin and Hopa
Scenery between Artvin and Hopa
Scenic Drive between Artvin and Hopa
Tea Plantations between Hopa and Rize
Tea Plantations between Hopa and Rize
Tea Plantations between Hopa and Rize
