Things to Do in Göle: 4 Places to Visit

Places to Visit in Göle

• 1 Historic
• 3 Nature

While you are in Göle, you can also see the highlights of Ardahan province. These places are in other districts.

• Çıldır Lake — Covering 123 km² on the border of Ardahan and Kars, this is the largest freshwater lake in Eastern Anatolia, at an altitude of 1,959 metres and up to 42 metres deep.
• Horse-Drawn Sleigh Tour on Çıldır Lake — When the lake freezes (usually January–February), horse-drawn sleighs set off from the villages on the shore for tours across the ice.
• Şeytan Castle — A medieval Georgian castle (Georgian Kacistsihe, 'devil's castle') on a rocky hill with cliffs on three sides, 1.3 km north of the Yıldırımtepe neighbourhood of Çıldır.
• Ardahan Castle — A medieval castle with a rectangular plan and 14 towers on the bank of the Kura River in the city centre; it appears in Ottoman records as Parakan Castle.
• Ardahan Congress Building — The historic building in the Halilefendi neighbourhood, just below Ardahan Castle, where the Ardahan Congress met during the War of Independence; it is a memorial to the recent history of the city.
• Akçakale and the Island in Çıldır Lake — The village of Akçakale (Georgian Tetrtsihe, 'white castle'), 20 km from Çıldır, is linked to an island in the lake by a stone-filled causeway built in the 19th century.

Practical Information for Visiting Göle

Suggested time

1 day

Best time to visit

Summer months (June-August)

Places to visit

4 places

• 🦢

  Goose Meat

  Goose farming is widespread in Göle, and goose meat is the main protein source in winter. Salted and dried goose meat is served as kavurma or cooked in a tandır oven.

• 🍜

  Hangel

  Hangel is prepared by cutting thinly rolled dough into small squares and boiling it. It is Göle's traditional dish, served with garlicky yoghurt and sizzling butter poured on top.

• 🌿

  Çiriş Otu Yemeği (Çiriş Herb Dish)

  Çiriş herb gathered from the plateaus in spring is fried with eggs and onions. Growing on Göle's high plateaus, this plant is one of the distinctive flavours of the local cuisine.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Göle

• 🏔️

  Plateau Migration Tradition

  The people of Göle migrate with their herds to the high plateaus in summer. This tradition has been maintained for centuries and is celebrated with plateau festivals, traditional music and cirit games.

• ❄️

  Türkiye's Coldest Place

  Göle is one of the settlements where the coldest temperatures in Türkiye have been recorded. In 2024, the lowest temperature in Türkiye, -34.3 °C, was measured in Göle.

Local Products

• Göle Kaşar Cheese — Kaşar cheese produced from the milk of animals grazing on Göle's high plateaus, known for its intense aroma and firm texture. The variety matured as old kaşar is especially in demand.
• Honey — Honey obtained from the rich vegetation of Göle's high plateaus is known for its dark colour and intense taste. Beekeeping is an important source of livelihood in the area.

Economy

The economy of Göle rests largely on livestock farming. Large and small livestock are raised on the high plateaus, and milk and dairy products are the main source of income. Kaşar cheese and honey production are important. Barley and forage crops are grown in agriculture. Göle is the most populous district of Ardahan and serves as its commercial centre.

How to Get to Göle

Göle is reached by road, 45 km from Ardahan provincial centre and 80 km from Kars. The nearest airport is Kars Harakani Airport (80 km). Regular minibus services run from Ardahan and Kars.

Get directions on Google Maps Getting to Ardahan

Göle: Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Your Trip

• 🍽️ What to Eat in Göle Famous dishes and local products →
• 🗺️ Things to Do in Ardahan The province's 13 best places and all its districts →

Other Districts of Ardahan

• Ardahan Central District 4 places Kura River Valley, Yalnızçam Ski Centre and Lake Çıldır
• Çıldır 7 places Lake Çıldır, Şeytan Castle (Şeytan Kalesi) and Akçakale Island
• Damal 8 places Damal Dolls, Damal Dolls (Stone Statues) and Damal Castle
• Hanak 7 places Kura River Canyon, Şeytan Castle and Hanak Castle
• Posof 5 places Türkgözü Border Gate, Posof Castle and Çoruh River Source