Things To Do
in Selim

Capture everyday Anatolian street scenes, stone houses, and market activity, especially early morning when light is soft and locals prepare for the day.

Wide open high‑plateau landscapes provide dramatic sunrise and sunset views with long shadows, grazing livestock and distant mountain silhouettes.

Pine forests and snow‑covered terrain (in winter) offer striking contrasts—great for nature and landscape photography.

When accessible, the lake’s surface and the surrounding villages are photogenic; in winter the frozen lake with ice fishing and horse sleds is very atmospheric.

A small weekly market where villagers sell fresh vegetables, dairy, cheeses, breads and simple street snacks; best place to try fresh kaşar, homemade ayran, and seasonal produce.

If you travel to Kars city, larger bazaars offer more street food and regional specialties including roasted meats, pastries and packaged cheeses to buy and take home.

Dress modestly, especially when visiting mosques or rural households. Women should carry a scarf for mosque entry; men and women avoid overly revealing clothing in conservative settings.

Use polite greetings (Merhaba, Selam) and show deference to elders—stand when an elder enters a room and accept tea offers. Handshakes are common; some conservative locals may prefer not to shake hands with the opposite sex.

Ask permission before photographing people—particularly older women and villagers—out of respect for privacy and cultural norms.

Hospitality is important; if invited into a home, accept at least some tea and small hospitality gestures. Remove shoes if asked.

Tipping is appreciated but modest: 5–10% in restaurants if service is good, small change for café or tea house servers, and a few lira for hotel porters or taxi drivers. In very small local eateries tipping is less common but always welcome.

Cash (Turkish lira) is commonly used in Selim; ATMs are limited so carry enough cash. Larger businesses and hotels in nearby Kars accept credit cards, but many village shops and markets are cash‑only. Notify your bank before travel if you plan to use cards.

Short, mild summers with cool nights—pleasant for hiking and exploring villages. Expect green pastures and active farming; bring layered clothing for temperature swings and sun protection.

Crisp days and colorful late‑season fields; early snow can arrive late in the season. Good for photography and avoiding crowds, but some higher roads may begin to close.

Harsh, long winters with heavy snow and very cold temperatures; excellent for snow landscapes and winter sports in higher nearby areas, but prepare for limited services, icy roads and the need for warm clothing.

Melting snow and muddy roads early on, then blossoming pastures and returning agricultural activity; some remote trails may still be inaccessible until late spring.

Well‑forested trails at higher elevation offering scenic walks, especially beautiful with snow in winter and verdant pines in summer; suitable for day hikes and photography.

A network of unmarked pastoral tracks used by villagers—good for low‑difficulty hikes, observing rural life and photographing livestock and wide vistas.

Trails and paths around sections of Çıldır Lake are scenic; in winter the frozen lake itself becomes an expanse for walking and photographing fishing activities and village life on the ice.

Gentle routes on the lower slopes provide longer day hikes with panoramic views of the region; higher routes require local guidance and proper equipment.