Its cultural, economic and political center. The number of residents has long exceeded a million (a third of the country’s population), and it seems that none of them are in any hurry: just calmly stroll along the wide boulevards, occasionally stopping in for a glass of juice at their favorite coffee shops.
Yerevan is also literally a pink city: most of the buildings in the center are faced with stone of this color. Here you can taste delicious barbecue at a roadside diner under the sensitive management of a colorful old man, wander through the Botanical Garden in the intoxicating aroma of 300 varieties of roses, buy a carpet at the Vernissage and find out what Churchill’s favorite drink tastes like - Yerevan cognac.
How to get to Yerevan
By plane
Direct flights connect Moscow and Yerevan. Flights from Domodedovo are operated by Es Seven and Ural Airlines; from Sheremetyevo only Aeroflot flies, and UTair flies from Vnukovo. The flight takes about 3 hours, ticket price starts from 110 USD. There are no direct flights from St. Petersburg to Yerevan - you will have to fly with a transfer at Moscow Domodedovo. The ticket price is approximately 3 times higher.
Aircraft on Yerevan soil are accepted by Zvartnots International Passenger Airport (website), located 12 km from the city. From here you can get to the center of the capital of Armenia by bus or minibus in half an hour or in 15 minutes by taxi. A public transport stop is located next to the terminal. Minibuses No. 107, 108 and bus No. 201 go to the center. The price of travel by minibus or bus is 250 AMD, by taxi - 2500-3500 AMD. Prices on the page are as of August 2018.
By bus
Buses run regularly from many Russian cities to Yerevan. In Moscow they depart from the Domodedovskaya, Ploshchad Ilyich and Yugo-Zapadnaya metro stations. The distance is approximately 3000 km, travel time is about 48 hours. The average ticket price is 40 USD. The road from Russia to Armenia passes through the territory of Georgia. From the Russian border to the Armenian capital is approximately 120 km.
By car
You can only enter Armenia from Georgia and Iran, since the Azerbaijani and Turkish borders are closed to entry into the country. To enter Armenian territory, it is necessary to obtain temporary import of a vehicle and compulsory motor liability insurance; this costs 16,000 ADM and 4,500 ADM, respectively. On the way back, an additional 2,500 ADM will be charged upon departure.
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Districts of Yerevan
The cultural life of the capital and its main attractions are concentrated in the center and Abakir. These areas make up the Central District, which you should definitely walk through - see Republic Square with singing fountains, the beautiful Matenadaran building, the House of Chess Players, the Opera and Ballet Theater. Spendiarova and other iconic buildings. The northwestern district of Kanaker-Zeytun became famous thanks to the Victory Park and the famous “Mother Armenia” monument.
The highest point of Yerevan is located in the Nor-Nork district.
Those who want to live within walking distance of interesting places should look for housing on Tumanyan, Abovyan, Moskovyan, Khajyan streets and Mesrop Mashtots Avenue. Inexpensive and good hotels in Nork-Marash - this part of the city also has historical and cultural monuments. In the areas of Kanaker-Zeytun, Avan and Malatia-Sebastia close to the center, you can count on lower prices for accommodation. The Kentron area is also considered attractive for tourists.
Transport
Yerevan's urban transport is represented by the metro, trolleybuses, buses and minibuses. The metro connects the northwestern and southern regions and consists of one line with 10 stations. A ride on it costs 100 AMD. The announcer pronounces the names of the stations only in Armenian, and in the inscriptions they are duplicated in Russian. Subway operating hours: 6:00-11:00. The cheapest option for moving around the city is a trolleybus, the ticket price is only 50 AMD. Such a trip can be considered an excursion - thanks to the leisurely ride, you can clearly see the surroundings from the window.
Almost all public transport stops have a map of the city, and some have signs warning about an approaching bus.
Yerevan residents prefer buses and minibuses - this is the most popular mode of transport connecting all city districts. The fare for them is the same - 100 AMD. Payment to the driver upon exit. Buses are more comfortable than minibuses, and some even have Wi-Fi. There are many taxi companies in the city - you can hail or call a taxi without any problems. Taxi services are quite cheap. The calculation is carried out according to the meter. The minimum cost of a trip is 500 AMD, the price per kilometer is 100-200 AMD. A trip within the city, as a rule, does not cost more than 1000 AMD.
You can rent a bicycle at the Mybike specialized store (website) on Mashtots Avenue or on the square in front of the Opera House. Rental price per hour - from 1500 AMD, per day - from 4500 AMD.
Maps of Yerevan
Rent a Car
Friendly Yerevan, a city that is often awarded the epithet “open-air museum,” can be easily explored on foot. But if you want to go on an unforgettable trip around the outskirts of the Armenian capital, in order to enjoy the views of ancient monasteries or the biblical Ararat, your iron horse will come in handy.
It is best to book your car in advance via the Internet, but at the airport the choice of rental offices is no less impressive. The rental cost is approximately the same as around the world - from 18,000 AMD per day you can rent a comfortable car to suit your taste. World-class companies, such as Hertz, and local rental offices, for example, Naniko, offer their services in Yerevan. The traffic jam situation in the capital of Armenia is acceptable; parking in the city center is paid, and on the outskirts you can park for free. More details about all the nuances are described on the page: “Car rental in Yerevan”.
Communications and Wi-Fi
Mobile communications in Armenia are supported by 3 mobile operators - “ArmenTel”, “VivaCell” and “Orange Armenia”. They also provide Internet services for mobile devices. You can top up your phone balance quickly and without commissions not only at branded points of sale, but also at newsstands. To do this, just call the seller or write the number on paper. A SIM card costs about 1000 AMD and is sold at operator service points, including at the airport. A passport is required to obtain it.
Free Wi-Fi is available at all metro stations and on some trains. Buses with free Internet travel with “Free Wi-Fi” stickers. Most popular restaurant establishments provide their customers with access to the World Wide Web, just like shopping and entertainment centers. Public Wi-Fi can be found in parks, Yerevan Zoo and Republic Square.
"Yerevan map"
The “Yerevan Card” allows you to visit more than 40 museums in the city for free (including the National Gallery of Armenia and the Ararat Museum of the cognac factory of the same name), ride the metro 5 times and once from the airport by taxi, go on popular excursions (sightseeing, city tour) for free Yerevan at night, etc.), and the package also includes a SIM card with a local number, a city map and a guidebook. In addition, more than 150 establishments in Yerevan (hotels, shops, art galleries, museums, restaurants and clubs) provide discounts of up to 40% upon presentation of the Yerevan Card.
A card for 24 hours costs 29 USD, for 48 hours - 37 USD, for 72 hours - 43 USD and unlimited - 52 USD. You can purchase it online on the website, order it with delivery throughout Yerevan (delivery is free) or buy it at sales offices or at the box office of program partners (museums, etc.).
Beaches of Yerevan
In the southwestern part of the Armenian capital there is a reservoir, the so-called Yerevan Lake. It used to be a popular beach holiday destination for city residents. Now most people prefer to go to Sevan - a high-mountain lake with clear water 60 km from the city. Sevan beaches are mostly small-pebble, but there are also sandy ones. The resort infrastructure is poorly developed - there is only the most necessary. Entertainment includes scooters and motorcycles. There are numerous eateries around the lake where hungry swimmers can try ishkhan, a local variety of trout, cooked on the grill.
The most favorable time for swimming lasts from July to the end of August.
To travel to Sevan, it is most comfortable to use a car - it is about an hour's drive. Minibus No. 317 runs from the Northern Bus Station. It does not reach the shore - you will have to walk 15 minutes from the stop. The ticket costs 600 AMD, but friendly drivers sometimes agree to take tourists directly to the lake for an additional 200 AMD. During the beach season, an electric train runs on the route Yerevan - Hrazdan - Sevan - Shorja - Sotk. It lasts about 3 hours, ticket price is 600 AM. It’s better to go out to Shorja - the local beach is considered the best. A taxi ride to Sevan will cost 8,000 AMD.
Yerevan Hotels
Yerevan offers its guests different accommodation options - from modest to luxury. The most expensive accommodation will be in the center of the capital - in modern high-class hotels of the world brands Marriott, Best Western, Hyatt, Golden Tulip. In the historical center there are small authentic hotels with a courtyard and garden - you can rent accommodation there for a day.
For those who plan to spend a minimum of time at the hotel, hostels are suitable. Their prices are very affordable. Fans of budget holidays and those who want to feel the local flavor are better off staying in a private sector on the outskirts.
Shopping
Penny trinkets and expensive works of art can be purchased at the famous Vernissage market, which takes place every weekend on Republic Square, in the very center of Yerevan. At the art market of the same name around the monument to Martiros Saryan (next to the Opera House Square), they sell paintings by local artists, and you can come across some truly wonderful paintings here. Read more about Yerevan markets.
For Armenian carpets “for the home, for the family,” go to Mergeryan’s factory, and for more outstanding specimens you should look for the “Tufenkian Carpets” store on Tumanyan Street. Here they can embroider your initials or your favorite saying on a finished carpet, or weave a soft masterpiece entirely according to your sketch. Old carpets can be purchased in antique shops in the city.
When purchasing a new carpet, be sure to keep the store receipt and the product tag - this will serve as confirmation that it was made recently and is not of historical value. When purchasing antiques, you must take a certificate authorizing the export of the carpet from the country.
Don’t forget to take with you a couple of bottles of aromatic Armenian cognac, which is sold in abundance in the city’s supermarkets and enotecas.
What to try
You should definitely try the “Khorovats” kebab, garnished with fresh herbs and vegetables, “Kufta” meatballs, “Khinkali” dumplings and dolma made from grape leaves.
For your meal, it makes sense to order Armenian wine - “Old Yerevan” is considered one of the best varieties - or fruit vodka made from mulberry, cherry, pear, peach, apricot, etc. Well, you must digest it with the famous cognac.
You can have a snack with Yerevan pizza “lahmejun” - a thin flatbread baked in the oven, covered with meat puree, sauce and finely chopped herbs. And quench your thirst with “tan” - a light, slightly salted fermented milk drink.
Cafes and restaurants in Yerevan
Armenia has a cult of food, which is why a trip to Yerevan will be like a gastronomic tour. There are a huge number of restaurants, snack bars and fast food outlets, which serve amazingly delicious Armenian, Caucasian and European dishes. The secret to the success of local catering is natural and fresh products.
The Grand Candy donut shop got into the Guinness Book of Records for making the largest chocolate bar in the world.
Tourists are better off starting the day with a hearty breakfast at the Grand Candy donut shop, which the townspeople call “ponchikanets.” Their famous custard donuts can be purchased for just 100 AMD. Authentic Armenian home cooking is served in family restaurants. It’s easy to recognize them - Armenians, like the French, like to give their establishments their names. You can have dinner and drink wine together for 6,500 AMD. It is customary to place an order and pay at the table, and leave a tip at your own discretion.
In Yerevan, it is impossible to predict when you will find yourself at a generously laid table. Even buying souvenirs at the market or in a store can turn into a feast. Hospitable hosts do not miss the opportunity to introduce tourists to their delicious food, full of bright spices.
The Armenian fast food chain "Karas" offers a wide variety of dishes at incredibly attractive prices - from barbecue to fast food. A full business lunch here will cost 950 AMD, and a hot dog costs 200 AMD. Dolmama is considered an expensive and prestigious restaurant - the local “khashlama”, “dolma” and “tzhvzhik” were approved by Charles Aznavour himself. The average price for dinner at this legendary place is about 40,000 AMD, excluding alcoholic drinks.
Guides in Yerevan
Entertainment and attractions
It is better to start getting acquainted with the city by visiting the Erebuni fortress - the place where the history of Yerevan begins. This most important landmark is 2800 years old and is considered a symbol of Armenian statehood. Returning from the south-eastern outskirts to the center, you find yourself in the heart of the capital - Republic Square. The decoration of this place is the singing fountains in front of the History Museum (website). In addition to the sound, they change color in the dark. Another impressive structure is the Cascade complex. A system of stepped passages decorated with flower beds and fountains connects the center with Victory Park. Each of the five levels is decorated with original sculptures, and on the top tier there is the House-Museum of the national hero and legend of world chanson Charles Aznavour. From here, from a 100-meter height, an extraordinary view of the city opens. The building is crowned by the 54-meter-high “Mother Armenia” monument, which is visible from anywhere.
An impressive view of Ararat opens from the Geghard Monastery, which is literally carved into the rock near Yerevan. The ancient structure, founded in the 4th century, is shrouded in legends and secrets. There is a belief that you can attract good luck by hitting one of the niches on its wall with a pebble.
The world's largest collection of written monuments is located in the Yerevan Matenadaran repository of ancient manuscripts. Here, on Mashtots Avenue not far from the Blue Mosque, there is another iconic place, without which it is impossible to get a true picture of the city - the Central Covered Market.
Elegant Belle Epoque buildings line Abovyan Street: here you can see Art Nouveau, Art Nouveau and graceful neo-Moorish style.
A unique feature of Yerevan is a gorge within the city. This picturesque corner is named Radzyansky in honor of the river flowing through it. In addition to its natural beauty, it is famous for its restaurants and cafes, where life is in full swing in the evenings. Above the gorge stands the Yerevan Brandy Factory, where you can get acquainted with the history of the creation of the soul-warming drink, the Armenian “Ararat”.
Near the Moscow cinema, tourists take pictures with their favorite actor Frunzik Mkrtchyan, sitting down next to him on a bench.
Yerevan boasts the first Museum of Contemporary Art (website), opened in the USSR back in 1972. The house-museum of the brilliant director Sergei Parajanov in the Dzoragyugh Ethnographic Center is not inferior in originality to the Salvador Dali Theater-Museum in Figueres. At the Museum of the History of Armenia you can see what Yerevan was like many centuries ago - three-dimensional panoramas recreated from ancient drawings and maps, as well as artifacts of the past are exhibited there. The Tsitsernakaberd memorial complex tells about the sad pages of Armenian history - the Armenian Genocide Museum is located on its territory (website).
5 things to do in Yerevan
- Step into the holy of holies of Yerevan - the citadel of the Erebuni fortress.
- Take a photo in front of the magnificent five buildings on Republic Square.
- Visit the Matenadaran Museum of Manuscripts - one of the world's largest collections of ancient texts.
- Try the khorovats kebab and wash down your meal with homemade wine.
- Buy an excellent carpet with meaning from the legendary Tufenkian Carpets.
Yerevan for children
Little tourists will love the Yerevan Zoo. It contains about 3,000 animals, and the territory is divided into two parts - a recreation area and enclosures for residents. Lots of water activities await the kids at the Water World open-air water park. The Children's Railway of the natural park in the gorge of the Hrazdan River is very popular among children. A steam locomotive with two carriages passes through a tunnel, travels 2 km, stopping at two stations.
Neither kids nor adults will be indifferent to the attractions of Victory Park and Lunapark. "Captain Kid's Treasure Island" awaits budding pirates in the Yerevan Mall shopping center (website), and active recreation lovers will find entertainment to their taste in the Playcity gaming center (website).
Weather
Winter in Yerevan is moderately cold and with little snow, and the arrival of spring coincides with the calendar date - from March nature begins to transform. At this time the weather is unstable, but it quickly gives way to summer heat. The rainiest month is May. Summer lasts more than 4 months - this is the season of dry and hot weather. Autumn is usually warm and sunny. The best time to visit the capital of Armenia is from April to November.
1. Hotel “Nairi” (Armenakyan Street, 121/7). A good three-star hotel located in the Nork-Marash area, very close to the center of Yerevan. There are three categories of rooms: “standard”, “deluxe” and “junior suite”, designed for tourists with different budget options. But no matter which accommodation option you choose, each room will have a TV with cable channels (Russian available) and air conditioning. In high category rooms this set will be complemented by a kettle and a pleasant view of the city from the room windows. Wi-fi will be available to you free of charge, regardless of the room category. This hotel offers free parking for travelers who rent a car. Additional entertainment the hotel offers is a sauna with a swimming pool. They are open to hotel guests from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. For an additional fee you can order... read more
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Weather in Yerevan by months:
| Month | Temperature | Cloudiness | Rainy days / Precipitation |
Number of solar hours per day |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| During the day | At night | |||||
| January | 2.3°C | -4.4°C | 22.0% | - | 9 o'clock 41m. | |
| February | 5.0°C | -2.4°C | 20.1% | - | 10 o'clock 41m. | |
| March | 10.1°C | 2.1°C | 18.9% | - | 11 o'clock 57m. | |
| April | 17.4°C | 7.6°C | 15.4% | 1 day (18.5 mm.) | 13:00 17m. | |
| May | 24.0°C | 12.1°C | 11.6% | 1 day (26.1 mm.) | 14h. 24m. | |
| June | 29.6°C | 15.9°C | 8.4% | 1 day (27.5 mm.) | 14h. 58m. | |
| July | 33.1°C | 19.2°C | 5.6% | - | 14h. 42m. | |
| August | 32.8°C | 19.4°C | 4.3% | - | 13:00 44m. | |
| September | 27.3°C | 15.4°C | 4.4% | - | 12h. 27m. | |
| October | 18.9°C | 9.6°C | 11.0% | 1 day (9.0 mm.) | 11 o'clock 8m. | |
| November | 10.9°C | 3.5°C | 15.0% | - | 9 o'clock 58m. | |
| December | 4.8°C | -1.7°C | 19.2% | 1 day (11.9 mm.) | 9 o'clock 23m. | |
*This table displays weather averages collected over more than three years
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My Yerevan
It is not without reason that I consider Armenia one of the most underrated countries in terms of tourism. It has all the conditions for cultural tourism - the cradle of Christianity, one of the oldest countries in the world, many preserved temples, amazing views, clean air, excellent food and drinks. But the authorities are not very bothered to develop the tourism sector, unfortunately. Having visited Yerevan, I enjoyed walking around its center and looking at the sculptures, which are sometimes surprising with their futurism. They speak Russian well here, so there are no problems with communication. Armenians are very friendly, curious and always ready to help (although, as everywhere else, there are taxi drivers who are greedy for profit).
In principle, everything is beautiful and safe here. But many attractions are scattered throughout the country, and getting to them is not so easy. In addition, when leaving Yerevan, you see desolation and ruin, which greatly spoils the impression. But in a few years, I am sure, all this can be improved and greatly advanced due to financial influences from tourists, who will undoubtedly be interested in looking at antiquities and beauty.
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Prices for holidays in Yerevan. September 2018.
tour cost
Airplane tickets Moscow-Yerevan-Moscow - 10,900 rubles, no visa required. Transfer from the airport to the city, there is a bus every 15 minutes, 30 rubles.
You can rent an apartment on the outskirts of Yerevan for 800 rubles per day; in the center, similar housing will cost from 1,500 rubles. A bus around the city and to the nearest suburbs costs 30 rubles.
You can easily see the city on your own. Entrance to squares, parks, cathedrals and churches is free. To visit the State Museum of History of Armenia you need to pay 120 rubles; National Gallery of Armenia - 400 rubles (guide services - 650 rubles); Yerevan Zoo - 600 rubles; Geghard monastery complex - admission free, bus from the city center 30 rubles.
Food and products
The check for a restaurant with national cuisine, a music program is about 1800 rubles per person, you can dine in a cafe for 800 rubles per person, in fast food for 300 rubles per person. Shish kebab can be ordered from 300 rubles, Dolma - 280 rubles, Vegetable salad - 120 rubles, Cognac 50 ml - 150 rubles.
Cost of services and entertainment
Water park "Water world" - 900 rubles; The largest swimming pool in Yerevanan is "Latar" - entrance ticket 750 rubles. You can watch a movie or play bowling at Playcity, prices start from 150 rubles.
Total money spent on vacation
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Holiday impressions in October
This time (early October) is suitable for educational relaxation; the weather is still quite warm during the day, but in the evenings you already need a jacket or a light coat, although you won’t go out during the day without a sweater or windbreaker. There is almost no rain yet; in two weeks it rained only once, and even then it was very short-lived. For lovers of warmth, I would recommend going earlier, although everything is still green and there are a lot of flowers.
Why is it better to vacation in September?
In September it is much warmer, so it is more pleasant to walk. No need to take warm clothes.
Vacation with children
The city is very calm, with many opportunities for children's recreation. There is a wonderful puppet theater.
Youth recreation
There are many universities in the city, and therefore there are many young people. Accordingly, there is infrastructure.
Family holiday
The city lives a measured life, there is no rush or crowd. You can feel very comfortable as a couple: there are many restaurants, museums, exhibitions. There's a lot to see.
What to take with you on vacation?
In principle, everything can be bought without much difficulty, prices are very affordable. They accept cards, even Mir, and there are many banks and terminals where you can withdraw (exchange) money without problems.
Don’t forget that Armenia is a mountainous country, so your shoes should be appropriate - preferably sneakers.
Where is the best place to stay?
There are a lot of hotels in Yerevan, there are chain hotels, such as "Ibis". But we stayed at a small hotel "Mia Casa" (Shara Talian St.). It's not the center, but it's a 15-minute walk to the center. The hotel has excellent staff. The hotel owner is also a history expert; you can arrange a personal tour with him. Very tasty breakfasts. Despite the fact that the hotel (it is still a mini-hotel) does not have a restaurant, it has an excellent kitchen where hot tea and coffee are available 24 hours. You can take the dishes and have dinner at the table.
What to do at the resort?
There are many interesting places in Yerevan; you can walk around the city endlessly. Everyone loves Republic Square with its singing fountains. This is a separate story - the spectacle is simply amazing. You definitely need to go up to the Erebuni fortress, but it’s worth taking a guide at the museum - it’s less interesting to see on your own. Many people go on excursions and tastings to the Ararat factory, but I would recommend visiting the Noy cognac factory - there is a more interesting exhibition there, and the factory is much older. There are many museums.
There are many iconic places near Yerevan. You should definitely go to Garni and Geghard (but better with a guide). If you're lucky, you can hear church singing in Geghard - volunteers sing there periodically. It is unforgettable and penetrates the soul. For a long time afterwards you cannot forget this divine sound. You should definitely visit Lake Sevan and Sevanavank - the oldest monastery. But each trip takes a day. You can go in the other direction, then these are Noravank and Khor Virap. In general, Armenia has such a hoary history that it takes your breath away: after all, it is part of the kingdom of Urartu.
If you have 2-4 free days, I suggest going to Armenia. During this time, you will have time to recharge yourself with new impressions, experience all the charm of Armenian hospitality, taste the local cuisine and leave a piece of your heart here.
How to get there and where to live
You need to get to Armenia by plane. Tickets – from 4400 rubles depending on the airline. From the airport to the city - on one of the minibuses for 40-50 rubles (200 drams) 20 minutes ride. Armenia is a cheap country; there are many different budget hotels and hostels for every budget.
It is best to have 3-4 days left - then you will be able to see half of the country. But two days is enough for you to soak in the local culture. We were lucky: friends recommended a guide with a car. We wrote to him our wishes for places, and he already suggested the optimal route. They even almost decided to go to Georgia, which is only a three-hour drive from Yerevan.
Yerevan
Armenian hospitality begins right in the minibus: “Dear guests, your stop!” - the driver announces loudly.
Legends say that Yerevan got its name from Noah’s cry “Yerevats!” (which means “She appeared!”) when he saw Ararat. A fragment of Noah's Ark can be seen in the local museum.
The heart of Yerevan is Republic Square with singing fountains. In the evening, a musical show begins here: tourists, locals and children admire, dance and take selfies against the backdrop of colorful splashes. On the other side is Northern Avenue, which is somewhat reminiscent of Arbat. There are brand stores, European-style restaurants, musicians and other local talent.
A little further there is another central place - the opera house. 7 minutes straight and, perhaps, the main attraction of Yerevan, which offers views of the entire city surrounded by mountains - the Cascade. Be sure to go up there at sunset to see the pink-stone Yerevan in the rays of the setting sun. The cascade is surrounded by funny monuments: a blue penguin, a man made of letters, a curvy lady and more.
Now it is much warmer in Yerevan than in Moscow. It’s real spring there: the sun is shining with all its might, greenery is blooming, grass is growing, the aroma of cherries is in the air. Walking is a pleasure.
A whole day is enough to get around the entire city. Many attractions are located among residential areas (Maps.me to help). But while walking around the courtyards, you look at unofficial places. What impressed me the most were the clothes lines, the graffiti on the walls and the painted arches of the houses. There are tents with bright fragrant flowers right on the streets.
Unlike Russia, people here walk and sit in public gardens near churches. For example, in Etchmiadzin, where there is a religious museum with shrines and the main Armenian church, there are a lot of parents with children, pensioners - they sit on benches or walk around the large square.
Traveling around the country
Armenia is a very beautiful country. Everything surprised me there: the ideal triangular mountain ridges, the age, wisdom and architecture of ancient monasteries, the air, the hospitality and openness of the people, the aroma of cherries and honey in the gardens, the sound of mountain streams and mineral water. It’s strange that with such cheapness and beauty there are few tourists in Armenia.
Lake Sevan is located an hour's drive from Yerevan on a picturesque peninsula. A magnet for tourists (and locals) is the ancient monastery. Armenian churches are very modest and monumental: most of them have retained their appearance, but restoration is needed. Inside them are several icons or even faded images of Jesus, ancient sacred patterned crosses - khachkars. By the way, you will not find two identical khachkars - the pattern is similar, but different everywhere. It’s a mystery to me how they did it in ancient times, when there was a small selection of tools. Our guide said that carving patterns on stone has not only a sacred meaning. It was very difficult to work on it - it tested the strength of faith.
A piercing wind was blowing on the lake, but in the end we were lucky: the sun came out and turned the steel surface of the lake blue. The season here begins in August-July. Here they swim, fish, ride scooters. It's also worth the trip for the breathtaking views that open from the hill at the top of the peninsula.
The second most popular place is Tatev. To get there, we left at 6 am. But we met the dawn and saw how the peaks of Ararat turned red in the rays of the sun. The spectacle is unforgettable!
Four hours' drive and you will find yourself in the mountains, where the longest cable car in the world runs - Wings of Tatev. In 12 minutes and 3500 drams, the cabin will take you over the gorges straight to the ancient monastery. All profits from tickets go towards its restoration. Once there were 500 monks living there, now there are only four. There is a monk in the monastery whose face is illuminated with kindness. He is often filmed by visiting television crews, for example, he is in “Heads and Tails.” He happily communicates with tourists. If you go down from the monastery by car, you can stop near a spring with mineral water. A little further there will be a small pool with a warm spring and a mountain river (you can take a swimsuit and towel).
Geghard(aka Ivirank, aka Geghard) is an ancient monastery complex where at one time the spear with which Jesus was killed was kept. The complex is located among the cliffs and is included in the UNESCO heritage list. The monastery was founded in the fourth century AD. Like other Armenian churches, it is characterized by ornate patterns on the stone along the entire perimeter, both outside and inside. From the inside, the church is even more striking: the monumental huge vaults, the coldness of the stones, the sunlight through the narrow windows, the patterned ceiling - was it really all created by man?
Khor Virap located at the foot of Ararat. From the walls of this monastery you can see the border with Turkey. According to legend, St. sat in the dungeon of the monastery for 13 years. Gregory the Illuminator is one of the first Armenian saints. The dungeon is large, deep and cold - tourists can go down there and feel all the horror. At one time, the spiritual center of the Armenian religion was located in Khor Virap.
Noravank– another monastery complex 122 km from Yerevan. It is located in a warm gorge among orange mountains. And it was built in the 13th century! Eight centuries later, the stone church is well preserved, although its interior decoration is laconic: stone and several large icons. Several ancient khachkars have been preserved in the complex, one of which dates back to 1308. It’s very easy to get lost in time here – there is a feeling that boundaries are being erased.
Zvargnotz– The Temple of the “Watching Angels” near Yerevan is included in the UNESCO heritage list. Unfortunately, now there are only ruins left in the middle of blooming greenery. Newlyweds love to take photos here.
Another place that was very impressive - Etchmiadzin Monastery, where the main Armenian church is located and the patriarch lives. The main church is not like all those we have seen: it is richly decorated with icons, flowers and paintings. Right there is a museum with holy relics: under glass there are ancient handmade books from the 15th-16th centuries, particles of the relics of saints, staffs and clothes of clergy and two amazing exhibits - the God-slaying spear and part of Noah's Ark. You can see all the exhibits yourself and then ask questions to the guide. During your tour, don’t forget to look up at the amazingly beautiful painted ceiling.
Garni- a pagan temple, which was built according to all the rules of geometry. Built in the likeness of Roman temples: columns, triangular roof. This is the only completely preserved pagan monument on the territory of Armenia. Nine steps rise to the top (three times three), and 24 columns around the perimeter symbolize the ether or the firmament. If you look at the drawing, you can see equilateral triangles (again the sacred number 3), a circle in which 6 circles are inscribed (6 is perfection) and in some proportions the numbers 8 (infinity) and 5 (in some cultures the number of creation). It is no coincidence that Garni is called a reflection of the Cosmos.
Food and drink
Armenia is a paradise of fresh vegetables and fruits, nuts, dried fruits, herbs and, of course, meat. The advantage of the country is that you can get a large portion of food for 200-300 rubles. A full dinner for two will cost 800 rubles: pizza, soup, appetizer, side dish. Unlike Moscow, here you can go to almost any cafe - the prices are not high. The most famous are the Tashir Pizza chain, the Old Yerevan and Yerevan taverns (opposite the Opera House on the corner of Northern Avenue and Revolution Square), and the Karas chain.
The city is full of shops and bakeries where you can buy fresh baked goods: crispy khachapuri with cheese, pies, meat in pita bread or greens in dough (zhengyalov-khats). The most delicious baked goods near Sevan: there is a huge workshop equipped there, there are different ovens (including fire-heated ones), where everything is cooked right in front of you. We were impressed by the huge crispy khachapuri, similar to a baguette. They are taken straight from the oven, carefully wrapped in parchment and handed over to hungry tourists. Mmm!
Another national pride of Armenia is coffee. There are many cafes in the city center where they will cook it for you according to all the rules.
I couldn’t pass by grilled vegetables, shish kebab and Adjarian-style khachapuri. I also advise you to definitely try dried fruits that have absorbed all the sun, churchkhela, pastila (or pastila filled with ground nuts and honey), layer cake with sweet gata filling.
Drinks include wine, cognac and apricot vodka. There are a lot of cognac and wine production facilities in Yerevan and its surroundings, where they will not only tell you the secrets of making drinks, but will also treat you to them. We tried pomegranate wine, which turned out to be mild in taste, and apricot vodka (64 degrees! But a glass saves you from a cold).
“How do you like our service?” - one Armenian asked me already in Moscow. “Your little pies are not small at all...” And that's it.
- Take a warm sweater and hat to Lake Sevan. Better yet, a coat and scarf. Don't look at how hot it is in Yerevan. A piercing wind blows in Sevan. The weather in the mountains is unpredictable. A hat and a second sweater would have saved me from a terrible cold.
- Find an experienced guide by car (you can also take the car yourself). We were recommended by friends. Very pleased - three days in a comfortable car with a cool person. We wouldn't have been able to see so much on our own.
- Choose local sweets (churchkhela, pastila, gata), Armenian coffee, pomegranate wine or pomegranate (symbolizes fertility, love, success) as souvenirs.
- Don’t pass by the grandmother in Garni, who prepares the most delicious jam (from berries, fruits, pine cones), honey, marshmallow, gata, etc. Her tray is on the far left if you stand with your back to the gate. Grandma is unique: she was even included in guidebooks to Armenia.
- From the airport it is quite easy and cheap to get to the center. Exit from the first floor and go right to the stop. There are minibuses there that will take you to the center much cheaper than the drivers ask.
Photo by Ekaterina Garanina
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I decided to write an online guide to Armenia based on my trip. There is never too much useful information.
Below you will find answers to planning questions, where to live, how much money you need, whether you need a visa and how to get around, as well as the route around Armenia that we took. Based on it, you can make your own or use ours.
I am often asked: “Why go to Armenia, what to see there and is it even worth spending time and vacation on this country.” And now I answer without hesitation: “Of course it’s worth it!”
I’ll tell you a banal fact, but Armenia is the first country to adopt Christianity. Therefore, there will be no shortage of historical and architectural attractions here, even for experienced tourists.
In addition, it has stunning and diverse nature. The greenery of the north and colorful mountains in the south are worth coming here not for a weekend to see Yerevan, but for a full-fledged voyage around this country.
But nature and ancient monasteries are only half of the values of Armenia. People, ordinary Armenians, who stayed in their country and did not go to other countries, that’s why it’s also worth coming here. I’m not afraid of these pretentious statements, but the word “hospitality” was rediscovered for me.
And finally, Armenia is not yet as crowded with tourists as neighboring Georgia or Azerbaijan. It is absolutely possible to find yourself somewhere alone, in the silence of the mountains or monastery walls. Fortunately or unfortunately, the main tourists in Armenia are ethnic Armenians who came to see their homeland, and Chinese tourists who are just everywhere. But the Armenians do everything to make their guests feel comfortable and to make them come and return again and again. And it is true.
Well, the prices here are not high, for Russian salaries. You can afford a little more, and this is good news.
When is the best time to go to Armenia?
If you want to see the whole country in one trip, then the best time to travel to Armenia is summer, starting from June and ending in September. Juicy Armenian fruits are ripe, there are a lot of cheap vegetables, the snow in the mountains and on the passes has melted and does not create obstacles for inspection and travel.
You can just come for a walk around Yerevan on March 8th. It’s already quite warm, but you can still eat Armenian khash and warm up.
If you are interested in skiing, then you need to go to the Tsakhnadzor resort from December to February/March.
Going to Armenia in August is almost ideal. But during the day in Yerevan and in open areas in the surrounding areas: Garni, Eribuni or Zvartnots, it will be quite hot, but tolerable.
Documents, visa and do you need a passport to travel to Armenia?
Fortunately, the Armenians are our brothers, our army guards the border between Armenia and Turkey, and Russians do not need a visa to Armenia. And a foreign passport to Armenia is no longer needed either. However, it's a pity. After all, he was given a beautiful stamp upon arrival with Big and Small Ararat.
In addition to Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, Georgians and other residents of the CIS also do not require a visa to Armenia. The length of stay should not exceed 180 days.
For the rest, it is charged upon arrival and costs 3,000 drams for 21 days or 15,000 drams for 120 days.
You can cross the Armenian border by land in Georgia and Iran, and you can fly by plane from any city with air connections (except Turkey and Azerbaijan).
Language in Armenia “And they will understand me”
Armenia quite recently ceased to be one country with us, so Russian, although not the second state language there, is second, after Armenian. It is obligatory at school, the older generation jokes about “I also died in Russian school” and knows and speaks simply after the fact, and also many Armenians go to large Russian cities to work. But I still cannot answer unequivocally that you will be understood. In Yerevan, in a cafe in the center near the fountains, the young waiters only understood us in English. But in general there were no problems with understanding. After all, as the Armenians themselves say: “Putin is our president,” that’s why they learn Russian, one way or another.
The Armenian alphabet is very beautiful and is revered by the residents.
Religion in Armenia
In Armenia the Christian Apostolic Church. Yes, they are Christians, but they have their own customs, which are somewhat different from our understanding of religion. For example, "matah".
In principle, you can come to churches and monasteries in shorts and a T-shirt. I have never seen anyone not allowed in or reprimanded. The Armenians themselves do not give the impression of being very devout and believers, but they often go to churches, even if they are walking or driving past and have time, why not go in and light a candle.
Armenians are Christians, but not like us In churches there is usually one place where candles are placed. There is no difference between health here and peace elsewhere. You just put it up, and God will sort it out, something like that. They don’t put candles at different icons, again. But they don’t exist. They try to leave churches so as not to turn their backs on the icons.
Armenians are baptized as Catholics, from left to right, but this is due to the language and pronunciation of the words “In the name of the father, son and holy spirit.” The fact is that the Trinity must each fall into its place when you are baptized. The father is on the forehead, the son is on the stomach, and the word spirit is on the left shoulder. When this prayer is said in Armenian, the order of the words is slightly different. They say, not “the Holy Spirit,” but “the Holy Spirit.” It turns out that in order for the word “spirit” to fall on the left shoulder, you need to be baptized in the opposite direction.
I described my observations of life in the country in this article, it also contains a little about religion.
Money, what currency to travel with
The currency in Armenia is the Armenian dram and all payments are made only in local money. In addition to the souvenir market in Yerevan, you can pay in rubles here, even at a mutually beneficial bank rate.
You can travel with rubles, euros or dollars, but you should not exchange rubles for them before the trip. You will lose more when exchanging back and forth. You can change money at exchange offices in Yerevan, or at banks in other cities.
You can also safely withdraw local drama from a ruble card at ATMs, and that’s what I did. The commission is the usual bank fee, you can check with your bank.
It is better to have cash everywhere, but sometimes in stores it is quite possible to pay with a card. Rarely, but possible.
If you rent a car, then at each parking lot you will be asked for 200 drams, to buy fruit, kebab or lavash to eat, to pay for entrance to the museum or for transport, you will need cash everywhere.
Food prices, how much money to take to Armenia
As I already said, Armenia is not yet so popular among tourists (but everything will change soon), so the prices are very, very attractive and encourage you to spend more.
I will write a separate article about prices in more detail, but in general, expect the following order:
You can find different types of housing in Armenia. It all depends on what you choose, a hostel in Yerevan and a guest house in the province, or a good hotel in Yerevan and a sanatorium in Jermuk. The average price tag for accommodation in a hostel/not an expensive but decent hotel is 10,000 drams for 3 people. We took beds in shared rooms in hostels, but in hotels the price tag is the same regardless of whether there are two or four. There will be a separate article about the hotels where we lived. I will write about the good ones and about those that turned out to be unsuccessful.
Eating traditional Armenian food in a cafe costs from $5. We often bought food and ate in apartments that we rented or in hostels, where there was always a kitchen. The cost of staying in a hostel almost always includes breakfast, sometimes very filling, such as pasta with sausages, fruit and coffee.
For example, eating a kebab with baked vegetables, pita bread, cheese, washing it all down with tan-okroshka and beer, which we bought to take away and ate by the river, cost 700 rubles for 4 and there was still left for breakfast. We also bought food in a store in Jermuk for dinner, vegetables, cheese, matsun, basturma, sweet gata and churchkhela, spending 700 rubles and again we still had a hearty dinner left. At the supermarket in Goris we also bought food for 500 rubles for 4 people and again it was enough for dinner and breakfast. If you eat in restaurants, prices will be from $5 and above per person.
Allow transport costs based on the type of transport. Car rental with a driver is 20,000 drams, without - from 15,000 drams. The cost of minibuses depends on the distance. You can get to everything further than the outskirts of Yerevan for 1500-2000 drams from bus stations and minibus parking lots.
Food in Armenia
Armenian cuisine is wonderful! If you take into account the fact that everything is prepared from seasonal and fresh products, then you can even evaluate the taste in absentia.
Vegetarians will have a harder time than meat eaters. But it’s more difficult to refuse and explain why you don’t eat meat. But the argument that you just feel sorry for the poor animals works, it’s been tested. And during the season from late May to September, the amount of vegetables and fruits will satisfy even the needs of raw foodists!
Armenian fruits Housing in Armenia
Of course, to get a good price/quality option, you need to have a clear travel plan and not deviate from it. We had a route, but after we left Yerevan, it was not always possible to follow it, although we tried. Booking on the go, especially during the season, is difficult if you are on a budget. There are good and cheap ones (around 10 thousand drams for 2-3 people), but if you book in advance there are more chances. If we realized that we didn’t have time to arrive where it was already booked, then we simply opened a booking and booked from what was available. There were no fines for not showing up at a hotel that had already been booked, although it seemed like a cancellation one day before was already subject to a fine of min 1 night.
The choice of housing is large and varied only in Yerevan. Here you can find many hostels and apartments that are good and not expensive on Airbnb if you book in advance, and even more so hotels. But the price tags in the capital are decent. We preferred to spend the night in hostels.
There is not a large choice of housing in the province, but it is there. In Jermuk, we generally had to use the theory of 6 handshakes and, through our driver and calls, look for housing within 10,000 drams (this was our ceiling for housing, 500 rubles per person).
Communications in Armenia
You can choose different mobile operators, which ones you trust more. There are Beeline and MTS and Orange.
Do you need insurance in Armenia?
There is no such obligation for a trip to Armenia as insurance. No one will ask you for it at the border. However, it doesn’t hurt to have insurance if you plan to actively spend time in the country. Insurance is not expensive and it is better to have it if something happens.
I’m not talking about conquering peaks now, but even simple trekking in the national park in Dilijan or climbing rocks in gorges near Garni can have consequences.
I buy insurance online before every trip. I wrote about insurance for active recreation In this article.
How to get to Armenia
The most convenient way to get to Armenia is, of course, by plane. You can fly to Yerevan or Gyumri from Russia and Georgia. I have collected all the flights with the lowest prices In this article. There you will also find a calendar of flights to Armenia for the year ahead. It is very convenient to search for cheap tickets. Click on the month and it opens with flight prices by day.
You can also get to Armenia by car, through Georgia or Iran. But in winter it can be difficult to move along the Georgian Military Road through the passes; they are sometimes covered with snow. However, I considered the budget for such a trip from St. Petersburg, and if there are 3-4 people, then you can get there quite inexpensively, cheaper than by plane, if you don’t catch a cheap flight.
Route around Armenia
I can suggest our route around Armenia. Apart from visiting friends, it took us 7 days to see the maximum. Although it is possible to see everything at once in 10-14 days in the country, Armenia is not a country that you need to “run through”. Still, oriental leisureliness reigns here and you need to make stops along the way.
Important note. In my opinion, seeing the most of the country in a short time is only possible by car. Yes, there is public transport, it works, and there is also hitchhiking. But when you are limited in time, then a car is the best solution. If you do not drive yourself, then there is an option to rent a car with a driver.
You can start from Yerevan, or, if you are coming to Armenia from Georgia, then from the north from Alaverdi.
There is a separate detailed article for each place in the guide. Follow the turquoise link buttons if you want to learn more.
1 day
For the first 2 nights, feel free to book accommodation in Yerevan. Because the most visited places in the country are located near the capital and it is easier to return to the same place for the night. We lived in the Rafael hostel in the very center, not far from Vernissage and the singing fountains.
What see in Yerevan in one day?
If you are limited in time, then you can explore the capital of Armenia in one day, if quickly and briefly. We arrived in the afternoon and in half a day just walking around Yerevan we managed to visit Gregory's temple, reached Republic Square, walked around Northern Avenue, climbed the Cascade, looked at Yerevan at night and statue of mother Armenia in Victory Park.
In addition, the next day, having also spent half a day, we visited monument to the Armenian genocide, visited the souvenir market Vernissage, watched the evening singing fountain show on Republic Square. Here on the square there is museums of the history of Armenia and an art gallery. We didn't make it to the collection of manuscripts Matenadaran, but I’ll definitely go on my next visit. You can also visit Ararat Brandy Factory, if interesting.
If you're lucky, you can walk around Yerevan for 3-4 days and it's worth a separate trip for short weekend holidays. There are a lot of places in Yerevan that you can and should see. I personally recommend taking a guide and a personal tour. Then they will immediately bring you up to date, explain the peculiarities and local customs and simply tell you a lot of interesting things.
Day 2
Around Yerevan
In general, if you don’t have a lot of time to travel to Armenia, even traveling by public transport around Yerevan you can see a lot. And even though most of it has been reconstructed, which many people don’t like, you can still see monuments and temples that are many hundreds of years old.
Pagan Garni Temple is located 30 km from Yerevan, and Geghard Monastery a little further, 40 km. If you rent a car, you have the opportunity to make a stop on the way to these monasteries near Arches of Charents. According to this Armenian poet (whom you can see on the 100 dram bill), this is the best view of Mount Ararat. If you are lucky and there is no haze.
We weren't lucky enough to see Masis, but the views are still worth a stop.
Although the Garni Temple is considered a remake, it is not so. And this is the most unusual temple in all of Armenia.
The monastery in the Geghard rock, despite the crowds of people, is impressive. It definitely cannot be excluded from the route around Armenia.
Former capital of Armenia Erebuni definitely worth a visit, especially if you are interested in the history of Armenia. A trip to Echmiadzin, the Armenian Vatican, is worth a look if you want to learn about the history of religion and understand Armenia. If I didn’t have a lot of time on my first visit, I wouldn’t have come here. But if you have a week and a car to rent, be sure to come. For Armenians, these places are the most real, authentic and important.
And I recommend ending the day in the Temple of the Vigilant Forces Zvartnots. Ararat can also be seen from here if the circumstances are successful.
Day 3
We're going South
In one daylight you can visit the monastery Khor Virap and see the most famous symbol of Armenia - Mount Ararat, which the Armenians call Masis. Find out that in Armenia there is not only cognac, but also they make delicious wine. And before bed drink mineral water in Jermuk straight from the waterfall.
If for some reason you don’t want to rent a car, even with a driver, then you won’t be able to see everything in one day ( about rent and transport read here). However, you can buy a tour in Yerevan and see everything except Jermuk, because the bus will return to Yerevan again.
4 day
You can see everything on our list for this day only by car. But for the first time you can choose the very best.
Armenian stonehenge carahunge And Tatev Monastery available even without a rental car. First, you can get to Karahunj by bus next to Sisian () or Goris, and then take a taxi or ride to Tatev. It’s convenient to spend the night in Goris, there are selection of inexpensive hotels, we stayed at the Nar Var Hotel, which is more of a guest house. The hosts gave us a kettle and dishes. If you don't have time in the evening, then take a look stone forest in Goris possible in the morning the next day.
Vorotan Pass 
Karahunj - Armenian stonehenge 
Caravanserai Katratz 
Stone forest in Goris
5 day
Through the pass to Lake Sevan
See cave city Khndzoresk , which ceased to exist only half a century ago and which can be reached via a suspension bridge and communicate with its inhabitants. And then, having rested in Caravanserai standing on the Great Silk Road, leave the scorched south through the Vardenyats pass.
See the largest concentration of ancient Armenian khachkar cross stones near the city Noratuz It's just a must. Khachkar is one of the symbols of Armenia.
And after such a long day to find myself at the Armenian sea - Lake Sevan It will just be a gift. If you have time and money, stay here longer. However hotels on Lake Sevan You need to book very early if you want to save money. Holidays on Lake Sevan are very popular among the locals; it’s the only place where, if you’re lucky with the weather, you can swim and eat Sevan crayfish. If you don’t find a hotel suitable for the price, feel free to go spend the night in Dilijan.
Suspension bridge and cave city of Khndzoresk 
Orbelyan caravanserai on the Vardenyats pass (formerly Selim) 
Cemetery of khachkars in Noratuz 
Hayravank Monastery on Lake Sevan
Day 6
Walks in the national park and mountain resort
Dilijan, or rather the nature of this area, is what I want to return here for. Simple trekking through forests and mountains, with access to monasteries, is not suitable for everyone, but simply taking a walk in the park and breathing in fresh cool air after a week spent among stone monasteries will definitely appeal to many. If you haven’t watched the movie “Mimino”, then I advise you to do so before your trip, you will find out why Dilijan is called “sunny”.
Old Dilijan
Just exploring the city will take time until lunch, after which you can safely head north to the city of Alaverdi, where it is convenient to make yourself a “base” for spending the night and exploring the monasteries in northern Armenia because there is a 7th day here. It was created not long ago, but is popular among locals and tourists.
If you have time, then go deeper into the mountains and look at the highest mountain in Armenia - Mount Aragats, and also visit Amberd fortress. If you have the desire, you can make a one-day climb up the mountain. In summer, although there is snow, there is not much of it. However, it is advisable to have at least minimal tour equipment for this. If you want to, but are scared, you can take a guide.
On this last day we only visited the monument to the Armenian alphabet, and in the evening we walked around the Vernissage in Yerevan. Early in the morning there was already a plane home. And although we saw a lot on this trip to Armenia, there are still quite a few blank spots where we want to go. And that's great.
Route map in Armenia
This is what our entire route around Armenia for 7 days looks like. If you open the map in full screen (the rightmost icon at the top), you can turn off layers and select movement for each specific day.
Transport in Armenia, how to get around
I will list all the ways of traveling around Armenia available to tourists:
Metro in Yerevan.
There is a place to be. Sometimes it is convenient, if you are limited in time, to get to a certain attraction in Yerevan. But as the locals say, sometimes it’s more convenient to take a taxi; it’s not at all expensive in the capital.
Rented car. Convenient, comfortable, fast. You are in complete control of your own time.
Rental prices start from $30 for a mechanic when booking in advance (for a day of rental when booking on the eve of the trip, the price tag can already be $50). Renting a car with an automatic transmission starts at $40, but on the eve of the trip you can fly by, economy models are dismantled in advance. For an SUV you will have to pay $50-70 per day, depending on the type of transmission.
It’s convenient to rent in, then you know exactly what you’re getting. There are also local rental offices on site, but it depends on your luck.
Car with driver. The price may be even cheaper than renting a car with an automatic transmission, especially if you book on the eve of the trip, and not much in advance. That's what happened to us. It’s convenient because you can hire a driver not for the entire period, but only for those days when you plan to travel around the country.
Almost all local cars run on gas and this results in savings on fuel, gas is much cheaper than gasoline, and all cars for rent run on gasoline. This service costs 20,000-25,000 drams for the whole day. You can bargain if you rent for many days. The driver himself finds where he will spend the night along the way and will help you find accommodation for the night if you do not book in advance.
Public transport. I have a large detailed article about transport in Armenia.
If you have a lot of time and don’t want to see the country in one visit, don’t have a license, or just want to save money, this is your way.
There are 5 places in Yerevan from which buses, minibuses and private transport depart in different directions. But the number of flights per day to other major cities may be 1-2. It is difficult to build a route with a large number of points in one day. Some attractions have no public transport routes at all.
Hitch-hiking. It works, the Armenians are very friendly in this regard and can hospitably give you a ride not only along the way, but also a little further. However, it works well only for short distances and getting to places like Noravank or Caravanserai is quite difficult, relying only on hitchhiking.
Our rented car What souvenirs to bring from Armenia
The main souvenir market Vernissage is located in Yerevan. It is difficult to guess who to bring what souvenir without knowing the person, but various Armenian motifs are very popular among tourists.
A grinder for spices and coffee; the coffee itself in Armenia is also good, finely ground, ideal for brewing in a Turk, and I also brought it for amateurs. And if I had my wish, I would bring copper utensils!
Letters of the Armenian alphabet. The best ones were in Dilijan; I didn’t find them at Vernissage later, but there were others.
All kinds of ceramics with symbols of Armenia, Ararat and pomegranate.
Duduk, also a symbol of Armenia, will be an excellent gift for a lover of musical instruments.
Chess! In Armenia, chess is taught in school as a regular subject from the 1st grade.
Sweets! Churchkhela and sweet gata.
Of course, Ararat and Noah cognac. They are available in duty free and you can’t find them separately in the city. True, at the airport there are only large bottles.
If you have money and interest, then you can buy a carpet or a small rug, both for the floor and for the table. Armenian motifs in carpet knitting are as unique as the designs on khachkars.
This guide is the author's own and does not pretend to be ideal. However, I have personally gone through everything mentioned in the article and I assure you that everything is more than possible and accessible. If for some reason you copy it to your site, ask me for permission.
The guide will be updated as new information becomes available. I haven’t told you everything about Armenia that I know yet. Come back!
It will include many attractions, most of which are located in the central part of the city. The distances between the most attractive objects for tourists here are minimal, and to travel to the suburbs you can always take a taxi: the prices are very attractive, and the taxi drivers themselves can also give a lot of free useful advice on choosing places for a tasty snack, lunch and dinner. Be sure to use them!
1 day in Yerevan (sights in the city center)
The center of Yerevan is a must-visit, regardless of how many days you come to the Armenian capital. We wrote about this in more detail in the article “”, but to complete the picture we will add a few more important details to the route.
The route to explore Yerevan should start from Republic Square - the heart of the capital, which, as befits a central square, impresses with the scale and appearance of the buildings surrounding it.
Next, walk to Freedom Square via Northern Avenue. The Armenian Academic Opera and Ballet Theater is located here. A. Spendiarova, as well as the picturesque park, is a favorite vacation spot for couples, youth and children, for whom there are many rental points for all kinds of cars and bicycles.
Cascade
We go around the opera house, pass the park and, crossing the busy Sayat-Nova and Mesrop Mashtots avenues, we get to the Yerevan Cascade. A famous art object and simply a beautiful local attraction, which can be the envy of many European capitals.
The only negative is the protracted construction, which has been going on since the 1970s: due to lack of money, only the first tiers have been completed. In the summer there are fountains and installations here, all year round there is an excellent view of the city, and at the foot there is a wonderful park where you can have a great rest.
Be sure to eat at one of the many cafes in the park - you still have a lot of impressions ahead!
Victory Park
Behind the cascade, a 10-minute walk across Saralanja Street, is the Victory Park with the “Mother Armenia” monument, known to every citizen, in whose giant pedestal there is a museum of the Ministry of Defense - a very popular place among tourists and young people.
We look around and go out along the alley into the city - here you will have to call a taxi: it is the easiest and most comfortable way to get to Tsitsernakaberd, the next stop on your tourist route.
Tsitsernakaberd is a memorial complex dedicated to the victims of the Armenian genocide: there is a museum telling about those terrible days and a tall memorial stele that can be seen from many parts of the city. The composition is complemented by the Eternal Flame, which always has fresh flowers.
So, the minimum program is completed. Feel free to return to the hotel (again by taxi), or end the day with a pleasant walk along Northern Avenue and Abovyan Street - the only one in the city center where buildings dating back to the 19th century have been preserved. There are also many restaurants here - you will surely have a great time in one of them.
2 day in Yerevan (nature and travel around the surrounding area)
When your acquaintance with the main attractions of the center of Yerevan is completed, it’s time to explore the architectural monuments and enjoy the wonderful nature of Armenia. And, of course, don’t forget to try national cuisine!
The program of the second day involves traveling outside the city - take a taxi: the prices are quite affordable, so you will get there in comfort.
Garni Temple
Your first point for today is the pagan temple of Garni.
It is also the residence of the ancient Armenian kings (built in the 1st century AD). The similarity with the Greek Parthenon is noticeable to the naked eye - and its age is no less: being part of the defensive structures of the region, Garni defended the approaches to the Armenian kingdom for more than 1000 years.
"Symphony of Stones"
Near the village of Garni (about a kilometer away) there is a unique natural attraction called the “Symphony of Stones” or “Basalt Organ”. You definitely won’t pass by: firstly, tourist groups come here very often, and secondly, there are signs.
The “Symphony of Stones” is located in the Garni Gorge, which stretches along the Azat River. The resemblance to the pipes of a musical instrument is truly amazing, as is the amazing symmetry of the stone hexagons. Here you can take magnificent photographs, and the impressions of the natural perfection of nature remain in your memory for a lifetime.
After exploring the amazingly beautiful sights, it's time to have lunch! You can do this by returning to Garni - there are several restaurants here. The tables are often set in the open air, everything is very cozy, a colorful national menu is offered and master classes are held on cooking barbecue and baking real Armenian lavash.
We get into a taxi and move on - 6 km away is the unique rock monastery of Geghard (founded in the 4th century AD). The structure is hewn out of a solid mountain range and is part of it, so the appearance and interiors of the monastery make an unforgettable impression. It’s hard to even imagine how much effort and labor went into creating this architectural masterpiece, which is absolutely deservedly included in the UNESCO World List.
The Garni-Geghard route is one of the most popular among tourists: you will have to drive only about 30 km from Yerevan, to which it is worth adding 6 km between these two attractions. However, taxis are everywhere here, and getting there is not difficult. From Yerevan the trip will cost about $7-10.
Sightseeing on the second day will take you a lot of time, but it will be worth it. Return to the hotel and don’t forget to have a good rest: a big program awaits you tomorrow.
Day 3 in Yerevan (shopping and souvenirs)
The final third day of your stay in Yerevan is simply bound to be full of impressions to the limit! To do this, we have brought together the riot of colors of the abundant central market, wonderful shopping, a visit to the flea market with the romantic name “Vernissage” and, of course, an excursion to the famous Ararat cognac factory. But first things first. Yes, and don’t forget to take a roomy backpack or a comfortable large bag. They will definitely come in handy today.
Central Market
We move closer to the center and start the day with a visit to the capital’s largest market (on Mesrop Mashtots Avenue) - a favorite place for shopping farm products.
The local aisles offer a huge variety of meat, fish, vegetables and fruits - the latter are especially popular among tourists, attracted by the wide range of candied apricots, peaches, prunes, figs and persimmons. The fruit market (like the entire central) market has long become one of the recognizable sights of Yerevan, so you should definitely visit it. And, of course, bargain: this is a common thing here.
If you don’t know your way around Yerevan very well, after leaving the market, take a taxi to Republic Square or just walk there, which will take you 15-20 minutes. From here it’s a stone’s throw to the Vernissage flea market (the intersection of Hanrapetutyan and Byuzand streets, not far from the Republic Square metro station) - move past the Khachkar Square and several fountains.
Vernissage has everything a tourist soul yearning for antique souvenirs needs. Moreover, this is where you should buy them - there are excellent handmade items: from traditional wooden plates to skillfully carved Armenian alphabet, wine bowls and chess. Of course, there are also souvenir daggers, which are very popular among tourists. By the way, the quality of goods is controlled by the authorities - be sure of it.
Before visiting the next attraction, we recommend having a thorough refreshment: the best way to do this is to return to Republic Square. There is an excellent restaurant called Cucina here, and you won't have to wait long for a taxi.
Ararat Brandy Factory
Head to the Ararat factory, which can be visited on a guided tour. Today, the production belongs to the French brand Pernod Ricard, which owns trademarks of elite whiskeys and cognacs around the world. So this is an old acquaintance in good company, which is easy to see at the tasting included in the excursion. You will visit the aging workshop, laboratory and will be able to purchase the famous cognac aged from 3 to 70 years.
Shopping at the mall
After such a busy program, you can go to the hotel to leave your shopping bags and relax a bit. And for real shopaholics, let’s add another pleasant experience - after visiting Ararat, arrange for yourself an easy and relaxed shopping at Tashir (M. Khorenatsi St., next to Zoravar Andranik metro station) - perhaps the main shopping center in Yerevan. The best way to get there, of course, is by taxi.
We end our stay on a calm note - we take a taxi to Matenadaran.
Matenadaran is one of the largest repositories of ancient manuscripts in the world. There are 14 thematic halls housing more than 120 thousand handwritten books and documents. Actually, Matenadaran is translated as “holder of manuscripts” and, due to its unique status, was included in the list of UNESCO-protected cultural heritage sites.
Three days in Yerevan - a great weekend
As you can see, even a three-day stay in the Armenian capital is a sea of impressions and an opportunity to arrange a wonderful vacation that you will remember for a very long time.
Yerevan has no obvious drawbacks from a tourist point of view: there are attractive prices for all types of goods and services, and the famous friendliness and hospitality are not just words, but a national character trait that manifests itself at every step. In a word, if you are interested not only in the modern life of European cities (and Yerevan can be put on a par with many capitals of the Old World), but also in authentic culture, this is definitely the place for you. At least for three days.
