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Armenia Travel Guide

Last Updated: May 4, 2023

Straddling the divide between Asia and Europe , Armenia might be one of the final travel frontiers left on the planet for adventurous backpackers. Visiting Armenia isn’t often on a traveler’s to-do list, despite its beautiful snowy mountain peaks and many perfectly preserved medieval monasteries.

But their loss is your gain as the country is virtually untouched by mass tourism.

Armenia’s history is complicated and often tragic, marked with countless years of warfare and the infamous Armenian Genocide in which the Ottoman government murdered 1.5 million Armenians in the early 1900s.

Learn more about the country’s past by visiting the many historical monuments and religious structures scattered around the country, including the 4th-century Etchmiadzin Cathedral and the Greco-Roman Temple of Garni.

Armenia’s dramatic landscape of jagged mountains and deep, rugged valleys — especially in the Geghama mountain range — is perfect for trekking, biking, and off-roading.

Moreover, Armenians love chatting with visitors. You don’t have to try hard to meet the locals here as they’re going to want to know why you are visiting since so few people do!

This travel guide to Armenia will help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your time in this underrated gem!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Armenia

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Armenia

1. See Mount Ararat

This dormant volcano is technically a part of Turkish territory and is believed to be the final resting spot of Noah’s Ark. While you can’t hike the mountain from Armenia, you can certainly admire it up close from the Khor Virap monastery, located just 50 kilometers (31 miles) from Yerevan!

2. Visit Yerevan

Known as Armenia’s “Pink City” for the rose-colored volcanic material used for much of the city’s buildings, Yerevan is home to wide tree-lined boulevards, busy town squares, and a thriving cafe culture. Try the city’s famous dark coffee; it’s rich, sweet, and packed with caffeine.

3. Go Skiing in Tsaghkadzor

Thanks to its mountainous terrain, Armenia has become a hit with extreme sports lovers. During the winter, Armenia is transformed into a ski and snowboarding haven. Tsaghkadzor ski resort in the Marmarik river valley is the most popular place to go. A day ticket costs 12,000 AMD.

4. Visit Dilijan National Park

Dilijan National Park is easily one of the most scenic destinations to visit in Armenia, boasting wide swatches of forested hills and green meadows home to thousands of plant species. Hike the well-marked trails to springs and monasteries or spend some time at scenic Parz Lake.

5. Visit the Genocide Museum

The Armenian Genocide Memorial & Museum stands as a powerful reminder of the genocide that took place in Armenia between 1915-1922 at the hands of the Ottoman Empire. Inside is a collection of photographs, documents, newspaper reports, and films curated to tell the story of this tragic event in Armenian history. Admission is free but donations are welcomed.

Other Things to See and Do in Armenia

1. take the cable car to tatev monastery.

This medieval monastery was built between the 9th-13th centuries and is unique thanks to its position on the edge of a deep gorge. The inside is covered in 10th-century frescoes and vaulted stone ceilings, while the exterior has many pointed domes and is surrounded by tall stone fortress walls that drop off immediately into the gorge below. There are stunning views and photography spots all around the complex as well. The only way to visit the monastery is by taking the cable car across a 5,752-meter cableway (the longest in the world) suspended 320 meters (1,049 feet) above the River Vorotan. The cable car ride takes around 15 minutes, and a round-trip ticket is 5,000 AMD. Tatev is about 3.5 hours from Yerevan.

2. Visit Shikahogh State Reserve

Shikahogh State Reserve is the second largest forest in Armenia and is home to some diverse wildlife including leopards, bears, wild goats, and vipers. There are lush mountain hiking trails (although they are not always well maintained) that lead you to Iron Age tombs, medieval churches and monasteries, waterfalls, crystal-clear springs, and even abandoned towns. The 11-kilometer (7-mile) route from Mount Khustup to Shishkert village is tough but incredibly scenic.

3. Swim in Lake Sevan

Also known as the “Armenian Sea,” Lake Sevan is a massive lake (it covers 5% of the country) located high in the Caucasus mountains. Known for its incredible biodiversity and stunningly stark landscapes, Lake Sevan is a popular destination for domestic and foreign travelers alike. Come here to relax in one of the lakeside villages, visit medieval monasteries, and swim in the lake (if it’s warm enough or you’re brave enough!). The lake is so high in altitude (1,900 meters above sea level) that if you sit on the riverbank, it almost looks like the river is running into the sky. You can wild camp here for free as well. Lake Sevan is around 65 kilometers (40 miles) from Yerevan. The most common way to get here is by marshrutka (minibus), which takes around an hour.

4. See Geghard Monastery

Geghard Monastery is a World Heritage-listed complex named from the lance that pierced Christ’s side at the crucifixion. The buildings are partially carved out of the mountains and surrounded by cliffs along the Azat River Gorge. Inside the 13th-century Avazan Chapel is a sacred spring that runs through the monastery, and the original reason for the founding of the area as a religious site back in the 4th century. Today, visitors fill up bottles to take the holy water home. Admission is free.

5. Visit the Echmiadzin Cathedral

Located only 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Yerevan, no visit to Armenia would be complete without seeing the Echmiadzin Cathedral. The cathedral was built following the country’s adoption of Christianity in 301 CE, making it the first country in the world to do so. The cathedral is the oldest in Armenia and is often cited as the oldest cathedral in the world. The cathedral’s museum has some fascinating artifacts, including a supposed piece of the cross on which Jesus was crucified, the spear that pierced Jesus’ side, and a piece of Noah’s Ark. Admission to the museum is 1,500 AMD.

6. Explore Gyumri

The city of Gyumri is one of Armenia’s most ancient settlements, dating back nearly 3,000 years. Starting from the busy Vardanants Square at the center of town, walk to the Kumayri Historic District, a sort of open-air museum filled with historic buildings like the Sev Ghul fortress and the Paris Hotel (used as a maternity hospital during Soviet times). Be sure to visit the Dzitoghtsyan Museum of Social Life (1,000 AMD entry), which showcases life in the area from the 19th century to the 1920s, or the Aslamazyan Sisters House-Museum (300 AMD entry), with works from two sisters who helped bring equality to Armenian women through their art.

7. Experience the healing waters of Jermuk

With over 40 natural thermal springs, Jermuk is the most popular spa town in Armenia, with a variety of resort hotels and spas (rooms start at 15,000 AMD). Get a free sample of healing mineral water from the Gallery of Water, where natural mineral water flows into 5 different stone urns, each with different healing properties and temperatures (be careful as some are very hot). While you’re there, make sure you venture to the Jermuk waterfall, which, at 70 meters tall (230 feet), is Armenia’s second-largest waterfall. Jermuk is about 3 hours from Yerevan.

8. Visit the Army of Stones

Karahunj, otherwise known as Zorats Karer (or Army of Stones in English), is Armenia’s oldest and most popular megalithic site. Located at an altitude of 1,770 meters (5,800 feet) on a rocky plateau, no one knows how these 200 stones got here. Even stranger is the fact that each stone has 5-centimeter holes in it. There are many different theories on how and why the stones are here, but the most popular theory is that the site was constructed in the 6th century BCE for stargazing.

9. Take a wine tasting tour

With over 500 unique and native varieties almost unknown to the world outside Armenia, taking a wine tour is a must for any wine lover. In fact, the oldest wine cave in the world (it’s 6,000 years old!) is near Areni. Sadly, during Soviet rule, many of the wineries were shut down. It is only in the last decade that Armenia has begun to reconnect with its winemaking roots. Wine tours from Yerevan start from 37,000 AMD for a tour of one winery and go up to around 75,000 AMD for a full-day tour.

10. Go to the Erebuni Historical & Archaeological Museum-Reserve

This archaeological site encapsulates the ancient Erebuni Fortress, which dates to 782 BCE, a whole three decades before Rome was even established, and after which the city of Yerevan was named. The entire complex is now an outdoor museum, with an indoor component as well. The museum contains more than 12,000 artifacts offering insights into Armenia’s ancient history and the establishment of the city of Yerevan. You’ll also learn about what daily life was like in the palace of Argishti I, one of the greatest kings of ancient Urartu. Admission is 1,000 AMD or 2,500 AMD with a guide.

11. See Noravank

Built in the 13th century, legend has it that when the Mongols conquered Armenia hundreds of years ago, it was God himself that saved the Noravank monastery. Delicately carved stonework and religious reliefs (including depictions of God) decorate the three churches here. Unlike the many other Armenian monasteries that are located on top of mountains and gorges, Noravank is set on the floor of a deep valley, with towering red cliffs rising up on either side of the complex. Visiting the site is free, though the museum is 500 AMD. The monastery is around 122 kilometers (76 miles) from Yerevan.

Armenia Travel Costs

Accommodation – There are a limited number of hostels in Armenia and most of them are in the capital, Yerevan. A bed in a 4-6-bed dorm costs 5,000-7,500 AMD, while a bed in an 8-bed-dorm costs 3,000-4,000 AMD. A private double room in a hostel is around 10,000-15,000 AMD with a shared bathroom. Standard amenities include Wi-Fi and bedding. Free breakfast and shared kitchens are common as well (though not all hostels have them).

Camping is available around the country. For those not traveling with a tent, you can often rent them at the Tourist Information Centers. Wild camping is free, but if you prefer camping on a campsite, prices start at around 4,000 AMD per night for two people and a tent.

Budget hotels average around 8,000-9,850 AMD per night. Free Wi-Fi is standard and free breakfast is usually included.

Airbnb is available though the options are limited. Private rooms start around 10,000 AMD per night while entire homes/apartments average closer to 25,000 AMD.

Food – Armenia is a landlocked country with a long history of trade, meaning that Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Eastern European countries have all left their mark on the country’s cuisine.

Fresh and dried herbs create flavorful dishes, and common spices include black pepper, sumac, cumin, mint, and cinnamon. Staple vegetables include eggplant, cucumber, bell pepper, tomato, and onion. Legumes, especially chickpeas and lentils, are also used as central ingredients in many dishes. Pork, lamb, and beef are the most common meats. Though meat is predominant in the cuisine, because of the fasting periods in the Armenian Apostolic religion, there are many traditional dishes that are entirely plant-based as well.

Common dishes include a variety of cold salads, yogurt soups, boereg (filled pastry pies), bozbash (lamb stew), khorovats (grilled meat skewers), tolma (stuffed grape leaves), kyufta (a type of meatball), and harissa (a porridge that’s considered Armenia’s national dish). Traditional lavash bread, a flatbread made from wheat and baked in a clay oven, is integral to Armenian cuisine and is served with most meals.

Street food like shawarma or lahmajun (Armenian pizza) costs less than 1,000 AMD, and a glass of tan (a salty yogurt drink) shouldn’t be more than 300 AMD.

For an inexpensive meal at an Armenian restaurant, expect to pay around 1,250-2,750 AMD for traditional food like spa (an extra creamy soup), kyufta (meatballs), or Armenian cheese with basturma (dried meat with spices) wrapped in a piece of Armenian pita bread.

Higher-end or Western restaurants cost about 6,000-8,500 AMD per meal. Even Chinese takeout restaurants, normally a mainstay of the budget traveler, are more expensive than Armenian meals, costing at least 3,800 AMD for a dish.

In terms of drinks, expect to pay 600 AMD for a beer, 700 AMD for a glass of Armenian wine, 1,000-1,500 AMD for a cocktail, 800 AMD for a cup of Armenian coffee, and 1,200 AMD for a cappuccino.

If you plan on cooking your own meals, a week’s worth of groceries should cost around 12,000-16,000 AMD but, with food prices being so low, it’s better to eat street food and enjoy the food the country has to offer!

Backpacking Armenia Suggested Budgets

On a backpacking budget of about 17,500 AMD per day, you can stay in a hostel dorm (or camp), eat street food or at inexpensive restaurants, cook some of your meals, use local transportation (including some intercity buses), limit your drinking, and stick to mostly free or cheap activities like hiking and museum visits.

On a mid-range budget of about 43,000 AMD, you can stay in a private hostel or Airbnb, eat any budget restaurant meal you want, enjoy a few drinks, take some taxis to get around, take intercity trains, and do more paid activities like ride the cable car to Tatev Monastery and do a winery tour.

On a “luxury” budget of about 77,000 AMD per day, you can stay in a hotel, eat anywhere you want, drink more, rent a car to get around, and do whatever tours and activities you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

Use the chart below to get an idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages – some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might pay less every day). We want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in AMD.

Armenia Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Armenia isn’t going to break your bank. There are so many free activities here, especially if you’re enjoying the outdoors, that it’s hard to spend a lot. Throw in cheap food, beer, and accommodation, and you can really stretch your budget here. However, if you’re looking to lower your expenses even more, here are some ways to save money in Armenia:

• Take a free walking tour – Yerevan Free Walking Tour is a great way to get familiar with the city and the culture. Just be sure to tip your guide at the end!
• Hitchhike and wild camp – If you really want to save money in Armenia, it is one of the easiest countries in the world to hitchhike. You will likely never wait long. Wild camping is also legal, and it is very common for friendly Armenians to invite you to their home for food so bring a tent when you visit.
• Cook your own meals – Some hostels here don’t include kitchen facilities, so if you want to save money, make sure you book accommodation that does so you can buy cheap groceries and cook some meals.
• Stay with a local – If you plan ahead, you can usually find a Couchsurfing host that can provide free accommodation and share their insider tips with you. It’s the best way to save money and meet locals.
• Enjoy the free spaces – There are plenty of free parks as well as many free hiking trails around the country. Save your budget and enjoy the outdoors!
• Pack a water bottle – The tap water here isn’t really safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle with a filter to save money and reduce your reliance on plastic bottles. My preferred bottle is LifeStraw because it has a built-in filter to ensure your water is always clean and safe.

Where to Stay in Armenia

There are very few hostels in Armenia, and the few they have are in Yerevan and Tsaghkadzor. My suggested places to stay are:

• Envoy Hostel (Yerevan)
• MGA Hostel and Tours (Yerevan)
• Kantar Hostel (Yerevan)
• Hostel Tsaghkadzor (Tsaghkadzor)

How to Get Around Armenia

Public transportation – Public transportation isn’t the best in Armenia. The public transport websites aren’t translated into English, so it is much better to ask at your hostels for guidance to help you use the local and intercity buses. In the cities, it is easy to walk from place to place.

Yerevan has five trolley bus routes with a ride costing around 50 AMD. There’s also a subway with one line and ten stations, and public buses. A one-way fare on the bus and subway is around 100 AMD.

If you’re flying into Zvartnots International Airport, you can reach the center of Yerevan by bus or taxi. Aerotaxi is the official airport taxi but be aware drivers often won’t turn on the meter, so you need to negotiate a price, which should be around 3,000 AMD. A bus is around 300 AMD.

Bus – Intercity transport in Armenia is best done by bus and minibus (marshrutka). Intercity buses are relatively inexpensive but navigating the bus stations can be tricky as English isn’t widely spoken. Ask in your hostel the day before for someone to help you work out which bus you need and then you will just have to look for that bus when you arrive at the station.

Bus fares average about 716 AMD per hour of travel, but even a short route can end up taking quite a while with lots of stops.

Trains – There are daily trains connecting Yerevan to Gyumri (3 hours), Yeraskh (1.5 hours), Araks (1 hour), Ararat (1 hour), and Hrazdan (1.5 hours). In the summer months, the Hrazdan line gets extended to Lake Sevan. One-way tickets cost between 3,500-12,500 AMD.

Train tickets to nearby cities outside of Armenia, such as Tbilisi, cost around 9,800-12,000 AMD for a one-way ticket. You can purchase tickets online at the official railway website, Railway.am .

The trains that run most regularly are slow trains that are Soviet-era relics, meaning they are uncomfortable and lack the usual amenities you might expect from trains. The express trains, however, are modern and air-conditioned. Unfortunately, these cost more and run less frequently.

Flying – There are only two international airports in Armenia so although air travel is possible, it is far from cost-effective. Often you don’t save much time due to layovers. A flight from Gyumri to Yerevan starts at 95,000 AMD. Only fly if you are short on time and flush with cash.

Car Rental – Driving is definitely the most convenient way to get around Armenia. Car rentals can sometimes be as low as 12,000 AMD per day, and the more days you book, the better the price. If you’re driving, make sure to get an International Driving Permit (IDP) in advance as you’ll need one for any vehicle rental.

When to Go to Armenia

The best time to visit Armenia is at the beginning or end of summer (May-June or September-October). During these months, the weather is mild, making it perfect for outdoor explorations. The temperature hovers around 20°C (68°F) but be aware that it can be very rainy throughout May and thunderstorms are common.

Summers are hot, with temperatures soaring as high as 35°C (95°F). Things tend to cool down in the evenings, however, with a gentle mountain breeze providing some welcomed relief after a long, hot day.

If you are visiting for skiing, December is the best winter month for hitting the slopes. Temperatures drop below freezing, and the northern regions receive a lot of snowfall. Cities like Yerevan get a lot quieter during these months as everyone hides from the cold.

You don’t have to worry about inflated prices or crowds even during the summer peak season. Armenia isn’t a very touristy destination, and you often have whole sites all to yourself.

How to Stay Safe in Armenia

Armenia is a very safe country to travel around — even if you’re traveling solo, and even as a solo female traveler. Violent crime here is rare.

There aren’t any specific scams to look out for either, though sometimes taxi drivers will try to overcharge you. You can avoid this by agreeing on a price before entering the taxi (ask your hotel/hostel staff for a price estimate if you’re not sure what to pay).

If you’re worried about getting ripped off you can read about common travel scams to avoid here .

Petty theft and pickpocketing are rare but can occur so always keep your valuables (specifically your wallet and phone) secure and out of reach. This is especially important in crowds or on busy public transportation.

Solo female travelers should feel safe here, though the standard precautions apply (never accept drinks from strangers, don’t leave your drink unattended at the bar, don’t walk around intoxicated at night, etc.).

If you rent a vehicle, don’t leave any valuables in it overnight. Break-ins are rare, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

There’s often political turmoil with neighbors so keep an eye out on that and avoid protests or demonstrations while in Armenia. Avoid the Nagorno-Karabakh region on the border with Azerbaijan due to armed conflict.

If you do experience an emergency, dial 112 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID. Forward your itinerary along to loved ones so they’ll know where you are.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Armenia Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
• Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
• FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

Armenia Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on backpacking/traveling Armenia and continue planning your trip:

19 Easy Ways to Save Money in Armenia

Get my best stuff sent straight to you, pin it on pinterest.

• Where To Stay
• Transportation
• Booking Resources
• Related Blogs

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Few nations have histories as ancient, complex and laced with tragedy as Armenia (ՀԱՅԱՍՏԱՆ). And even fewer have a culture that is as rich and resilient. This is a destination where you will be intrigued by history, awed by monuments, amazed by the landscape and charmed by down-to-earth locals. It's not an easy place to explore – roads are rough, transport is often hard to navigate and those who don't speak Armenian or Russian may find communication difficult – but travelling here is as rewarding as it is revelatory.

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Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Geghard Monastery

Garni & Geghard

Named after the lance that pierced Christ’s side at the crucifixion (a shard is now on display at the museum in Etchmiadzin), this World Heritage–listed…

Armenian Genocide Memorial & Museum

Commemorating the massacre of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1922, this institution uses photographs, documents, reports and films to…

History Museum of Armenia

Its simply extraordinary collection of Bronze Age artefacts make this museum Armenia's pre-eminent cultural institution and an essential stop on every…

Founded by Bishop Hovhannes in 1205 and sensitively renovated in the 1990s, Noravank (New Monastery) is one of the most spectacular sites in Armenia and…

Garni Temple

Built by Armenia’s King Trdat I in the 1st century AD, this Hellenic-style temple set on the edge of a gorge overlooking the Azat River was dedicated to…

Old Khndzoresk

Dug into volcanic sandstone on the slopes of Khor Dzor (Deep Gorge), the village of Old Khndzoresk was inhabited as far back as the 13th century. By the…

Cafesjian Center for the Arts

Housed in a vast flight of stone steps known as the Cascade, this arts centre is one of the city's major cultural attractions. Originally conceived in the…

Khor Virap Monastery

Located 32km south of Yerevan at the foot of Mt Ararat, Khor Virap has been repeatedly rebuilt since the 5th century. Legend says the pagan King Trdat III…

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Armenia The Queen of Beauty...!!! It feels like beauty is lying only there... Where the eyes could reach, Mind could think, And heart could feel... Crossing the borders we reached, Tempted with refreshing breeze, Got the purpose 😉 to come again and get freeze Beautiful were the hearts, Beautiful were the smiles, beautiful were the eyes that has now pleased.

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Mount Ararat

Mountain Eagles

Zorats Karer / Karahunj (7600-4500 BC)

Ughtasar Petroglyphs (12,000 BC)

Khachkar (Cross-Stone)

Zvartnots Temple (641—661 AD)

Armenia is well-known as an ancient country. But few are aware of what range of breathtaking landscape, innumerous historical monuments and cultural heritage this sunny, beautiful and hospitable country has. You can choose the journey of your own from numerous general and specialized tours - discovery, cultural, mountain hiking, birdwatching, off-road, and many other. Make a wish - and it will be our privilege to help you to discover the beauty of our country. Make your choice and enjoy the magnificence of Armenia.

Discovery Tours

Birdwatching tours, off-road tours, joint tours, yerevan to mark its 2801st anniversary october.

Armenia has a reputation for greeting its visitors with warmth and hospitality. Nowhere is this truer than in Yerevan, one of the most ancient cities in the world, celebrating its 2801st anniversary in October ... , 2019. The capital of Armenia has all the advantages of a modern capital city and boasts numerous historical attractions, together with a friendly atmosphere, which makes visitors feel at home. The city itself is one of the main tourist attractions in Armenia.

Pre-historic and early Christian monuments

Through all the centuries, Armenia has managed to preserve a wealth of today's evidence of the evolution of humankind. There are innumerable historical monuments in Armenia. 40,000 are available for ... visiting and are waiting for an admiring traveller. Most of them are churches. However, only some 4,000 are readily accessible and commonly visited because of the difficulty of reaching the rest. Normally they are open round-the-clock without any admission charge.

Cross-Stone - Khachkar

Cross-stone (khachkar) is virtually the most famous design of Medieval Armenian culture. Finally shaped during X-XI AD, they are the synthesis of traditional art, philosophical and spiritual apprehension. The idea and main symbols represented on accompanied ... Armenian tribes and people since their origin over three millennia earlier. The central subject "the radiant Light, the Cross of Christ" is endowed with incredible diversity of meanings - initially being the sign of sun and invigorating fire, it also included the shape of Tree of Life.

5,500 years old leather shoe is oldest ever discovered

An international team of archaeologists has discovered the world's oldest leather shoe. One thousand years older than the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt, the 5,500-year-old shoe was perfectly preserved by the cool ... , dry conditions in the sheep dung-lined cave in Armenia where it was found. More by NationalGeographic.com

6,000 years old wine press found in Armenian Cave

Archeologists have unearthed the oldest wine-making facility ever found, using biochemical techniques to identify a dry red vintage made about 6,000 years ago in what is now southern Armenia. The excavation paints a picture of a ... complex society where mourners tasted a special vintage made at a cave side cemetery, the researchers reported on Tuesday in the Journal of Archaeological Science. More by ArchaeologyNewsNetwork.com

Wine & Brandy tasting

Tours of the wineries and tasting of wine and cognac are very popular in Armenia. Excavation results prove, that first wine grape was cultivated on Armenian Highland thousands of years ago and today the descendants of ancient clans try to retain that heritage. Armenia produces an ... unchallenged quality brandy (cognac). Armenian cognacs of numerous special brands are aged in oak barrels for 3 to 50 years and are from 40 to 57% proof. The unique flavour and smooth quality of Armenian cognac and wine is something you must sample for yourself while you are in the country.

Armenian Cuisine

Armenian cuisine is noted for its pleasing aroma, as a result of the expert mix of spices employed. Armenians use also many unusual herbs and greens in their cooking. The most exotic are collected at alpine meadows and combined in the most unexpected way. The ... taste will challenge even the most refined expert. Many of Armenian specialities are barbecued. You can taste traditional shish-kebab almost everywhere. The standard bread of the country, called lavash, is renowned for its quality. It is only about the thickness of one or two sheets of newspaper and the best is like a parchment Armenians like to eat lavash with local cheese or shish-kebab and fresh uncooked greens, using it for wrapping the food as a sort of sandwich. Ask an Armenian how lavash is made or visit any village to see it yourself. You'll be surprised and impressed.

Armenia is famous for its fruits, some of which are recognised as superior to the same fruits cultivated in other countries at such latitudes. Grapes of some 40 kinds grow on the territory of Armenia, mainly on the Ararat valley. Peaches and apples, pears and ... cherries, pomegranates and figs are delicious. Apricot grows in Armenia from time immemorial. It has an incomparable taste and is considered the queen of Armenian fruits. You can taste it yourself.

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Travel to Armenia – Tips and Information Guide (2024)

• Last Updated: February 5, 2024

From enjoying the world’s longest cable car ride through the mesmerising landscapes of Vorotan canyon to admiring some of the oldest monasteries on record, these are just some of the reasons you should travel to Armenia .

When you travel in Armenia you will often wonder, how come more people aren’t placing Armenia higher on their bucket list?

Not a lot of nations can boast to have preserved their rich cultural heritage dating far back as the ancient times. The perfect examples being the town Yerevan, that is 28 years older then Rome or, their 6,000 year old wine making tradition!

This small country will draw you in with it’s capturing landscapes, ancient monuments and unparalleled hospitality. If you’re up for discovering one of Europe’s best kept secrets travel to Armenia!

Table of Contents

Things To Do In Yerevan

Accommodation in yerevan, restaurants in yerevan, nightlife in yerevan, things to do in tatev, accommodation in tatev, restaurants in tatev, accommodation in garni, accommodation in dilijan, an introduction on travel to armenia.

Armenia is not a country that often rings a bell with tourists, which is actually surprising given that it is such an interesting country with an incredibly old, rich and eventful history, fascinating culture and beautiful nature.

The hospitable inhabitants, delicious food and cheap prices, together with a lack of (western) tourists make it a wonderful destination.

The history of Armenia has been nothing short of eventful. It has seen countless invasion as its strategic position was the reason for constant fights over this territory, especially during the Ottoman-Persian wars (from the 16 th century).

Over the course of history numerous major conflicts afflicted the country. Already centuries ago Armenia was battling the Roman Empire (62), invading the Byzantine empire (1145) and losing west Armenia to Turkey while the rest of the country was being Sovietized (1920) to name a few.

Armenia has also been the subject of many mythical stories, like the stranding of the ark of Noach on Mt Ararat, the holy mountain of Armenia, or the conversion to Christianity.

Nowadays the country is mostly known for the horrors of the Armenian genocide and as the first country in the world that adopted Christianity as its state religion.

More presently, the current poor relations with Turkey stem from their role in the genocide and there is a still unresolved conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed territory operating as a de facto state that is an unrecognized ethnic Armenian enclave within Azerbaijan.

So over the centuries much has happened in Armenia, which is why it is so interesting in a cultural sense. Not only for culture buffs though, as the small country packs a great variety in magnificent landscapes that will surely satisfy nature lovers.

General Advice For Travelling In Armenia

If you’re thinking about travelling to Armenia, here are the general things you need to know before you go.

Outside of the capital you can easily assume that nobody speaks English. The language that is spoken is Armenian with its own alphabet.

You can get by fairly well with Russian though as it is the most common foreign language in the country and many Armenians understand it. Road signs are usually in English and in Armenian.

Try to learn a few words like hello (barev) and thank you (mersi), which is much appreciated by the locals. Most accommodation and tour providers speak just enough English to be able to sort things out (if not, try some self-invented sign language which usually works. Or not).

Armenians are very friendly and will try their hardest to help you out, even when they don’t speak a word of English. It’s not uncommon to attract a group of about 10 Armenians when asking for directions, everyone weighing in with one or two words in English and their take on the directions you should have.

Armenia has an interesting, varied and delicious cuisine, with some dishes being well known even beyond Armenia like Shashlick and Dolma.

A lot of the dishes are meat based and they throw everything on grills and barbecue, including vegetables. Soon you’ll notice that the delicious barbecue smell is present basically everywhere you go.

You will eat a lot of Lavish, thin flatbread that is made in a traditional ‘tonir’ oven and is complimentary with almost every dish but doesn’t bore easily.

Common ingredients in Armenian dishes are lamb, eggplant, yoghurt, cottage cheese, grape leaves and many fragrant spices.

There are too many dishes to list and specify if they are delicious or not. I recommended to just try out a lot of different dishes and ask the person who is selling the food what they like.

Armenians appreciate tourists taking an interest in their culture, including food, and asking questions about it usually gets you an excited Armenian and something tasty to eat.

In that way you get to try some new things and there aren’t any exceptionally weird dishes anyway so it is rather safe to do.

Most of the local beer is nothing special, except in Yerevan where there is a very new craft brewery called Dargett. They make absolutely delicious craft beer and the place is packed with young locals on the weekend.

But in terms of drinks the real speciality lies in wine and cognac. Armenian cognac is world famous, thus the Yerevan Brandy Company is proudly presented as a major attraction of the city with tasting tours and a museum (Ararat Museum).

Armenia and Georgia are one of the oldest wine producing countries in the world, with grape cultivation going back to ancient times. Well recognised within the wine world and producing some of the best quality wines there are, make sure to try out a few.

There are a lot of vineyards and factories throughout the country, the most famous one that is open to visitors is the Areni factory. I wouldn’t say it is really worth a visit unless you are passing by anyways, you can take a tour and taste some wines here.

Tap water is generally safe to drink, but as you’re in a different country there can always be different bacteria’s than that you are used to that upset your stomach.

In mountain areas (like Tatev) there are often many tap fountains in streets etc. providing delicious water from the mountains.

The currency is the Armenian Dram. It is very well possible to have a low budget holiday, whilst it is also tempting to splurge on food and stuff because it is all quite cheap.

For accommodation we paid on average 15 dollars per person a day which gets you rather nice accommodation. Food is inexpensive as well, in restaurants we paid around 6-8 dollar for a meal plus drinks.

Gas is around 0.86 dollar per litre.

Travelling in Armenia is completely safe. Never once did we feel unsafe somewhere. The only area prone to unrest is the Nagorno Karabakh border due to the before mentioned conflict.

The border between Azerbaijan and Armenia is closed and it is best to avoid the border area all together. Other than that the border with Turkey is closed (due to conflicts between the two countries) so you can’t cross it anyway.

Use your common sense and general precautions for petty crime etc. like you would anywhere.

Buses and share taxis (marshrutkas) get you to most of the major places for cheap but I always prefer to have my own car.

The landscape is just really nice to drive through with enough interesting stops along the way that you’ll want to decide yourselves when you get out.

We rented our car with Sixt and picked it up in Yerevan and dropped off in Tblisi, Georgia (other way around is not possible due to regulations).

If you rent with international companies like Sixt, Hertz e.g. the cheapest car would be around 40 dollar a day. Often you can get cheaper deals with local companies.

Make sure you get the full insurance as the roads can be in quite a bad shape. Unless you really want to go far up in the mountains there isn’t necessarily the need for a 4WD in Armenia as you can get to most places, albeit a bit bumpy sometimes.

The Best Places To Visit In Armenia

Now that you know the basics of the country, it’s time to check out the best places to visit in Armenia.

The capital is a great place to start you trip and spend a day or 2. Contradictory to what you might expect from a Soviet era city, it is quite metropolitan.

It has a lively nightlife scene with clubs, hip restaurants and European style bars. Mixed with the many remains of older days, like the typical pink colored soviet buildings and monuments or the 17 th century neighborhood Kond,

Yerevan has its very own appearance. You won’t find any grand landmarks here, rather it is just a nice place to absorb the atmosphere and familiarize yourself a bit with the country you are in.

The Armenian genocide museum is well worth the visit if you want to learn and understand a bit more about Armenians, their history and relations with neighboring countries like Turkey.

There are a few other museums, like the History museum of Armenia and the National Gallery that are interesting as well.

Yerevan is incredibly old, 2800 years to be exact, which is 28 years older than Rome. Thus, it is drenched in interesting history.

A good way to learn more about this is one of the mentioned museum or a (free) walking tour.

A prominent feature of the city centre are the cascade stairs. It is a large stairwell that leads to the grim Soviet monument (not one for extravagant decorating those soviets) erected for celebrating 50 years of Soviet Armenia.

It provides great views over the city and to the massive statue mother of Armenia, supposedly placed defiantly in the direction of Turkey.

Underneath the stairwell is a contemporary art museum which you can enter for free and that you’ll pass through if you decide to take the escalator instead of the stairs to the monument.

You can wander around in the 17 th century neighborhood ‘Kond’, that really feels like a separate part of the city where incredibly old and derelict houses sit on the narrow streets and alleys.

Lover’s park is a small park that is excellent for a bit of relaxing and watching the locals going about their day, grabbing coffee or playing chess and other board games, a favourite pastime activity of many.

There are enough hostels and guesthouses in the city. The Envoy Hostel is a highly recommended hostel and is small but good, the staff is helpful and the location is perfect. Homestays like Anahit Stepayan ’s are quite popular as well if you’d choose for a more local experience.

The restaurant called ‘ The Club ’ is my favourite place. It is a bit hidden in a basement underneath a clothing store. The atmosphere, absolutely delicious (and cheap) food and the fact that there was not another tourist to be seen make it a great place.

In the evening the city comes a bit more alive around the square, where there are many (trendy) bars and restaurants and well-dressed locals making their way for an evening of dining and drinking, a seemingly favourite activity of Armenians.

There are plenty of Western style bars, like an Irish, Beatles and 90’s bars. Most of the bars have a very unobtrusive entrance and are in the basement of the residency buildings.

Around the big square there a few more, but rather tacky looking, bars. I can absolutely recommend the Calumet Bar .

A small, warm bar filled with very lively locals. We spent two nights in a row there and had a great time.

On one occasion we met a group of guys who looked equally bewildered, out of place and fascinated as us. They turned out to be pretty much the only western people we’ve seen on our trip and together we enjoyed looking at the Armenians getting their groove on that night.

The bar goers were very friendly and interested in our country like we were in theirs. The level of English is notably better with young people in the capital.

Like mentioned before, if you like craft beer head over to Dargett to taste some great homemade craft beer and have a meal. It is quite western but rather popular with (young) locals.

Tatev has become known mostly for the longest cable cart in the world, the wings of Tatev, that lead to the Tatev monastery.

Most people arrive in Tatev by cable cart, have a look at the monastery and return. However, there is plenty to see and the drive alone through the Vorotan canyon is worth it.

If you leave from Yerevan it is a 4 to 5 hour drive, that takes you through an incredible varied landscape, starting with arid, desert like surroundings when you leave the capital.

It’s not too long before some thin pasture appears and many fruit and vegetable stalls alongside the road.

After a while the road climbs up into the mountains, 2 hours or so later you’ll cross a mountain pass and suddenly the landscape has changed to green hills and endless fields with blooming wildflowers, while the air is substantially colder due to the elevation.

The vendors have changed as well, now there are people selling honey on the side of the road. The road eventually leads to a junction where the main road continues to Goris (another destination worth checking out) and the secondary road to Tatev.

This road goes through a few old and derelict villages. Some of them look like a war has struck with streets full of rumble and scrap metal. Rusty old decaying cars, trucks and tractors are parked everywhere.

A man is sweeping up big pick piles of rocks, with a broom (probably still working on that I assume). The side streets are unpaved, rocky and full of holes. People stared at us unabashed, I don’t think they have seen many western tourists passing through here.

Granted, our shiny red Nissan Micra didn’t do a good job in hiding the fact that we were tourists either, as old Lada’s really are the only cars locals drive.

After passing through those villages, a zigzag road takes you along the edge of the canyon, providing magnificent views from several nice viewpoints, like the medieval bell chapel.

The road winds all the way down to the canyon to cross the river, only to go right back up the mountains again on a gravel road to reach the village of Tatev.

It is a very small village and pretty quiet, with most tourists concentrating in the area around the cable cart and the monastery.

There are a number of short and longer hikes in the area. We hiked to Mount Petroskhach, which takes you through the old part of the village up into the hills, providing magnificent views across a large part of the steep canyon, which seems to have an almost straight drop from the plateau.

The trail is sometimes a bit difficult to follow as there are a number of trails leaving from the area. We asked a few locals for directions, ignored their advice anyway and went the wrong way (obviously).

Down in the canyon where you crossed the river by car, there is a small parking spot. From here you can follow the footpath alongside the river which takes you through bushy, shrubs and across the river.

In summer the area around the river is teeming with life, lots of butterflies, dragonflies, other insects, fish, birds and many flowers. Be aware that there are snakes as well, take caution when walking into thick grass.

The path leads to the Tatevi Anapat monastery, a complex dating from the 17 th century, which was abandoned by the monks due to an earthquake in 1658 resulting in the ruins that you see here today.

It has this amazing Indiana Jones feeling to it, as an ancient complex slowly taken back by nature, barely visible from the road. Upon entering the main building, which is still quite intact, a soft voice filled the room.

Near the altar there was a monk praying, dressed in his long black robe. Apparently he is still living here all by himself.

The path continues along the river, we didn’t take it due to lack of time but it looks very promising. Following your way back to the parking lot there are a number of viewing platforms over the river.

They call this area Devil’s bridge (Satani Kamurj), named like that because the formation of it seemed improbable, therefore it must be the Devil’s work.

From the viewing platforms you can’t really see that much of it, however you can get down in the river and explore the incredible caves alongside it.

Down in the river it really looks like a scene coming straight out of a fairy tale.

Moss and plants gracefully decorate the walls, while stalactites in all kind of shapes and colours hang from the cave ceilings and form weird terraces around pools, the water containing (supposedly) healing minerals. It gives the impression that you’re walking in a movie set or a themepark attraction.

From down in the river you can also see the Devil’s bridge much better. To get down there you follow the footpath from the viewing platforms all the way to the end, where there is a small hanging rope to get you down onto a wobbly ladder and finally in the river. This rope is a bit hidden between the bushes.

Be aware that it is all a little bit treacherous and one could easily fall and slip and you also have to wade through the river.

At some points the river flows quite fast, we decided to plunge in and let the river takes us somewhere, which landed us at another amazing spot.

Getting back upstream proved a bit more difficult, but also guarantees some hilarious videos of your travelmates struggling to return while the river keeps pushing you back.

It is not a very big or deep river so nothing too dangerous. It is absolutely worth it to get down in the river, this really made us feel like true explorers.

Back in Tatev the monastery is well worth a visit of course. If you continue down the road for a bit there is a nice viewpoint that looks out over the monastery and canyon. The monastery is perched beautifully on a rock overlooking the whole canyon.

We stayed for 2 days but it is an area that begs to be explored. The beautiful canyon has walking paths following the river that you just want to follow and see where it ends up or take one of the small unpaved roads and just see where it goes.

At this point we turned back in the direction of Yerevan, if you continue the road it will take you to even higher mountains and eventually to the border crossing with Iran.

I highly recommend Saro’s Bed and Breakfast .  We were welcomed by Saro’s sister Maro, who is very friendly and hospitable and made sure we were provided with everything we needed, like homemade lemonade, cakes, coffee and she even brought us some lunch to take on a hike at no charge.

Most of the dinner is prepared on the big barbecue and delicious as well. Dolma, rabbit stew and a bottle of homemade red wine make for a great meal.

Maro’s dad also takes guests on a little excursion into the mountain in his old jeep. There are a number of options for guesthouses and bed and breakfasts in Tatev though.

On the drive from Yerevan you’ll pass the Areni Wine Factory. There are also people selling wine everywhere at the side of the road in plastic cola bottles, apparently for Irani truck drivers (as they are not allowed to drink alcohol in Iran thus have to hide it).

There are no supermarkets in Tatev. Stock up on some items and make sure your accommodation can provide all your required meals. There is however a small information centre with a small café. They can also provide with you with hiking routes, maps etc. Saro’s bed and breakfast is also a restaurant for non-guests.

Garni is a town close to Yerevan and for a rather big settlement the road leading to it from the capital is quite strange (or we took a wrong route).

Leaving Yerevan the road suddenly consists of more dirt and holes than actual tarmac. The landscape is incredibly dry for a bit, although it still is a habitat for quite some birds.

Garni itself is a small town with the major attractions being the Garni temple, the only pagan temple in Armenia, the Geghard monastery and the beautiful Garni gorge with the adjacent Khosov nature reserve.

You can enter the Garni gorge from both side of town by car or on foot. Inside the Garni gorge you’ll find this incredible miracle of nature called the Symphony of Stones, a rather fitting name for stone walls that are carved out in perfect cube like pillars.

You can drive the dirt road all the way to the other entrance but after a while we were afraid our Nissan Micra couldn’t take it anymore with all the massive bumps and holes in the road.

There are many hiking trails in the Khosov nature reserve. If you come from Garni the entrance is quite unclear. I drove to the entrance on google maps, a dirt road climbing up the hill.

Eventually a guarded gate signed the entrance and that you could not go further with car, however there was no real parking place either. Thus from Garni it is best to walk to the entrance or enter from the other side.

The Geghard monastery is amazing, but very touristic. Like tour buses touristic, so be there early to avoid crowds and marvel at this dark coloured, ancient complex without too many tourists.

The Garni temple is beautifully perched on top of the ridge overlooking the gorge, best to visit it at the end of the day for nice lighting.

The nearby restaurant is excellent, and also has one of the best terraces I have ever seen, overlooking the gorge and the temple.

We had rented a whole house (called ‘ Dinadav House ’) for ourselves for around 50 dollar in total. There are a number of options on booking.com and It is quite nice to stay in a residents house back in a neighbourhood to get a more local feeling.

Moving up north, Dilijan presents a completely different landscape again. Also commonly referred to as the Switzerland of Armenia, this is a small town in between lush green forests and hills.

There is not much to do other than hike the beautiful surroundings and visit some monasteries like Haghartsin, which can keep you busy for a few days though.

A bit further there is also a zipline but we stuck with the hiking. We hiked near the Haghartsin monastery, which can be reached by a road with twists and turns that begs to be driven with an old school convertible and a hot girl next to you, unfortunately we had to do it with a Nissan Micra and two dudes.

The forests are just like how I expect a real forest to be: lush, plenty of variation in the vegetation and full of blooming flowers.

It is a forest where you just expect to see a bear, or some creature from a fairytale pop up from behind a tree any minute.

We stayed in the Belvedere Eco Rest Zone , located 10 minutes out of town, and beautifully situated near the river. The food is nice, staff is friendly and the rooms are perfectly fine and very cheap. There are a few hotel/hostel options in town as well.

Monasteries In Dilijan

Armenia was the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as its state religion. The story goes that after a Christian (Gregory the Illuminator) cured the Armenian king of a grave illness, he agreed to convert to Christianity, which happened in 301 AD.

Around 95% of the population nowadays is Christian, while Armenia is surrounded by Muslim countries except for Georgia.

As the country had such a major role in establishing Christianity, you will encounter a lot of monasteries and other religious sites.

All these incredibly old buildings and associated tales and myths instil a mysterious and ancient atmosphere to many of the sites that we visited.

You’ll notice one common denominator among the monasteries and that is they sure knew how to pick spectacular locations to build them, usually perched on some cliff surrounded by a dramatic landscape. A few noteworthy monasteries that I visited are listed below:

This 13 th century monastery is located on the way from Yerevan to Tatev, close to Areni, which is a nice little detour. It is beautifully situated in a landscape that most closely resembles the Grand Canyon; hot, dry, and with red dirt mountains.

The complex has a few different churches and chapels and it was the residency of Syunik’s bishops in the 13 th century. It is however, very busy with tourists.

A 9 th century monastery in Tatev (obviously). It is located on the edge of a plateau overlooking the gorge set in a spectacular landscape.

You can go inside the complex, but if you follow the road for a little bit there is a great viewpoint of the monastery. If you venture a bit through the bushes you can see a waterfall coming down as well.

The monastery played an important role as an spiritual centre and medieval university in Armenia.

Founded in the 4 th century in Garni, this dark coloured monastery complex is surrounded by cliffs and located next to a gorge.

The inside, and especially the cave chambers, feels so old (well they are, 4 th century!) and it has a bit of mysterious vibe to it, like you are stepping back in time.

The vendors and tour buses at the entrance detract the atmosphere a bit, but it is definitely worthwhile.

We did not visit one of the most famous monasteries, as there were thick clouds that day and it is famous for having the snow-capped peak of Ararat in the background.

We were also out of time and guessed it would be another busy monastery as well, as this is one of the most popular landmarks in Armenia.

Gregory the Illuminator was 13 years imprisoned here by the king before he cured him of an illness after which the king and country converted to Christianity.

The construction of a chapel already began in 642, the current church was however finished in the 17 th century. It is located a few kilometres of the main highway around Yerevan.

A 13 th century monastery in Dilijan beautifully located in the lush green forests. It is small and not completely intact anymore but worth a visit. It is quite nice and the main building (church) is still intact.

Also the starting point from a number of trails in the forests so perfect for combining those activities.

There are many more monasteries, churches and other religious site of interest. Many can be done in a day tour from Yerevan (hostels organise these).

Note:  When I say busy with tourists, these are almost exclusively domestic Armenian and Georgian tourists. No tour buses with Asians or Europeans here. Best to get there early to avoid crowds. There are no entrance fees to the monasteries. The more popular ones will charge you a very small fee for parking.

These places will take you around the country, which we did in 8 days. It is not very big but there is plenty to see, I’d recommend to take at least 8 days to explore Armenia.

It is still a rather underrated destination, apparent by the low number of tourists that visit the country. It should however receive much more attention, as I have never been to a country before that made me feel like a true explorer without the discomfort of one.

The history is endlessly interesting and the landscapes fascinating. I’d say the country is the perfect introduction to one of the most interesting corners of the world, standing at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia.

[box] That’s it for my travel to Armenia guide. Leave a comment below if this has helped you, or if you have something to add.[/box]

Thijs Broekkamp

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The ultimate guide to the best magnetic island beaches and bays, the perfect magnetic island day trip itinerary [2024 guide], related posts, ker and downey shinde camp review – okavango delta safari, 13 thoughts on “travel to armenia – tips and information guide (2024)”.

I highly recommend a visit to Yerevan. The city is filled with beautiful architecture and rich history, and the people are incredibly friendly and welcoming. I had a wonderful time exploring the city’s vibrant culture through its delicious food, unique museums, and lively nightlife

Hi, thank you for your great article! We’ll be going to Armenia tomorrow and I was wondering about the car rental. Where did you rent the car and do you think it is possible to do a similar trip with local buses? Thanks for your help 🙂

Hi Lauriane, sorry for the late reply. We hope you had a great time in Armenia. Happy travels

My daughter and I are going on our first trip to Armenia in the summer of 2020. I read your blog and look forward to my trip! Thank you, now I know more about Armenia! Great photos!

Hi Tori, I hope your trip is still on. Have a wonderful time. Happy travels

Hey, Thank you for this beautiful article. We are planning a trip a to Armenia and wanted to know if we rent a car can we do, Garni, Geghard, Dilijan and Lake Sevan on the way in an entire day if we leave early morning? We do not want to stay anywhere as we will be based in Yerevan. A Nissan Micra would be enough for this journey? We are traveling in October. Do google maps work here accurately? Thank you so much for your help!

Hi, thank you so much. About all the destinations with a car rental, we are not too sure sorry. Maybe contact the car rental company. They may be able to help. All the best. Happy travels

Thanks a lot for telling about your adventurous trip. Leaving for Armenia in a few days, liked your writing, hope to love this country ss you did.

Glad the article helped. All the best with your trip.

Thanks. I’m in Georgia now, then Turkey.Bulgaria, Romania . I’m going to Armenia end Sept.. Looking forward to it especially after reading your intensive tipsxx

Have a great trip. 🙂

According to you Armenia looking awesome to see.

It is a great place. We can not wait to go back and explore more.

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The Ultimate Armenia Travel Guide // An Essential Break Down

 In an era where a single Google search will pull up thousands of blog posts and magazine worthy photos for any given destination, I was surprised at how few Armenia travel tips and guides I could find online. This posed a unique situation where we actually had to jump in feet first and really explore for ourselves. We divided the country in thirds, rented a car, and just drove. Of course, there was some trial and error, but this was one of the most exciting trips I’ve taken in a while.

In this complete Armenia travel guide, pick up some of the helpful tips we learned along our journey, discover the best time to visit, get an idea of how much things cost, what foods you have to try, plus much more.

BASIC ARMENIA TRAVEL INFORMATION

The ideal time for Armenia travel is late May to early June, or late September to early October.

RAINFALL November is the wettest month. March and April historically have a good amount of rain but the weather was beautiful (with no rain) when we were there in late March. HOTTEST/COLDEST MONTHS The hottest months are July and August, with highs in the 90’sF (around 35C). The coldest months are December to February, with highs in January topping 2F ( 35C) and lows dipping down to 19F (-7C). DAYLIGHT HOURS June and July have the longest amount daylight (around 13 hours), with December through February offering up only 7 hours of daylight each day.

Whether or not you need a visa to enter Armenia will depend on your passport.

• All European Union citizens as well as citizens of the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom do not need a visa prior to arrival.
• Canadian citizens do require a visa but can obtain it upon arrival for 15,000AMD ($30CAD).
• Citizens of Africa (except South Africa) cannot obtain a visa upon arrival . They can only apply at an Armenian diplomatic or consular post, and only with an invitation.

To view the visa requirements for all countries, click here. 

CURRENCY Armenia operates on the Armenian Dram. Credit cards are widely accepted in the city and ATMs are relatively easy to find.

$1 USD = 487AMD $1 AUD = 367AMD $1 CAD = 381AMD £1 = 580AMD €1 = 658 AMD For current exchange rates, or if your country is not listed above click here.

RESTAURANTS  I had a difficult time finding an accurate Armenia travel guide regarding tipping. From what I understand, tipping is common in Yerevan restaurants. My Armenian friend Val (who I’m so grateful to for all of her tips) says that there is no minimum and no expectation, however it’s “greatly appreciated regardless of the percentage.” So anywhere from 5% (on small bills) to 10-20% for restaurants with great service. TAXIS  When taking a taxi, you can round up on the fare. HOTELS  Nick was in Armenia for business so we were lucky to get the opportunity to stay at the Multi Grand Hotel. When ordering room service, we attempted to tip several times and our efforts were denied.

ELECTRICITY

220V / 50 Hz

POWER SOCKETS

The most comment power socket in Armenia is Type C – Non Grounded. You might also run into Type F – Grounded. (We brought only a Type C converter and had no issues).

WiFi is readily available (fast and free!) in Yerevan, and you’ll find it in every restaurant, hotel and coffee shop. Outside of the city, WiFi is a little harder to come by, but we didn’t have a problem finding some when we really needed it.

WHAT THINGS COST

One of the best things about Armenia is how inexpensive it is. Typically, things will cost more in Yerevan and much less in the rest of the country. During our road trip to the North, we stopped by a market to pick up some snacks. We bought homemade bread bigger than both of our faces combined, 2 beers, 2 baklava desserts and some sheep’s cheese for a grand total of less than $6 USD. Here are some approximate Armenia travel expenses to give you an idea of how to budget your trip.

FOOD Inexpensive meal: 1,500 to 3,000AMD ($3-6USD) Dinner for 2 (appetizers, meals + drinks): 10,000-15,000AMD ($20-30)

HOTELS  Hostels 4,800-9,700AMD ($10-20USD) Mid-Range 25,000-60,000 ($50-$120USD) Luxury: 85,000-150,000AMD ($175-300 USD)

DRINKS Cappuccino 600-1,400AMD ($1.20-2.75USD) Domestic Beer -Restaurant: 1,058AMD ($2) Domestic Beer – Grocery Store: 380AMD ($0.76USD) Wine – Restaurant: 700-800AMD ($1.5-$2USD) Bottle of Wine – Grocery Store: 1450AMD ($3USD) Cocktails: 2,432 ($5USD)

TRANSPORTATION Taxis meters start at 600AMD ($1.20USD) and cost 160.93 per mile ($0.33USD). Bus Tickets are 100AMD ($0.20USD)

WHAT TO EAT AND DRINK

Armenia’s food won me over.. big time. Just about every traditional restaurant has a massive menu with tons of options, so it can get a little overwhelming if you’re not familiar with the cuisine. Here is a list of some of the most popular and traditional Armenian dishes that you have to try.

BASTURMA is a highly seasoned, air-dried cured beef, and it’s a common appetizer in Armenia. We were served basturma as part of the cold plate during several of our breakfasts. My friend Val recommends trying it in an omelet. KHOROVADZ  is Armenian barbecue, and it’s one of the most typical foods you’ll find in Armenia. Pork is the most common meat, but you can also order chicken, lamb, beef and fish BBQ. If you don’t eat meat, there are tons of vegetable barbecue options. I fell in love with the the mushroom BBQ and ordered it at every meal. DOLMA  is a traditional Armenian dish made of grape leaves, ground beef, rice, plus herbs and spices.  Dolma can also be ordered without meat.

BUREG (also known as Borek or Borag) is a staple in Armenian food. It’s a baked pastry made with thin flakey dough and filled with cheese. LAVASH is a thin unleavened flatbread.. and you cannot leave Armenia without trying it. Not to worry though because if you forget to order it, the waiter will always remind you. At Lavash and Sherep restaurants in Yerevan, you can watch the lavash making process which only adds to the level of appreciation you will have for it once it hits your table. BRANDY (COGNAC) Armenian Brandy is considered to be some of the best in the world and for a short period of time, they were even allowed the prestigious honor of calling their product “cognac.” Armenian brandy was most famously known as the drink of choice for Winston Churchill and they boast gold medals in spirits competitions around the world.

RELATED POST : THE BEST YEREVAN RESTAURANTS // WHERE TO EAT IN ARMENIA’S CAPITAL

10 ARMENIA TRAVEL TIPS TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR VACATION

ASK TAXIS TO USE THEIR METER  During our time in Yerevan, the only taxi drivers who voluntarily turned on their meter without us having to ask were the ones who were called by our hotel. If the meter does not get not turned on, the driver will quote you his own price at the end of the ride. A few times we forgot to ask about the meter, and the fare was triple what it normally was. We didn’t argue about it as it was only a few dollars difference, but I still hate getting up-charged for being a tourist.

TAXI DRIVERS  Speaking of taxi drivers.. very few spoke English. I recommend having the name of your destination written in Armenian so that they understand where you want to go (you can ask your hotel to help you). When we wanted to go to the Ararat Brandy Factory, our driver thought we asked him to take us to Mt. Ararat… in Turkey. Another time, on the the way back to our hotel, we had to pull up our Google Maps and navigate for him using hand signals. Luckily, they were all very sweet and willing to work with our lack of knowledge about the local language.

PAY ATTENTION TO SPEED LIMITS  If you will be renting a car in Armenia, make sure to follow the speed limits! There are speed camera everywhere and we not only got pulled over, but we saw dozens of others fall prey to the cameras each day.

• In towns, villages and cities– 60 km/h
• Outside of towns, villages and cities – 90 km/h
• On highways– 110 km/h
• Residential areas – 20 km/h

For a huge list of tips about driving in Armenia, including what to expect if you get pulled over, check out my post below:

RELATED POST: ARMENIAN TRAVEL TIPS: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT RENTING A CAR 

CREDIT CARDS  In the US, our credit cards don’t usually have pin codes. Apparently this is not the norm and we inadvertently caused extreme confusion when we didn’t have a pin to enter during credit card purchases. A few people assured us that they wouldn’t steal our money ( they must’ve though that didn’t want to give them the code for security reasons haha). To their surprise, the sale did eventually go through, but it took about 30 seconds.

FREE PHONE CHARGING IN YEREVAN  If you find yourself running out of phone battery in Yerevan, head towards the Cascade Complex. There’s an open air bus/tourist information center parked out front with free phone charing.

CHECK OUT THE GROCERY STORE Walking through foreign grocery stores is one of my favorite things to do when I travel, and it was even more fun in Armenia because everything is cheap. While beer in your hotel mini bar might seem inexpensive ($2-3USD), you can find it in the grocery store for less than $1USD! Also stock up on fresh bread, homemade cheese and Armenian snacks.

HOW TO TIP Unlike in the US, you tip when paying your bill. If you are paying by card,  let the server know how much extra to add to the bill. If you’re paying with cash, hand the tip over with your total.

SAFETY & SOLO FEMALE TRAVEL  Armenia is extremely safe and I would definitely feel comfortable returning here as a solo (female) traveler. They have a very low crime rate even in their biggest city, Yerevan.

If you don’t know anything about Armenia, you might look at where it’s located on a map, and group it in with high-risk countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan. However, Armenia is rated “low-risk” on the Global Terrorism Index  at #75 (for reference, the US sits much higher at #32). Also, the United States Government rates Armenia as “Level 1” – the lowest advisory level for safety and security risk.

Even though Armenia is safe, it’s advised to stay clear of the Azerbaijan border as relations between the two countries remains hostile. And as with any place you travel, always stay conscious of your surroundings.

TALK TO THE PEOPLE  I’ve never been looked at as strangely as I have in Armenia. We would drive through these tiny towns on our road trip throughout the country and people would not drop their gaze. At first I was a little uncomfortable but then I realized, they just don’t see that many tourists.

We started initiating contact first, and quickly discovered that the Armenian people are SO friendly. One of our taxi drivers called his daughter on speakerphone because she spoke better English than him, and he wanted us to talk to her. If we had a problem, people would go out of their way to help us.. like the time we got lost and a very nice man drew directions for us in the dirt. If you find yourself traveling in Armenia, I highly recommend trying to make a connection with the people. They played a big role in my fondness for this country.

ARMENIA TRAVEL HIGHLIGHTS // WHERE TO GO

Northern armenia.

DILIJAN A town in Northern Armenia also known as “Little Switzerland” because of it’s dense forests and snowcapped mountains. Dilijan is a good jumping off point for Haghartsin and Goshavank Monasteries.

HAGHARTSIN MONASTERY A 13th century monastery located in the Tavush province. Haghartsin is one of the most visited monasteries in Armenia and is known for it’s incredible location tucked amongst the trees, on the top of a hill.

RELATED POST: HAGHARTSTIN MONASTERY // ARMENIA’S HIDDEN MOUNTAIN GEM

LORI PROVINCE One of the most beautiful provinces in Armenia. It includes towns such as Stepanavan, Alaverdi and Spitak. In Lori Province you can visit the Lori Berd Fortress, Haghpat Monastery and Sanahin Monastery.

RELATED POST: AVAN DZORAGET HOTEL // A PEACEFUL RETREAT IN LORI PROVINCE

LAKE SEVAN   The largest body of water in Armenia and one of the highest altitude lakes in the world. Lake Sevan is a popular Armenia travel getaway for those looking to escape the Summer heat and relax on some sandy beaches. Also be sure to visit Sevanavank Monastery, located right on the shore of the Lake.

GOSHAVANK  Located 15km from Dilijan, Goshavank is a 12th century monastery that used to be one of the leading spiritual and educational-cultural centers of medieval Armenia.

SOUTHERN ARMENIA

JERMUK  A mountain spa town located in the Vayots Dzor Province of Southern Armenia. Most of the country’s mineral water comes from here and it’s a popular destination for those seeking out mineral spa treatments and hot springs.

ARENI  Armenia’s wine region which was said to have been founded by Noah and his sons (from the Christian Bible). The world’s oldest winery was discovered here in the Areni-1 cave, which you can tour.

As you drive through the village, you’ll pass dozens of stands with vendors selling homemade wine out of old water jugs and coke bottles. Or you can visit Hin Areni winery for a tour and tasting. We ended up buying 4 bottles of Hin Areni wine (including their reserve) and it cost less than $30USD.

NORAVANK MONASTERY A 13th century monastery located within a deep gorge created by the Amaghu River. Noravank is definitely worth visiting because the scenery is breathtaking. You can combine your visit with a stop in Areni as it’s only 10km (6 miles) apart.

RELATED POST: NORAVANK MONASTERY // A MUST VISIT SITE IN SOUTHERN ARMENIA

TATEV MONASTERY I highly regret not   making it to this monastery. It was a little too far away to turn into a day trip, and we just ran out of time. Tatev Monastery’s location looks breathtakingly gorgeous, situated on a basalt plateau in the Syunik Province. To reach the monastery, you have to travel on the world’s longest cable car, the Wings of Tatev.

Google it. Trust me.

CENTRAL ARMENIA

KHOR VIRAP Armenia’s most visited pilgrimage site. Khor Virap is said to have been the site where Saint Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for 13 years before successfully converting King Trdat to Christianity, thus making Armenia the world’s first Christian nation. In addition to it’s religious significance, Khor Virap also offers one of the best views of Mount Ararat (granted that it’s not covered by the clouds … like when we visited 🙁 ).

GEGHARD MONASTERY Located in the Kotayak Province, Geghard Monastery was founded in the 4th century by Saint Gregory the Illuminator. It’s partially carved out of the mountain stone and is named after the spear that wounded Jesus during his crucifixion. The spear is said to have been housed here until it was moved to Armenia’s Ejmiatsin Cathedral.

TSAKHKADZOR  Located in the Kotayak Province, Tsakhkadzor is a popular ski resort town only only one hour from Yerevan. Kecharis Monastery and Makravank Monastery are nearby.

YEREVAN Armenia’s capital and the largest city in the country. Yerevan is also known as The Pink City because it’s buildings are made out of pink lava stone.

RELATED POST: 6 THINGS TO DO IN YEREVAN, ARMENIA 

 ARMENIA TRAVEL GUIDE  // WHAT TO WEAR

Despite being sandwiched between Muslim countries, Armenia is a Christian nation so there is no specific dress code to adhere to. Still, it appeared to be somewhat conservative as far as clothing goes, so airing on the side of modesty will help you fit in.

The women in Yerevan had great style; I’d describe it as casual chic with some funky touches here and there. I noticed a lot of blacks and neutrals, with subtle pops of color, cool shoes and of course, designer bags.

The climate changes throughout the country, so packing Armenia travel outfits with a few different layers is recommended. Even in the hot Summer, nights can get a little chilly.

BISHOP + YOUNG TANK | JUNK FOOD GRAPHIC TEE | TOPSHOP STRIPED TEE | FRAME HIGH RISE SKINNY JEANS | TOPSHOP DENIM SKIRT | J.CREW CROP PANTS | TOPSHOP CROPPED STRIPED JUMPSUIT  | T ORY BURCH FLATS | SAM EDELMAN MULE | GUCCI PURSE | FRANK & EILEEN CARDIGAN

Did I miss anything? Leave any of your Armenia travel tips in the comments!

Pin it // the ultimate armenia travel guide.

5 thoughts on “The Ultimate Armenia Travel Guide // An Essential Break Down”

What a great post! I totally agree with you, I very rarely see posts about Armenia and think you’ve done a great job of introducing me to the country, it sounds lovely 🙂

Hi Helena, Thank you so much!! Armenia was such a cool country, I hope you make it over there soon 🙂

We are 4 pax planning to visit armenia in mid october (total 7 days travel plan for ) from dubai. travel date oct 14 .

Request to provide a rough itinerary so that we could cover important tourist spots in important towns.

We are nature lovers..then we wish to experience fall season,snow & a daytime .We have to book accommodations at various places as per the itinerary.

please help.

Minju shikin

Hi Minji! I’ve written several posts about Armenia which can hopefully give you some ideas for your trip. https://hellojetlag.com/category/armenia/

I recommend consulting with a travel agent for a more personalized itinerary as they will be able to give you more suggestions beyond what I saw during my trip.

Hope this helps! Lindsey

I have been dreaming on traveling Armenia from long time back. Great sharing of the needed information.

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Wander-Lush

The Ultimate Armenia Itinerary for 3-10 Days of Travel

Looking for an easy Armenia itinerary that can be done with public transport? This guide pulls together the best things to do in Armenia for first-time visitors, with recommended routes for 3-10 days of travel. Detailed transportation info, travel tips and up-to-date advice included.

The nation of Armenia in the Caucasus region is the perfect alchemy of flawless scenery, captivating cities, magnificent monasteries , and enchanting small towns.

Off the beaten path but still easy enough for travellers to navigate, Armenia easily offers one of the most rewarding travel experiences you can find in Europe these days.

Whether you’re looking for an easy add-on to the end of your Georgia itinerary or something more substantial to insert into a broader Caucasus travel itinerary , this Armenia itinerary showcases the best of the country’s north.

Building on my own experiences travelling in Armenia, I’ve included three recommended routes for 3, 7 or 10 days of travel. Each itinerary includes comprehensive and up-to-date transport information, accommodation advice, and ideas for things to do.

If you have any follow up questions about this itinerary or you need some advice about your own trip, feel free to leave me a note in the comments below and I’ll do my best to help out.

Please note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). Learn more.

Planning your Armenia itinerary

To help you plan your Armenia visit I want to start with some itinerary planning basics. If you’re all over the logistics, you can skip straight to the first itinerary using this link .

When is the best time to visit Armenia?

Late spring (April/May) and early fall (September/October) are, in my opinion, the nicest times of year to visit Armenia. I recommend avoiding peak summer season (especially July/August) as the cities get very hot and crowded. Temperatures in Yerevan regularly exceed 35 degrees Celsius in the middle of summer.

I first visited Armenia in spring and still think this is probably the most pleasant season. Outdoor cafes start opening up and you’ll see beautiful flower markets overflowing on every sidewalk in Yerevan. Celebrating Easter in the world’s first Christian nation is a special experience, as is marking Genocide Remembrance Day on April 24.

The itineraries presented here are trans-seasonal and can be done at any time of year.

Do you need a visa for Armenia?

Armenia has a generous visa policy that allows passport holders from 35+ countries (including the US, the European Union and Australia) to visit visa-free for up to 180 days within a year .

If you’re not on the visa-free list, you may be eligible to apply for a visa on arrival (available at both air and land borders) or an e-visa. Some nationalities are required to apply for a visa in advance.

Check if you need a tourist visa to travel to Armenia and apply for an expedited visa if you do via my partners at iVisa .

How many days do you need in Armenia?

I think 3 days is the absolute minimum amount of time you should spend in Armenia. Broadly speaking, you can see the highlights of northern Armenia in about a week, and with 10 days or more you can get a good overview of the country.

This itinerary focuses on northern Armenia and can therefore be added onto the start or end of your Georgia itinerary quite easily. All of Armenia’s major cities are in the north, as is its biggest lake, the wine region, and a good number of its must-see monasteries.

At the end of this guide I’ve included recommendations for more places to visit in southern Armenia.

Where to start your Armenia itinerary

Armenia has two major transport hubs: Yerevan (flights from Georgia , Europe and the Middle East plus overnight trains from Tbilisi ) and Gyumri (flights from Europe). I recommend starting your travels in the capital, Yerevan.

The itineraries outlined here all start in Yerevan and finish in Gyumri, Armenia’s second-largest city, located in the north-west corner of the country. From here, you have the option to fly out of Gyumri airport, loop back to Yerevan by bus, or continue overland into southern Georgia via Akhaltsikhe .

Note that Armenia’s borders with Azerbaijan and Turkey are closed and overland travel between these countries is not permitted. If you’re coming from Azerbaijan, you will need to cross through Georgia first. I recommend using the night train to get from Baku to Tbilisi .

How to get around Armenia

Armenia is compact with relatively good transport connections. This makes getting around quite quick and easy, even if you’re relying on public transport alone.

Armenia has a railway network, but marshrutka vans (fixed route minivans) are the most popular way to get from place to place. Marshrutka vans are affordable and fast, but schedules are flexible as drivers only tend to depart when their van is sufficiently full (rather than sticking to a set timetable). Shared taxis are a good alternative to marshrutky if you’re willing to pay a bit more. Drivers can usually be found at the bus station.

Minivans are centrally administered under Armenia’s National Transport Authority. Note that Yerevan has several bus stations spread around the city so you’ll need to double-check where your van departs. Use the T-Armenia website to check marshrutka (and train) schedules and fares , then cross-check times locally where possible.

Most drivers take their lunch break from 11am-2pm so there are often no vans running during the middle part of the day. Road safety is something you should be wary of in Armenia so I strongly suggest you only travel by road during daylight hours . 

Organised day trips are very affordable in Armenia and are a good way to make the most of your time, especially if you’re basing yourself in Yerevan. I recommend booking day trips through Get Your Guide or Viator . Vendors on both platforms are vetted and more likely to observe good road safety practices.

It’s possible to hire a car in Armenia and self-drive, but be aware that the driving style takes some getting used to and road conditions vary dramatically throughout the country. If you’re thinking of hiring a car, I recommend using Local Rent to search for a local rental. Prices start from $26 per day.

The itineraries described here use marshrutka vans exclusively, with a couple of organised day trips and one taxi transfer.

Armenia travel itinerary options

Here is a brief outline of the three itinerary options included in this guide.

Under each full itinerary you’ll find a day-by-day breakdown including things to do, where to stay, and detailed transportation instructions for getting from place to place.

3 day Armenia itinerary [Click here to jump to the full itinerary.] Days 1-2: Yerevan Day 3: Day trip of your choosing

5-7 day Armenia itinerary [Click here to jump to the full itinerary.] Days 1-2: Yerevan Day 3: Day trip of your choosing Days 4-5: Vanadzor & Debed Canyon Days 6-7: Gyumri

10 day Armenia itinerary [Click here to jump to the full itinerary.] Days 1-2: Yerevan Day 3: Day trip of your choosing Day 4: Day trip to Tatev Monastery Days 5-6: Dilijan & Lake Sevan Days 7-8: Vanadzor & Debed Canyon Days 9-10: Gyumri

Click here to open an interactive map of my Armenia itinerary in a new tab. Each of the three options is included as a separate layer.

3 days in Armenia: Perfect Yerevan itinerary

If you only have a few days to spend in Armenia, I recommend you focus your attention on the capital city, Yerevan . There are plenty of day trips on offer, making it easy to explore the countryside and other towns and cities while using Yerevan as a base.

Nicknamed ‘the Pink City’ for the rose-coloured tuff stone facades of its oldest buildings, Yerevan has all the elegance and charm of any European capital. Because of its location, quite literally at the crossroads of East and West, multiculturalism is baked into the city’s character.

Yerevan is home to Armenia’s most important cultural and historical institutions, including the Genocide Memorial Complex. A city of parks and fountains, Yerevan is brimming with outdoor cafes and wine bars, an amazing array of restaurants that showcase national and international cuisines, colourful markets, and historic churches .

Where to stay in Yerevan

• Budget hostel: Highland Hostel (⭐ 9.8), a crowd favourite 10 minutes’ walk from Republic Square.
• Mid-range hotel: Republica Hotel (⭐ 9.2), decorated with traditional carpets and with views of Ararat.
• Boutique hotel: Villa Delenda (⭐ 8.8), set in a 100-year-old property with heritage furnishings.
• Luxury hotel: Tufenkian Historic Yerevan Hotel (⭐ 9.1), 19th-century-style hotel with modern suites and an onsite restaurant and carpet museum.

Find more Yerevan accommodations here on Booking.com.

Day 1: Best of Yerevan

Tip: If you’re arriving at Yerevan Airport, take the shuttle bus to the city (300 AMD) or pre-book a private transfer to your hotel online here (from $14 per group). Once you’re in the city, I recommend picking up a local sim card so that you can use Google Maps to navigate and most importantly download an app to book taxis. My preferred mobile provider in Armenia is Team Telecom , and the taxi app I use most frequently is GG Taxi .

Spend your first morning in Armenia getting acquainted with Yerevan’s blossoming specialty coffee culture. Start your day with coffee and a croissant at Lumen Coffee 1936 (open from 8.30am daily), a beautiful old-worldly cafe close to the Cascade. The fit out includes many original furnishings, including ornately painted ceilings and old wooden cabinets.

After fueling up, it’s time for my number one favourite Yerevan must-do, climbing the Cascade Complex . This monumental stone ‘staircase’ is embedded in a hillside at the northern end of town and houses the Cafesjian Centre for the Arts inside. At the bottom of the stairs you’ll find a sculpture garden with works by Medellin -born sculptor Fernando Botero.

Take the exterior stairs or head inside to ride the escalators all the way up. The view from the top of the Cascade is breathtaking – not only can you see all of downtown Yerevan stretched out before you, but you also get a glimpse of snow-crested Mount Ararat , Armenia’s spiritual emblem, looming in the distance.

The Cascade links lower Yerevan with the upper museum district. At the top, you’ll find several of the city’s most important institutions, including the Matenadaran (open from 10am Tues-Sat; 1500 AMD). Officially the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, this building is home to the world’s largest collection of Armenian-language manuscripts.

Admire the monumental building from outside, then take a walk through the halls of the institute to admire the various illuminated pages and beautiful examples of the Armenian alphabet.

If your legs can carry you, continue climbing up to Victory Park and the Mother Armenia monument , exploring the abandoned Aragil Restaurant along the way.

Walk through the heart of Yerevan via the Opera Theatre and Freedom Square to Abovyan Street. Along the way, you’ll pass by several important landmarks – including the Holy Mother of God Kathoghike Church (the oldest in Yerevan) and the Soviet-era Moscow Cinema .

There are a number of excellent eateries in this part of town; I recommend having lunch at Dolmama on Pushkin Street (open from 11am; reservations recommended), a Yerevan institution that specialises in traditional Armenian cuisine. The signature dish here is the dolma , stuffed vine leaves served with yogurt.

After lunch, browse some of the gift boutiques around Dolmama, including Ardean (silk scarves and prints), Dalan (ceramics and knickknacks), and Salt Sack (carpet clippings, artworks and a huge range of authentic souvenirs ). Pop into Art Kvartal , a new creative complex on Pushkin Street with contemporary art galleries and design shops.

Continue on foot a few more blocks to reach Republic Square . This tulip-lined plaza with a magnificent water fountain in the centre and stately stone buildings around the perimeter is the nucleus of Yerevan. In the afternoon you’ll find the square crowded with families and groups of friends bathing in the sun and eating ice cream cones.

Spend the rest of the afternoon browsing the Vernissage (open until 6pm daily), Yerevan’s massive outdoor handicraft and artist’s market. Don’t miss ‘carpet row’ where vendors display their collections of Caucasian rugs.

Sherep Restaurant (open daily; reservations recommended) is a good option for dinner not far from the Vernissage on the opposite side of Republic Square. Finish your first night in Yerevan with a drink at Mirzoyan Library (open daily until midnight), a cool bar/creative hangout located inside a heritage courtyard on Mkrtchyan Street.

Day 2: Alternative Yerevan

Grab breakfast at your accommodation or try out another of Yerevan’s cafes. I love The Green Bean (open from 8.30am daily) for good coffee and light meals.

Find the nearest underground station and exchange a 100 AMD coin for a token, then take a spin on the wonderfully retro Yerevan metro . From Republic Square, it’s just one stop to Zoravar Andranik. Admire the massive Soviet-era apartment blocks around the station before continuing to your first destination for the day, the GUM Market .

The GUM Market (from 11am daily) is one of Yerevan’s main produce hubs. Here, you can see giant sheets of lavash , Armenia’s national bread , being prepared and sold alongside vibrant displays of dried and candied fruits, pickles and fresh produce. Set aside at least an hour to wander the aisles, sampling a few fruit and nut delicacies as you go.

After browsing the market, take a taxi to the Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex , located on a hill on the city’s western side. Walk through the sombre outdoor memorial to the victims before visiting the adjacent Armenian Genocide Museum (Tues-Sun from 11am; free entry but donations welcome).

If you don’t know a lot about the events of April 1915, this museum will leave you reeling. It’s a difficult visit at times but an essential part of your Yerevan itinerary in my mind – especially if you want to better understand the events that have shaped Armenia into the nation it is today. Displays are beautifully curated with lots of information in English. You need up to 2 hours to see and read everything.

Take a taxi back into town for lunch. I recommend either Anoush (from 7am daily; try the apricot beer and the baklava) or Tavern Yerevan (from 9.30am daily; budget friendly Armenian fare), both off Amiryan Street.

From there, it’s a 2-minute walk down Mashtots Avenue to the Blue Mosque (open daily but closed from 1-3pm; free entry). The only functioning mosque in Armenia, this is a beautiful complex of mosaic facades and manicured gardens. It’s an oasis in the city and the perfect place for a post-lunch wander. Don’t miss seeing the facade of the old market opposite the mosque entrance.

Pay a visit to the quirky Sergei Parajanov Museum (from 10.30am daily; 1000 AMD) to learn about one of the 20th century’s most underrated avant-garde filmmakers. Armenia has lots of house museums (small institutions dedicated to famous artists and political figures), and this is my favourite of them all.

The museum is a vibrant hodgepodge of Parajanov’s collages, artworks and personal possessions. It’s a window onto his eclectic personality and career – even if you know nothing about his films, it’s still a very enjoyable visit. The museum is located on Dzoragyugh 1st Street, a 15-minute walk from the mosque.

After the museum, it’s time to get lost in Kond, Yerevan’s oldest neighbourhood . Located on a hill, this area is a maze of winding streets and tumbledown facades. Wander through the Kond Pedestrian Tunnel that runs beneath the streets to find Hrazdan Gorge , an unexpected green space. Here you’ll find several cool Soviet-style sculptures, an amusement park and the Children’s Railway .

One of my favourite places for dinner in Yerevan is Twelve Tables (open Mon-Sat), a petite restaurant serving local wines and healthy, fresh meals. The pomegranate salad is divine.

End your evening with an Armenian wine degustation at In Vino (open until midnight daily), Yerevan’s leading wine bar. Formal tastings feature 4-6 local wines paired with Armenian snacks. Reservations are recommended for a tasting – or you can just opt for wine by the glass from the restaurant’s ‘library’ of 25-plus local labels.

Recommended reading for Yerevan: – 30 excellent things to do in Yerevan – Where to go shopping in Yerevan for Armenian souvenirs – Full guide to visiting the GUM Market

Day 3: Day trip from Yerevan

After two full days in Yerevan it’s time to head out of the city. A good number of Armenia’s most important monasteries and some seriously impressive landscapes can be visited within a day from the capital, so you’re really spoiled for choice when it comes to day trips.

It’s possible to do some day trips independently using public transport, but to get the most out of it, I highly recommend joining a tour. My favourite company in Yerevan for organised day trips is Hyur Service . I’ve used them several times and have always found guides professional and drivers safe. They have guaranteed daily departures (tours vary depending on the day of the week and the season) and there’s no supplementary charge for solo travellers.

I love that the itineraries pair multiple stops so you really get a bang for your buck (prices are very affordable, too). Just be prepared for a long day – and bring some snacks with you.

Here are my top recommendations for a Yerevan day trip.

For culture seekers: Day trip to Geghard & Garni

The 1st-century Garni Temple and medieval UNESCO-listed Geghard Monastery are within a 15-minute drive of each other. This is my top choice for an easy day trip – both landmarks are wonderful to see in person, and it only requires around 2 hours of driving in total.

This full-day itinerary with Hyur Service combines Garni and Geghard with a visit to Lake Sevan and a lavash-baking workshop. I did this trip last time I visited Armenia and I really enjoyed it – the photo of lavash at the top of the post was taken on this tour.

→ Book online via Viator.

For history buffs: Day trip to Echmiadzin & Zvartnots

Echmiadzin (also known as Vagharshapat) is home to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, one of the oldest cathedrals in the world. On the way from Yerevan, you can stop off at the ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral, the much-photographed ring of columns that frames views of Mount Ararat. Total driving time is around 90 minutes.

→ Book this tour with Hyur Service online via Viator.

For adventurers: Day trip to Tatev Monastery & Noravank

Tatev is one of Armenia’s most spectacular monasteries, not least of all because you sail in by cable car. It’s located in the country’s far-south and can be visited in a day – but be warned that it requires a lot of driving (around 4.5 hours each way). Along the way, you can stop at Noravank Monastery and Carahunge (the ‘Armenian Stonehenge’ ).

I did this day trip with Hyur Service on my first visit to Armenia and loved it. Read more about my experience here .

→ Book the same tour I did online via Viator.

For wine lovers: Day trip to Khor Virap & Areni wine region

Khor Virap monastery is located roughly an hour from Yerevan, very close to the Turkish border. If you want spectacular views of Mount Ararat, this is the place to go. This trip to Khor Virap with Hyur also includes a wine tasting in Areni, Armenia’s up-and-coming wine region .

If your time in Armenia ends here, you could consider an additional day trip to one of the other locations mentioned in the longer itineraries below: Haghpat and Sanahin, Gyumri, or Lake Sevan and Dilijan.

Day trip to Haghpat and Sanahin Monasteries

Visiting Haghpat and Sanahin, the two UNESCO-listed monasteries in Armenia’s far-north, requires a lot of driving from Yerevan – 6 hours on the road at a minimum. If you don’t mind being in the car for that long, it’s a real treat to drive through this part of the country. Debed Canyon, where the monasteries are located, is nothing short of incredible.

Ideally you would visit the monasteries as a day trip from Vanadzor instead (see the next itinerary for details) or even from Tbilisi .

→ Book this day trip with Hyur Service online via Viator.

Day trip to Gyumri

Armenia’s second-largest city is a two-hour drive from Yerevan. Gyumri is a fascinating place with plenty to do, which is why I highly recommend spending at least one night there (see the next itinerary for details). If you’re time-poor, a day trip is still an option.

→ Book a private tour to Gyumri with Hyur via Viator.

Day trip to Lake Sevan and Dilijan

Armenia’s largest lake and Sevanavank Monastery are under 90-minutes drive from Yerevan. This tour offered by Hyur visits Dilijan, Armenia’s ‘little Switzerland’, after Lake Sevan.

One week in Armenia itinerary

As you can see, there is plenty to see and do within a few hours’ drive of Yerevan. With one week in Armenia you can experience the best of the capital, fit in a day trip or two, then explore two more regions in the north that are among my favourite places in the country – Gyumri (Armenia’s second city) and Debed Canyon.

You could easily shorten this into a 5-day Armenia itinerary by making a choice between the final two destinations.

Yerevan – [day trip] – Vanadzor & Debed Canyon – Gyumri

Days 1-2: Yerevan

See the previous itinerary for details.

Days 4-5: Vanadzor & Debed Canyon

Vanadzor has a population of just over 85,000 people, making it Armenia’s third-largest city. If you enjoy Soviet throwbacks, interesting architecture and the industrial aesthetic , then you should definitely include it on your itinerary.

Vanadzor is better known for being the gateway to Lori Region and Debed Canyon, a splendid slice of Armenia in the far-far north, close to the border with Georgia. This is one of the most awe-inspiring landscapes in the entire country and it’s also where you’ll find several significant monasteries, including Haghpat and Sanahin, Armenia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site .

I recommend travelling up from Yerevan in the mid-morning then spending a full afternoon in Vanadzor, starting with a home-cooked lunch at Home Restaurant . Go for a walk around the city and see how many Soviet-style sculptures and vintage cars you can spot. Don’t forget to bring your camera.

Stop by the indoor market hall , which features an interesting Soviet-style mosaic/mural on the back wall.

Spend your second day visiting the monasteries and driving through Debed Canyon. Marshrutka vans are available from Vanadzor to Alaverdi but schedules are ad-hoc and it can be difficult to get the timing right. I therefore suggest hiring a driver for the day. Taxis wait outside the bus station in Vanadzor; we paid 12,000 AMD for a full day on the road. Find my detailed guide to visiting the monasteries here .

Where to stay in Vanadzor

• Mid-range hotel: DownTown B&B (⭐ 9.3), spacious and clean apartments with ensuite bathrooms and a small kitchenette.
• Guesthouse: MagHay B&B (⭐ 9.4), family run guesthouse with outstanding hospitality and homemade meals.
• Luxury hotel: Tufenkian Avan Dzoraget Hotel (⭐ 9.1), 5-star heritage hotel on the Debed River 30 minutes from Vanadzor.

Find more Vanadzor accommodations here on Booking.com.

How to get to Vanadzor from Yerevan

Direct marshrutka vans to Vanadzor depart from Yerevan’s Kilikia Bus Station approximately every 30 minutes between 8.45am and 6.30pm daily. There does not appear to be a pause in the schedule for lunch hours. The journey time is 2.5 hours and the fare is 1200 AMD .

Days 6-7: Gyumri

Gyumri is Armenia’s second city and a total contrast to Yerevan. In 1988, the Spitak earthquake devastated Gyumri, rewriting the city’s history. The rebuilding process is still underway – both literally (many of the buildings and churches in downtown Gyumri are still awaiting repair), and figuratively.

I adore Gyumri ; I actually prefer it to Yerevan in many respects. The architecture is magnificent (as a contrast to ‘pink’ Yerevan, the buildings here are fashioned from black and gold tuff). There is a wonderful fortress and a Mother Armenia monument nearby, a great local market in town, and a bunch of interesting social enterprises, including a ceramics workshop and a cafe.

As Gyumri’s recovery continues I only expect it will become a more popular destination. The introduction of budget flights to Gyumri’s airport from Western Europe in 2019 certainly helped push things along.

This itinerary allows for 1.5 days in Gyumri after the bus ride from Vanadzor. I spent almost a full week in the city and never got bored.

Where to stay in Gyumri

• Budget-friendly guesthouse: Guest House in Gyumri (⭐ 9.8), modern rooms in a family home with outstanding hospitality, home-cooked meals and a beautiful outdoor terrace (my top choice in Gyumri!).
• Boutique hotel: Villa Kars (⭐ 9.1), gorgeous heritage-style boutique rooms set in a stone building in the centre of the city.
• Social enterprise hotel: Berlin Art Hotel (⭐ 9.0), tidy rooms, a beautiful garden and friendly service – founded by the German Red Cross.

Find more Gyumri accommodations here on Booking.com.

How to get to Gyumri from Vanadzor

Direct marshrutka vans to Gyumri depart from Vanadzor’s Bus Station at least four times daily between 9.30am and 4.30pm. The journey time is 1.5 hours and the fare is 800 AMD . The morning van tends to fill up (we almost missed out) so if possible, ask your host in Gyumri to call ahead and save you a seat. If you’re staying at Guest House in Gyumri, the owner will happily drive you to the station and ensure you get a seat.

Recommended reading for Gyumri: – My complete Gyumri city guide

10 days in Armenia itinerary

Ten days is the perfect amount of time to get a good overview of Armenia’s north. This itinerary builds on the previous one, with an extra stop at Dilijan and Lake Sevan.

If you’re interested in hiking in Armenia, Dilijan is a must-visit. If you’d prefer to spend more time in the cities, you could easily skip it and add a few extra days in Yerevan/Gyumri instead.

Yerevan – [day trip] – Tatev Monastery – Vanadzor & Debed Canyon – Dilijan & Lake Sevan – Gyumri

Day 4: Day trip to Tatev Monastery

It would be a shame to spend 10 days in Armenia and not see the south, so for this itinerary I suggest setting aside an extra day for a side trip to Tatev Monastery.

As I mentioned earlier, there is a lot of driving required (around 4.5 hours each way) to get to Tatev, but in my experience it’s not too draining provided you choose a tour itinerary with lots of stops along the way. I did this day trip with Hyur Service on my first visit to Armenia and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Hyur Service now offers four different options for Tatev:

• The highlights: Group Tour to Khor Virap, Noravank, Devil’s Bridge & Tatev Monastery (from $45 per person) – book here on Viator
• For wine lovers: Group Tour to Hin Areni Winery, Tatev Monastery & Khndzoresk Caves (from $45 per person) – book here on Viator
• For nature: Group Tour to Shaki Waterfall, Devil’s Bridge, Tatev Monastery & Hin Areni Winery (from $45 per person) – book here on Viator
• Private tour: Full-Day Trip to Khor Virap, Noravank & Tatev Monastery (from $210 per group) – book here on Viator

Recommended reading: – What to expect on a day trip to Tatev from Yerevan

Days 5-6: Dilijan & Lake Sevan

Dubbed ‘Armenia’s Little Switzerland’, Dilijan is a popular destination for hikers because of its proximity to marked trails in Dilijan National Park , including an 80km section of the Transcaucasian Trail .

Dilijan is not my favourite place in Armenia – personally I found it quite underwhelming. The beautiful stone architecture you see in photos is limited to a small (privately owned) corner of the town. I also found restaurant and accommodation prices here off-the-charts expensive when I visited in summer. (My guess is that because it’s so close to Yerevan, people flock here for fresh air and prices go up significantly in the warmer months.)

I know other people who feel the same, and I also know people who really enjoyed their time in Dilijan. I’ll let you make up your own mind.

Just be aware that if you’re not much of a hiker, you’ll run out of things to do in Dilijan pretty quickly. I spent most of my time at Cafe #2 (daily from 9am) on the lake drinking coffee and eating pancakes! (In all seriousness this is a wonderful social enterprise cafe that you should visit at least once.)

If you are a hiker, the trails to Parz Lich lake and Haghartsin Monastery are supposed to be among the best.

My favourite part of Dilijan was this spectacular mineral water spring , which I had to stop to photograph every time I walked past. I guess I’m not the only one – I later found a tote bag illustrated with the same spring at the little shop inside Cafe #2. Needless to say it came home with me!

From Dilijan, you can easily take a side trip to Lake Sevan , the biggest lake in the Caucasus. It takes around 40 minutes to reach the peninsular where Sevanavank Monastery and the Sevan Writers’ House are located.

It only takes an hour or so to visit the peninsula – there’s not much else to do except visit the monastery, photograph the Writers’ House, and watch the maniacal jet skiers criss-cross the lake. See my Lake Sevan guide for more suggestions.

If you’re up for a bit of Soviet adventurising, you can spend a night on the peninsula, staying at the Sevan Writers’ House which nowadays contains a basic but atmospheric hotel . Not only is the hotel a whacky and fun experience, but it’s much more pleasurable to explore the monastery and peninsula in the early morning before the crowds arrive.

Reservations for the Writers’ House can be made here on Booking.com .

Where to stay in Dilijan

• Mid-range hotel: Popock Dilijan 1 (⭐ 8.8), small but comfortable rooms set on the hill above town.
• Cottage: Old Dili (⭐ 9.3), cute self-contained wooden cabin walking distance from the centre of Dilijan.
• Luxury hotel: Tufenkian Old Dilijan Complex (⭐ 8.9), stylish rooms and beautiful common spaces set in a series of old stone buildings.

Find more Dilijan accommodations here on Booking.com.

How to get to Dilijan from Yerevan

Direct marshrutka vans to Dilijan depart from Yerevan’s Northern Bus Station every 30-60 minutes between 9am and 4pm daily. The journey time is 1.75 hours and the fare is 1000 AMD .

How to travel between Lake Sevan and Dilijan

Yerevan-bound vans all pass by Lake Sevan so to get to the lake, we simply took a van from Dilijan bus station and jumped off early. Drivers will only drop you on the highway so you need to walk the rest of the way to the lake (around 15 minutes on foot). Tickets must be purchased in advance from the cashier inside the Dilijan bus station. We paid 500 AMD to get to Sevan from Dilijan.

To get back to Dilijan, we simply flagged down a passing van on the main road (opposite to where the first driver let us off). We ended up paying double to get back, but a big storm was rolling in and we were just thankful to find a ride!

Recommended reading: – 10 things to do at Lake Sevan

Days 7-8: Vanadzor & Debed Canyon

How to get to vanadzor from dilijan.

Direct marshrutka vans to Vanadzor depart from Dilijan Bus Station at least six times daily between 8.30am and 5.30pm. The journey time is 45 minutes and the fare is 800 AMD . Note that there are no vans on this route between midday and 4pm.

Remember that paper tickets must be purchased from the cashier inside the Dilijan bus station. If travelling in summer, it’s recommended to buy your tickets at least a couple of hours in advance or the day before.

Days 9-10: Gyumri

Direct marshrutka vans to Vanadzor depart from the bus station in Gyumri three times daily between 9.30am and 4.30pm. The journey time is 1.5 hours and the fare is 800 AMD .

More time? Other places to visit in Armenia

If you have more time in Armenia, I suggest heading south, adding Jermuk – Goris – Khndzoresk to make this into a 2-week Armenia itinerary. Or you could head north into Georgia to continue your travels.

Momik Wine Cube (Areni)

Armenia’s Areni wine region isn’t as developed as Georgia’s Kakheti , but there are some great wineries that have opened to visitors in recent years. I’m itching to visit Momik WineCube in Vayots Dzor.

A number of important archaeological sites – including the Areni-1 Cave where the world’s oldest leather shoe was found – are located in the wine region around Areni.

Jermuk is an old Soviet-era spa town with a similar vibe to Borjomi in Georgia . As well as a stately Water Gallery building and several working sanatoria there are hiking trails and waterfalls nearby.

Direct marshrutka vans to Jermuk depart from Yerevan’s Kilikia Bus Station. At the time of writing, there are only three vans in the afternoon between 1pm and 4pm. The journey time is 4-4.5 hours and the fare is 2000 AMD . From Jermuk, you can find onward transport to Goris and Khndzoresk locally.

Further south, the town of Goris is known for being the gateway to Tatev Monastery . If you plan on visiting the monastery and ropeway independently, this is where you should set out from.

There are hiking trails around Goris that lead you through unique pinnacle rock formation, some with medieval cave dwellings cut from the rock. The town itself – the first in Armenia to be built in a grid pattern – looks quite pretty.

Khndzoresk village is just outside Goris and has a similar landscape of canyons, rocky spires and man-made caves . From the photos I’ve seen, it looks quite spectacular.

Are you planning a trip to Armenia? If there’s anything I might be able to help with please feel free to leave your questions or comments below!

Armenia Travel Guide

Discover insider tips, itinerary inspiration, and all the best things to see, do and experience in Armenia!

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My favourite resources and tools for planning a trip to Armenia.

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More from Armenia

• The Ultimate Armenia Itinerary
• Things to do in Yerevan , 25 must-sees and alternative spots
• Where to find authentic and meaningful Armenian souvenirs in Yerevan
• Don’t miss the GUM Market , Yerevan’s colourful produce hall
• Tips for being a responsible tourist in Armenia
• The best day trip from Yerevan
• Guide to Gyumri , Armenia’s second city
• Guide to visiting the UNESCO monasteries, Haghpat and Sanahin
• How to travel between Armenia and Georgia by overnight train
• 12 things you should know before travelling to the Caucasus

15 Comments

Hi Emily! Thanks for your beautiful blog! We visited Georgia for 9 full days and I planned most of our trip according to yours itineraries and suggestions. It was our last backpackers trip as I got lucky in Georgia and now we have a nice little addition in the family. Now we are planning 8 days in Armenia during second week of April being the first leisure trip for our 11-month old. We are looking forward to have a more relaxed vacation amidst greenery, mountains and forests, waterfalls and some nice resorts or hotels. Kindly suggest, appreciate your thoughts.

How wonderful, Java! Big congratulations. Some version of this itinerary could work well, or you might head south to Jermuk, I hear it is quite beautiful and relaxing. This website is a terrific resource for Armenia travel planning: https://absolutearmenia.com/blog/

Safe travels and I hope the three of you have a wonderful trip!

Dear Emily, wanted to take the opportunity and say thank you for all the great information you have incorporated into your blog. It was super helpful for us when planning our time in Armenia and Georgia. Just coming back from Armenia, I wanted to share two additional highlights. One is the swinging bridge in KHNDZORESK as well as the old romantic monastery at the bottom of the canyon (where the bridge goes over). Another thing is the abandond Radio-Optical Telescope in Orgov. Blew us completely away. Seems to become quite popular, just the guy at the entrance one need to deal with :). Thanks again for all your valuable tips, often the locals have even confirmed your tips! All the best for you

Thanks so much for the tips Konstanze! Sounds amazing. I really have to explore more of Armenia. Glad you enjoyed your trip!

Hi Emily! first of all, thanks for your beautiful blog! We are just back from Georgia and I planned most of our trip according to yours itineraries and suggestions. Now we are planning 10 days in Armenia at the very end of October/first week of November. In Georgia we have rented a car and we had nearly no problems (ok, they are crazy drivers but we are from Italy and probably we are a bit used to anarchy!). What about roads in Armenia? Normally we love taking trains and marshrutkas, but there are so many things I would like to see and we are really tempted about this option… I think it would save us so much time, but on the other side we would miss so much of the local life experience… Any personal experience? Loretta

Hello Loretta, so happy to hear that! And awesome to hear that you’ll be back in the region again so soon! I think you will find driving in Armenia fairly similar. If anything the driving style is a bit less aggressive in my experience. Most of the major roads are in good condition, we only came across a few potholed areas on our latest expedition. I say go for it!

Thank you so much for such details info about your trip. I am planning to visit Armenia in mid- March for a few days. Would love your advice if it is a good time to go. Thank you.

Hi Allie, I think we spoke on Instagram. March is still a little chilly but it’s a nice quiet time to travel. Hope you have a wonderful trip!

Hi, I enjoyed reading your posts from Georgia and now here to Armenia. I am curious to know if you did tour around the country on wintertime version. While it might be better to visit the country in Summer to witness the real beauty of it, we set it to celebrate New Year’s (supposedly Christmas as well) holiday by going out of the country and we decided to go in Armenia this time. I want to know if you have any insights that we might possibly make it a memorable one in wintertime? We will be staying for 10 days and our first 3 days, we planned to stay in Tsaghkhadzor to enjoy the snow probably take easy activities that my parents can take part at the same time have fun. The remaining days will be staying in the city and do some tours in some other days.

Hi! I did visit Northern Armenia last year in February – Debed Canyon was very beautiful in the snow. If you get a chance, I would recommend going there too. Yerevan is an all-year city and I’m sure it will be great fun in winter. Enjoy!

Hi. Thank you so much! We will include it on our trip. We are finally here in Armenia and in the hotel in Tsagkhadzor. It’s quite a crazy cold but feels nice. it’s our last day tomorrow but experiencing taking a few days here is great! But we will plan a trip to Debed Canyon when we get to Yerevan. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year~

Wonderful to hear! Have an amazing time! Enjoy, and stay warm! Happy holidays.

Hi, I’m planning to stay around 10 days in Armenia, but I’m arriving to and then flying back home from Yerevan. Do you think it makes sense (logistics-wise) to stay in Yerevan the whole trip or is it worth it to spend a night (or few) in some other towns/villages? I saw that most of the sights in Armenia seem to be easily reachable from the capital (maybe except from the south?). I will rely mostly on public transport and would like to visit the main touristic destinations in the country.

Hi M – I think that’s very possible. As you say, most places are within a few hours’ drive of Yerevan so you can visit most major tourist destinations as part of a day trip. I did a day trip to Tatev Monastery in the south and it was great, but a very long drive. If you wanted to spend a night or two outside of Yerevan I would recommend staying there!

Thank you Emily!

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Update April 12, 2024

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Armenia Travel Advisory

Travel advisory april 9, 2024, armenia - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Updated to reflect changes in the Do Not Travel section.

Exercise increased caution in Armenia due to areas of armed conflict. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Do Not Travel To:

• The border region with Azerbaijan.

U.S. Embassy Employees and their families remain prohibited from any non-essential travel to the following areas:

• Gegharkunik region east of Vardenis.
• Syunik region east of Goris;
• Syunik region south of Kapan;
• Travel through Yeraskh village in Ararat region is allowed, stopping is not.

Country Summary: U.S. citizens should exercise increased caution in Armenia. Further military activity could occur in the region.  

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Armenia.

If you decide to travel to Armenia:

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Armenia.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

Border with Azerbaijan – Level 4: Do Not Travel

There is the potential for armed conflict near the Armenia-Azerbaijan border. U.S. citizens should avoid the area. Exercise caution on roads near Armenia’s border with Azerbaijan. Be aware that some portions of the road may cross international boundaries without notice. Roads may be controlled by checkpoints or closed to travelers without notice.  The U.S. embassy has prohibited embassy employees and their families from non-essential travel to the border region, as well as other areas of Armenia listed above.

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas .

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“Armenian food in Moscow” Review of Cafe Ararat

The food, service, and the ambiance all were wonderful at this Armenian restaurant. People in Moscow can be a bit cranky, but not at this place which is in a fine hotel. Excellent Armenian food with Armenian wine and beers. Expensive, but worth the splurge.

• Excellent 36
• Very good 18
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19 - 23 of 66 reviews

I ate here twice for breakfast. I found the presentation and offerings to be well done. They had a good selection and the service was prompt. While I was there this restaurant was not open for lunch, however the great staff brought us food from another hotel restaurant so we could have a meeting even though the restaurant was closed.

Had a couple of meals here and was not disappointed. Food from the region, well presented, excellent taste and well described by the staff.

This room was only open for the buffet breakfast. Tho the food was good, the service was just so-so. We had to ask for coffee and our server seemed a bit disoriented, even tho the restaurant was not busy. The weakest of the outlets where we dined.

We ate breakfast each day in the Cafe Ararat, as we were staying in the hotel. We ordered from the menu as well as ate from the buffet. All were very good with plenty of variety. The staff was the best and willing to get anything. I wish I could take them to all the hotels in Russia.

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Armenia and Azerbaijan move closer to normalizing ties as the first border marker goes up

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Armenia and Azerbaijan on Tuesday came a step closer toward normalizing relations after a bitter conflict over territory, as experts in both countries worked to demarcate their boundaries and the first border marker was placed.

The two nations are working toward a peace treaty after Azerbaijan regained full control of the Nagorno-Karabakh region that had been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces since the 1990s and which Armenians called the Republic of Artsakh.

A six-week war in 2020 resulted in Azerbaijan retaking large parts of the breakaway region, and in September, Azerbaijani forces launched a lightning blitz that forced Nagorno-Karabakh’s Armenian authorities to capitulate in negotiations mediated by Russian forces.

Several days ago, Armenia and Azerbaijan reached an agreement over a stretch of border that would cut though four Armenian villages in the Tavush province, meaning that Armenia would cede some territory to Azerbaijan.

Armenian and Azerbaijani authorities on Tuesday announced that the first border marker was installed. It wasn’t immediately clear where exactly it was placed.

In Armenia, protests erupted, and demonstrators blocked roads in the northeastern region through which the proposed border would run. They also set up roadblocks along two key routes elsewhere in the country, including one leading to neighboring Georgia. Photos carried by Armenian and Russian media showed cars and trucks lining country lanes as protesters stood in groups around them.

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Armenians who fled Turkish rule decades ago despair over Nagorno-Karabakh. ‘This appears to be our fate’

In 1939, Armenians of Musa Dagh fled to Lebanon rather than submit to Turkish rule. Now they despair over the exodus from Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan.

Oct. 5, 2023

And yet, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said Baku and Yerevan were edging closer to a common understanding of what a peace agreement might look like.

“We are close and maybe closer than ever before” to signing a peace agreement, Aliyev said.

Armenia’s prime minister, Nikol Pashinyan , told British journalists that the two governments “need to convert the theoretical peace agenda into an actual peaceful reality,” according to the Guardian. It’s a message he’s trying to convey to protesters.

Last month, Pashinyan said the Caucasus nation needs to quickly define the border with Azerbaijan to avoid a new round of hostilities. Many residents of Armenia’s border regions have resisted the demarcation effort, seeing it as Azerbaijan’s encroachment on areas they consider their own.

Amid fury over Nagorno-Karabakh, could Armenia’s government fall next?

Armenians’ fury over Azerbaijan’s recapture of Nagorno-Karabakh has focused on Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Could his government go next?

Sept. 27, 2023

This month, Russia began withdrawing its forces from Nagorno-Karabakh, where they have been stationed as peacekeepers under a truce brokered by Moscow that ended the 2020 war.

The peacekeepers’ duties included ensuring free passage on the sole road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia. But Azerbaijan began blocking the road in late 2022, alleging Armenians were using it for weapons shipments and to smuggle minerals, and the Russian forces did not intervene.

After months of increasingly dire food and medicine shortages in Nagorno-Karabakh due to the blockade, Azerbaijan launched its offensive last year. After Azerbaijan regained full control of Nagorno-Karabakh, the vast majority of its population of nearly 120,000 fled to Armenia.

Pashinyan said he was calling for realism in the face of the wide gap between the Armenian and Azerbaijani militaries.

“I was approached by a woman who was forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh, and she asked how realistic is it that we will have a possibility to go back to Nagorno-Karabakh, and she said: ‘Please give me a direct and candid answer.’ I told her given the perceptions that prevail, I do not consider it realistic,” the Guardian quoted him as saying.

“I cannot lie to you, because if it were realistic, then the displacement from Nagorno-Karabakh would not have happened.”

Los Angeles Times staff contributed to this report.

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Dec. 13, 2023

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Armenian PM defends decision to give four villages to Azerbaijan

Nikol Pashinyan urges calm after making concessions in attempt to avoid war with his country’s heavily armed neighbour

Nikol Pashinyan, the Armenian prime minister facing four days of protests against his decision to hand four villages to Azerbaijan , has urged Armenians to recognise that the way the issue is handled will determine the viability of the future peace process with its neighbour.

In an interview with British journalists in his office, Pashinyan, the leader of Armenia’s velvet revolution in 2018 , said the governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan “need to convert the theoretical peace agenda into an actual peaceful reality”.

The two countries had been in a decades-long conflict since the 1990s when in September 2023 a lightning military offensive by Azerbaijan saw it take control of the Nagorno-Karabakh region that had been under ethnic Armenian control. Those dramatic events were followed by the speeding up of talks on a peace agreement between the two sides to stabilise relations.

The deal for the villages, a precursor to a wider agreement on borders between the two countries, has been praised by international diplomats as a landmark moment, but Pashinyan knows he risks losing domestic popular support if he makes what his people regard as too many unilateral and unreciprocated concessions.

He said that although the negotiated handover of the villages may be seen as a local matter, “the quality of implementation of these local agreements will increase or decrease trust in the peace agenda and the feasibility of peace”.

Praising the negotiators of the deal, he said: “They’ve tried, molecule by molecule, to build trust, to build confidence, and, if treated delicately and with care, it can develop. And if not treated with care, it may fall apart.”

The potential for the border dispute turning into a wider dispute drawing in Russia , Iran and Turkey across the Caucasus is real, Pashinyan’s aides acknowledge.

He had warned local villagers the alternative to a deal was war, and he knows in any conflict Armenia faces an overwhelming arms deficit.

The former Soviet republic had been on the military back foot for at least five years when Azerbaijan advanced into Nagorno-Karabakh and it was unable to prevent more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians being forced out of the region .

Russia, which had peacekeepers deployed in the territory, did not intervene to prevent Azerbaijan’s advance and Russian troops are now leaving altogether.

Pashinyan is trying to build alliances with Europe and the US in what he describes as an attempt to diversify foreign and security arrangements.

“The Republic of Armenia is ready to be as close with the European Union as the European Union sees possible,” he said. “At the moment, we seem to be moving in this direction because, very importantly, this is a public process. Transparency is of the utmost importance for us.”

But his drive to protect Armenia by building new alliances and seeking a peace settlement with Azerbaijan may fail if Azerbaijan abandons the lengthy peace talks in favour of land grabs. Azerbaijan has an 80% to 20% military advantage over his country, Pashinyan said.

The current domestic backlash is focused in Armenia’s northern Tavush region, where the government agreed on Friday to return four abandoned villages it had occupied since the 1990s to Azerbaijan as the start of a wider process to agree their mutual borders.

Former residents of two of the villages, Baghanis and Voskepar, have several times blocked the highway that connects Armenia with Georgia , and tried to prevent the removal of landmines.

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They resent suddenly being put on the frontline, but the two countries are committed to delimitation and demarcation of their states based on the borders that existed in 1991 at the time of the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Pashinyan, defending his strategy for peace, said Armenia had shown itself to be candid and sincere, and was seeking to defend the territory of Armenia.

“Beyond the internationally recognised borders, Armenia has no aspirations, no claims, and we hope that in the border delimitation process, the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia will be restored,” he said.

He called for realism about what the Armenian armed forces could achieve. “I was approached by a woman who was forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh , and she asked how realistic is it that we will have a possibility to go back to Nagorno-Karabakh and she said: please give me a direct and candid answer. I told her given the perceptions that prevail, I do not consider it realistic.

“I cannot lie to you, because if it were realistic, then the displacement from Nagorno-Karabakh would not have happened.”

He said Armenia was doing its best to house and find jobs for the Nagorno-Karabakh refugees, but the cost was estimated at €1.5bn (£1.3bn) over 10 years.

He also revealed his anger that Russia had rendered the regional security pact the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) meaningless by repeatedly refusing to prevent Azerbaijan’s invasions into Armenia. He said Russia had in effect admitted the CSTO had “no zone of responsibility” in Armenia.

Armenia has currently frozen its membership of the pact. Pashinyan said: “If things continue the way they are, if the political statements continue, then that line will be crossed, and resuming participation in the CSTO will then be rendered impossible in practice.”

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The Armenian Embassy in Russia is a bilateral mission in Moscow and promotes Armenian interests in Russia. The embassy of Armenia also plays an important role in development, cultural affairs and contacts with the local press of Russia. The Armenian Embassy in Moscow is headed by Mr. Armen Smbatian - Ambassador of Armenia to Russia.

Armenian Consulates in Russia

Next to the embassy in Moscow, Armenia has consulates in the following cities: Kaliningrad, Rostov on Don, Saint Petersburg, Sochi and Volgograd

Embassy Consular Department and Services

The consular department of the Armenian Embassy in Moscow offers consular assistance. The consular department in general offers services for visitors from Russia to Armenia as wel as for Armenian citizens in Russia. Generally, services comprise of visa applications, passport renewals, marriage registration, legalization of documents, birth of a child, Armenian nationality issues and more. Contact the consular department directly by telephone or email.

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Visa-free travel to Russia

Several countries now have bilateral agreements in place with the Russian Federation to allow visa-free travel to Russia for their citizens. Unfortunately, however, there is no indication that similar agreements will be reached with the EU, the US, or the UK any time soon.

If you are not a citizen of one of the countries below and do not hold a diplomatic passport, the only other way to visit the Russian Federation without a visa is on a cruise ship to St. Petersburg. This exemption allows you to stay in the city for up to 72 hours without a visa on the condition that you are sleeping on the ship and are accompanied at all times by a licensed tour guide. If your cruise calls in St. Petersburg for 48 or 72 hours, there are companies offering shore tours which include a day in Moscow.

The same visa-free regime is applied to passengers on ferries from Helsinki and Tallinn operated by the company St. Peter Line, although in the case of ferry passengers you need to book your own accommodation. Again, it is possible within the 72 hours to visit Moscow as well. You can find out more about visa-free tours to Moscow and St. Petersburg here .

Nationalities which can travel to Russia without visas are divided into four groups with different requirements and different limitations on length of stay for each group. Even if you do not need a visa to enter Russia, you will certainly need a passport valid for at least six months after the date of your proposed exit from Russia, and you may require other official documents. You will also, like all foreign travelers in Russia, still need to register with the Federal Migration Service upon arrival.

Citizens of the countries of the CIS (the Commonwealth of Independent States) are permitted to stay in the Russian Federation for up to 90 days without a visa.

Citizens of these countries are allowed to stay in the Russian Federation without a visa for up to 90 days in each 180-day period, provided they will not be involved in any commercial or work-related activities during their stay.

Citizens of the countries in this group can stay in the Russian Federation for up to 30 days without a visa. They are not entitled to work while in Russia.

Citizens of these Balkan countries can also stay in Russia without a visa for up to 30 days, but must also show tourist documents (tourist confirmation and tourist voucher) or an official invitation to immigration officials.