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Best of Armenia , Practical Information

35 very useful things to know before you visit armenia.

You’ve probably stumbled upon this guide because you plan to visit Armenia . This post will detail everything we think you need to know before you travel to Armenia – from information about the language to secrets from locals.

With these Armenian travel tips, you’ll be well-prepared and know better what to expect while planning your trip to Armenia.

If youʻre booking your trip to Yerevan  last minute, we have you covered. Below are some of the top tours, hotels, and more!

🇦🇲  Top Experiences and Tours in/from Yerevan:

• Day Trip to Khorvirap, Noravank, and Areni Winery (top-rated day tour from Yerevan!)
• Garni Temple & Geghard Tour with Lavash Baking Day tour (also popular day tour!)
• Tsaghkadzor & Lake Sevan Guided Tour (wonderful nature tour from Yerevan!)
• Private Walking Food Tour with 6 Tastings (recommended food tour in Yerevan!)

🛌  Top Hotels in Yerevan:

• The Alexander   (luxury option + SPA, authentic dining venues, indoor pool!)
• Daniel’s Boutique Hotel (mid-range in excellent location!)
• 14th Floor (in the center with a wonderful view of Mount Ararat!)
• Grand Hostel (budget option in Yerevan!)

🚗  Looking for the best way to get around Armenia? Click here to check rental car rates for Armenia!

If you have additional questions, please send us a message or leave us a comment! We hope you find this useful!

Visit Armenia: Tips & Information

Armenia. You may have heard of it, or you might not, but somewhere high in the Caucasus mountains is where this wonderful country is located. With magical nature, ancient history, and heritage that is not yet fully discovered, it is a country with so much to offer.

So what is Armenia? A little country that you might associate with the Kardashians or System of Down, but trust us, Armenia is the new, hot destination to travel to and it’s known for a lot more than just that.

As an Armenian, it’s easy to write about my own country, and that’s why my friend Megan has joined me to create this website about Armenia where we can deliver honest and informative articles about my homeland.

For me, I was able to see Armenia from a different angle because I was analyzing it from my friend’s point of view and learning what makes it such a great and unique place for travelers.

Based on our travels in Armenia and the fact that I’m a local, we often ask ourselves why it’s not crowded with tourists from around the world.

Armenia has all the necessary features for the perfect travel destination; fantastic nature and landscapes, delicious and fresh food, super hospitable people, and it’s really affordable and cheap to travel in for non-locals.

In addition to all this, starting in 2020, airlines are offering cheap and budget flights from Europe to Yerevan and Gyumri, which makes this hidden gem much more accessible to travelers and history lovers.

We have seen, and are still discovering, amazing and breathtaking sights in this little country of colors and contrasts. This guide will prepare you to visit a truly amazing destination and tell you everything you need to do and know before you visit Armenia.

What to Know Before You Travel to Armenia

We try to hit all points of what we deem useful information for this post.  If something is missing that you’d like to know, or specific destination information, please shoot us a message or leave a comment so we can answer!

1. Where is Armenia?

It might be a bit challenging to find Armenia on the map, and you might have never heard of it, but it is located in the southern Caucasus region; Georgia borders it to the north, Iran to the south, Turkey to the west, and Azerbaijan to the east.

Armenia is a landlocked country and it’s important to know that it’s not possible to get to Armenia overland from Turkey or Azerbaijan because of political issues.

2. Armenian Nature

Armenia has a surprisingly diverse nature for being such a small country… from mesmerizing green canyons and gorges to dry and colorful mountains to semi-desert landscapes.

The biggest lake in the Caucasus is also found in Armenia. Lake Sevan  is considered to be the blue pearl of the country. It is surrounded by breathtaking mountains, little islands, and gorgeous villages.

There are several national parks and reserves all over the country such as Dilijan National Park or the Khosrov Reserve , a place considered to be one of the oldest protected areas in history. Approximately seventeen centuries ago, the reserve was founded and its ecosystem is absolutely amazing.

Despite its small size, Armenia is one of the most mountainous countries in the world as mountains make up almost 90% of the country.

3. Seasons in Armenia

The climate of Armenia can be different. Each season has a different beauty in the Caucasian country. You can hike in the colorful autumn mountains, ski, and snowboard in Tsaghkadzor spa town in the winter, or chill out in green Dilijan guesthouses in the summer.

Spring is also special in Armenia because of the vibrant colors and blooming flowers saturating the country.

4. Armenian Culture and History: About Armenia

Armenia is one of those rare countries that still exists despite having more than 6000 years of history. Many civilizations have disappeared over the decades, but as a surprise to many, Armenia has managed to conserve its cultural heritage with traditions that still exist today.

There is a lot of archeological evidence that shows existing civilizations in the Bronze Age in the modern theory of Armenia dating back to 4000 BC.

It’s possible to see heritage from the different stages of Armenian history, like the Pagan Temple of Garni or the Christian churches in Etchmiadzin that were one of the first in history as Armenia was the first country that adopted Christianity as a state religion in 301 AD.

Armenians were always famous for creating art from stone because of its abundance in the country. This is evident from the Pagan frescas and Christian cross-stones (khachkars) alongside the mesmerizing churches and temples around the country, and the ruins of the castles and caves that have their hidden secrets.

The strongest and most famous king in Armenian history was King of the Kings Tigranes the Great (95–55 BC), under which the Armenian kingdom became one of the strongest kingdoms of that time. During that period, the Armenian empire spread from the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean Sea.

When is the Best Time to Visit Armenia?

Armenian has pretty much all types of weather- from hot summers to dry, cold winters with significant amounts of snow in almost all regions of the country.

The hottest time in Armenia is from June to September when the temperature can fluctuate between 37- 40 Celsius, but the evenings promise a cool breeze coming from the mountains. Temperatures also depend on where you are in the country; it’s not as hot in the north compared to the south during the summer.

Winters in Armenia are dry and cold, and during this time temperatures can drop as low as -10 Celsius.  However, winter activities and sports are easily accessible, such as skiing in Ashotsk or Tsaghkadzor where you can enjoy cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, snowboarding, and winter hikes in the places.

Another plus of visiting Yerevan during the winter is spending New Year’s there as the country is partying the entire time. Also, Yerevan Hotels are comparably cheap during that period.

Once it’s spring in Armenia , like in many places, the weather in Armenia becomes pleasant and many festivals like Yerevan Wine Days , BBQ Fest, and the Urvakan Electronic Music Festival take place in the country.

Summers in Armenia are the perfect time to take multiple day trips from Yerevan to all throughout the country when the weather’s hot and you will have a unique opportunity to discover an ancient country. Within approximately 10 days, you can see amazing cultural and historical heritage.

Our favorite season is autumn in Armenia .  This is when the weather is just perfect for outdoor activities, camping, and day trips. In our opinion, the beginning of autumn is the best time to visit Armenia .  It is just so picturesque!

Book a cozy boutique hotel in Yerevan and take wonderful day trips to different places in Armenia. From Dilijan’s lush forest to Noravank Monastery’s surrounding area, you will see the true colors of Armenian nature during fall.

What is Armenia Known For?

As we mentioned before, Armenia is an ancient country and its heritage from different times in history is unique and somewhat well-known worldwide.

The small country has many sights that are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and there are still many undiscovered places that are gaining more and more interest from archaeologists.

Below are a few things that have put Armenia on the map.

5. First Christian Nation in the World

Armenia is the first country that adopted Christianity as an official state religion in 301 AD, over 1700 years ago.

The major figure of the spread of Christianity in Armenia was Gregory The Illuminator who was first dungeoned because of his religious view in Khor Virap . He was imprisoned for 13 years but was later released by Tiridates III.

Gregory the Illuminator is the founder of the Armenian Church and responsible for Armenia becoming a Christian nation.

The Armenian Church is known as apostolical because of two students, Bartholomew and Thaddeus of Jesus. Thaddeus came to Armenia to try to spread Christianity after his crucifixion.

The first Christian churches in Armenia, and probably some of the first ones in the world, were built and still exist in the city of Etchmiadzin today.  The city name translates to “the only born came down”.

Etchmiadzin Cathedral, St. Hripsime, Zvartnots church ruins, and others are protected by UNESCO World Heritage today and are some of the top things to see in Armenia.

6. UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Armenia

As just mentioned, the churches and cathedrals in and around Etchmiadzin are protected by UNESCO.

Other important places that are UNESCO sites in Armenia are Geghard Monastery the Upper Azat Valley and the Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin .

7. Armenian Duduk

For more than 3000 years, this amazing instrument, with soul-touching sounds, has existed in Armenia and when it’s being played, it feels like time stops.

Duduk, or the original historical name Tsiranapogh, is an Armenian wooden instrument that looks very simple at first glance and in translation means “apricot-made clarinet”.

The sound of the Armenian duduk is so magical that it was placed on the list of Masterpieces of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO .

8. Ararat Mountain

A legendary and iconic mountain for all Armenians that is technically located in the modern territory of Turkey is the mountain ‘Ararat’, also known as Holy Mountain.

Ararat is a two-peak mountain made up of small Sis and big Masis mountains and has been represented in Armenian history since ancient times, known as a holy mountain and symbol with an elevation of 5,137 meters.

It is a Biblical mountain since it is mentioned in the Bible that Noah’s ark landed on Mount Ararat and it is where life supposedly started after the flood.

On a beautiful, clear day, it is possible to see Ararat from the capital Yerevan and you can admire its beauty, might, and harmony.

9. Lavash (Bread)

A unique flatbread that is in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is Lavash .

Not a single ingredient has changed over the centuries in the preparation of ancient Lavash bread in Armenia… even the cooking method has remained the same!

Armenian traditional lavash has very simplistic ingredients but it is one of the tastiest breads in the world. It consists of flour, water, and salt. That’s it!

Lavash is baked in the traditional tonir (tandoor), a clay hole in the ground. That is how the bread has been baked for centuries and you can even see it baked in several places in Armenia today this way (including some restaurants that have open kitchens like Sherep and Lavash ).

In Armenia, there is a special name for cheese and herbs wrapped in a lavash – ‘ bruch ‘. It’s one of the simplest, yet most delicious things in the world.

Another interesting fact about lavash bread is that it’s possible to dry it and keep it for over 6 months, then wet it when ready to eat. Armenians have been doing this for centuries and it lasts without any problems.

10. Khor Virap Monastery

Translated from Armenian, Khor Virap means deep dungeon and this is where Gregory The Illuminator was jailed for 14 years.

Khor Virap is one of the most special places to visit in Armenia because of its location and mind-blowing view of Mount Ararat.

The 5th-century Church of the Holy Mother of God that is located on a hilltop gives it another charm and is an amazing addition to the view of Mount Ararat, which seems surprisingly close despite being rather far away by distance.

Khor Virap is surrounded by green fields and vineyards and the monastery is one of the gems of Armenia that no one should miss when visiting the country (or Ararat marz !).

It is also extremely easy to get from Yerevan to Khor Virap with options on public transportation, as well as affordable tour options.

11. Ararat Brandy

As we mentioned before Mount Ararat and its name is iconic and very popular among Armenians. You will see many brands that have Ararat in their name but one of the most popular brands that exist in Armenia and is known worldwide is Ararat Brandy (or cognac as the locals say).

The legendary and famous Ararat brandy factory is located in Yerevan on top of a hill next to the Hrazdan gorge and has a big history and legacy to tell.

Armenian Brandy actually gained popularity at the beginning of the 20th century because of Joseph Stalin and Winston Churchill.

At the Yalta Conference in 1945, Joseph Stalin presented Winston Churchill with a bottle of Ararat Brandy (Dvin).  Winston Churchill, a fervent brandy lover, fell in love with Ararat Brandy and as a result, Stalin sent Churchill 400 bottles of Dvin batch Ararat Brandy annually.

For Armenians, besides wine, cognac has to be of top quality and that quality has been delivered for more than 100 years by Ararat brandy and this is just one more thing that puts Armenia on the map.

It’s also possible to take a tour of the factory to see how Ararat brandy is made, learn the history of the factory, and enjoy the brandy itself with some great dried fruits and chocolate.

12. Armenian Carpets (Rugs)

For centuries, Armenians have been known for creating one of the best and most beautiful carpets in the world. It is a tradition to have a carpet inside an Armenian house as a part of the interior decoration.

It is possible to see how carpets and rugs are made in Armenia at the Megerian Carpet Center or Tufenkian Hotel next to the Vernissage.

The traditional ornaments are made by hand just like it was done centuries ago and these masterpieces are truly pleasing to the eye.

13. Khachkars

A unique and typical Armenian stone art known as ‘khachkars’ (cross-stones) is one of the most popular art forms in Armenia.

A khachkar is a big piece of stone with Christian art carved into it coming from the 4th century that shows the skills of the Armenian masters. There are still thousands of khachkars from ancient times that have been preserved until this day.

Because it is so special to Armenia, it is no surprise that its ornaments and symbols are included in the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

One of the most famous places to see Armenian khachkars from various decades of Armenian history is Noratus Cemetery . At Noratus, it is possible to see cross-stones from the 10th century! It is truly a fascinating, open-air museum.

14. History of the Silk Road in Armenia

When people think of the Silk Road, they more often than not think of China and Central Asia.  However, Armenia, like other places in the Caucasus, played an important role in trading on the Silk Road, especially Artashat.

While many remnants and traces of the Silk Road are gone in this part of the world, you can still see traces down in Vayots Dzor region at Orbelyan’s Caravanserai , an important inn for traders that existed and was saved.

15. Pomegranates and Apricots

The pomegranate is not only a fruit that grows in Armenia and Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), but it is also phenomenal and widely used in food and is also one of the most popular symbols for Armenia used in art and architecture.

Walking down the streets of Yerevan, it is possible to see pomegranates engraved and carved into the buildings’ facades.

Nowhere else in the world do apricots (tsiran) grow and taste as delicious as they do in Armenia. The ancient fruit, mentioned in many old manuscripts, is truly the pride of Armenia.

Even the famous Duduk (Tsiranapogh) is made from the apricot tree. The fruit is widely used in Armenia and gets exported to many countries every year.

You will also find pomegranate and apricots used in foods and wines.

16. First Winery in the World

If you didn’t already know, the first winery known to the modern world was founded in Armenia in Areni village. It dates back to 6100 BC.

Areni is known to be one of the most popular wine regions of Armenia where the highest quality libation is made, so it was no surprise that they discovered the oldest winery in the world inside the Areni-1 Cave .

In Areni-1, it is possible to see where the wine was made and how the ancient, clay wine barrels were dug into the soil.

In some of those barrels, young female bones were discovered as signs of sacrifice. It’s a truly unique place to visit in Armenia and to be able to see the traces of the world’s oldest winery.

Besides the winery, in the same Areni-1 cave, the world’s oldest leather shoe was discovered. It is approximately 5,500 years old.

17. Temple of Garni (Pagan Temple)

Even though Armenia has a big Christian history, its Pagan history is just as important. The perfect example is the only preserved Pagan Temple in the country. The Temple of Garni dates back to 1 AD and was dedicated to the God of Sun Mihr.

It is truly an amazing gem located on the edge of the Azat Gorge, yet another mind-blowing location that the ancient Armenian kings and queens used as a royal summer house.

The Temple of Garni is one of the most beloved places for travelers to visit because of its interesting structure and impressive location in the Caucasus region.

18. Tatev Monastery

If you want to learn about the spiritual life of Armenia, then it is a must to take a trip to Tatev Monastery . It has breathtaking architecture and is a spiritual Christian construction isolated from the world on the edge of the Vorotan River.

The 9th-century Tatev Monastery complex and the fortifications is an iconic Christian symbols of Armenia. It is located up in the mountains.  That is why, based on ancient myths, it is called Tatev, which translates to “give wings” in Armenian.

In the Middle Ages, Tatev Monastery was known as one of the best universities in Armenia where it was possible to study religion, science, and philosophy.

To get to Tatev Monastery, you need to ride on the world’s longest reversible aerial tramway which is 5.7 km long. The ride is gorgeous and the views are mesmerizing- you get the feeling that you are flying in the sky as you cross the gorge. This is why the tramway was given the name Wings of Tatev .

19. Armenia’s Velvet Revolution in 2018

Armenia has a remarkable ancient history and heritage, but modern Armenia also shows the world its effort to create a great democratic environment for its citizens and all the visitors to this beautiful country.

To move forward in 2018, the Armenian nation initiated a peaceful velvet revolution to remove its then-corrupt party from power as it was not leading the country with a democratic lifestyle or standards.

Armenia’s example of a peaceful velvet revolution was exceptional for many post-Soviet countries showcasing that one small country facing many problems with corruption was able to unite and, without any victims, make changes to their country and its political system.

20. Yerevan Metro

Built during the Soviet era and becoming fully operational in 1981, the Yerevan Metro is probably one of the smallest metro systems in all post-Soviet countries. However, it is one of the best secrets of Yerevan as it is affordable, efficient, and will get you from point A to point B.

The Armenian government is working on opening more metro stops and the construction has already started. The current number of stops is limited (only ten!) but are very clean and have artistic designs.

The most noticeable Yerevan metro station is the post-modern Yeritasardakan (Youth) Station and the beautiful fountains at the Republic Square Station .

The full length of the metro is 13.4 km and the working hours are from 6.30 am to 11 pm. The price of a ticket is 100 AMD and you will notice that plastic coins are still being used in Armenia but there is talk that that will change shortly.

21. Armenian Language

The Armenian language is an Indo-European language and is considered to be one of the oldest in the world. The Armenian alphabet was invented by Mesrop Mashtots in 406 AD and faced several evolutions during the coming centuries.

In the Armenian language , there is a “dead language” called Graphar. It is used during church ceremonies, but not in daily life.

Nowadays, the Armenian language is divided into two parts: Western Armenian , which is used by the diaspora, and Eastern Armenian , which is used in Armenia today. Both dialects have differences in writing and pronunciation .

There are 39 letters in the Armenian alphabet and it is considered a national point of pride of the nation… so much that there is a monument dedicated to the Armenian Alphabet’s 1600th anniversary.

With an ancient alphabet, Armenia has many unique Armenian expressions that only other Armenians understand!

22. Western Armenia

The modern territory of Armenia is only 30% of what its historical territory was. The lands and territories have changed so many times throughout history.

Armenia used to be a lot bigger (territory-wise) in the past, but after the Armenian Genocide in 1915 and after becoming part of the Soviet Union, it lost its historical territories. Still today, Armenians refer to these lands as Western Armenia even though they fall under present-day Turkey.

Western Armenia used to be one of the biggest cultural and industrial centers of the region, and cities like Kars and Ani were the result of Armenians’ brilliant architectural and business minds.

Still today, there are many historical remains, churches, and cities that showcase why Armenians still consider Western Armenia a historical homeland.

23. Chess in Armenia

Despite its small population of only 3 million, Armenia has gained popularity around the world for its love and success at the game of chess.

Armenians love playing chess and it’s even part of their school program because they believe that the love for this intellectual game should start at a young age.

This small country has had several World Chess Champions : grandmaster Tigran Petrosian, Levon Aronian (one of the leaders of FIDE’s ranking list), and the Armenian National Chess team- which won the World Team Championship, European Team Championship, and the Chess Olympiad.

If you are a chess fan, then it’s just another reason to visit Armenia as it’s one of the most beloved games in the country, played from people’s backyards to international professional stages.

24. Armenian Genocide

One of the most tragic historical events that happened to Armenians and the Armenian nation is the Armenian Genocide . It was the first genocide of the 20th-century.

The horrific massacre happened in 1915 by the Turkish ‘Young Turks’ ruling party and as a result, 1,500,000 people lost their lives.

The Armenian nation not only lost many of its residents’ lives during this time but also a significant part of its historical homeland (Western Armenia).

This is why there are over 10,000,000 Armenians living outside of Armenia today.

Each year on April 24th, a march takes place to the Tsitsernakaberd Genocide Memorial in Yerevan where the whole nation pays respect to the victims of the tragedy.

25. The Armenian Diaspora (and Famous Armenians)

One interesting fact about the Armenian people and its population is that there are more Armenians living outside of Armenia these days than inside of it.  Armenia has one of the biggest diaspora in the world and it is really large in countries like the USA, Russia, and France.

Today, there are over 10,000,000 diaspora and the reason dates back to the Armenian Genocide, as mentioned above.

Americans may know of some of the famous diaspora Armenians .  Some of them are the Kardashians, Cher, Andre Agassi, Michael Vartan, Dita von Teese, Alex Ohanian (Reddit founder), Joe Manganiello, System of a Down, and more.

26. Gyumri Earthquake (Spitak Earthquake)

On December 7th, 1988, another tragedy took place in the cities of Gyumri and Spitak; they were hit by a 7-magnitude earthquake.

Gyumri is the artistic city of Armenia and has always been known as the creative center of Armenia. The devastating earthquake damaged the city very badly, mostly destroying Soviet-era buildings and a part of the Old City.

More than 40,000 people died due to the devastating consequences of the earthquake.  Even in Gyumri today, there are remnants of this earthquake as the city is still in the rebuilding process.

There are many things to do in Gyumri , and we suggest finding some small businesses to support while there as many of the owners were impacted by this disaster decades ago.

27. Miscellaneous Armenia Facts and Info

Getting around armenia.

Public transportation in Armenian is still in the development stages and new transport options are being implemented in the transport system.

Usually, there are minibusses (marshrutkas) connecting Armenian cities. These might not be the most comfortable option to get around so that’s why many travelers prefer to take taxis or to rent a car while traveling in Armenia.

Trains are also an option, but for now, the new trains will only take you from Yerevan to Gyumri . I believe there is one going to Masis, also.  It is one of the most comfortable and fast train rides in the country. The other option is to take the old, Soviet trains.

Yerevan-Gyumri price for the new train ride – 2500 AMD ($6)

Yerevan- Gyumri price for old train ride – 1500 ($3)

28. Currency of Armenia

The Armenian national currency is called the dram (AMD) and is represented by the following symbol: ֏

The currency fluctuates a bit but is currently around $1 = 500 AMD .  It is possible to change out your money nearly anywhere in Yerevan.

You will see more currency exchanges here than perhaps anywhere else you travel.  Even shoe stores sometimes have currency exchanges!  Grocery stores almost always have them too.

29. North Armenia Does Not Look Like South Armenia

As we mentioned before, Armenia is a diverse country in a small territory where one tunnel ride can change a bold, rocky landscape into lush, green gorges and a mountain range.

Armenia is a country of contrast and is easy to travel in… if you have a car. The more north you drive, the more you will see green mountains, lakes located in hidden spots surrounded by nature, deep caves, and many more spectacular places.

Driving towards the south of the country from Yerevan, the nature and landscape change into an arid and beige wonderland, complete with a unique ecosystem that is completely different from that of the north of the country.

You can find green landscapes present throughout the entire country but its percentage varies depending on whether you’re in the north or the south.

30. Usage of Tuff in Architecture

A unique architectural material that defines Armenian architecture is the volcanic stone ‘tuff’. Tuff has been widely used in Armenia for centuries as construction material and it’s also used in art and in some other spheres.

The capital of Armenia, Yerevan, is known as a pink city because the main material that was used to build it was pink volcanic tuff stone and it illuminates the city in a hue of the same color during certain times of the day.

But tuff is not only pink, but it also has other colors as well. Black tuff was used to build the old city of Gyumri and the architecture in Gyumri stands out like no other in the country of Armenia!

31. Sidewalk Cafes in Yerevan Saturate the Streets

Yerevan has a great cafe culture , and it is one of the main attractions of the city. You can cafes everywhere, especially in the city center and it really gives the city a charming and cozy feeling.

Saryan Street , or ‘wine street’, is one of those places where little wine shops line up the sidewalk and both locals and travelers can enjoy the charming atmosphere of an evening in Yerevan.

Yerevan Cascade is a huge platform of stairs and one of the gems of the city. At the Cascades, you can also experience great cafe culture through different indoor and outdoor cafes and restaurants.

In general, Yerevan is a city of sidewalk cafes and the choice is huge!

32. Visa to Armenia

Do you need a visa for Armenia?   You might be surprised.

While the country is open to so many foreigners and for long durations of time (as an American, I have very lenient laws about being in Armenia), other nationalities are not quite as lucky.

For example, passport holders from Canada and India both need to apply for an Armenian visa (e-visas) in advance.  Rules are constantly changing, so be sure to check before your trip to see if you need a visa or not.

Click here to see the updated list at the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

33. Architecture in Armenia

In our opinion, one of the coolest things about visiting Armenia is seeing the dynamic range of architecture in the country.

As mentioned earlier in the post, pink tuff or black tuff was a commonly used building material in Armenia and the traces of that are evident, especially in Yerevan and Gyumri.

Another interesting thing about the architecture in Armenia is that you can see so many influences throughout history based on the buildings and ruins.

When people think about architecture in Armenia, monasteries typically come to mind.  Or, Soviet architecture.  We could go into excessive detail about Armenian architecture and will need to do so in another post in the near future.  But, do know that the architecture here is extremely fascinating and many prolific buildings represent different eras of history and styles.

Soviet Architecture in Armenia

Many foreigners flock to Armenia to see the country’s Soviet architecture.  A lot of Soviet pieces have held up well in Armenia due to the construction with durable and tough materials and the Armenian influence on many pieces of Soviet architecture is unique compared to anywhere else in the former USSR.

Again, we will have an entire post on this in the near future but some of the most popular Soviet architecture in Armenia masterpieces are: the Cascades, Yerevan Central Railway Station , Zvartnots Airport Tower (original), Sevan Writers’ House, Moscow Cinema, Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory, Gyumri Shirak Airport, Jermuk cultural center, and much, much more.

34. Armenian Food and Drink

One of the greatest things about Armenia is its food and cuisine.  Food in Armenia is light and makes use of seasonal and local ingredients better than most cuisines these days.

You will find that Armenian food will feel a bit familiar and a bit foreign, all at the same time.  There are influences from Iran, Russia, Turkey, the Middle East, and Georgia in the cuisine, but many of these ‘familiarities’ are traced back so that the food either comes from these areas or Armenia actually influenced certain dishes in the aforementioned places.

Nevertheless, the Armenian food is insanely good in winter or in summer!

Vegetables and fruits in Armenia are juicy and flavorful.  You will find a heavy usage of meat but also a heavy usage of vegetables, making the country fairly ideal for vegetarians without any intent to do so.

Some very popular dishes to try in Armenia are as follows:

• spas (a yogurt-like soup with mint and other herbs)
• kufta (pounded meat dish with tons of flavor – two types in Armenia: ishli or Echmiadzin)
• ghapama (rice with dried fruits and lavash cooked inside of a pumpkin or gourd – eaten in winter)
• khash (a soup made from boiled cow or sheep parts – eaten in late autumn or winter in the mornings)
• plov with dried fruits (rice with dried fruits)
• dolma (grape leave stuffed with deliciousness such as rice, meat, and veggies)
• basooc dolma (vegetarian dolma)
• lyulya kebab (minced meat grilled with other flavors and spices)
• khorovats ( Armenian BBQ )
• gata (a sweet pastry that is highly addictive due to its deliciousness)
• harissa (a porridge with pulled meat served with butter… this is not like North African harissa!)
• lahmajo (an eastern style pizza – often referred to as ‘Turkish pizza’ in western Europe)
• summer salad (a garden salad made with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and herbs)
• zhingyalov hats (a bread stuffed with many green herbs originating from Artsakh and Syunik region)
• basturma (dried and spiced meat)
• bakhlava (common across many places in this region)

Obviously, with all of these prepared items above come some other specific items like Armenian cheese , condiments, pickled veggies, and more.  Armenian food truly is the best and there is something to satisfy everyone.

Ingredients in Armenian Cuisine

While the above detailed specific dishes, we thought it would be necessary to list some common ingredients you’ll find in Armenia.

Yes, many are vegetables and you can easily find vegetarian food in Yerevan , but you do need to ask to double-check no meat or animal products were used when ordering if you’re vegan or vegetarian (a lot of food here is ‘accidentally’ vegan or vegetarian).

The ingredients listed are ones that you will see often across several dishes.

Here are some popular ingredients in Armenian cuisine:

• Cilantro (coriander)
• Pomegranate
• Salt (Armenians use a lot of salt!)
• Lavash (Armenian bread)

35. Armenian Coffee

Armenians love their coffee and you will likely be served it a couple of times a day if you’re hanging around a local.  Armenian coffee is similar to coffee you’ll find in other countries in the region and even in the Balkans (often referred to as Turkish coffee… but you will never refer to it that way here).

You can buy bags of freshly grounded coffee at all grocery stores and several shops in the city.  You will need a jazzve (way to cook the coffee on a stovetop) and a small cup to serve it into.

Are you into specialty coffee?  Don’t worry – Yerevan has third-wave coffee shops too!

The rest is history!

We hope that this guide will help you prepare a bit for your trip to Armenia , or at least give you an overview of things we think will be helpful before you visit Armenia.  If you have any additional questions, please leave a comment below or send us an email.  We are happy to help!

Visit Armenia FAQ

Is it safe to visit armenia.

Armenia is one of the safest countries in the world, often appearing in the Top 10 safest countries list. Armenians are kind and hospitable people who will help tourists in case of any issues.

Is Armenia good for tourists?

Armenia is one of the most beautiful and off-the-path destinations in the Caucasus region. The country is one of the birthplaces of wine, has numerous UNESCO historical sites, and boasts stunning nature and mountains. Additionally, Armenian cuisine is delicious and fresh.

Is Armenia safe for female tourists?

Armenia is safe for solo female travelers. The country is marked safe for women to travel in several female traveling websites like Travel Ladies.

Are people friendly in Armenia?

Armenian people are some of the most friendly and hospitable you will ever meet. According to Lonely Planet, Armenians may invite you to their homes, cook for you, and help you if necessary because they highly value guests.

Do they speak English in Armenia?

According to some studies, approximately 40% of Armenians speak English. When it comes to advanced English skills, approximately 5% of the population in Armenia is proficient in English.

What is the Armenian Currency?

The Armenian currency is the Armenian Dram (Դրամ) – AMD. The currency used in Armenia after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

This guide was aimed at foreigners unfamiliar with Armenia, its food, culture, and history.  This is not a guide written for Armenians… so if we explain customs or food in a way that an Armenian may not like, we did it with the intent to help those traveling here.  Thanks in advance!

Read Other Articles Before You Visit Armenia

• How to Learn Armenian
• Armenian Funny (Strange) Expressions
• Differences Between Eastern and Western Armenian 

PIN IT FOR LATER!

11 thoughts on “ 35 Very Useful Things to Know Before You Visit Armenia ”

Very interesting and informative article. I am a quarter Armenian living in the U.S. I grew up with more exposure to the other side of my heritage and am now interested in learning more about my Armenian culture. You have inspired me to start digging deeper and, hopefully, plan an adventure someday.

Very informative. Hoping to visit Armenia in the near future. Thank you

is so loving i will love to visit Armenia to see all this by myself .

Honestly, it was the Duduk recording that led me to Google Armenia. The sound is very mystical, “bringing me to the mountain forest of Caucasus”. I wish to visit this interesting and historical country one day. By the way, I am from bali, Indonesia.

After reading this I want to go to Armenia…tomorrow! Actually I plan a road trip on my motorcycle from Greece to Armenia for this summer. I have one question, how things are with stray dogs in Armenia? I’ve read several negative stories about its population and attacks to people. How things are today? Thank you in advance

My new bus driver in montreal, canada, is armenian. He is a lovely man and you have shown me all about his country. Thank you for all your information.

🙂 You are Welcome!

Great work. Thanks.

We are visiting Armenia (Yerevan) next week. You article is very elaborate and informative as one should feel a complete tour to the country after reading. Appreciate your efforts Aram & Megan. Thank you.

Thank you! 🙂

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• 🇦🇲 Learn Armenian

Armenia Travel Tips: 12 Super Useful Things to Know For Your Very First Visit

August 12, 2022 May 17, 2019 | Paroma

Are you visiting Armenia for the first time and have a zillion questions on traveling there? Then, my friend, you’ve come to the right place where I’ve demystified traveling to this lesser known destination in the caucasus with 12 invaluable Armenia travel tips. Read to find out everything you need to know before you go to Armenia for the very first time!

WHY VISIT ARMENIA?

Armenia is that small landlocked country in the southern caucasus which often gets overlooked in favor of its neighboring countries (Georgia and Turkey ) when it comes to tourism and that is a real shame .

A country trying to come on its own from behind the curtains of the Soviet-era hangover with historic sites showcasing its religious heritage, jaw dropping natural vistas, a rich tradition of arts and a bounty of wine and delicious cuisine, there is no doubt that there needs to be more of Armenia on all travel bucket lists .

Since Armenia has not quite jumped on to the bandwagon of tourism yet, creating an Armenia itinerary can seem a little daunting due to relative scarcity of travel information out there. Hopefully, this Armenia travel tips guide , based on our amazing summer travel experience , will walk you through the things you need to know for your very first trip to this Eurasian country .

Although not exhaustive by any means, I hope these super helpful and practical travel tips and resources act as that much needed nudge/launchpad for you to discover the true beauty of this underrated country and its many wonders.

Disclaimer: My blog posts may contain some affiliate links. Clicking on them may earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you for purchase of the product. Thank you!

1. ARMENIA TRAVEL TIPS FOR FIRST TIME VISITORS: VISA REQUIREMENTS

For US Citizens: U.S. citizens are allowed visa-free entry to Armenia for up to 180 days per year. Visit the website of the  Embassy of Armenia  for the most current visa information.

For Indian citizens: Armenia’s stellar visa on arrival policy for Indian citizens is exactly what put it right up there on my summer travel destination list. But why wait to get a visa on arrival when you can easily obtain an Armenian e-visa online within three days of application? All you need to do is scan your passport, and provide information on your travel plans (hotel bookings, flight tickets etc) to get that visa pronto.

The cost of a single entry visa is 7 USD. For all other countries, here is official Armenia consular services link to determine your visa requirements. Please be in possession of a printed copy of the visa when you arrive at the customs and do not discard it until after your return.

BEST MONTH TO VISIT ARMENIA

Armenia is landlocked, and understandably experiences extremes of temperatures. Summers are very hot with temperatures rising as high as 104F (40C) while the mercury can really plunge to super lows in winter with heavy snowfall in some parts of the country. The shoulder months of April/May and September/October are best for visiting when the weather is relatively cooler.

We got a full day of rain when we visited in early May but besides that, the days were pretty warm and sunny with temperatures soaring to nearly 80 F (27C) at noon. October is also when Armenia hosts its Areni wine festival (to promote the much needed wine tourism) which is a no-brainer excuse to visit.

TRAVEL TIPS FOR ARMENIA: ARE THERE DIRECT FLIGHTS FROM USA TO ARMENIA?

Getting to Armenia is not a breeze, and is perhaps one of its most woeful deterrents towards tourism, cause it ain’t easy to just hop in there. Besides fewer airlines flying into this country as compared to other parts of Europe, there are no direct flights from USA to Armenia, with Moscow (Russia) being a frequent stopover point.

As an Indian passport holder (this was in 2019), I was not too keen to navigate through the requirements of a layover at Moscow and so I chose Air France (San Francisco-Paris-Yerevan) for our trip ( Indian citizens do not need a transit visa at CDG airport if they have a valid visa for their final destination and are not exiting the airport ). There are some direct flights to Yerevan from different parts of Europe such as Paris (France), Moscow (Russia), Warsaw (Poland), Istanbul (Turkey) and Kyiv (Ukraine).

There are no direct flights from India either but several airlines such as Etihad, Emirates and other have one stop flights from New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Chennai.  Here is a list of all airlines that fly to Yerevan, the capital city (Zvartnots international airport/EVN).

TRAVELING TO ARMENIA? HERE IS HOW TO GET THE DRAM (ARMENIAN CURRENCY)

This is one of the most important Armenia travel tips to take note of, and that is its currency that is hard to get elsewhere, especially if you are visiting from USA. The Armenian currency is the DRAM (AMD) which is designated as “exotic currency” by US banks if you are planning to get hold of some before you leave and is really difficult to obtain.

Even after trying two weeks ahead of time, none of our banks (mainstream US banking giants) could provide the currency but that is hardly an issue for your Armenia visit. Starting all the way from Yerevan airport to the many “exchange” centers (you cannot miss the bold neon sign proclaiming the same) scattered all over the city center, there are several places for quick cash currency exchange (no cards accepted for exchange though).

We found the exchange rate to be better at the latter than the airport. If you have an international debit card that does not charge a foreign transaction fee, there are ATMs at the exchange center for fast withdrawal of cash. 

ARMENIA ITINERARY TIPS: PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN YEREVAN (CAPITAL)

Yerevan, the largest city of Armenia, is also its capital and honestly, there are so many amazing things to do in Yerevan itself. A city with all its post Soviet vibes intact (Armenia gained freedom after nearly 70 long years of Soviet rule that lasted from 1922-1991 till the collapse of erstwhile USSR), Yerevan is pretty sprawled out and has a public transportation boasting of buses, trolley buses (much like the MUNI trams in San Francisco) as well as a Metro line with 10 stops.

Many attractions are centered around Republic square/city center and are easily navigable by foot. Although Yerevan was our “base camp” for the entire 5 out of 7 days of our visit, we actually explored the city for about 2 days using solely cabs which were super cheap (thanks to the exchange rate), clean, safe and which ferried us to our destination in a jiffy. The drivers, despite their little to no knowledge in English, were very courteous and friendly.

Getting around in Yerevan via cab is super easy and there are two main taxi services: GG taxi and Yandex , which everyone swears by. Both taxi services have apps that can be downloaded on your phone and function pretty much like Uber and Lyft.

However, you need a local number to use the app and in the next section I will tell you exactly how to get one. We exclusively went for the pre-paid GG taxi (where you can link your credit card) while you pay via cash for Yandex. One thing to keep in mind is that GG taxi is mostly functional within city limits but Yandex has a wider reach.

TIPS FOR FIRST TIME TRAVELERS TO ARMENIA: GETTING AND USING A SIM CARD

Getting a SIM card is the one most important Armenia travel tips that I can offer and one that you need to do to have a seamless travel experience in the country: from getting an app based shared ride to calling up for restaurant reservations to GPS navigation if you rent a car.

This life changing hack is easily obtained at any of the Beeline mobile services (they have a kiosk at the airport when you exit the customs) all over the city, with shiny offices near the Republic square. All you need is a handset/mobile phone where a SIM can be inserted (they will do it for you) and your passport as identity document. We used in iPhone 7 for our purpose that worked like a charm!

TRAVELING TO ARMENIA? GET THE YEREVAN CARD

The Yerevan card, though not much advertised, is the official tourist pass that can be purchased for those staying Yerevan for a longer duration and keen to exploring its many museums and tours without coughing up a fee for every attraction.

Passes are available for 24-72 hours along with an unlimited time option (ranging from $24-51) that is valid for 12 months from the time of purchase allow free entry to 20 museums and attractions, free participation in official city tours and subway and taxi rides. Plus it can also be used to get substantial discounts at many partner stores for shopping and dining.

The card can be purchased online or in person at one of the many sales points in the city and at the airport ( see map here ) and comes with a bumper package of a guide book, mobile card for internet, tour and transportation transfer coupons and a city map.

You can also download a handy app to navigate through the different attractions in the city. Here are the complete details on the many benefits of the Yerevan card and how to use it.

ARMENIA GUIDE FOR FIRST TIMERS: WHAT SHOULD YOU WEAR IN ARMENIA

Yerevan is like any other modern 21st century capital city, with younger people dressed in casual to dressy western wear (dresses, short skirts, pants, jeans, shorts) and older folks donning a more modest attire.

There is a conservative stance in this Christian country and although not very apparent in the capital, it is more evident in smaller towns encountered during day trips from Yerevan to visit a plethora of monasteries and cathedrals.

The Armenian Apostolics church is conservative and so modest attire (no skimpy clothes or super short skirts/shorts) as well as a headscarf is required to enter many monasteries in and around Yerevan. I lived in my linen pants and shirts/blouses throughout my trip to keep me cool and also carried a midi dress and skirt ( here is a skirt with pockets ) to change things up.

Since it gets really hot during the day when visiting in summer, sunscreen and shades/sunnies are a must as is an umbrella if you are visiting in spring and encounter showers. Also, don’t forget that snazzy yet uber-functional camera bag to tuck in your photography gear cause there is so much to click away for in Armenia.

WHERE TO STAY IN ARMENIA: HOTELS AND B&BS

There is no dearth of hotels in Yerevan and thanks again to the exchange rate, you get to stay at pretty swanky hotels right near the Republic square (in the heart of the city) for unbelievably cheap nightly rates of less than $100 per night (ours ranged from $73-83/night since we stayed at two different hotels over 7 days). Many of these hotels have a lavish breakfast spread which is a bargain for additional price of $8-10/person. 

I highly recommend either Ibis Yerevan center (excellent location, non smoking rooms, parking available, but breakfast is not included in room charges) or the even more stellar Boulevard hotel (amazing breakfast spread , fantastic location overlooking a park and rooms with balconies) for your stay. Both hotels are within 3-5 minutes walking distance from Republic square and are very reasonably priced for the amenities they offer.

Besides Yerevan, we stayed overnight at Gyumri, the second largest city in Armenia. Here we opted for a small B&B with a nightly charge of $17 (basic room with adjacent bathroom) and the host prepared an amazing dinner and breakfast spread for us for an additional $10/person which is ridiculously cheap for the amount and quality of food (all home cooked) that we got to eat.

All our other visits in Armenia were day trips and did not require overnight accommodation. Hotel prices may increase in summer due to greater number of tourists but given the strength of the Dram, I don’t expect them to skyrocket.

WHAT IS TRADITIONAL FOOD IN ARMENIA?

One can never fully grasp a new culture without partaking of its food, and you’ll be missing out on a major life experience if you pass up on Armenian cuisine which is downright delicious. Although Eastern Armenian food dominates in Yerevan, Western Armenian (the one under the Ottoman rule) is making a comeback.

Meat, especially beef, is a major part of Armenian cuisine but most restaurants have at least some vegetarian options in soups, salads and entrees comprising mainly of walnuts, eggplants, grilled veggies, mushrooms, eggs and spindleweed (a type of greens). For my vegetarian friends, here is the Happy Cow website detailing on where to get vegan/vegetarian options.

In general, I highly recommend trying Armenian specialties such as Tolmas (Armenian dolmas; they typically contain beef but veggie options may be available), Lahmajuns (Armenian thin crust pizzas again with beef but you can also get a chicken option), tan (Armenian yoghurt drink much like the Indian Lassi/Turkish Ayran/Persian Doog), Ghapama (a sweet-ish entree comprising of rice cooked in a pumpkin-vegetarian) and Gata (an Armenian sweet bread).

Besides Armenian, Georgian cuisine is also quite popular in Yerevan and I highly recommend trying Khinkali (Georgian dumplings which are available with vegetarian/mushroom or cheese filling) as well as Khachapuri (cheese and egg bread) for variety. 

Lest I forget, tap water is completely drinkable in Armenia . Restaurants do not provide water unless requested which is bottled (still or sparkling) and is not free. It is best to carry a water bottle with tap water from your hotel if you don’t want to pay for water at restaurants.

Almost all our meals (with the exception of our trip to Gyumri) were in Yerevan and although we could simply walk in for breakfast and lunch, that was not always the case for dinner where we had to either wait or were turned away since some restaurants were at full capacity or were holding reservations for other patrons.

Unless you are having an early dinner (before 7 PM), I highly recommend making a reservation by calling as most restaurants do not have the provision of online reservation. The other thing to note is that SMOKING IN PUBLIC PLACES IS (UNFORTUNATELY) VERY ACCEPTABLE in Armenia, including restaurants. If inhaling second hand smoke is not part of your dining plans, then make sure you don’t go to restaurants that do not have a non-smoking section.

DRIVING AND PARKING IN ARMENIA

Driving in Yerevan is not a big challenge for seasoned drivers since the road rules are the same as USA, the streets are in good condition with signs in both English and Armenian and the traffic is not crazy bad.

For short day trips outside of Yerevan (30-45 min drives), a GPS guided navigation system is needed (which is why that SIM card is important) because not all freeway signs are in English.

Parking is kind of dodgy in the city as well as near historic landmarks (monasteries). Within the city, it is best to park the car in the parking space provided by the hotel; in our case Ibis provided parking but we could park in front of Boulevard with no problem.

We found the parking situation to be a bit shady (for lack of a better word) both in Yerevan and while visiting places/landmarks outside the city. Now, this is based on our personal experience and might not be the same for everyone and everywhere, so please do not hold me to it with a Kalashnikov.

To begin with, finding parking around the main city center/Republic square in Yerevan is not very easy and you really have to be on the lookout for a parking spot because it is one of the most crowded areas in the city. If you plan on renting a car, make sure your hotel has a designated parking lot to make your life easier.

When we did find parking at clearly marked spots with a huge “P” for parking sign, there were no parking meters adjacent to the parked cars. Instead, we found someone manning the parking area who simply took 200 Drams from us after we returned without throwing in a big fuss about the time (truth be told, he did not even rattle away any hourly parking rate).

The same goes for parking in lots adjacent to some of the monasteries (such as Garni temple, Geghard monastery and Sevanavank monastery at lake Sevan) if you are driving to them on your own. Although these lots are technically “free” (no prepaid ticket booths or meters), we always found someone manning them like hawks and demanding 200 Drams without giving any parking slip in return.

Since we did not know the language (Armenian or Russian) we could not argue about paying, but we figured out that if you park some distance away and not in the actual parking lot, then you don’t have to pay a dime. I am just throwing this in here to make first time tourists aware that parking is the only thing that seemed a bit “improvised” to us and it is best to be have some change on you to give the “unofficial” parking lot attendant if you end up parking in the designated parking lot.

ARMENIA ITINERARY TIPS: WHAT TO SEE OUTSIDE OF YEREVAN

Armenia is filled with dozens of historic sites and landmarks, many of which are located outside of Yerevan. Resident travel writer Megan Starr’s post details at least 25 such places of interest which also served as my very first post while formulating an Armenia itinerary . Many of these places can be covered as easy day trips from Yerevan as I have detailed in a separate post .

Having been badly burned by our inexperience during our first international trip to Turkey in 2013 when we tried to fit in a lot of day tours and that too back to back in consecutive days that left us exhausted, we decided to be smarter with our schedule this time during our Armenia visit .

With Yerevan as our base, we interspersed our exploration of the capital city with a few day trips every other day which we accomplished either by renting a car (see tips # 10 and 12 for car rental and parking) or via a conducted tour (details in tip #12). With 7 days in hand, we managed to hit most of the major attractions in Armenia without feeling rushed. For reference, our itinerary was as follows:

Day 1: Explore Yerevan

Day 2: Visit monasteries of Khor-Virap, Noravank and Tatev (via 14 hr conducted tour to and from Yerevan)

Day 3: Explore Yerevan and Echmiadzin (25 min from Yerevan)

Day 4: Take the train to Gyumri (second largest city in Armenia) with overnight stay

Day 5: return to Yerevan from Gyumri

Day 6: Visit Garni temple and Geghard monastery

Day 7: Visit Lake Sevan and Dilijan.

HOW TO PLAN TOURS FROM YEREVAN FOR DAY TRIPS

One of the major roadblocks in Armenia’s tourism development is undoubtedly lack of proper transportation arrangements for traveling all over the country and for day trips from Yerevan to see the famous monasteries.  One option is finding marshrutkas in different parts of the city to visit these attractions, some of which like the Tatev monastery are in pretty far flung places.

The dusty marshrutkas (shared minivans) appear to be the favorite way to travel here and all you have to do is find out where they leave from in different parts of the city to go to your destination of choice, pay in cash for the fare and wait till it fills up (usually with 15-20 passengers at a time) to depart.

Personally having survived a 2 hour road trip on a marshrutka from Gyumri to Yerevan where my intestines got all knotted up as this van hurled down the bumpy roads at breakneck speed, all I can say is that I am not going to do it again unless it involves a situation as dire as putting a firearm to my head. This is definitely not as bad as being jammed in a crowded vehicle as you may encounter in India, but is nevertheless a pretty rough ride.

The second mode of transportation is to travel via train to other cities such as Gyumri, Armavir, Araks, Yeraskh and even into Tbilisi, Georgia from Yerevan.

Trains depart every day from the Sasuntsi Davit station (Yerevan train station) and there are express/electric trains that go to Gyumri on weekends (Fri-Sunday) with much fewer stops. Tickets can be purchased on the very day of travel. Here is the Yerevan train schedule for different destinations (we took the regular train on a weekday to Gyumri).

The third option in this Armenia travel tips guide for exploring the country is by renting a car. Car rental is pretty easy in Yerevan with American companies such as Enterprise (right next to Ibis Yerevan center) doing business here. Armenia has both right and left wheel drive available and no international license is needed for US drivers licence holders. Our rental cost came to about $112 for two days with insurance.

There is much more paperwork to be done with additional fees of $40 and a extra safety deposit (that is refunded upon car return) for driving into Georgia. The only drawback of this entire process is that unlike USA where you are in and out of the rental office in minutes with the car keys, here the process is manual and takes quite some time to get the keys.

The fourth and most painless (albeit more expensive) way of exploring Armenia  is going on conducted day tours from Yerevan to see the most popular monasteries such as Khor Virap, Noravank and Tatev.

Although there are several vans around Republic square plastered with every conceivable day tour option, I highly recommend going with Hyur Services which is one of the premier tour companies in Yerevan. Like me, they have been tried by several other travelers and I can honestly vouch for their professionalism and efficiency.

Hyur services have several different day trip group tour options which can be pre-booked (you have to pay by credit card at least one day in advance to finalize the trip by visiting their office on Nalbandyan street in the city center) and they do all the legwork as you sit in one of their large, comfortable buses for a day trip with a super knowledgeable guide fluent in English (tours are multilingual and offered in English, Armenian and Russian).

This is especially useful for traveling to far off attractions such as Noravank and Tatev monasteries  (2-4 hrs drive one way from Yerevan along a dangerously upward winding and hilly terrain) that would be one hellish ride on a marshrutka with self driving being too dangerous.

LOCAL WEBSITES AND ARMENIA TRAVEL RESOURCES

As I wrap up this post in Armenia travel tips, I’d like to leave you with some valuable travel resources and website links that are repositories for all Armenia related information, from sightseeing to dining to lodging and transportation. These are:

a) Absolute Armenia : A website single-handedly dedicated to showcasing the best of Armenia with an aim to promote responsible tourism. 

b) Impact Yerevan Hub : Think of this initiative as the “square space” of Yerevan where young locals not only work in shared space but also provide insider tips on the best of Yerevan, from dining to shopping to bars to other happening events. I picked up one of their yellow maps from our hotel (Ibis Yerevan center) and it was a game changer for me. Check out their Facebook page for upcoming events in Yerevan and the best places to dine, drink and shop when in the capital.

c) The official tourism website of Armenia for all aspects of traveling in Armenia and exploring a plethora of upcoming festivals and events.

WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW BEFORE VISITING ARMENIA: FAQs

How do i get a visa for armenia from the us.

US Citizens can travel to Armenia visa free for 180 days. For several other countries including India, Armenia has a visa on arrival policy or an e-visa policy. Here is all the updated information you need to find out if your country is on the visa-exempt list or if you’re required to get a visa to enter Armenia.

Is it safe for US citizens to travel to Armenia?

Having traveled to Armenia in 2019 and friends who live currently in Armenia (my blogger friend Megan Starr who runs Absolute Armenia with her business partner Aram), I can confidently say that Armenia is safe to travel currently as of 2022, without any major political turmoil roiling the country. Armenians are very nice, friendly and welcoming people and would appreciate you boosting their economy via tourism.

Is Armenia a Schengen country? Is Armenia in Europe or Asia?

Armenia is not part of the Schengen zone in Europe. Armenia is culturally and politically considered a part of Europe although it is in the Southern Caucasus which puts it geographically in the Eurasia transcontinental zone.

Is Schengen visa valid for Armenia?

Armenia is not part of the Schengen territory in Europe. You cannot use a Schengen visa to enter Armenia if your country is included in the list of those that require a visa to enter Armenia (this excludes US citizens).

Is Armenia open to US tourists?

Yes, as of 2022 Armenia is open to US tourists via both land and air.

Do Armenians speak English?

You won’t have any problems in the capital city of Yerevan where people in general speak good to conversational English. Despite having zero knowledge of Russian and Armenian (I can only say “Spasiba” and “Dasvidaniya”), we did just fine in places outside of Yerevan as well. Armenians are very friendly and many outside Yerevan can speak some English.

Is Armenia worth visiting?

I cannot stress enough on how beautiful and undiscovered Armenia is. With a cultural rich heritage that dates back to hundreds of years, amazing historic landmarks that are still not swamped by selfie loving crowds and unparalleled food and wine, Armenia is a must visit and I hope my Armenia travel tips guide will inspire you to do so.

What is Armenia famous for?

Armenia is famous for its heritage landmarks such as its unique churches, the beautiful city of Yerevan, lots of good food and wine.

What should I wear in Armenia?

Armenia is a conservative country. Dress modestly. Midi dresses and skirts as well as jeans/full length pants with short sleeve or full sleeve blouses are good options for women. Short skirts and shorts are generally not preferred, especially outside Yerevan (you won’t be allowed inside churches in that attire). Carry a scarf cause you may have to cover your head in certain churches. 

Is Armenia expensive to travel?

Armenia is one of the top budget travel destinations in the world, especially for US citizens and those in Europe whose currency is the Euro. As of August 2022, the exchange rate is 406 AMD to 1 USD, 416.5 AMD to 1 Euro and 5.1 AMD to 1 Indian Rupee. Clearly, visiting Armenia is good for your wallet!

What currency is used in Armenia?

Armenian currency is the Dram (AMD).

Do’s and Don’ts in Armenia

• Dress modestly
• Expect to encounter smoking in restaurants and outdoors
• Have cash on hand for parking
• Opt for conducted tours for day trips, driving in Armenia can be challenging for first timers
• Definitely get a SIM card at Yerevan airport
• Get the Yerevan Card for savings on major attractions in the city
• Bring a headscarf (women) when visiting churches
• Pick up a bottle of wine for home (Armenia is one of the oldest wine growing regions in the world)
• Armenia is a conservative Christian country-please be mindful of their religious and political views

Is Yerevan safe for tourists?

Absolutely! We spent five full days in Yerevan and were never worried about our safety. The crime index is low for the city and we did not have any issues with pickpocketing or other tourism scams that plague big, touristy cities in Europe such as Barcelona or Paris or Rome.

I hope you enjoyed reading this detailed post on tips and resources to help plan your first Armenia trip . Armenia is a magical place to visit and in this world plagued with overcrowding and mass tourism, is a gem waiting to be discovered and savored minus the crazy crowds.

Despite the few inconveniences that you may encounter (more like kinks that need to be smoothed out), you will have a great time in the country exploring its many glorious sights, sounds and flavors!  There’s been no better time to visit Armenia than now and I hope this post helps make that happen for you.

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6 thoughts on “Armenia Travel Tips: 12 Super Useful Things to Know For Your Very First Visit”

That’s great to hear that it is a perfect destination for Indian passport holders!

So cool to see some blog posts on Armenia!! Looks like such a cool place, I hope I can go one day 🙂

Love love love this! We are just beginning research to visit Armenia next year. This is so useful. I think it looks b beautiful!

Armenia has never been on my radar until I read this. Great post – really comprehensive & definitely makes me want to visit!

Thanks for sharing. Armenia has never been on our radar and given your comments about the roads I’m not sure I’d like to take our 7.5metre long motorhome there. The smoking reminds me a bit of Morocco where we also encountered smoking in restaurants. I guess they’ve still got to catch up with world view about such things. X

A very informative post! I’d never thought about visiting Armenia, but it looks so interesting. It has been added to my very long list of places to go.

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27 Armenia Travel Tips – all you need to know about visiting Armenia

Last Updated on 15/05/2024 by kami

Are you planning a trip to Armenia? Good choice! This is one of the most fascinating countries with a rich history, beautiful landscapes, hospitable people and some amazing monuments.

Before you start planning your Armenia itinerary with a bunch of awesome places to visit in Armenia I have some valid practical information you might need.

I was lucky to visit Armenia around 10 times by now (I already lost the count) and I’m sure I will be returning there in future too. This country has something magnetic that draws you back over and over again.

I’m sure you will discover it too when you travel to Armenia.

Armenia essentials

Planning a trip to Armenia? Here are the services I always use and personally recommend:

• Accommodation : I always book a place to stay on Booking.com
• Tours: when I decide to go on a tour I either use Viator
• Get insured for your trip to Armenia with SafetyWing

Armenia travel tips

So, without any further ado, here are some Armenia travel tips that you will find useful when visiting Armenia.

If you still have any questions join my Facebook group about traveling in this region and ask there – it’s a friendly and knowledgeable community that is a wonderful source of information!

And now, onto the tips.

Where is Armenia

Armenia is a landlocked country in the Caucasus region, bordering with Turkey in the west, Georgia in the north, Azerbaijan in the east and Iran in the south (however the borders with Turkey and Azerbaijan are closed for political reasons).

Until 1991, when it regained independence, Armenia was part of the Soviet Union at its south-west edge.

The capital city of Armenia is Yerevan with 1,1 million inhabitants (over 1/3 of the country’s population). It is located in the central part of the country, near the border with Turkey.

Why visit Armenia

You might be wondering why you should visit Armenia. The country might not be as spectacular or diverse as neighboring Georgia or Iran but it definitely has a lot to offer.

Armenia is the first country in the world that took Christianity as the state religion, in the year 301. Today you can visit many beautiful monasteries strewn around the country, many of them are centuries old and are a great history lesson. To get to one of the most famous monasteries – Tatev – you need to take the longest cable car in the world!

The landscape of Armenia is a bit harsh but beautiful. You can find here some incredible rock formations, like the so-called “symphony of the stones”, deep canyons, stone villages that look a bit like Cappadocia and more!

Lake Sevan is among the highest-located lakes in the world, with an altitude of 1,900 meters above sea level.

And then there is Yerevan , the capital city. It might not be a beautiful place in the classical definition but it’s a great city and offers so much that you need at least two days to get to know it in the slightest.

Armenia has a long and interesting (although tragic) history and very rich culture and traditions. You will learn a lot about it from friendly locals who are very proud of their national identity.

Last but not least – the food! Armenia is known for its fresh produce and everything you try is simply delicious! Some of the best dishes I’ve tried were in Armenia and the food itself is a good reason for me to book a ticket to Yerevan.

How to get to Armenia

Fortunately, getting to Armenia has become easier and cheaper, with low-cost airlines opening routes to Yerevan and Gyumri (second biggest city, located in the north-west part of the country). Therefore, the easiest way to travel to Armenia is flying.

You can choose from numerous connections from airports in Europe, Russia or the Middle East.

I usually fly with LOT Polish Airlines, they might not be the cheapest (but occasionally have some good deals that I always take advantage of) but they fly directly from Warsaw which is very convenient for me.

Low-cost airlines, Wizzair and Ryanair, operate or will operate from Vienna , Vilnius , Berlin , Milan, Rome , Thessaloniki (Yerevan bound flights) or Athens and Memmingen (Gyumri bound flights).

If you wish to travel overland to Armenia you can only enter the country from Georgia and Iran as borders with Turkey and Azerbaijan have been closed for years for political reasons.

You can take the bus from Teheran to Yerevan, it’s supposed to be rather comfortable but the whole journey takes 24 hours so that might be a bit too long in the bus going through narrow roads in the south of Armenia.

When I did this trip, in reverse, I was supposed to take the bus but since I had issues with visa to Iran and had to obtain one on arrival I needed to go to Tbilisi and fly to Tehran from there. The whole journey took me around 24 hours too…

Getting to Armenia from Georgia is much easier and you have three ways of transportation to choose from when you go from Tbilisi to Yerevan: minivan, marshrutka, and train.

After numerous journeys on Tbilisi – Yerevan – Tbilisi route, I can vouch for minivan – it’s the fastest and the most comfortable. Night train from Tbilisi to Yerevan is a fine option too, especially that you save time on the journey and money on accommodation.

Click here to read all about getting from Tbilisi to Yerevan.

You might also travel from Georgia to Gyumri. There is one marshrutka per day from Tbilisi, departing from Ortachala bus station at 10:30 in the morning. The night train from Tbilisi to Yerevan also stops in Gyumri, although in the middle of the night, at 03:50.

Another option is to take the marshrutka from Akhaltsikhe to Gyumri, using Bavra – Ninotsminda border crossing. There is one marshrutka per day, leaving from Akhaltsikhe in the morning.

Do you need a visa to Armenia?

Nationalities of most of the countries, including the European Union, the US, Australia, Russia, Ukraine , Brazil, Argentina and some Asian countries like Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan don’t need a visa to enter Armenia.

Citizens of Canada, most of the South American countries or South Africa can get a visa on arrival or e-visa. It costs 15.000 AMD (around $31 / €28).

Citizens of most African countries need a visa to Armenia and it has to be obtained in advance.

Click here to see all the details about the Armenian visa.

Crossing the border

Crossing the border to Armenia is easy and straightforward. You might be asked questions about your travel plans or accommodation but it’s nothing extraordinary in comparison to other borders.

Entering Armenia after visiting Azerbaijan

You might have heard some rumors about entering Armenia after visiting Azerbaijan. And yes, these countries are not in the most friendly relations, to put it nicely but it shouldn’t affect your travel plans.

You might be asked about your trip to Azerbaijan and the reasons behind your visit there but, as always, just tell the truth.

I visited Armenia twice after visiting Azerbaijan and never was questioned about my trip to the neighboring country, my many Armenian stamps raised some curious looks though.

How to get around Armenia

The biggest problem with visiting Armenia is getting around the country.

While you can easily travel between bigger cities, like Etchmiadzin, Gyumri, Sevan, Dilijan or Goris reaching some more remote destinations can be an issue. And the biggest attractions of Armenia usually are in those remote locations.

You might rent a car but roads in Armenia are often in a poor condition so driving might be a challenge. Not to mention crazy drivers that can wreck your nerves.

If you are not too confident or adventurous with driving I would reconsider your decision.

Fortunately, there are numerous affordable tours in Armenia, many of them operating as day trips from Yerevan. That’s also how I visited most of the Armenian highlights (I took public transport only to Gyumri and Dilijan).

You can use Yerevan as your base and do numerous day trips around. You might also go by public transport to one of the bigger cities, like Goris in the south, to use for your base to explore the area. I’m sure you would easily find a driver for a reasonable price there.

In and around Yerevan you can use the app called Yandex Taxi. It works like UBER, the only difference is you don’t need to register your card in the app and you can pay directly to the driver.

You can use Yandex Taxi if you want to go independently to places like Etchmiadzin, Zvartnots Cathedral, Zvartnots Airport, Garni temple or Geghard Monastery although if you are traveling alone tours might be cheaper.

Click here to find day trips from Yerevan.

Money in Armenia

The local currency is Armenian Drams – AMD. Currently (January 2020) 1000 AMD is worth $2,09 or €1,89.

If you want to exchange money your best bet is to bring American dollars or Euro. You can easily find exchange offices, especially in Yerevan. Those I know and used are at the corner of Northern Avenue and Teryan street or inside the shop at the corner of Tumanyan and Abovyan streets.

You can also easily pay by card in most of the places, especially in Yerevan. I usually take the money from ATMs and never had a single problem.

Language in Armenia

The official language of the country is Armenian. It uses its own alphabet that you can see only in Armenia – it looks like nothing you’ve seen before and you won’t be able to read the signs, but it is really beautiful.

Fortunately, English is widely spoken among young people, especially in Yerevan and you shouldn’t have many troubles with getting around. Knowing some Russian, even basics comes in handy too.

But even if you have some language problems local people are very friendly and will help you for sure.

Safety in Armenia

Armenia is one of the safest countries I’ve been to. I even visited the country during the Revolution in April 2018 and everything was fine.

Of course, things happen, like everywhere but there is nothing, in particular, you should be warned about. On the crime index, Armenia is doing very well, with low and very low rates.

The only problems you might have are with bribery and corruption but this is also changing. Driving in Armenia can be a bit crazy too so be careful if you drive around.

You might notice people staring at you, especially in less touristy places. They don’t have bad intentions, they are just curious as Armenia is still a developing country, also on the tourist scene. Just smile, say hello and you will immediately see people warming up.

Most of my trips to Armenia were solo and I didn’t have a single issue there. But this is the Caucasus, with very much male-oriented societies, so you might experience some unwanted attention and catcall. However, this is not as common as in some Middle East countries ( Iran and Egypt were sometimes a bit of a nightmare for me).

Just use your typical precautions and you should be fine. The general rule is don’t do stupid things that you wouldn’t do at home and I would just stick to it.

I’d also avoid hailing a cab from the street if you are traveling solo. In most of the cases, everything is fine but I’ve heard some unpleasant stories that ended up at talking only but still. Yandex Taxi is a much better option as just in case there is always the app that tracks your moves.

Best time to visit

I would recommend visiting Armenia in the warmer seasons, from April to October, with the exception of July and August. In the summer months, it’s simply too hot, the weather can be even over 40C (that’s why I’ve decided to cancel one of my trips to Armenia in August, I couldn’t imagine dealing with this heat).

Summer and autumn, on the other hand, are really pleasant, with warm and longish days that will let you enjoy Armenia to the fullest. I remember so many nice evenings in Yerevan, spent in the outdoor cafes, talking to friends, enjoying the warm breeze and falling in love with Yerevan more and more.

If you think about a trip to Armenia in winter it might be not a bad idea, however, I would avoid the very first week of January. That’s when I was in Yerevan during my last trip and 80% of shops, cafes, and restaurants and 100% of museums were closed.

There were moments when the capital felt like an abandoned city. I still enjoyed it, because that’s Yerevan, but for the first visit to the country, it might be a bit challenging and disappointing.

What to see

Armenia has a lot of attractions and everyone can find something interesting here.

There’s a vibrant and cosmopolitan capital – Yerevan.

There are also some impressive, centuries-old monasteries spread all over the country – some of them are located in some stunning, remote places (like my favorite one – Noravank).

You can also visit beautiful Lake Sevan, the second-largest city of Gyumri, charming Dilijan (often called “Armenian Switzerland”).

If you are looking for a Soviet vibe then Alaverdi is your answer. There are also some quirky places like the Monument of the Armenian Alphabet.

Click here to read all about places to visit in Armenia.

Armenia is a very affordable country and everything, from food to accommodation and from transport to activities has a very good price, especially if you compare it to Western prices.

To give you some examples:

• a good hotel in Yerevan (like R&R Hotel where I stayed last time, with the very central location, hearty breakfast, and modern design) – around $40
• Lunch in the restaurant – around $10 (4.000 AMD)
• Craft beer – $2-3 (around 1.000 AMD)
• Coffee – $2-3 (around 1.000 AMD)
• Train ticket from Yerevan to Gyumri – $2-$5 (1.000 – 2.5000 AMD), depending on the train
• Marshrutka from Yerevan to Dilijan – $2 (1.000 AMD)
• Bottle of water – $0,30 (around 150 AMD)
• 2 liters bottle of Coca Cola – $1,25 (600 AMD)
• Metro ride in Yerevan – $0,20 (100 AMD)
• Day trip from Yerevan to Lake Sevan – around $20 (around 10.000 AMD)
• A SIM card + 2 GB data – around $6 (2.800 AMD)
• Yandex taxi ride from the airport to the center of Yerevan around $3 (1.500 AMD)

Wifi is widely available in Yerevan and beyond. Basically every cafe and restaurant has wifi, you just need to ask for the password.

There is also free, public wifi available in some places like metro stations in Yerevan.

If you want internet data on your phone you need to get a local SIM card – it’s an easy process and the data package is affordable too. You only need a passport to do all the paperwork.

I usually get VIVA cell / MTS, there are two shops in central Yerevan (at Amiryan, near the Republic Square, and at Northern Avenue, close to the Opera) and in both, you should find someone speaking English. The whole paperwork takes maybe 5 minutes.

What to bring

Besides bringing with you typical things like the camera, power bank, the notebook, etc I recommend taking with you the reusable bottle. Water in Armenia is very good, you can easily drink tap water there.

If you are coming from outside of Europe you might need the power adapter to charge your phone, computer, etc.

Drinking water

All over the country, you will also find so-called “pulpulak” – the water fountains. They are such a strong part of the Armenian culture!

They are perfectly safe to use, the water often comes from the mountain springs. On a hot day, in the busy places, like Republic Square or Northern Avenue, you can often see the line of people waiting to take a sip from pulpulak.

Useful apps

Before your trip to Armenia, I recommend downloading these applications to your phone:

• maps.me – for very good offline maps that you can use everywhere
• Yandex Taxi – to easily get around Yerevan
• Google Translate – and download Russian languages for the offline use (right now in Poland Armenian is available only when using it online)

You will need all three of them, trust me.

What to eat and drink in Armenia

Armenian food is delicious, thanks to its fresh produce, and even such a simple dish like the grilled vegetable is to die for (the best one I had were at dots…)

You can’t leave Armenia without trying dolma, lavash, khorovats, ghapama or khash.

You might not know that Armenia is the oldest wine-making country in the world. First traces of the wine production date back over 6.000 years.

Not only you can try here the traditional wine from the grapes but also other fruit variations, like pomegranate, apricot or blackberry wines. They all have an interesting taste so be sure to try them all.

Armenia is also well-known for its brandy and some of the most important people in the world, like Stalin or Churchill, were big fans of it.

In Yerevan, you can tour the brandy company with the tasting at the end. The most popular Armenian brands are Ararat and Noy.

Tipping in Armenia

Tipping in Armenia isn’t very common yet. In the restaurants, you are expected to leave 5-10% tip. When you take the taxi you can round up the amount.

But Armenians are a very proud nation and outside of the obvious situations they will often not take your money.

On the other hand, when hitchhiking you might be asked for a little amount for the ride.

Electricity and power sockets

The standard voltage in Armenia is 230 V. The power sockets are the same as in Europe. If you are coming from outside the region be sure to take the adapter with you.

Taking a taxi

If you use Yandex Taxi all is fine as you will see how much you need to pay already in the app (I always rounded up the price because it just felt too little).

However, if you hail the cab from the street be sure to ask for the price before agreeing to ride or insist on using the meter. The drivers might try to charge you more only because you are a tourist.

What to wear in Armenia

Armenia is still a very traditional country and if you are planning to travel outside of Yerevan and/or visit monasteries be sure to have some modest clothes with you. Women also need a headscarf to cover the head when entering the monastery.

High altitude location

Armenia is a mountainous country and some of the places are located on a high altitude which means low oxygen.

Some of you might not feel it, while for others it can cause some problems with breathing, headaches or fatigue. If you had some problems with the altitude in the past take it into consideration.

To give you some examples: Yerevan is located 990 meters above the sea level, Tatev Monastery 1500 meters above the sea level, Lake Sevan 1900 meters above the sea level or Amberd Fortress 2300 meters above the sea level.

Visiting Nagorno-Karabakh

You might have heard about Nagorno-Karabakh or Artsakh (the Armenian name) – the unrecognized country with the Armenian ethnic majority that is officially part of Azerbaijan. The dispute over this place and the ongoing tension and occasional clashes are the main reason why Armenia and Azerbaijan have a closed border and no real political relations.

However, if you wish to visit this region you might easily do it from Armenia, there are daily marshrutkas from Yerevan to Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh. Just keep in mind that if you would like to visit Azerbaijan afterward, even during another trip to the Caucasus, and the local authorities find out about your visit to Nagorno-Karabakh you might be in a lot of trouble since you will be accused of entering Azerbaijan illegally.

Be also sure to follow current events in the disputable region to know before your trip about the situation and the situation there.

Bargain at the markets

When you visit the local market most likely you won’t see the price of the products. If you feel you are asked for too much – bargain. Sometimes the sellers try to charge the tourists a bit more, this happens especially at the GUM market in Yerevan (that is still the best place to buy delicious and fresh local food).

But also don’t go too crazy with bargaining and pay the price that you believe is fair.

Get the Yerevan card

One of the best ways to save money in Yerevan is to get the Yerevan card – the official city pass.

Not only it will give you free admission to most of the museums, including the most important ones, but you will also get free airport transfer and metro rides, free or discounted tours and lots of discounts all over the city. This is really a very good deal that will help you discover Yerevan!

Click here to get the Yerevan Card.

Further reading

I published many articles about Armenia that you might find useful when planning your trip there. Here are some of them:

• 18 Amazing Places to Visit in Armenia
• Armenia Itinerary – what to see in Armenia in 3-14 days
• 31 Amazing Things to Do in Yerevan, Armenia
• Yerevan travel tips – all you need to know about visiting Yerevan, Armenia
• Guide to the Cascade in Yerevan – City’s Biggest Attraction
• Guide to Yerevan Soviet architecture
• How to get from Tbilisi to Yerevan (or Yerevan to Tbilisi) – a complete guide

If you are looking for articles about a specific destination – check out the map with all the articles I’ve published (and their locations). You can also join my Facebook group about traveling in the Caucasus and ask your questions there.

Armenia Travel Resources

You can find the best accommodation options at Booking . They have many discounts and excellent customer service. Click here to look for the place to stay in Armenia

Never travel without travel insurance , you never know what might happen and better safe than sorry. You can check the insurance policy for Armenia here.

I recommend joining organized tours to get to know the place better and to visit more places during your trip. You can find a great selection of tours at Get Your Guide – click here .

Make sure to have the offline map always installed on your phone, they can save you so many troubles. I always use the free app Maps.Me .

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Armenia Travel Guide

Last Updated: August 22, 2024

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

Click Here for City Guides

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.

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:

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:

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

Armenia Travel Costs

Accommodation

• Hostel Dorms – 3,000-7,500 AMD per night
• Hostel private rooms – 10,000-15,000 AMD per night
• Budget hotels – 8,000-9,850 AMD per night
• Airbnb private rooms – 10,000 AMD per night
• Airbnb apartments – 25,000 AMD per night
• Campsite – 4,000 AMD per night
• Street food – 1,000 AMD
• Sit-down restaurants – 1,250-2,750 AMD
• Western restaurant – 6,000-8,500 AMD
• Casual take-out places – 3,800 AMD
• Beer – 600 AMD
• Glass of wine – 700 AMD
• Cocktails – 1,000-1,500 AMD
• Cappuccino/latte- 800-1,200 AMD
• Groceries for a week – 12,000-16,000 AMD

Armenia Suggested Budgets

Backpacker – 17,500 amd per day.

On a backpacking budget, you can stay in a hostel dorm (or camp), eat street food or at inexpensive restaurants, cook some of your meals, and use public transportation. You’ll need to limit your drinking and stick to mostly free or cheap activities though, like hiking and museum visits.

Midrange – 43,000 AMD Per Day

On a mid-range budget, you can stay in a private hostel or Airbnb, eat any budget restaurant meals 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.

Upscale – 77,000 AMD Per Day

On a “luxury” budget, 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!

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:

• 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.
• 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!

How to Get Around in 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.

Hitchhiking – It is very common to hitchhike in Armenia, and you won’t have to wait long for a ride. Hitchwiki is the best website for additional hitchhiking info and tips.

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.

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 tips for your trip? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Armenia and its neighbors and continue planning your trip:

19 Easy Ways to Save Money in Armenia

Is Azerbaijan Safe to Visit?

My 15 Favorite Things to See and Do in Georgia

Get your  free travel starter kit.

Enter your email and get planning cheatsheets including a step by step checklist, packing list, tips cheat sheet, and more so you can plan like a pro!

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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

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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

19 Comments

Hi Emily, I am planning a 10 -12 days trip in mid oct across Armenia and Georgia and find your site very useful. I will fly into Yeravan go along to Gyumri, up to Batumi and follow route ( with stops ) to Tbilisi. Is it possible to get from Gyumri to Batumi ? Checking Rio 2 rome it says a bus which is going through Turkey, but from what you say thats not possible ?

Hi Maria, Rome2Rio is not much use here… The Armenia Turkey border has been closed for many years. You should go through Akhaltsikhe (in Georgia) – there are vans from Gyumri to Akhaltsikhe and from there, onward transportation throughout Georgia is easy to find.

Hi Emiliy! I really enjoyed all your guides and tips while travelling in Georgia (Tbilisi and Kakheti) for two weeks last summer. This year we are returning, and want to add Armenia to our 2 week itinerary. We fly in and out of Kutaisi, and want to visit Kazbegi, take the overnight Tbilisi- Yerevan train, spend at least 3 days in Yerevan, and get back to Kutaisi from there. What is the easiest way of travelling the Yerevan-Gyumri-Akhaltsike route? Do we need two overnight stops, and what are the best shared shuttle providers?

Hi Lena, many thanks!

I would take the train (if it’s a weekend) or a marshrutka to Gyumri from Yerevan and stop there for a night. Then from Gyumri you can usually find a marshrutka across the border to either Akhaltsikhe or Akhalkalaki. Overnight in Akhaltsikhe for Vardzia. Then Akhaltsikhe-Kutaisi is easy to do by van. The cross-border leg might be tricky as they sometimes won’t run vans in shoulder season, but you can ask in Gyumri and hopefully find something. Shared taxis should also be available.

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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