Armenia · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Armenia
These are the places worth your time in Armenia, from the museums, wine bars and markets of Yerevan to Lake Sevan's monasteries, Dilijan's forests, Gyumri's old stone streets and the cliffs of Tatev. Classics sit beside quiet corners many travellers miss, so every kind of visitor finds something to love.
Places to Visit in Yerevan
Arts and Culture
- Matenadaran (Mashtots Avenue)
One of the world's great collections of ancient manuscripts, beautifully displayed. - Armenian Genocide Memorial and Museum (Tsitsernakaberd)
A moving memorial and museum on a hill above the Hrazdan gorge, essential to understanding Armenia. - Cascade Complex and Cafesjian Center for the Arts (Kentron)
A giant stairway of terraces and modern sculpture with city and Ararat views from the top. - History Museum of Armenia (Republic Square)
The best introduction to Armenian history, from Bronze Age finds to medieval treasures. - Erebuni Fortress (Erebuni)
The hilltop Urartian fortress from 782 BC where Yerevan began, with a small museum. - Sergei Parajanov Museum (Hrazdan gorge)
The playful collages and assemblages of the great film director, in a house above the gorge. - Blue Mosque (Mashtots Avenue)
An eighteenth century mosque with a tiled dome and a quiet garden courtyard. - Mother Armenia and Victory Park (Kanaker)
A towering Soviet era statue with a military museum, a small fun fair and views of the city. - Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral (Kentron)
The largest Armenian church, built for the anniversary of Armenia adopting Christianity. - Armenian National Opera and Ballet Theatre (Freedom Square)
Opera, ballet and concerts in a landmark building at the top of Northern Avenue. - Komitas Museum Institute (Komitas Park)
A museum devoted to the composer who saved Armenian folk music, with regular concerts. - National Gallery of Armenia (Republic Square)
A large collection of Armenian, Russian and European art, including Aivazovsky seascapes. - Martiros Saryan House Museum (Saryan Street)
The bright, joyful paintings of Armenia's best loved painter in his former home. - Mirzoyan Library (Mher Mkrtchyan Street)
A photography gallery and café in a lovely old courtyard house. - Garni Temple (Garni, day trip from Yerevan)
A first century Greek style temple above a dramatic gorge. - Geghard Monastery (Goght, day trip from Yerevan)
A UNESCO listed monastery partly carved into the rock, with remarkable acoustics. - Khor Virap Monastery (Ararat province, day trip from Yerevan)
The monastery with the most famous view of Mount Ararat. - Etchmiadzin Cathedral (Vagharshapat, day trip from Yerevan)
The mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church, among the oldest cathedrals in the world. - Zvartnots Cathedral ruins (Vagharshapat, day trip from Yerevan)
The ruins of a seventh century round cathedral with Ararat behind.
Things to Do
- Republic Square (Kentron)
The grand pink stone heart of the city, lively in the evening around the singing fountains. - Yerevan Brandy Company (Admiral Isakov Avenue)
Tours and tastings at the home of the famous Ararat brandy. - Kond neighbourhood (Kentron)
A maze of old lanes and courtyards that shows the Yerevan before Soviet planning.
Shopping and Markets
- Vernissage Market (Kentron)
A sprawling weekend open air market of crafts, carpets, jewellery and Soviet curios. - GUM Market (Mashtots Avenue)
A covered market piled with dried fruit, nuts, spices, cheese and churchkhela, with plenty of tasting. - Megerian Carpet (Arshakunyats Avenue)
A carpet workshop and gallery where you can watch hand weaving and restoration. - Dalma Garden Mall (Tsitsernakaberd Highway)
A big modern mall for practical shopping, a cinema and a food court.
Restaurants
- Lavash Restaurant (Tumanyan Street)
Classic Armenian dishes with lavash baked in a tonir oven in front of you. - Sherep (Amiryan Street)
A bright, modern take on Armenian home cooking with an open kitchen. - Dolmama (Pushkin Street)
A long established restaurant known for creative Armenian cooking in a stylish room. - Pandok Yerevan (Amiryan Street)
A lively tavern with khorovats, folk music and a big, friendly crowd in the evenings. - Zhingyalov Hats (Teryan Street)
Flatbreads stuffed with a mix of wild herbs, a speciality from Artsakh, made to order. - Tun Lahmajo (Kentron)
Thin crispy lahmajo straight from the oven, a quick, cheap local favourite. - The Club (Tumanyan Street)
A cosy cellar restaurant and tea room with Armenian and fusion dishes.
Bars and Nightlife
- In Vino (Saryan Street)
The wine bar that started Yerevan's wine scene, with a deep list of Armenian bottles. - Wine Republic (Saryan Street)
A popular wine bar and restaurant for trying wines from every Armenian region. - Dargett Craft Beer (Aram Street)
Armenia's best known craft brewery, with many beers on tap and good bar food. - Malkhas Jazz Club (Pushkin Street)
Live jazz most nights in an intimate club run by a well known pianist. - Poplavok Jazz Café (Swan Lake)
A jazz café by the small lake near the Opera House, made famous by an old Armenian song.
Cafés
- Jazzve (Kentron)
Armenian coffee brewed in a jazzve pot, the local way, in a cosy café chain. - Green Bean (Amiryan Street)
A relaxed café with good coffee, breakfasts and space to work. - Mirzoyan Library Café (Mher Mkrtchyan Street)
Coffee and wine in a hidden courtyard with old wooden balconies.
Nature and Outdoors
- Lovers' Park (Baghramyan Avenue)
A pretty landscaped park with ponds and a small amphitheatre, lovely at dusk. - Hrazdan Gorge (Hrazdan river)
A green gorge through the city with walking paths below the Genocide Memorial. - English Park (Kentron)
A shady city park with cafés and a popular spot for families in summer. - Symphony of Stones (Garni gorge, day trip from Yerevan)
Giant basalt columns hanging over the Azat river, a short walk below Garni.
Events
- Vardavar Water Festival (Across the city)
A summer festival where everyone throws water at everyone, so expect to get soaked. - Yerevan Wine Days (Saryan Street)
A spring street festival of Armenian wineries, food stalls and music. - Golden Apricot International Film Festival (Kentron)
A summer film festival with screenings around the city. - Genocide Remembrance Day March (Tsitsernakaberd)
On 24 April, huge crowds walk to the memorial to lay flowers at the eternal flame. - Erebuni Yerevan City Day (Across the city)
The city's birthday in October with concerts and events in the streets.
Stays
- Tufenkian Historic Yerevan Hotel (Kentron)
A hotel styled in traditional Armenian design with hand made carpets, close to the centre. - Grand Hotel Yerevan (Abovyan Street)
A historic hotel on Abovyan Street, a short walk from Republic Square. - The Alexander, a Luxury Collection Hotel (Abovyan Street)
A stylish central hotel with a rooftop and polished design. - Envoy Hostel (Pushkin Street)
A friendly, central hostel and a good place to meet other travellers. - Paris Hotel Yerevan (Amiryan Street)
A central hotel with a rooftop restaurant facing Ararat.
Places to Visit in Lake Sevan
Arts and Culture
- Sevanavank (Sevan peninsula)
Two ninth century churches on the peninsula with sweeping views over the lake. - Noratus Cemetery (Noratus)
A field of hundreds of medieval carved cross stones, one of Armenia's most atmospheric sights. - Hayravank Monastery (Hayravank)
A small monastery on a rocky headland above the water, with few visitors. - Selim Caravanserai (Selim pass)
A fourteenth century Silk Road inn high on the pass south of the lake.
Nature and Outdoors
- Sevan peninsula beaches (Sevan town)
The busiest summer beaches, with loungers, cafés and water sports. - Sevan National Park (Gegharkunik)
The park protecting the lake and its birdlife, with viewpoints along the shore. - Sunset at Sevanavank (Sevan peninsula)
The best time to climb the peninsula, as the light turns the lake gold.
Stays
- Sevan Writers' Resort (Sevan peninsula)
A striking Soviet modernist landmark on the peninsula, now a hotel.
Restaurants
- Lakeside fish restaurants (North western shore)
Grilled trout and crayfish on terraces over the water, a classic Sevan lunch.
Shopping and Markets
- Sevanavank craft stalls (Sevan peninsula)
Small stalls of carvings, honey and souvenirs at the foot of the monastery steps.
Places to Visit in Dilijan
Arts and Culture
- Haghartsin Monastery (Dilijan National Park)
Medieval churches in a forest clearing with ancient walnut trees. - Goshavank (Gosh)
A great medieval centre of learning with a famous lace like khachkar. - Jukhtak Vank (Dilijan)
Two small forest chapels on a short walk from the edge of town. - Matosavank (Dilijan National Park)
A ruined, moss covered monastery hidden in the woods. - Dilijan Museum of Local Lore and Art (Dilijan)
A surprising collection of paintings and regional crafts. - Haghpat Monastery (Lori province, day trip from Dilijan)
A UNESCO listed monastery complex above the Debed canyon. - Sanahin Monastery (Alaverdi, day trip from Dilijan)
A UNESCO listed monastery with dark, atmospheric halls.
Things to Do
- Old Dilijan Complex (Sharambeyan Street)
A restored street of traditional houses with workshops and a small museum. - Yell Extreme Park (Yenokavan)
Zip lines and adventure activities over a forested canyon near Ijevan.
Nature and Outdoors
- Parz Lake (Dilijan National Park)
A small forest lake with a café, boats and a trail to Goshavank. - Dilijan National Park (Tavush)
Beech and oak forests with marked trails and mineral springs. - Transcaucasian Trail, Dilijan sections (Dilijan National Park)
Well marked long distance trail sections through forest and ridges. - Dilijan mineral springs (Dilijan)
Sip the local mineral water at springs in town and in the forest.
Places to Visit in Gyumri
Things to Do
- Kumayri historic district (Gyumri)
Streets of black and red tuff houses, the best historic architecture in Armenia. - Vardanants Square (Gyumri)
The main square, with its two big churches and a lively evening atmosphere. - Black Fortress (Gyumri)
A round nineteenth century Russian fort on the hill.
Arts and Culture
- Holy Saviour's Church (Vardanants Square)
A grand church rebuilt after the 1988 earthquake. - Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God (Vardanants Square)
Known locally as Yot Verk, the Seven Wounds. - Dzitoghtsyan Museum of Social Life and National Architecture (Rustaveli Street)
Gyumri's past in a fine merchant's house. - Sergey Merkurov House Museum (Gyumri)
The house museum of the famous sculptor of death masks. - Aslamazyan Sisters Museum (Gyumri)
The colourful paintings and ceramics of two painter sisters. - Mother Armenia statue, Gyumri (Gyumri)
A hilltop statue with views over the city. - Marmashen Monastery (Marmashen)
A tenth century monastery in a quiet river valley. - Harichavank (Harich)
A monastery with fine carvings and views over the plateau.
Restaurants
- Cherkezi Dzor (Gyumri)
A long running fish restaurant in a gorge with its own trout ponds. - Poloz Mukuch (Gyumri)
An old style tavern popular for local dishes and beer.
Cafés
- Ponchik Monchik (Gyumri)
Cream filled doughnuts loved across Armenia.
Shopping and Markets
- Gyumri Central Market (Gyumri)
Cheese, dried fruit and bread from the region.
Stays
- Villa Kars Hotel (Gyumri)
A boutique hotel in a restored historic house. - Berlin Art Hotel (Gyumri)
A small, art filled hotel in the historic centre.
Places to Visit in Tatev
Things to Do
- Wings of Tatev (Halidzor)
A cable car gliding across the Vorotan gorge to the monastery. - Old Khndzoresk (Khndzoresk)
A cave village reached by a swinging footbridge across the gorge. - Goris town (Goris)
A grid of stone houses and guesthouses, the best base in Syunik.
Arts and Culture
- Tatev Monastery (Tatev)
A ninth century monastery on a basalt cliff, once a great medieval university. - Tatevi Mets Anapat (Vorotan gorge)
The ruined Great Hermitage in a peaceful valley below Tatev. - Zorats Karer (Sisian)
A field of ancient standing stones, some with bored holes.
Nature and Outdoors
- Satan's Bridge (Vorotan gorge)
A natural rock bridge with warm mineral pools beneath. - Shaki Waterfall (Shaki)
A pretty waterfall best after the snowmelt.
Stays
- Mirhav Hotel (Goris)
A comfortable hotel in Goris with a garden.
Places to Visit in Areni
Arts and Culture
- Noravank (Amaghu gorge)
A red stone monastery against red cliffs. - Areni 1 Cave (Areni)
The cave where the world's oldest known winery was found.
Bars and Nightlife
- Hin Areni Wine Factory (Areni)
Tastings of Areni wine in the heart of wine country. - Trinity Canyon Vineyards (Aghavnadzor)
A winery known for natural wines and tastings.
Events
- Areni Wine Festival (Areni)
An October festival of wine, food and music in the village.
Nature and Outdoors
- Jermuk waterfall (Jermuk)
A waterfall in the spa town of Jermuk.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Armenian Centre for Contemporary Experimental Art (Kentron, Yerevan)
The capital's leading space for contemporary art, performance and film. - Anteb (Kentron, Yerevan)
Western Armenian cooking from the Gaziantep tradition, with excellent kebabs and mezze. - Ankyun (Kentron, Yerevan)
A small family style spot serving home style Armenian dishes. - Calumet Ethnic Lounge Bar (Pushkin Street, Yerevan)
A quirky, laid back bar with eclectic music and a creative crowd. - Lumen Coffee (Kentron, Yerevan)
Speciality coffee and pastries in a calm, bright room. - Garni Gata baking with local families (Garni, day trip from Yerevan, Yerevan)
Several Garni homes let you watch lavash baking in a tonir and share a home lunch. - Shorzha beach (Eastern shore, Lake Sevan)
Yellow sands and clear water on the quieter eastern shore, popular for camping. - Tufenkian Avan Marak Tsapatagh Hotel (Tsapatagh, Lake Sevan)
A peaceful hotel on the eastern shore with lake views and good food. - Lchashen (Lchashen, Lake Sevan)
A village near the lake known for Bronze Age burial finds, with lake views. - Boat trips from the Sevan peninsula (Sevan peninsula, Lake Sevan)
Short summer boat rides out on the lake from the peninsula. - Kotavank (Nerkin Getashen, Lake Sevan)
A small, quiet medieval church near the southern shore. - Kchuch (Dilijan, Dilijan)
Hearty Armenian dishes baked in clay pots, a local favourite. - Tufenkian Old Dilijan Complex (Sharambeyan Street, Dilijan)
Rooms in the restored old street of Dilijan. - Ijevan wine and carpets (Ijevan, Dilijan)
A small town known for its wine factory and carpet weaving. - Goris fruit vodkas (Goris, Tatev)
Local mulberry and cornel fruit spirits from family producers.