Armenia remains a mystery to most international travelers despite its slowly increasing popularity. Located in Western Asia, Armenia is a landlocked country featuring an impressive landscape and also one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world, Yerevan. Although most people will visit Yerevan for a day or two, Armenia has plenty of attractions; therefore, if you decide to visit the country, you should try to spend at least four days in Armenia to see what’s the country all about. That said, there are several things to do in Armenia, and that’s what this article covers.
Specifically, in the following lines, you’ll read about the 5 best things to see in Armenia and how you can visit them. Most of them are day trips from Yerevan, and most are guided tours. Unfortunately, public transport is not Armenia’s strongest point, and for some places, there’s no other choice than a guided tour. However, if you feel comfortable driving a car abroad, you can independently visit every location mentioned below.
So, let’s start with this travel guide to Armenia and the best things you can see while traveling around the beautiful country.
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The best things to do in Armenia
So, here are the top five things to see in Armenia.
Garni Temple
Located just half an hour’s drive from the capital, Yerevan, the Temple of Garni (Armenian: Ô³Õ¡Õ¼Õ¶Õ«Õ« Õ¿Õ¡Õ³Õ¡Ö€) is one of the most iconic buildings in Armenia. The Garni Temple is the only Greco-Roman colonnaded structure that remains intact in Armenia and the former Soviet Union. According to historians, it was most likely built by king Tiridates I, and it was a temple dedicated to Mihr, the sun god. However, there’s strong speculation that it wasn’t a temple but a tomb, and that’s why it survived after Armenia converted to Christianity.
Although it seems in great condition, the Garni Temple was destroyed in the 1679 earthquake. Today, we see the reconstructed temple, which took place in the 1970s. Nowadays, the Garni Temple is assumed as a significant Armenian Paganism location; however, it is also the most iconic building of pre-Christian Armenia. The temple lies on a cliff overlooking the impressive Gegham mountains, and it’s next to Garni, a small village located nearby. The temple is built after the Ionic order.
Geghard Monastery
You can visit one of the most beautiful Armenian buildings not that far away from Garni Temple. Geghard Monastery (Armenian: Ô³Õ¥Õ²Õ¡Ö€Õ¤) is an impressive religious structure carved straight on the rock and surrounded by breathtaking cliffs. It is one of Armenia’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is among the must-see places in Armenia.
Geghard Monastery was founded in the 4th century AD by Gregory the Illuminator. However, the main chapel dates back to 1215, and nowadays, the so-called Geghardavank attracts loads of visitors. Its name stands for “Monastery of the Spear,” which is a direct reference to the spear that injured Jesus at the Crucifixion.
Apart from the breathtaking cliffs belonging to the Azat River Gorge, at Geghard, you can also see various smaller churches and the iconic khachkars. The word khachkar refers to free-standing Armenian cross-stones: these memorial steles feature various botanical motifs around a cross and belong to Armenia’s cultural heritage.
You can, of course, visit the interior of Geghard Monastery and wander freely around the complex’s premises. Visiting Geghard Monastery is a unique experience, and you can easily combine it with a visit to the nearby Garni Temple.
Lake Sevan
You won’t find a more extensive body of water in the whole Caucasus region. In fact, apart from being Armenia’s biggest lake, it’s also one of the biggest alpine lakes in the world. Lake Sevan is located at an altitude of 1900 m above sea level (6,200 ft). The lake is impressive due to its size and the facts accompanying it: 28 rivers end up at Lake Sevan, and its basin occupies almost 15% of Armenia. Moreover, Lake Sevan provides more than 85% of Armenia’s fish catch.
Honestly, if you decide to visit Lake Sevan, you’ll have the impression that you’re at sea and not in front of a high-altitude lake. As you can easily imagine, aside from a beautiful location, Lake Sevan also contributes to the local economy.
Levon’s Divine Underground
That’s actually one of the most unusual things to do in Armenia -and probably worldwide. Levon’s Divine Underground has nothing to do with the ancient history of Armenia. On the contrary, it’s a bizarre story that made it to international news, and you can visit its location -it’s less than half an hour away from downtown Yerevan.
What is so special about Levon’s Divine Underground? Well, here’s the story. A couple of decades ago, Levon Arakelyan’s wife, Tosya, asked him for a potato cellar. However, instead of making a cellar, Levon constructed one of the biggest manmade caves to this day. He kept digging for 23 years and created an amazing underground cave consisting of seven floors and more than twenty rooms. According to Tosya, her husband said that he saw visions that told him to carry on digging.
Levon’s Divine Underground is located in Arinj, and you can visit it after setting an appointment. There’s no entry fee, but you’re encouraged to donate any amount of money you feel like. I wrote a separate post about the place, and you can read more about Levon’s Divine Underground here.
Since Levon’s Divine Underground is not that far from the city center, you can take a taxi or get on bus 47. You can see the exact location of Levon’s Divine Underground on Google Maps here.
Explore Yerevan
Last but not least, no visit to Armenia is complete without a visit to Yerevan. The stunning Armenian capital is also known as “the pink city” due to the color of the stone used in its buildings. Yerevan is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and has terrific views over Mount Ararat.
Yerevan is home to significant landmarks, like the Erebuni Fortress, the Katoghike Tsiranavor, and the Tsitsernakaberd, the memorial dedicated to the victims of the Armenian genocide. If you travel to Armenia by plane, you will most likely land in Yerevan. Therefore, before wandering around the beautiful country, make sure to spend a couple of days here. The city was a unique vibe, the locals are warm-hearted, and Yerevan will probably become one of your favorite places.
Yerevan useful addresses
Where to stay in Yerevan
The Daniel Boutique Hotel instantly became one of my favorite accommodations in the world. Located in the city’s heart, the hotel is just a few minutes away from the famous Republic Square. This is not a luxury hotel; however, the employees are so welcoming that you’ll feel spoiled from day one. They will satisfy every request, and they prepare daily homemade breakfast. Next to it, you’ll also find a supermarket that stays open till late and many great restaurants.
Where to eat in Yerevan
Every link after the restaurant’s description will take you to Google Maps. Therefore, feel free to save any address before your journey to Armenia.
- Diamond. Good quality Armenian food in the beautiful Abovyan Street. The spare ribs were finely cooked. The restaurant’s decoration feels a bit too much, but overall it was a pleasant experience. A starter, a main dish plus wine will cost you approximately 20 euros. See Diamond.
- Taverna Yerevan. Traditional Armenian food in one of the most well-known restaurants in Yerevan. A favorite hangout of locals, this is one of the best places to eat in Yerevan. I paid 15 euros for a starter, a main dish and a glass of red wine. See Taverna Yerevan.
- Pizza di Roma. That’s a pizzeria also located on Abovyan Street. The food is decent and very cheap: a pizza and a glass of wine/beer will cost you less than 10 euros. It’s nothing remarkable, but it’s a good option if you’re on a tight budget. See Pizza di Roma.
The best day trips in Armenia
Visiting all the locations mentioned above will be challenging for first-time visitors with just a few days in the country. Even if you rent a car, you will have to spend a couple of days touring around the country. Armenia is small, but not that small to see everything in a day or two. On the other hand, as I have already written, the public transport infrastructure is not Armenia’s strongest point. In this section, you’ll find the best day trips from Yerevan to the spots mentioned in this article.
Private tour to Garni Temple, Geghard Monastery, Lake Sevan, and Dilijan
That’s one of the best tours you can book in Armenia and the most action-packed. Be ready for a long day out and about and see Armenia’s beauty out of your window. Your English-speaking guide will pick you up from your hotel and drive you to Garni Temple. Then, you’ll visit Geghard Monastery and spend time admiring its buildings. There will also be a short stop at Charents Arch, a spot of unique beauty where you can see a postcard view of Mount Ararat.
Afterward, your guide will take you to Lake Sevan, where you can walk around and enjoy the splendid panoramic views. If you’re up to it, you can also visit the Sevanavank Monastery in the lake’s area. Finally, you will continue towards the north to see the Dilijan National Park and stop at Gosh-Goshavank Monastery.
This day trip from Yerevan lasts approximately 12 hours and costs 139 euros per group of 3 (but you can book it also for 1 or 2 people). That’s an ideal option for people willing to see the best of Armenia in one day.
Garni Temple and Geghard Monastery with Lavash baking
This is a great alternative if you’re into more relaxed activities or prefer to discover a country at a slower pace. This day trip from Yerevan will take you to the Temple of Garni and the Geghard Monastery. The tour lasts approximately 6 hours, costs 33 euros per person, and comes with a nice extra: after the tour, you will try lavash, a traditional Armenian flatbread. After lunch, before heading back to Yerevan, you’ll also stop at the “Symphony of Stones,” a natural monument that resembles an organ.
From Yerevan: Khorvirap, Noravank, & Areni Winery Day Trip
If you enjoy local wine tastings apart from sightseeing, this one is for you. This guided tour will first take you to Khor Virap Monastery, about an hour away from Yerevan. The view of Mount Ararat from Khor Virap is incomparable, and the monastery itself is one of the sacred spots of Armenians. Then, you’ll visit Areni Cave (Bird’s Cave), a historic place dating back to the Early Bronze Age. After a stop at Noravank, an iconic place for medieval Armenian architecture, your guide will take you to a place where you can taste and buy Areni, Armenia’s most renowned wine.
You can book this wine and sightseeing tour here.
Yerevan Walking tour
Finally, one of the best things to do in Armenia is to walk as much as possible around Yerevan. The city is unique, and wandering through the beautiful streets of downtown Yerevan is a pleasure. Local guides offer walking tours around Yerevan, and they will share the city’s secrets and info to help you understand the cultural depth of Yerevan. Republic Square, the Opera House, the Cascade Complex, and the City Bazaar are must-sees for your Yerevan visit.
There are several Yerevan walking tours you can choose from, but here I’ll add the best two. You can see the Magic and Secrets tour here, and you can also check the Best of Yerevan here.
Locations distances from downtown Yerevan
In this short section, you’ll find the distances between downtown Yerevan and the above locations. This is extremely useful for people willing to visit these places in a car. Regarding downtown Yerevan, I calculated the distances using as a starting point Republic Square, one of the most central spots in the city.
- Yerevan to Garni Temple: 47 minutes (~29 km).
- Yerevan to Geghard Monastery: 56 minutes (~37 km)
- Garni Temple to Geghard Monastery: 20 minutes (~10 km)
- Yerevan to Lake Sevan: 1 hour and 17 minutes (~67 km)
- Yerevan to Levon’s Divine Underground: 17 minutes (~10 km)
Things to do in Armenia: Final thoughts
Armenia is one of the most beautiful countries I’ve seen throughout my travels. Apart from featuring several tourist attractions, the locals are among the most welcoming people you’ll ever meet. The five things to do in Armenia I mentioned above will give you a good overview of this unique country. In addition, the raw landscape, the beauty of nature, and the stunning city of Yerevan guarantee an unforgettable experience.
If you plan to visit Armenia, stay at least four days in the country. Explore Yerevan for two days and then go on a day trip and immerse yourself in a unique culture.
More about Armenia: Checkmate in Yerevan, The Stories of Armenia
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Last Updated on August 7, 2022 by George Pavlopoulos
Great information and really exciting thank you very much for this wonderful participation and useful advice on Armenia
You are very welcome 🙂
I really enjoyed reading about the various activities and sights in Armenia. Your post beautifully highlights the country’s rich culture and natural beauty. The way you’ve described each place makes me want to experience Armenia firsthand. Thanks for sharing such an insightful and inspiring post!
Hey, I’m so glad you discovered this article on my travel blog. 🙂 Armenia is a fascinating country with a century-long history. Traveling through Armenia was a mind-blowing experience, and I wish I could have stayed longer. Apart from the country’s natural beauty, one should always mention how welcoming the locals are -oh, and how delicious Armenian food is.