In this article, I want to show all the Armenian cities that I’ve visited, from popular to often overlooked, and talk about why it’s worth visiting them and what makes these towns and cities in Armenia popular.
If I’ve missed any Armenian city, let me know in the comments.
Best Armenian Cities and Towns
1. Yerevan
The capital of Yerevan is one of the most important and popular cities in Armenia. Yerevan is also one of the oldest Armenian cities, 29 years older than Rome, founded in 782 BC by King Argishti.
Nowadays, Yerevan’s population is approximately 1.1 million people, making it the most populated city in Armenia.
Yerevan is also known as the “pink city” because over the centuries, in the construction of the city, a local volcanic stone called “tuf” was used, which has a natural pink color.
There are many amazing things to do in Yerevan because Yerevan is home to beautiful architecture, wonderful museums, and historical sites like Erebuni Fortress, Hrazdan Gorge, and more.
Yerevan is also home to thousands of cozy cafes and coffee shops, and Yerevan’s restaurants are known to be some of the best in the region.
2. Gyumri
The second largest city in Armenia Gyumri is known to be the cultural city of Armenia located in the Shirak region.
It is personally one of my favorite Armenian cities. Gyumri was founded in the 8th century BC by the Kingdom of Urartu and it was called Kumayri. Over the centuries, Gyumri was also called Alexandropol or Leninakan.
In 1988, Gyumri suffered a devastating earthquake, but now modern-day Gyumri is home to amazing 19th-century architecture built from black volcanic stone tuf. The population of Gyumri is approximately 117,000 people.
Gyumri offers its visitors wonderful places to visit, including the historical Black Fortress, Kumayri Historical District, Aslamazayan Sisters Museum, and many more museums and historical landmarks. Also, Gyumri is a big hub of Armenian traditional cuisine where it is possible to try typical Armenian dishes.
3. Vanadzor
The third-largest city in Armenia, Vanadzor, is in the beautiful Lori region. There is no exact information on when Vanadzor was founded, but the area has been populated since the Bronze Age.
Nowadays, Vanadzor had other names, like Karakilisa or Kirovakan, as part of the Armenian kingdom or later under the control of the Russian Empire and USSR.
The population of modern-day Vanadzor is approximately 108,000 people. Vanadzor is surrounded by beautiful nature and mountains. It is home to many hiking and mountain biking trails, and cozy guest houses.
Vanadzor is also a gateway to many beautiful places to visit in Lori, like UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Sanahin Monastery Complex and Haghpat Monastery Complex, the spa town of Stepanavan, Lori Fortress, and many more.
4. Etchmiadzin
My hometown, Etchmiadzin, is one of the most important cities in Armenia in the Armavir region. It’s also one of the oldest cities in Armenia, founded in the 2nd century BCE. The population of Etchmiadzin is approximately 50,000 people.
Etchmiadzin, also known as Vagharshapat, is the theological center of Armenia, where the oldest Christian churches in the world are located, including the famous Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin founded in 301, the architectural masterpieces Hripsime Church and Gayane Church.
My favorite things about Etchmiadzin are the mountain views of Ararat, Aragats, and Mount Ara. I find Etchmiadzin a comfortable city to live in.
5. Sevan City
Often overlooked, Sevan City was founded in 1842 and is located in the Gegharkunik region. This little town in Armenia is overlooked because it is located near Lake Sevan, and usually, travelers visit the lake.
However, Sevan City also has some things to do and see. Sevan City is surrounded by a beautiful mountainous landscape on one side and by the lake on the other side.
It is home to many lovely family-run guesthouses, including the famous Bohem Studio – Teahouse. In Sevan City is also located the Holy Archangels Church, all made of dark red tuf stone.
Via Sevan City is passing the Yerevan-Sevan railway, which makes a loop over Lake Sevan and is known to be one of the picturesque train rides in Armenia.
6. Goris
Goris is another of my all-time favorite Armenian cities in the picturesque Syuinik region.
Goris has been inhabited since the Stone Age, and historians connect the area with the Urartu Kingdom. Modern-day Goris was founded and constructed in 1870 and divided by a river from old Goris. The population of Goris is approximately 17,200 people.
Goris is home to authentic, typical city architecture called “barqash,” which was used to construct almost all 19th-century houses in the city. The town is also known as the cave town of “Old Kores,” where people used to live for centuries in medieval cave dwellings.
The town is located near Tatev Monastery, Khndzoresk, and Kapan city.
7. Ijevan
Ijevan is one of the most underrated cities in Armenia in my opinion. Located in the Tavush region Ijevan is a fantastic town that has everything for travelers looking to relax, see nature, hike, eat delicious food, and more.
Modern-day Ijevan was founded in the 1780s and was named Caravansara, then renamed Ijevan, which in Armenian means “Inn.” The population of Ijevan is around 20,600 people.
Ijevan is a typical Armenian city where the main town is trapped between giant mountains and divided by a river.
There are many things to do in Ijevan, including visiting wonderful sites like Makaravank Monastery, Ijevan Arboretum, Church of St. Nerses Shnorhali, Ijevan History Museum, City Park, and many more.
8. Gavar
Yet another Armenian city Gavar is an overlooked hidden gem in the Gegharkunik region. This small Armenian town is surrounded by beautiful mountains and Lake Sevan. The population of Gavar is around 20,000 people.
Gavar was founded in 1830 by Western Armenian migrants. In the Gavar territory, a Cyclopean Fortress was discovered, indicating that the area was inhabited since the 2nd century BC.
Visitors to Gavar have the opportunity to discover a truly authentic Armenian city where they can visit places like the Holy Mother of God Church and St. Karapet Church, drink natural mineral water from the Armenian pulpulak, try the famous Gavar “Pakhlava”, and more.
Gavar is also located near beautiful places like Hayravank Church, Noratus Cemetery, Lake Sevan, and other places.
9. Ashtarak
Divided by the Kasakh River Gorge, Ashtarak is one of the most beautiful Armenian cities located in the Aragatsotn region. The population of Ashtarak is around 19,000 people.
Ashtarak was first mentioned in the 9th century, although Roman necropolises from the Bronze Age were discovered near Ashtarak. Ashtarak means “tower” or “fort” in Armenian and was part of the Van Kingdom.
This beautiful Armenian town offers a lot to its visitors. Ashtarak is home to the amazing gorge also known as Ashtarak Gorge, with many restaurants, historical sites, and a river.
Ashtarak is also a town of bridges, with many old and new bridges offering gorge views, including views of the Aragats and Ara mountains. In Ashtarak, it’s possible to visit many medieval churches like Spitakavor, Karmravor, St. Marian Church, and others.
The city is also known for its 19th-century Armenian houses, and many of these houses have small family-run wineries that have been operating since then, offering an amazing experience.
10. Dilijan
Dilijan is probably the most famous spa town in Armenia. Dilijan, also known as “Armenian Switzerland,” is located in the Tavush region in the middle of Dilijan National Park, surrounded by a gorgeous mountainous landscape with lush alpine forests.
The population of this little Armenian town is only 17,200 people but annually attracts thousands of visitors because it has so much to offer.
In the 15th century, Dilijan was called Hoval and was part of the Ayrarat province of Great Armenia. However, the modern territory of Dilijan has been inhabited since the late Bronze and early Iron Ages.
Dilijan used to be a popular sanatorium during the Soviet Union. Nowadays, Dilijan hotels are some of the best in Armenia, where it’s possible to eat Armenian food, do water procedures, and more.
Historical Dilijan has wooden houses constructed in the 19th century, and many of them have been turned into authentic guesthouses in the forests. There are also many hiking trails to waterfalls or churches like Matosavank Monastery, Jukhtakvank Monastery, Haghartsin Monastery Complex, and many more.
11. Jermuk
Jermuk is another popular spa town in Armenia and home to the famous Jermuk mineral water. Translated from Armenian as “warm mineral water,” Jermuk is located in the Vayots Dzor region and has around only 6,000 people.
Jermuk was first mentioned in the 13th century as part of the Province of Sisakan, however, the territory of Jermuk was inhabited long ago before that.
Jermuk is home to a stunning gorge with a waterfall, mineral water pools coming from the mountains, and a sanatorium where it’s possible to do healing water procedures. Also, from Jermuk, you can visit the famous 10th-century Gndevank Monastery located in the mountains.
The most popular landmark in Jermuk is the Jermuk Art Gallery, where it’s possible to drink mineral water at different temperatures.
12. Meghri
The southern town of Armenia, Meghri, is right next to the Armenian-Iranian border in the Syunik region. Meghri is probably the most underrated Armenian city and is just in recent years getting recognition because it has amazing historical and natural sights both in and outside the town.
The population of Meghri is less than 5,000, and it was founded in the 17th century. However, constructions like the Meghri Fortress, constructed in the 11th century, indicate that Meghri is an ancient city.
Meghri is an old, authentic city home to the town’s rugged landscape, beautiful 17th-century St. Astvatsatsin and St. Hovhannes Churches, and old neighborhoods like Pokr Tagh and Mets Tagh. Also near Meghri is the gorgeous Arevik National Park, where it’s possible to see southern Armenian nature at its best.
13. Tsaghkadzor
The infamous skiing resort in Armenia, Tsaghkadzor, is everybody’s choice when it comes to winter activities in Armenia. Even though new skiing resorts are being opened in Armenia like Myler in Aparan, for now, Tsaghkadzor is one of the main Armenian cities where it’s possible to ski from 2,819 meters.
Tsaghkadzor, from Armenian, means “Gorge of Flowers.” It is located in the Kotayk region with a population of only 1,010 people. The first time the town was mentioned was in the 3rd century as part of the kingdom of the Arshakuni dynasty.
Popular during the Soviet Union, Tsaghkadzor is an all-around spa town that will be a perfect vacation place for both active and passive travelers. Tsaghkadzor used to be a training ground for 1988 Soviet Olympic athletes.
In Tsaghkadzor, there are the 11th-century Kecharis Monastery, the ski resort, the zipline, wonderful restaurants, and hotels.
14. Charentsavan
Charentsavan is an industrial city in Armenia and does not have too many tourist places, but it is located near a beautiful mountain range and has post-Soviet modernist architectural constructions. The population of Charentsavan is around 20,000 people.
Founded as Lusavan in 1947, then renamed after famous Armenian poet Yeghishe Charents, Charentsavan was one of the major industrial Armenian cities producing metal and chemical materials. It’s also home to the famous Bjni mineral water since 1977.
15. Kapan
The southern capital of Armenia, Kapan, in the Syunik region, was first mentioned in the 5th century and has a population of around 43,000 people.
Kapan is one of the most picturesque cities in Armenia because it has everything to be called so. From Kapan city, it’s possible to see one of the most beautiful mountains in Armenia, Mount Khustup.
It is home to medieval churches like Vahanavank Monastery, a 9th-century bridge, Halidzor, and Baghaberd Fortresses, and the abandoned Saint Catherine Greek Orthodox Church.
The city is also divided by the wide Voghji River, where there are cozy cafes with beautiful views.
16. Yeghegnadzor
Yeghegnadzor is another picturesque city in Armenia located in the Vayots Dzor region that was first mentioned in history in the 5th century and was part of the Great Armenian Kingdom.
The population of Yeghegnadzor is around 8,000 people. The city is home to many family-owned guesthouses, wineries, hiking trails, and more.
It’s located near Areni village, Jermuk, Noravank Monastery, the oldest winery in the world, Areni Cave 1, and other places.
In Yeghegnadzor, it’s possible to visit the wonderful Yeghegnadzor Regional History Museum, and the Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God, see post-Soviet architecture, and enjoy the amusement park.