Hello, I’m Aram, an Armenian, and I want to share with readers the best things to do in Armenia and talk about my favorite places that every traveler should visit.
If youʻre booking your trip to Yerevan last minute, I 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!
🏥 Looking for the best insurance for traveling to Armenia? Click here to check insurance rates for Armenia!
I’ve visited every place mentioned in this article and have created a helpful list of some of the most popular attractions in Armenia and how to get there. I hope you will like it!
Write in the comments section about your favorite things to do in Armenia!
Things to Do in Armenia by Months
Below, you can read briefly about the most popular things to do in Armenia by month. This will help you decide which attractions suit your upcoming trip to Armenia.
- Things to do in Armenia in January: Armenian Christmas, skiing in Tsaghkadzor and Myler resort, and visiting hot springs in Jermuk.
- Things to do in Armenia in February: Saint Sarkis Day (an alternative to Valentine’s Day), and Trndez (jumping over the bonfires).
- Things to do in Armenia in March: Visit Dilijan National Park, and celebrate Tsaghkazard (Palm Sunday).
- Things to do in Armenia in April: Armenian Easter celebrations (Zatik), International Jazz Day in Yerevan.
- Things to do in Armenia in May: Armenian Tolma Festival, Victory and Peace Day.
- Things to do in Armenia in June: Yerevan Wine Days, Sheep Trimming Festival.
- Things to do in Armenia in July: Vardavar, Golden Apricot International Film Festival, Yerevan Gastronomic Days.
- Things to do in Armenia in August: Yerevan Beer Festival, Armenian Barbeque Festival.
- Things to do in Armenia in September: Armenian Independence Day, Gata Festival.
- Things to do in Armenia in October: Areni Wine Festival, Yerevan City Day (big celebration), Tea, Coffee, and Chocolate Festival.
- Things to do in Armenia in November: Experience Yerevan wine and food tours, and day trips from Yerevan.
- Things to do in Armenia in December: Near Year Celebration.
Best Things to do in Armenia
1. Listen to the Symphony of Stones
Location: Kotayk region
Duration: One hour from Yerevan
Are you looking for something unique and fascinating things to do in Armenia? Then I definitely suggest hiking or driving down to the Garni Gorge, also known as the Azat River Gorge, right below the Temple of Garni.
In the gorge, you’ll have an amazing opportunity to walk alongside massive, 50-meter-high (164 feet) hexagonal basalt columns that descend symmetrically from top to bottom, resembling natural musical instruments known as Basalt Organs, and that’s why over time it was called the ‘Symphony of Stones’ because the volumes are playing music.
>> Click here to read how to visit the Symphony of Stones
2. Try Zhingyalov Hats
Don’t miss out on trying Armenian food and cuisine experiences by trying the traditional Armenian dish, Zhingyalov Hats which originates from the northern regions, especially Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).
Zhingyalov hats, or Jngalov hats, are special flatbreads stuffed with over 20 types of finely chopped greens and herbs, cooked on a unique griddle.
This Armenian dish is perfect for vegans and vegetarians, packed with fresh, seasonal greens from Armenia’s mountains. You can try Zhingyalov hats in many restaurants across Armenia, and specifically at many places in Yerevan.
>> Click here to read more about Armenian dishes
3. Take the World’s Longest Cable Car to Tatev Monastery
Location: Syunik region
Duration: 4 hours from Yerevan
Head south in Armenia to visit one of the country’s historical treasures. Take a fascinating ride on the Wings of Tatev one of the most popular adventure activities in Armenia.
The 5.7-kilometer-long (4-mile) Wings of Tatev is the longest reversible aerial tramway in the world. It crosses the breathtaking Halidzor Gorge and transports you directly to the ancient 9th-century Tatev Monastery which is one of the most beautiful monasteries in Armenia.
>> Click here to read how to visit Tatev Monastery
4. Party Like a Local at Yerevan Wine Days
Location: Yerevan
Every May, Yerevan’s Saryan Wine Street transforms into a lively party zone where wine flows freely. For 2-3 days, the city center is filled with the aromas of Armenian BBQ, fine Armenian wines, and music showcasing the best of Armenia’s nightlife.
During the Yerevan Wine Days festival, thousands of people gather to have fun and taste hundreds of different types of Armenian wines.
Make sure to book your hotel in Yerevan before the festival because during those days everything is sold out.
>> Click here to read how to visit Yerevan Wine Days
5. Take a Train to Gyumri
Location: Shirak region
Duration: 2 hours from Yerevan
One of my all-time favorite cities in Armenia Gyumri, the country’s second-largest city, is the country’s authentic and artistic heart with so much to offer and I’m highly recommending to add Gyumri to your Armenia road trip itinerary.
There are plenty of great things to do in Gyumri, including taking a stroll through the historic Kumayri district to admire traditional 19th-century Armenian architecture, exploring hip cafes and bars, visiting the historic Black Fortress, trying local dishes like panerkhash (cheese dish), and soaking up the city’s unique charm.
>> Click here to read how to get from Yerevan to Gyumri
6. Skiing in Tsaghkadzor
Location: Kotayk region
Duration: 40 minutes from Yerevan
Head to beautiful Tsaghkadzor and revel in the Alpine landscape. During winter in Armenia, Tsaghkadzor is home to one of the country’s most popular ski resorts, making it a popular place for winter sports activities. In summer, you can enjoy hiking, zip-lining, and relaxing at the spa.
The town is also home to the beautiful medieval Kecharis Monastery. It’s the perfect place for a picnic in Armenia’s “Valley of Flowers” (translated from Armenian). It is also near the unique village of Meghradzor, which surprised me with graffiti art, waterfalls, and hiking trails.
7. Eat Armenian Khorovats
Be sure to try Armenia’s signature BBQ, known as “khorovatsits” which is one of the most delicious things to do in Armenia. For centuries, Armenians have taken pride in perfecting khorovats, grilling meat over hot wood embers on iron metal sticks called “shampurs.”
At home, my father makes some of the most delicious khorovats. I’ve written a detailed article about this fascinating cooking process, which you can read below. For vegans and vegetarians, there is an Armenian BBQ with vegetables.
>> Click here to read how Armenian khorovats is made
8. Visit Khor Virap
Location: Ararat region
Duration: One hour from Yerevan
One of the most significant historical sites to visit in Armenia, Khor Virap is located in the Ararat region and offers a stunning view of Mount Ararat.
This former royal dungeon, where Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for 12 years, became a symbol of Armenia’s Christian heritage, as it was here that Armenia became the world’s first Christian nation in 301 AD.
>> Click here to read how to get from Yerevan to Khor Virap
9. Step into the world’s Oldest Winery Areni Cave
Location: Vayots Dzor region
Duration: 2 hours from Yerevan
Discover one of the earliest wineries ever found, located in Armenia’s Vayots Dzor region near Areni village. Areni-1 Cave is known to be a recently discovered one of the hidden gems in Armenia that you have to visit!
The clay pots, winemaking area, and ritual spaces, all dating back approximately 6,100 years, provide valuable information about ancient winemaking practices in Armenia.
Areni village itself is a popular place and home to one of the most popular cultural festivals in Armenia, the Areni Wine Festival.
I visited Areni-1 Cave back in 2022 and have written a helpful article on how to visit it that you can read below.
>> Click here to read how to visit Areni-1 Cave
10. Get Wet at Vardavar
If you’re in Armenia in July, you’ll witness (and likely participate in) the country’s liveliest and most fun traditions, Vardavar—one of the top things to do in Armenia in summer. It is one of my favorite Armenia holidays when the whole court turns into a fun zone!
Celebrated since pagan times to honor Astghik, the goddess of water, this holiday sees everyone splashing water on one another. Prepare by waterproofing your belongings and join the fun!
- 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!)
11. Drink Armenia Beer
Location: Yerevan
Armenia’s craft beer scene is on the rise, and in Yerevan, you can try a variety of locally brewed beers. Top brewers like Dargett and Dors offer a wide range of styles, so check out Yerevan’s bar scene and raise a glass to Armenia’s burgeoning craft beer culture.
Also, since 2021, the central part of Yerevan has been hosting the annual Yerevan Beer Festival, where you can try local craft and popular beers, eat delicious food, and enjoy live music.
12. Visit the Garni Temple
Location: Kotayk region
Duration: 40 minutes from Yerevan
Garni Temple is probably one of the simplest day trips from Yerevan, and it is located not far from the capital in the village of Garni. According to historians, the temple was constructed in the 1st century A.D.
The pagan Temple of Garni is Armenian’s one of the most popular tourist destinations and it’s an exceptional neopaganism hub.
Dedicated to the sun god Mihir is one of the greatest examples of pre-Christian Armenian monuments and the country’s only building in the Hellenic style.
After recognizing Christianity as an Armenian state religion in the early 4th century, the temple of Garni was used as a royal summer residence.
During the Soviet Union period, the original stones were used to reconstruct the Garni Temple after it was damaged by an earthquake in the 17th century.
>> Click here to read how to get from Yerevan to Garni
13. Visit Amber Fortress
Location: Aragatsotn region
Duration: One hour from Yerevan
Amberd is one of the most iconic fortresses in Armenia. The view from the top of the fortress is truly breathtaking. Amberd Fortress is a short trip from the village of Byurakan, where is located the famous Burakan Observatory.
Amberd means “a fortress in the clouds,” because it is located elevation of 2,300 meters (7,545 feet) above sea level. The castle and some of the walls were constructed in the 7th century by the noble House of Hamzarakan.
The fortress of Amberd is not only a popular destination in Armenia but definitely a gem of the medieval architecture of the Caucasus. It’s a great stop if you’re driving to Lake Kari at the summit of Mount Aragats.
>> Click here to read how to visit Amberd fortress
14. Visit Lake Sevan
Location: Gegharkunik region
Duration: One hour from Yerevan
Lake Sevan is the largest freshwater lake in the Caucasus. It’s a popular vacation destination for locals and tourists alike, offering plenty of fantastic historical and natural sites, and it’s a must-see location in your Armenia sightseeing itinerary.
Lake Sevan is home to beautiful beaches, ancient monasteries, and churches. The Sevanavank Monastery and the Hayravank Monastery can be discovered around the lake.
At about 2,000 meters above sea level, Lake Savan is often called Armenia’s blue jewel. Swimming, diving, sailing, and other water activities are popular at Lake Sevan, as well as hiking and cycling along the coast.
>> Click here to read how to get from Yerevan to Lake Sevan
15. Visit Shaki Waterfalls
Location: Syunik region
Duration: 3.5 hours from Yerevan
Shaki Waterfall is one of the many beautiful waterfalls in Armenia. Shaki Waterfall might just be the most visited waterfall in the country, and either way, it is spectacular.
Located in the Syunik region, Shirak Waterfall is 18 meters (59 feet) high and flows into the Shaki River. The name is based on a legend about a girl named Shaki who jumped from a cliff to avoid being captured by conquerors.
The enemies, however, managed to reach her, but at the very moment, a rock rose in the river and the water falling from it hit the girl. Since then, both the waterfall and the village where it is situated have been named Shaki.
>> Click here to read how to visit Shaki Waterfall
16. Admire Khustup Mountain
Location: Syunik region
Duration: 7 hours from Yerevan
3,206 meters (10,518.37 feet) high Mount Khustup is a dream destination in Armenia for hikers, rock climbers, campers, and lovers of rich and wild nature. It is considered to be a sacred mountain, as it was a special pilgrimage destination even in ancient times.
When planning on trekking to Mount Khustup, you should consider having at least three to four days dedicated to the trip.
The trip’s first day involves a ride to Kapan city, which is about a six to seven hours drive from Yerevan, so leaving early will be a good choice.
Hiking to the summit of Mount Khustup is a popular adventure activity in Armenia, but it is also a challenging one, so prepare properly. The breathtaking scenery from the summit will make you feel like you are above the clouds if you attempt the hike.
17. Eat Khash
As an Armenian, I can say that Khash is not for everyone and it can be an unusual Armenian food and cuisine experience but it’s worth trying.
Khash means “to boil” in Armenian, and the way the soup works is you have to boil it overnight for at least eight to nine hours. It consists of cow feet.
The morning after, you serve it with lots of garlic, lemon, and crunchy lavash, which is a traditional Armenian bread, along with your choice of cheeses and herbs. So it is a process – I mean, you have to wait overnight to eat the khash.
Usually, Khash is traditionally known to be a winter dish in Armenia, typically enjoyed from mid-autumn until the end of winter, especially in the mountainous regions.
18. Visit Dilijan National Park
Location: Tavush region
Duration: 1.30 hours from Yerevan
Dilijan National Park is located in northern Armenia and the surrounding mountains of the town of Dilijan. It is home to some stunning Armenian off-the-beaten-path experiences and Alpine landscapes that will thrill nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
The national park is my usual getaway, where I often stay in nearby mountain hotels or cabins in Dilijan. The nature there is so vibrant, and there are many hiking trails in the park.
In addition to the great diversity of animals and plants, several beautiful lakes can be visited, as well as some great old monasteries dating from the 10th and 11th centuries. Haghartsin, Goshavank, and Matosavank are three of the most interesting.
In addition, while visiting Dilijan National Park, you’ll have a great opportunity to discover Dilijan town, its cozy cafes, historical districts with wooden houses, and much more.
19. Karahunj
Karahunj, or Zorats Qarer, also known as Carahunge, is one of the most mysterious historical places in Armenia. The oval shape of Karahunj consists of more than 200 basalt stones, each weighing around 8 tons, constructed between the Middle Bronze Age and the Iron Age.
Modern archaeologists believe that Karahunj is the world’s first astronomical observatory.
This amazing megalithic monument is unique because small holes have been drilled into the stones from different angles. There is a well-known theory that these stones with holes are analogous to a modern telescope.
The holes are drilled at different angles, directed toward specific points on the horizon and the night sky. Based on archaeological findings, scientists believe that these stones connected humanity with the universe.
>> Click here to read how to visit Karahunj
20. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Armenia
One of the most popular things to do in Armenia is to visit its beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Sites located in different parts of the country.
In my hometown of Etchmiadzin, in the Armavir region, you can visit the world’s first cathedral, Etchmiadzin Cathedral, which was constructed between 301 and 303, as well as the ruins of the 7th-century Zvartnots Cathedral.
One of the best things to do in Armenia for history lovers is to visit my favorite architectural masterpieces from the 10th century, the Haghpat Monastery Complex and the Sanahin Monastery Complex, which are located in the Lori region, not too far from each other.
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Armenia is the Geghard Monastery, one of the most unique monasteries in the country. It is named after the spear that wounded Jesus Christ. Half of the monastery is carved into a huge mountain.
Things to Do in Armenia on a Map
Frequently Asked Question
Which month is best to visit Armenia?
Armenia is beautiful in any season; however, from mid-spring to mid-summer and from late summer to mid-fall are known to be the best times to visit Armenia.
How many days in Armenia is enough?
Armenia is a small country but has a lot to offer. Three days are not enough to see all the attractions in the country. The ideal amount of time is ten days in Armenia to have enough time in your itinerary to travel from north to south and visit the best places.
Is Armenia cheap or expensive?
Armenia is considered to be an affordable, sometimes even cheap, travel destination, where the average meal costs around $4, and one night in a hotel average around $25.
Which is better, Armenia or Georgia?
Both Armenia and Georgia are beautiful countries with rich histories and beautiful nature. Georgia has the advantage of access to a sea; however, Armenia has the biggest freshwater lake in the Caucasus. When it comes to natural diversity and rich historical background, Armenia comes out on top.
Is it safe to visit Armenia?
Over decades, Armenia has been known as one of the safest countries in the world, and each year it is in the top spots for safest countries. If you are looking to have travel insurance, consider using Safety Wing.
Do I need a Visa for Armenia?
Usually, many tourists do not need a visa to travel to Armenia; however, citizens of some countries might need one. Click here to get your visa for Armenia.
Other Things to Do in Armenia Articles
Pin This For Later
