Last Updated on October 7, 2025 by Aram Vardanyan
If you’ve ever wondered what makes Armenia’s capital so special, welcome to Yerevan. Hi, I’m Aram, and this is my ultimate guide to the Yerevan Attractions.
Whether you’re planning a quick weekend trip or searching for a complete Yerevan itinerary for first-timers, these ten essential spots define the city’s unique character.
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 a 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!
So, if you’re wondering what to see in Yerevan, this guide covers the top attractions, restaurants, bars, and cafes that make Armenia’s capital unforgettable.
I have personally visited all the places and experiences mentioned here, and while they are essential, for a more in-depth discovery of Yerevan, check out my dedicated article: “Things to Do in Yerevan“!
Essential Yerevan Attractions
So what is Yerevan known for? As one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, Yerevan is packed with incredible sites, mixing ancient history with a cool, modern European vibe.
1. The Cascade Complex: Yerevan’s Stairway to Heaven
Hands down, the Cascade Complex is one of my favorite Armenian Soviet architectural gems in the whole world and one of the best places in Yerevan!
It’s way more than just a massive limestone staircase; it is an outdoor museum surrounded by artworks of artists like Fernando Botero, Barry Flanagan, and many more.
You can climb (or cheat and take the escalators!) this architectural beauty to get those stunning, iconic views of Yerevan with the majestic Mount Ararat watching over you.
Inside, you’ll find the Cafesjian Center for the Arts, and the whole thing is one of the best free attractions Yerevan offers. Seriously, walking this stairway is a Yerevan must-do!
PRO TIP: Go at sunset, the view of Mount Ararat turns the whole sky gold. Also, on the way back down, as my personal recommendation, try to visit Daboo Bar to try one of the best cocktails in Yerevan.
Quick facts about Cascade Complex:
- Construction began in 1971 and opened partially in 1980.
- It features 572 steps in total.
- The top unfinished section (known as the “Grand Cascade”) is finally under reconstruction after decades of pause.
Escalator Gallery Working hours: 8 AM – 8 PM, the entrance is on the left side.
Address: 10 Tamanyan St, Yerevan
2. Yerevan Wine Tour
If you love wine, I highly recommend trying Armenian wine and joining one of my favorite Yerevan wine tours. I’ve reviewed one and have a full article about it that you can read here.
The tour takes you to the best wine bars in Yerevan, where you can sample top-quality Armenian wines, enjoy delicious wine snacks, and learn about Armenian winemaking traditions, which are among the oldest in the world.
GOOD TO KNOW: Yerevan has a popular street called Saryan Street, which is famously known as “Wine Street.” It’s the place where the annual Yerevan Wine Days festival is held. If you’re visiting in June, you should definitely check it out!
3. Republic Square: The Heart of Yerevan
Republic Square is the main square in Yerevan and the heart of Yerevan, and one of the popular attractions.
Designed by Alexander Tamanian in the 1920s and built from pink and white volcanic tufa stone, it is home to the History Museum of Armenia and other governmental buildings.
This central hub is famous for its beautiful singing and dancing fountains show that takes place from May to October. So my advice is, don’t miss the show if you are visiting Yerevan in spring or summer.
FUN FACT: It took nearly 50 years to complete the surrounding buildings.
Just look around you, the grand buildings, all built from that gorgeous, iconic rose and pink volcanic tufa stone, make the whole square glow.
It’s the perfect, high-vibe spot to kick off your Yerevan sightseeing trip.
PRO TIP: Nearby, you’ll find some of the top hotels in Yerevan, including cozy boutique hotels with meals included, and if you want to see the Republic Square from the rooftop, visit the Diamond restaurant and go upstairs!
4. Tsitsernakaberd: Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex
In my humble opinion, every visitor needs to experience Tsitsernakaberd. This is a crucial site for understanding Armenian history.
It is a powerful, essential memorial dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide, featuring the moving Eternal Flame, sheltered by twelve basalt slabs.
At the complex, you can also visit a unique museum where you can learn more about that dark event on April 24, 1915!
Working hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm,
Monday: Closed
Address: 8, 8 Tsitsernakaberd Hwy, Yerevan
5. Matenadaran: Museum of Ancient Manuscripts
If you’re a history and literature nerd like me, you absolutely must see the Matenadaran (the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts).
This place is an unparalleled gem! It holds one of the world’s richest collections of 23,000 unique medieval manuscripts, covering history, philosophy, and medicine, including the oldest known Armenian Bible written in the 10th century.
Seeing these beautifully preserved ancient texts is, in my opinion, one of the most unique things to do in Yerevan.
PRO TIP: After visiting the Matenadaran, stop by Lumen Coffee 1936 for a delicious coffee. It’s a unique Yerevan coffee spot in a converted 1930s bookstore that has preserved its original interior.
Working hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am – 5:30 pm
Monday and Sunday: Closed
Address: 53 Mesrop Mashtots Ave, Yerevan
6. Take a Day Trip from Yerevan
What makes Yerevan a great base is that many of Armenia’s must-see historical and natural wonders are located less than an hour away.
For a perfect day trip, I highly recommend visiting the Garni Pagan Temple, the breathtaking Geghard Monastery, and the iconic Khor Virap Monastery.
PRO TIP: If you don’t have a rental car in Armenia, you can easily join a combo tour.
👉 You can book affordable tours from Yerevan and see all the sites in one day
7. Northern Avenue: Modern Architecture and Shopping
Linking the Cascade Complex to Republic Square, Northern Avenue is the epitome of modern Yerevan.
It’s a kilometer-long pedestrian street lined with sleek glass buildings, high-end shops, and tons of cool outdoor cafes. You can walk the way to see the majestic Opera house and relax at cozy Swan Lake at th end of the avenue.
Additionally, Northern Avenue is a great spot to experience Yerevan’s vibrant nightlife. It’s perfect for a casual ice cream or a meal at one of Yerevan’s most popular restaurants, many of which are located on or near the avenue.
I highly recommend Dalan, one of my personal favorites, situated on the most famous street in Yerevan, historical Abovyan Street, nearby.
8. Vernissage Market: Yerevan Flea Market
If you like shopping in flea markets like I do, then visiting a vernisage will be one of your Yerevan highlights.
You can find everything here, including handmade jewelry, gorgeous traditional carpets, cool wood carvings, and even Soviet-era trinkets.
So if you are looking for what to buy in Yerevan cheaply, then this is your place. This market is where you truly feel the artistic vibe of Yerevan.
PRO TIP: Visit on weekends for the best selection and atmosphere.
Working hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9 am – 6 pm,
Address: 1, 3 Buzand St, Yerevan
9. Erebuni Fortress Museum
If you are questioning what to see in Yerevan that’s really old? Then head straight to Erebuni! Located on Arin Berd Hill, this fortress was founded in 782 BC by King Argishti I of Urartu. Yerevan is 29 years older than Rome.
This means the fortress is literally the foundational point of modern Yerevan. You can see the birth certificate text of Yerevan engraved on th huge basalt stone.
Visiting the museum and seeing the remnants of the ancient city wall puts the city’s mind-blowing 2,800+ year history into perspective.
Working hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:30 am – 4:30 pm,
Monday: Closed
Address: 38 Erebuni St, Yerevan
10. Visit Ararat Brandy Factory
For a truly iconic Armenian experience, visit the Yerevan Ararat Brandy Factory, renowned for its high-quality cognac.
The tour and tasting are among the best in the country, featuring century-old barrels and a digital exhibition on the history and craftsmanship of Armenian brandy.
You also have the chance to buy Ararat brandy directly from the on-site store, where you can often find it at a better price than in local markets.
>> Click here to Book Ararat Brandy Factory Amazing Tour
Alternative Bonuce Attractions
Below, I would like to offer alternative Yerevan attractions if you would like to do something different:
- Yerevan Zipline: Cool zipline experience when you are flying over the Hrazdan gorge and under the huge Davtashn bridge.
- Parajanov Museum: One of the most unique museums in Yerevan that will blow your mind with its obscurity.
- Hrazdan Gorge: Connected to the city center by a tunnel, the Hrazdan Gorge is home to the Soviet Train Station and the Hrazdan River.
- Yerevan Highlights and Culture Walking Tour: Book a tour to discover the hidden corners of Yerevan where locals eat and hang out.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many days do you need in Yerevan?
- I highly recommend setting aside at least 3 days in Yerevan to cover these core attractions.
- Then, add a day for an epic day trip like Khor Virap or Garni Temple! While driving in Armenia is pretty easy, I actually suggest taking organized tours for those longer days, as it lets you relax and truly enjoy the scenery.
What to see in Yerevan?
- The top sights include the Cascade Complex, Republic Square, the Vernissage Market, and the Matenadaran for history lovers.
Is Yerevan safe for tourists?
- Yes, absolutely. Yerevan is safe for tourists; it’s consistently ranked among the safest cities in the world. I personally feel completely comfortable walking around, even late at night.
What is the best time to visit Yerevan?
- The best times are late spring (May-June) or early autumn (September-October) when the weather is warm and pleasant, and the spectacular fountain show in Republic Square is running.
Is Yerevan expensive for a tourist?
- Compared to Western European capitals, Yerevan is very affordable. You can find excellent value in food, transportation, and accommodation, making it an ideal budget-friendly destination.
- Yerevan offers a rare travel experience, a capital city where ancient traditions coexist seamlessly with a modern cafe culture.
- Use this guide to explore the best places in Yerevan and fall in love with the vibrant heart of Armenia! I know you will.