Located in the south Caucasus, Armenia is a country known for its rich culture and history making it one of the popular destinations for tourism in Eastern Europe, especially in recent years. Armenia’s mountainous landscapes, deep valleys, picturesque greenery, and gushing rivers should be enough reasons to be included in all nature lovers’ bucket lists. Aside from the landmarks, travelers can also get a great metropolitan experience thanks to the myriad number of nightclubs, pubs, international resto-bars, seasonal festivals, and amusement parks.
In this article, we will cover the top tourist destinations this beautiful country has to offer.
1. Yerevan:
Let’s kickstart our list with the country’s capital - Yerevan. Not only is it the most populated city, but it is also the more cosmopolitan and urban one, with a wide array of attractions for both tourists and locals.
Per Alexander Tamanian’s genius vision, the city is centered around the Republic Square, surrounded by parks all around, parliamentary buildings, cafés, hotels, museums, and of course the famous Dancing Fountains. To specify, the National Museum and the National Gallery of Yerevan are also strategically located here, in addition to the Marriott Hotel with its 380+ rooms, and the Trade Union’s and Communications’ building.
Want to take a piece of Armenia back home with you? Well then, you have to visit the beloved open-air market known as Vernissage in the city center. Here, you can find everything from paintings, jewelry, glassware, silver, rugs, and many other authentic souvenirs. The market operates all week long, but in order to get the full experience, it is best to visit it on Sundays, as it gets more lively.
Aside from the above-mentioned, you can also visit the Cascade Complex to get a 270° view of Yerevan, as well as Mount Ararat. It is a giant outdoor stairway made of limestones and covers 572 steps to reach the top. Don’t worry, if you’re not feeling athletic enough to climb those stairs, you can always use the indoor escalator to get to the top. In fact, if you opt for the latter, you will also be able to enjoy a variety of artworks along the way.
Some additional honorable mentions worth visiting in Yerevan include the Museum of Ancient Manuscripts also known as the Matenadaran, the Armenian Opera Theatre, the Genocide Museum, Victory Park, Mother Armenia, Lover’s Park, the Botanical Garden, and Noy Brandy Factory, amongst others.
2. Lake Sevan:
The “jewel” of Armenia also known as Lake Sevan is Armenia’s largest freshwater lake and is about 1900 m above sea level, located in the Gegharkunik Province. No Armenia trip is ever complete without at least a day spent on the shores of Lake Sevan. It’s up to you to either simply lay down on the sand and celebrate the sun, or hop on a boat to enjoy a relaxing ride with the beautiful mountains surrounding it. Typically, travelers spend the night at one of many of Sevan’s modern resorts but keep in mind that it can get pretty cold at night, so take a pullover with you.
3. Dilijan:
Located in the Tavush Province, Dilijan is commonly known as the “Armenian Switzerland” among locals. The city has numerous parks, monasteries, museums, and resorts; so there is something for everyone. The notable sites here include the National Park, Sharambeyan street, and the Museum of Folk Art. While in Dilijan, you can also spend your time fishing in the ponds and ask the nearby restaurants to cook the fish you just caught.
4. Gyumri:
Armenia’s second major city, located in the Shirak province is Gyumri. There are many ways to get to this enchanting city - buses, the train, or a private taxi, to name a few.
One of Gyumri’s most notable sites is the Black Fortress which has an overseeing view of the city. The city also has its own smaller version of mother Armenia. Moreover, you can simply stroll around the city’s central park, especially during the sunset when it is the most zen.
5. Vanadzor:
The cultural and economic impact of Vanadzor is quite significant. It is a dynamic city with around 250,000 inhabitants and an excellent climate in the summer and winter seasons. The city is home to several notable museums including the famous Mashtots Hill archaeological museum. Vanadzor also has several theaters and performing art groups including the Eango Orchestral Ensemble and the Vanadzor Dance Ensemble. Did you know that Vanadzor is and has been the center of Armenian rock music for many years? As a matter of fact, many legendary bands came out of the city, such as Lav Eli, Vordan Karm, and Lousnelius.
6. Tsaghkadzor:
Tsagkadzor has the second most luxurious hotels, following the ones in Yerevan. Here you will find the Marriott Tsaghkadzor Hotel, Multi Rest House Hotel, Ararat Resort Tsaghkadzor, Best Western Alva Hotel and Spa, and the Tsaghkadzor General Sports Complex Hotel, among others.
The city also maintains the Tsaghkadzor Olympic Sports Complex which was opened in 1967 by the efforts of the Olympic champion Hrant Shahinyan. Entirely renovated and reopened in 2008, it is considered one of the most developed training facilities in the region.
7. Garni:
A small town, located in Armenia's Khosrov Forest State Reserve in the Ararat Valley. It is known for its two major attractions: the Temple of Garni and the 11th-century Geghard Monastery. These two historic sights are worth seeing yet much more can be found and explored in the surrounding area which is home to many churches and restaurants.
8. Jermuk:
If you are a fan of spas and wellness centers, Jermuk is the place to be. Located in Southern Armenia, Jermuk has been a popular medical tourism attraction for quite some time now. The town is filled with plenty of mineral water pools, walking trails, waterfalls, and lakes. Aside from being a medical hub, Jermuk is also home to some incredible archaeological sites that date back to the Bronze and Middle Ages.
9. Echmiadzin:
To explore even more of Armenia’s architectural wonders and spiritual centers, plan a day trip to Echmiadzin - a place that has a number of UNESCO-listed heritage monuments. Some of the sites you will discover are the magnificent Echmiadzin Mother Cathedral, the churches of St. Gayane and St. Hripsime; and the 7th-century Zvartnots Temple.
10. Tatev:
Last but certainly not least on our list we have the magnificent village of Tatev. The village is home to the Tatev monastery dating back to the 9th century as well as the world’s longest reversible aerial tramway known as the “Wings of Tatev.” The latter is a cableway spanning a whopping 5.7 kilometers from Halidzor to the Tatev monastery. Depending on the weather conditions, the ride will take anywhere from 11 to 15 minutes. It operates all year round. For wine enthusiasts, Areni is known for its spectacular wine-making; so when in Tatev, it is highly recommended you check out the Hin Areni Winery nearby.