Armenia - a country that lies in the intersection of Europe and Asia, is now seeing a boost in its popularity, especially amongst the newer generation. Yes, geographically speaking, this small country is becoming a bucket-list destination for tourists from all over the world, thanks to its nature, hospitality, cuisine, history, and culture. It’s worth mentioning that a visit to Armenia is also a relatively budget-friendly trip.

Planning to discover Armenia? Let MedWay help you get ready with its carefully researched list of all things you need to know before you book your flight to Yerevan. 

• Language: The official language in Armenia is - you guessed it - Armenian, followed by Russian and English. The latter is becoming more and more prevalent, especially amongst the youth and the diaspora living there. Whereas Russian is more commonly used amongst the older generation. If you do not know any of the three languages, we recommend you download a translation app such as Google translate and use it to communicate with the locals. 

• Transportation: Getting around Armenia is easy compared to other parts of the world. The capital city - Yerevan, is not a big city. No fear of getting lost. On the contrary, navigating through the streets will surely be a pleasant rather than overwhelming experience. The country has a well-organized public transportation system. This includes the many buses, minivans (known as marshrutkas), and trolleybuses, especially in the center. They are numbered and you can hop on one from the countless bus stops all over the city. On top of this, Yerevan has an underground metro system that covers the major tourist spots in the capital. One token for a ride will cost you 100 AMD, equivalent to less than 0.25 dollars. 

If you wish to opt for private transportation, the simplest way to do so is by downloading either GG Taxi or Yandex on your mobile device, and ordering a cab from wherever to wherever you wish. Taxi drivers usually charge 100 AMD per 1 KM, however, pay attention while using ride-hailing applications; flat rates and minimum fees may apply. Pro tip - always carry cash with you because most of the time drivers will not have change and you will end up tipping them extra. 

• Currency: The local currency in Armenia is the Armenian dram or AMD for short. Keep in mind that the dram usually increases in value during the summer season because of the influx of tourists, and decreases in the cold winter days after new year’s. This piece of information can come in handy while exchanging your country’s currency to the Armenian. 

• Free Water: When in Armenia, you do not need to carry a water bottle with you anywhere. Yes, that’s right. Leave it at home, because in every corner in Armenia, you will find what is famously referred to as the “Pulpulak”s a.k.a mini public drinking fountains with fresh water straight from Armenia’s mountains. Clean and cold water falls from these small fountains where people usually wait in a queue, especially during the hot summer days to simply take a gulp, satisfy their thirst and move on. Fun fact - the first ever pulpulak was installed sometime in the 1920s. Nowadays, there are over a whopping 1,500 populace in the country.

• Chess: Armenians are celebrated internationally for their love and excellence in playing chess. The country is home to a large number of world-esteemed chess champions, including the grandmasters Tigran Petrosian and Levon Aronian. As a matter of fact, Armenia is listed among the top countries for having the highest number of chess grandmasters per capita. Here, kids are typically introduced to the classic strategy game from their early days in school. Chess is incorporated into Armenia’s official educational curriculum, meaning schools offer their students compulsory chess lessons.

• Climate: Armenia is frequently said to be a sunny nation. There is a clear division of four seasons here and a highland continental climate. Seasonal temperature variations can be significant. Although temperatures in the Ararat valley might reach 40°C, the summer is often pleasant, averaging 25°C.

• Visa: If you wish to visit Armenia, you might need a visa, depending on your citizenship. Need worry less, you can check your eligibility on the official website of the minister of foreign affairs here. If it turns out you need one, the good news is that the procedure is quite easy and will not take much time. You can fill out your application online, by clicking here, and you will usually be notified in a few working days. 

• Safety: With comparatively low crime rates and a low incidence of pickpockets, Armenia is a generally safe place to visit. You should, however, exercise caution at all times, especially when crossing the street.

• Food: Dining out in Armenia is cheap if you compare it to other touristic countries. On average, a full meal with drinks at a moderately-priced restaurant would cost you somewhere between 6 to 8 U.S dollars, including the mandatory 10% tip. It is also worth noting the interesting fact that both pomegranates and apricots are Armenia’s national symbols and they are widely incorporated in their cuisine, architecture, and art. Aside from traditional Armenian food, the country also has some modern and cosmopolitan neighborhoods filled with resto pubs offering a variety of international food including but not limited to American, Italian, Asian, and Middle Eastern. And you bet they are all as accurate to the corresponding local cuisines as possible because most of the owners and employees at those international places are diasporans who have actually lived in those countries. 

• Medical Tourism: Armenia has been known to have some of the best healthcare services worldwide. With a modern healthcare system and patient-centric hospitals, the country is making waves in the field of medical tourism. Affordability, accessibility, and the excellent range of worldwide accredited hospitals have made the country a top destination among medical tourists. If you’re a medical tourist who wants to go abroad to obtain advanced medical treatments, Medway is here to help. Medway has assisted many medical tourists from all over the world to come to Armenia for hair transplant surgeries, cancer treatments, dental work, eye surgeries, physiotherapy, and many more. So why don’t you sit back, relax, and let Medway assist you in your medical tourism journey? Make sure to check our services in full detail. 

Needless to say, this article does not cover each and every situation you might encounter traveling to Armenia, but hopefully, it helps get a general overview of the most important details about the country.