Top Things to Do in Yerevan, Armenia
Yerevan, Armenia
Armenia is a country like no other. Nestled in at the meeting point between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, Armenia is one of the most unique countries you can visit. Not only is Armenia considered one of the oldest countries in the world, its history and culture are unmatched. Fortunately for visitors, there are plenty of things to do in Yerevan–Armenia’s vibrant capital city.
As one of the oldest continuously-inhabited cities in the world, Yerevan is one of Armenia’s finest gems. With wide and clean street, plenty of green spaces, and outdoor dining options, Yerevan should be next on your travel bucket list!
How to get to Yerevan?
Yerevan is rather centrally located and easy to get around if you find yourself in the Caucasus region. Armenia is easily accessible from Georgia by shuttle or bus.
Looking to fly into Yerevan? Here are some of the websites I personally use for finding affordable and convenient flights:
Skyscanner. One of my favorite websites, Skyscanner, allows you to compare a wide variety of different routes and dates for your travel. Its “Calendar view” compares flight prices across any given month so you can pick the most optimal travel dates. One of my other favorite functions of the website is their “everywhere” button that lets you see where the cheapest destinations are from your departure city. Skyscanner is every budget traveler’s best friend!
Hopper. I just recently hopped on the Hopper train (too much?), but I wouldn’t plan a trip without them again. Hopper lets you plug in your travel dates and finds you the most optimal time to book your flights. Hopper also sends you notifications whenever there is a price change, so you never miss your best opportunity to book!
Now How to get Around Yerevan?
Luckily, many of Yerevan’s top spots are all within walking distance of each other, and walking in Yerevan is a wonderful experience. With wide, clean streets and plenty of parks and monuments, getting around Yerevan on foot is one of the best ways to go.
For destinations like the GUM Market or Ararat Factory which are located a bit further from the center of town, you take a taxi or use the Yandex or GG apps. Yandex and GG function similarly to Uber, where you can plug in your location and destination and be connected directly to a driver. These apps also have the option to pay with card or in cash.
When Should You Visit Yerevan
While travel to Yerevan is possible year-round, Armenia is a country with 4 distinct seasons. In the summer months, average temperatures can get up to 40C while winters often bring snowy conditions and an average temperature of -5C . Overall, the best time to visit Yerevan is between October and November, but you can enjoy a stay in the city during any time of the year.
A Word on Post-Covid Travel to Armenia
Like most places in the world right now, Armenia is experiencing trouble due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. As a result of this uncertainty, travel planning has been particularly stressful. Before booking, double check your country’s specific entry requirements for entry into Armenia, including any necessary tests, documents, or insurance papers needed. If you do choose to travel at this time, be aware of any sanitary protocols in place in your destination country. Likewise, consider purchasing travel insurance before traveling to cover any of your purchases — I recommend World Nomads for all of your insurance needs.
Trying to figure out if you are allowed to travel to a particular country at this time? Besides the official embassy website of your home country, there are a couple of resources that have sprung up since the start of the pandemic.
One site that I’ve found helpful is CanITravel.net which lets you plug in your passport nationality and departure country to see what Covid-related restrictions are in place at that time. While these third-party sites are very convenient, always check your official embassy website for the most accurate entry information!
So with all of that said, here are my top picks for Yerevan, Armenia!:
1) SIGHT-SEE AT REPUBLIC SQUARE
From the pink-hued walls of the government building to the musical fountain show in front of the National Gallery, the Republic Square is a must for any sight-seer in Yerevan. Around the square, you can visit some nearby restaurants and coffee stands, or take a walk through the nearby park. The Republic Square is also the location of many of Yerevan’s political protests, including those of the 2018 revolution, so it’s the perfect location to visit if you’re at all interested in current events or want to feel the living history of the country.
2) Marvel At the Fountain Shows
Each evening the Republic Square becomes a little more lively with its daily fountain show in front of the National Gallery. If you don’t want to wait until the evening show, you can also enjoy some of the fountains located all around Yerevan’s public parks.
3) Climb the Cascade
A feat of modern Armenian architecture, the Cascade is another must-see in Yerevan. This limestone stairway isn’t just a climb to the best view of Yerevan–it also hosts museums and art exhibitions on each level. If the climb to the top seems daunting, no worries! Inside the Cascade are a series of escalators to take you to the highest point of the building, and of course one of the best views in Yerevan.
4) Grab a coffee at one of the Cascade’s many sidewalk cafes
As you meander along the Cascade’s vintage-looking sidewalk cafés, you might think you’ve been transported to Paris. These cafés are the perfect place to grab a coffee or bite to eat while visiting the Cascade and neighboring area. These sidewalk cafés are frequented by locals and tourists alike, and offer everything from a classic coffee and dessert fix to a full dinner and cocktail selection.
5) Delight your senses at the GUM Market
With beautiful arrangements of traditional sweets, dried fruits and other goodies, GUM market is the perfect place to discover the many tastes of Armenia. As you take a look through the market, you’ll notice a lot of Churchkhela (grape and walnut candy) among other traditional sweets sold by friendly shopkeepers. If sweets aren’t your thing, there is also a farmers market located in the back of the market where you can check out a ton of locally grown fruits and veggies.
6) Hunt for treasure at the Vernissage Market
Looking for unique, authentic Armenian products and crafts to take home? Look no further than the Vernissage open-air market. Shop from jewelry, bags, chess boards, and of course an abundance of pomegranates (a national symbol of Armenia). The market is best visited on Saturday and Sunday mornings when the majority of salespeople set up shop.
7) Explore Armenian patriotism at Mother Armenia
Did you know that Mother Armenia’s face is modeled after an actual Armenian woman? Genya Muradian was only 17 years old when sculptor Ara Harutyunyan sculpted the monument in her likeness. (Imagine waking up every morning to a giant statue of your face overlooking your city?!)
Located only a short walk from the top of the Cascade, the Mother Armenia monument is a great spot to overlook nearly all of Yerevan. The inside of Mother Armenia hosts an intimate museum of Armenia’s 1978-1980 Nagoro-Kharabah conflict. While most of the descriptions are solely in Armenian, there are plenty of photographs and keepsakes that make a walk through the museum worthwhile.
8) Catch the vibes at a Soviet Amusement Park
Want to add a little excitement on your way to visit Mother Armenia? Check out one of Yerevan’s Soviet-era amusement parks overlooking the city! While some of these contraptions are still in use, for the most part I’d recommend just admiring the aesthetic of the place (the vibes are truly unmatched). If you do decide to test out some of the rides for yourself, I’d personally recommend the bumper cars 😉
9) Explore the origins of the Armenian Language at Matenaderan
Admire the architecture and history of the Armenian language and alphabet at the Matenaderan. Additionally, you can also catch an amazing viewpoint over the famed Mashtots avenue.
10) Admire the Blue Mosque’s intricate designs
The Blue Mosque in Yerevan is the only functioning mosque in all of Yerevan. Designed in the 1770’s, the Blue Mosque is a relic of Armenia’s history under Ottoman control. The Mosque is open between 10am-1pm & 3pm-6pm daily for visiting hours. This is an awesome stop if you’re interested in seeing Ottoman architecture and design.
11) Pay Respects at the Armenian Genocide Museum
While there are over 10 million ethnic Armenians living in diasporas outside of the country, only about 3 million Armenians live inside the country itself. This phenomena is due to the horrific 1915 Armenian genocide which prompted millions of Armenians to flee their homeland. The Armenian Genocide Museum in Yerevan pays respect to those who lost their lives, and shows how the atrocity continues to shape Armenia to this day.
12) Check out The National Armenian Art Gallery
Armenia cherishes its artists. Throughout the country, you will see plenty of homages to Armenian artists, poets, and writers. The National Gallery of Armenia–however–is the best place to check out Yerevan’s art scene. The Museum recently underwent a massive restoration project, so I recommend checking their website here to see their opening hours for their exhibits.
13) Stroll Northern Avenue
If shopping’s your thing–or you just want to take a convenient route through Yerevan–Northern Avenue is the place to be. During the day, Northern Avenue is your typical wide city avenue lined with clothing shops and cafés. At night, the avenue truly comes alive with street musicians and crowds of people.
14) Sample Armenian Spirits at Ararat Brandy Factory
One of Armenia’s most famed brands, the Ararat Brandy Factory is a notorious stop in Yerevan. The factory offers multiple tours a day which take you through a visit of the factory and lets you taste a number of different blends. No matter where you go in Yerevan, you’re sure to find plenty of Ararat products.
15) Sip your way through Yerevan’s brewery scene
Embrace your inner hipster millennial and taste your way around Yerevan’s growing brewery culture. Dors Craft Beer & Kitchen and Dargett Brewpub are the musts!
16) Check out the Yerevan Opera House
The Yerevan Opera Theatre was built in 1930 as a celebration of then-Soviet Armenia. Now, it’s considered one of most notorious examples of soviet architecture in the city.
17) Admire the Living History of the Kond District
Though Yerevan is one of the oldest cities in the world, very few original historic buildings remain from its distant past. After years of revitalization and modernization of the city center, many original buildings and neighborhoods were demolished to make room for a modern Yerevan. The exceptional historic Kond district, however, has withstood the test of time.
18) Swan’s Lake
Though you might not find many swans around, Yerevan’s swan lake is a beautifully tranquil spot right near the center of Yerevan.
19) Check out the “Wine street” of Yerevan
Did you know that the oldest winery in the entire world is located in an Armenian cave only a few hours outside of Yerevan? Armenia has a deep history with wine, and Yerevan definitely showcases that! In addition to being able to order a glass of wine at many local cafés and drink stands, you can also take a stroll down Yerevan’s famed “wine street” (Saryan Street) lined with stylish restaurants serving up your favorite glass of vino.
20) Taste Yerevan’s Coffee Scene
Yerevan is a coffee-lover’s dream. From upscale cafés to cozy coffee stands and nearly everything in between, Yerevan’s coffee culture definitely doesn’t disappoint. Café hopping is a great way to spend a free afternoon in Yerevan.
21) Stroll through Yerevan’s Abundant Parks and Green spaces
Yerevan is a remarkably walkable and vibrant city. This is thanks to the amazing green spaces located throughout the city! Yerevan hosts a number of amazing parks and outdoor areas for everyone to enjoy. Some of my personal favorites are: Lover’s Park, Martiros Saryan Garden, and English Park.
22) Admire (or Roast) Yerevan’s Soviet architecture
Love it or hate it, Yerevan boasts many remnants of Soviet era architecture and design. Throughout the city, you can catch glimpses of Soviet-era monuments and buildings, as well as a few remaining classical Armenian structures. You can see so much of Yerevan’s history just through its buildings!
23) Lunch at a not-so-secret secret restaurant
While on the outside it may seem like a simple souvenir shop, the Dalan Restaurant one of the trendiest restaurants in the city! Simply head to the back of the shop to find the restaurant nestled in a cozy open-air garden.
24) Stay hydrated thanks to Yerevan’s water fountains
One of my many favorite parts of Yerevan is its abundance of drinking fountains! These fountain–or Pupulaks as they are called–can be found all over the city and are often intricately adorned and designed. These fountains are super convenient when exploring Yerevan on a hot summer’s day.
25) Plan Day trips from Yerevan
Of course, there is so much more to see in a country than its capital city. Luckily, there are plenty of worthwhile and accessible destinations easily reachable from Yerevan like the Garni and Gehrard monasteries, Gyumri, Dilijan, Tatev monasteries, and Lake Sevan. Likewise, if you’re planning on traveling further around the Caucasus, you can easily move onto Georgia via bus or train from Yerevan.
Where to eat in Yerevan?
Yerevan has a surprisingly-international restaurant scene where you can find cuisine from most anywhere in the world for a fair price. Here are some of my recommendations:
- In Vino
- Lavash
- Sherep
- Ponchikanoc
- Chaihona
- Genacvale (Georgian food)
- Dragon Garden (Asian Fusion)
- Roomz
- Gabriel’s Patisserie
- Diamond (rooftop with a view of Republic Square)
For Coffee:
- Afro Lab
- George’s Dom
- Lumen Coffee
- BREW
- The Green Bean
What about Veggie and Vegan options?
As a longtime Vegetarian, finding meatless cuisine from any of the countries I visit is a top priority. Armenian cuisine, however, is definitely not very veggie-friendly! That being said, I was pleasantly surprised by certain restaurants in Yerevan as well as a couple other Armenian cities in their veggie options.
I even found Vegan Tolma (at in Vino) and Pelmeni (from the famed Lavash) while in Yerevan. Though Armenian cuisine is very meat-heavy, I did enjoy some veggie delicacies while visiting. Some of my favorites are Hachapuri (a Georgian cheese croissant) and Lavash (Armenian flatbread) with sour cream.
Where to Stay in Yerevan?
Fortunately, it’s rather easy to find cheap and accessible accommodation in Yerevan. No matter your price range, there are plenty of options in the city. Here are some of my favorite websites that I use to find accommodation when I travel most anywhere:
HostelWorld: A must for any traveler on a backpacker’s budget, Hostelworld is an awesome app/website for anyone looking for hostels and guesthouses nearly anywhere in the world. With a simple user interface that prioritises guest reviews, HostelWorld makes it easy to compare accommodations and finding the property that best fits your needs.
Booking.com: Oh Booking.Com, the powerhouse of online travel bookings. You might be able to find cheaper rates for the same property on Booking.com than on HostelWorld (or vice versa), so make sure to cross reference before booking!
Airbnb: Looking for unique travel accommodations for your visit to Yerevan? Airbnb is a great option to connect with local providers to find your perfect stay in Yerevan.