Yerevan is the capital of Armenia, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, twenty-nine years older than Rome. It is called the 'pink city' after the pink tuff stone of which its buildings are built. Above the city rises the sacred Mount Ararat, on which according to the Bible Noah's ark landed, though it lies in present-day Turkey. Armenia was the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as a state religion, in 301, and its monasteries and churches are among the oldest. Yerevan is a lively city with cafés, galleries and nightlife, with the Cascade as its main symbol, Republic Square and the Matenadaran museum with thousands of manuscripts. EU citizens can enter Armenia without a visa. From Prague flights run with a connection. You pay in the dram and prices are low. The best time is April to June and September to October.
The places worth your time in Yerevan, and what to expect at each
centre
An enormous staircase of white limestone with fountains, sculptures and a contemporary art gallery, leading from the centre up a hill. At the top is the Victory Monument and from the summit there is a view of Ararat. Inside are escalators and the Cafesjian gallery.
Tip: The stairs are free, the gallery costs about five euros. Come at sunset, when the view of Ararat is loveliest.
centre
The main square of Yerevan of pink tuff, with government buildings, museums and a singing fountain that plays classical music and colourful light shows in the evening. It is the centre of social life. The surroundings are full of cafés.
Tip: The fountain plays from nine in the evening (in summer). Come before dusk for a good spot.
centre
A museum and institute of ancient manuscripts that keeps over twenty thousand medieval manuscripts. It is a symbol of Armenian culture and writing. The building stands on a hill above the city.
Tip: Entry costs about five euros; a guided tour in English is useful. Photography is restricted.
Tsitsernakaberd hill
A memorial to the victims of the Armenian genocide of 1915, with twelve stone pillars and an eternal flame. Next to it is a museum with photographs and documents. It is a moving and important place.
Tip: Entry is free; dress modestly. The museum is instructive; allow an hour and a half. The air is quiet.
Garni
The only surviving Hellenistic temple in Armenia, from the first century, with stone columns and a view into the Azat river gorge. It stands on a cliff, thirty kilometres from Yerevan. Nearby are Roman baths with a mosaic.
Tip: Entry costs about two euros. Combine with Geghard monastery. Come early; at midday it is hot.
Garni
A monastery partly carved into the rock from the thirteenth century in a narrow gorge, on the UNESCO list. Inside are chapels, caves and springs. It is one of the most impressive religious monuments in Armenia.
Tip: Entry is free. The acoustics in the chapel are wonderful; choirs sing here. Cover shoulders and knees.
Khor Virap
A monastery by the Turkish border from which there is the best view of Mount Ararat. According to legend, St Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned here. It stands on a small hill amid fields. It is the most photographed place in Armenia.
Tip: Come in the morning or at sunset, when Ararat is free of cloud. It is best in spring and autumn.
60 km from Yerevan
The largest lake in Armenia at 1,900 metres, with the Sevanavank monastery on a peninsula. In summer people swim here and around it are restaurants with trout. It is a popular full-day trip.
Tip: Come early; the water is cold. Taste the ishkhan trout. The trip takes a full day.
centre
A weekend flea market by Republic Square selling carpets, wooden goods, jewellery and Soviet antiques. Nearby is the Ararat Armenian brandy factory with a tasting. Both are popular.
Tip: The market is biggest at the weekend; bargain. A tour with a brandy tasting costs about ten euros.
Photos: The Cascade — Vyacheslav Argenberg (CC BY 4.0) · Republic Square — Sonanik (CC BY-SA 3.0) · The Matenadaran — Gor Navoyan (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Tsitsernakaberd (Genocide Memorial) — Aleksey Chalabyan a.k.a Xelgen (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Garni Temple — Yerevantsi (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Geghard Monastery — Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Khor Virap Monastery — Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Lake Sevan — Copernicus Sentinel-2 L2A (CC BY 3.0) · The Vernissage Market and Brandy — User: (WT-shared) Raffikojian at wts wikivoyage (CC BY 3.0)
Areas and districts, matched to the kind of trip you are taking
Best for: monuments and cafés
The area around Republic Square and the Cascade with hotels and restaurants. Everything is at hand. Best for a first visit.
Best for: calm and lower prices
Residential districts with cafés and calm. It is cheap and comfortable. A good choice for a longer stay.
Best for: cheap accommodation
A district with lower prices and fewer tourists. The centre is reached by metro. Suits budget travellers.
Best for: culture and galleries
A district with museums, galleries, cafés and viewpoints toward Ararat. It is lively and creative. Suits art lovers.
Zvartnots Airport (EVN) is twelve kilometres from the centre; flights from Prague run with a connection, sometimes direct in season. A bus and taxi run to the centre in twenty minutes; a taxi costs about five euros. People do not drive there.
Yerevan Zvartnots (EVN) · 12 km
The centre of Yerevan can be walked. The metro has one line. Taxis are very cheap, so use the Yandex Go or GG app. Marshrutkas and buses run to the surroundings. For trips to Garni and Khor Virap a car with a driver is handy.
Useful apps: Google Maps, Yandex Go, GG Taxi, Maps.me
Yerevan has a continental climate with a hot dry summer and a cold winter. In July it is around thirty-five degrees, in January around two and it often snows. The best time is April to June and September to October.
Best time
April to June and September to October
What to avoid
July and August (heat above 35°C)
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | 2° | 5° | 12° | 18° | 24° | 30° | 35° | 34° | 29° | 21° | 12° | 5° |
| Night | -7° | -5° | 0° | 6° | 10° | 14° | 18° | 18° | 13° | 7° | 1° | -4° |
| Rainy days | 25 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 60 | 25 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 35 | 35 | 25 |
Armenian cooking is Caucasian with Central Asian and Mediterranean touches: grilled meat, vegetables and herbs. A main dish costs six to twelve euros. People drink wine, brandy and tan.
Khorovats
Grilled meat (pork, lamb or chicken) on a skewer, served with lavash. The favourite dish.
Dolma
Grape leaves stuffed with meat and rice, cooked in sauce. Traditional and popular.
Lavash
A thin bread baked in a clay tonir oven, on the UNESCO list. Served with everything.
Khash and khashlama
A winter soup of beef feet, eaten in the morning with garlic. A traditional festive dish.
Gata
A sweet pastry filled with butter and sugar. A popular dessert.
Armenian brandy
A famous spirit praised by Churchill. Taste Ararat or Noy.
Ishkhan trout from Sevan
Fresh trout from Lake Sevan, grilled. A speciality of the region.
Coffee
AMD 800–1,500
Khorovats
AMD 3,000–5,000
Lunch in a restaurant
AMD 3,000–6,000
A beer
AMD 800–1,500
Matenadaran
AMD 2,000
Brandy tasting
AMD 4,000
3★ hotel (night)
AMD 25,000–60,000
Taxi from the airport
AMD 2,500
Indicative prices that change over time — treat them as a guide, not a price list.
1 day
2 days
3 days
Garni and Geghard
30 km · 40 min by car
A Hellenistic temple and a rock-cut monastery on the UNESCO list. It suits half a day.
Khor Virap
45 km · 1 hr by car
A monastery with the best view of Mount Ararat. It suits half a day.
Lake Sevan
60 km · 1 hr 15 min by car
Armenia's largest lake at 1,900 metres with the Sevanavank monastery. It suits a full-day trip.
EU citizens do not need a visa; a valid passport or ID card suffices for up to 180 days visa-free. Conditions change, so check before travelling.
Two to three days suffice for the city, Garni and Geghard. For Khor Virap and Sevan add two days. Armenia is small, so a week is enough.
April to June and September to October, when it is warm. In summer it is over thirty-five degrees. For a view of Ararat the best is the morning in spring and autumn.
By plane with a connection, sometimes direct in season. From the airport a taxi or bus runs in twenty minutes. People do not drive.
It is cheap: lunch costs six to twelve euros, a hotel fifty to a hundred and fifty euros a night. Taxis are very cheap.
Yes, it is a safe city. Watch for pickpockets and taxi drivers without a meter. Use the Yandex Go app.
The Armenian dram (AMD). Euros are accepted only exceptionally. Cards are accepted in hotels and restaurants, and cash is useful at the market.
Khorovats, dolma and lavash. With them Armenian brandy and wine. Ishkhan trout from Sevan is a speciality.
Check the latest visa requirements for entering this country. Some nationalities may need to apply for a visa or e-visa before travel.
Check visa requirementsCurrency
AMD
Timezone
Asia/Yerevan
