Tourist Attractions in Armenia

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Armenia

Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps

About Armenia

Armenia is a state with an ancient history, located in a very picturesque area. There are a lot of places left here that have preserved their unique flavour.

Ancient is the word that best characterises Armenia. Indeed, this country was the first to adopt Christianity, so there are many ancient temples, and the great culture of the state of Urartu still remains a mystery and causes awe of scientists. A thousand-year-old observatory, mountain villages where houses were built a couple of hundred years ago, ruins of fortresses – all this can be seen in Armenia.

And also very hospitable people live here, tourist tours are very cheap, accommodation – too. We advise travellers to completely switch to local cuisine during their holidays in Armenia. Believe me, you have never eaten such delicious kebab anywhere! And there is also the freshest lavash baked in front of you, duduk, famous brandy, churchkhela and wine.

Visit Lake Sevan and Tatev Monastery, wander around the mountains, get acquainted with the unimaginably ancient history of Armenia, and in search of modern entertainment go to Yerevan, a city that successfully combines innovation with ancient traditions.

Top Cities to Visit in Armenia

Yerevan

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Top-16 Tourist Attractions in Armenia

Lake Sevan

 4.7/5

631 reviews

The pearl of Armenia, located at an altitude of 1,916 metres above sea level. With its clear water and green shores surrounded by mountain peaks, Sevan is called one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in the world. Ancient Armenians believed that Gods drink from Lake Sevan and therefore treated it with great reverence. Now more than 250 thousand people live on the shores of the lake, excellent conditions have been created for recreation, and the area is simply created to admire nature.

Zorats Karer

 4/5

22 reviews

At first glance, it is not an observatory at all, but blocks of stones that someone has arranged in an order that is incomprehensible to modern people, but well traceable. Scientists have recognised that Zorats-Karer is indeed an observatory. It is located on a mountain plateau near the town of Sisian. The complex includes many standing stones, some with holes. Archaeologists have found burials, a cattle pen, and a special arrangement of stones allowing observation of the Sun and Moon.

Open time

Mount Ararat

 4.6/5

3189 reviews

Ararat is the pride of Armenia, its most famous peak, which it shares with Turkey. Small and Big Ararat are divided, but both peaks are considered sacred. The locals used to believe that climbing Ararat, where legend has it Noah’s ark stopped after the Flood, was a godly thing to do. Today, anyone who is confident in his or her strength and preparation can climb Ararat, but only if they buy the appropriate voucher and get permission from the authorities.

Tatev Monastery

 4.9/5

1881 reviews

The most famous and ancient monastery complex of Armenia, located 20 kilometres from the city of Goris. Today it is a tourist complex that attracts thousands of travellers. Tatev is famous not only for its history (it was built in the IX century), but also for the “Wings of Tatev” ropeway, as well as the natural bridge Satani Kamurj and the cave of the same name. In Tatev you can see several ancient temples and a lot of other sights.

Planta Sana-Պլանտա Սանա

 5/5

2 reviews

This is another famous monastery complex built in the 10th century. It is included in the UNESCO list. Sanahin is known for its original architecture and rich history. The harmoniously formed architectural ensemble of Sanahin includes a cathedral with the remains of paintings, several groups of sculptures, chapels, churches, a tomb, and an original arched bridge decorated with figures of wild cats.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Lesser Caucasus

 4/5

6 reviews

The Greater Caucasus is distinguished from its counterpart, the Greater Caucasus, by its lower peak heights, but this does not make it less attractive for tourists and mountaineers. The highest peak of the Lesser Caucasus – Mount Aragats, 4090 metres high – is located in Armenia. The Lesser Caucasus includes seven ridges, between the peaks of which there are cosy green valleys and untouched forests. The nature here is marvellously beautiful, so it would be a big mistake not to visit this place.

Saint Hripsime Church

 4.8/5

63 reviews

Built in the XVII century, the church in Vagharshapat still attracts tourists with its unusual architecture. The Church of St Hripsime looks both powerful and graceful, majestic and calm at the same time. The construction of the church is connected with the legend of Christian girls who fled from Rome to Armenia, but were killed here by the local king, who then repented, was baptised and built this unusual church, named after one of the girls.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM

Matenadaran

 4.7/5

491 reviews

In Yerevan there is a unique repository of ancient manuscripts – Matenadaran. To see this building and its exhibits, you should go uphill along Mashtots Avenue. Near the entrance you will be met by sculptures depicting Mesrop Mashtots, the creator of the Armenian script and his disciple. Today Matenadaran is the largest repository of ancient Armenian manuscripts on the planet, although the collection has been looted several times in the past.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:50 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:50 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:50 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:50 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:50 PM
Sunday: Closed

Zvartnots Cathedral

 4.7/5

210 reviews

The main temple of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The Echmiadzin Cathedral is located in the city of Vagharshapat and is included in the UNESCO list. It is one of the oldest Christian churches on the planet, built back in the IV century! The cathedral, of course, for so many years has undergone many reconstructions, the last one – in the twentieth century. The temple is characterised by opulent decoration, strictness of lines and special architecture, complemented by pointed bell towers.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Garni temple

 4.6/5

70 reviews

This unusual temple is called the “Armenian Parthenon”. The Mihra Temple in Garni really looks antique, it seems to have been miraculously brought to Armenia from ancient Greece. Slender columns, porticoes, luxurious mosaics – the Mihra Temple was used by Armenian kings as a summer residence. It was carefully restored after the earthquake and now historical performances are regularly held here.

Open time

Erebuni Fortress

 4.5/5

271 reviews

If you want to see what the capital of Armenia looked like 2.7 thousand years ago, make sure you take time to visit the Erebuni Fortress, which was the first serious defensive structure on the territory of the country. Erebuni still holds a lot of mysteries, archaeologists continue to find unique artefacts here. The fortress itself, located in the Ararat valley, looks very beautiful.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Wednesday: 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Thursday: 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday: 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturday: 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Sunday: 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Cascade Complex

 4.7/5

8263 reviews

The Cascade is the main attraction of Yerevan, so it would be a great omission to visit the capital of Armenia without seeing this man-made miracle. Cascade is an artistically designed and ordered sculptures, staircases, fountains and flower beds, picturesquely arranged on the slopes of Kanaker hills. It is indeed the main decoration of the city, and from the top of Yerevan Cascade you will have a marvellous view of the whole city and the peaks of Ararat.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Khor Virap

 4.8/5

2642 reviews

Khor Virap is located at the foot of Armenia’s most famous mountain, Ararat, above an underground prison that was used as early as the 4th century. The views from the monastery are truly marvellous, but the buildings themselves are interesting with their history and interior decoration. We recommend visiting the cells of the underground prison, which have survived to this day, and the Church of Our Lady.

Republic Square

 4.8/5

7428 reviews

The architecture of the Republic Square was created before 1958, it is formed by five buildings located here: the building of the Central Post Office, the National Historical Museum of Armenia, the Ministry of Energy of the country, the Government of Armenia and the Marriott Armenia Hotel. It is noteworthy that all the buildings are made of pouf and represent a unified architectural ensemble. It is advisable to visit the square in the evening, when the singing fountain is switched on and changes its illumination.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex

 4.7/5

1586 reviews

It is a memorial complex erected on the hill of the same name and dedicated to the Armenian genocide in the early twentieth century. Tsitsernakaberd includes a 44-metre high stele, a cone-shaped pedestal with a burning eternal flame, a wall of mourning and the Armenian Genocide Museum. The stele is split, symbolising the separation of the Armenian people, most of whom live in the Diaspora precisely because of the genocide. The place is beautiful, memorable and a little sad.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Geghard Monastery

 4.8/5

2645 reviews

Geghard is one of the most favourite tourist destinations in Armenia because of its ancient history, unique architecture and proximity to the capital of the country. Geghard is located 40 kilometres from Yerevan, in a picturesque gorge of the mountain river Gokht. The monastery is built on rocks, many rooms are simply hollowed out inside the cliffs, and the stone walls are decorated with steles with crosses.

Open time