One Week in Armenia

Going on a trip to a new country we want to manage to do everything – explore interesting places, find unusual corners, try national cuisine, learn more about the culture and life of locals. In order to really know the country, you need to leave the capital for a few days, study the nature and the ancient architecture of the country, as well as meet people who live in small towns and villages. In small Armenia, you can make an endless number of discoveries, because this country exists for many centuries. That is why a week will not be enough to fully explore this ancient country. Nevertheless, one week in Armenia is enough time to visit the main sights, make many amazing discoveries and fall in love with this country and its hospitable people.

Day 1. Yerevan

You can dedicate your first day to exploring Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. Yerevan is a city of contrasts, where you will see unique examples of Soviet Armenian architecture and brand new stylish buildings. There are many museums, exhibitions, beautiful sights, concert and theater halls, shopping malls, parks, and restaurants for every taste.

You can spend your day walking around the city center and visiting all the main attractions: Freedom Square (or, as the locals call it, Opera), Charles Aznavour Square, next to which is the famous “Moscow Cinema”, Northern Avenue, Republic Square, Cascade, Victory Park, Monument of “Mother Armenia”, Museum-Institute of Ancient manuscripts Matenadaran, Sergei Parajanov museum. You can manage to visit all these sights in one day.

In between visiting attractions, you can sit in cozy restaurants, drink delicious Armenian coffee, taste local cuisine. And in the evening, you can relax in one of the many outdoor cafes and enjoy the most delicious Armenian wine. The best wine cafes are located on Saryan street. Talented Armenian chefs can also offer dishes from different cuisines of the world. There are many restaurants serving Asian, Georgian, Italian, Indian and many other cuisines.

Take time to visit unique places of this city, for example, the oldest district of Yerevan – Kond. This is the “old city” of Yerevan, but it is very different from the usual European old cities.

Also be sure to visit Vernissage. It is located next to Republic Square. This is a flea market where you will find many antique and vintage things, books, as well as paintings and handicrafts of simple and very talented people of Armenia. Vernissage is the best place to buy souvenirs.

If you want to get acquainted with the musical world of Armenia, you can also attend a concert in the evening. Concerts of classical music are actively held in the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall and the Alexander Spendiaryan Opera and Ballet Theater. The tickets to concerts are usually very affordable. If you love jazz music, then be sure to visit Ulikhanyan Club or Malkhas Jazz Club. The best jazz musicians of the country perform here every evening. After the concert, you can walk along the night streets of Yerevan. The city has a wonderful atmosphere at this time of the day.

Day 2-3. Hiking

Spend the next days of your trip outside Yerevan. Hiking in the mountains of Armenia is the best way to really get to know this country. Dedicate the next two days to that.

If you want to be closer to the capital, go hiking to Mount Aragats. This mountain has 4 peaks. The Northern peak of Aragats is the highest point in Armenia. Climbing the Northern peak lasts two days and requires a good physical training. The Southern peak of Aragats is perfect for a one-day hike.

Here are some more options for one-day hikes – Mount Ara (Kotayk region), Mount Artanish (Gegharkunik region), Mount Azhdahak (Gegharkunik region), Mount Vayotssar (Vayots Dzor region).

If you are ready to spend more time on the road, then head to the south of Armenia and spend these two days exploring ancient monasteries, abandoned caves, and incredibly beautiful mountains of Syunik region. In Syunik, you will find the Vorotan Gorge, the Devil’s Bridge, the Tatev Monastery, Mount Khustup, the famous suspension bridge of Old Khndzoresk.

As you can see, there are many options for hiking and mountain climbing in Armenia, depending on the season and your physical abilities.

Day 4. Extreme park

Extreme tourism is very popular in Armenia. Here you can do a variety of extreme sports: ziplining, rope jumping, via ferrata, paragliding and so on. In the Tavush region of Armenia, in the village of Yenokavan, there is a special park with all these extreme sports – Yell Extreme Park. You can purchase a one-day pass and try all the park’s activities (except paragliding). You also have the opportunity to buy separate tickets for the activities you are interested in.

A trip to Yell Extreme Park can be combined with a hike in the fairy Lastiver. It will be a day full of adventures and beautiful landscapes of the Tavush region. Lastiver is located on the outskirts of Yenokavan, in the gorge of the Khachaghbyur River. The atmosphere here is fabulous: dense forest, tree houses, a river, a waterfall.

Day 5. Gyumri

On the fifth day of your trip, you can return to urban life and head to Gyumri, the second largest city in Armenia. Gyumri is the administrative center of the Shirak region and is located about two hours away from Yerevan. After the terrible earthquake of 1988, restoration works are still carried out here. But every day the city becomes more and more beautiful, and even the restored buildings are made in the style of the old city.

On your way to Gyumri, you can stop at the Cathedral of Talin, which was build in the 12th century in the city of Talin, and at the Aruch caravanserai (13th century), which is located before the turn to the Aruch village.

There are many buildings in Gyumri built of black tuff. Buildings made of the black tuff are one of the features of Gyumri. For example, two main churches of the city are built from it – Surb Astvatsatsin (also known as “Seven Wounds”) and Amenaprkich. Next to both churches, you can see the domes, preserved in a dilapidated state after the earthquake.

The churches are located on two sides of the main square of Gyumri – Vardanants. In the center of the square there is a memorial dedicated to the Battle of Avarayr. The memorial is headed by a statue of Vardan Mamikonyan, national hero of Armenia.

Gyumri has a very creative atmosphere, so while you are here, be sure to visit museums. For example, the Gallery of Sisters Mariam and Yeranuhi Aslamazyan. The two-story building of this museum contains paintings and ceramics created by two sisters. The beautiful courtyard of this building is also noteworthy. Another interesting place is the Museum of National Architecture and Urban Life of Gyumri. It is also called the Dzitoghtsyan Museum, as it used to be a family house built by the four Dzitoghtsyan brothers. By the way, both of these buildings are built of black tuff as well.

During your trip to Gyumri, be sure to check out “Aregak” bakery. Here you will try the most delicious pastries and coffee. “Aregak” is the only inclusive cafe in Armenia, which allows people with disabilities to have a permanent, stable job.

Spend your fifth day in Armenia walking around the beautiful Gyumri, meet the locals who will introduce you to Gyumri’s unique sense of humour, feel the incredible atmosphere of this old but advanced city.

Day 6. Sevan

One week in Armenia cannot pass without visiting the famous Lake Sevan. Since Armenia is landlocked, Lake Sevan is a favorite vacation spot for Armenians. Lake Sevan is located in Gegharkunik region, on the territory of Sevan National Park, where there are many interesting hiking trails.

A perfect option for traveling around Sevan is a jeeping tour. Driving off-road, you will have the opportunity to better get acquainted with the territory of Sevan and see the extinct volcano Armaghan. Jeeping tours in Armenia can be done in other directions as well. This is a great way to discover inaccessible parts of the country.

In the summer season, go to the shore of Lake Sevan and swim in the cold water of the lake. You can also do paddle boarding here. Do not miss the opportunity to ride a paddle board on Lake Sevan and enjoy the mountain scenery around.

Day 7. Wine tour

To make you last day in Armenia special, you can go on a wine tour. Wine is considered a national drink of Armenia. There are many local grapes, as well as wild vineyards. Armenians have been engaged in winemaking since ancient times. Evidence of this are numerous excavations, during which were discovered tools for winemaking, dating back to millennia BC.

Going on a wine tour, you will have the opportunity to visit the best wineries in the country, get acquainted with the best wine producers, learn more about the history of winemaking in Armenia, taste delicious Armenian wines combined with local fresh products: cheese, meat, fruits and dried fruits. This will be the perfect end to your one-week trip to Armenia.

We hope that this article will help you plan an exciting one week in Armenia. We tried to describe several options for traveling in our country. Choose the most interesting options for you, and we can guarantee that your week in Armenia will be full of adventures and unforgettable emotions. And if you will not manage to do everything, we will be happy to welcome you back to our wonderful country.

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