7 Must Do Tours From Yerevan in 2024

Here are seven must-do tours from Yerevan:

• Garni and Geghard Tour:
  • Visit the ancient Garni Temple, the only Hellenistic temple in Armenia.
  • Explore the unique Geghard Monastery, partially carved out of the adjacent mountain.

• Lake Sevan and Dilijan Tour:
  • Enjoy the stunning scenery of Lake Sevan, one of the largest high-altitude lakes in the world.
  • Visit the town of Dilijan, often referred to as “Armenia’s Switzerland,” known for its picturesque landscapes.

• Tatev Monastery and Wings of Tatev Cable Car:
  • Take a ride on the Wings of Tatev, the world’s longest reversible cable car, to reach the ancient Tatev Monastery.
  • Explore the historic monastery and enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes.

• Khor Virap and Noravank Tour:
  • Visit Khor Virap, a monastery with a stunning view of Mount Ararat.
  • Explore Noravank Monastery, known for its intricate stone carvings and picturesque setting.

• Echmiadzin and Zvartnots Cathedral Tour:
  • Visit the Holy See of Echmiadzin, the spiritual center of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
  • Explore the ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Jermuk and Jermuk Waterfall Tour:
  • Relax in the spa town of Jermuk, famous for its mineral waters.
  • Visit the picturesque Jermuk Waterfall and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
• Yerevan Tour:
  • Explore the capital city’s key landmarks, including Republic Square, Cascade and much more.

Historical tours

Historical and Religious tourism in Armenia unfolds a captivating journey through the annals of one of the world’s oldest Christian institutions—the Apostolic Church. As a venerable nation, Armenia boasts not only an ancient cultural heritage but also a rich tapestry of religious history spanning centuries. 

Explore a fascinating journey through a land that adopted Christianity as its official religion in 301. Join historical and religious tours to discover the Land of Noah, where you can follow the path near Mount Ararat. Dive into Armenia’s ancient history and experience the unique atmosphere of its thousand-year-old temples. Take pilgrimages to remote monasteries and early Christian churches, marveling at their architecture inspired by deep faith.

Khor Virap 

Khor Virap, an important place in Armenia, is a monastery-fortress just 40 kilometers from Yerevan, close to the country’s border. It gives an amazing view of the valley and Mount Ararat and is where Armenia officially became Christian way back before Rome. Despite being a popular spot, Khor Virap has a peaceful vibe that feels wonderful.

Sitting on a rock near the old capital, Artashat, Khor Virap’s simple beauty captures visitors. This monastery, once a jail, preserves the history of Artashat, an important capital in Ancient Armenia.

In 301, Khor Virap became the spot where the country’s ruler embraced Christianity as the official religion. Visitors can check out the Church of the Blessed Virgin, go down to the underground prison where St. Gregory the Illuminator was held for around 15 years, and see the blue haze blending with Mount Ararat’s peak. Don’t miss the graduation ceremony, where white doves are released as a symbol of peace in this special place.

Garni Geghard 

Garni and Geghard are two significant historical and cultural sites in Armenia.

Garni is located about 29 kilometers southeast of Yerevan. The Garni Temple is a well-preserved Hellenistic structure and is the only standing Greco-Roman colonnaded building in Armenia.

Geghard is a medieval monastery complex situated not far from Garni, in the Kotayk Province. The monastery complex is partially carved out of the adjacent mountain cliffs and is known for its unique rock-cut architecture. Geghard Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and holds religious significance, housing relics such as the spear that wounded Jesus during the crucifixion.

When visiting Garni and Geghard, tourists often have the opportunity to explore both sites in a single day due to their proximity. The combination of the classical temple in Garni and the rock-cut medieval monastery in Geghard provides a rich experience of Armenia’s historical and architectural heritage.

Adventurous Activities

10 Adventurous Activities to Experience in Armenia:

• Climbing Expeditions:
  • Scale the Northern Peak of Mount Aragats (4090 meters) or Mount Khustup for an adrenaline-fueled adventure.
• Scenic Hiking Trails:
  • Hike through Armenia’s mountainous terrain, discovering nature up close and exploring villages.
• Horseback Riding:
  • Enjoy horse racing adventures in Armenia, catering to both beginners and skilled riders.
• Off-Roading and Jeep Tours:
  • Navigate challenging mountain roads with 4×4 jeeping, ideal for driving enthusiasts.
• Water Sports at Lake Sevan:
  • Lake Sevan, Armenia’s largest freshwater lake, invites adventurers to swim, windsurf, jet-ski, and enjoy boat rides.
• Paragliding and Hot Air Ballooning:
  • Experience Armenia from a bird’s-eye view with paragliding and hot air ballooning.
• Ziplining Adventures:
  • Zip through the air on ziplines in Yerevan, Yenokavan (Yell Extreme Park), Dilijan, and Tsaghkadzor.
• Winter Sports at Tsaghkadzor:
  • In winter, indulge in skiing or snowboarding at Tsaghkadzor and other resort towns.
• All-Year Zipline Excitement:
  • Try ziplining year-round for an exhilarating adventure in Yerevan and various regions of Armenia.

Armenian Food

Armenian cuisine  is really old, going back about 2000 years. Armenians cooked in special pottery dishes and baked in a unique oven called a tonir. They love using herbs and spices, with around 300 different kinds of wild flowers and herbs for flavor.

If you like starting with soup, Armenian soups like spas, yayni, tarhan, bozbash, and the famous khash are worth a try. Khash is an old and healthy soup made from beef hooves and tripe. Armenians usually eat it in the morning, adding garlic and lots of spicy greens.

Armenians really enjoy meat, and their barbecue, called khorovats, is a big deal. There are over two dozen types of khorovats, and the meat is marinated in different sauces before cooking. Dolma, made with minced meat wrapped in grape leaves, is another famous dish. They serve it with matsun (fermented milk) and garlic sauce. There’s also tjvjik, made from beef organs.

Fish dishes are popular too, especially trout from Lake Sevan. Kchuch and kutap are traditional fish dishes.

You can’t think of Armenian food without bread, especially lavash, a thin pancake-like bread baked in a tonir. Armenians love their dairy products like white cheese and matsun, which can turn into a refreshing drink called tan when mixed with water.

For dessert, try Gata, a multi-layered cake, and Sudjukh, made from grape syrup and walnuts.

Armenians love hosting feasts, and if you get invited, expect a table full of different dishes. They won’t let you leave until you’ve tasted everything.

If you want to try Armenian food, there are many restaurants. “Dolmama” has a mix of ethnic and European dishes. “Capella” offers tasty Armenian food at reasonable prices, for dine-in or delivery.

Seafood lovers can try fish dishes near Lake Sevan. 

Explore famous markets and taste fresh fruits, vegetables, and dried fruits with SaraVoyage.