Armenia: Yerevan, Sevan and Ancient Monasteries — Where to Go and What to Try

Yerevan: the pink city

Yerevan is known as the pink city — many of its buildings are made of warm-toned tuff stone. Start at Republic Square with its singing fountains, then climb the Cascade, a giant stairway of gardens and sculptures with views over the city and Mount Ararat. At the weekend, drop by the Vernissage, a market of crafts, carpets and souvenirs.

Garni, Geghard and Khor Virap

Not far from Yerevan stand the pagan temple of Garni, built in classical antiquity, and the monastery of Geghard, partly carved right into the rock. Another place people visit for the view is the monastery of Khor Virap: from its hill, Ararat seems almost close enough to touch.

Lake Sevan and Dilijan

Sevan is a high-altitude lake with remarkably clear water. The Sevanavank monastery stands on a peninsula, with a view across the whole lake. Nearby is Dilijan, a resort town in the forests known as the Armenian Switzerland: a lovely place for walks, fresh mountain air and local food.

Tatev: a monastery above a gorge

In the south of the country, the monastery of Tatev sits on the edge of a deep gorge. You can reach it by the Wings of Tatev cable car, which runs right over the gorge — the ride itself is an experience of its own.

What to try

Armenian cuisine means meat grilled over embers, fresh herbs and homemade bread.

• Khorovats — Armenian barbecue skewers.
• Dolma — a meat filling wrapped in vine leaves.
• Lavash — a thin flatbread baked in a traditional tonir oven.
• Gata — a sweet pastry, often bought to take on the road.
• Apricots and dried fruit — especially in summer and autumn.
• Armenian brandy and local wine — at tastings in Yerevan and the regions.

Good to know before you go

Armenians are wonderfully hospitable, and a few simple rules will help you feel at ease.

• Visit monasteries and churches in modest clothing that covers your shoulders.
• Summer in Yerevan is hot and dry, while the mountains are cooler — bring a warm layer.
• Mountains and monasteries are easier to reach with a driver or on an organised tour.
• Cash comes in handy at markets and in small villages.
• If you're invited into someone's home, it's almost impossible to turn down the food — and there's no need to.

Staying connected

In Armenia you need the internet from the very first minutes: to call a taxi, open a map, translate a menu or show your hotel booking. You can install your eSIM at home over Wi-Fi, so after landing you won't have to hunt for a SIM card at the airport or stand in queues. When a plan's validity begins is shown on the checkout page before you pay: for some plans it starts at the first connection in the destination country, for others on installation or right after purchase. Your main number stays in your phone, and calls and messages to it keep arriving as usual, under your carrier's terms.