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Things to Do in Tavush Province

Things to See in Lori Province

What to Taste in Shirak Province

COMING SOON

Bringing to you the uniqueness of Armenian cycling and driving culture.

Mount Ararat

Mountain Eagles

Zorats Karer / Karahunj (7600-4500 BC)

Ughtasar Petroglyphs (12,000 BC)

Khachkar (Cross-Stone)

Zvartnots Temple (641—661 AD)

Armenia is well-known as an ancient country. But few are aware of what range of breathtaking landscape, innumerous historical monuments and cultural heritage this sunny, beautiful and hospitable country has. You can choose the journey of your own from numerous general and specialized tours - discovery, cultural, mountain hiking, birdwatching, off-road, and many other. Make a wish - and it will be our privilege to help you to discover the beauty of our country. Make your choice and enjoy the magnificence of Armenia.

Discovery Tours

Birdwatching tours, off-road tours, joint tours, yerevan to mark its 2801st anniversary october.

Armenia has a reputation for greeting its visitors with warmth and hospitality. Nowhere is this truer than in Yerevan, one of the most ancient cities in the world, celebrating its 2801st anniversary in October ... , 2019. The capital of Armenia has all the advantages of a modern capital city and boasts numerous historical attractions, together with a friendly atmosphere, which makes visitors feel at home. The city itself is one of the main tourist attractions in Armenia.

Pre-historic and early Christian monuments

Through all the centuries, Armenia has managed to preserve a wealth of today's evidence of the evolution of humankind. There are innumerable historical monuments in Armenia. 40,000 are available for ... visiting and are waiting for an admiring traveller. Most of them are churches. However, only some 4,000 are readily accessible and commonly visited because of the difficulty of reaching the rest. Normally they are open round-the-clock without any admission charge.

Cross-Stone - Khachkar

Cross-stone (khachkar) is virtually the most famous design of Medieval Armenian culture. Finally shaped during X-XI AD, they are the synthesis of traditional art, philosophical and spiritual apprehension. The idea and main symbols represented on accompanied ... Armenian tribes and people since their origin over three millennia earlier. The central subject "the radiant Light, the Cross of Christ" is endowed with incredible diversity of meanings - initially being the sign of sun and invigorating fire, it also included the shape of Tree of Life.

5,500 years old leather shoe is oldest ever discovered

An international team of archaeologists has discovered the world's oldest leather shoe. One thousand years older than the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt, the 5,500-year-old shoe was perfectly preserved by the cool ... , dry conditions in the sheep dung-lined cave in Armenia where it was found. More by NationalGeographic.com

6,000 years old wine press found in Armenian Cave

Archeologists have unearthed the oldest wine-making facility ever found, using biochemical techniques to identify a dry red vintage made about 6,000 years ago in what is now southern Armenia. The excavation paints a picture of a ... complex society where mourners tasted a special vintage made at a cave side cemetery, the researchers reported on Tuesday in the Journal of Archaeological Science. More by ArchaeologyNewsNetwork.com

Wine & Brandy tasting

Tours of the wineries and tasting of wine and cognac are very popular in Armenia. Excavation results prove, that first wine grape was cultivated on Armenian Highland thousands of years ago and today the descendants of ancient clans try to retain that heritage. Armenia produces an ... unchallenged quality brandy (cognac). Armenian cognacs of numerous special brands are aged in oak barrels for 3 to 50 years and are from 40 to 57% proof. The unique flavour and smooth quality of Armenian cognac and wine is something you must sample for yourself while you are in the country.

Armenian Cuisine

Armenian cuisine is noted for its pleasing aroma, as a result of the expert mix of spices employed. Armenians use also many unusual herbs and greens in their cooking. The most exotic are collected at alpine meadows and combined in the most unexpected way. The ... taste will challenge even the most refined expert. Many of Armenian specialities are barbecued. You can taste traditional shish-kebab almost everywhere. The standard bread of the country, called lavash, is renowned for its quality. It is only about the thickness of one or two sheets of newspaper and the best is like a parchment Armenians like to eat lavash with local cheese or shish-kebab and fresh uncooked greens, using it for wrapping the food as a sort of sandwich. Ask an Armenian how lavash is made or visit any village to see it yourself. You'll be surprised and impressed.

Armenia is famous for its fruits, some of which are recognised as superior to the same fruits cultivated in other countries at such latitudes. Grapes of some 40 kinds grow on the territory of Armenia, mainly on the Ararat valley. Peaches and apples, pears and ... cherries, pomegranates and figs are delicious. Apricot grows in Armenia from time immemorial. It has an incomparable taste and is considered the queen of Armenian fruits. You can taste it yourself.

Few nations have histories as ancient, complex and laced with tragedy as Armenia (ՀԱՅԱՍՏԱՆ). And even fewer have a culture that is as rich and resilient. This is a destination where you will be intrigued by history, awed by monuments, amazed by the landscape and charmed by down-to-earth locals. It's not an easy place to explore – roads are rough, transport is often hard to navigate and those who don't speak Armenian or Russian may find communication difficult – but travelling here is as rewarding as it is revelatory.

Leave the planning to a local expert

Experience the real Armenia. Let a local expert handle the planning for you.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Geghard Monastery

Garni & Geghard

Named after the lance that pierced Christ’s side at the crucifixion (a shard is now on display at the museum in Etchmiadzin), this World Heritage–listed…

Armenian Genocide Memorial & Museum

Commemorating the massacre of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1922, this institution uses photographs, documents, reports and films to…

History Museum of Armenia

Its simply extraordinary collection of Bronze Age artefacts make this museum Armenia's pre-eminent cultural institution and an essential stop on every…

Founded by Bishop Hovhannes in 1205 and sensitively renovated in the 1990s, Noravank (New Monastery) is one of the most spectacular sites in Armenia and…

Garni Temple

Built by Armenia’s King Trdat I in the 1st century AD, this Hellenic-style temple set on the edge of a gorge overlooking the Azat River was dedicated to…

Old Khndzoresk

Dug into volcanic sandstone on the slopes of Khor Dzor (Deep Gorge), the village of Old Khndzoresk was inhabited as far back as the 13th century. By the…

Cafesjian Center for the Arts

Housed in a vast flight of stone steps known as the Cascade, this arts centre is one of the city's major cultural attractions. Originally conceived in the…

Khor Virap Monastery

Located 32km south of Yerevan at the foot of Mt Ararat, Khor Virap has been repeatedly rebuilt since the 5th century. Legend says the pagan King Trdat III…

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Armenia and beyond

Armenia Tourism

• What is Armenia Famous for?

Is Armenia Safe for Tourists?

Is armenia expensive, cultural tourism, gastronomic tourism, adventure and nature tourism, sustainable and eco tourism, pilgrimage in armenia.

Traveling to Armenia leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller .

What is Armenia Famous for? 

Pack your suitcase and come discover the Land of Noah, a little gem in the heart of the Caucasus that will make your jaw drop. Armenia is filled with stories of resilience and perseverance, with monasteries dating back over a millennium, with beautiful scenery and a sense of ancient spirituality and bravery.

Enjoy the diversity of Hayastan, as locals call their beloved country. Lose yourself in Yerevan, one of the oldest cities in the world, and pray at Etchmiadzin, the world’s first Christian cathedral. Stand mesmerized by the deep blue hues of Lake Sevan and time travel in the historical cave village Khndzoresk. Listen to the 7th century Amberd Fortress tell its stories of valor and uncover our ancestors’ secrets at the pagan temple of Garni. Put on wings and fly with Tatev’s cable cars and leave your footprint next to the world’s oldest shoe in Areni Caves. Find rest along the old Silk Road at Orbelian’s Caravanserai and create your own stories of wild adventure atop mountain heights.

No matter which road you take, you will be followed and guided by Mountain Ararat’s maternal gaze.

To stand at the conjunction of past and present, religion and mystical practice, and the bravery and devotion of a benevolent nation, is to stand in beautiful Armenia.

Although you probably don’t speak Armenian, one of the oldest languages in the world, all you need for communicating with friendly, welcoming locals is a smile. Most Armenians will greet you with warm hospitality and open arms, filling your vacation with memories that will last a lifetime .

Safety is a number one priority when traveling, and luckily Armenia is a safe destination for every type of tourist. Crime rates are low, medical services are well developed and the transportation system is organized and safe. You can freely explore Yerevan any time of the day and enjoy the city’s busy night life after dark. Each region has a well-established touristic infrastructure organized by the Armenia tourism board, and local police who stand ready to assist you 24/7.

The United States Department of State ranks Armenia as a Level 1 country on its Travel Advisory Page, the safest category in its system. According to the 2018 Crime Index by City, Yerevan is as safe as Luxembourg, Prague or Edinburgh. If you use common sense and follow regular precautions when traveling to Armenia, you are unlikely to face any safety issues.

For those wondering about the cost of turning your armchair travel into reality, rest assured that you can tour Armenia without burning a hole in your pocket. Traversing this diverse, vibrant nation can be cost-effective for even the most frugal of budget travelers, and all without compromising on delicious meals, comfortable accommodation with friendly hosts and excursions to memorable landmarks and attractions.

Armenia is worth visiting for budget travelers can expect to spend around 10 to 25 USD for accommodation in local hostels or guesthouses and from 10 to 30 USD per day for food, public transportation and sightseeing.

Instead of driving, try to explore as many places as possible by walking or hiking, which will not only save you money, but allow you to discover hidden gems and experience the local lifestyle as you interact with amiable, hospital residents. If your legs grow weary, public transport, especially the buses and minibuses, are cheap, safe and can take you to almost any destination.

You will not need to pay any entrance fees to visit the many centuries-old churches that have come to define the Armenian landscape, each of which provides a glimpse into local architecture, history and traditions. Additionally, many museums provide detailed brochures and descriptions in English, saving you from the necessity of hiring a guide.

By purchasing fresh food and produce at small bakeries and local markets, you’ll spend less money and have the chance to try your hand at cooking local dishes. Keep in mind that you will need cash to buy foodstuffs at smaller cafes and bakeries or to bargain for authentic souvenirs directly from local artisans, most of whom offer high-quality goods at very affordable prices.

While Armenia is not yet a popular destination for backpackers, its dramatic mountain landscapes and rugged valleys are an ideal backdrop for trekking, biking, camping and off-road adventures. Camping in the wild is free, while official campsites charge anywhere from 8 USD or more for two people and a tent per night. Cycling to the nearest getaway or hiking over forest glades and mountain pathways is free entertainment at its best, and most wanderlust adventurers who set foot in this land wonder why they didn’t discover Armenia sooner.

Types of Armenia Tourism

Every region, city and village in Armenia offers unusual historical attractions that beg exploration, flavourful dishes waiting to be enjoyed and warm hospitality that will put you at ease.

With seemingly endless opportunities and countless destinations on the map, it can be hard to know where to start. To help you think through your Caucasus adventure, we invite you to learn about the various types of Armenia tourism below. You can then decide where your curiosities lie, use those interests as a springboard for selecting your tour, and let the memorable adventures begin !

If you’re fascinated by new cultures, lifestyles and traditions, cultural tours in bewitching Armenia are bound to exceed your expectations. Be it the mystical culture surrounding Urartu, architectural monuments unique to Armenia, the sweet sounds of the duduk or the flavors of Armenian cognac, wonders await you on each day of your vacation.

We advise you to start your adventure in capital city Yerevan, an ancient city with endless charm and friendly locals which comprise a third of the country’s entire population. Do not miss Yerevan Cascade, a giant staircase offering a bird’s eye view of the city, a panorama of Mount Ararat and unique, contemporary artwork. As you move through the city, you’ll discover its layers one by one: Soviet past, a Christian heritage, remnants of Islamic history and modern neighbourhoods filled with restaurants, cafes, shopping malls and colourful nightlife. Yerevan’s rich cultural life is heard in local theaters and concert halls, felt in traditional carpet weaving classes, savored in world famous Armenian cognac, sensed in the rich aromas of delicious local cuisine and seen in numerous museums dedicated to the hardships, bravery and victories of this fearless nation.

Not far from Yerevan stands the two-thousand-year-old temple of Garni, one of the last remaining pagan temples in the region. From this pagan past, step into Armenia’s Christian heritage by visiting Etchmiadzin, the first Christian temple, before witnessing “Dance of Eagles” at Haghartsin Monastery.

Acquaint yourself with the beautiful and ancient Armenian alphabet at Oshakan or visit one of the most sacred monasteries in Armenia via the longest reversible tramway in the world in Tatev. If you’re feeling adventurous, the caves of Khndzoresk and Areni await exploration, while Armenia’s quiet mountain paths, pristine rivers, lush forests and untouched landscapes dotted with forts and monasteries will never cease to take your breath away. Read more...

Combine the finest aspects of Eastern European and Middle Eastern cuisine and you’ll discover Armenian food, a tasty blend of influences from across the region. Armenian food is rich in vegetables, meat, fish and dairy products. Lavash (famous local flatbread), lamb, eggplant and fresh herbs are the primary components of many local dishes.

Try the famous khurjin, a traditional mountainous dish. According to local saying, the wives of shepherds used to make khurjin for their husbands before they journeyed into the mountains for weeks and months at a time. This convenient dish is a simple meat and vegetable combination that is then wrapped in a big parcel of lavash.

Meat lovers should not miss ordering Armenia’s famous dolma, grape leaves stuffed with rice and meat and served with a creamy garlic garnish; khorovats, a delicious grilled lamb; and basturma, dried and seasoned beef prepared with spices.

Vegetarians will enjoy zhengyalov hats, a flat bread stuffed with butter and several types of greens and herbs, as well as eetch, cooked bulgur with various vegetables and spices.

One of the most traditional dishes in Armenia is ghapama, a stuffed pumpkin filled with rice, raisins and dried fruit which is often served on special occasions. If you love sweets, the gata sweet bread will leave you speechless, as will sujuk, a traditional local candy of walnuts wrapped with a fruity paste.

For an authentic bazaar experience, Yerevan’s famous GUM Market is bursting with nuts, dried fruits, vegetables, various local cheeses and overwhelming hospitality.

Armenians believe that Noah planted the first grapevine in Armenian territory, and local wines produced according to ancient traditions can still be sampled in Areni, a beautiful region filled with sweet grapes and fruity aromas. And of course, Armenia tourism would not be complete without sampling delicious Armenian Cognac, the country’s chief beverage whose rich taste will add a memorable twist to your mind-blowing trip around this likeable country . Read more...

Armenia is loaded with nooks and crannies awaiting exploration and memories eager to be created across its stunning landscapes. This mountainous land will boost your adrenaline levels and send you soaring with its varied geography and diverse climatic conditions that make almost every form of outdoor exploration possible. Whether trekking through remote and scenic expanses, catching a bird’s-eye view while paragliding, camping in the lonely wilderness, rock climbing, windsurfing or riding a jet-ski, nature and adventure tourism in Armenia offers a bit of everything.

Gear up for a daring bike ride along stunning mountain roads, witness the bravery of the Armenian people by climbing the 7th century Amberd Fortress, follow an irresistible hiking path from Tatev Monastery past Khndzoresk Caves, explore Dilijan National Park or ski at Tsaghkadzor in winter.

At 4090 meters, the north summit of Mount Aragats is the highest point in the country and a popular destination for people who want to challenge their strength and relish the taste of freedom. For those looking for something a little less extreme, the southern peak of Mount Aragats (3879 meters) will prove the ideal getaway.

If you’re an extreme sports enthusiast, why not combine sightseeing and rock climbing? The gorge of Noravank Monastery, located 80 kilometers southeast of Yerevan, offers limestone cliffs and picturesque nature engulfed in the gentle roar of the Amaghu River. Alternatively, the Gorge of Garni, just 30 kilometers from Yerevan, is framed by rocky walls and landscapes so unusual you may begin to wonder if you’ve crawled into another world.

Paragliding has remained one of the most popular sports in Armenia since its introduction to the country in 1996. And little wonder, for it combines the unforgettable thrill of floating through the air with the diversity of Armenia’s nature seen in the views of Mount Hatis, the beautiful village Covagyugh or the mystery of Mount Armagan.

For those looking for a calmer experience, consider a nature hike through one of Armenia’s national parks or a calming afternoon at the shores of Parz Lake. Many private companies can also organize horseback riding adventures for those who wish to combine their love of animals with quiet time in nature.

Adventurous travel in beautiful Armenia is your doorway to a new and fascinating world . Read more...

Sustainable and Eco Tourism, far more than just traveling around the globe, is about ensuring that your visit leaves a positive impact on the local community. Located in the heart of Eurasia between the Black and Caspian Seas, Armenia features over 3,800 plants and more than 17,500 animal species that add to its allure as a prime destination for people who wish to travel responsibly.

Getik Valley offers rural tourism, cooking courses, masterclasses in the production of local cheeses and yogurt, carpet-weaving lessons and a superb fishing environment amidst stunning landscapes.

Unplug and connect to nature while hiking around the enchanting village Urtsadzor, whose clear spring waters and fresh mountain air will refresh your body and soul. The village of Noragyukh, with its unique flora and fauna, is another popular destination for eco-tourism. Animal lovers will appreciate the bezoar goats in Shatin village and bird watching in the beautiful Lori Region.

One of the best places for sustainable tourism in Armenia is Khosrov State Reserve, offering picturesque hiking paths surrounded by waterfalls, ruins of remote monasteries and beautiful natural monuments.

Dilijan National Park is another exotic destination that’s sure to capture your heart with its dense forest landscapes, picturesque Parz Lake, medicinal mineral springs, isolated monasteries and seemingly endless hiking trails.

While the options for sustainable tourism in Armenia are many, each one blends remarkable nature with respectful learning of local culture to create heartwarming memories for you and a beneficial experience for local residents . Read more...

In 301 AD, Armenia became the very first country in the world to adopt Christianity as its state religion. Faith has shaped its culture, lifestyle and traditions down through the centuries, and religious pilgrims the world over travel to the mysterious Land of Noah in a quest for enlightenment, understanding and peace.

And just what is Armenian religion today? In Armenia, a certain sense of beautiful mystery seems to gather and grow so that no matter the length of your stay in country, you cannot help but be immersed in the deep spirituality, loyalty and beauty of this dedicated nation. The history of Armenia is a blend of hardships, invasions and devastating natural disasters and yet through it all, Armenians managed to preserve their resilience, bravery and faith.

Start your pilgrimage in Armenia by visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Etchmiadzin, the first Christian Cathedral in the world that was completed in 303 AD. Learn about a past filled with hardships and courage at the ruins of Zvartnots, or pray for the peace and unity of Armenia at Khor Virap Cathedral, where, according to legend, St. Gregory the Illuminator was held in the basement as a prisoner for 13 years for preaching Christianity.

Travel to Armenia’s pre-Christian past at the pagan temple of Garni, hear the sacred chants at Geghard Monastery or trace the religious steps of Armenians imprinted in the numerous khachkar cross-stones.

Re-establish the original harmony which once existed between man and universe at beautiful Lake Sevan and feel the wonder of limitless faith at Tatev Monastery, blanketed in mesmerizing nature and tranquility. Learn about iconic Armenian medieval architecture at the Haghartsin and Goshavank Monasteries, which served as spiritual and cultural centers of the country for centuries.

Come see with your own eyes where the events of religious history unfolded, for within its glorious and fearsome face, you may find your true self.

Regardless of where in country your travels may take you, your trip will be a blend of unique historic and religious sites, alluring nature, warm hospitality, kind smiles, intangible pleasures and eternal spirituality. Be prepared to take glorious photos, treasure the moment and savor the adventure of a lifetime! Read more...

“Armenia, The Hidden Track” – the Tourism Committee launches Armenia’s new destination brand

May 20, 2022, Yerevan, Armenia - The Tourism Committee of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia launched the new brand for Armenia as a tourism hotspot on an international level. The new brand embodies Armenia’s ancient heritage, pristine nature and rugged landscapes, combined with an overwhelming hospitality and rich culinary scene all accessible at an affordable price. The brand’s new tagline “Armenia, The Hidden Track” and rich visual identity highlight Armenia’s distinctive character as an undiscovered gem with a positive vibe, providing tourists with authentic experiences off the beaten path.

“It is very important for any brand, especially a destination brand, to have a clear  positioning that reflects its unique value proposition. We wanted a fresh and dynamic brand that would appeal to the international audience and AHA collective has delivered just that, ” noted Vahan Kerobyan, Minister of Economy at the Republic of Armenia.  

“Armenia possesses remarkable tourism potential in its unique but largely unknown and unexplored cultural and natural resources, as well as experiences in gastro and adventure tourism. The purpose of the project was to define and create the branding and visual identity elements for Armenia as an attractive travel destination and amplify Armenia’s market position as a tourist destination among international target audiences,” said Sisian Boghossian, Head of the Tourism Committee.

The new destination brand of Armenia was created in collaboration with the Yerevan-based creative studio AHA collective within the frames of the EU4Business “Innovative Tourism and Technology Development for Armenia (ITTD)’’ project supported by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

Following an iterative user-engagement research process based on two vectorial lenses - country perception and country experience, key insights were captured about how the target audience perceives and lives the Armenian experience. In partnership with the Tourism Committee of Armenia, AHA collective’s team developed a unique brand translating the country’s competitive assets into a competitive identity, making Armenia a distinctive and authentic destination brand from all others.

The brand encompasses Armenia’s DNA, truly embracing actual perceptions and experiences of both visitors and residents. Armenia is distinctively perceived and experienced as a magnetic and generous country: one that is a historical and cultural hidden gem, that offers boundless warmth and hospitality, that generates surprising emotions and an authentic feeling of belongingness.

“We are happy to support Armenia on its way to establishing itself on the international tourism market! Indeed, there is a lot yet to discover in this wonderful country and we are looking forward to hear of many new achievements of Tourism Committee of Armenia under this new beautiful brand identity” noted Antonis Tsamoulis, Cooperation officer at the EU Delegation to Armenia.

The tagline “The Hidden Track” expresses both the primary meaning of the unveiled, a road yet to be discovered, and also suggests an exploration of its secondary meaning in the musical field. This refers to the surprise track that used to be at the end of CDs and audio cassettes in such a way that it is unlisted and unknown before the listener heard the entire record - a surprise piece completing the listener’s experience. This expression rightfully refers to the emotion of amazement and surprise tourists feel while visiting Armenia.

“One of the main goals of our project is to secure the long term sustainable development of tourism sector and in this regard we are happy to support Armenia not only in private sector but also on the institutional level. I congratulate Tourism Committee on their new brand identity, and I'm looking forward to see this beautiful logo representing Armenia on different expos and events worldwide.” said Wilhelm Hugo, Team Leader of the EU4Business “Innovative Tourism and Technology Development for Armenia” Project

Armenia’s rooted history and culture offers multi-layered explorations for visitors of all ages. The country’s contemporary scene is rich with gastro and adventure, and its experiential trails engage visitors in a friendly, bold, and passionate journey. The brand follows this tone of voice through its visual elements.

“The brand is designed as an organic and ever-evolving framework. Defined as an immersive sound wave environment echoing the mountainous landscapes of Armenia, the visual identity entails the entire design elements as a built-in soundscape. The modular design system is conceived on structured yet flexible core elements, amongst which are the wordmark, the custom-made typography from which bursts an inclusive illustrative system, the warm and vivid color palette. The versatility of the visual system offers boundless creativity across applications and allows the identity to mature along with time to always be different, fresh, and unique. Designed with such an approach, the brand engages the beholder in an immersive and dynamic visual quest towards one’s discovery of Armenia” explained Nairi Khatchadourian, Director of AHA collective. 

The brand launch peak was the reveal of a unique manifest designed in motion as a letter addressed by Armenia to the world for travelers to visit the country. The manifest connects  the audience with the brand through its tone of voice and visual elements, emphasizing the brand’s vision to “Make Armenia a constant discovery”. 

During the launch, an interactive digital installation created by Efekt Video Maker by Picsart allowed the audience to immerse themselves in the brand’s visual identity.

For media inquiries, please contact Gayane Ayvazyan, PR Expert of the Tourism Committee of Armenia, [email protected], cell phone: 093179023

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The brand was developed with the financial support of the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) within the frames of the EU4Business “Innovative Tourism and Technology Development for Armenia (ITTD)’’ project. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Tourism Committee of the Ministry of Economy of The Republic of Armenia and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union and BMZ.

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William Saroyan once said: “It is simply in the nature of Armenian to study, to learn, to question, to speculate, to discover, to invent, to revise, to restore, to preserve, to make, and to give.” Albeit not mentioned, of all the virtues Armenians manifest, hopefulness is one of their best. Few programs bring such a feeling of hopefulness to the hearts and minds of its participants as well as to the nation it seeks to serve and cherish. Fewer yet resemble the likes of the H. Hovnanian Family Foundation-supported sister organizations, or more accurately, sister programs, Armenian Volunteer Corps and Birthright Armenia.

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Our small land at the highs and lows of Armenian highlands between Asia and Europe is an inexhaustible and genuine resource of touristic offers and opportunities. Regional Post talked to three local representatives at the tourism sector who consider Armenia as their most valuable asset and put their daily work into the realization of tourism via different approaches.

Regional Post met the head of EU/GIZ funded Tourism Innovation Academy to discuss what changes are needed in the industry to make Armenia more competitive on the world travelers’ map.

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Armenia has recorded impressive gains over the course of the past decade as its tourism industry has begun to draw visitors from a broadening set of countries and has captured a larger share of Russian seasonal travelers. From 2010 to 2020, Armenia registered an annual tourism growth rate of nearly 15 percent, making it one of world’s fastest growing tourist destinations.   In 2020, due to COVID and regional hostilities, Armenia registered the fewest number of international tourists since 2005.  The number of travelers increased significantly in 2021 but was still below pre-COVID levels.  International tourism numbers in 2022 totaled 1.67 million visitors, in part due to large volumes of Russian travelers following the invasion of Ukraine. Armenia is expected to surpass its pre-COVID statistics in 2023. For the first half of the year, Government has reported more than one million visitors, on pace to surpass 1.9 million travelers who visited in 2019.  Armenia has relied heavily on drawing visitors from the diaspora to see family and friends, and, to a lesser extent, business travelers.  Over the greater part of a decade, there has been a significant increase in the number of arrivals in Armenia for holiday and leisure purposes.  The government’s official tourism authority, the Tourism Committee, was established in 2016.  The Tourism Committee has a policy function and has adopted a strategy for tourism promotion which highlights the different areas of tourism within Armenia including recreational, rural, spiritual, and cultural.  More focused government policy interventions have helped grow Armenia’s tourism sector, and the government is keen to increase sector jobs and revenues.

According to the World Economic Forum’s 2021 Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report, Armenia ranked 61 out of 117 countries, improving four positions over the previous 2019 report.  The report gave generally good marks to Armenia in terms of most enabling environment factors for tourism in  found shortcomings and room for improvement according to several other metrics, including infrastructure.

Limited international flight connections impede the development of the tourism industry, although connectivity is improving.  The government’s civil aviation reforms, undertaken several years ago, haveof low-cost carriers t operate flights between Armenia and major European and Middle Eastern destinations.

Tourism patterns in Armenia tend to be highly seasonal, with the late spring, summer, and early fall months seeing strong inflows of tourists.  

Leading Sub-Sectors

Armenia provides opportunities for  tourism: cultural, religious, ecological, agricultural, recreational, culinary, nature, adventure, genealogical.

The country features a variety of cultural, natural, and historical sites, six UNESCO World Heritage sites, medieval monasteries, churches, and fortresses.   hospitality companies in Armenia, including hotels, B&Bs, restaurants, transportation companies, tour operators, and travel agencies.  Armenia’s key markets for international tourists include France, Germany, Russia, Iran, and the United States.

Yerevan serves as the main gateway to Armenia for  tourists.  Armenia’s capital offers a continuously evolving restaurant, café, and wine bar scene with traditional and international fare.  Lodging options continue expand city has many museums, festivals, concerts, movie theaters,  green spaces.   culturally, historically, and religiously significant sites are located in Yerevan.

Tsaghkadzor is a ski resort town located a one-hour drive from Yerevan.  It  a significant number of international and domestic tourists, particularly in the winter.  The town is served by a Marriott property.  New ski resort projects are planned for construction in Aragatsotn and Shirak provinces. In 2023, a new mountain resort opened on the mountain slopes east of Mount Aragats, in the Aparan region of Armenia. Dilijan is another popular retreat from Yerevan, with smaller hospitality establishments.  Dilijan National Park, containing dozens of recently improved hiking trails, is nearby.

Lake Sevan, one of the largest high-altitude freshwater lakes in Eurasia, is a popular summer destination for international and domestic tourists.  It offers opportunities for outdoor diversions and recreation, as well as places of cultural and religious significance.  Vayots Dzor province is Armenia’s wine country. The region also offers cultural and religious destinations, as well as hiking trails.  Jermuk is a leading health resort noted for its mineral waters and sanatoria.   

Festivals have become increasingly prominent in Armenia as well, with various events celebrating Armenian points of national pride such as wine, barbecue, and other dishes.

A number of other initiatives have taken place with the goal of restoring and preserving notable landmarks. One notable example of this is the Tatev Revival Project, a public-private partnership between the government and a private foundation that restored a major monastery complex in Armenia’s south and organized the construction of the longest reversible cableway in the world.

Opportunities

Several Armenian regions with high-quality tourist potential still lack up-to-date accommodations, restaurants, and services.  International partners have focused recommendations on the need to develop  hotels and guesthouses up to a sufficient standard for attracting and hosting international tourists. The government has developed investment master plans around strategic corridors.  Of particular interest may be the scenic but underdeveloped southern regions of Syunik and Vayots Dzor, as well as Gyumri and Dilijan, in Armenia’s north.

International partners, including the World Bank and United Nations Development Program, have invested in supporting the development of Armenia’s tourism sector through market analyses.  Various studies have examined infrastructure investment, skills development, product development, investment potential, and access to human capital as key considerations in selecting possible sites for tourism development and the creation of tourism corridors or circuits.

There are continuing opportunities for investment and commercial expansion in  to support the steady increase of tourists.  Well-known U.S. franchises, particularly restaurants, are in demand in and the sector is showing signs of growth.  ajor U.S. hotel chains have entered Armenia or expanded their operations in the Armenian market.

Ministry of Economy Armenia Official Tourist WebsiteArmenian National Interests Fund (ANIF)Enterprise Armenia Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia World Travel & Tourism CouncilAmerican Chamber of Commerce in Armenia Spyur Information System

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Best of Armenia , Practical Information

35 very useful things to know before you visit armenia.

You’ve probably stumbled upon this guide because you’re planning to visit Armenia . This post will detail everything we think you need to know before you travel to Armenia – from information about the language to secrets from locals.

Below are some of the top tours, hotels, and more!

Top Experiences and Tours In Armenia:

• Day trip to Khor Virap, Areni Winery and Noravank Monastery (from $34)
• Armenia: Private Tour to Khor Virap Monastery (from $37)
• Private Tour: Lake Sevan, Dilijan, Goshavank and Haghartsin (from $90)
• From Yerevan: 4.5-Hour Garni-Geghard Tour (from $39)

Top Hotels in Yerevan:

• The Alexander (a luxury in Yerevan)
• Daniel’s Boutique Hotel (mid-range in Yerevan
• 14th Floor (mid-range in Yerevan)
• Grand Hostel (budget in Yerevan)

Looking for the best way to get around Armenia? Click here to check rental car rates for Armenia!

If you have additional questions, please send us a message or leave us a comment! We hope you find this useful!

Visit Armenia: Tips & Information

Armenia. You may have heard of it, or you might have not, but somewhere high in the Caucasus mountains is where this wonderful country is located. With magical nature, ancient history, and heritage that is not yet fully discovered, it is a country with so much to offer.

So what is Armenia? A little country that you might associate with the Kardashians or System of Down, but trust us, Armenia is the new, hot destination to travel to and it’s known for a lot more than just that.

As an Armenian, it’s easy to write about my own country, and that’s why my friend Megan has joined me to create this website about Armenia where we can deliver honest and informative articles about my homeland.

For me, I was able to see Armenia from a different angle because I was analyzing it from my friend’s point of view and learning what makes it such a great and unique place for travelers.

Based on our travels in Armenia and the fact that I’m a local, we often ask ourselves why it’s not crowded with tourists from around the world?

Armenia has all the necessary features for the perfect travel destination; fantastic nature and landscapes, delicious and fresh food, super hospitable people, and it’s really affordable and cheap to travel in for non-locals.

In addition to all this, starting in 2020, airlines are offering cheap and budget flights from Europe to Yerevan and Gyumri, which makes this hidden gem much more accessible to travelers and history lovers.

We have seen, and are still discovering, amazing and breathtaking sights in this little country of colors and contrasts. This guide will prepare you to visit a truly amazing destination and tell you everything you need to do and know before you visit Armenia.

What to Know Before You Travel to Armenia

We try to hit all points of what we deem useful information for this post.  If something is missing that you’d like to know, specific destination information, please shoot us a message or leave a comment so we can answer!

1. Where is Armenia?

It might be a bit challenging to find Armenia on the map, and you might have never heard of it, but it is located in the southern Caucasus region; Georgia borders it to the north, Iran to the south, Turkey to the west and Azerbaijan to the east.

Armenia is a landlocked country and it’s important to know that it’s not possible to get to Armenia overland from Turkey or Azerbaijan because of political issues.

2. Armenian Nature

Armenia has a surprisingly diverse nature for being such a small country… from mesmerizing green canyons and gorges to dry and colorful mountains to semi-desert landscapes.

The biggest lake in the Caucasus is also found in Armenia. Lake Sevan , is considered to be the blue pearl of the country. It is surrounded by breathtaking mountains, little islands, and gorgeous villages.

There are several national parks and reserves all over the country such as Dilijan National Park or the Khosrov Reserve , a place considered to be one of the oldest protected areas in history. Approximately seventeen centuries ago, the reserve was founded and its ecosystem is absolutely amazing.

Despite its small size, Armenia is one of the most mountainous countries in the world as mountains make up almost 90% of the country.

3. Seasons in Armenia

Each season has a different beauty in the Caucasian country. You can hike in the colorful autumn mountains, ski, and snowboard in Tsaghkadzor spa town in the winter, or chill out in green Dilijan guesthouses in the summer.

Spring is also special in Armenia because of the vibrant colors and blooming flowers saturating the country.

4. Armenian Culture and History

Armenia is one of those rare countries that still exists despite having more than 6000 years of history. Many civilizations have disappeared over the decades, but as a surprise to many, Armenia has managed to conserve its cultural heritage with traditions that still exist today.

There is a lot of archeological evidence that shows existing civilizations in the Bronze Age in the modern theory of Armenia dating back to 4000 BC.

It’s possible to see heritage from the different stages of Armenian history, like the Pagan Temple of Garni or the Christian churches in Etchmiadzin that were one of the first in history as Armenia was the first country that adopted Christianity as a state religion in 301 AD.

Armenians were always famous for creating art from stone because of its abundance in the country. This is evident from the Pagan frescas and Christian cross-stones (khachkars) alongside the mesmerizing churches and temples around the country, and the ruins of the castles and caves that have their hidden secrets.

The strongest and most famous king in Armenian history was King of the Kings Tigranes the Great (95–55 BC), under which the Armenian kingdom became one of the strongest kingdoms of that time. During that period, the Armenian empire spread from the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean Sea.

When is the Best Time to Visit Armenia?

Armenian has pretty much all types of weather- from hot summers to dry, cold winters with significant amounts of snow in almost all regions of the country.

The hottest time in Armenia is from June to September when the temperature can fluctuate between 37- 40 Celsius, but the evenings promise a cool breeze coming from the mountains. Temperatures also depend on where you are in the country; it’s not as hot in the north compared to the south during the summer.

Winters in Armenia are dry and cold, and during this time temperatures can drop as low as -15 Celsius. However, winter activities and sports are easily accessible, such as skiing in Ashotsk or Tsaghkadzor where you can enjoy cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, snowboarding, and winter hikes in the places.

Another plus of visiting Armenia during the winter is spending New Year’s there as the country is partying the entire time. Also, accommodation and Yerevan Airbnbs are comparably cheap during that period.

Once it’s spring in Armenia , like in many places, the weather in Armenia becomes pleasant and many festivals like Yerevan Wine Days, BBQ Fest, and the Urvakan Electronic Music Festival take place in the country.

Summers in Armenia are the perfect time to take multiple day trips from Yerevan to all throughout the country when the weather’s hot and you will have a unique opportunity to discover an ancient country. Within approximately 10 days, you can see amazing cultural and historical heritage.

Our favorite season is autumn in Armenia .  This is when the weather is just perfect for outdoor activities, camping, and day trips. In our opinion, the beginning of autumn is the best time to visit Armenia .  It is just so picturesque!

From Dilijan’s lush forest to Noravank Monastery’s surrounding area, you will see the true colors of Armenian nature during fall.

What is Armenia Known For?

As we mentioned before, Armenia is an ancient country and its heritage from different times in history is unique and somewhat well-known worldwide.

The small country has many sights that are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and there are still many undiscovered places that are gaining more and more interest from archaeologists.

Below are a few things that have put Armenia on the map.

5. First Christian Nation in the World

Armenia is the first country that adopted Christianity as an official state religion in 301 AD, over 1700 years ago.

The major figure of the spread of Christianity in Armenia was Gregory The Illuminator who was first dungeoned because of his religious view in Khor Virap . He was imprisoned for 13 years but was later released by Tiridates III.

Gregory the Illuminator is the founder of the Armenian Church and responsible for Armenia becoming a Christian nation.

The Armenian Church is known as apostolical because of two students, Bartholomew and Thaddeus of Jesus. Thaddeus came to Armenia to try to spread Christianity after his crucifixion.

The first Christian churches in Armenia, and probably some of the first ones in the world, were built and still exist in the city of Etchmiadzin today.  The city name translates to “the only born came down”.

Etchmiadzin Cathedral, St. Hripsime, Zvartnots church ruins, and others are protected by UNESCO World Heritage today and are some of the top things to see in Armenia.

6. UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Armenia

As just mentioned, the churches and cathedrals in and around Etchmiadzin are protected by UNESCO.

Other important places that are UNESCO sites in Armenia are Geghard Monastery and the Upper Azat Valley and the Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin .

7. Armenian Duduk

For more than 3000 years, this amazing instrument, with soul-touching sounds, has existed in Armenia and when it’s being played, it feels like time stops.

Duduk, or the original historical name Tsiranapogh, is an Armenian wooden instrument that looks very simple at first glance and in translation means “apricot-made clarinet”.

The sound of the Armenian duduk is so magical that it was placed on the list of Masterpieces of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO .

8. Ararat Mountain

A legendary and iconic mountain for all Armenians that is technically located in the modern territory of Turkey is the mountain ‘Ararat’, also known as Holy Mountain.

Ararat is a two-peak mountain made up of small Sis and big Masis mountains and has been represented in Armenian history since ancient times, known as a holy mountain and symbol with an elevation of 5,137 meters.

It is a Biblical mountain since it is mentioned in the Bible that Noah’s ark landed on Mount Ararat and it is where life supposedly started after the flood.

On a beautiful, clear day, it is possible to see Ararat from the capital Yerevan and you can admire its beauty, might, and harmony.

9. Lavash (Bread)

A unique flatbread that is in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is Lavash .

Not a single ingredient has changed over the centuries in the preparation of ancient Lavash bread in Armenia… even the cooking method has remained the same!

Armenian traditional lavash has very simplistic ingredients but it is one of the tastiest breads in the world. It consists of flour, water, and salt. That’s it!

Lavash is baked in the traditional tonir (tandoor), a clay hole in the ground. That is how the bread has been baked for centuries and you can even see it baked in several places in Armenia today this way (including some restaurants that have open kitchens like Sherep and Lavash ).

In Armenia, there is a special name for cheese and herbs wrapped in a lavash – ‘ bruch ‘. It’s one of the simplest, yet most delicious things in the world.

Another interesting fact about lavash bread is that it’s possible to dry it and keep it for over 6 months, then wet it when ready to eat. Armenians have been doing this for centuries and it lasts without any problems.

10. Khor Virap Monastery

Translated from Armenian, Khor Virap means deep dungeon and this is where Gregory The Illuminator was jailed for 14 years.

Khor Virap is one of the most special places to visit in Armenia because of its location and mind-blowing view of Mount Ararat.

The 5th-century Church of the Holy Mother of God that is located on a hilltop gives it another charm and is an amazing addition to the view of Mount Ararat, which seems surprisingly close despite being rather far away by distance.

Khor Virap is surrounded by green fields and vineyards and the monastery is one of the gems of Armenia that no one should miss when visiting the country (or Ararat marz !).

It is also extremely easy to get from Yerevan to Khor Virap with options on public transportation, as well as affordable tour options.

11. Ararat Brandy

Like we mentioned before Mount Ararat and its name is iconic and very popular among Armenians. You will see many brands that have Ararat in their name but one of the most popular brands that exist in Armenia and is known worldwide is Ararat Brandy (or cognac as the locals say).

The legendary and famous Ararat brandy factory is located in Yerevan on top of a hill next to the Hrazdan gorge and has a big history and legacy to tell.

Armenian Brandy actually gained popularity at the beginning of the 20th century because of Joseph Stalin and Winston Churchill.

At the Yalta Conference in 1945, Joseph Stalin presented Winston Churchill with a bottle of Ararat Brandy (Dvin).  Winston Churchill, a fervent brandy lover, fell in love with Ararat Brandy and as a result, Stalin sent Churchill 400 bottles of Dvin batch Ararat Brandy annually.

For Armenians, besides wine, cognac has to be of top quality and that quality has been delivered for more than 100 years by Ararat brandy and this is just one more thing that puts Armenia on the map.

It’s also possible to take a tour of the factory to see how Ararat brandy is made, learn the history of the factory, and enjoy the brandy itself with some great dried fruits and chocolate.

12. Armenian Carpets (Rugs)

For centuries, Armenians have been known for creating one of the best and most beautiful carpets in the world. It is a tradition to have a carpet inside an Armenian house as a part of the interior decoration.

It is possible to see how carpets and rugs are made in Armenia at the Megerian Carpet Center or Tufenkian Hotel next to the Vernissage.

The traditional ornaments are made by hand just like it was done centuries ago and these masterpieces are truly pleasing to the eye.

13. Khachkars

A unique and typical Armenian stone art known as ‘khachkars’ (cross-stones) is one of the most popular art forms in Armenia.

A khachkar is a big piece of stone with Christian art carved into it coming from the 4th century that shows the skills of the Armenian masters. There are still thousands of khachkars from ancient times that have been preserved until this day.

Because it is so special to Armenia, it is no surprise that its ornaments and symbols are included in the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

One of the most famous places to see Armenian khachkars from various decades of Armenian history is Noratus Cemetery . At Noratus, it is possible to see cross-stones from the 10th century! It is truly a fascinating, open-air museum.

14. History of the Silk Road in Armenia

When people think of the Silk Road, they more often than not think of China and Central Asia.  However, Armenia, like other places in the Caucasus, played an important role in trading on the Silk Road, especially Artashat.

While many remnants and traces of the Silk Road are gone in this part of the world, you can still see traces down in Vayots Dzor region at Orbelyan’s Caravanserai , an important inn for traders that existed and was saved.

15. Pomegranates and Apricots

The pomegranate is not only a fruit that grows in Armenia and Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), but it is also phenomenal and widely used in food and is also one of the most popular symbols for Armenia used in art and architecture.

Walking down the streets of Yerevan, it is possible to see pomegranates engraved and carved into the buildings’ facades.

Nowhere else in the world do apricots (tsiran) grow and taste as delicious as they do in Armenia. The ancient fruit, mentioned in many old manuscripts, is truly the pride of Armenia.

Even the famous Duduk (Tsiranapogh) is made from the apricot tree. The fruit is widely used in Armenia and gets exported to many countries every year.

You will also find pomegranate and apricots used in foods and wines.

16. First Winery in the World

If you didn’t already know, the first winery known to the modern world was founded in Armenia in Areni village. It dates back to 6100 BC.

Areni is known to be one of the most popular wine regions of Armenia where the highest quality libation is made, so it was no surprise that they discovered the oldest winery in the world inside the Areni-1 Cave .

In Areni-1, it is possible to see where the wine was made and how the ancient, clay wine barrels were dug into the soil.

In some of those barrels, young female bones were discovered as signs of sacrifice. It’s a truly unique place to visit in Armenia and to be able to see the traces of the world’s oldest winery.

Besides the winery, in the same Areni-1 cave, the world’s oldest leather shoe was discovered. It is approximately 5,500 years old.

17. Temple of Garni (Pagan Temple)

Even though Armenia has a big Christian history, its Pagan history is just as important. The perfect example is the only preserved Pagan Temple in the country. The Temple of Garni dates back to 1 AD and was dedicated to the God of Sun Mihr.

It is truly an amazing gem located on the edge of the Azat Gorge, yet another mind-blowing location that the ancient Armenian kings and queens used as a royal summer house.

The Temple of Garni is one of the most beloved places for travelers to visit because of its interesting structure and impressive location in the Caucasus region.

18. Tatev Monastery

If you want to learn about the spiritual life of Armenia, then it is a must to take a trip to Tatev Monastery . It has breathtaking architecture and is a spiritual Christian construction isolated from the world on the edge of the Vorotan River.

The 9th-century Tatev Monastery complex and the fortifications is an iconic Christian symbols of Armenia. It is located up in the mountains.  That is why, based on ancient myths, it is called Tatev, which translates to “give wings” in Armenian.

In the Middle Ages, Tatev Monastery was known as one of the best universities in Armenia where it was possible to study religion, science, and philosophy.

To get to Tatev Monastery, you need to ride on the world’s longest reversible aerial tramway which is 5.7 km long. The ride is gorgeous and the views are mesmerizing- you get the feeling that you are flying in the sky as you cross the gorge. This is why the tramway was given the name Wings of Tatev .

19. Armenia’s Velvet Revolution in 2018

Armenia has a remarkable ancient history and heritage, but modern Armenia also shows the world its effort to create a great democratic environment for its citizens and all the visitors to this beautiful country.

To move forward in 2018, the Armenian nation initiated a peaceful velvet revolution to remove its then-corrupt party from power as it was not leading the country with a democratic lifestyle or standards.

Armenia’s example of a peaceful velvet revolution was exceptional for many post-Soviet countries showcasing that one small country facing many problems with corruption was able to unite and, without any victims, make changes to their country and its political system.

20. Yerevan Metro

Built during the Soviet era and becoming fully operational in 1981, the Yerevan Metro is probably one of the smallest metro systems in all post-Soviet countries. However, it is one of the best secrets of Yerevan as it is affordable, efficient, and will get you from point A to point B.

The Armenian government is working on opening more metro stops and the construction has already started. The current number of stops is limited (only ten!) but are very clean and have artistic designs.

The most noticeable Yerevan metro station is the post-modern Yeritasardakan (Youth) Station and the beautiful fountains at the Republic Square Station .

The full length of the metro is 13.4 km and the working hours are from 6.30 am to 11 pm. The price of a ticket is 100 AMD and you will notice that plastic coins are still being used in Armenia but there is talk that that will change shortly.

21. Armenian Language

The Armenian language is an Indo-European language and is considered to be one of the oldest in the world. The Armenian alphabet was invented by Mesrop Mashtots in 406 AD and faced several evolutions during the coming centuries.

In the language in Armenia, there is a “dead language” called Graphar. It is used during church ceremonies, but not in daily life.

Nowadays, the Armenian language is divided into two parts: Western Armenian , which is used by the diaspora, and Eastern Armenian , which is used in Armenia today.

There are 39 letters in the Armenian alphabet and it is considered a national point of pride of the nation… so much that there is a monument dedicated to the Armenian Alphabet’s 1600th anniversary.

With an ancient alphabet, Armenia has many unique Armenian expressions that only other Armenians understand!

22. Western Armenia

The modern territory of Armenia is only 30% of what its historical territory was. The lands and territories have changed so many times throughout history.

Armenia used to be a lot bigger (territory-wise) in the past, but after the Armenian Genocide in 1915 and after becoming part of the Soviet Union, it lost its historical territories. Still today, Armenians refer to these lands as Western Armenia even though they fall under present-day Turkey.

Western Armenia used to be one of the biggest cultural and industrial centers of the region, and cities like Kars and Ani were the result of Armenians’ brilliant architectural and business minds.

Still today, there are many historical remains, churches, and cities that showcase why Armenians still consider Western Armenia a historical homeland.

23. Chess in Armenia

Despite its small population of only 3 million, Armenia has gained popularity around the world for its love and success at the game of chess.

Armenians love playing chess and it’s even part of their school program because they believe that the love for this intellectual game should start at a young age.

This small country has had several World Chess Champions : grandmaster Tigran Petrosian, Levon Aronian (one of the leaders of FIDE’s ranking list), and the Armenian National Chess team- which won the World Team Championship, European Team Championship, and the Chess Olympiad.

If you are a chess fan, then it’s just another reason to visit Armenia as it’s one of the most beloved games in the country, played from people’s backyards to international professional stages.

24. Armenian Genocide

One of the most tragic historical events that happened to Armenians and the Armenian nation is the Armenian Genocide . It was the first genocide of the 20th-century.

The horrific massacre happened in 1915 by the Turkish ‘Young Turks’ ruling party and as a result, 1,500,000 people lost their lives.

The Armenian nation not only lost many of its residents’ lives during this time but also a significant part of its historical homeland (Western Armenia).

This is why there are over 10,000,000 Armenians living outside of Armenia today.

Each year on April 24th, a march takes place to the Tsitsernakaberd Genocide Memorial in Yerevan where the whole nation pays respect to the victims of the tragedy.

25. The Armenian Diaspora (and Famous Armenians)

One interesting fact about the Armenian people and its population is that there are more Armenians living outside of Armenia these days than inside of it.  Armenia has one of the biggest diaspora in the world and it is really large in countries like the USA, Russia, and France.

Today, there are over 10,000,000 diaspora and the reason dates back to the Armenian Genocide, as mentioned above.

Americans may know of some of the famous diaspora Armenians .  Some of them are the Kardashians, Cher, Andre Agassi, Michael Vartan, Dita von Teese, Alex Ohanian (Reddit founder), Joe Manganiello, System of a Down, and more.

26. Gyumri Earthquake (Spitak Earthquake)

On December 7th, 1988, another tragedy took place in the cities of Gyumri and Spitak; they were hit by a 7-magnitude earthquake.

Gyumri is the artistic city of Armenia and has always been known as the creative center of Armenia. The devastating earthquake damaged the city very badly, mostly destroying Soviet-era buildings and a part of the Old City.

More than 40,000 people died due to the devastating consequences of the earthquake.  Even in Gyumri today, there are remnants of this earthquake as the city is still in the rebuilding process.

There are many things to do in Gyumri , and we suggest finding some small businesses to support while there as many of the owners were impacted by this disaster decades ago.

27. Miscellaneous Armenia Facts and Info

Getting around armenia.

Public transportation in Armenian is still in the development stages and new transport options are being implemented in the transport system.

Usually, there are minibusses (marshrutkas) connecting Armenian cities. These might not be the most comfortable option to get around so that’s why many travelers prefer to take taxis or to rent a car while traveling in Armenia.

Trains are also an option, but for now, the new trains will only take you from Yerevan to Gyumri . I believe there is one going to Masis, also.  It is one of the most comfortable and fast train rides in the country. The other option is to take the old, Soviet trains.

Yerevan-Gyumri price for the new train ride – 2500 AMD ($6)

Yerevan- Gyumri price for old train ride – 1500 ($3)

28. Currency of Armenia

The Armenian national currency is called the dram (AMD) and is represented by the following symbol: ֏

The currency fluctuates a bit but is currently around $1 = 500 AMD .  It is possible to change out your money nearly anywhere in Yerevan.

You will see more currency exchanges here than perhaps anywhere else you travel.  Even shoe stores sometimes have currency exchanges!  Grocery stores almost always will have them too.

29. North Armenia Does Not Look Like South Armenia

As we mentioned before, Armenia is a diverse country in a small territory where one tunnel ride can change a bold, rocky landscape into lush, green gorges and a mountain range.

Armenia is a country of contrast and is easy to travel in… if you have a car. The more north you drive, the more you will see green mountains, lakes located in hidden spots surrounded by nature, deep caves, and many more spectacular places.

Driving towards the south of the country from Yerevan, the nature and landscape change into an arid and beige wonderland, complete with a unique ecosystem that is completely different from that of the north of the country.

You can find green landscapes present throughout the entire country but its percentage varies depending on whether you’re in the north or the south.

30. Usage of Tuff in Architecture

A unique architectural material that defines Armenian architecture is the volcanic stone ‘tuff’. Tuff has been widely used in Armenia for centuries as construction material and it’s also used in art and in some other spheres.

The capital of Armenia, Yerevan, is known as a pink city because the main material that was used to build it was pink volcanic tuff stone and it illuminates the city in a hue of the same color during certain times of the day.

But tuff is not only pink, but it also has other colors as well. Black tuff was used to build the old city of Gyumri and the architecture in Gyumri stands out like no other in the country of Armenia!

31. Sidewalk Cafes in Yerevan Saturate the Streets

Yerevan has a great cafe culture , and it is one of the main attractions of the city. You can cafes everywhere, especially in the city center and it really gives the city a charming and cozy feeling.

Saryan Street , or ‘wine street’, is one of those places where little wine shops line up the sidewalk and both locals and travelers can enjoy the charming atmosphere of an evening in Yerevan.

Yerevan Cascade is a huge platform of stairs and one of the gems of the city. At the Cascades, you can also experience great cafe culture through different indoor and outdoor cafes and restaurants.

In general, Yerevan is a city of sidewalk cafes and the choice is huge!

32. Visa to Armenia

Do you need a visa for Armenia?   You might be surprised.

While the country is open to so many foreigners and for long durations of time (as an American, I have very lenient laws about being in Armenia), other nationalities are not quite as lucky.

For example, passport holders from Canada and India both need to apply for an Armenian visa (e-visas) in advance.  Rules are constantly changing, so be sure to check before your trip to see if you need a visa or not.

Click here to see the updated list at the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

33. Architecture in Armenia

In our opinion, one of the coolest things about visiting Armenia is seeing a dynamic range of architecture in the country.

As mentioned earlier in the post, pink tuff or black tuff was a commonly used building material in Armenia and the traces of that are evident, especially in Yerevan and Gyumri.

Another interesting thing about the architecture in Armenia is that you can see so many influences throughout history based on the buildings and ruins.

When people think about architecture in Armenia, monasteries typically come to mind.  Or, Soviet architecture.  We could go into excessive detail about Armenian architecture and will need to do so in another post in the near future.  But, do know that the architecture here is extremely fascinating and many prolific buildings represent different eras of history and styles.

Soviet Architecture in Armenia

Many foreigners flock to Armenia to see the country’s Soviet architecture.  A lot of Soviet pieces have held up well in Armenia due to the construction with durable and tough materials and the Armenian influence on many pieces of Soviet architecture is unique compared to anywhere else in the former-USSR.

Again, we will have an entire post on this in the near future but some of the most popular Soviet architecture in Armenia masterpieces are: the Cascades, Yerevan Central Railway Station , Zvartnots Airport Tower (original), Sevan Writers’ House, Moscow Cinema, Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory, Gyumri Shirak Airport, Jermuk cultural center, and much, much more.

34. Armenian Food and Drink

One of the greatest things about Armenia is its food and cuisine.  Food in Armenia is light and makes use of seasonal and local ingredients better than most cuisines these days.

You will find that Armenian food will feel a bit familiar and a bit foreign, all at the same time.  There are influences from Iran, Russia, Turkey, the Middle East, and Georgia in the cuisine, but many of these ‘familiarities’ are traced back so that the food either comes from these areas or Armenia actually influenced certain dishes in the aforementioned places.

Nevertheless, the Armenian food is insanely good in winter or in summer!

Vegetables and fruits in Armenia are juicy and flavorful.  You will find a heavy usage of meat but also a heavy usage of vegetables, making the country fairly ideal for vegetarians without any intent to do so.

Some very popular dishes to try in Armenia are as follows:

• spas (a yogurt-like soup with mint and other herbs)
• kufta (pounded meat dish with tons of flavor – two types in Armenia: ishli or Echmiadzin)
• ghapama (rice with dried fruits and lavash cooked inside of a pumpkin or gourd – eaten in winter)
• khash (a soup made from boiled cow or sheep parts – eaten in late autumn or winter in the mornings)
• plov with dried fruits (rice with dried fruits)
• dolma (grape leave stuffed with deliciousness such as rice, meat, and veggies)
• basooc dolma (vegetarian dolma)
• lyulya kebab (minced meat grilled with other flavors and spices)
• khorovats (Armenian BBQ)
• gata (a sweet pastry that is highly addictive due to its deliciousness)
• harissa (a porridge with pulled meat served with butter… this is not like North African harissa!)
• lahmajo (an eastern style pizza – often referred to as ‘Turkish pizza’ in western Europe)
• summer salad (a garden salad made with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and herbs)
• zhingyalov hats (a bread stuffed with many green herbs originating from Artsakh and Syunik region)
• basturma (dried and spiced meat)
• bakhlava (common across many places in this region)

Obviously, with all of these prepared items above come some other specific items like Armenian cheese , condiments, pickled veggies, and more.  Armenian food truly is the best and there is something to satisfy everyone.

Ingredients in Armenian Cuisine

While the above detailed specific dishes, we thought it would be necessary to list some common ingredients you’ll find in Armenia.

Yes, many are vegetables and you can easily find vegetarian food in Yerevan , but you do need to ask to double-check no meat or animal products were used when ordering if you’re vegan or vegetarian (a lot of food here is ‘accidentally’ vegan or vegetarian).

The ingredients listed are ones that you will see often across several dishes.

Here are some popular ingredients in Armenian cuisine:

• Cilantro (coriander)
• Pomegranate
• Salt (Armenians use a lot of salt!)
• Lavash (Armenian bread)

35. Armenian Coffee

Armenians love their coffee and you will likely be served it a couple of times a day if you’re hanging around a local.  Armenian coffee is similar to coffee you’ll find in other countries in the region and even into the Balkans (often referred to as Turkish coffee… but you will never refer to it that way here).

You can buy bags of freshly grounded coffee at all grocery stores and several shops in the city.  You will need a jazzve (way to cook the coffee on a stovetop) and a small cup to serve it into.

Are you into specialty coffee?  Don’t worry – Yerevan has third-wave coffee shops too!

The rest is history!

We hope that this guide will help you prepare a bit for your trip to Armenia , or at least give you an overview of things we think will be helpful before you visit Armenia.  If you have any additional questions, please leave a comment below or send us an email.  We are happy to help!

This guide was aimed at foreigners unfamiliar with Armenia, its food, culture, and history.  This is not a guide written for Armenians… so if we explain customs or food in a way that an Armenian may not like, we did it with the intent to help those traveling here.  Thanks in advance!

PIN IT FOR LATER!

11 thoughts on “ 35 Very Useful Things to Know Before You Visit Armenia ”

Very interesting and informative article. I am a quarter Armenian living in the U.S. I grew up with more exposure to the other side of my heritage and am now interested in learning more about my Armenian culture. You have inspired me to start digging deeper and, hopefully, plan an adventure someday.

Very informative. Hoping to visit Armenia in the near future. Thank you

is so loving i will love to visit Armenia to see all this by myself .

Honestly, it was the Duduk recording that led me to Google Armenia. The sound is very mystical, “bringing me to the mountain forest of Caucasus”. I wish to visit this interesting and historical country one day. By the way, I am from bali, Indonesia.

After reading this I want to go to Armenia…tomorrow! Actually I plan a road trip on my motorcycle from Greece to Armenia for this summer. I have one question, how things are with stray dogs in Armenia? I’ve read several negative stories about its population and attacks to people. How things are today? Thank you in advance

My new bus driver in montreal, canada, is armenian. He is a lovely man and you have shown me all about his country. Thank you for all your information.

🙂 You are Welcome!

Great work. Thanks.

We are visiting Armenia (Yerevan) next week. You article is very elaborate and informative as one should feel a complete tour to the country after reading. Appreciate your efforts Aram & Megan. Thank you.

Thank you! 🙂

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Home » Travel Guides » Armenia » 15 Best Places to Visit in Armenia

15 Best Places to Visit in Armenia

Armenia is becoming an increasingly popular tourist attraction, with the small but charming nation boasting a rich history.

Armenia, which was the first country to declare Christianity as its national religion, boasts some of Europe’s most stunning views, with the peak of Mount Ararat dominating the country’s skyline. The mountain is Armenia’s national symbol despite its peak lying just over the Turkish border and Ararat is considered holy by locals due to its mention in The Bible – it is where Noah’s Ark landed.

Armenia is home to countless beautiful monasteries and they are often found in areas of truly outstanding natural beauty. Armenia’s capital, Yerevan, is one of the most rapidly developing cities in the whole of Europe as the nation continues to embrace tourism. Let’s have a look at the best places to visit in Armenia !

By far the largest city in Armenia, the capital Yerevan is a great place to start for anyone wishing to explore Armenia. The city is home to the grand Republic Square, while climbing the Cascade to see the city’s monument to Soviet victory in the Second World War is a must.

Yerevan is a deeply historic city and visiting the Armenian Genocide Memorial is a must to learn more about the nation’s troubled past. Vernissage market is worth visiting too – it is open at the weekend – while a walk through the Hrazdan gorge is also highly recommended.

Much of what Armenia has to offer can be explored during day trips from Yerevan, which is known as the City of Cafes.

Yerevan is also home to Blue Mosque, which is the only mosque in the whole of the country, as well as Levon’s Amazing Underground World, which is one of Europe’s most unusual attractions.

2. Shikahogh State Reserve

The second largest forest reserve in Armenia, Shikahogh State Reserve is so unspoiled that large parts of it remains unexplored to this day.

The forest is believed to be home to animals including leopards, bears, wild goats and vipers and it is also thought that Shikahogh State Reserve has about 1,100 species of plants, although its fauna has not yet been fully explored. The reserve was threatened by a planned highway in 2005, but environments successfully lobbied for the forest’s future to be protected.

The reserve also has a number of very beautiful waterfalls to enjoy.

3. Lake Sevan

Lake Sevan, found in the heart of Armenia, is the country’s largest lake and a beautiful place to visit during a break in the country. The lake is surrounded by some stunning monasteries – the most impressive of them being arguably the Sevanavank Monastery – providing a glorious scenic backdrop to a relaxing trip.

Windsurfing is among the recreation activities available at the lake, which also has a wide choice of excellent seafood restaurants along its shore.

Lake Sevan has a number of popular beaches and, as the country has no coastline, this is the best place in Armenia to sunbathe, with Sevan Bay and its surrounding mountains providing spectacular scenery.

4. Dilijan National Park

Armenia has four national parks and Dilijan national park may be the most beautiful of the lovely quartet. The park, which was only established in 2002, is famous for its medicinal mineral water springs, as well as its natural monuments.

Many of Armenia’s more important cultural locations can be found within the grounds of the park, such as Haghartsin Monastery, Goshavank Monastery  and Jukhtak Vank, as well as Matosavank Monastery and the Akhnabat church.

The Aghestev and Getik river basins are also both within the boundaries of Dilijan national park.

5. Mount Aragats

Mount Aragats is one of Armenia’s most stunning natural sights, with the dormant volcano located in the north of the country. It is Armenia’s highest peak and there is a lot of rock art to be enjoyed around its base, with paintings of animals and human-like figures dating back hundreds of years.

Snow covers the peak almost all year-round but Mount Aragats can be climbed, with July, August and September the best times of the year to attempt the hike.

The southernmost of the four peaks is the easiest to climb, while the northern peak, at around 4,000 metres, is the most challenging.

6. Lake Arpi

While Lake Sevan can be extremely crowded during the peak tourist season, Lake Arpi has a much more relaxed feel.

Used for irrigation and hydropower production, Lake Arpi is also the source of the Akhurian River. In 2009 a new park was established around the lake to protect the natural environment, with around 100 species of birds known to live in the area. Lake Arpi also hosts rich flora and fauna and is a Ramsar Convention protected site.

Lake Arpi has one the largest colonies of Armenian Gull and its recreation activities include camping and walking tours.

7. Noravank

Monasteries are one of Armenia’s defining characteristics and the example at Noravank is one of the most beautiful in the whole country. Sheer brick-red cliffs shield the monastery, which was built in the 13th century.

Noravank is famous for its Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God) church, while the story goes that the monastery was saved by God himself when Armenia was conquered by the Mongols hundreds of years ago.

If you only choose to go to one monastery during a trip to Armenia, Noravank would be an extremely good selection – thousands of people visit every year.

The second largest city in Armenia, Gyumri is well worth a visit for anyone heading to the country for the first time. Perhaps the best place from which to enjoy the sights of Gyumri is from the Black Fortress on the hill that overlooks the city, while the massive Mother Armenia statue can also be found nearby.

Many of the most important cultural institutions of Armenia are in Gyumri, such as the Dzitoghtsyan Museum of Social Life and National Architecture of Gyumri, as well as the Aslamazyan Sisters House-Museum and the Sergey Merkurov House-Museum.

The Kumayri Historic District is Gyumri’s oldest area, with a thousand ancient buildings found here.

9. Vanadzor

Armenia’s third major city is Vanadzor, which is located in the north of the country. Vanadzor is an ideal base from which to explore the beautiful Lori region, which is certainly one of the best places to visit in Armenia.

The Vanadzor Botanical Garden is one of the finest tourist attractions in the city, while visitors should also consider checking out the Vanadzor fine art museum. The many mineral springs of the Lori region mean there are a wide range of terrific spas to enjoy in and around Vanadzor.

Although Vanadzor is primarily an industrial city, it also houses many theatres, such as the Bohem Chamber Theatre of Vanadzor and the Vanadzor Puppet Theatre.

10. Amberd Fortress

Dating back to the seventh century, Amberd Fortress is one of the most stunning places to visit in Armenia. Formerly among the Armenian Kingdom’s primary military-defensive points, the fortress can be reached in about an hour from the capital city Yerevan.

However, snowfall can make the fortress inaccessible during the winter months, with the weather usually improving by late May. The view from the top of the fortress is truly breathtaking, while the building itself is also stunning.

Amberd Fortress is a short trip from the village of Byurakan, home of the Byurakan Observatory.

11. Tsaghkadzor

Armenia’s mountainous scenery makes it ideal for winter sports and the country’s best ski resort can be found at Tsaghkadzor in the heart of the country. Ski lifts are paid for by the ride and are among the most affordable in Europe.

Tsaghkadzor boasts some of the finest hotels in the country, while the resort also has one of the nation’s biggest entertainment centers in the form of the Senator Royale casino complex.

Tsaghkadzor also has the Kecharis Monastery, which is one of Armenia’s most important religious complexes, dating back to the start of the 11th century.

12. Upper Azat Valley

The Upper Azat Valley is one of Armenia’s World Heritage Sites, partly due to the incredible Geghard Monastery for which the region is most famous. The main chapel was built 800 years ago but the history of the monastery goes all the way back to the fourth century, when it was founded by Gregory the Illuminator.

According to legend, the Geghard Monastery once housed one of the spears that was used to crucify Jesus Christ, brought to Armenia by Apostle Thaddeus, and as such it is one of Armenia’s most important religious sites.

The Upper Azat Valley is also home to the St Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God) chapel, which is partially carved out of the rock.

13. Karahunj Observatory

Often referred to internationally as Armenia’s version of Britain’s Stonehenge, Karahunj is one of the most fascinating places to visit during a break in Armenia.

Located close to the city of Sisian in the Syunik province, Karahunj is made up of well over 200 massive stone tombs, while the main area sees 40 stones standing in a circular formation, supposedly built in honour of the Armenian main God, Ari, named after the Sun.

A small museum in Sisian is dedicated to findings that have been made at Karahunj, which is claimed to be the oldest observatory of its kind in the world.

14. Khor Virap

Views of Mount Ararat can be enjoyed from all over Armenia, but perhaps the best scenery of the mountain can be found from the Khor Virap monastery, which is definitely also worth visiting in its own right.

This location is one of the most important historic sites in Armenia’s history as it was where Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for 14 years before he cured King Trdat III of his disease. The King then converted to Christianity, paving the way for Armenia’s religious future.

As such, Khor Virap is a popular spot for Armenian weddings today, while the underground chamber in which Gregory the Illuminator was held can be visited during a trip to Khor Virap, which is among Armenia’s most visited pilgrimage sites as a result.

Our final selection for the best places to visit in Armenia is Dvin, one of the country’s oldest cities – in fact, it was the capital of Armenia in medieval times. A sixth century BC fortress was also once situated in Dvin, according to Unesco, while incredible artefacts are regularly found in this part of Armenia.

More modern sights can also be enjoyed in the city, such as the St. Harutyun Church in Dvin, which was built in 2000.

Dvin once housed the Cathedral of St. Grigor, but all that remains of the building today is the stone foundations that have been uncovered by archeologists.

15 Best Places to Visit in Armenia:

• Shikahogh State Reserve
• Dilijan National Park
• Mount Aragats
• Amberd Fortress
• Tsaghkadzor
• Upper Azat Valley
• Karahunj Observatory

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The Persistent Challenges of Armenia’s Tourism Sector

The global tourism industry is being revived as COVID-19 pandemic restrictions ease. After a three-year break, Armenia is ready to once again show off its hospitality and share its culture and landscapes with people from all over the world. Already in 2021, the country opened for tourism, lifting travel bans on its land borders with Georgia and Iran, as well as opening its airspace for international flights. In 2022, before the tourism season, the government abolished its pandemic-related restrictions. Sure enough, the number of tourists has exceeded the amount compared to the past two years. In the first quarter of 2022, over 240,000 [1] tourists visited Armenia––2.9 times more than in the same period last year [in 2019, before the pandemic and the 2020 Artsakh War, over 364,000 tourists had visited Armenia]. The cafes in Yerevan are buzzing with visitors and tourists can again be spotted in Yerevan and in tourist destinations outside the capital. Once again, the Armenian government is trying to find ways to develop tourism in Armenia and attract more tourists, despite the persistent infrastructure, economic, and security challenges. 

The tourism industry is an important contributor to Armenia’s GDP. In 2019, the best year for tourism in Armenia to date, the industry comprised nearly 12 percent of Armenia’s GDP. The newly appointed head of Armenia’s Tourism Committee, Sisian Boghossian, is hopeful that Armenia will have recovered its tourism potential by 2024 .

The New Tourism Development Model

In May 2022, the Tourism Committee launched a new campaign called Armenia, the Hidden Track . According to Anahit Voskanyan, Tour Product Development Advisor for the body, the new campaign focuses on four main elements – culture, nature, adventure, and gastronomy and wine, to show tourists all the unique experiences they can have in Armenia. To bring about development of the tourism sector with the new branding, the government envisions the creation of something known as Destination Management Organizations (DMO). 

“Twenty years ago there was no need for such structures, but as the sector is growing, it becomes more difficult to manage it from one center,” explains Voskanyan, adding that by creating local structures and equipping them with expertise, Armenia will have a better-developed tourism sector.

According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, DMO s are local organizations that should lead and coordinate local tourism under a coherent strategy to pursue a common goal. According to Hovhannes Kandiljyan , advisor to the Tourism Component of the EU for Business Tourism project for Armenia, a DMO is a coordinating body that brings together all stakeholders of the tourism sector in a certain geographical region, providing a platform that facilitates cooperation between organizations from the private and public sectors as well as from academia and civil society.

The DMOs will comprise branches of the state-run Tourism Committee, operating in all regions so that the development of tourism across the country is conducted in a coordinated manner. 

Infrastructure Challenges  

According to a tourism development concept paper published by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in cooperation with the Armenian government in 2020, Armenia currently lacks the necessary infrastructure to cater to more and higher-value tourists. The paper underscores that tourism-related infrastructure, such as highways, roads leading to tourism attractions, rest stops with sanitation facilities, affordable hotels, high-end hotels, and B&Bs and guest houses need to be developed to ensure sustainable tourism growth. Infrastructure is crucial to this growth and competitiveness and failure to address these challenges may hurt the tourism industry. If Armenia wants a competitive advantage over other destinations or at least be able to compete, it must develop tourism infrastructure. 

Anahit Voskanyan notes that an area that attracts investment are hotels; according to her, tourism develops in regions where there are sufficient accommodation options. Infrastructure tends to develop around hotels. She says that there are significant investments in hotels in Armenia now, adding that the government directs investments towards areas as needed. For example, Armenia does not have much to offer when it comes to 3-4 star hotels to service the middle class. “Our aim is to create accommodation options for all consumer budgets so that prices are affordable for anyone,” says Voskanyan. 

Although the government is trying to direct investment towards creating more 3-4 star hotels, the construction of hotels takes place mainly in Yerevan and key resort towns like Tsaghkadzor and Jermuk. In other parts of the country, main accommodation options around popular tourist sites are mainly B&Bs, guest houses, and, less often, hostels. However, due to various risks, such as lack of local human resources and infrastructure challenges which require long-term solutions, the government is not directing investments to the development of smaller accommodation providers, leaving that to international development organizations such USAID, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and EU initiatives. [2] 

Annie Carapetian, who established Envoy Hostel in 2005, the first hostel in the South Caucasus, and Envoy Tours with her husband in 2009, says that the standard of service in the hostel business is an issue in Armenia. Many Armenians do not understand the concept of a hostel, says Carapetian, adding that most hostels in Armenia would be more appropriately described as “homestays”. She also points out the lack of government regulation on what a hostel is, leading to many sub-standard and cheap options, ultimately jeopardizing the experience of tourists and tainting their perception of Armenia as a tourist destination. The same principle applies to tours. Many tour operators run tours, competing only on cost, and often competing against individual drivers running cheap, low-quality tours. This often leads to underwhelming tour experiences for visitors.

Ara Petrosyan, an independent tour guide, with over ten years’ experience, says that there is an issue of lack of service in the regions. One problem he highlights is trying to get breakfast before 9 o’clock in the morning. In the summer, the main tourism season in Armenia, tourists want to be on the road before 9 to avoid the heat. “It is not possible to get breakfast two hours after sunrise,” Petrosyan says. 

One of the most difficult challenges that the travel and tourism industry faces and that everyone in the business is in consensus about is transport and communication links in the regions. Developed transport and communication infrastructure encourages more tourism. In Armenia road conditions and transportation links between different towns and tourist attractions are still a big problem. While road construction and repair have significantly increased, the process requires time and many sites remain difficult to reach. Anahit Voskanyan says that road infrastructure in the communities is being developed in cooperation with the Armenian government and the World Bank. Roads leading to the most popular destinations in Armenia are the priority at the moment. 

The issue regarding transportation links is more difficult to tackle. 

Simone Lehmkuehler from Germany nearly ended up in Artsakh when trying to reach Goris from Yeghegnadzor, a popular tourist town in Armenia’s Vayots Dzor region. Before the 2020 Artsakh War, many tourists visiting Armenia also traveled to Artsakh, where they obtained a visa upon arrival at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After the war, if foreigners want to enter Artsakh, they have to notify the Russian peacekeepers stationed there  in advance. 

Lehmkuehler describes her ride from Yeghegnadzor to Goris as an adventure. She had decided to walk to the bus station in Yeghegnadzor, a 20-minute walk from where she was staying, but when a local car stopped and offered her a ride, she accepted the offer. But instead of getting to the bus station in Yeghegnadzor, she ended up in Vayk, a small town 15 kilometers away, on the Yeghegnadzor-Goris highway. She says this was no issue, as Vayk was on her way to Goris anyway, however, finding the bus to Goris in Vayk was a real challenge. 

“It was really funny, there was a square in the middle of Vayk, and many people came to me, no one speaking English and I always said ‘marshrutka Goris,’” she recalls, adding that despite the language barrier some locals did make phone calls for her, and after a long time, a bus arrived. “Those helpful people” spoke to the driver and in the end, she got on the bus. Once seated, Simone met an English-speaking family and it was through them that she found out the bus was headed to Artsakh and she was told that she needed to get off halfway on the road near Goris.  

Voskanyan, says that at the Tourism Committee they are well aware of the issues regarding transport links between different parts of Armenia. 

“We think about transportation connections a lot,” she says. “I myself tried to travel with public transport. You waste a whole day on a trip that should have taken three hours.” According to Voskanyan, this happens because there are no fixed schedules, there is no reliable public transport information which is readily available, and some of the bus stations don’t even have phones to be contacted for information. This is an area where the Tourism Committee must cooperate with the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure. Voskanyan says that the Committee applied to the ministry to receive information about schedules from state-run bus stations, but they were informed that the information is being updated. There are no fixed schedules and at the moment routes and departure times are not well organized. “These are issues which are not within our scope,” says Vosaknyan, adding that when they receive information regarding public transport routes and schedules they will publicize them. 

As of now, so-called “shared taxis” mitigate the situation somewhat. These are privately owned companies or individuals that organize transfers between different towns, often charging the same amount or a little more than a public bus; the car is smaller, often more comfortable than a bus, travels faster and they run a few times per day. However, information about this kind of transport is not widely available. Although there is some information in different guidebooks, they are updated only every few years and information becomes quickly outdated. Several local hostels, like Envoy, run their own information database to stay on top of updates, sharing them with their customers and whoever asks. 

Voskanyan says that DMOs will address this issue as well, collecting information about public buses on the local level. But it requires time––the research will take six months, after which the DMO model will be ready and they will be established in the regions one year after that. “In the best case scenario, starting in 2024 we will have reliable structures on the local level, which will try to raise issues and find and update information locally,” she says. 

Funding is crucial to address infrastructure issues but is also lacking. The Tourism Committee alone cannot solve all the problems, as it has a small team and a very small budget. The infrastructure issues tourism faces in Armenia are problems that the whole country faces––bad roads and the absence of quality public transport. 

Ara Petrosyan also mentions the lack of toilets, parking spaces, proper souvenir stands, and eating places around many sites. Annie Carapetian says customer service is an obstacle to improving the quality of what tourism offers in Armenia. According to her, better education to upskill and improve professionalism in the regions is especially necessary. 

“Tourism can be a lifeline for a lot of communities across Armenia. However, it requires adequate support from both government and the private sector to realize this,” Carapetian says. Her company arranges lunch during their tours with local families to support the local communities. 

With nearly 17 years in the tourism industry and operating a hostel and tour companies both in Armenia and Georgia, Annie Carapetian believes that a coordinated, government-led effort is required to consistently promote Armenia as an ideal and safe travel destination, which can be done through proper market segmentation and targeted efforts through various social media platforms, as well as training and seminars for travel professionals and travel bloggers.

It is evident that most of the issues that the tourism industry faces in Armenia today are linked to the overall challenges that the country faces. A prosperous, developed and safe Armenia will create the necessary environment for tourism to flourish as well. 

[1] The period coincided with the influx of Russians into Armenia due to the Russo-Ukrainian war, however, according to Armenia’s Statistics Service, this is the number of people who came to Armenia primarily for tourism. [2] These organizations carry out various projects aimed at developing tourism on the local level, including training people to run Bed and Breakfasts/small guest houses. 

References:

Nguyen, Quang Hai. 2021. “Impact of Investment in Tourism Infrastructure Development on Attracting International Visitors: A Nonlinear Panel ARDL Approach Using Vietnam’s Data” Economies 9.

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Armenia - Travel and Tourism Armenia - Travel and Tourism

Table: Tourism Sector in Armenia; Unit Thousand U.S. Dollars

• The direct contribution of Travel & Tourism to GDP was $477.7 mlln, 4.4.% of GDP in 2017, and is forecast to rise by 8.5% in 2018.
• The total contribution of Travel & Tourism to GDP was $1,720 million (15.7% of total GDP) in 2017 and is forecast to rise by 8.0% in 2018.
• Travel & Tourism directly supported 44,500 jobs (3.9% of total employment) in 2017.  This is expected to rise by 2.9% in 2018.
• Visitor exports generated $1,092.4mn, 29.2% of total exports in 2017.  This is forecast to grow by 9.2% in 2018.
• Travel & Tourism investment in 2017 was 4.6% of total investment (USD108.9mn). It should rise by 6.2% in 2018.

However, according to the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2017, Armenia was ranked 84th from 136 countries.  According to its assessement Armenia has a long way to go before it is competitive in the international tourism market; however, on the safety and security indicator Armenia ranked 34th and for the overall business tourism environment ranked 39th out of 136 countries. According to the report in 2017, the international inbound tourism recepits were $935.8 million ($785.1 average receipts per arrival). Armenia has more than 700 possible tourist attractions - mostly ancient churches and monasteries - but the majority of them are underdeveloped and difficult to reach.  Stunning natural vistas and adventure tourism are a potential attraction throughout Armenia, but the lack of knowledge of English, international-standard hotels, restaurants and other services in the regions, as well as poor access deter many tourists. Limited and inconveniently-scheduled international flight connections also impede the development of the tourism industry. However, in late 2013 the Government of Armenia liberalized the civil aviation sector. This has already attracted new carriers and significantly increased the number of flights, while reducing prices on more competitive routes. Further improvements to the frequency and time-tables for flights are likely.

Leading Sub-Sectors

Armenia is a unique tourism destination with a rich and diverse cultural heritage that provides dynamic opportunities for developing tourism markets. The country features an abundant variety of cultural, natural, and historical sites, six UNESCO World Heritage sites, medieval monasteries, churches, and fortresses. Over 2,000 hospitality companies work in Armenia, including hotels, B&Bs, restaurants, transportation companies, tour operators, and travel agencies. Armenia’s key geographical markets are France, Germany, Russia, Iran, and the United States.

The State Tourism Committee of Armenia was established in 2016 as the policy making agency for tourism in Armenia. It has adopted a strategy for tourism promotion which highlights the different areas of tourism within Armenia including recreational, rural, spiritual, and cultural. Over the past five years, Armenia has seen considerable growth in its tourism sector as a result of a more focused government policy toward tourism development as well as through numerous private sector initiatives. In 2017, the government established the Armenian Tourism Development Foundation, which is the Government’s tourism programs implementing authority of Armenia.

In 2018 Smithsonian Folklife Festival’s landmark program featured Armenia: Creating Home, offering a glimpse into Armenian culture, greatly influenced by its surroundings, heritage, and ongoing exchange with its many Diasporas. It is anticipated the nearly 800,000 visitors to the Festival will be potential new tourist visitors to Armenia.  The Tatev Revival Project implemented through a public-private partnership, between the Armenian Government and the Ruben Vardanian and Veronika Zonabend (RVVZ) Foundation is one of the key projects in the tourism sector. The Project includes restoration and preservation of the thousand year-old Tatev monastic complex and the establishment of infrastructure based on local community needs to enable tourism promotion.

Opportunities

Armenia still has several picturesque regions with quality tourist destinations that lack modern accommodations, restaurants, and services. The Government has developed investment master plans around strategic corridors.  Of special interest may be the scenic but underdeveloped (for tourism and travel) southern region of Syunik, boasting the Tatev monastery, and the Vayots Dzor region, just south of Yerevan. A large-scale revitalization project has been launched in Tatev. The opening of the world’s longest cable car which crosses the Vorotan River to the Tatev monastery has already boosted tourism in the region. However, the supply of quality, affordable accommodations is still lacking and presents a good niche for SME business. The World Bank recently launched a 55 million USD  “Local Economy and Infrastructure Development”  Project to support the increased contribution of tourism to the local economies of selected regions. The project will take an integrated approach which will include infrastructure investment, urban regeneration, cultural heritage restoration, skills development, tourism product development and diversification, and attracting private sector investment. The project will help create and build tourism circuits that connect multiple sites in the selected regions called Corridors (Garni- Geghard- Khor Virap-Areni- Jermuk- Sisian- Tatev- Goris- Meghri), which crosses four regions (Kotayk, Ararat, Vayots Dzor and Syunik) combining several scenic cultural and natural attractions; traditional farms, mountains including Mount Ararat; carpet production; wine tourism; and traditional cuisine.  Two World Heritage Sites in the Northern Corridor, Haghpat and Sanahin, will also be restored and developed. Well-known western franchises, particularly restaurants, are in demand in Armenia and the sector is showing signs of growth. Although the only current U.S. food franchises in Armenia are Cinnabon, Pizza Hut, Burger King, Tutti Frutti, and KFC, new pizzerias, restaurants, and sandwich bars have been appearing every month. High-priced restaurants serving foreign cuisine are also finding success in niche markets. The restaurant business is an attractive investment and partnership opportunity for U.S. firms. There are several major hotel chains operating in Armenia such as Marriott, Hyatt, Radisson, Hilton, and Best Western.  Franchise offers from well-known American chains are likely to attract substantial interest, both from customers and from local investors. 

Web Resources

Ministry of Economic Development and Investments of the Republic of Armenia Development Foundation of Armenia Armenia Official Tourist Website American Chamber of Commerce in Armenia Spyur Information System Armenian Directory World Bank – Local Economy and Infrastructure Development Project World Travel & Tourism Council Travel & tourism economic impact 2018 armenia World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2017 Invest in Armenia Business Armenia

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DISCOVER YEREVAN!

Welcome to the youngest of the oldest cities in the world.

Welcome to Yerevan - the capital of the Republic of Armenia! Yerevan is a festive palette at any time of the year. Every month is great for tourism: winter is mild, spring is bright, summer is festive, and autumn is long and warm. In Yerevan, the distant past and the rhythmic present are flawlessly combined. Here you will find both old churches, historical and cultural monuments, museums and galleries, as well as modern sights and recreation places - clubs, restaurants, taverns, bars, children's attractions, shopping centers, squares decorated with pink ornaments, green gardens and parks...  Yerevan offers a wide range of cultural activities: jazz, rock, folk and classic music, national dances, religious, cultural and entertaining events and festivals; young and old happy people soaked to the skin pouring water over each other on the streets, this all and much more will make your tour unforgettable... The Armenian national cuisine and drinks, rich in different tastes, will become a discovery even for the most discerning gourmets. Yerevanians (as we call ourselves) love life, feasts for or without any reason, weddings and parties. And the unique Armenian hospitality has no boundaries. So don't be surprised and don’t refuse if you are accidentally invited to yerevanians’ home to continue the fun. Be sure that they won't let you go without some goodies. Here people know how to bring joy and happiness!! So, if you love to travel, your collection of memories will definitely be incomplete without warm Yerevan impressions.  The sunny Yerevan with a magnificent view of Biblical mount Ararat is waiting for you!

What should you do on your first trip to Yerevan?

Matenadaran.

Mesrop Mashtots Research Institute of Ancient Manuscripts. Matenadaran houses one of the world's largest collections of ancient Armenian manuscripts.

Cascade Complex in Yerevan

The Cascade is a truly magnificent part of the city, where art, urban life, a huge architectural complex, an idyllic green spaces merge beautifully to form an exciting, and quintessentially Yerevanian atmosphere.

St. Gregory the Illuminator church

St. Gregory the Illuminator is currently the largest temple of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the world. The Church was dedicated to the 1700th anniversary of the Christianity adoption in Armenia.

National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet after Al. Spendiaryan

The Opera and Ballet Theater takes its unique place in the life of the capital. Located in the heart of Yerevan, the theatre is a cultural hub and an architectural triumph of the capital.

Republic Square

Republic Square is the central city square of Yerevan and it is one of the main architectural complexes of the capital.

St. John the Baptist Church

Sourb Hovhannes Mkrtich Church (The St John the Baptist church) was built in 1710 in the place of the medieval church destroyed after a massive earthquake on the high hill of Kond.

History Museum of Armenia

The mission of the History Museum of Armenia is to preserve, replenish, study and publicize the Museum objects and collections, which represent the history and culture of Armenia and the Armenian people.

Saint Sarkis Church (Cathedral)

St Sargis Church believed to date back to 1453. The monastery itself was a small chapel, where Catholicos and the Prelate prayed.

"My ancient Erebuni that has become Yerevan. You are our new Dvin, our new Ani. A dream gracing our small corner of the earth, After centuries of longing, with rocks carved into facades of lace." A verse from a Hymn Of The City

"EVENING YEREVAN" ROUTE

In addition to the regular daily routes, the "Evening Yerevan" tour operates from the Republic Square.

Family friendly Group: 8-50 ppl Guide

YEREVAN CITY TOUR

The open-top, double-decker bus provides fantastic views and a great atmosphere to enjoy Yerevan.

Family friendly Group: 8-60 ppl Audio guide

"RELIGIOUS TOUR" ROUTE

Yerevan's ancient and new churches, Christian monuments, and the rich history of the Armenian Apostolic Church on this tour.

Family friendly Group: 8-15 ppl Guide

"OLD CITY" TOUR

An interesting tour through the old Yerevan in 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Family friendly Group: 8-25 ppl Guide

Yerevan Marathon 2024

Symphonic Mansurian

"aram khachaturian" concert hall.

Yerevan Wine Days

Useful information, good to know, events list.

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Armenia sees tourism boom with over 2 million visitors

The number of Armenia’s inbound tourists has surpassed 2 million for the firm time. The country welcomed 2 million 50 thousand tourists in January-October 2023 against 1.7 million tourists in the same period of 2022.

President of the Armenian Tourism Federation Mekhak Apresyan tells Panorama.am given that one tourist spends an average of $1,000 per visit, Armenia's inbound tourism revenues in January-October amounted to around $2 billion.

"Of course, this is unofficial data," he said.

In response to Panorama's request to provide data on Armenia’s tourism revenues for the first ten months of 2022 and 2023, the Tourism Committee says it will be available only in January, after the data is summarized.

"Nevertheless, the fact is that about $2 billion in revenues have been generated. Considering all this, we are asking the government to allocate at least 1% of the inbound tourism revenues to the tourism reforms program in 2024. The program is about marketing activities, tourism bottom line, diversification, human resources development activities, infrastructure development and others. In fact, it is extremely important for both the public and private sectors to be involved in the development of this program," Apresyan noted.

He highlighted that due to the coronavirus pandemic and the 44-day war in 2020, Armenia experienced setbacks to its tourism industry, However, the sector is gradually reviving. Moreover, 2 million tourists have arrived in Armenia for the first time.

"Last year about 1.6 million tourists visited Armenia, and now, when the year has not yet ended, we already have such a flow of tourists. It is noteworthy that this figure is also higher than in 2019 when the inbound tourists numbered 1,894,000," Apresyan added.

Russia continues to be the leader in the number of tourists coming to Armenia, followed by Georgia and Iran.

According to Mekhak Apresyan, the number of tourists wishing to spend the New Year holidays in Armenia increased over the past 10 years.

Artur Vanetsyan: I think you'll see me more often at various events in future

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Armenia Travel Guide: Things to Know for First-Time Visitors

Armenia, a mystical land in the Caucasus, is gaining popularity with Filipinos based in the UAE. It has not just captured the attention of new OFWs who need to go out of the country for visa change, but also of expatriates who love to travel to off-beat destinations!

With its rich history and natural beauty , Armenia easily won our hearts when we joined a familiarization trip organized by Air Arabia airlines and Armenia Tourism Board! It is a humble country with so much to offer; from the modern capital to the ancient towns to the rugged mountains where winter activities can be enjoyed!

Other Tips When Travelling from Dubai to Armenia

Discover armenia: tips for first-timers.

To help you prepare for your trip to Armenia, here are the things you need to know. Be advised that this is a basic travel guide only. This will guide you, as a first-timer, to see what this country has to offer. We hope you find the information useful.

Currency The monetary unit of Armenia is called Dram. 1 Armenian Dram is roughly 0.0077 Dirham, 0.0021 US Dollar.

Timezone GMT: +04:00

Climate / Weather Armenia is located in the Caucasus, a region tucked in between Asia and Europe. The temperature ranges from 22 to 36 degrees Celsius during summer (June to August). Weather is fairly pleasant during autumn (September to early November) and spring (March to May). Winter season kicks off late November and lasts until February. Temperature can be quite cold with lots of snowfall during this season, but it’s also the best time for winter sports.

• Summer (June to August) – 22 to 36 degrees Celsius
• Autumn (September to November)
• Winter (December to February)
• Spring (March to May)

in Dilijan – trees covered with snow

Visa Processing Visa on Arrival – single entry visa for 21 days Tourist Visa Fee – 3000 AMD (7 USD)

How to Get a Tourist Visa in Armenia?  Filipinos can obtain Visa on arrival in Armenia. No supporting documents required. Upon arrival, fill out the visa application form and head to the money exchange counter as you need to pay for the visa in Armenian Dram. Submit your passport and application form in the visa application counter and pay 3000 AMD for single entry visa, valid for 21 days.

tourist visa stamp

For other nationalities, it is best to contact the Armenia embassy. Visit their website here –  http://uae.mfa.am/en/

Language Armenian is the official language of Armenia, but most locals can speak Russian as the country was a part of the Soviet Union until 1991. Since its independence, English has been gaining popularity. Although not everyone you meet in the streets and local markets can speak English, those who are working in the Tourism and Hospitality sector can communicate in English very well.

Accommodation Yerevan makes a good base for exploring Armenia. One-night stay in a hotel with breakfast is reasonably priced from 30,000 to 35,000 Armenian Dram (around 200 to 300 AED). We stayed in Royal Plaza , a homely hotel just 10 minutes’ walk from Cascade complex.

Royal Plaza hotel, book a reservation, click here 

Book Cheap Hotels in Armenia

You can search and book for various hotels and guesthouses in Armenia depending on your preference. Check out available option for accommodation below:

Transportation Getting around Yerevan is convenient. Common modes of transport are by marshrutka (bus) and by Yerevan Metro. Historical attractions are more than an hour away from the capital; hence, it is best to join a guided tour organized by a trusted travel company. Our comprehensive 3-day tour was arranged by Armenia Travel.

Attractions Being one of the oldest countries in the world, Armenia has plenty of awe-inspiring structures dating back to the early centuries. Popular well-preserved ancient structures are:

• Churches in Geghard
• Garni Temple – the only surviving pagan temple
• Echmiadzin – the religious center of Armenians

Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial Park in Yerevan

It is also a natural wonderland dotted with rainforests, lakes and plains framed by snowcapped mountains. Nature lovers will stand in awe in the

• Pearl of Armenia – Lake Sevan
• Little Switzerland – Dilijan
• Tsaghkadzor Ski Resort.

You can also explore the museums, markets, churches and art in the city of Yerevan.

Cascades in Yerevan city – a giant stairway

Food Rich culture comes with great food! Armenian cuisine has a unique blend of flavors from east and west. Must-eats when visiting Armenia are:  Khoravat (barbecue), Khashlama – lamb dish often served during feasts, thin flatbread called Lavash, and Gata cake.

Food in Armenia

A basic meal usually costs 3,000 Dram, while a 3-course meal in a fancy restaurant costs around 6,000 Dram per person.

How to get there from the UAE Air Arabia , the first and largest low-cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa, flies from Sharjah to Yerevan twice a week and it takes about 3 hours of travel time only.

Haghartsin Monastery in the town of Dilijan, Tavush

Below are some other tips that you can find useful when you visit Armenia.

• Pack Proper Clothes – this is a basic thing but we might tend to forget that we should bring clothes that we can wear comfortably and that is appropriate for the weather and climate. It was my first time to travel during winter and to experience snow, so I made sure to bring thermal clothing, insulated jackets and waterproof shoes. Temperature dropped to -7 degrees Celsius when we were there. I still felt chilly despite the 3 layers of clothing!
• Armenia Travel company assisted us on our Day Trips – we had a tour operator assist us on our day trips. If you want to book a tour package to Armenia, it’s good to have somebody who can explain details of the places you will visit. We had to do make use of hand signals when talking to the locals. Don’t worry as staff in hotels and resorts speak English.
• Always Keep Cash (Armenian Dram) – Not all shops accept credit card transactions so always bring enough cash for the day.

Tsakhkadzor, Armenia during winter season (late November)

We hope that the information above will help you plan your trip and finally book flights from Sharjah to Yerevan. Remember, it’s a short flight (3 hours) from the UAE and you can explore its places for about 3-4 days, perfect for a quick vacation out of town!

Air Arabia flies from Dubai to Armenia via Sharjah to Yerevan. Filipinos get visa on arrival.

Read about our other Armenia posts here:

• DubaiOFW Goes to Armenia via Air Arabia
• Armenia Travel Guide: Things to Know
• How to Apply for Armenia Tourist Visa for Filipinos
• 10 Breakthtaking Places to Visit in Armenia
• 8 Things to Do in Yerevan, Armenia
• 10 Must-Try Food in Armenia

About the Author: Lady Anne

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General Overview

Why Invest in Armenia's Tourism Industry

Promising Areas

Major highlights, tourism inflow to armenia, geography of inbound tourism, publications.

Located in the South Caucasus region, Armenia is a captivating small country that embraces a remarkable cultural heritage and a rich history dating back thousands of years. With its ancient monasteries, breathtaking natural landscapes, and thriving cultural scene, Armenia presents an enticing destination for tourists. Over the years, Armenia's tourism industry has experienced consistent growth, attracting an increasing number of visitors who seek to immerse themselves in the country's distinctive culture, rich history and warm hospitality.

Historical monuments with some included in UNESCO World Heritage

Average annual growth of the number of incoming tourists

7th safest country

According to NUMBEO 2023 ranking

Visa-free regime for the citizens of 70+ countries and easy e-visa regulations for around 70 countries

Growing Industry

Armenia's tourism industry has been experiencing steady growth in recent years, with an annual average 13% increase in the number of incoming tourists.

Rich Cultural Heritage

Armenia is home to numerous historical and cultural sites, ancient monasteries and archaeological treasures. This attracts tourists interested in exploring the country's unique cultural heritage.

Welcoming Hospitality

Armenians are known for their warm hospitality and friendliness towards visitors. This atmosphere enhances the overall tourist experience, setting ground for the further development of the industry.

Natural Landscapes

Armenia's diverse and breathtaking landscapes offer a wide range of activities for hiking, skiing, wellness retreats, extreme and eco-tourism, appealing to nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers.

Accommodation

The increasing number of tourists visiting Armenia is creating a growing demand for quality accommodation options, including hotels, guesthouses and hostels.

Adventure Tourism

Armenia's diverse landscape provides opportunities for adventure tourism, including hiking, mountaineering and skiing.

Gastro-tourism

Armenia's exceptional culinary and wine culture is an increasingly popular attraction for gastro-tourism enthusiasts and a thriving sector for investments seeking high returns.

Extreme Tourism

A diverse range of activities combining adventure with the country's stunning landscapes and natural beauty

Wings of Tatev

The longest non-stop double-track cable car in the world

Tsaghkadzor

Ski resorts of Tsakhkadzor with modern 6 lifts ropeway

Spa Resorts

Mineral Spa resorts in Jermuk, Bjni, Dilijan, Arzni

Wine Tourism

Rich winemaking traditions with the earliest ever discovered winery dating back to 4100 BC

Sectoral Guides

Invest in Armenia's Tourism and Hospitality 2023