Armenia Holiday Guide: Things to Do, Where to Go, Best Time to Visit and Armenia with Georgia

Armenia is one of the oldest Christian countries in the world, a small, mountainous land of medieval monasteries perched on cliffs, high plateaus and gorges, and a capital that’s older than Rome. Add a warm welcome, excellent food and wine, and the snowy peak of Mount Ararat on the horizon, and it’s one of the most rewarding places to explore in the Caucasus. This guide covers things to do in Armenia, where to go, the best time to visit, combining Armenia with Georgia, and practical advice.

Yerevan

Armenia’s capital was founded as the fortress of Erebuni in 782 BC. Much of the centre is built from rosy volcanic tuff, which is why it’s called the Pink City, and it has a relaxed, café-filled feel.

Don’t miss: Republic Square and its singing fountains; the Cascade, a giant stairway with gardens, sculptures and views to Ararat; the Matenadaran, home to thousands of ancient manuscripts; the moving Armenian Genocide Memorial and Museum; and the Vernissage weekend market.

Spend two or three nights here and use it as a base for day trips to Garni, Geghard, Echmiadzin and Khor Virap.

Things to do in Armenia

Garni and Geghard

• Half day from Yerevan
• UNESCO

Garni is a first-century Greco-Roman temple above a gorge lined with the basalt columns of the “Symphony of Stones”. Nearby Geghard monastery is partly carved into the cliff, and its rock-cut chapels have astonishing acoustics.

Khor Virap

• Half day
• The classic Ararat view

A monastery on a hillock in the Ararat plain, with Mount Ararat rising behind (the mountain itself is across the border in Turkey). Go early on a clear morning for the best view.

Echmiadzin and Zvartnots

• Half day
• UNESCO

The spiritual centre of the Armenian Church. Its cathedral is one of the oldest in the world, founded soon after Armenia became the first nation to adopt Christianity in 301 AD. Stop at the ruined 7th-century cathedral of Zvartnots on the way.

Noravank and Areni

• Full day
• Red-rock gorge, wine

A 13th-century monastery in a dramatic red-rock gorge. Nearby Areni is the heart of Armenian wine country, where archaeologists found what is thought to be the world’s oldest known winery, about 6,000 years old.

Tatev

• 1 to 2 nights
• Cable car, monastery

In the far south, Tatev Monastery sits on the edge of a deep gorge. Reach it on the Wings of Tatev, one of the longest cable cars of its kind in the world. Combine it with the spa town of Jermuk.

Lake Sevan

• Half day or 1 night
• Lake, monastery

One of the largest high-altitude lakes in the world, at about 1,900 m. The little Sevanavank monastery stands on a peninsula above the blue water, and the beaches are busy with locals in summer.

Dilijan

• 1 to 2 nights
• Forests, hiking

A green, forested spa town nicknamed “Armenia’s Switzerland”, with a restored old quarter and the forest monasteries of Haghartsin and Goshavank nearby.

Haghpat, Sanahin and Gyumri

• 1 to 2 nights
• UNESCO, architecture

In the Debed canyon in the north, the monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin are a joint UNESCO site. Gyumri, Armenia’s second city, has streets of 19th-century houses in black and red stone.

Food and drink: Armenian food is generous and fresh. Try khorovats (barbecued meat), dolma, lavash flatbread baked in a clay tonir oven (its making is listed by UNESCO), herbs and cheeses, and sweet Armenian apricots in summer.

Taste local wines from the Areni grape in Vayots Dzor, and Armenian brandy, which Yerevan has distilled since the 19th century.

Look out too for khachkars, the intricately carved cross-stones found all over the country.

Best time to visit Armenia

Average daily high, 10-year ERA5 data; Yerevan also shows monthly rainfall. Lake Sevan and Tatev are high and much cooler.

• May and June: green hills, wildflowers and apricot blossom giving way to fruit; Yerevan reaches about 23°C to 29°C.
• July and August: hot and dry in Yerevan (often above 33°C), but pleasant at Lake Sevan, Dilijan and in the mountains.
• September and October: the grape harvest, autumn colours and clear views of Ararat. Our favourite time.
• November to March: cold, with snow in the mountains; Yerevan is quiet and festive in December.

Armenia and Georgia together

Armenia and Georgia combine easily by road: Yerevan to Tbilisi takes about five to six hours, through Dilijan or the Debed canyon. Two weeks lets you see the best of both, with Lake Sevan and the northern monasteries on the way.

See our Georgia holiday guide for the other half of the trip, and Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan tours to compare the multi-country itineraries. Note that the borders between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and between Armenia and Turkey, are closed, so multi-country tours connect via Georgia.

Classic routes

Ways to see Armenia with us

Treasures of Georgia and Armenia12 days · two countries

Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia16 days · three countries

The best of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia19 days · small group

Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan with flights23 days · in depth

Is Armenia safe? Practical tips

• Safety: Armenia is a welcoming country with low crime, and the main sights in this guide are widely visited. The FCDO advises against all travel within 5 km of the entire eastern border with Azerbaijan, and along the M16/H26 road between Ijevan and Noyemberyan in the north-east, because of border tensions. Your driver-guide will plan routes around these areas. Check the FCDO Armenia advice before you go.
• Entry: British citizens don’t need a visa for a holiday; your passport must be valid for your whole stay.
• Borders: the borders with Azerbaijan and Turkey are closed; Georgia is the usual overland link.
• Getting around: distances are short but mountain roads are slow, so most visitors travel with a driver-guide or on a small-group tour.
• Churches: dress modestly; women may want a headscarf.
• Money: cards work in Yerevan; carry cash for villages and markets.

Frequently asked questions

Keep planning

• Armenia holidays
• Escorted tours of Armenia
• Georgia holiday guide
• Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan tours
• Azerbaijan holiday guide
• Georgia holidays
• Turkey holidays
• Tailor-made holidays