7 Unmissable Highlights of Armenia for Your Ultimate Travel Bucket List

Exploring Armenia: A Timeless Adventure Through Culture and Nature

As I prepared for my journey to Armenia, a phrase from a travel guide resonated with me, encapsulating the spirit of this enchanting country: “Armenia’s allure lies in its natural beauty, vibrant lifestyle, ancient history, and warm hospitality.” Indeed, Armenia is an affordable tourist haven, meticulously organized to provide visitors with all the essential information and services.

The Pride of Armenia: Ancient Wonders

Every Armenian you encounter will proudly share tales of their country’s unique ancient monuments, a testament to their national pride. And why shouldn’t they? Take Yerevan, the capital city, founded in 782 BC, predating Rome by three decades. In 2018, Yerevan marked its 2800th anniversary with grand celebrations. Tourists can delve into the remnants of the ancient city of Erebuni, established by the king of the Urartu state. The fortress and the temple of the god Khaldi have been restored, with archaeological findings showcased in the Erebuni Museum.

Yerevan: The Pink City

Yerevan’s ascent to the capital in the 20th century has greatly benefited the city. Unlike Moscow, Yerevan was not built haphazardly but according to a meticulous plan by the renowned architect Alexander Tamanian. The city center is designed in a circular pattern, with streets radiating outwards like rays, making navigation a breeze. A two-kilometer-long avenue named after Mesrop Mashtots, the creator of the Armenian alphabet, offers a brief introduction to the capital.

Strolling Down the Avenue

The avenue is lined with hotels, restaurants, the Opera and Ballet Theater, the Blue Mosque, the Mother Armenia monument, and the main museums, including the Matenadaran. The Matenadaran is a unique repository of ancient books, boasting vibrant miniatures and precious bindings. Despite its mundane translation as a “book repository,” it houses an extraordinary collection of manuscripts and printed books from the 9th to the 16th centuries. The medieval colors of the book paintings remain vivid to this day.

The Grand Cascade

Most visitors to Yerevan ascend the Grand Cascade, a massive staircase leading from the city center to a district on a high hill. The cascade begins with a monument to the architect Tamanian and culminates in a viewing platform at Victory Park. At the base, you’ll find flower beds, fountains, and numerous abstract sculptures by foreign artists. For those unfamiliar with such art, explanatory plaques are provided to help decipher the meanings.

Museum Complex at Republic Square

If you have a couple of days to explore the capital, ensure you visit the museum complex at Republic Square. The Art Gallery of Armenia boasts an excellent collection of works by Aivazovsky. The Historical Museum offers insights into Armenia’s rich history, including the origins of Christianity and the Silk Road. Near the museum complex, you’ll find a vernissage, a large exhibition of souvenirs and handmade crafts, offering a wide range of items at affordable prices.

Experiencing Armenia

Armenia offers a plethora of activities for tourists. You can learn about Armenian brandy, savor delicious kebabs and traditional music, unwind at resorts, and marvel at the majestic Mount Ararat.

Armenian Brandy

The renowned Yerevan Brandy Factory has been divided into two competing companies, “Noah” and “Ararat,” for nearly 15 years. Both factories offer museums and tasting rooms where you can learn about the production process and the history of brandy. Armenian brandy makes an excellent souvenir or gift, with options ranging from 3 to 70 years of aging.

Armenian Cuisine

Armenian cuisine is celebrated worldwide for its flavor and generous portions. It is considered one of the oldest and most intricate cuisines globally, with a focus on hearty meat dishes. Traditional dishes include kebabs, meatballs, liver with vegetables, dried sausage, and dolma. For non-meat lovers, there are vegetarian options like vegetable dolma, homemade cheeses, matsoni, serots, zhazhik, and fresh lavash. The delicacy of Armenian cuisine is the trout from Lake Sevan.

Resorts in Armenia

Although Armenian resorts may not be as renowned as those in Georgia, the natural beauty and mineral waters are equally impressive. Popular destinations include Dilijan, Jermuk, and Tsakhkadzor. Lake Sevan, one of the world’s largest high-altitude lakes, is a must-visit. The Sevanavank monastery complex, with its 9th-century churches, is located on the shore of the lake.

Mount Ararat

Mount Ararat, although located in Turkey, is a symbol of Armenia and a sacred mountain. The best view of this biblical mountain is from the Khor Virap monastery. On a clear day, you can see the entire mountain, which is depicted on various souvenirs and the famous Armenian brandy label.

For more information, visit the official tourism website of Armenia.