Lake Sevan: The Jewel of Armenia
Armenia's largest alpine lake, plan a Lake Sevan tour from Yerevan to see Sevanavank monastery, beaches, medieval khachkars and abundant wildlife.
Photo: Anastasiya Lvova · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
It is almost impossible to visit Armenia without seeing the famous Lake Sevan: the country’s largest, covering 1,360 km² (about 5% of Armenia’s entire surface) in the eastern province of Gegharkunik. Home to the prized Ishkhan trout, it is one of the most loved destinations in the country. Here’s what awaits you.
A magical place at altitude
Lake Sevan is one of the largest high-altitude lakes anywhere in the world, and simply a beautiful place to visit. If you’re planning a trip to Armenia, set aside two or three days to explore the mysteries of the Caucasus’s greatest mountain lake.
The numbers are striking: 95 metres deep, 78 km long and 56 km wide, fed by 28 rivers, and sitting at nearly 1,900 metres above sea level.
A place to slow down
Travelling through Armenia, a pause at Lake Sevan is essential. This “Armenian pearl” looks like a sea ringed by mountains. There’s nothing better than sitting on the shore, listening to the waves and gazing at the water, it has a way of carrying off your tiredness and worries.
The lake appeals equally to travellers who want a calm, restful escape and to those chasing more adventurous, active holidays.
Monasteries and khachkars
Around the lake you’ll find many historic monuments dating from the medieval era, most famously the monasteries of Sevanavank and Hayravank, perched above the water.
Don’t miss the celebrated khachkars (carved cross-stones) of the Noratus cemetery, which holds 728 of these intricate memorials, one of the finest collections in the country.
Wildlife on and around the water
Fishing is no longer permitted on the lake, but the waters still hold many species, including the trout that is closer to Arctic char than to an ordinary trout. On land you may spot marsh frogs, green toads and tree frogs, as well as lizards and snakes.
Birdwatchers are well rewarded too: greylag geese, whooper swans, ruddy shelduck, mallards, velvet scoters, flamingos and Eurasian coots all frequent the shores.
Things to do
A visit to Lake Sevan all but guarantees plenty to do. In summer it comes alive for swimming, watersports and sunbathing. Hikers will find no shortage of memorable trails in the surrounding hills, and the forested Dilijan region to the north is within easy reach for more hiking in Armenia. Out on the water you can sail aboard traditional boats and yachts, or even dive to explore what lies beneath this magical lake.
Plan your visit
Lake Sevan sits just an hour from the capital and slots neatly into almost any route. Build your own itinerary or book an all-inclusive tour with us, and combine the lake with the museums and sights of Yerevan and around.
