Yerevan and Around: Sights, Museums and Day Trips

Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, is among the destinations that have grown ever more popular with travellers in recent years. Why? Because the city offers visitors a huge range of things to do and is home to countless places worth visiting. Let us explore what Yerevan and its surroundings have to offer, along with the spots you simply cannot miss.

The key sights not to miss in Yerevan

It is impossible to visit Yerevan without discovering the city’s emblematic monument: the Cascade. Once you reach the top of this “grand staircase”, you will be treated to a wonderful view over the city, with Mount Ararat rising in the background. The statues dotted around this spot are sure to delight you too, such as the famous Botero.

If you fancy travelling to Armenia with your children, you should know that the capital is home to numerous parks, notably the little Lovers’ Park and the Swan Lake, set just a few metres from the Yerevan Opera, as well as Victory Park, one of the largest green spaces in the city. Your little ones will no doubt enjoy the city zoo, a 16-hectare park that houses bears, eagles, elephants, kangaroos, zebras and more.

Do not forget to visit the Armenian Genocide Memorial, a monument quite unlike any other. To learn more about the history and scale of the massacre carried out by the Turks at the start of the twentieth century, be sure to stop by the museum. Entry is free and the explanations are translated into several languages.

During your visit, the Blue Mosque is a must-see. It stretches across 7,000 m² and includes a prayer hall along with 28 other rooms, a library and more.

The museums to visit in Yerevan

To immerse yourself in the country’s history, a visit to the Matenadaran, the museum of manuscripts, is essential for discovering ancient civilisations.

Do not miss the National Gallery of Armenia either, the city’s principal museum. It is a much-loved spot for art enthusiasts, as it holds numerous collections by European and Russian artists. Here you will find works by Shishkin, Avetisyan and Shchedrin, among others.

For history lovers, there is nothing better than a visit to the History Museum of Armenia. It contains more than 400,000 varied items, including archaeological, numismatic and documentary collections.

The Sergei Parajanov Museum is another place to visit in Yerevan. In this house-museum you will find collages that the director Sergei created during his imprisonment, paintings and film scripts. It is somewhere you absolutely must discover.

Places to discover around Yerevan

If you want to explore the surroundings of the Armenian capital, here are the spots most prized by travellers.

Mount Aragats

The highest peak in Armenia will not leave you indifferent! It is a wonderful place for hiking lovers. That said, climbing its 4,090 m is no easy feat. It is best to prepare thoroughly before setting off on this adventure. At the summit, you will enjoy a spectacular view over the city of Yerevan!

What is more, you should know that the journey to the mountain cannot be made by public transport. Renting a small car to discover the area around Yerevan is strongly recommended. It is by far the most practical solution!

Take note: we are not talking about the Ararat volcano (5,137 m), which lies on the wrong side of the border with Turkey.

The Monastery of Geghard

Around Yerevan, it is well worth visiting a remarkable place: the Monastery of Geghard, blended into the surrounding nature. Nestled at the bottom of a beautiful gorge, this monastery, said to date from the 4th century AD, is sure to charm you.

Do not forget to make a wish by tying a handkerchief to the wish tree behind the monastery!

The Temple of Garni

With its rolling hills stretching as far as the eye can see, the Temple of Garni impresses everyone! It is a Greek temple located around ten kilometres from Geghard. It sits above a deep valley, into which you can descend to observe the curious rock formations.

Gyumri

The country’s “second” largest city is certain to charm you! To get there, simply take the train from Yerevan and spend a whole day in Gyumri, admiring this city that was struck by an earthquake in 1988. Indeed, the city still bears its scars, and you will see damaged buildings and houses everywhere.

Khor Virap

Located a few hours’ drive from Yerevan, the Khor Virap monastery is a place not to be missed during your trip to Armenia. The journey can be made by car, by bus or on an organised tour. Note that the view of Mount Ararat from this spot is breathtaking.

Lake Sevan

Lake Sevan is the best-known lake in Armenia and the largest in the country. No need to worry! This spot lies around sixty kilometres from the capital. Nearby, you can visit the Noratus cemetery, the largest khachkar cemetery in Armenia, the Hayravank monastery, built on a rocky promontory above the lake, or the Sevanavank monastery.

Dilijan National Park

For those who love forests and lush landscapes, Dilijan National Park is an increasingly recommended destination. Located in the province of Tavush, this 240 km² park is one of the country’s four protected national parks. It offers travellers a wide range of activities and is therefore ideal for anyone looking to escape the capital for a day.

Throughout your stay in Armenia, do not forget to sample the Armenian specialities, each more delicious than the last, notably the dolma, stuffed vine leaves, kharberd and chakhokhbili chicken.

Plan your visit

Ready to see Yerevan and its surroundings for yourself? Build your own itinerary or let us handle everything with an all-inclusive tour, and pair the capital with the classic Garni and Geghard day trip for an unforgettable start to your journey.