1 destination · 10 things to do

Armenia

Yerevan is a rose-pink city built from volcanic tuff beneath the snowy cone of Mount Ararat, and one of the oldest continuously inhabited capitals in the world. Its Soviet-era plan by the architect Alexander Tamanyan gave it grand circular squares, a lively cafe culture and the monumental Cascade staircase, while ancient treasures sit within an hour of the centre: the Hellenistic temple at Garni, the rock-cut monastery of Geghard, Khor Virap with its famous view of Ararat, and the high blue lake of Sevan. Add the illuminated manuscripts of the Matenadaran, the sober Genocide Memorial on Tsitsernakaberd hill, brandy cellars and some of the oldest winemaking on earth, and the city rewards a long weekend or a full week. Twickly picks the sights worth your time, the day trips worth booking and the hotels worth sleeping in.