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.
The Cascade and Cafesjian Center for the Arts
A giant limestone staircase climbing from the city centre to the Victory Monument, with escalators inside, sculpture on every landing and a free view of Mount Ararat from the top. It is the one place in Yerevan that every visitor ends up, and it is free.
Matenadaran: Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts
Armenia's great manuscript library, housed in a basalt temple of a building above the city, with illuminated gospels, medieval maps and scientific texts. A small ticket and an English guide turn a short visit into the best lesson in Armenian culture you can get in Yerevan.
Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial and Museum
A solemn memorial and museum on a hill above the Hrazdan gorge, where an eternal flame burns within twelve basalt slabs. It is free to enter and essential for understanding modern Armenia, so allow quiet time and dress respectfully.
Garni Temple, Symphony of Stones and Geghard Monastery
The classic half-day trip from Yerevan: a Hellenistic colonnaded temple above a basalt gorge, then a UNESCO monastery carved into the cliff. A small-group tour with a guide makes it easy, and it is the best single excursion in Armenia.
FreeA giant limestone staircase climbing from the city centre to the Victory Monument, with escalators inside, sculpture on every landing and a free view of Mount Ararat from the top. It is the one place in Yerevan that every visitor ends up, and it is free.
Armenia's great manuscript library, housed in a basalt temple of a building above the city, with illuminated gospels, medieval maps and scientific texts. A small ticket and an English guide turn a short visit into the best lesson in Armenian culture you can get in Yerevan.
FreeA solemn memorial and museum on a hill above the Hrazdan gorge, where an eternal flame burns within twelve basalt slabs. It is free to enter and essential for understanding modern Armenia, so allow quiet time and dress respectfully.
The historic home of Ararat brandy, with a museum tour through the cellars and a tasting of several brandies at the end. Armenia calls it cognac-style brandy, and this is the classic place to learn why.
The classic half-day trip from Yerevan: a Hellenistic colonnaded temple above a basalt gorge, then a UNESCO monastery carved into the cliff. A small-group tour with a guide makes it easy, and it is the best single excursion in Armenia.
The monastery with the most famous view in Armenia: a small stone church on a hill with Mount Ararat filling the sky behind it. A well-reviewed small-group day tour adds the red cliffs of Noravank, a winery and a prehistoric cave.
Armenia's high blue lake, with a medieval monastery on a peninsula and, in the same day, the forested monasteries of Goshavank and Haghartsin near Dilijan. A popular group day tour covers it all from Yerevan.
The spiritual centre of the Armenian Church, a short drive west of Yerevan: the Mother Cathedral, the churches of Hripsime and Gayane, and the ruins of Zvartnots. A half-day group tour with a guide is the easy way to see them.
A private day trip into the valley where Armenian wine began, with a winery tasting, a prehistoric cave, Khor Virap and Noravank on the way. Best for wine lovers who want to set the pace themselves.
A private half-day tour that joins the main city sights, the Erebuni fortress museum, the Matenadaran and the Genocide Memorial, with a local guide and driver. It saves time and adds context.
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
$$$$Central Yerevan (Kentron)
Yerevan's luxury address on Abovyan Street, a few steps from Republic Square metro, with a spa and hammam, an indoor pool and a top-floor Italian restaurant with city views. The one to book for a special trip.
Rates on Expedia →
$$$Republic Square
A historic hotel right on Republic Square, in a heritage building that has been part of city life since 1958 and has since been renovated. Two restaurants, a 24-hour gym and the best location for first-timers.
Rates on Expedia →
$$$Central Yerevan (Kentron)
A modern five-star in the city centre with 127 rooms, a spa with hammam and sauna, French-leaning dining and on-site parking. A calm, well-equipped base for anyone who wants comfort and a little wellness.
Rates on Expedia →
$$Northern Avenue, Central Yerevan
A big, simple, good-value hotel on Northern Avenue with 255 rooms, a veranda restaurant, a 24/7 bar and breakfast that guests rate highly. The sensible mid-range choice for sightseeing on foot.
Rates on Expedia →
$Kentron, near Republic Square
A friendly budget base about three minutes on foot from Republic Square, with dorms, women-only rooms, a double with shared bathroom, free breakfast and free parking. The best value in the centre.
Rates on Expedia →The practical first-timer guide to Yerevan: which day trips to book ahead, how to get around, how many days you need and where the Cascade, Matenadaran and Genocide Memorial fit.
A guide to choosing where to stay in Yerevan, from Republic Square and Abovyan Street to Northern Avenue, with five hotels from a hostel to a luxury spa hotel.
