Holidays in Armenia: the most interesting places

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

Destinations in the CIS are rapidly gaining popularity among Russian tourists. And it is not surprising: they are full of incredible old sights, and prices are much lower here than, for example, in Europe.

Among the countries of the Caucasus, Armenia is of particular interest for travelers - the land of endless mountains, secluded temples, the scorching sun and warm hospitality. Together with the experts in the international travel metasearch momondo, we have put together a small travel guide for those who are traveling in this particular destination.

Walk in Yerevan

The heart of modern Armenia is ancient Yerevan, formerly called Erebuni. The city center is built mainly of tuff, which is why the capital was named "Pink City".

You can appreciate the beauty of this stone and all the variety of its delicate shades on the central Republic Square. The most beautiful square is in the evening, during sunset. In summer, by the way, immediately after sunset, an impressive show of singing fountains begins here. Backlit streams of water dance to the most unexpected compositions: from “The Seasons” to songs from the Junior Eurovision Song Contest.

123 RF / Andrei Bortnikau

But it is also worth a glimpse into the square during the day - for the sake of the National Historical Museum and the Art Gallery, which are located in the same building - the one immediately behind the fountains.

Leaving the museum, you can walk further along one of the main streets of the city - Abovyan - and turn from it to Northern Avenue … All the most fashionable cafes and expensive shops are located here. The avenue leads to the majestic the Opera building. In front of him is the Freedom Square, where life tirelessly boils: it is on it that all the main demonstrations of the city, large-scale exhibitions, concerts and major festivals take place. And around - a record number of street cafes for the city, flowing into one another.

Walking around the Opera building, you can see behind the treetops Grand Cascade - a huge architectural complex, which is a long staircase of 522 steps. "Under" this staircase is the Contemporary Arts Center, and there are escalators - for those who are not in the mood for prolonged "cardio" under the sun. On each "floor" of the Cascade there is a small fountain - part of an artificial waterfall, flower beds and statues of contemporary artists. Having overcome the long climb, the traveler will receive the expected, but no less pleasant prize - a stunning view of the city against the backdrop of Mount Ararat.

123RF / arevhamb

Not far from the Cascade is Victory Park. It is large enough, so you can spend more than one hour here - sailing on a boat on a small lake, walking among the trees or indulging in nostalgia, looking at Soviet attractions. At the end of the park there is a huge monument to Mother Armenia, at the base of which is the Museum of the Ministry of Defense.

Another park in Yerevan - small but remarkable - Lovers' Garden (formerly Pushkin). You can walk here from the Opera building along Baghramyan Avenue, full of old buildings of the XX century. Here, on the avenue, there is a beautiful building of the National Assembly - an expressive structure made of light tuff. Right behind it will be the Garden of Lovers.

Travelarmenia.org

If the largest events are held on Freedom Square in front of the Opera, then here are the most fashionable and chamber ones: reading festivals or exhibitions of contemporary authoritative artists.

“Marshal Baghramyan” metro station is right next to the park. By subway, you can get back to Republic Square (to the station of the same name) and, heading in the opposite direction from the square, get to Vernissage (works from Friday to Sunday). This is the famous Yerevan flea market, where you can find just about everything: from antique silver mouthpieces and unique jewelry of the 18th century to pets and chemicals.

Even more interesting places in Yerevan:

• The house-museum of director Parajanov is for surrealism lovers.
• Brandy factory "Ararat" - here they conduct detailed excursions, and then treat them to tasting.
• Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Park is a huge complex dedicated to an important event in the history of the Armenian people.
• The Blue Mosque on Mesrop Mashtots Avenue is an unexpected island of the Islamic faith in the very center of the capital.
• Erebuni Museum and the ruins of the Urartian fortress Erebuni - for those who are interested in ancient applied art.
• Matenadaran is a repository of ancient manuscripts in different languages of the world.

The city of Vagharshapat is located half an hour drive from Yerevan. It is notable primarily for the fact that it is located here Echmiadzin monastery - the center of the Armenian Apostolic Church. It includes the Cathedral and three churches built in the 1st century AD. NS. Each of the temples is a unique monument of Christian architecture. On their territory there are museums with valuable relics and tombs of important historical figures.

123RF / Julia Wainwright

A few things to know about Yerevan:

• Almost anywhere in the city can be reached by minibuses. However, it is much more pleasant and freer to travel by metro: the locals do not particularly like underground trains. The metro is only one line, but from the stations you can easily walk to most of the significant sights. In addition, a large company (from 4 people) will benefit from using a taxi - it is incredibly cheap here (a trip within the city center will cost a maximum of 150 rubles).
• You can try traditional cuisine in pandok establishments (often translated as "tavern"), special attention is paid to the local street food: baked cakes with minced lagmajo and deep-fried pies, which are sold both in special establishments and in bakeries.
• The traffic rules are rather arbitrary here.
• The most delicious and fresh vegetables and fruits are worth looking for in the markets in the morning. For example, at the central “Pak Shuka” - on Mesrop Mashtots Avenue or in the market near the railway station (metro station “Sasuntsi David”).

Around the main lake of Armenia

Mountain pearl, lake Sevan, dearly loved by the Armenians who stubbornly call it "the sea". Sanatoriums and rest houses stretch along the entire coast of the reservoir. Closer to the Sevan peninsula are the most comfortable and expensive (by local standards), and a couple of kilometers to the south you can find good wild beaches or very inexpensive rented houses. In Sevan, you should definitely see significant cultural attractions. Chief among them, of course, is the Sevanavank monastery located on the peninsula.

123RF / MARIUSZ PRUSACZYK

Here, in ancient churches, it is interesting to learn the romantic story of their founder, Princess Mariam. If you go deep into the peninsula, among the trees you can find ancient khachkars - "stone crosses". These are memorials and shrines peculiar only to the Armenian church - large stone slabs decorated with a small pattern forming a cross.

Secluded monasteries are the heritage of Armenia

Armenia is famous not only for its incredible views, but also for its magnificent architecture. Ancient churches are scattered throughout the country, and each of them is an important Christian monument.

Not far from the capital, surrounded by high mountains, there is a famous monastery Geghard, as if it had grown out of a rock. This feeling is created due to the fact that one of its parts is cut right inside the mountain.

123 RF / saiko 3 p

On the way to Geghard, you should definitely look into Garni - a pagan temple, an example of Hellenistic architecture. It is also worth visiting because the gorge of the same name, over which the monument stands, is one of the most picturesque in the whole country. Going down into it, you can see the "Stone Symphony" - a part of the mountain is covered with a thick layer of stone hexagonal pillars that resemble organ pipes.

123RF / kaetana

The most underestimated direction in Armenia is the north. There are three beautiful ancient monasteries in the Lori region - Sanahin, Haghpat and Odzun … Local priests, who have taken on the role of tour guides, are happy to tell tourists the romantic stories associated with these places. It is convenient to call in Lori on the way to Georgia or, conversely, heading from there.

In the south of the country, there is a romantic monastery hidden by fog Tatev … In the gorge under it there is an amazing natural landmark - the Bridge of Satan. The small natural bridge got this creepy name due to the fact that the sounds of water raging in the stone tunnel below it seemed like an ominous laugh to the locals. It is worth going down to this tunnel: the water, enriched with minerals, colored it in all colors of the rainbow and formed natural baths.

123RF / Vasili Gevorkyan

For those who want to quickly get to the man-made beauty, the cable car works right above the gorge. In the monastery itself, you can see ascetic cells, a beautiful temple and a large stone pillar decorated with patterns. According to legend, it is installed so that it sways when enemies approach - from the trampling of their horses' hooves.

On the way back, you should definitely look into Noravank … Built of pink tuff and set against a backdrop of red mountains, this monastery is especially beautiful at sunset. It is pleasant to wander around Noravank, looking at the lace patterns on the stone walls.

123RF / Ievgenii Fesenko

The main church of the monastery is "two-story", and you can get to the upper part only by narrow steps without railings on the outer wall of the building - a little scary, but worth it!

Another holy place that you should definitely visit when you find yourself in Armenia is the monastery Khor Virap, located against the backdrop of the majestic Ararat. The complex was erected over an underground prison where St. Gregory the Illuminator before he converted the Armenian king to Christianity, and then the whole people.

Higher in the mountains

The road to any of the monasteries is a separate attraction. The valleys and mountains the path leads past are worth stopping and enjoying the views. It is better to get to some picturesque places purposefully. So, be sure to visit the area Dilijan. Armenians affectionately call it "little Switzerland".

123 RF / arevhamb

Mountains covered with dense forests surround the valley of the noisy Aghstev River. The mineral waters of Dilijan are known throughout the country, so it makes sense to spend a few days of recreation here.

Another place famous not only for amazing views, but also for healing springs is a high-mountain resort Jermuk. The main local attraction is the historical drinking gallery, where the taps are located so that the water in each of them is slightly warmer. On Jermuk, it is worth going to the mighty waterfall, as well as exploring the medieval cave complex.

123 RF / Sergey Mayorov

Among other things, you can go downhill skiing here in winter.

And those who prefer to explore the mountains on foot should go on a hiking tour to the top Aragats … Those who like to conquer the mountains are usually taken by car to a small lake Kari, from where they are released to free ascent.