I recently visited Armenia on a whim. The capital, Yerevan turned out to be a slice of food heaven with a cosmopolitan vibe. Yerevan is a city where you won’t have enough meals in the day to sample everything on offer. Below is a list of my favourite sights, eats and day trips in the city to help you fill your time and bellies.
Climb to the top of the Yerevan Cascades and get lost in the streets surrounding them
The Yerevan Cascades are a beautiful collection of water features. As you climb up, the city views improve with every step. The area surrounding the Cascades is full of life. You’ll find parks, cafes, art stalls and juice stands. Set aside some time before or after visiting the Cascades to see what interesting little corners and cafes you can find.
Drink yourself into a juice coma
I visited Armenia in July. During the summer months there is an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables. Fruit sellers line the streets with buckets of juicy raspberries and black currents and the sweet smells fill the air. Juice stands are just about on every street corner in the summer. You can get anything from fresh pink grapefruit juice to mint and lemon slushies. I’m salivating and missing the freshness of Yerevan as I write this. Drink juice, lots of it.
Eat at Shereep
Armenia was my 78th country. This restaurant now holds it’s place as a permanent happy taste bud memory. You cannot come to Yerevan and skip this restaurant. The chewy but crispy bread is kneaded and baked in front of you, the service is outstanding, the ambience of the live music was perfect, the salad is so fresh that every leaf has its own flavour, they even have a dessert created by a Michelin star chef. This restaurant is divine. Bookings required.
Try some of the delicious dried fruit candy
Being next to Iran and Turkey, Armenia has a delicious variety of dried fruit and nuts. There are hazelnuts stuffed into cherries and almonds are stuffed into apricots. There are so many unique and tasty treats to try. Keep your eyes peeled for the candy shops around the city and stop by and get some snacks for the road.
Get confused trying to pick a spot for your morning coffee
There are so many cafes in Yerevan! You’ll be absolutely spoiled for choice. Some sell your usual cappuccino’s and lattes, while others serve up Turkish coffee accompanied by Turkish delight. Explore the streets and get palpations from coffee overindulgence.
Drink a cocktail at Mozaic
A fairly new sky bar in the city with great views and award winning cocktails. The signature cocktail is seriously good.
Visit the city mosque
In the middle of the city you’ll find a decorative doorway, inside is a beautiful Iranian inspired mosque. It’s absolutely worth taking some time to admire the beautiful architecture.
Eat traditional Khinkali
Khinkali is to Armenia, what xiao long bao is to China. The dumplings of the Caucasus. No trip to Armenia is complete without eating a few. Traditionally they are eaten with your hands. Take a nibble, drink the soup, eat the dumpling, but don’t eat the doughy part at the top that you have been using to hold the dumpling by. Delicious!
Take a day trip to Khor Virap and Noravank Monastery
A good day trip from the city starts at Khor Virap with views of Mount Ararat and Turkey, which is about an hour outside of Yerevan. Then onto Noravank Monastery, which is about another hour further.
Tip: The views of Mount Ararat get hazy later in the day, so go early. Also Noravank gets busy too. I arrived at about 1pm and it was very crowded and hot. Still totally worth visiting even with the crowds though.
Spend an afternoon or morning at Lake Sevan
A beautiful lake that isn’t really set up for tourism. The hotels and infrastructure seem a bit basic, but the views are beautiful. It’s only an hour outside of Yerevan, so it’s a shame to miss it. Take in the views and drink a beer by the lake.
Tip: Even though it’s only an hour outside of the city, the lake is at altitude, so it gets cold. Don’t let my yellow dress fool you, I was unprepared and cold, take a sweater or jacket.
Take in the atmosphere at Geghard Monastery
Armenia’s answer to Petra and one of those low effort, high reward places. This monastery is only an hour away from Yerevan and has been carved out of the rock in the mountainside. It’s a very atmospheric place and I really enjoyed my visit.
A long day trip or overnight to Tatev Monastery
This monastery is about 4 hours from Yerevan. It’s arguably one of the most beautiful in Armenia. I didn’t make it there myself, because I was happy day tripping from Yerevan, but if you’ve got the time it’s probably worth checking this place out.
Getting around
Local buses go to Lake Sevan. For everywhere else you can take a taxi or hire a car. I took a taxi to most places. The trip to Geghard Monastery cost about $25, whereas the longer journey to Khor Virap and Noravank cost more. I didn’t see any public transport apart from tour buses at any of the monasteries.
If you’re only taking a 1 day trip, then hiring a taxi is a good way to go. For longer stays, consider hiring a car. This will give you the freedom to explore the beautiful mountain scenery at your own pace.
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