Your Last BordersBEST THINGS TO DO IN YEREVAN
Yerevan, Armenia’s largest and capital city, is home to over a million inhabitants and makes the perfect base to explore this wonderful country. There’s lots of amazing things to do in Yerevan, all of them contained in this ultimate Yerevan travel guide that will help you prepare the perfect Yerevan itinerary.
Yerevan is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world as it dates back from 3300 BC. Like Byblos, Tyre, and Batroun in Lebanon or Damascus in Syria. Accordingly, in Yerevan you’ll find ancient sights, remains of the Persian and Soviet eras, and stunning modern buildings. Moreover, Yerevan holds the seat of the Araratian Pontifical Dioceses, the largest in the Armenian Apostolic Church, and one of the oldest in the world.
Armenians are known for their unique church, wine, alphabet, and hospitality, and you’ll experience them all when visiting Yerevan. If you’d like to see more beautiful places to visit in Armenia, check out my Instagram and Tiktok pages for videos of my trip and all my travel tips.
Essential things to do in Yerevan
The following are the must-visit spots in Yerevan. You can visit them independently, or with a guided tour of Yerevan.
1. Climb Yerevan Cascade Complex
The Cascade is Yerevan’s landmark and the number one place to visit when in Armenia’s capital city. Yerevan’s Cascade is actually a massive limestone eight-level staircase that connects Norther Yerevan and the city centre. Along the staircase you’ll find art galleries, small parks, and the best views over Yerevan and Mount Ararat.
This masterpiece of Soviet architecture was designed by Armenian architects and built in the 1970s. Yet, it was completely renovated in the 2000s. There are 572 steps in Yerevan’s Cascade and I totally recommend climbing them enjoying the views. However, if you do not feel like walking that much, there’s a free automatic staircase on the left side of the complex.
The square at the bottom of the Cascade is filled with modern sculptures designed by artists from all over the world. When climbing up, you will see each floor has an outdoor terrace decorated with more sculptures. At the top lays Victory Park, home of Mother Armenia, which is also one of the best places to visit in Yerevan.
If you can, visit the cascade in the evening. This way you’ll get to see it in daytime, enjoy sunset from the top, and admire the city lights on your way down. My all-time favourite among the best things to do in Yerevan.
2. Meet Mother Armenia at Victory Park
Victory park commemorates Armenia’s role and victory in World War II, as part of the Soviet Union. It lays at the top of Yerevan’s Cascade Complex and is home to an old amusement park and a lake.
The huge statue of Mother Armenia, located within Victory Park at the top of the Cascade, is the biggest and most recognizable statue in Yerevan. Just like the one of Mother Georgia is in Tbilisi Georgia.
It symbolises the peace through strength achieved by Armenia at the time of its independence. She’s the nation’s protector of peace and harmony. Mother Armenia replaces an old sculpture of Joseph Stalin, which previously presided the area.
3. Enjoy the Singing Fountains at Republic Square
Republic Square, previously known as Lenin Square, is the liveliest and main square in Yerevan. It’s shaped around 5 main buildings: the National Art Gallery, History Museum of Armenia, Government House of the Republic of Armenia, Central Post Office and former Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, now transformed into a Marriott Hotel.
Most of its surrounding buildings are built out of volcanic bricks of varying pink shades which gives the city a really nice and candid look. And the nickname of “pink city”. Moreover, in the middle of the square lay the Singing Fountains of Yerevan. These are a nighttime must-see in Yerevan as they host a cool music and lights show.
Every day at 8pm the fountain lights up at the sound of classical music and ‘dances’ at its rhythm. The show is free and enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. Be careful not to get too close to the water unless you wanna end up soaked.
4. Walk around its oldest streets
Yerevan has suffered many earthquakes and been rebuilt several times. Thus, the city doesn’t have an old town as we usually understand it. Nevertheless, there’s three old streets to enjoy: Hanrapetutyan, Arami, and Abovyan.
Hanrapetutyan is Yerevan’s main street. Here you’ll find several buildings from the 19th century. Among them, the must-see is number #32, decorated in Persian and Armenian styles.
Arami Street is one of the most fashionable streets in Yerevan and the city’s best remain of it’s “Belle Epoque”. The highlights here is the stone workshop of a local master khachkar carver and the Art Nouveau Afrikian Profit House.
Abovyan Street is great to spot typical Yerevan-pink buildings and picture how the entire city must have looked like a century ago.
5. Go people-watching at Northern Avenue
Norther Avenue is the main shopping street in Yerevan. It’s home to the fanciest apartment buildings in town, and underground mall, and a huge public car park.
The Avenue starts at the Opera House and ends at Republic Square, so you will most likely walk by it several times when in Yerevan. Moreover, it’s a beautiful pedestrian street filled with water fountains, trees, and some of the nicest cafes in town. It’s the perfect place for people watching.
6. Learn at the Armenian Genocide Museum and Memorial
The Armenian genocide was a cultural cleaning conducted by the Turkish government over Armenian lands nowadays belonging to Turkish territory. It happened around 1915 and over 1.5 million ethnic Armenians died in the massacre.
There is now a Museum and a Memorial of the Genocide in Yerevan, one by the other, and both are essential things to see in Yerevan. The complex is 4,500m2 and stands at the top of a hill, within a beautiful garden offering stunning views over Mount Ararat. Visiting same is one of the best things to do in Yerevan.
The Armenian Genocide Museum deeply explains life in Armenia in the early 20th century, the events that lead to genocide, the massacre Armenians suffered, and the world’s reaction to it. The exhibition can be quite graphic as it contains plenty of photographs and testimonials, including relics of survivors. It’s open from 11am to 4pm Tuesday to Sunday and access is completely free. Although not an easy place to visit, Yerevan tourism should always include it.
Right outside the museum stands Tsitsernakaber, the memorial dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide. It was built in 1967 and consists of 12 brutal concrete slabs. Each of them represent a lost Armenian province, forming a circle. At the center, 1.5 metres deep, lays the eternal flame dedicated to those who dies in the genocide. There’s also a tower split into two: the smaller part represents the 3 million Armenians that remian in the country, and the bigger one honours the 8 million Armenian Diaspora, which largely left as a result of the genocide.
7. Sample Armenian cuisine
Armenian cuisine, just as all Caucasian cuisine, is delicious. To the point one of the best things to do in Armenia Yerevan is to eat your way around the city. Local dishes come topped with fresh herbs and spices, and include tons of vegetables and grilled meats. Dairy and cheese also play a crucial role in Armenian cuisine.
Must-try Armenian dishes include:
- Dzhash: a broath made of meat, vegetables, and spices
- Kabob: grilled meat
- Pilaf: rice with mea
- Byorek: cheese pie
The following are some of the best Armenian restaurants in Yerevan: Sherep, Kamancha, Anteb, Gouroo, Tapastan, Kavkazskaya Plenniza, and Dolmama. Head to my Instagram and Tiktok pages for some pictures of the ones I epxlored. And consider joining a food tour of Yerevan to make the most of its foodie scene.
8. Try local Wines
Armenia, like Georgia and Moldova, is a wine lovers paradise as it produces great quality wines at supper affordable prices. Plus Armenia is home to the world’s oldest winery, so it makes the perfect place to indulge in some nice wine. Either by visiting wineries, local bars, or joining a guided wine tour.
Wine traditions in Armenia date back to the year 400 BC. There’s over 400 historic wine grape varieties in Armenia, the most famous being Chilar for whites, Kakhet, Areni, and Khndogni for reds, and Lalvari for sparking wines.
Make sure to try as many as you can during your time in Armenia. Most local restaurants have extensive wine menus and there’s also plenty of lovely wine bars to explore. And if you are looking for something more unusual, try pomegranate wine. I loved it and bought some in Baku Azerbaijan to take home.
9. Shop for souvenirs at Vernissage
Vernissage is the open-air gallery-market to visit in Yerevan. It’s open from 7am till 8pm every day and makes the perfect spot to buy local souvenirs, jewelry, rugs, wood carvings, paintings, and even musical instruments. There are lots of stalls where to chat with local artists and artisans. Get lost into their works and learn about Armenia through their masterpieces.
The market was founded in the 1980s by a group of local artists. It has become so successful that it has had to change location a few times in search of more room. Although I tend to prefer food markets, Vernissage is a great place for people watching. Make sure to take a stroll around it when in Yerevan, and bring along your camera to capture beautiful portraits of local artists.
10. Ride the metro
Yerevan’s metro network is another reminiscence of the Armenia’s Soviet past. It keeps the charm of the old times and the design of its main stations is just stunning. The most impressive stations are republic Square, Yeritasardakan, and Barekamutyun. No wonder Yerevan’s metro is the pride of many locals.
Back in the days, every Soviet city with over one million inhabitants was entitled to have a subway system. Fun fact is that these were quickly built in Tbilisi and Baku, neighboring Georgia’s and Azerbaijan’s capital cities, as both had a population of over a million citizens. However, that was not the case in Yerevan which was quite smaller.
Nevertheless, Armenia decided to “fool” soviet technicians to get one. When they were in town to assess the need for a metro eternal traffic jams were organized and city records amplified to somehow justify the construction of a metro for the city and it worked.
This should be reason enough for you to visit the metro. In addition, though, the metro is the cheapest and quickest way to more around the city. And it’s the perfect place where to hide from the cold and heat outdoors while enjoying high-speed free wifi. A huge contrast against the fact that, like the one in Kiev, Yerevan’s metro still works on a plastic token system. Seeing commuters exchanging a coin for an orange token ahead of boarding the trains while browsing the internet is mind-blowing.
11. Visit a Brandy Factory, or two
Armenia is famous for its liquors, and brandy (cognac) might well be the most famous of them all. Recognized among the best in the world, the city is home to two main brandy producers: Ararat and Noy.
Armenia’s Ararat Brandy is the country’s oldest brandy. Its factory was established in 1887 and there’s many guided tours taking visitors through its old cellar, modern machinery rooms, and in-house museum. And yes, there’s obviously a brandy tasting at the end of the tour followed by a visit to the local shop. Will you resist trying the favourite brandy of personalities such as Winston Churchill, Joseph Stalin, Frank Sinatra, or Agatha Christie? You can also book your visit through the Ararat Brandy website for any Monday to Saturday from 9am to 6pm.
Alternatively (or in addition, of course) you can visit the Noy Brandy Factory, located within the beautiful Erivan Fortress. This historical monument at the edge of Hrazdan Gorge hosts several underground floors containing lots of old barrels and historical alcohol-producing equipment. It’s possible to visit on a guided tour that will teach you about the brandy’s history, production and taste. It’s open Mondays to Saturdays from 9am to 6pm and you can also book it in advance though the factory’s website here.
Alternative things to do in Yerevan
12. Explore GUM food market
GUM Market is number one among Yerevan places to visit for those who love exploring food markets on their trips. Here you’ll find endless varieties of lavash bread, local vegetables, nuts, sweets, and fruits.
The smell of fresh products and home made goods will welcome you to GUM market from 11am to 5pm daily. The best time to visit is around noon, as that’s when the market gets liveliest. Be ready to sample many local delicatessen, as it is very common for vendors to hand out freebies hoping you’ll fall for their products and buy lots. You can see me trying some on my Instagram and Tiktok pages.
13. Attend a show at the Opera House
One of the best ways to spend an evening in Yerevan is attending a show at the opera. It’s common for ex-soviet countries such as Georgia, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan to have a wonderful theatre, opera and ballet scene, and Armenia is no exception to that.
Yerevan’s Opera Theatre is a beautiful circular building from the 1960s. It’s dived into two halls: a theatre with capacity for 1,260 people and a philharmonic society hall that can host 1,400 people guests. Therefore, when full, the atmosphere is electric and a must-have experience in Yerevan.
Make sure to book your tickets in advance from the box office on Mashtots Avenue. It’s open daily from 10am to 2pm and from 3pm 8pm. It’s also nice to visit the Opera House during the day, as it stands in a nice park surrounded by lovely trees, a lake, and lots of cafes.
14. Spot Yerevan’s Soviet throwbacks
Armenia was a Soviet Socialist Republic for over 70 years so if you love soviet architecture get ready to find lots in Yerevan. If you are wondering what to do in Yerevan, spotting these old soviet buildings can perfectly be the answer.
The biggest sign of brutalism in the city is, of course, Yerevan’s Cascade Complex, closely followed by the Armenian Genocide Memorial. Nevertheless, sights as Moscow Cinema, the hulking ‘Commieblock’ apartments around Andranik Metro Station, the Institute of Communication, the Yertasartagan metro station, the House of Chess, and Karen Demirchyan Complex are also worth a visit.
15. Photograph Kond District
Kond is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Yerevan, dating from the 17th century. It’s a cool place for a stroll in Yerevan, very different from the city center, as it’s wilder and desorganised. Such is the lack of urban planning here that most residents don’t even have an official address for their homes.
Most ethian armenians lived here during the Persian ruling of the country. Thus, the place became really multicultural. As the district is a top of a hill, streets up here are narrow and winding, which makes walking around the area a cool experience. Especially if also visiting the Saint Sarkis Cathedral, a humble church made out of beautiful orange and pink stones.
16. Attend a mass at Katoghike Church
Religion plays a very important role in the life of Armenians, and they are all proud to belong to their very own Armenian Church. However, you won’t find huge stunning churches in the city’s main squares as you would in most Europena towns. That is because, during the soviet times, lots of religious buildings where destroyed or ended up being hidden between residential buildings.
Among the dozens of churches still standing, Katoghike Holy Mother of God Church might well be the most beautiful. Thus, it should definitely be included among your places to visit in Yerevan.
The church is built in the city’s famous pinkish tuff stones. Katoghike had its consecration in 1264, which makes this medieval church one of the oldest standing churches in town. Amernian church is quite similar to the Orthodox church so expect lots of candles, incense, and covered heads. I visited during Easter and loved it to the max.
17. Admire Saint Gregory Illuminator Cathedral
Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral is the world’s largest cathedral of the Armenian Church, which makes it a great Yerevan sightseeing spot. Contrary to what you would expect, the cathedral is really new, from 2001. It is also massive and very similar in size to the Holy trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi.
The Cathedral has three areas: main church, chapel of Saint Tiridates the King, and Chapel of Saint Ashkhen the Queen. Both are crucial figures in converting Armenia into Christianity. There’s also a huge court and a tower outside the Cathedral.
The outside is really sharp, with lots of geometric lines, while the interior is really modern. Relics of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, brought from Naples by Pope John Paul II, are hosted inside the Cathedral.
18. Find the Blue Mosque
Armenia was the first nation to adopt Christianism as its official religion, in 301 AD, and most of its population nowadays still belong to the Christian Armenian Church. Nevertheless, Armenia was for a while under the ruling of the Persian Empire and during those times several mosques were built in Yerevan.
One of them is Yerevan’s Blue Mosque, built in the 18th century by the Persians and shut down in the 20th century by the soviets. However, following the country’s independence in 1991, neighbouring Iranian government funded the renovation of the mosque and turned it into the only operating mosque in Yerevan and all of Armenia.
In 2015, following several gestures of good faith between Armenia and Iran, the mosque was leased to the Iranian Embassy in Yerevan who also uses it as a cultural centre and Farsi school. In exchange, Iran has allowed Armenia to restore apostolic churches within its territory.
On top of its cultural importance, the mosque is a really beautiful building. It’s turquoise, indigo and yellow mosaics are eye-catching. And so are it’s main entrance and surrounding gardens.
19. Check out Yerevan History Museum
Yerevan History Museum showcasts the highlights of the city and its people from its ancient times to the present day since 1931.
The museum hosts over 90,000 artefacts that will delight all history lovers. Visting times go from 11am to 5.30pm from Monday to Saturday. The entrance fee is $3.50.
20. Go to the History Museum of Armenia
The History Museum of Armenia, separate from Yerevan’s History Museum, is the main building in Republic Square, right besides the singing fountains.
The museum opened in 1920 and showcasts the country’s history. It has a collection of over 400,000 items including plenty of religious and wine-related artefacts.
Nevertheless, the most famous item on exhibition is the world’s oldest shoe. It was found in a cave over an hour away from Yerevan and it’s become the pride of Armenians.
Armenia’s history museum is, thus, one of the Yerevan attractions not to be missed. Tickets are just above $3 and opening hours are 11am to 6pm Tuesday to Saturday and 11am to 5pm on Sundays. The museum is closed on Mondays.
21. Attend Matenadaran Manuscript Museum
Officially the Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, yet best known as Matenadaran, this museum hosts the world’s second largest repository of medieval manuscripts. Most of them, of course, written in Armenian language.
The building is designed in Soviet style, cut inside a hill and shielded by double steel blast doors. It is indeed ready to survive nuclear blasts and preserve its ancient manuscripts forever.
The museum’s collection includes over 23,000 manuscripts in several languages, including some from extinct civilisations. Some manuscripts date as far back as the 5th century. Moreover, the collection includes both the world’s biggest and the world’s smallest book. `
Matenadran is open from Tuesdays to Saturdays (i.e. closed on Sundays and Mondays) from 10am to 4.30pm and the entrance fee is around $3.
22. Relax at the Hrazdan Gorge
Hrazdan Gorge is a beautiful urban oasis on an edge and over a river accessible via a hidden Soviet-era tunnel.And it makes such a great place to relax when exploring Yerevan.
At the gorge there’s plenty of cafes, restaurants, wooden benches, and stunning trees providing a shade where to relax. There’s also a zip-line and the famous children’s railway station, a miniature railway local kids love.
23. Drink from a Pulpulak
You’ll never feel thirsty in Yerevan as the city is home to over 1,500 fountains providing fresh drinking water to all locals and foreigners passing by. Now that you know, you’ll see them absolutely everywhere. And the taste of it’s water is so refreshing you’ll love finding one in every corner.
These drinking fountains go by the name of pulpulak and date from back in the 1920s. You can take a sip on the way or refill a bottle of water. Just make sure to try the one in Republic Square, known as Seven Springs, as it’s the most beautiful and crowded among Yerevan’s pulpulaks.
24. Enjoy the Soviet Amusement Parks
Every major ex-Soviet city has tiny old amusement sites within it’s main squares and city parks. It’s surprising how these are still standing and operative after so many decades. Taking photos of the main rides or even jumping on them is a fun thing to do with kids in Yerevan.
Although these many old amusement parks across the city, the most famous are the one by the Children’s Railway and that in the Circular Park. Enjoy them while they last.
25. Watch a football match
Armenia might not make it to UEFA Champions league, yet the country is big on football and Yerevan alone has five different teams on the country’s top football league. These are FC Ararat Yerevan, Erebuni FC, FC Pyunik, FC Banants, and Alashkert FC. Consequently, Yerevan is home to several football stadiums and there’s matches going on every week.
If you are a football fan looking for Yerevan things to do, consider attending a football match when in the city. It’s a great way to mingle with locals, have fun, and try some local treats at half time. Tickets are available online, at kiosks around the stadiums, and at the gates on game nights.
Recap on the best things to do in Yerevan
Yerevan, Armenia’s capital, is a modern and welcoming city with endless attractions to explore. In Yerevan you’ll find old churches from the first Christian times and mosques from the Persian empire. There’s also remains of Soviet brutalism and memorials of the genocide Ottomans perpetrated over Armenians.
And plenty of beautiful sights such as markets, fountains, parks, shopping malls, and the opera house. All surrounded by lovely Armenian cuisine, wonderful wine, and Mount Ararat, one of the most stunning mountains visible from a city.
If you have any questions on Yerevan or any other of the beautiful places to visit in Armenia, please leave a comment below. Or reach out through my Instagram and Tiktok pages, where you’ll also find plenty of videos and tips from my travels. Have a wonderful time in Yerevan.
