Ultimate Yerevan Travel Guide & Itinerary (+ Map)
TL;DR
If you’re planning a trip to Armenia, you’ve got to check out Yerevan – it’s full of history, awesome food, cool Soviet vibes, and little hidden gems that make it way more fun than you’d expect.
Most people researching Yerevan are actually trying to answer a simple question: Is it worth adding to my itinerary? We had the same doubt.
Yerevan doesn’t have the instant “wow factor” of cities like Paris or Rome. It’s not packed with bucket-list landmarks, and you won’t find endless must-see attractions listed in every guide. That’s exactly why many travellers underestimate it – or skip it entirely.
That would be a mistake. After spending a few days exploring the city, we realised Yerevan is less about ticking off sights and more about atmosphere. It’s a place where Soviet architecture meets ancient history, where you can sip coffee in a modern café and end the day at the opera, and where local life still feels authentic and unpolished.
Our guide is for travellers who want more than just the highlights. We’ll show you what’s actually worth your time, what to skip, and how to experience Yerevan in a way that feels real.
Whether you’re here for a quick stop or using it as a base for exploring Armenia, our guide will help you make the most of it.
Yerevan Travel Guide
Yerevan Armenia Map
Is Yerevan Worth Visiting?
Yes – Yerevan is definitely not a city to skip. While many travellers come for Armenia’s monasteries and mountains, Armenia’s capital more than holds its own.
What makes the city stand out is its unique blend of influences: Soviet-era architecture sits alongside ancient churches, and you’ll even find the country’s only mosque tucked into the city. Climb the Cascade for sweeping views over the city, and you’ll see exactly why people fall for this place. The city also boasts an incredible food scene, featuring a diverse range of traditional Armenian dishes and modern cafés.
Add in the fact that it’s still not overrun by tourists, and Yerevan feels refreshingly authentic – a capital where history, culture, and everyday life all come together at a relaxed pace.
Plus, it’s the perfect base for easy day trips to mountains, monasteries, and wineries!
Where We Stayed in Yerevan
We stayed at Hotel Jan & in the very center. The location was good, and the price was unbeatable. The owner was super hospitable, although most of the conversation took place with Google Translate.
On the downside, it was not the cleanest, and the included breakfast was a packet of instant ramen.
How to Get to Yerevan
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Flying to Yerevan
Yerevan has an international airport with connections to many European cities as well as a limited number of Asian and African destinations.
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Train or minibus from Tbilis,i Georgia
If you’re coming from Tbilisi, Georgia, you can easily cross over to Yerevan, Armenia, by Soviet-era sleeper train or minivan.
The sleeper train only runs every other day. Additionally, you can only buy tickets on the official website (which is not easy to navigate) or via a reseller (which adds to the cost).
This is why we opted for a minivan, which was fast, affordable, and convenient.
How to Get Around Yerevan
The centre of Yerevan is very walkable.
For further distances, e.g. to the train station, we took the metro, which felt like a combination of transport and sightseeing.
Two ridesharing apps, GG and Yandex, are available, but we have not personally used them.
Best Things to Do in Yerevan
1. Go on a Free Walking Tour
Yes, we sound like a broken record, but for us, a free walking tour remains the best way to get an introduction to a new city. We chose the Free Cultural Walking Tour in Yerevan with Tastings - Religion and Armenian cuisine, which was amazing. We got to see all the highlights and some amazing hidden gems of Yerevan. Additionally, we got to try some nice dishes and got many great recommendations for further exploring.
2. Yerevan Cascade & October Revolution Memorial
The Cascade is the undisputed highlight of Yerevan. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Mount Ararat in the distance, but even if you visit on a gloomy day (like us), you’ll get nice views across the city.
You can either climb the stairs or use the escalators inside the Cafesjian Museum of Art. You can also visit the exhibitions at the Cafesjian Museum of Art – some of them are even free!
Keep an eye open for some cool statues on the stairs, like from Botero (one of our recent Colombian favourites) or the yellow statues by Plensa we’ve seen a lot throughout our travels.
Once you reach the top of the stairs, keep on climbing to the October Revolution Memorial, which consists of a huge concrete plaza and a 50 m (164 ft) obelisk. The views from here are amazing as well.
3. Victory Park & Mother Armenia Statue
From the October Revolution Memorial, keep on walking to Victory Park. It’s a large green space with an amusement park and an artificial lake.
There are many memorials and monuments dotted around the park, with Mother Armenia being the most impressive. Inside, there’s the Military Museum of Armenia – the entrance is free.
In front, you can find the Eternal Flame and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
4. Kond
Kond is not only Yerevan’s oldest neighbourhood, but it’s also full of street art. Stroll through the narrow alleys and keep your eyes open for the pieces of the Kond Gallery.
5. Hrazdan Gorge
Right next to Kond, you can find the Hrazdan Gorge. It’s a nice green space for walks. In this part of Yerevan, you can also find:
- Hrazdan River
- Hrazdan Aqueduct
- The Children's Railway, a Soviet era miniature railway
- A zipline (further north)
6. Taste Armenian Brandy
From the Hrazdan Gorge, it’s only a short walk to the Ararat Museum. Here, you can take a tour and taste Armenian brandy – a must (if you drink alcohol). Ararat is one of the oldest liquor companies in the Caucasus and was established in 1887.
Their competitor, Noy Factory, is also nearby.
7. Blue Mosque
The Blue Mosque is the last active mosque in Armenia. Built in the 18th century, it is surrounded by a peaceful garden. The mosque is known for its turquoise and indigo mosaic dome and beautifully decorated entrance.
You can visit the interior when prayers aren’t in progress.
8. Yerevan Museums
The most important museums in Yerevan can be found around Republic Square, the heart of the city.
On Republic Square, you can visit:
- The Museum of History of Armenia. The museum collection consists of more than 400,000 items. Our favourite was the famous Areni-1 shoe, one of the country’s most significant archaeological finds, as we visited the site where the shoe was found (see below).
- The National Gallery of Armenia, the largest art museum in Armenia.
- The Charents Museum of Literature and Arts is the largest repository of Armenian manuscripts and books encompassing the last three hundred years.
If you’re interested in manuscripts, check out the Matenadaran, officially called the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, which holds around 23,000 manuscripts and scrolls. Plus, the building is super cool.
9. GUM Market
We loved GUM Market! If you want a real taste of local life, that’s the place to go. It’s a bit off the typical tourist path, but absolutely worth the short trip.
You can buy fresh produce, candied fruits and nuts, lavash, pickles, herbs, and so much more.
We were also offered plenty of free samples!
10. Vernissage Market
What the GUM Market is for food, the Vernissage Market is for souvenirs. It’s Yerevan’s biggest outdoor market where you can buy everything from paintings to carpets. Next to artisan goods, you can find antiques and vintage items.
11. Northern Avenue & Tashir Street Shopping Gallery
Northern Avenue is Yerevan’s modern pedestrian boulevard, connecting Abovyan Street with Freedom Square. At around 450 m (1475 ft) long, it’s the perfect place for a relaxed stroll right in the city centre.
Built in 2007 based on plans by architect Alexander Tamanian, the avenue features wide walkways, elegant stone buildings and small squares, making it a popular meeting point.
Lined with shops, cafes, restaurants and nightlife spots, the avenue has a much more contemporary feel compared to the rest of Yerevan.
If you’re into shopping, don’t miss the underground Tashir Street Shopping Gallery, located beneath the avenue.
12. Katoghike Church
Katoghike Church is one of Yerevan’s oldest and most atmospheric religious sites. Originally consecrated in 1264, it’s a rare glimpse into the city’s medieval past.
What makes it unique is the contrast: a tiny 13th-century chapel sits tucked inside a much larger, modern basilica built around it. Despite earthquakes and Soviet-era redevelopment, parts of the original structure have survived – giving the whole complex a special sense of history.
The church is easy to miss, hidden among apartment blocks, but it’s well worth seeking out – and no, the pigeons in the photo below are not paid actors.
13. Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral
The Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral is Yerevan’s largest church. It was built in 2001 to mark 1,700 years since Armenia adopted Christianity as its state religion.
The complex includes a main cathedral with 1,700 seats (unusual for Armenian churches) and two smaller chapels dedicated to Saint Tiridates and Saint Ashkhen, who helped convert Armenia to Christianity. The relics of Saint Gregory the Illuminator are preserved inside.
14. Freedom Square & Armenian National Opera Theatre
Freedom Square is one of Yerevan’s main gathering spots, with the Armenian Opera Theatre in its centre. It’s a lively area with cafés, gardens and locals enjoying the open space. The nearby Swan Lake adds a nice touch and is named after the theatre’s first ballet performance in 1935.
Around the square, you’ll find statues of Hovhannes Tumanyan and Alexander Spendiaryan, along with plaques celebrating famous Armenian artists.
15. Charles Aznavour Square
Charles Aznavour Square is a small, central square surrounded by key cultural spots like the Moscow Cinema and the Stanislavski Russian Theatre, with the Grand Hotel Yerevan overlooking the square.
The Moscow Cinema (built in 1936) is a Soviet-era landmark that still shows films and hosts the annual Golden Apricot Yerevan International Film Festival.
Outside, you’ll find a cute zodiac fountain and a modern spider sculpture made from earthquake debris – making this a nice, quick stop while exploring the city.
16. More Things to Do in Yerevan
Here are some more ideas for things to do in Yerevan. They are all a bit further from the centre, so we didn’t get around to doing them ourselves:
- Armenian Genocide Memorial & Museum Reflect on Armenia’s history at Tsitsernakaberd, the Armenian Genocide Memorial. The 12 concrete slabs represent lost provinces, and the eternal flame honours the victims. Next door, the museum guides visitors through the tragic events of 1915, leaving a profound impression of Armenia’s resilience.
- Lusik Aguletsi House-Museum & Art Cafe Discover Lusik Aguletsi’s life and art at her Yerevan house-museum. The museum showcases her embroidery, folk puppets, and paintings, while the courtyard cafe serves traditional dishes – perfect for combining culture with a meal.
- Erebuni Fortress Erebuni Fortress is the Urartian stronghold that founded Yerevan in 782 BC (Yerevan is 29 years older than Rome!). Explore the fortress walls and temple remains, and check out the Erebuni Museum, which displays artefacts and gives a history of the site.
Best Day Trips from Yerevan
Day trips are the easiest way to explore the surroundings of Yerevan.
We opted for the Khor Virap Monastery, Winery & Birds Cave Tour, which brought us to two stunning monasteries and the cave where the oldest archaeological evidence of wine, as well as the famous Areni-1 shoe, was found. We also got to taste Armenian wine.
We have written a full review of our Khor Virap tour:
Three other popular options are:
- The Garni Temple, Geghard, and Lavash Baking tour brings you to the last remaining pagan temple in Armenia.
- The Echmiadzin Mother Cathedral and Zvartnots tour brings you to one of the oldest cathedrals in the world.
- Last but not least, a Lake Sevan & Dilijan tour will bring you to Armenia’s largest lake as well as a picturesque mountain village.
Where to Eat in Yerevan
The list of our favourite places to eat in Yerevan is much longer than in our usual travel guides.
The nicest cafes are:
- Mirzoyan Library in an old library.
- Lumen Coffee 1936 in a stunning building from – you guessed it – 1936.
- Ponchik Monchik for amazing Ponchik (Armenian Doughnuts).
Our favourite places for traditional Armenian food are:
- Caucasus Tavern right next to our accommodation. We had amazing Khash (a soup with cow’s feet and head). They are open 24/7.
- Dolmama, which seems to be the place to be (even Kim Kardashian ate here).
- Anteb for great Manti soup.
- Artashi Mot for barbecue.
- Elie's Lahmajun if you’re craving a quick bite.
The places with the best vibes (we recommend checking them out even if you don’t want to eat) are:
- Abovyan 12, which is located in a quiet backyard with a lovely art gallery.
- Tufenkian Kharpert, where you can learn how Armenian carpets are woven (they belong to the Megerian Carpet Museum).
And finally, In Vino, to taste some of the amazing Armenian wines.
How Many Days in Yerevan Do You Need
In our opinion, two days is the bare minimum to spend in Yerevan if you’re short on time. You can easily spend three days or more in Armenia’s capital – especially if you plan to go on day trips, which we highly recommend doing.
Here’s our 1 week Armenia itinerary, including 2 days in Yerevan:
Itinerary
Easy Armenia Backpacking Itinerary
Exploring Yerevan, Gyumri, and Vanadzor with public transport.
Carina
Yerevan Itinerary
Here’s how we would spend two days in Yerevan:
Day 1 – Explore Yerevan
We highly recommend to start your day with a free walking tour to get an overview over Yerevan.
Our tour ended at the base of the Cascade, so it makes sense to climb up next to enjoy the views. From the Cascade, head to the Mother Armenia Statue in Victory Park.
Tick off the rest of the sights that interest you in central Yerevan. The three things we highly recommend are
- The Museum of History of Armenia if you’re a museum lover.
- Vernissage Market if you’re a shopping freak.
- The Blue Mosque.
Make it a priority to save some time to walk around Kond, Yerevan’s oldest quarter, full of street art.
In case you still have more time to kill, we recommend:
- Checking out Hrazdan Gorge.
- A brandy tasting.
- Heading to GUM Market.
In the evening, you might enjoy a performance at the Armenian National Opera Theatre.
Day 2 – Day Trip of your Choice
Use your second day in Yerevan to head out on a day trip. We highly recommend checking out the stunning Khor Virap Monastery, but we have listed other options above.
Yerevan Tips
ATMs in Yerevan
Yerevan is the capital of Armenia. You will not have a problem finding an ATM.
Supermarkets in Yerevan
The best supermarkets in central Yerevan are SAS and Yerevan City. There are a few branches of these chains dotted around the city.
Internet in Yerevan
The internet in our accommodation worked well. Our eSIM card worked fine around town.
Is Yerevan Safe
Yerevan is considered safe for tourists, and crime levels are generally low.
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