Amazing Sites to Visit in Armenia

Garni Temple / Image Temple

It's the outstanding cultural and historical legacy, combined with Armenia’s dramatically beautiful landscape that makes this Christian country so compelling for the traveller. Explore the amazing cultural and natural delights on your trip starting from Yerevan, the country's undisputed cultural capital. In addition to the landmarks of Yerevan you can see Garni Temple, an UNESCO World Heritage Site, the monastic complex of Geghard and the scenic Lake Sevan, the second largest alpine lake in the world. One of the highlights of your tour should be a visit to the charming mountain town of Dilijan.

Yerevan

Very few modern cities in the world can rival the history of Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. Considered to be one of the oldest living cites in the world, Yerevan was founded in 782 BC by the King of Urartu. Large numbers of cafés lining its leafy boulevards have made Yerevan earn the sobriquet of the City of Cafes.  With the snow-capped peak of Mt. Ararat in the background, the city is a must visit place for its vibrant nightlife, museums and arts scenes.

Visit the Vernissage Market famous for locally produced handicrafts including brass pots, traditional dolls and brass pots.

Garni pagan temple

The Garni pagan temple is the only Hellenistic temple in the Caucasus. On the way to Garni, stop at the Charent’s Arch which commands incredible view of Biblical Mount Ararat, the traditional resting place of Noah’s Ark. After that you can see the 1st century AD Garni pagan temple located on a high plateau overlooking the Azat river gorge. The temple predates the spread of Christianity in the country and is one of the few pagan temples that survived the destruction following the declaration of Christianity the official state religion in the land. Today the Garni pagan temple is one of Armenia’s most popular tourist sites.

                            Geghard Monastery / Image credit

Your next stop is the spectacular UNESCO world heritage site of Geghard monastery, the finest specimen of the 13th-century Armenian architecture. Here the spear that pierced the body of Jesus Christ after crucifixion was kept for many centuries.

Dilijan

                                                        Dilijan / Image source

Hailed as the ‘Switzerland of Armenia’, the beautiful mountain town of Dilijan on the banks of Aghstev River is a place not to be missed even in the most perfunctory of tours. After walking in the densely wooded valleys of Dilijan you will pay a visit to Haghartsin Monastery. Situated in the woodlands of Tavush the monastery was built in the 10th-14th centuries. After soaking in the sacred energy of Haghartsin Monastery, you will make a trip to another jewel in Armenia’s crown, Lake Sevan. One of the world's greatest high altitude fresh-water lakes, Lake Sevan is not to be missed while you're in Armenia. After enjoying the beauty of the lake, drive to the 9th-century Sevanavank Monastery, a monastery complex on Sevan peninsula.

Tatev

Tatev monastery / Image credit

The 9th-century Tatev Monastery is often described as the pearl of Armenian medieval architecture. A ride in the Tatev Aerial Tramway, which connects the village of Halizor with the monastery, will offer you mesmerizing views across the Vorotan River Gorge en route.