What to do in Yerevan: 14 best plans

Updated: 26 August, 2024

The best things to do in Yerevan, with advice on what to eat, where to eat, where to stay and safety.

Yerevan is the capital of Armenia, one of the oldest cities in the world.

Despite this, it is a relatively modern city, with a wide range of bars and restaurants, as well as a very lively nightlife.

If it is the first time that you are going to travel to this small country, I assure you that Yerevan will surprise you for good, because it is a city with a lot of charm and ideal to explore on foot, at least as far as the center is concerned.

Is Armenia worth visiting? It is safe?

Yes, this country in the South Caucasus is completely worth the visit.

Armenia is a culturally rich country due to its great history. According to archaeological findings, the Armenian territory is one of the first where Human civilization was established around 4000 BC

Furthermore, this small country hides a great treasure: its mountain landscapes, lakes and monasteries, a true paradise if you are a lover of nature, hiking or trekking.

However, Armenia, which belonged to the former Soviet Union, It is one of the countries that receives the least tourism and it's just starting to be a little known.

Therefore, it is normal for many tourists to wonder if Armenia is dangerous.

I can tell you that is it safe to travel to Armenia, go out at night and move without any problem, even if you are a woman traveling alone.

In addition, a visit to Armenia is very good to take advantage of traveling to other countries in the Caucasus such as Georgia or Azerbaijan.

🚙 In this other article you can read more about How to Get from Tbilisi to Yerevan: Fast, Cheap, and Comfortable, with all the alternatives, prices and a lot of advice.

Now, I'll tell you the best things to see in Yerevan and, as always, I'll mark all the places on the map at the end of the article.

What to see in Yerevan

1. Plaza de la República and its dancing fountain

The Republic Square is the most emblematic and largest of the city that functions as a meeting point.

Historically, there the big events have been concentrated such as parades, concerts, demonstrations and even the mass of Pope Francis during his visit in 2016.

Later, it was the place of congregation during the demonstrations of the Armenian Revolution of 2018.

This oval-shaped square, designed by architect Alexander Tamanian, was built in the 1920s during Soviet times, concentrating several important buildings around it, such as:

• The building that houses both the Armenian History Museum as the National Gallery of Armenia;
• the Government House 1 which is the official residence of the Armenian Prime Minister;
• Besides the Government House 2 where the Ministry of Armenian Foreign Affairs operated between 1996 and 2016, today it is a private property of the Argentine businessman of an Armenian family, Eduardo Eurnekian;
• he Marriott hotel, the city's flagship hotel.

The most striking thing about these buildings built in Soviet times it is the color pink, Thanks to the Armenian tuff, a reddish-colored rock that has been used for centuries in Armenia for the construction of monasteries and other important buildings.

If you look closely, in Yerevan you will find many buildings with that color, which is why many They call it the "pink city."

Before, in the square there was also the Lenin sculpture which was removed in April 1991, a moment much cheered by local people.

During the summer nights, locals and tourists gather in the square at night to enjoy the dancing fountain enlivened with music and lights.

• Opening Hours: The fountain operates several times every day between 9 and 11 p.m. during the summer.

2. Cascade Complex

The Cascade Complex is the most iconic place in the entire city, where is the Cafesjian Arts Center.

If you are traveling to Yerevan and have enough time to visit a single place, I would definitely recommend the Cascade Complex.

The complex was designed by the Armenian architect Alexander Tamanian thinking about connecting the downtown area with a residential area.

Construction began in 1971, during the times of the former Soviet Union, but with its collapse construction was abandoned in 1991, leaving it partially completed.

The museum is quite unique to the point that some areas do not even look like a museum because much of it is outdoors and is divided into several areas:

1. A gardened area with a fountain and the largest works, including 3 sculptures by Botero;
2. the stairs exteriors that in themselves are a true work of art with terraces with Soviet Modernist style ornaments, where there are also several interesting sculptures and good views of the city with Mount Ararat background;
3. an interior area with escalators that are enlivened with different works of art;
4. the museum galleries with permanent and temporary exhibitions, as well as a shop;
5. a stair area that is unbuilt,
6. that take you to the top where the 50 years monument.

• Schedules:
  • Mechanic stairs: They are open every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • interior exhibition halls: Friday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and closed on national holidays.
  • museum store: Tuesday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Entry Fee:: everything is free, even the interior rooms of the museum.

⭐ You may also be interested in this other article about Visit to the Cascade Complex in Yerevan, which is a detailed guide with everything you can see there.

3. Matenadaran Museum

The Matenandaran is one of the most unique museums you can visit in Armenia, which houses a unique collection inside.

The word matenadaran In Armenian it means "library." Although it is a place that was also used as Scriptorium, that is, the "place to write", a space that is normal to find in old monasteries.

The main building is made of neo-Armenian style basalt, it has a staircase at the entrance that leads to a great statue of Mesrop Machtots, the linguist monk who created the Armenian alphabet in the year 405 AD.

Machtots played a decisive role in preserving the rich and ancient Armenian cultural identity.

Throughout the museum you will find several rooms with temporary and permanent exhibitions, but the most notable thing is its collection of manuscripts that currently number approximately 23,000.

This It is the richest collection of Armenian manuscripts and is registered as UNESCO Memory of the World.

The collection covers all sciences and different aspects of Armenian culture. In addition, there are manuscripts in other languages such as: Persian, Arabic, Greek, Hebrew and many more.

Some of the most important manuscripts are:

• Lazarian Gospel belonging to the 9th century and one of the oldest most complete volumes;
• Echmiadzin Gospel from the 10th century, it has a carved ivory cover from the 6th century that is believed to be Byzantine;
• Gospel of Vehamor It is believed to be from the 7th century, all Armenian presidents since 1991 have sworn oaths on it and that is why it is one of the few manuscripts that can leave the museum.

• Opening Hours: the museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., although ticket sales are until 4 p.m.
• Summer schedule: Closing extends until 6:00 p.m. and ticket sales until 4:45 p.m.
• Entry Fee:: 1,500 drams (3.76 euros)

4. Mother of Armenia

The Mother of Armenia is the most representative symbol of the country.

This statue is located in the Victory Park, where the statue of Stalin was formerly located, which was replaced by the Mother of Armenia in 1967 in representation of victory in World War II.

The statue is a work by Armenian sculptor Ara Harutyunyan made of hammered copper, is 22 m high and 51 m in total, including the pedestal.

The park is good for a nice walk with play areas for children, you will also have some good views of the city on clear days.

5. Opera and Ballet Theater

Do you know which architect designed the Yerevan Opera House and Freedom Square?

If you said Alexander Tamanian, you are right, this man designed everything out there. 😄

This theater It was built in commemoration of 30 years of Soviet Armenia, officially opened in 1933 and its first ballet performance was Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake in 1935.

Since then, the creation of national Operas and Ballets was promoted, one of the most notable is the opera Anoush from 1935, by the Armenian composer Armen Tigranian.

Freedom Square has a park area to disconnect a little from the hustle and bustle of the center, with a large lake, bars.

Also in the same square, in front of the Opera House, there are rental vehicles for children, they are very original and made me want to rent one, haha.

The Theater building is very iconic in the city and it is worth stopping by to see it, illuminated at night it looks even more beautiful.

📢 Fact:

If you are interested in ballet or opera, in former Soviet countries The ticket price is usually very cheap..

To give you an idea, they will soon have the ballet Romeo and Juliet and ticket prices cost between 5,000 and 20,000 drams (12.56 and 50.24 euros).

To buy tickets you can do so on the same website of the Yerevan Opera and Ballet Theater.

6. Katoghike Church of the Holy Mother of God

In Armenia you will find many churches and in the center of Yerevan it is easy to miss them among so many buildings.

If you can, I recommend visiting this small church that was consecrated in 1264, one of the oldest in the city that remain standing.

During the Soviet era, most religious buildings collapsed., including several churches and almost all mosques. Below in point 8 I tell you about the only mosque that is standing in Yerevan.

The construction of this church is mainly in Armenian tuff, giving it the characteristic pink color and as it has undergone several reconstructions you will see various styles reflected in its exterior and interior.

There is a oldest small chapel and next to it, is the most recent church.

If you are going to visit, I recommend doing it at dusk when they are illuminated from the outside and take on a more striking appearance.

• Opening Hours: every day from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Entry Fee:: free, but if you can leave a donation it is always good to help the maintenance of these sites.
• Advice: Remember that this is a place of worship, to visit it dress with something that covers and avoid taking photos of the faithful.

7. Armenian Genocide Museum

The Tsitsernakaberd complex includes a museum and a monument that were built in tribute of the 80th anniversary of the most tragic event in the history of Armenia.

The Armenian genocide, which remains unrecognized by many countries, was the first genocide of the current era.

Specifically in the year 1915, where at least 1.5 million people died at the hands of the Ottoman Empire.

The word "genocide" was coined in 1944, after the Jewish Holocaust.

The main difference between deaths in a war and a genocide is that in genocide there is a planning for the extermination of a town.

In the outer area is the monument that is composed of a stele 44 m high and symbolizes the "rebirth of the Armenian people."

Next to her there is 12 immense basalt slabs that represent each of the lost provinces, including the province where his precious Mount Ararat is located.

In the interior space between the slabs, 1.5 m deep, there is the "eternal flame" as a sign of mourning.

The monument itself is worth the visit and if you want to know more about this tragedy you can visit the museum.

• Monument Hours: from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from Tuesday to Sunday
• Entrance price to the Monument: free
• Museum Hours: from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Tuesday to Sunday
• Museum admission price: 5,000 drams (12.56 euros) with guide in English, French, Russian or German

8. Blue Mosque

The blue Mosque It was built in the 18th century during the Iranian time of the city.

In Yerevan, 8 mosques coexisted as a place of prayer for Muslim faithful before the creation of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Then during the Soviet period, this mosque It served as the headquarters of the city's History Museum. After Armenian independence and with financing from the Iranian government it was restored and reopened.

As much of the city was rebuilt to give it a more Soviet appearance during the time of the former Soviet Union, many of the old buildings were destroyed.

The blue Mosque It is one of the oldest buildings in the city that are still standing, in addition It is the only active mosque in the entire country.

Some of the most notable things about the mosque are:

• their typical mosaics in its façade and interior that will remind you of those of the ancient Persians, blue, white and yellow;
• the prayer room with its beautiful dome;
• the gardens that exude peace and make you want to stay there for a while;
• The beauty library, although when I was there, it was closed and they told me it could be visited;
• he 24 m high minaret, the only one of the 4 that remains standing;
• the entrance door to the prayer room at the back.

• Opening Hours: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Admission: free
• Advice: If you are a woman, remember to dress more conservatively or wear something to cover yourself.

9. Cathedral of Saint Gregory the Illuminator

This cathedral is quite recent, its construction was completed in 2001 to celebrate the 1700 years of Christianity of the Armenian state.

One of the most remarkable things about the Cathedral that The relics of Saint Gregory are kept there., hence its name.

This church is the largest in all of Armenia and one of the largest religious buildings in the region, next to the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi.

Something that surprised me a lot when visiting the Yerevan Cathedral is that in the back there is the skater park, a most unique fusion.

• Opening Hours: from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

⭐ In this other article you can read more about What to see in Tbilisi: 24 essentials 2023.

10. Center of Yerevan (blue on the map)

The city of Yerevan is a pleasure to take a walk with its wide streets designed from the perspective of people rather than cars, with large sidewalks, trees and green spaces.

Therefore, some of the most common ways to get around the city are on bikes and mainly with electric scooters that you can rent by the minute to get around Yerevan.

On your walk through the center I recommend stopping at some of the most emblematic places, which are:

1. the magnificent flower shaped fountain Soviet Art Nouveau style at the Republic Square subway station;
2. refresh yourself with a few sips of water pulpulak, that is, the drinking fountains that you will find throughout the city such as in the Plaza de la República. A way to save money and an ecological solution to avoid buying single-use bottles. They also have an app called Pulpulak to find them and they are so famous that Nas Daily made a video which is in the playlist below;
3. visit its parks like English Park;
4. or the park 2800 years Anniversary of the city of Yerevan which is my favorite. This park has careful landscaping with a great variety of tree species and fountains that in summer are the delight of children (video below);
5. the Charles Aznavour Square where the fountain stands out, a nice spider like the one outside the Guggenheim but much smaller and a giant chess that could not be missing in a country like Armenia.

11. Mirzoyan Library (and cafe)

Yerevan is a city full of trendy bars where you can have a few drinks at night and outdoor cafes with a very good vibe where you can stop to take a break.

One of the most interesting is the coffee that is in the Mirzoyan Library which functions as a photo gallery, coworking, cafeteria and even restaurant.

Library belongs to photographer Karen Mirzoyan which makes its personal collection available within the library that can be consulted on site, although they do not lend.

It is found in a historic building in traditional Armenian style with wooden balconies and a garden with a relaxed atmosphere where the main coffee area is.

If you have been to Georgia before, the type of building will remind you a lot of those in the old town of Tbilisi.

• Opening Hours: from 12 to 24 hours
• Price: the prices are a little higher than in other cafes, but the place is worth it

12. Vernissage Market

The Vernissage Market is the largest open-air market in the city and a visit that you cannot miss.

This market started in the early 80's when a group of painters started selling their works of art in the square next to the Union of Artists of Armenia, it is now known as Charles Aznavour Square, is the one I mentioned in point 10.

Eye: The market is not on the site that originated in the 80s, the current location is marked on the map at the end of the article. 😉

The reason the market is called Vernissage, it is precisely because of the sale of paintings, because that French word refers to the "opening day of a painting exhibition."

Nowadays, in addition to works of art, you can find clothing, crafts of all kinds, beautiful carpets, antiques from Soviet times, traditional musical instruments and of course chess boards with their delicately carved pieces.

It is an excellent market to find a treasure, to take a souvenir, give gifts or simply enjoy a very interesting walk.

The market is open every day, but if you want to see it at its peak I recommend visit him on weekends, because during the week it is not full, many stalls are closed.

Don't go too early either because you will find that many stalls will still be empty or are just starting to be set up.

• Opening Hours: every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

13. Best Brandy in the world

The Yerevan Brandy Company produces ArArAt brandy named after the mountain and It is considered one of the best in the world.

In Armenia they call it cognac, but it must be clarified that brandy is a type of drink and cognac is a designation of origin of the brandy that is produced in the French region Cognac.

Brandy is the main product for which Armenia is recognized internationally and this is not something recent, it was already appreciated by Tsar Nicholas II.

Later, it was a drink reserved for the elite of the communist party of the Soviet Union.

It was Stalin who introduced Winston Churchill in 1945 to what would become his drink of choice, after which the former British Prime Minister requested that 400 bottles be sent to him a year.

👍 Fun fact: Churchill, as an old man, declared that his longevity was due to: "do not play sports, smoke Havana cigars and drink Armenian brandy". What health recommendations! 😂

Some of the secrets of this drink to obtain an excellent flavor and aroma are:

• the type of grape used in its production, which is unique in the world thanks to the microclimate of the area;
• the process of making brandy with double distillation;
• and aging in Armenian oak barrels.

If you like this drink, in Yerevan you can visit the part of the Yerevan Brandy Company Museum, where They have several tours available, all with tasting.

You can also enjoy it in the bars and take a bottle with you.

🔔 Fact: According to what they told me, bottles of brandy cost more expensive in the museum than in the city, if you are going to buy I recommend you look at the prices in advance, so you can compare.

14. Levon Underground Museum

Levon's Divine Underground is one of the best things to do in Yerevan.

The museum is in Arinj towards the north of Yerevan and only 9 km from the Plaza de la República, by taxi it will take about 20 minutes.

This is one of the best things to do in Armenia, is a most unusual museum.

– Origin of the Museum and What to see

It turns out that Levon's wife, whose name is Tosya, asked him to dig a basement in the form of a pantry to store potatoes.

Something like what is known as fresquera in some Spanish towns.

But once Levon started he couldn't stop and he kept digging for 23 years until before his death in 2008.

Levon created an impressive connected cave system with hallways and stairs beneath your house, with a large vent, shrines and decorations carved into the walls.

The maximum depth is a little more than 20 meters, the equivalent to a building of about 7 floors, a place where Levon worked up to 18 hours some days.

Then upstairs, in the same house, you can visit a room that functions as small museum with photos of Levon, interview clippings, the clothes and shoes I wear.

The most surprising thing is to see their tools, because they He didn't use anything electrical, but instead used hand tools..

There is also a patio with mosaics, one of his wife with the famous potatoes and another is Levon.

– Visit the museum

Today it is Levon's family who show the caves and the museum. I visited with one of the daughters who only speaks Russian and Armenian, as did the mother who was also there.

Although I don't understand any Russian or Armenian, the visit was completely worth it.

• Opening Hours: every day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Entry Fee:: 1,500 drams (3.84 euros)
• Advice: When I went the door was closed, but they were inside, you can call +37477178850. In my case it was the Yandex driver who called and it was better that way because none of them spoke English 😅

What to eat? Where to eat in Yerevan?

Armenian cuisine is simply delicious, with well-prepared dishes and a good balance of ingredients, highlighting trout, lamb and many vegetables.

Some of the most delicious dishes that I recommend you try are:

• Harissa: They are a porridge of wheat grains with chicken meat and sometimes lamb. It is a very common dish in Armenian festivities.
• Dolma: They are grape leaf rolls stuffed with rice and meat, a true delight.
• lavash bread: a treasure of Armenian cuisine that they share with other neighboring countries, which is inscribed in the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. It is a delicious thin bread that is used to accompany many dishes or as bread for breakfast. During breakfast it is normal to eat it with sour cream and apricot jam.
• Apricots: Although this is not an elaborate meal, if you travel in summer be sure to try Armenian apricots, they are different from those grown in other places. These apricots are a true delicacy.
• Lehmeyun: It looks a bit like a pizza, it has a thin base dough and on top it has well-seasoned minced meat. The result is a most tasty dish, one of the most representative dishes of Armenian food. You can also find it written as Lahmajun or Lahmacun, even in other ways.😅
• cat: They are small sweet rolls made with sour cream and filled with sugar and butter, quite delicious.
• Armenian bulgur salad: It is refreshing and delicious, reminiscent of tabbouleh.

In Yerevan there are many restaurants where you can eat good traditional Armenian food.

These below are my favorites where I have gone several times on my trips to Armenia, both are in the center.

• Tavern Yerevan: They have several locations but I have left you marked on the map which is the best. In high season you will need to reserve a table in advance, at least the day before.
• Tun Lahmajo: Although it is in the center, it is a restaurant frequented mainly by locals. Likewise, some of the waiters speak English. The star dish is the lahmajo or lehmeyun, the best I have ever tasted. 😋

If you are a lover of trying new things, I recommend this one. food tour of Yerevan, if you travel with more people it will cost you, because the price is for two people.

You can check the availability and book here below:

Where to stay in Yerevan?

In Yerevan you will find a lot of hotel options depending on your budget.

If this is your first time traveling to Armenia and you want to explore the city, I recommend staying in the center or within walking distance so you can visit most places on foot.

These are the best hotels for different budgets:

• Cheap: Bonjour Boutique Hotel Well located, clean and with a good varied breakfast.
• Half: Ramada Hotel & Suites Good location, comfortable room and excellent buffet breakfast.
• Luxury: The Alexander Hotel a hotel that takes care of all the details, with very friendly staff, spacious rooms with all the comforts and a fantastic pool.

Yerevan map

* To check the legend for each place, click the button in the top left corner of the map. To view this map on your phone or computer, tap the star on the right side of the title. Then go to Google Maps, select "Your Places" and "Maps" from the menu.

How many days to spend in Yerevan?

To see the most notable places in the city and enjoy it without rushing, 3 days are necessary.

If you are short on time, you can do this cultural tour of Yerevan, It is ideal with lots of interesting historical information as well as anecdotes of local life.

Furthermore, Yerevan is a good starting point to do nearby 1 day excursions, like these in the link, which are the most interesting points of Armenia.

⭐ In this article you can read in detail about the What to see in Armenia: 25 essentials from Yerevan.

Final Thoughts

These are the best things to do in Yerevan, a surprising city with a rich culture, delicious gastronomy, modern and at the same time with a lot of history.

Also, and no less important, Armenians are truly sweet and will make you feel welcome at all times. If you travel to Armenia you will not regret it.

In case you are preparing your trip on your own, this Armenia guide It may help you, where you will find all the articles I wrote.

If you have any questions, leave me a comment below and if you found the article useful, share it with other fellow travelers. 😘

More about Armenia and the Caucasus countries

• What to do in Tbilisi: 24 must-visit places.
• Tips for traveling to Armenia
• Route through Armenia: 1 week itinerary
• 31 Curiosities of Armenia
• Visit to the Cascade Complex in Yerevan
• How to get around Yerevan and Armenia