If you have ever heard about this amazing country, then you’re probably already interested in Armenia travel to discover its history, culture, customs, and traditions. If that’s the case, my free Armenia travel guide is exactly what you need! This country is a great destination for almost all travelers, but especially for those who travel on a budget.
In this article, we will cover the most important factors to consider when you travel in Armenia.
Sounds interesting, doesn’t it? Come on, let’s discover Armenia travel highlights together!
1. Where to stay in Armenia?
Whenever you plan a trip to a specific country, you probably think about your accommodation first: “Where should I stay?” Luckily, this is not a problem for modern travelers. There are so many online platforms where you get a chance to book hotels, hostels, motels, guest houses, and even rent apartments.
For your Armenia travel planning, you have many options available. First, think about whether or not you have a relative or friend in this country. Take into consideration that Armenian people are hospitable and overfriendly so you don’t even have to think about hotels. You can just let them know you intend to travel in Armenia, and they will surely offer to pick you up at the airport and invite you to stay at their house.
If you don’t know anybody in Armenia, then you have to rely on hotels. In Armenia, there are many options available — from budget to luxury — that offer various facilities and services. So if you want to spend less, I’ll let you in on a secret. In the Armenian capital – Yerevan, there are hostels in the city center where you can also get breakfast and pay the minimum possible price, knowing that the average cost is about $10.
Now that you know where to stay in Armenia you’re probably feeling a bit hungry and wondering…
2. What to eat in Armenia?
Armenian cuisine is rich and full of many delicious dishes. The most traditional dishes are barbeque, dolma, harissa, khash, etc. Whenever they have guests, Armenians immediately turn up the fire and make the tastiest barbeque to welcome them.
Another important component of the traditional Armenian cuisine is lavash. This is a thin flatbread that is made in a tonir (traditional Armenian stove under the ground). Besides lavash, many other dishes — even barbeque — are also made in the tonir.
Armenian sweets are also very tasty. The most common deserts are Armenian gata and baklava. Gata is a kind of sweet bread that has its unique expression in different Armenian regions. Baklava is another pastry product that is rich and sweet, with nuts, honey, and tasty flavors.
Next, you have the Armenian drinks and beverages: wine, cognac (Armenian brandy), vodka, beer, mineral, and even natural water.
In Armenia, you can also taste the most delicious fruits: grape, pomegranate, apricot, and many more. Don’t forget about Armenian fruits! If you travel in Armenia from May to October, you are extremely lucky. You know why? Armenian fruits are so sweet, delicious and cheap because the sun shines over them throughout the year. That’s the secret of the sweet taste. Armenians who live abroad always ask their friends who visit Armenia to bring some fruits back.
Once you choose what to eat in Armenia, the next question arises…
3. Where to eat in Armenia?
There are many places to eat in Armenia where delicious dishes are served. Especially in Yerevan, you can find various restaurants and cafeterias at every step. You could choose one of the best spots to enjoy your evening in a friendly atmosphere. The most famous Armenian restaurants are Lavash and Sherep. There are also some well-known food courts such as Tumanyan Shaurma, SAS Food Court, Tashir Pizza, and many more.
However, if you want to pay less when you travel in Armenia, you may just want to visit one of the many small fast food courts. Here you may find shawarma, lahmajo, or something similar to eat. You will eat well and pay around $5.
4. What to do in Armenia?
If you’re wondering what to do in Armenia then I have three options for you:
- As already discussed: eat. As you travel in Armenia, don’t miss the chance to taste one of the most delicious cuisines in the world.
- Communicate and make friends. If you do, make sure you stay in touch and visit them again.
- Discover. Discover Armenia travel destinations. Just look below if you’re wondering what to see in Armenia!
5. What to see in Armenia?
There is much to discover as you travel in Armenia because this is an ancient country with unique traditions and beliefs. Yet I have some destinations that will show you the best things to see in Armenia in a short time:
Churches
Being the first country to adopt Christianity as the state religion, Armenia is full of churches and chapels. On your Armenia travel list, you should add visits to the oldest churches in the world to discover Armenian church architecture. Be sure to visit Saint Etchmiadzin – the oldest Christian church in the world and also the Mother Cathedral of Armenia. It is located in the city of Etchmiadzin, which is considered the Armenian holy city. Other impressive churches are St. Geghard, Tatev, Gayane, Hripsime, Shoghakat, Saghmosavank, etc. There are also lots of churches in the capital Yerevan.
Historical Places
Armenia’s territory is home to many places of historical and cultural value. In this small land, you can admire various monuments, monasteries, and fortresses, including the Sardarapat memorial complex, Amberd fortress, Sevberd fortress, etc. You can also find statues of famous people, political figures, artists, etc. Last, but not least, your Armenia travel itinerary should help you spot some Khachkars (Armenian cross stones).
Nature
Armenian nature is lovely and breathtaking. As you travel in Armenia, you may find mountains and valleys, fields and gorges, forests and flat areas. Due to the natural diversity, this land fits people of very different preferences. For example, if you are a hiking lover, then there are many mountains you can hike on. Mount Aragats – the highest point in Armenia (4,090 m) is always a perfect choice for mountain climbing. It has 4 summits with various hiking difficulties.
There are also some travel destinations for horse riding in Armenia. Some of them are located near Yerevan, but there is a great place – my favorite, in the Tavush region. It is an adventure park, located in the heart of nature. Besides horse riding, you can also add activities like rock climbing, zip-lining, off-road trips, and many more to your Armenia travel adventures.
If you are a person who doesn’t like active vacations, then you should head to the various nature resorts available in Armenia. To see rich forests and enjoy fresh air, I recommend visiting Lori, Tavush, or Syunik regions. If you are a nature lover, you must add this to your Armenia travel itinerary!
As you’ve seen in my free Armenia travel guide, this is an exciting country that offers something interesting to all travelers. So, if you’re thinking about where you should spend your next vacation, go ahead and draft an ideal Armenia travel itinerary. As you experience Armenia travel, you will get to combine nature and architecture, adventure and relaxation, city life and rural destinations, active and passive rest!
About the author
Shushanik Shahbazyan is a girl who likes to travel, discover new things, and inspire others. But her main goal is to tell people about her homeland: Armenia. It’s a small but ancient country that can surprisingly please everyone.
You too can become a guest blogger on The Travel Bunny. Just submit a free guest post.
If you enjoyed this Armenia travel guide, you should also read
Malta travel: A brief introduction
100 reasons to visit Romania
Best places to visit in Netherlands