Tourism for Yerevan? Guide to visit the capital of Armenia

Tourism for Yerevan? Guide to visit the capital of Armenia

Travel to Yerevan

Yerevan is a “young” city almost 2,800 years old. Despite being older than Rome itself, there are hardly any remnants of its past and it seems as if it had been abandoned to the magic of the scalpel in order to be able to live another three thousand years.

The center is a unique jewel mixing Soviet style and contemporary architecture, combining them with national traditions. It was known as the Pink City during the Communism. It was a good nickname because of its facades, which were erected with the typical volcanic stone of the country, called tufa. When the sun shines at sunset, the various chromatic scales projected by this rock turn the fronts of the buildings into a great show.

Sightseeing in Yerevan, a city full of life

But what is most striking is the energy breathed in the streets, the bustle of their cafes, the pub concerts, the coming and going of people along its boulevards, its summer nights, and the love of the good life of their peoples. And when the good weather arrives, the city is a fantastic place to finish a day of sightseeing, having a couple of cold beers while talking about the human and the divine.

The capital is home to more than a million souls and it is the cultural, economic and political heart for the nearly nine million Armenians who are scattered all over the world. Despite its size, it has so many things to do, so many places to discover, that maybe you will not have time to do it all.

Its streets accommodate over twenty museums, multiple theatres, art galleries, concert halls… In addition, the hotel variety is very wide, and it offers restaurants of all kinds with prices to suit every budget. The city is very attractive, always in constant movement ̶ with a certain tendency to insomnia ̶ and where new things are discovered every day. But do not get too involved in its streets; the real Armenia is waiting for you out there.

History

Origins of the capital of Armenia

Yerevan was born in 782 B.C. and it is considered one of the oldest cities in the world. Although it is true that there are barely any remnants left of its past and that it offers a modern side. It was founded in the times of the mythical Kingdom of Urartu by the monarch Artagishti I and since then, it stands proud in the shadow of Mount Ararat.

Its construction dates back to the construction of the defensive fortress of Erebuni, which was built to stop the invasions of its enemies and whose ruins have been rescued from oblivion. It was the transit zone of the caravans of merchants that united Europe with Asia, which put it in the spotlight of the great Empires, and it changed hands on many occasions.

Yerevan, a city coveted by the great empires

Since the Middle Ages, it was ruled by the Muslims, but it always housed an important Armenian community that knew how to preserve its religion and culture, despite some massive deportations of Christians.

For a long time, it was coveted by Turks and Persians until it became the regional capital of the Erivan Khanate in 1747, a principality under the rule of Persia which reached certain relevance. In 1828 the city was annexed to the Russian Empire and it was under the tutelage of the tsarist authorities until 1917, time in which Armenia emancipated from Moscow and it declared itself independent.

Yerevan at the beginning of the 20th: a melting pot of cultures

At the beginning of the 20th century, the city was completely different. It had a population of around 28,000 inhabitants. There were churches, several mosques, baths, bazaars, inns for travelers, a mixed population of Christians and Muslims, and the streets were flanked by the typical Yerevan houses.

The city was ruled by the Russians and according to the Italian journalist Luigi Villari, who described it in his chronicles of 1905, you may also find in its streets “a Tartar dressed in his long blue robe beside a mullah in his green turban”. Ultimately: it was a melting pot of cultures.

The new Yerevan devised by Tamanian

Unfortunately, some people barely remember that ancient Yerevan and all the inheritance accumulated over centuries, which was lost forever. Many of its old constructions were demolished during the tsarist times and the rest, during the extension projected by Alexander Tamanian in the decade of the twenties during the Soviet domain. Only a few buildings from the 19th century have survived on Abovyan Street and the Blue Mosque, a wonder of Persian style.

Yerevan today, the capital of Armenia

Tamanian created a modern and functional city to respond to the new demands of a growing population and to welcome the thousands of refugees who had fled the Genocide. For this, he designed a city plan with large avenues and straight streets with the Republic Square and the Opera Building as a starting point.

Nowadays, Yerevan is a cosmopolitan city, with an unparalleled art scene for its size and really hospitable people. Despite having broken bonds with old times, the city has reinvented itself and it has its own personality. Despite its ancient past, one is aware that the Pink City is walking into the future without looking too much in the rear-view mirror.

What to see? Kentron District: Central Area

 

The Republic Square (Hanrapetutyan Hraparak)

The old Lenin Square is the nerve center of the city and the political heart of the country. It is surrounded by some of the most emblematic buildings such as the Marriott Hotel, the Government Palace, some Ministries, the National Gallery and the History Museum.

All of them show off their white or reddish tufa facades which give the square that exotic and unique touch. It was designed by the architect Alexander Tamanian in the twenties and it is the starting point of some of the most important streets. In the middle of the square, there is a kind of giant mosaic of stones which pay tribute to one of the symbols of national craftsmanship: carpet weaving. Its lighting at night and its fountain show make it one of the busiest meeting points in summer nights. It has an underground stop.

State Museum of Armenian History

  • Address: Republic Square (Hanrapetutyan Hraparak).

    Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

    Adult ticket: 1,000 AMD.

    They have guides in Russian, English, and French. The State Museum of Armenian History is a jewel and you must visit it to understand the past of the country. When crossing the entrance, a journey to the past begins which takes you back to the dawn of the civilization. It has a huge collection both in quantity and quality.

    The center exhibits pieces ranging from the Stone Age to our days and it has remains of the great civilizations which inhabited this land in ancient times. The interesting thing is that all of them have been found in the historic territory of Armenia, thus confirming the strategic situation that this nation has always had as a meeting place for the great civilizations.

    The icing on the cake is provided by the possibility of contemplating the oldest shoes in the world. They are made of leather. They belong to a woman with size 7 feet. Despite being about 5,800 years old, their conservation status is relatively good. They were found in a cave in the Yeghegnadzor region. For more information: www.historymuseum.am

National Gallery

  • Address: Republic Square (Hanrapetutyan Hraparak).

    Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

    Adult ticket: 800 AMD.

    They have guides in English, French and Italian. The National Gallery is located on the upper floors of the History Museum and it occupies 56 rooms where some treasures capable of surprising the most refined tourist are exhibited. It was one of the most important painting museums of the former USSR.

    It is necessary to emphasize some works by Donatello, Tintoretto, Van Dick or Kandinsky, and other masters of the Russian school such as Ivan Argunov, Feodor Rokotov or Ivan Shishkin. But the real inner sanctum of this temple dedicated to Art is the rooms dedicated to the Armenian geniuses of the brush.

    Some of them, like Hovhannes Aivazovsky, Emmanuel Mahtesian or Martiros Sarian portrayed the love for their land with a special sensitivity as in the masterpiece ‘Descent of Noah from Mount Ararat’. For more information: www.gallery.am/en/

Blue Mosque. (Gyoy Djami)

  • Address: Beginning of Meshrop Mashtots Avenue.

    Opening hours: from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

    Free entry.

    The Blue Mosque is one of the few vestiges that remain standing of that ancient multicultural Yerevan that the Italian journalist Luigi Villari talked so much about. In addition, it is the only mosque which remains active out of the eight which existed in the old Yerevan of the early 20th century.

    It was built in 1765 by the governor Hussein Ali Khan and during the Communism and it became the seat of the Museum of the City of Yerevan. Its 82-feet minaret, a beautiful turquoise blue dome, and its beautiful oriental garden make it a haven of peace amidst the frenzy of the capital. Visitors have to dress with modesty and women must cover their hair with a veil, pashmina or similar.

Ararat Brandy Factory-Museum

  • Address: 2 Admiral Izakov Street.

    Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.

    Phone reservation: ✆ +374 10 54 00 00.

    Tour cost: 4.500-10.000 AMD, depending on the number of tastings scheduled.

    Together with vodka, the brand is one of the national drinks, and the Ararat Company has become its flagship. The winery’s venture took place in 1887 and since then, its flavor has conquered the finest of palates, like that of the very Winston Churchill or Dimitri Medvedev.

    The secret of its success: a selection of the best white grapes, water from the springs of the Caucasus and a technique where they take care of even the smallest of details. The company offers a guided tour of its facilities where its history, particularities and the production process are explained. As a final thought, what better than a tasting of some of its best-labeled bottles? You must book at least a day in advance. For more information: www.ybc.am

Sergei Parajanov Museum

  • Address: 15-16 Dzoragyugh Poghots Street.

    Opening hours: every day from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

    The entry price for adults: 700 AMD.

    There are guides in French and English. It is a recommended visit for the most cinephiles. Sergei Parajanov is considered one of the great masters of 20th-century cinema. Although he was born in the capital of Georgia, he is of Armenian origin. The building where the museum is located today what was originally the artist’s house in Yerevan, but he never lived in it because he died before the building was completed.

    The interior is full of works and objects dedicated to the director. If there are enough number of visitors, some of their films are projected on the first floor. On the top floor, there is a room full of objects created by the artist during the four years of captivity he spent in a Soviet prison. Amongst his best-known works are ‘The Colour of Pomegranates’ or ‘Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors’.

Surp Sargis Church (Saint Sergius)

  • Address: 21 Rafayel Israelyan Poghots Street.

    It dates from the 19th century and it was built on the ruins of an ancient religious complex that was destroyed by the 1679 Armenia earthquake. The location is excellent as it is situated on top of one of the cliffs which overlooks the Hrazdam River Gorge.

Yerevan History Museum

  • Address: 1/1 Arguishti Poghots Street.
  • Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

    The center shows a complete retrospective of the past of the city and its surroundings from the Paleolithic era to our days. Daily objects of everyday people, weapons, craftwork in gold and silver, panoramic models or photos are shown here, all of which transport you to the time of old Yerevan.

Modern Art Museum of Yerevan

  • Address: 7 Mesrop Mashtots Street.
  • Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • The entry price for adults: 500 AMD.

    It is very close to the Blue Mosque. It was the first museum of contemporary art of the USSR (1972). It shows works by national, European and North American artists.

Surp Grigor Lusarocich Cathedral (Saint Gregory the Illuminator)

The cathedral was built in 2001 by the architect S. Kyurkchyan to commemorate the 1,700 years of the adoption of Christianity in Armenia. In the same complex there are three churches with a total capacity of 2,000 seats. Unlike other traditional Armenian monasteries, the temple stands out for its luminosity and great size. It is located on top of a small hill at the intersection of Tigran Mets Avenue and Khanjyan Street and it is the reference point in the city for devotees.

Katoghike Church

  • Address: 15 Abovyan Poghots Street.

The enlargement and improvement building works of the small church that was once hidden among blocks of Soviet buildings may be temporarily taking away its charm, but it is still the oldest temple in the city. It was built in the 13th century and the chapel has stoically resisted earthquakes, invasions and the raging decision of the communist authorities to wipe out the past of the city. It is located at the intersection of Sayat Nova and Abovyan streets.

The Opera Theatre

  • Address: 54 Tumanyan Poghots Street.

    Phone reservation: ✆ 52 02 41.

    Located amongst parks, cafes and pubs, it is the meeting point of the Yerevan people and the sanctuary of classical music for all Armenians. The Opera Theatre is divided into two amphitheaters: the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall and the Opera and Ballet National Theatre. Each of them has a capacity of about 1,300 people.

    The exterior is built in basalt and it imitates the architectural style of the Zvartnotz temple. Its uniqueness earned it the Grand Prix of the EXPO in Paris in 1937. They usually invite top-level artists and the tickets are not expensive, so if you’re passionate about this type of music and it so happens that a music star is in the city, you can have an excellent evening. For more information: www.opera.am

The Mesrop Mashots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts (Matenadaran)

  • Address: 53 Mesrop Mashtots Poghots Street.
  • Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Entry price for adults: 1000 AMD.
  • Guided tour: 2,500 AMD.

    All the knowledge of Armenia is accumulated here and there are masterpieces of philosophy, medicine, religion or history. You should hire the services of a guide because it will be very difficult otherwise to make the most of the visit. The museum offers guides in Spanish, English and Italian for a small fee and it is a 1-hour tour.

    Among the treasures that the center holds are the translation of the 5th century Bible into the Armenian alphabet from Greek and Syrian, considered as “the queen of translations”, or one of the three books which exist in the world with a cover of ivory which dates from the 6th century. They also show basic concepts of the Armenian alphabet. We must emphasize the largest manuscript in the nation, called the ‘Homily of Mush’. It weighs 28 kg (61 lb.), or the smallest one weighing in at19 grams. For more information: www.matenadaran.am

Kaskad (Yerevan Cascade)

It is located at the end of Tamanyan Street, north of the Kentron district. It is a monument of pharaonic dimensions which climbs up the hill and connects the center with the high areas of the city. Inside you will find the Cafesjian Museum of Art.

Its hundreds of stairs lead to the gigantic monolith which celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Sovietization of the country (1971). At the bottom of the Yerevan Cascade there is a small garden square with sculptures by renowned artists such as the Colombian Fernando Botero.

The ascent to the monument is like visiting an open-air museum, with fountains, works of art and gardens, although it is necessary to reserve your strength especially if it is really hot because it is a 500-meter climb (1640 feet) and a total altitude of 100 meters (328 feet tall). Construction works began in the 1980s and they are not over yet. If it is a clear day, the Cascade is the perfect place to contemplate the panoramic views of the city with Mount Ararat in the background.

Center for the Cafesjian Art (Cafesjian Museum of Art)

  • Address: 10 Tamanian Poghots Street.
  • Opening hours: Tuesday to Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from Friday to Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
  • Entry price for adults: 1000 AMD.

    It was built in the bowels of the hill where the Cafesjian Museum of Art climbs up the Cascade. The rooms are divided into five floors where there are permanent and temporary exhibitions. It is worth visiting the room of works made in glass by the master Dale Chihuli. The center was funded by the wealthy philanthropist Gerard Leo Kafesjian who passed away in September 2013. For more information: www.cmf.a

Outside the Center

 

Mayr Hayastan Monumental Statue (Mother Armenia) + Military Museum.

Situated in the Victory Park, in the upper part of Yerevan (you can get there by climbing up the Cascade), this giant 75-feet statue looks defiantly towards Turkey with its huge sword in hand. It stands tall on a 114-feet pedestal and inside it resides the Military Museum (from Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.). It was built in 1967 to replace the old Stalin sculpture. It was designed by the sculptor A. Harutyunayn.

Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex- Genocide Museum

Opening hours: from Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

There are guides in Russian, English, and French. It is a compulsory visit to Yerevan. The monument was built in memory of the million or million and a half Armenians who lost their lives during the Massacres in the Ottoman Empire from 1915.

Its construction ended in 1967 and it was the result of the mass demonstrations which took place in Yerevan on the 24th of April 1965 to demonstrate the citizens´ dissatisfaction during the 50th anniversary of the tragedy. About a million people crowded the streets of the capital in one of the most unique public gatherings until that date in the Soviet Union.

After those gatherings, the communist authorities had no choice but to agree to the construction of a memorial site for the victims and for this they chose one of the small hills in Kentron in the west.

Erebuni Fortress and Erebuni Museum of History

  • Address: 38 Erebuni Poghots Street.

    Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

    Entry price for adults: 1000 AMD.

    They have guides in Spanish, French, and English. The History of Yerevan was born on top of this promontory, located about 3 miles from the Republic Square. In 782 B.C. the monarch of the Kingdom of Urartu, Argishti I, chose the Arin Berd hill to build a fortress to protect his territory.

    The citadel was relatively important for a few centuries until it gradually fell into oblivion. The discovery of the ruins began in 1894 when a Russian scientist bought a stone with a cuneiform inscription to a peasant who had found it by chance, which put him on the track. However, the professional excavations did not begin in a professional way until 1950.

    Apparently, another inscription was found in the area which suggested that Erebuni’s remains were hidden under the watchtower. Eight years later, the theory was confirmed, and the reconstruction works of its temples, wineries, walls, and houses that were part of the citadel have not yet been completed.

    The visit offers good views and the museum, which is built at the foot of the hill where the fortification stands, shows the remains found by archaeologists. It was opened in 1968 to celebrate the 2,750 anniversary of the birth of Yerevan. In the museum, you will learn all about the past of the Kingdom of Urartu, which is considered the germ of the Armenian nation. For more information: www.erebuni.am

Gardens and parks in Yerevan

 

Haghtanak Park (Victoria Park)

It is easy to find, and you can get there on foot. You just have to go to the Mother Armenia Statue, in the upper part of the city, it is the park which surrounds it. You can climb through the stairs of the Cascade. It is a perfect place to have a walk and escape the hustle and bustle of the streets in the center of the city.

Some of its highlights are the Military Museum, a pathway flanked by funerary steles in memory of the heroes of World War II, and a small amusement park with a Ferris wheel from the Soviet era, carousels, play castles and fast food bars. It is a good place to organize a family plan.

Tsitsernakaberd

You cannot leave Armenia without visiting the memorial complex in honor of the victims of the Genocide. Tsitsernakaberd is the most solemn place in the country. It consists of a structure composed of an obelisk, symbolizing the resurgence of the nation after the tragedy, and twelve concrete blocks that give shape to the circular platform which protects the eternal flame. The tradition is to deposit a white or red carnation in front of the fire. The Esplanade has its own museum, where you can dig deeper into everything that happened.

Museum and Fortress of Erebuni

  • Adress: 38 Erebuni Poghots.
  • Museum hours: de martes a domingo de 10:30 a 16:30 horas.

In this small promontory, the History of Yerevan began in the year 782 B.C. The King of Urartu, Argishti I, founded on the top of this hill a fortress in order to protect its territory. The visit to the Museum and Fortress of Erebuni offers good panoramic views. The museum, which is built at the foot of the hill where the fortification rises, exhibits the remains found by archaeologists. It was opened in 1968 to commemorate the 2,750-year history of Yerevan.

The Botanical Garden

  • Address: 1 Acharyan Poghots Street.
  • Ticket price: 350-400 AMD.

    It is located on the outskirts of Yerevan and it occupies an area of ​​ninety hectares northeast of the city. It is a haven of peace in the busy Yerevan. It is not a bad plan to rent a bicycle and explore it on two wheels. It has an interesting botanical collection of over 1,070 species of trees and plants from all over the world. The facilities are rather derelict, which gives the visitor a decadent post-Soviet touch.

Others museums in the center

 

Martiros Saryan House-Museum

  • Address: 3 Saryan Poghots Street.
  • Opening Hours: from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Closed on Thursdays.
  • Entry price for adults: 1000 AMD.

    The impressionist painter is one of the icons of the national culture of the 20th century, and the center shows a very complete exhibition of all its stages. You do not really have to visit it, but if you are a lover of the painting you will be very positively surprised. For more information: www.sarian.am/index_eng.html

The Museum of Russian Art

  • Address: 38 Issaakian Poghots Street.
  • Opening Hours: it is open from Tuesday to Sunday.

    The collection has 333 works by Russian artists of the 19th and 20th century.

Folk Art Museum of Armenia

  • Address: 64 Abovyan Poghots Street.
  • Entry for adults: 500 AMD.

    Here, you will discover everything related to the folklore of the country. They have handcrafted pieces of wood, gold, silver, carpets, ceramics… You do not really have to visit it, but it is worth it to delve deeper in the Armenian traditions.

Nightlife

Yerevan is known throughout the Caucasus for its nightlife, the hustle, and bustle on its terraces, its cafés or year-round concerts in the bars. Few cities of their size offer so many possibilities.

The offer is not limited to the weekend and any day is good to go out and enjoy a nice evening in a very good company. The positive aspects of the Erevan night are security in its streets and that everything is relatively close. The highest concentration of pubs is at heart of Pushkin Street with Parpetsi Street.

Cafes

Jazzve Cafe

Address: Tumanyan Poghots 35 Street.

Although the Jazzve cafe chain has other venues in the capital, this is the nicest of all in our opinion. It is the typical cafe where you can breathe a literary atmosphere and a lot of calm. The bookshelves are full of books and the menu is written in the format of an old Soviet newspaper. It offers a varied selection of coffees, cocktails, and sweets. It is also a good place to have dinner for an affordable price. They have different types of salads, soups or pasta. For more information: www.jazzve.am

La Boheme Cafe

Address: 5 Northern Avenue.

It is one of the most famous cafes in the city. It is perfect for having a couple of drinks or dinner. It is located in an excellent location, on North Avenue, the main shopping street in the city. It occupies two floors. The first floor is decorated in a modern style while the second floor has a more classical feel.

Charming bars

Calumet

Address: 56A Pushkin Poghots Street.

It is an ethnic bar where they play Reggae music, Rock and where you can breathe a good atmosphere. The decoration is quite hippy, with puffs on the floor, carpets and a stage where there are live performances several times a week. It is the favorite place for backpackers and the alternative youth of Yerevan. Its owner, Hratch, is an Armenian from the Diaspora who has traveled half the world until he finally decided to start his own business in the land of his ancestors. It is located in the center of Yerevan.

Process

Address: 1A Saryan Poghots Street.

It is a different place with DJs and psychedelic decoration. They also organize live performances from time to time. Together with the Calumet, this is the place where the alternative people of Yerevan meet. It is located very close to the Calumet. They open in the afternoon.

Beer Academy

Address: 8 Moskovyan Poghots Street.

It is the only bar which specializes in craft beers in Yerevan. It has a good atmosphere and very interesting beers. In addition, they offer meals and they serve you with very good dishes for dinner. Many of their dishes are specially designed to be paired them with some of their beers, so the experience is guaranteed. They open until midnight.

Pubs

The Sky Bar

Address: 9 Grigor Lusarovich Street:

Phone: +374 41 717171.

This place was opened in 2015. It is located on the roof of the Yerevan Business Centre in the Kentron District. It offers beautiful views of the city. It is a fairly exclusive pub-restaurant-cafeteria. It is perfect to have a couple of drinks in the evening. Good music, relaxing atmosphere, and beautiful people. Sometimes they organize themed parties. Its still opens until 2:00 a.m

Bob´s Pub Club

Address: 26A Tumanyan Poghots Street.

Opening Hours: Starting at 1:00 p.m.

They open every day. It’s a mix between a pub and a club. There is live music with funk, swing, reggae, Latin, hip hop or rock groups, even DJs, every weekend. If there is an important soccer game, it is more likely that they will be showing it here. There are also movie tickets on Mondays and Fridays. It is located in the center.

Jazz Clubs

Mezzo Classic House Club

Address: 1/3 28 Iskahakyan Poghots Street.

Opening Hours: From 12:00 p.m. until closing, after midnight.

It is the temple of live music in Yerevan. It has two floors. On the second floor, the atmosphere is more relaxed and it has its own bar, while on the first floor there are tables to be able to take a closer look at the performances. There are live concerts every day, featuring some of the best musicians in the country.

It also has an excellent menu for lunch or dinner. It is a high-level establishment where elegant people meet. Celebrities such as Emir Kusturika, Alain Delon and Richard Galliano have visited it. We must emphasize its cigar cellar, with more than 50 different types of cigars. For more information: www.mezzo.am

Malkhas Jazz Club

Address: 52 Pushkin Poghots Street.

It is considered the best jazz club in the Caucasus. The club belongs to the musician Levon Malkhasyan and the performances begin every day at 9:00 p.m., and usually last until 2:00 a.m.

Yans Club

Address: 76 Teryan Poghots Street.

More than a jazz club, it’s a music hall. They opened in 2012 and since then, they have not stopped at all. In this venue, there is also room for blues and other musical genres. Every day there are performances from 9:00 p.m. until 12:00 a.m. It is also a restaurant. For more information: www.yansclub.com

Ulikanyan Club

address: 4 Gevort Kochart Poghots.

It is a smaller and rogue room than the previous ones but it gives off more energy. For five years Jazz, Blues, Flamenco or Rock & Roll have been heard live. They only open when there are performances.

Shopping in Yerevan

 

Vernissage Market

Address: between Aram and Buzand Streets.

It is the largest market in Armenia and here you will find everything from jewelry, works of art, old Soviet objects, crafts, and traditional products, to books, musical instruments, and stamps. It is held also on weekends. There are so many things the best thing to do is for you to take your time exploring the stalls which fill up the esplanade. There is only one rule: you really have to haggle here.

Vernissage Art Market

Address: it is located in the park where the Martiros Sarian Statue stands, next to the roundabout called France Square, on the other side of the Opera Palace.

This art market is held daily and here you can find authentic jewels and some other bargains made by Armenian artists, everything at good prices if you are good at negotiating.

Treasures of Armenia

Address: 1/1 Abovyan Poghots Street.

It is a craft shop where you will find jewelry, clothing, small furniture, and other handmade objects.

Dalma Garden Mall

Address: 3 Tsitsernakaberd Road.

It is the only commercial center in the country. It has products of well-known brands such as New Yorker, Pull & Bear, Zara or GAP. They open from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Armenian Souvenirs

Address: 6 Tamanyan Poghots Street.

It is a typical gift shop for tourists.

How you should move around Yerevan

It is clean and works quite well. It has ten stops and runs from 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Each trip costs 100 drams. The information panels are in Russian and Armenian so be careful not to get off at the wrong place by stopping.

The official taxis are those with yellow registration plates. Make sure that yours has a meter and that he sets it because there are a lot of con artists out there. It costs around 600 drams (you can travel up to 5 kilometers) and each extra kilometer costs 100 drams. If you are going to visit a temple or monastery outside the city and you want the driver to wait for you, each hour is paid between 1,200-1,600 drams. You can call taxis by phone or you can flag them down in the middle of the street.

It is the means of transport most used by the people of Yerevan. It’s cheap and there’s usually one of them leaving every ten or fifteen minutes. They cost 100 AMD. In Yerevan, there are hundreds of lines of marshrutkas and the service is a bit chaotic since there is no map detailing the transport network of minibusses.

Sometimes the stops and schedules change without people knowing beforehand. In most cases, there are no marquees with information. You can take them in specific places, although you can stop them by raising your hand anywhere on your trip. ‘Once you are there, you should ask the driver to stop saying ‘kangnek‘.

If you are a girl and you travel alone there is an unwritten rule whereby women sit in the front seats, next to the driver. It is done out of courtesy but above all, it is really helpful in case some passenger decides to bother women. Our recommendation is that you should get your information on stops, routes, and schedules at your hotel reception.

Marshrutkas leaving from Kilikia Bus Station (Kilikia Avtokaian), 6 Admiral Isakov Poghots Avenue

International lines:

  • Yerevan-Tbilisi: they leave every hour from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (6,500 AMD). It takes about six hours. There are also shared taxis covering this same route. They are usually Mercedes vans. They are much more comfortable and faster but a little more expensive (8,000 AMD / person). They have their own schedules: 8:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. They also leave from the Kilikia bus station.
  • Yerevan-Batumi (Georgia): they leave at 9:00 a.m. It only operates in summer. It takes about 10 hours and it costs 10,000 AMD.
  • Yerevan-Tehran: There is a marshrutka leaving at noon (25,000 AMD). There is another one leaving at the same time from Sahoumyan Square. You have to book a seat for a few days in advance. It takes around 24 hours to get to your destination.
  • Yerevan-Istanbul: They leave on Saturdays at 9:00 am. You have to buy the tickets in advance. It takes about 30 hours.
  • Yerevan-Stepanakert: They leave 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. (5,000 AMD). It takes about 8 hours. There are also taxis shared every hour from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. (8,000 AMD). It takes a couple of hours less to reach Nagorno-Karabakh.

Main national lines:

  • Yerevan-Vanadzor: They leave every hour from 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (1200 AMD). It takes about 2h 30 minutes.
  • Yerevan-Alaverdi (Deved River Canyon): They leave 9:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. (1700 AMD). It takes a little over 3 hours to get there.
  • Yerevan-Etchmiadzin: They leave every fifteen minutes from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (200 AMD). It takes about 25 minutes.
  • Yerevan-Jermuk: There is a marshrutka leaving between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. when it is full (2000 AMD). It takes about three hours.
  • Yerevan-Sisian: they leave at 9:00 a.m. (2000 AMD). The trip takes about 4h 30.

Marshrutkas from the North Station (Hyusisayin Avtokayan)

  • Yerevan-Sevan: They leave every hour from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (high season) and from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (low season). It takes over an hour. It costs 800 AMD. There are also shared taxis.
  • Yerevan-Dilijan: They leave every hour from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (1000 AMD). It usually takes two and a half hours.
  • Yerevan- Idjevan: They leave every hour from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (1500 AMD). The journey takes about three hours.

Marshrutkas from Sasuntsi Davit metro station

  • Yerevan-Goris: They leave at 7:00 a.m. (2,500 AMD). It takes more than 5 hours. Then there are shared taxis (4,500 AMD / person).
  • Yerevan-Mehri: They leave at 7:00 a.m. (7000 AMD). In summer the trip is full in just 9 hours.
  • Yerevan-Gyumri: They leave from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (1500 AMD). They leave quite regularly, and they hardly take a couple of hours.
  • Yerevan- Khor Virap: They leave at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. (400 AMD). The journey is covered in 45 minutes.

Minibusses from the Nor Nork District

  • Yerevan-Garni-Goght (Gueghard Monastery): In summer, they leave every hour from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. They leave from the GAI street stop, opposite the Mercedes Benz dealership. You can see the Garni and Geghard section of this guide.

Trains from the Yerevan Central Station (Sasuntsi Davit metro stop)

  • Yerevan-Tbilisi: They leave every day at 3:30 p.m. (high season). They leave at 9.30pm on even days of each month (low season). Journey time: 10 hours 30 minutes.
  • Yerevan-Gyumri: They leave at 7:55 a.m. and at 6.15 p.m.
  • Yerevan-Ararat: They leave at 3:00 p.m.
  • Yerevan-Armavir: They leave at 7:25 p.m.

Airport

Phone: +374 49 30 00.

Phone for information: 187.

Website: www.zvartnots.aero

Zvartnots is the main airport in the country and it is located 12 km from Yerevan. It has been recently renovated and it has the usual services of international airports, such as exchange offices or information point. You should take a taxi if you want to get to your hotel.

They are not expensive, and it is the fastest way to get to your accommodation. If you ask for the taxi inside the departure terminal, they will call an official taxi. Their rates are more expensive. If instead, you decide to deal with outside drivers on your own, you may save some money.

It will depend on your negotiation skills, but you should consider that the price charged to the locals is around 3,000 AMD (about € 6). The arrivals area has a cashier, a Viva Cell store to buy a local SIM card for your mobile phone, postal service and a Sixt Car counter

Bus stations

There are two bus stations:

  • The most important is the Kilikia Avtokaian bus station (Admiral Isakov Street). If you arrive in the country in Marshrutka from Georgia, you have to get off at the Kilikia station. From here they operate most of the national and international marshrutkas, and the shared taxi service. The marshrutkas 5, 67 and 259 cover the line between the center of Yerevan and the Kilikia station. If you are new, you should take a taxi to get to your hotel. Make sure it is one with a meter and if not possible, negotiate the price before considering that the race should not cost more than 1200 drams if you stay somewhere in the center.
  • The other station is Hyusisayin Avtokayan (Tblisi road). It is 2 miles from the center. It is less important, but it is the starting point of some marshrutkas departing to other Armenian cities.

Train station

If you arrive by train to Yerevan station, the Sassountsi Davit underground station is located on the ground floor. It opens from 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and the underground trip costs about 100 drams.

It is difficult to get lost with a good map in Yerevan. Although the city has twelve municipal districts, most of the hotels, restaurants, nightlife areas and tourist attractions are in the center, known as Kentron. The squared layout of this area is based on large avenues cut by circular rings and it’s designed to aid even the most clueless people.

The Republic Square and the Opera Building will be your two great allies to avoid getting get lost. From these two points stem the main streets and avenues: Mashtots, Abovyan, Sayat Nova, Nalvandian, Pushkin or Tumanian. The capital is built on three hills which descend to the Hrazdan River and cut the city in two. Its altitude varies from 900 and 1,200 meters (2952 and 3937 feet) and it is halfway between two of its most famous mountains. The Mount Aragats protects the city from the northern winds while the Mount Ararat rises majestically from the south.

Yerevan International Film Festival

The first ‘Golden Apricot’ was held in 2004. Since then, the second week of the month of July is the date chosen to organize this event, which is gradually making a name for itself. Most of the works are projected in the emblematic Moskva cinema (18 Abovyan Poghots Street). The difference of this festival is its leitmotiv, based on the mix of cultures and civilizations, and influenced by the strategic position of Armenia between the East and the West. For more information: www.gaiff.am

Luna Park:

Address: it is located in front of the Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral.

It is a small amusement park with rides, stalls and other attractions.

Play City:

Address: 35 Acharyan Poghots Street.

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.

It is an entertainment complex with Karts, bowling alley, bumper cars and games machines. It is not in the center, but minibusses No. 10 and No. 20 leave you nearby.

Practical information

Nairi Medical Center

Address: 21 Paronyan Poghots Street (Yerevan).

Phone: 53 75 21// 53 75 00.

It is the best medical center in the country. It has a 24-hour emergency room service. For more information: www.nairimed.am

MyBike Rental Centre:

Address: 13 Mashtots Street.

Phone: + (374) 96 10 01 70//+ (374) 10 70 70 07// + (374) 96 70 70 15.

Rental price 24 h: 3000 AMD (6.50 €).

It is a very active company that also organizes tours of the country by bicycle. For more information: www.mybike.am

Goodbike Armenia:

Address: Tumanyan 27.

Phone: + (374) 094 64 12 74//+ (374) 096 64 12 74//+ (374) 055 64 12 74.

Rental price: 1h = 1000AMD, 3h = 2000 AMD, 1 day = 3000AMD.

Hyur Service

Address: 96 Nalbandyan Poghots Street.

Phone: ✆ +374 10 529808.

This Armenian tourism company is very active in organizing all types of tours. They organize packages of all kinds: private tours, with other tourists, a la carte, for groups, around Yerevan and for other regions. You should check out their website, which is also translated into English. For more info: www.hyurservice.com/eng/

  • SAS. 31Tumanyan Poghots.
  • BEST. 16 Mashtots Avenue
  • STAR. 37 Tigran Mets Avenue
  • Yerevan City.10 Mashtots Avenue
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