What to see in Armenia

Armenia was the final stop of my Caucasus tour. I took a mini bus from Tbilisi in the morning, which took five and a half hours (including immigration). Surprisingly, immigration went pretty smooth. Many Georgians warned me that Armenian immigration officials would press me about my travels in Azerbaijan once they saw the stamp in my passport. Fortunately, they didn’t ask me a single question, so it’s likely they didn’t see the stamp or just didn’t care. I spent 4 full days in Armenia, and despite the short amount of time, felt like I saw the major highlights. Armenia was the first country to official adopt Christianity as its state religion, so it is no surprise that the country is full of monasteries. If you find yourself in Armenia, I recommend you check out these places.

1) Khor Virap, Garni temple & Geghard monastery (Day trip)

This is a popular day trip that gives you insight into the history of Armenia. There are several tour companies that offer these three places as a day trip, so booking it is the least of your worries. Khor Virap is regarded as one of, if not the most, popular monastery in Armenia.

The next stop will be Garni Temple, which is the only standing Greco-Roman building in Armenia and the former Soviet Union. Garni is the most popular symbol of pre-Christian Armenia.

Geghard is a medieval monastery partially carved out of the adjacent mountain. Geghard was by far my favorite monastery. The inside is super photogenic and really gives off a real medieval feel.

2) Tsaghkadzor, Sevan lake,Sevanavank, Dilijan, & Haghartsin monastery (Day trip)

This is another popular day trip for travelers in Armenia too. First stop is Tsaghkadzor. You’ll ride up a lift and catch an amazing view of Armenia.

Monastery Sevanavank is a monastic complex located on a peninsula at the northwestern shore of Lake Sevan. This is one of the more scenic places in Armenia, as you can see the famous Lake Seven from here.

You’ll head to Dilijian after for lunch. Armenian food is pretty good, so definitely go for local cuisine.

Haghartsin Monastery is the final stop of the day. This monastery was built between the 10th and 13th century. Haghartsin is absolutely beautiful and probably the most aesthetically pleasing monastery I saw during my time in Armenia.

3) Yerevan

Yerevan isn’t as exciting as Baku or Tbilisi, but it’s definitely worth checking out. Yerevan has a strong Soviet feel to it compared to the other Caucasus countries, but oddly enough, I find this to be appealing.

Republic Square is one of the more iconic locations in the city. This is a great location to kick back and people watch. This place becomes more lively in the evening time, especially during the weekends and summertime. It’s not uncommon to see kids playing in the fountain as late as 10 pm.

Cafesjian Center for the Arts is the best location in the city. It’s an open-air art museum with a massive staircase that gives you an overview of the city. This is by far the most scenic place in the city. Everyone hangs out on the steps to watch the sunset. This is also the best location to meet locals and other tourists.

Yerevan has a number of museums and theaters if that interests you. The Armenian Genocide museum is probably the most well-known and worth a visit.

I explored Yerevan how I do most small cities – just wandering around with no plan. You’re always bound to find something interesting along the way. I enjoyed roaming through the side streets and seeing Soviet era buildings.

Caucasus Tour Wrap Up

I thoroughly enjoyed my tour through the Caucuses – each nation had something unique to it that made it special. Azerbaijan felt like a blend of the east and west, Georgia’s mountains and lush scenery rivaled anything I’ve ever seen, and Armenia’s long lasting Christian traditions made the country seem like one museum. Have you all been through the Caucuses ? If so, which country was your favorite?