Yerevan

Understand

Even though the history of Yerevan dates back to the Erebuni fortress, making it at least 2,800 years old, little remains of what was small settlement saving the excavations at Hrazdan river gorge, Erebuni, Karmir Berd and Avan. These sites have been excavated, and the artifacts found are in museums today. Being on a strategically important place Yerevan was a constant war stage for rival Ottoman, Persian and Russian Empires. It has been repeatedly ruined by those wars or natural disasters (e.g. an earthquake in 17th century almost entirely destroyed the town). Few buildings of the old Erivan survived to the present-day Yerevan. At the time of Armenia's independence in 1918, when Yerevan was made the capital of an independent Armenia, Yerevan was a town of just 20,000. Large scale construction began, which took a more holistic approach under the new city plan laid out by Alexander Tamanyan. The plan involved the demolition of much of what existed, in favor of concentric circles, parks, and taller structures. He planned for Yerevan to become a metropolis of 200,000 people. In Soviet years, Yerevan underwent massive reconstruction, following architect Alexander Tamanyan's plan to make a "perfect city" - a Neo-Classical town with wide avenues, resembling Paris, Vienna and Saint Petersburg. As a result, the city is easily accessible by foot and boasts a dense assortment of parks, galleries, museums, and other public institutions.

People

Yerevan is a very ethnically homogeneous city, though tiny Yezidi and Molokan (Russian) minorities exist. Because the population of the city was only 20,000 a century ago, the vast majority of the Armenians are immigrants themselves, from all over the world. From the villages and towns of Armenia, from Tbilisi which was the centre of Eastern Armenian culture before 1918, from Western Armenia as genocide survivors poured in, and even from the Middle East and Europe in a large, post-World War II wave of immigration. Since independence, the city has become the heart of the entire Armenian world, as the divisive communist governments demise has allowed the Diaspora – larger in number than the population of Armenia itself, to embrace the city as its own.

Religion

Many visitors will be surprised to know that Armenia is not just an outcrop of Christianity in the Caucasus, but it is the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as a state religion. The king declared Christianity the state religion in 301 AD. Christianity has been uninterruptedly practiced in Armenia ever since in its own traditions. The Armenian Apostolic Church, or just Apostolic Church, is the National Church of Armenia. It is very traditional; in practices (but not history) is similar to Orthodox and Catholic movements, and to the Reformed Churches, e.g. the Church of England. At the same time the Armenian Apostolic Church has some strikingly different practices, like allowing animal sacrifices or celebrating Christmas on January 6 along with Theophany. The great majority of Armenians identify themselves as Apostolic Christians and have their own Catholicos (religious leader, like the Pope for Catholics). Today, the vast majority of Armenians do not attend church each Sunday, with visits revolving around weddings and baptisms, or occasionally dropping in to light a candle. Soviet restructuring of the city left Yerevan with very few churches: though many new ones have been built, and old ones rehabilitated, since independence. The Protestant (Evangelical) Armenians are rather few in number and have only one church on Nar-Dos street. Anglican (Episcopal) Christians congregate at (Armenian Apostolic) Surb Zoravor church for Sunday Eucharist. Orthodox Christians maintain one church in Kanaker district of Yerevan. A new, large-scale, onion-domed Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Cross is under construction at Yerevan Lake district, visible from the highway coming from the airport. However, this will have mostly symbolic structure as the Orthodox Christians are very few in number. Yezidi (a religious and ethnic minority in Armenia) religious rituals, as most of that religion, are kept secret, so their practices cannot be observed by outsiders. The largest Yezidi temple in the world, Quba Mêrê Dîwanê, stands in the Aknalich village outside of Yerevan. Muslims are steadily growing in numbers since the collapse of the Soviet Union, fueled by Iranian immigration. There is one mosque on Mashtots Avenue. Many Christian sects are also present in Yerevan, and they congregate in schools, sport clubs, concert halls and the like.

What's inside

Most of tourist Yerevan is concentrated in the city centre, which is very compact and easily walkable, with endless dining and entertainment options. The rest of the city is mostly sleeping or business quarters, so a typical tourist will not have much incentive to leave the centre.

Kentron, Centre City, City Centre or Downtown - is central Yerevan, locally known as Kentron or just Kaghak (meaning 'the city'). This is the heart of Yerevan and indeed Armenia. Though Kentron's architecture is diverse, ranging from Belle Epoque to Soviet Panel blocks, the great majority of the centre is in Beaux-Arts tradition. The city centre follows Tamanyan's plan for a circular city with two hubs - grand Republic Square, and the more elegant and soft Opera district (Opera house, Freedom Square and the Swan Lake Park). The two are linked with newly constructed pedestrian-only Northern Avenue. Kentron is also home to the University City, where the campuses of State University, Medical University, Engineering University, Agricultural University, Economics University, Pedagogical and some other universities come together in one big group. Virtually all of the museums, hotels and popular places to eat and drink are in Kentron, so most visitors will probably not venture much past it. Barekamutyun - Meaning friendship, Barekamutyun is the area around the metro stop of the same name. This hub is home to Hayastan Hanrakhanut (department store) which is more of an indoor bazaar than an actual department store. The hub branches off to Kievyan and nearby Komitas streets. Monument - At the top of the Cascade steps rests the towering monument to Soviet victory in WWII. Directly adjacent is the Cafesjian Museum, which houses a large collection of contemporary art, including perhaps the best glass art collection in the world. Beyond the monument is Victory Park, and the neighborhood around it is known as Monument as well. Erebuni - In this district are ruins of fortress of Erebuni, founded in 782 BC by King Argishti. Also hosts the impressive classical Soviet main train station with the famous Sasuntsi David Statue which dominates the train station's square. Bangladesh - Not to be confused with the country in Asia! Not much to offer a tourist, the name however is worth an explanation. At the time this was one of the furthest new districts built in Yerevan, and because of the distance, locals quickly began calling it Bangladesh, which has stuck to this day. The biggest outdoor bazaar of Yerevan is located in this district. Nor Nork district is the last Soviet project of residential expansion of Yerevan. It consists entirely of standardised Soviet Panel blocs. However, every tourist crosses this district on the way to 'obligatory' Garni temple and Geghard monastery (as the highway to that direction is connected to the main avenue of this district). The main attraction of this district would be the statue of Gay (or Hayk) Nahapet, the legendary founder of the nation; he's depicted as a muscular half-naked man with a drawn bow, but the name has nothing to do with homosexuality (to avoid this interesting misunderstanding most often the name of the avenue and statue is Romanised as Guy).

Getting there

By plane

1 Zvartnots International Airport (EVN IATA) (14 km west of the city centre), ☏ +374 10 493000. This is the main gateway to Armenia, with direct flights from major airports in Europe, the former CIS and the Middle East. No domestic flights, as the country is too small.The airport is small, with relatively few flights, so navigating it is simple. Free Wi-Fi access is available in the departure terminal. A single lounge for the departing passengers (accessible to same-day business class ticket holders, airline elites and Priority Pass members) is open around the clock. On arrival there's a bank currency exchange before passport control, then another in Arrivals: both are good value with only a 1%-3% spread between "buy" and "sell" for major currencies, the same as downtown exchanges. The airport bank exchanges all appear to have good rates for major currencies without additional fees, but the non-bank airport exchanges have poor rates. Several decent cafes, ATMs, bank and post branches are all available at the 1st and 2nd floors of the airport. There's a tourist information desk and a touch screen information stand in Arrivals. (updated Oct 2018) Getting there/away:

A shuttle bus has regular trips between Zvartnots Airport and Yerevan centre. These buses go every half-hour 07:00-22:00, and every hour 22:30-07:00. The airport's bus stop is located in front of the terminal entrance. A single ticket costs 300 dram for bus 201 ("Elite" bus, marschrutka-like ) or 500 dram for bus 100. . The bus makes few stops on the way where passengers can board or disembark, e.g. France Square, Pak Shuka and Yeritasardakan. On the way back to the airport, the stop at Yeritasardakan is opposite of SAS supermarket or at Republic Square (on Abovyan Street). Under ideal traffic circumstances, the ride of "Elite" bus 201 takes 25 minutes from Yeritasardakan to the Zvartnots. See also the official airport website FAQ.

Taxis are also an option. The official provider is "Airport Services" ☏ +374 98 828200, ☏ +374 10 595900, ☏ +374 60 430000, and they have a booking desk in Arrivals. There are also people who will ask you if you need a taxi as you exit the terminal. They will often offer a better price (about half price) than the official taxi as they have already dropped off a passenger and are looking for any possible fare back—though you will have to walk a bit further to get to their cab. However, if they try to charge you anything more than the agreed price at the end, claiming a misunderstanding or anything else, absolutely refuse and threaten to call the police. They will accept the agreed price. Also, see the warning at #By taxi. gg and Yandex.Taxi (ride service apps) offers competitive and honest prices.

Getting around

On foot

The center of Yerevan is compact and easy to get around by foot. Watch your step, however, as construction sites, potholes and aggressive drivers abound. Cross the street only at designated spots and be careful of distracted or aggressive drivers who do not yield the right of way to pedestrians.

By municipal transport

The main means of public transport in Yerevan is the bus. Yerevan operates 8- and 12-meter buses, as well as minibuses, better known as marshrutkas. The frequency of buses varies depending on the day, time of day, and many other circumstances. Special screens with a list of upcoming buses are installed at some bus stops in the city. You can also track the movement of buses using Yandex Maps. Urban transport operates on a unified ticket system, with a single fare of 150 drams. There are also packages lasting several hours, days, weeks, and months, which must be purchased in advance. You can pay for transport with a bank card or a transport card. Transport cards can be purchased at Telcell offices, tourist offices, metro stations, etc. After purchasing the transport card, it can be topped up with new tickets at Telcell terminals, which are widely located in the city. Due to the peculiarities of the system, after purchasing a ticket or package, it is necessary to wait up to 15 minutes for the purchased ticket or package to be activated. You can find out more on the Yerevan ticket system website.

By metro

The metro system in Yerevan is quite reliable and modern, having been built in the early 1980s. It is the quickest way around town, and at 100 dram, the cheapest aside from walking. Tickets are not issued, you buy plastic tokens and use these to operate the entry turnstiles. But it's underused, as most citizens find buses more convenient.

See

Churches

Churches in Yerevan are open from early morning till very late evening. There is no entrance fee ever charged. If you manage to find the priest you can ask him to bless you and any object (of non-violent usage) that belongs to you (including friendship and other relationships).

1 Katoghike (Holy Mother of God Kathoghike Church, Սուրբ Աստվածածին Կաթողիկէ Եկեղեցի), corner of Sayat-Nova Ave. and Abovian St (Metro: Yeritasardakan 300 m). A tiny structure constructed in typical Armenian style. Katoghike means "cathedral"; the reason for the incongruity is that the original 13th century church had a much larger basilica attached to it in the 17th century - but that addition was demolished in 1936. In 2015 a new and much larger separate church was built next to Kathoghike, the cream colored St. Anna church. (updated Sep 2024) 2 Katoghike Tsiranavor Church of Avan (Ավանի Սուրբ Աստվածածին Կաթողիկե Եկեղեցի, Katoghike Tsiranavor church, later renamed Surp Hovhannes) (in Avan district). This is the city's oldest surviving church, which was completed in the 6th century. (updated Sep 2024) 3 St Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, Yervand Kochar St (Metro: Zoravar Andranik). Completed in 2001 to commemorate the 1700th anniversary of Armenia as a Christian nation. The holy relics of St Gregory the Armenian were given back to the Armenian Church by the Vatican in 2001 and placed in this cathedral. The building is a megalomaniacal exaggeration of traditional Armenian Church Architecture. As opposed to all other churches in Yerevan (and Armenia) the cathedral is full of light and does not carry any stand for candles. The candle-house is a separate structure next door. However, the complex is vastly and visibly unfinished. (updated Sep 2024) 4 Saint Sarkis Cathedral, Israyelyan street (at the border of the city centre, on a picturesque gorge of Hrazdan River, Metro: Yeritasardakan 2 km). From the Victory Bridge (or alternatively the Brandy Factory building) there is a beautiful view on the church and surroundings (structures of different shades constructed in immediate proximity to the church during the Soviet years of forced secularisation). The church is always crowded. Usually there are also many young people as St Sargis (or St Sergius in Western churches) is the patron saint of young people and of lovers. (updated Sep 2024) 5 St Astvatsatsin of Nork (Holy Cross Church, Սուրբ Խաչ եկեղեցու), Nork-Marash (Նորք-Մարաշ) administrative district, near to Olimpos Educational Complex. This is the replica of a beautiful 18th-century St Holy Mother of God (Sb Astvatsatsin in Armenian) church destroyed during the Soviet years of forced secularisation. Because of the sudden death of the benefactor the church complex was never finished. (updated Sep 2024) 6 St John The Baptist Church (St Hovhannes Church), Saint Hovhanes Street (Southwest 500 m from Metro Marshal Baghramyan, near main Post Office). A church with three naves, built in 1710 and renovated and expanded in the 1980s. (updated Sep 2024)

Landmarks

7 Erebuni Fortress, Erebuni St.(Էրեբունի փող), 38 (Metro: Sasuntsi David 2 km), ☏ +374 10 432661. The excavations, recreations and museum of the nearly 3,000-year-old fortress that established Yerevan. Fairly well- (and maybe the best-) preserved fortress of Urartian Period in Armenia. 1,000 dram. (updated Sep 2024) 8 Republic Square (Armenian: Հանրապետության Հրապարակ Russian: Площадь Республики) (Metro: Republic Square). The city's main square is a grand example of Soviet public architecture. The early buildings (the Houses of Government, the Ministry of Communications and the Marriott Hotel) are Neo-Classical with Armenian hints. The later buildings (the Foreign Ministry and Art Gallery) are Modernist imitations.Within the square, the Singing Fountains perform most evenings April-Oct, dancing and frothing to classical and contemporary music. In Oct 2018 the city mourned the passing of Charles Aznavour with impromptu shrines, images and sound tracks here and elsewhere: the Singing Fountains danced pretty much the same to his best-known tunes as they'd previously done to Rossini's or Sinatra's. (updated Sep 2024) 9 Northern Avenue (Metro: Hanrapetutyan Hraparak (Republic Square)). Impossible to miss, this pedestrian avenue was opened in 2008 connecting Opera with Republic Square, the two hubs of central Yerevan. It's a post-modern response to post-World War II Soviet Yerevan architecture. It is emerging as the shopping district, together with Sayat-Nova ave., Terian st., Tumanian st. and Abovian st. (updated Sep 2024) 10 Abovian street (Աբովյան Փողոց), Kentron district (Metro: Yeritasardakan). It's home to very few remaining Belle Époque period structures of Republican Armenia. Some gems of Art Nouveau, early Modern (constructivist and the like), and Moorish Revival style can be found in the backyards of Abovian, Nalbandian and Hanrapetutian streets. Most often they are in a very poor condition due to neglect. Hanrapetutian st. might get a special attention if you are not time constrained. (updated Sep 2024) 11 Freedom (or Theatrical) Square. On the north the square is bordered by the Opera House, followed by a park with a lake and full of open air cafés on the east, and from south it borders the Northern Avenue (updated Sep 2024) 12 Mashtots avenue, Mashtots Ave (in the centre). It's the 8-lane highway of the city which somehow also accommodates a pedestrian zones on the sides (result of standard Soviet planning of main 'Prospekts'). It is overly noisy because of the heavy traffic (mostly unorganised public transportation) but the parts close to The Opera is a favourite hangout place for the locals. There are three buildings on the avenue which are well worth attention - Matenadaran, the covered market (the interior is now a modern supermarket and mall, but the highly-decorated original exterior survives) and Blue Mosque. (updated Sep 2024) 13 Matenadaran. Houses the world's largest collection of Armenian illuminated manuscripts, and one of the largest such collections of any kind in the world. A display room has a sampling of some of the finest works, and the additional cost of the guided tour is worthwhile. The building is dug into the hill and can withstand a nuclear attack. The white stone statue in front is of Mesrop Mashtots, teaching the Armenian alphabet, his invention, to a rapt disciple (Koryun, Armenia's first historian and biographer), and looking down at the street of his name. (updated Sep 2024) 14 Blue Mosque, 12 Mesrop Mashtots Ave (: Hanrapetutyan Hraparak). An 18th-century Shia Islamic Mosque, one of the few surviving structures of a once (before Soviet secularisation) prospering Muslim community of Yerevan. (updated Sep 2024) 15 Cascades, Sculpture Park and Cafesjian Museum (Cafesjian Centre for the Arts), 10 Tamanyan Street, ☏ +374 10 541932. Tu-Th 10:00-17:00, F-Su 10:00-20:00. The Sculpture Park is a small green zone in the immediate North of the Opera. Sculptures from Botero and other artists of international fame decorate the park. The park is part of Cafesjian Museum - the Armenian version of Guggenheim. The main part of the museum is in the Cascades - an Art Deco version of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon stretching nearly the height of the Empire State Building. It's a massive white stairway up a hillside of central Yerevan, decorated with green stretches, fountains and waterfalls. Higher level of the Cascades give a spectacular view of Mount Ararat and panorama of central Yerevan with its hilariously multi-colour roofs. The first floor and the bookstore of the museum as well as the indoor escalators to the top of the Cascades are free of charge. Adults 1,000 dram, children under 12 - free. (updated Sep 2024) 16 Train Station and Sasuntsi David Statue (Kayaran or David of Sassoun Square), 71 Tigran Mets Ave (Metro to Sasuntsi David station). Beautiful square and train station with Soviet classical architecture, and one of Armenia's most famous monuments - the soaring statue of Sasuntsi David (David of Sasun), which is often used as a symbol of the city. (updated Sep 2024) 17 Cascade Memorial to the Victims of Soviet Repression (Cascade Memorial) (top platform of Cascade staircase). Monument dedicated to the memory of the victims of Soviet-era murders and deportations, atop the Yerevan Cascade, next to the obelisk that commemorates 50 years of Soviet Armenia. The Cascade Memorial was designed by Jim Torosyan, Yerevan's chief architect between 1971 and 1981, and was constructed in the late 1980s and completed around 2008. Inside the large concrete structure, a memorial slab has the inscription of "To All Your Souls on Fire", from the "Frenzied Masses" poem by Yeghishe Charents who himself fell victim to the repressions in 1937. So far, this monument often has been neglected, but it connects to a major part of Armenia's recent history. (updated Sep 2024)

Do

Hrazdan Gorge partying (try around the start of the children railway and from there going northwest). Only in summer. Visit one of the themed restaurants in the Hrazdan Gorge to see the locals partying. The food does not tend to venture far from barbecue and crayfish, but it is usually good barbecue, and the prices range from very reasonable to the unreasonable. Check the prices on the hard liquor and wines before ordering a bottle if you’re price sensitive. (updated Oct 2024) 1 Climb the Cascades. (or - before 20:00 - take the escalators inside the art gallery, stepping outside at each level) one evening for the great views of the city and Mt. Ararat, then head across the street to the amusement park inside Victory Park for some cotton candy and a ride on the rickety Ferris wheel. (updated Oct 2024) Catch a concert, multiple. on the Cascades or the Lover's Park, and an art exhibition at Swan Lake park or Lover's Park. 2 Yerevan Water World (Water park "AquaWorld"), 40 Myasnikyan Ave, ☏ +374 10 638998. 12:00–21:00, indoor water park "Aquatek" is open all year round without holidays. A water park popular with the locals in the summers, it consists of a big open-air water park and a much smaller indoor one. Anybody can cool down there as in total it offers 7 outdoor and 3 indoor pools. There are also wall-climbing facilities. During winter time, the largest pool of the park is turned into an ice skating rink. (updated Oct 2024) 3 Yerevan Zoo (Zoological Garden of Yerevan), Myasnikyan St., 20, ☏ +374 10 562362. Dec-Apr 10:00 - 17:30. Zoo is home to about 3,000 animals mainly representing South Caucasus and Armenia: bears, goats, snakes, Armenian mouflon and black vultures. Also from other parts of the world: lions, tigers, hyenas and an Asian elephants. It was upgraded and renovated to the modern standards back in 2014. Adult 800 dram, children 12-16 years - 500 dram, children 3-12 years - 300 dram. (updated Oct 2024) Football: the national men's soccer team play at Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium (capacity 14,400) southeast corner of the city. Yerevan is home to seven of the ten teams in the Premier League, Armenia's top tier, so there's sure to be a game in town during the Aug-May playing season. The likeliest to be involved in European fixtures is FC Alashkert. They play at the 6850-capacity Alashkert Stadium, 3 km west of the centre off the road to the airport. The city's other top-tier clubs are FC Ararat Yerevan (who play at Republican Stadium), FC Ararat Armenia, Pyunik, FC Urartu, FC Noah (formerly FC Artsakh), and BKMA Yerevan. 4 Spartak Stadium, Agatangeghos St (Metro: Zoravar Andranik 300 m). This is a mixed-use sports & athletics stadium just south of city centre. (updated Oct 2024)

Parks

5 Botanical garden of Yerevan. The collection includes more than 200 species of endemic, rare and declining plants. However, after the collapse of the Soviet Union due to insufficient funds the condition of the park started declining and now it needs a lot of improvements. (updated Oct 2024) 6 Children's Railway Park, Hrazdan Gorge (Close to Parajanov Museum). Miniature railway for children to ride in, established in 1937. (updated Oct 2024) 7 Children's Park (շարժապահեստ Մանկական), Kentron (Metro: Zoravar Andranik 700 m). Yet another beautiful remnant of Soviet urban planning in Yerevan. The park, opened in 1937, is situated in a gorgeous canyon of Hrazdan river and features a children's railway. Though the park and the railway still function, most of the infrastructure is horribly deteriorated. On the other hand the deterioration gives the feeling of a 'ghost park from a fairy tale' even though it is always populated. From Missak Manouchian Park, go northwest through the Kond Pedestrian Tunnel (which is creepy, but seems safe). (updated Oct 2024) 8 Circular park. Despite its name, the park's shape is semi-circular. You can see several monuments to important Armenian and Russian imperial figures here. (updated Oct 2024) 9 English park, Alek Manukyan St. One of Yerevan's oldest parks, though smaller in size than it once was. It is popular with couples for wedding photographs. (updated Oct 2024) 10 Park of Komitas Pantheon (Պանթեոն` Կոմիտասի), Arshakunyats Avenue (NW of Yerevan Train Station). A cemetery that doubles as a park. (updated Oct 2024)

11 Lover's Park (Boghossian Gardens), Marshal Baghramyan Ave., ~21 (Metro: Marshal Baghramyan), ☏ +374 10 224437, info@bg.am. One of the oldest parks of Yerevan. Renovated in tradition of Japanese landscaping with Armenian spirit. It often hosts open air art exhibitions and concerts. It is best reached by metro, station 'Marshal Baghramian' - perhaps the most underused building and allegedly the best in Modernist style. (updated Oct 2024) 12 Lyon Park (Vardavar Park), Argishti, Sasuntsi Davit St (Vardavar Lake). Surrounding the artificial Vardarvar Lake, this park was renamed Lyon Park to honor France's second city. Lyon is a friendship city of Yerevan and the French funded the renovation of the park in the early 2010s. (updated Oct 2024) 13 Oghakadzev park, Khanjyan str (SE 1 km from Metro Republic Square). Features the Luna Park amusement park, a couple of small lakes and cafés. (updated Oct 2024) 14 Opera park, Mesrop Mashtots Ave. Spend a late night at a café in the Opera park, and outside the Melody Café for some of the best people watching in Yerevan. (updated Oct 2024) 15 Paplavok Park (near Moscovyan and Teryan). Chill out in Yerevan Green Belt. (updated Oct 2024) 16 Saryan Park, France square (west side of Mashtots between Tumanyan and Sayat Nova). A triangular park with a statue of the painter Martiros Saryan is where painters gather to sell their work. Many more on the weekend than on weekdays. (updated Oct 2024) 17 The Swan Lake park (Karapi Lich), Teryan St and Tumanyan St (Metro: Yeritasardakan). ends with the popular statue of the composer Arno Babajanyan, which brings attention to his famous nose and long fingers. The Swan Lake park usually hosts various open air art exhibitions. Ice-skate with many locals at the Swan Lake (next to the Opera House) during winter months. (updated Oct 2024) 18 Tumanyan park (Along the Hrazdan River gorge). Part of the Tumo Centre for Creative Technologies. (updated Oct 2024) 19 Yerevan reservoir (Yerevanyan Lake), Admiral Isakov ave. (SW 2 km). Built in 1963, total area is 57.45 ha. (updated Oct 2024) 20 Victory Park. - Amusement park. Features a huge monument of Mother Armenia as well as some Soviet military equipment on display. Very nice view of the city centre. (updated Oct 2024)

Shopping

Markets

1 Covered Market (Agricultural bazaar, G.U.M. market, Food Market No. 2), 31 Tigran Mets Ave/Movses Khorenatsi St (: Zoravar Andranik). Yerevan's largest food market. (updated Sep 2024)

2 Vernissage (From : Republic Square a block east). Sa Su. A walk through the weekend Vernissage open air market through the park between Aram and Buzand Streets is a must. From rugs, souvenirs, instruments and paintings, to pets and chemistry supplies, this outdoor market seemingly has everything. (updated Sep 2024)

Malls

3 Dalma Garden Mall, 3 Tsitsernakaberd Hwy, ☏ +374 60 461111. 10:00-22:00. Western-style indoor mall with food court and movie theater. (updated Sep 2024) 4 Yerevan Mall, 34/3 Arshakunyats Blvd, ☏ +374-11 888 888. 10:00-22:00. Western-style indoor mall with food court, movie theater and play area. Anchored by Carrefour. (updated Sep 2024) 5 Metronome Shopping Centre, Isahakyan Street 22/10. 10:00-22:00. Pretty small underground mall in the center. (updated Sep 2024) 6 RIO Mall, Hrachya Kochar Street. 10:00-22:00. Newer mall in the Arabkir/Komitas neighborhood. (updated Sep 2024)

Eat

Budget

Stands selling Armenian-style "pizzas" called "lamehjun" or "lahmajoun" are prevalent throughout Yerevan. This cheap snack consists of a thin layer of dough topped with an herb and meat paste.

1 Master Class, 28, 20 Tumanyan St (a couple of spaces from Abovyan Street, semi underground.). Angus beef kebab sandwiches for 1000 drams (Dec 2021), and a few other items on the small, focused menu. (updated Sep 2024) 2 Mer Taghe, 21, 1 Tumanyan St (west of Abovyan). A small lahmejun joint on Tumanyan, and their lahmejuns have a big following. If you have some extra time and want to splurge, try the manti dumplings or the norahars, a kind of regional lasagna. (updated Sep 2024) 3 OST, 20 Mesrop Mashtots Ave, ☏ +374 10 539580. daily 10:00-22:30. Cheap cafe, lots of food options and drinks. Very central, try the Ajarakan khachapuri or the lahmejun. Free Wi-Fi. (updated Sep 2024) 4 Meghedi, 34/6 Tumanyan, Freedom Square, ☏ +374 96 661890. daily 10:00-midnight (possibly later closure on Su). Cheap cafe, lots of food options and drinks. Very central, next to the Opera at the Freedom Square. Free Wi-Fi. (updated Sep 2024) 5 Tumanyan Shaurma, 32 Tumanyan St. Yerevan style shawarma. A local chain with a dozen restaurants around Yerevan. (updated Sep 2024) 6 Artashi Mot, Alexander Spendiaryan St. Opens 11AM. Cheap shaurmas, soups and kebabs upstairs, fancier but still well priced sit-down restaurant underground. Great place to have BBQ and to meet your traditional fast food cravings. The fancier part is considered by many to be the finest place for khorovats (BBQ) in Armenia. Judge for yourself, but not before trying the horti (beef) and sunki (mushroom) barbeques. They are both delicious, when they have them. Other nice alternatives include the fish barbeque and the piti soup. Whichever barbeque you get, get some of the tomato sauce mix that Artash makes to put on your meat, or just to dip your bread into. (updated Sep 2024) 7 Jengyalov Hac (Ժենգյալով Հաց), 62 Teryan St. Bakery. Excellent Armenian zhangyalov hats. (updated Sep 2024) 8 Lahmajun Gaidz, 9, 9 Tumanyan St (Main entrance, downstairs). Good cheap Armenian fast food, run by a kind and hard working Syrian-Armenian woman. (updated Sep 2024) 9 Tun Lahmajo, 23 Teryan Street. uper affordable lahmajo (Armenian pizza) and always packed with locals (updated Aug 2025) 10 Grand Candy Ponchikanots (Ponchikanots), 54 Mesrop Mashtots Ave (the inside corner of Mashtots and Koryun, under the Matenadaran), ☏ +37410565686. 10am-8pm. Ponchiks are a regional type of donut. Fried dough stuffed with a custard and topped with powdered sugar. Grand Candy took over the old space of a popular former Soviet "ponchikanots", or place of ponchiks and this is a popular spot for a fresh, hot, and very cheap treat. Lots of locally made candy and chocolate for sale as well. Grand Candy's big competition in the ponchik realm came down from Gyumri and opened up a few blocks away. So if you want to try a ponchik with a chocolate custard filling as well, head to Ponchik Monchik. (updated Jun 2026)

Mid-range

11 Tumanyan Khinkali, Tumanyan 21 (west of Abovyan) (next to Mer Tagh (above)). Khinkali (sturdy soup dumplings, similar to xiao long bao that came to Caucasus over the Silk Road) with meat or cheese filling is the name of the game here. You can have them boiled or fried; they are priced per dumpling, and 6-8 should be enough for an average appetite. If you try using knife and fork, you'll end up with a pool of soup on your plate; grab the dumpling by the bunched top, bite out a notch in the side and slurp in the liquid, then eat the rest (tops are not for eating, and the dough in them may even come out undercooked). Appetizers (soups, salads and a variety of homemade pickles) are delightful too. There are two bronze figures at the entrance welcoming you to step down, and a giddily over-the-top interior in plush and chintz, with televisions playing Armenian music programs of the Soviet era. (updated Sep 2024)

Drink

Cafés, bars, restaurants, clubs and the countryside on a picnic are all popular places for vodka, the usual drink of choice, with wine, beer, champagne and brandy all popular as well. Most restaurants only sell pilsner-style beers, of middling quality, but some brew pubs and craft beer outlets can be found. Restaurant wine is usually very good. Drinking in public may be legal, but doing so as a foreigner will get you stopped by the police (and earn you plenty of dirty looks from the locals). You can drink in a car, as long as you’re not driving. Drivers cannot have a drop of alcohol in them, with zero being the legal threshold – and the penalties for violating this are stiff.

Places for a drink

The most popular places to drink in the summer tend to be outdoor cafés and café/restaurants. The cafés by Cascade and the wine bars along Saryan are always packed. The following bars are popular spots with visitors.

1 Calumet, 56a Pushkin St, ☏ +374 94 359229. Bohemian, friendly, alternative crowd. Insanely smokey (seriously). There is no outdoor section so if you're not a fan of cigarette smoke, it might not be the place for you. English speaking staff and solid drinks selection. A nice place to kill a night. free. (updated Sep 2024) 2 Roza, 10 Pushkin St, ☏ +374 41 060460. Small bar with great ambiance in old Yerevan building, and fantastic drinks. Try the Tutovni house cocktail made with the famous local mulberry vodka. (updated Sep 2024) 3 In Vino, 6 Saryan Street. open round the clock. The first wine bar on Saryan Street, that led the transformation of the entire neighborhood is still popular. (updated Sep 2024) 4 Jack's Pub, 21 Gevorg Kochar Street, ☏ +374 96 808408. Good spot for a drink, the bloody mary is legendary and the basil gin cocktail is great in the summer. You'll likely meet some repats here. (updated Sep 2024)

Sleep

Yerevan has a wide variety of accommodations but for the most part they are overpriced. If you're staying for an extended period of time, rent an apartment. Check the AUA (American University of Armenia), local travel agents (Menua tours, Hyur Service) or real estate brokers for rental listings.

Budget

There is a good selection of hostels and homestays in Yerevan to choose from for budget travellers.

1 Balcony Villa Hostel, Hovsep Emin 3/1, Arabkir (: Barekamutyun station (the last one) and from there walk down H.Hakobyan St till you get to a little hill. Up the hill and to the right, it's the small metal door on your left.), ☏ +374 10 264449, balcony.hostel@gmail.com. Check-out: 12:00, but flexible. A small, budget hostel. Offers free wifi, laundry, a kitchen and shared bathrooms that are cleaned daily. English speaking, friendly, coffee and tea are free. 9,000 dram for single room, 6,000 dram for shared room with locker, 6,500 dram for room with light breakfast, 7,000 dram for full breakfast. Between November and May rooms are 5,000 dram.. (updated Sep 2024) 2 Envoy Hostel, 54 Pushkin Str. (entrance on Parpetsi), ☏ +374 10 530 369. Check-in: 14:00. Winner of 'Best Hostel in Armenia' Award by HW 2010&11&13. Is centrally located, large and comfortable with free internet/wifi access, breakfast and tea/coffee facilities. All the rooms and common areas are air conditioned and spotlessly clean. English speaking staff is efficient and knowledgeable about traveling in Armenia and the regions. They also have a hostel in Tbilisi and offer weekly tours from Yerevan to Tbilisi with sightseeing and BBQ-lunch included. 7,000 dram w/ breakfast. (updated Sep 2024) 3 Grammy Hostel, 15 Aghayan st., ☏ +374 5 522 0322. A hostel, with a travellers' desk, free internet access, breakfast just for extra 500 dram, laundry, TV, a relaxation room where you can chill out and escape from the Yerevan hustle and bustle of the city, and a little garden where you can soak up the sun and relax on a bench. 4,000-7,000 dram (flexible). (updated Sep 2024) 4 Hostel Glide, House 16/1, Hakob Hakobyan St (Three minute-walk from :“Barekamutyun”), ☏ +374 9 406 0586. A private house located two metro stops out of the centre, but in a quiet and safe place. It's very close to bus stations, and it is possible to see Ararat mountain from the windows. Run by a very hospitable family. Prices for beds start from 4,500 dram. (updated Sep 2024) 5 Theatre Hostel, 27, 2nd Entrance, Tigran Mets Ave, ☏ +374 10 545 676. A small and cozy hostel 5 minutes walking distance from the main square. It is very clean, has many free facilities, such as Wi-Fi internet access, bicycle parking zone, etc. The prices start from 4,500 dram with light breakfast included. (updated Sep 2024) 6 Yerevan Hostel, 5 Tpagrichner St. In the centre, 3 minutes from the : Republic Square. Friendly, knowledgeable English speaking staff available 24 hours a day. Very clean hostel, showers with hot water available day and night. Wifi available also a computer available for guests. Traditional breakfast prepared upon request, so always fresh. Flexible check in/check out times. Bag storage. 5,500 dram. (updated Sep 2024)

Stay safe

Yerevan is a very safe city at all times of day and night for people of all genders and ages - especially in the central neighborhoods where most visitors will stay. Street crime and street violence are almost non-existent: people regularly leave belongings unattended in the street without fear of theft. Nevertheless, as in the most cities of its size, in crowded places and transport beware of pickpockets. There are no scams but you may be need to bargain at stores that do not have fixed price tags, though bargaining seems to be uncommon. The traffic can be quite rough during morning and evening rush hour, so pay close attention when crossing the street, especially in non-designated areas. Most locals obey street signs and there may be fines for jaywalking.

Taxi-related scams

The most dangerous thing you will encounter here are the taxi drivers, ripping off tourists and even locals. They may take detours instead of going directly—have a map or navigation ready and tell them the correct way. Never ever believe a taxi driver who wants to convince you that there is no bus or marshrutka to the destination you are heading to—this is mostly a lie. Any story that will get them to the point where you decide to take a taxi is probably a hoax. Also, do not settle for largely increased flat fees or the argument that their meter is not working. Sometimes just pushing the main button on the meter once does the trick— but only one, twice will not display a fare. If there is still the need for payment, calculate the distance in kilometer times 100 dram plus a little extra to settle the mood and head off. In either case, if you feel in a dodgy and awkward situation, you are better off leaving fast and making sure the taxi driver does or can not follow you. But you can always refer to the help of the police, which the taxi drivers won't be happy to deal with. Even the locals know that the taxi drivers are lying, so they might be of help in case of an argument. Just make sure you do not have this argument in the middle of the night with a bunch of other taxi drivers around. Do not settle to anything widely beyond the regular 100 dram/km, because "it is just a few dollars" or so—this just makes it worse for locals and other tourists. This applies especially if you have never agreed on any price to begin with. Also, beware of moonlighting "taxi" drivers at the airport who will try to charge you ridiculous amounts (20,000 dram or more) to get to the city. A taxi to or from the airport to the city centre should cost around 1,600 dram, for comparison. Rumours are, some Iranians once got charged US$150 for a trip from the airport to the city.

Smoking is illegal in all indoor and outdoor restaurant and cafe spaces, with the exception of hookah lounges. It's also illegal on transport, taxis, in offices and stores. Smoking rates are still very high among men however, and some establishments are lax in enforcing the rules, but generally smoking should not be present in most places a visitor would spend time. Yerevan offers some world-class medical treatments for fraction of the price in the west. The most common are heart surgeries, fertility treatments, nose jobs, hair removal and laser eye surgery.

Go next

Easy day trips Many of Armenia's top sights are clustered close to Yerevan and are easy day trips, though you'll need your own transport for several:

Garni, 15 km east of Yerevan, has a Hellenistic temple and religious / royal complex, perched atop a canyon. Geghard Monastery, 5 km further, is carved into the canyon side. Khosrov Forest State Reserve is in the mountains above Geghard. Several monasteries, caves, and Kakavaberd ancient hill fortress. Echmiadzin (now called Vagharshapat), 15 km west of Yerevan, is the Canterbury of Armenia, with a monastery and cathedral compound. 3 km east are the ruins of Zvartnots cathedral. Ashtarak 15 km northwest has St Hovhannes Karapet Cathedral perched over the Kasagh gorge. Artashat 20 km south has Khor Virap Monastery. Take bus 452, 467, 468 from the Southern Bus Station for Khor Virap; 300-400 dram. Armash, 60 km south east, has fish lagoons that have become an important bird habitat. It's up against the closed borders with Turkey and Nakhchivan, so expect official suspicion. Photo ID is mandatory for entry. Further out, more suited to overnight trips (lots of tours available):

Around Mount Aragats are Amberd castle and Church. Noravank Monastery, Noravank Canyon and Areni Wine Country are 80 km south-east. To the north around Lake Sevan are Tsakhkadzor, Sevanavank and Hayravank Monasteries, Noratus Khachkar Cemetery, and Dilijan old town. Jermuk, Sisian and Tatev monastery are further down the road southeast. Beyond Armenia

More pictures of Yerevan

From this destination's category on Wikimedia Commons. Each photograph is credited to its own author under its own licence.