Armenia is a small, landlocked country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. It borders Georgia to the north, Iran, and Azerbaijan to the south, and Turkey to the west.
The population of Armenia is about 3 million people. The capital and largest city of Armenia is Yerevan. The country has a long and complex history that has shaped its culture and influenced its art, architecture, and literature.
Armenia is one of the oldest countries in the world, with a history that goes back thousands of years. The country is surrounded by mountains and sits on the edge of Europe and Asia, which makes it unique in its own way.
There are many reasons to visit Armenia. It has a rich, fascinating history and culture. It has many beautiful landscapes and natural wonders. And it offers many opportunities for fun activities.
In this article, we list the top 10 things to do in Armenia.
Top 10 things to do in Armenia
1. Explore vibrant Yerevan
Yerevan is the capital and largest city of Armenia. The city is a cultural and economic hub of Armenia.
Armenia’s capital is home to many historic sites, including the Erebuni fortress, the Cathedral of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, and the Matenadaran. The city is also home to a vibrant arts scene with many galleries and museums.
The heart of Yeveran and the best place to start your experience with this city is Republic Square. The square features famous dancing fountains.
Yerevan has an old town with narrow, winding streets, which are lined with shops, restaurants, and stalls selling traditional arts and crafts.
Don’t forget to pop to the open-air exhibition-market Yerevan Vernissage that takes place every weekend.
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2. Pay tribute at the Armenian Genocide Museum (Tsitsernakaberd)
The Armenian Genocide Museum is located on Tsitsernakaberd hill, in Yerevan, Armenia. The museum is a memorial to the 1.5 million Armenians who were killed by the Ottoman Empire during World War I.
The Armenian genocide occurred in 1915-1917 and it is estimated that 1.5 million Armenians were killed by Turkish authorities. This genocide was also known as the “Armenian Holocaust” or “Great Massacre”. The museum has a variety of exhibits and documents detailing this event.
The Armenian Genocide Museum is one of the most important museums in Armenia because it commemorates one of the worst massacres in human history and educates people on what happened during this time period.
3. See the Cafesjian Center for the Arts
The Cafesjian Center for the Arts is an art museum in Yerevan, Armenia, founded by an Armenian-born American businessman and philanthropist Gerard L. Cafesjian in 2002.
The center’s main goal is to promote and develop Armenian culture, and arts and crafts. It provides a space for artistic activities, exhibitions, concerts, and theatrical performances. The center has hosted various exhibitions over the years, ranging from paintings to sculptures to photography.
Tip: Climb to the top of the place to see magnificent views of the city. You may be even lucky to see mount Ararat.
4. See Matenadaran (The Museum of Ancient Manuscripts)
(Photo by Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=52486628)
The Matenadaran is a museum in Yerevan, Armenia, which contains the world’s largest collection of ancient manuscripts.
It was established in 1959 and houses over 23,000 Armenian, Greek, and Assyrian manuscripts dating from the 16th century BC to the 18th century AD.
Tip: It’s recommended to get a tour guide to get the best out of this experience.
5. Explore the History Museum of Armenia
(Photo by Marcin Konsek / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=39126557)
The History Museum of Armenia, located in Yerevan, aims to preserve and display the history of Armenia from ancient times to the present day. It also strives to promote Armenian identity through historical education, exhibitions, research, and publications.
The museum’s collection includes more than 400,000 items that are displayed in chronological order. The items on display include cultural relics from various periods of Armenian history and from other ancient civilizations as well.
The History Museum of Armenia is one of the most popular museums in Yerevan and is visited by both locals and tourists alike.
6. Go to Parajanov Museum
(Photo by Սէրուժ – Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14615929)
The Parajanov Museum in Yerevan is a museum dedicated to the Armenian film director, actor, and painter Sergei Parajanov.
The museum includes an exhibition hall with a permanent exhibition of Sergei Parajanov’s works and personal items as well as temporary exhibitions of contemporary artists.
The museum hosts many exhibitions of modern art which are not related to Sergei Parajanov. They are mainly made up of paintings, drawings, sculptures, and installations by Armenian artists who live abroad or in other countries.
7. Go to the Megerian Carpet Museum
The Megerian Carpet Museum in Yerevan is a museum that showcases the history of Armenian carpet weaving.
The museum is home to a collection of over 400 carpets from various parts of Armenia. The carpets are categorized under different themes and periods, including “Carpet Weaving Techniques”, “Armenian Rugs in Foreign Collections” and “Carpet Art”.
The museum also showcases other traditional art forms such as wood carving, metalwork, pottery, and embroidery.
8. See the Geghard Monastery
Geghard Monastery is a medieval Armenian monastery complex located in the Kotayk province of Armenia, near the town of Kapan, about 30 km away from Yerevan.
The monastery is located on the edge of a mountain gorge. It’s carved in between mountain rocks and it is considered to be one of the most beautiful sites in Armenia. This place is so special, it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tip: The room on the second floor has great acoustics and some people go there to sing. Make sure to check it out.
8. Swim in lake Sevan
Lake Sevan is the largest lake in Armenia and one of the largest mountain lakes in Eurasia. It is located in the Gegharkunik Province of Armenia, approximately 120 km from Yerevan, and has a surface area of 1,264 km2 (488 sq mi).
Lake Sevan is home to a number of endemic fish species and more than 100 bird species. It is a popular tourist destination with many scenic views featuring churches and monasteries on the lake’s shores.
The lake offers many opportunities for water and outdoor activities like swimming, sailing, boating, hiking, or cycling.
10. See the Khor Virap Monastery
Khor Virap Monastery is located in the town of Artashat in Armenia. It’s set among scenic mountain views, with Mount Ararat in Turkey visible in the backdrop.
The monastery was attributed to Gregory the Illuminator, who was the first Armenian saint, and it is considered to be one of Armenia’s holiest places.
Khor Virap Monastery is considered one of the most important religious monuments in Armenia. It’s a popular tourist destination for Armenians and foreigners alike as it has a rich history that dates back to pre-Christian times.
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