Religious sites in Armenia
Armenia, as one of the most ancient countries, not only has an ancient culture and rich history, but also ancient religious history, dating back centuries — Christianity from 301 AD, and prehistoric pagan religions.

Cultural Significance of Religion in Armenia
Throughout history Armenia has developed a unique look due to its devotion to Christianity. The country is a home to over a hundred monasteries. Religion has left its roots not only in the architecture, but also music, food and traditional clothing. Christianity has helped Armenians to preserve their oldest traditions by converting them to have religious significance.

2000 Years of Pagan Past
Armenia has not only a 1700-year Christian history, but also more than 2000 years of a pagan past. The Armenians had their own gods, most of which coincided with the Romans and Greeks. On the territory of Historical Armenia there are several monuments dedicated to the ancient Armenian gods. One of them is a Garni temple located on the territory of present-day Armenia. The temple was built in the 1st century AD by King Trdat I in dedication to the pagan god of the Sun – Mihra. After Trdat III adopted Christianity as the state religion all pagan temples were destroyed. The Garni temple was not destroyed, unlike other pagan temples, because it was the King’s sister’s favorite place of rest. Additionally, it was in the territory of the summer residence of the royal family. To this day, it is the only pagan temple that has survived in the whole region of the Caucasus. Currently, Garni is a symbol of Armenian neopaganism and one of the most popular tourist destinations of the country – annually more than 136,000 tourists visit this place.

The Descent of the Only-Begotten
The most important place of the Christian period in Armenia is the Etchmiadzin Cathedral. The original church was built in the early fourth century. According to tradition, the cathedral was built between 301 and 303 near the royal palace in the then Armenian capital city of Vagharshapat, on the location of a pagan temple. Armenia’s patron saint Gregory the Illuminator had a vision of Jesus Christ descending from heaven and striking the earth with a golden hammer to show where the cathedral should be built. Hence, the patriarch gave the church the name of Etchmiadzin, which translates to “the Descent of the Only-Begotten”.

Religion has always been very important for Armenians. Throughout the territory of historical Armenia and Armenia today there are many churches built from the 4th century to the present day. Even one of the oldest capitals of Armenia, the city of Ani is called “the city of 1,001 churches”. It is now situated in Turkey’s province of Kars, next to the closed border with Armenia.

Khor Virap
The walled monastery complex, which sits on a rocky outcrop above the river plan, offers magnificent views of Mount Ararat as well as a fine example of early Armenian ecclesiastic architecture, the ruins of nearby Ancient Artashat and the Khor Virap State Nature Reserve.

Khor Virap plays an integral role in the history of Armenia due to the legend of St. Gregory the Illuminator, the first Armenian Catholicos, who was imprisoned there for 13 years. During the reign of King Tiridates III the Great, Gregory the Illuminator was trying to spread Christianity in Armenia, which was not approved by the pagan ruler. Gregory refused to worship pagan Gods, thus, the king ordered his guards to tie the Christian’s hands and throw him into a deep well. King Tiridates left Gregory to die in the dark dungeon where he was imprisoned. He spent 13 years in that dark, damp and small place, but survived due to the kindness of a woman’s tender heart.

The Monastery of the Spear
A significant place in the history of Armenian religion is The Geghard Monastery. While the main chapel was built in 1215, the monastery complex was founded in the 4th century by St. Gregory the Illuminator at the site of a sacred spring inside a cave. The monastery had thus been originally named Ayrivank, meaning “the Monastery of the Cave.” The name commonly used for the monastery today, Geghard, or more fully Geghardavank, meaning ”the Monastery of the Spear”, originates from the spear which had wounded Jesus at the Crucifixion, allegedly brought to Armenia by Apostle Jude, called here Thaddeus, and stored among many other relics. It is now displayed in the Echmiadzin museum, along with other religious treasures. Geghard is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Weddings & Honeymoons in Armenia
Armenia is the perfect destination for your wedding day as well as your honeymoon. Don’t miss out on the chance to impress your guests and celebrate your beautiful union.

Your Wedding in Armenia
​Armenia – a country of celebration and heartfelt warmth. On the land of a thousand churches, marriage is a sacred and fun reason to get together with your closest family and friends to celebrate. This sacred day should be celebrated in a way that brings to life all your sacred dreams and fantasies. Your wedding day should be special for both you and your partner in order to honor the celebration of your union. Whether you want a more traditional wedding or something more offbeat, you can find a way to make your special day unique for both of you in Armenia.

Perfect Locations for Your Wedding
There are many large restaurants and wedding halls throughout the country to comfortably host your wedding party and guests. Catering will be a breeze as many caterers and restaurants are accustomed to preparing large quantities of food to accommodate all type of parties. There are also various bakeries that will create unique and stunning wedding cakes that will wow your guests. Take the time to choose the most delicious foods to be paired with the fun you and your guests will have.

Armenia is a country of churches and monasteries: some ancient, some new, but all perfect for your wedding day. You can choose to explore the unique cultural heritage of Armenia by choosing a historical venue to hold your wedding in. If you wish for something more modern and unconventional, you can always go for a wedding in a farmhouse somewhere in the countryside. There are both perfect urban locations and venues in the heart of the nature. It all depends on what you wish for.

Affordability of Armenia
Planning the wedding is stressful on its own, yet the thought about the prices of it all may drive everyone involved go crazy. Armenia is amazing place to hold a wedding, not only in the sense of landscapes, venues and food, but also its very low cost friendly. You will save up immensely as compared to if you decided to celebrate your wedding in other European countries.

Hair and makeup for the bride and wedding party should be no problem, as every block in Yerevan has stylish and affordable salons that will make the act of dressing up fun and relaxing for everyone involved.

​Traditional Armenian Wedding
Armenians are very fond of preserving ancient traditions and as traditional Armenian weddings happen to be the heart of it all, the best wedding traditions are preserved to this day. There are many local wedding agencies that allow you to travel back in time into the ancient Armenia for your special day. The celebration is completely unique and incorporates many elements of Armenian culture both in the ceremonial parts and the celebration parts. You or your future wife will have the chance to wear the traditional Armenian wedding gown and jewelry. There will be many games for everyone involved as well as endless row of delicious dishes.

Your ​Honeymoon in Armenia
Whether you plan your honeymoon for the summer or winter, there are plenty of activities for you and your partner to enjoy together. Enjoy the summer sun on the shores of Lake Sevan, and take a dip in the silky waters to cool off from the heat. You can rent paddle boats and skis for some added adventure. If you’re more into winter sports, spend your time in Tsaghkadzor skiing and tubing on the crystal white snow hills.
Armenia has a lot to offer for those adventurous couples. The picturesque Armenian landscapes are perfect for hiking, zip-lining, and paragliding ​to get your heart rates going. There’s nothing more romantic than discovering and exploring new places together.

Armenia has also a lot to offer for the people looking forward to simply relaxing after the stressful planning of the wedding. Whether in an urban environment of the capital Yerevan or somewhere in the countryside, you’ll find the perfect peace with your partner and the needed detachment from the rest of the world.

MICE & Business Tourism in Armenia
Enjoy the perfect balance of business and pleasure for your next corporate event. There are many places to hold meetings and conferences in the most vibrant parts of the city, where you can later easily enjoy a delicious meal or drink nearby.

Rise of MICE Tourism in Armenia
Armenia is not only perfect for leisure travel, but also business tourism. Many corporations from all around the world choose Armenia for their business meetings and as a place to hold conventions. With advanced technology and facilities Armenia is continuously growing as a destination for business tourism. The rich cultural heritage combined with the hospitality of the Armenian people attract more and more corporations throughout the past decade. The mixture of the natural beauty of the country with the world class conference halls allows for the creation of a perfect destination for both individual business travelers as well as big groups. Business travelers will be pleased to discover the comfortability and the benefits of this other side of tourism in Armenia.

Organizing Corporate Events in Armenia
Armenia and Yerevan are ideal for organizing corporate events, conferences, congresses and teambuilding. First class hotels of leading international chains such as the Marriott, Hyatt, Radisson, Hilton, Royal Tulip and Best Western are at the disposal of the capital’s guests. The hotels neighbor each other, which provides an opportunity to simultaneously host up to 800 people. A wide selection of conference halls and comfortable venues with modern equipment and high speed internet connection facilitate conducting effective presentations and meetings, and the wide choice of open-air restaurants offers a fabulous gala-dinner or banquet as a dignified close of the event.

Armenia has an efficient transport network which will ensure the simplicity and swiftness of airport arrival processes. Driving to different parts of the country for meetings and conferences won’t be an issue as there are very few traffic congestions and the roads are very safe. The elaborate surface as well as underground transportation system will be of a great help to the whole group. The country is also small allowing people to go from one destination to another in a very short amount of time.

Creative actors from the Armenian event industry will develop the travel concept and organize memorable events. For example, have you ever considered a nighttime discotheque on the roof of the astronomical observatory, night at the museum, dinner in the cellars of Ararat cognac factory or at the foot of Mount Ararat?

Why Armenia?
Not only do Armenian conference centers and hotels meet business tourism requirements, the country also manages to be the treasure of it all. The biggest benefit is visiting Armenia itself. Both groups and individual business travelers have the chance to explore the beautiful Armenian landscapes and the traditional mouth watering cuisine full of vegetarian options for those who wish.

​In Armenia, all these options are open to you. Armenia is a combination of ancient traditions, great historical heritage and modern chic beauty. Just survive the official part of the event and then transition into carefree tourists and walk through the city, purchase souvenirs at the Vernissage and Armenian cognac at the official stores, and enjoy music battles at the clubs. Since many unique natural and historic sights are fairly close to the capital, you can mix business with an exciting excursion through the history of this ancient land. The shopping options are also diverse and have reasonable costs. It’s an absolute pleasure to finish the tiring day of work with a visit to the mall. Armenia is a country of opportunities and hospitality. Upon your visit you’ll be able to explore new things and concepts, gain great historical knowledge and just unwind and relax.

Family Tourism in Armenia
A myriad of fun and safe activities make Armenia an ideal place to visit during all seasons with your family. Unleash your inner child and have some fun!

A Myriad of Fun for Your Family
In Armenia, one of the world’s safest countries, there are plenty of things to do with your children – whether they crave the knowledge bursting from the museums or the thrills of the water and amusement parks peppered around the city. No matter the season and the age of you and your children there’s always something fun and exciting to do in Armenia.

Yerevan Zoo
The Yerevan Zoo has 2,600 animals of 190 different species, including an aquarium with over 800 fish! There are rare birds and large mammals such as tigers and bears, as well as a special exhibit on snakes. Visiting the zoo can be not only a fun, but also an education experience for the whole family. Your kids will develop valuable skills and priceless knowledge without getting bored.

Summer Leisure in Armenia
In the hot summer months, locals and tourists flock to Lake Sevan to get away from the heat. Stay for a few days at one of the many resorts or in a tent on the shoreline, to unwind and let your kids be kids. The friendly staff are always looking for ways to entertain and provide activities for the youngest. Sit back with a glass of wine, or better yet, join in on the fun!

Summer Camps
There is a wide variety of summer camps, including those held annually at TUMO and UWC Dilijan, as well as smaller ones up in the forested mountains of Hanqavan, Aghavnadzor, and Tsaghkadzor. There are camps for adults as well as for kids. Spending the time connecting with the nature and other campers is quite a memorable experience.

The Great Outdoors
You may choose to explore the countryside and the multitude of historic monuments and amazing scenery, and there are multitudes of easy and completely safe routes that can be hiked or traversed on horseback, that will really give your children vivid experiences of nature. Many outdoor centers have opened up these past years offering a variety of activities, from zip-lining to rock climbing, all carefully and safely managed to ensure the most enjoyable rush of adrenaline anyone could hope for. See the joy on your children’s faces as they land, open-eyed, hair blown back, smiles reaching from ear to ear, after launching out into the vast Lastiver Gorge, on a series of zip-lines stretching almost two kilometers at heights of over two-hundred meters!

Exploring the Armenian Culture
If you are looking for a more educational experience for your family, know that cultural life in Armenia is always accessible to all as culture has always been intertwined with Armenian life. Cities such as Shushi and Dilijan were historic bohemian centers for music and art, and thanks to Soviet and post-Soviet influence, this is now materialized in the plethora of music halls, jazz bars, theaters, and galleries that are almost within a stone’s throw of one another. Listen to the upbeat, distinctly Armenian jazzy reggae of Reincarnation at the Reincarnation Hall, or head down to Mezzo for the soothing sounds of Armenian jazz. Khachatryan, arguably one of the most world-renowned Armenian composers, has half of the Opera House named after him, where international and national orchestras often perform musical masterpieces.

Armenian food derives most of its magic from the great abundance, quality, and freshness of its locally sourced ingredients. Experiencing Armenia means trying all of the delicious meals it has to offer. Whether it’s in a modern restaurant, a fast food spot, or a traditional home cooked meal – Armenia has many flavors to satisfy your tastebuds.

Cuisine That Has Stood the Test of Time
Armenian cuisine has stood the test of time for two millennia and offers bountiful tables of mouthwatering dishes that are accompanied with intimate drinks and toasts. Here, you will enjoy an inexpensive full dinner at a respectable restaurant, a glass of wine or brandy, and local fruits and berries at the markets fresh from the orchard.

Armenia is a place where recipes are passed on from generation to generation and the signature of specialties become a treasured family secret. It is a place where chefs conjure in the kitchen by keeping to traditional recipes, interpreting or even boldly experimenting with old ones.

Unique qualities of the Armenian Cuisine
Armenian cuisine incorporates fresh and dried herbs in many of the dishes. Often times fresh herbs are used as accompaniments. Certain dishes are filled with spices while the taste of the others mostly relies on freshness of the used ingredients. The old Armenian culinary traditions remain incorporated in the Armenia to this day. Clay kitchenware as well as clay furnaces are actively used by Armenians, adding a unique authentic flavor to the cuisine.

Armenian cuisine is full of many meat based as well as vegetable based dishes. Due to the devotion of the population to the preservation of the Great Lent as well as due to the quantity and quality of the fresh products, Armenian cuisine is very fitting for vegan and lactose intolerant people.

Destination for Food Connoisseurs
You will learn how to bake lavash, make khorovats (barbecue), wrap tolma in grape leaves and learn to distinguish authentic Armenian brandy. You will be offered to taste crayfish with craft beer. A seemingly casual meal, yet in 5th century BC Xenophon, an ancient Greek historian, mentioned in “Anabasis” that the beer he tried in Armenia had excellent taste.

​National Geographic included Yerevan in the list of “Six Unexpected Cities for the Food Lovers” mentioning the capital city as one of the best places in Asia with rich cuisine: the magazine advises food lovers to try gastro tours to Armenia.​

Armenian Spirits and Beverages
Alcoholic drinks in Armenia have a big cultural and historical significance. Armenians take pride in the local production of drinks such as brandy, wine and oghi (Armenian Vodka), due to its taste, quality and long history. As Armenia grows over 100 varieties of grape, the conditions of the country are ideal for both brandy production and winemaking. Armenian brandy is famous all around the world and is considered one of the best quality and taste wise. The sweetness of the grapes allows for the production of highly alcoholic and strong drinks.

Some other Armenian drinks, such as the mineral water (Jermuk, Bjni, Arzni) so famous around the country, have health benefiting qualities.

Lavash
A very important aspect of Armenian cuisine is the traditional bread in the country. Lavash for Armenians has a sacred meaning and symbolizes well-being, luck, abundance, prosperity.

Armenian bread – lavash is an integral part of Armenian cuisine and culture. Lavash for Armenians has a sacred meaning and symbolizes well-being, luck, abundance, prosperity.

Bread is an ancient and enduring symbol of Armenian heritage, as is tonir (tandoor, oven-roaster) where lavash is traditionally baked. In the Areni cave (where the oldest winery in the world was also found), a tonir dating from the 6th BC. century was discovered. In 2014, lavash was selected for the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage – “Lavash, the preparation, meaning and appearance of traditional bread as an expression of culture in Armenia”. In November 2019, CNN included Armenian lavash in the list of 50 best breads in the world.

The process of making lavash has also been documented in countless paintings. In the 1970s, the 38th president of the United States, Gerald Ford, even chose the work of the artist Manuel Tolegyan, “Armenian women bake lavash bread” for the White House collection.
Many Armenian traditions, legends and signs are associated with lavash.According to the legend, it was lavash that kept St. Gregory the Illuminator alive for 13 years of imprisonment. Thanks to his apostolate Armenia became the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as a state religion. According to the wedding tradition of Armenians the newlyweds’ shoulders are covered with lavash when they enter the house, which symbolizes well-being and fertility for the new family.

The basic recipe for lavash is very simple – flour, water and salt. However, time-consuming and complex making and baking process makes it unique, tasty and durable. Another distinguishing feature of lavash is its versatility – you can wrap food in it or eat it separately. Quite spectacular is a khash eating ritual. Khash is traditional Armenian dish (soup) cooked by boiling calves’ hooves . The process of preparing and eating this dish is accompanied by many rituals, and one of them is associated with lavash. Traditionally, khash is eaten with hands – dry lavash is crushed into the broth and covered with a large piece of lavash. So, khash covered with lavash remains hot for a long time. Then by using a piece of lavash you can eat broth, lavash serving as a spoon.

Traditionally, only women bake lavash. Perhaps, this also has a sacred meaning, since a woman in Armenian culture is the guardian of the household. The baking process requires special skills, experience and efforts. First, dough is prepared, which is divided into small balls. Then they are rolled into thin layers and pulled on an oval pillow. After the pillow is lowered into the tonir and slapped on the wall. After some time, a cripsy bread is drawn from there. The layers can be laid down, covered and stored for a long time. To restore softness, just spray it with some water.

Armenian Wine & Spirits
As a country famous for its brandy and cognac, Armenia remains in a leading position in the international market.

Armenian Wine
Armenia is one of the oldest wine making regions in the world and wine is an ancient part of its culture. Armenian wines provide something for every occasion and in every form, from delicate whites to robust reds to wonderful dry or sweet sparkling wines, and from simple table wines to some of the most expensive and sought.

Armenia is a country of century-old traditions of winemaking the founder of which is considered to be a biblical patriarch who planted the first vine at the foot of Mountain Ararat. The traditions of ancient winemakers are properly preserved by modern winemakers. Thus, it is no surprise that the terroir of Vayots Dzor produces wine that is included in top ten best wines in the world according to Bloomberg Business weekly. Specifically, the “Zorah Karasi Areni Noir” from an endemic type of grape of 2012 harvest that is aged in clay vessels.

If you enjoy wine bars, make sure to walk along Saryan Street. There are plenty of hip and well-decorated wine bars for you to choose from!

The Legendary Brandy
Armenian brandy is renowned worldwide (winner of several awards), and was considered by the late British Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill, as his favorite. The generous sun of the Ararat Valley, the fertile land, and the quality of water gives the Armenian brandy its gold color and extraordinary taste.

Beer
The most popular Armenian beers are Kotayk and Kilikia.​​​ Recently, there are more microbreweries opening around Yerevan that serve draft beer.

10 Armenian Must-Try Dishes
There is no shortage of interesting and tasty food for you to try in Armenia. Anything from traditional Armenian dishes, to classics with a modern twist as well as a big choice of international cuisines, is available for you. Finding delicious food here will never be a problem.

It is difficult to imagine a visit to Armenia without feasting on some traditional Armenian cuisine. In fact, gaining a few kilos during your trip is pretty much inevitable, however, everybody who has visited Armenia would guarantee you that discovering this exquisite cuisine is well worth the little extra weight.

You will not regret it, that’s for sure!

Finding a place to have Armenian food is not a hard task. You have a wide array of restaurants, cafes as well as food delivery services to choose from. But note that the traditional Armenian dishes are not all that Yerevan has to offer, the city also allows you to take your pick from international cuisines such as Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, Italian, Syrian, Lebanese and more.

Now let’s focus on the Armenian specialties that will make your taste buds so delighted that you will certainly want to come back for more!

1. Khorovats, or the Armenian barbecue
There is no family gathering or occasion in Armenia without the famous khorovats. Apart from having a distinctive taste that is different from any other barbecue or stake, khorovats is considered to be a quintessential part of the Armenian legacy. The art of making khorovats is passed from one generation to the next and usually fathers teach their sons the techniques of a well executed khorovats. There is even an annual festival of khorovats held in September, in Akhtala, Tavush region!

2. Tolma
Tolma consists of meat, rice, and onion rolled up in fresh young grape leaves. This Armenian food is often eaten with matzoon (fermented milk) mixed with some garlic. No New Year’s Eve feast is ever complete without a plate of Tolma at the center of the table.

3. Armenian Lavash
Lavash is a common type of bread in Armenia that both locals and foreigners are very fond of. It is a soft, thin, unleavened flatbread made in a tandoor. The lavash-making process is an inseparable part of the Armenian culture and cuisine. For the record, lavash, together with its preparation, meaning and appearance of traditional bread is included in UNESCO’s List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as an expression of culture in Armenia.

4. Harissa
Harissa is a thick porridge made from cracked wheat and fat-rich meat, usually chicken or lamb. The long cooking process, usually around 5 hours, is an essential part of the tradition. Harissa too has its own festival celebrated in September, in Musaler, not far from Yerevan.

5. Spas
Spas is the all-time favorite soup for all Armenians. It is a yogurt soup filled with peeled wheat and greens. This white soup is finger licking tasty!

6. Zhingyalov hats
Zhingyalov hats is a type of flatbread stuffed with herbs and green vegetables. Although you can find it in Yerevan too, this is the traditional dish of Nagorno-Karabakh. If you are in Armenia, and happen to be travelling to Karabakh, eating zhingyalov hats is a must.

7. Khash
Before going to the sweets, the strangest but also most loved food, or rather breakfast, in Armenia is khash. The dish consists of boiled beef feet, and locals like to eat it with dried lavash and accompany it with some vodka. Reuniting around a table of khash is such a warm and comforting tradition.

8. Gata
After all these tasty dishes, it sure feels like it is time for some dessert. Gata is an Armenian pastry consisting of sweet bread. It can take a variety of shapes, sizes and its decorated versions are very aesthetically pleasing. Having become a well known national symbol, Gata is usually one of the top things that tourists look for. There is also a tradition of putting a coin inside gata before baking it, and the finder will have a good fortune. Tourists usually buy gata near Geghard monastery, a top tourist destination in Armenia.

9. Sweet Sujukh
This Armenian dessert decorates all the markets in Yerevan. It will most definitely catch your eye during your visit to the fairs or any touristic destination in Armenia. It is a tasty dessert made of walnuts in thickened grape juice. Also, many tourists take sujukh from Armenia as a souvenir for their loved ones back home.

10. Pakhlava
Last but not least, pakhlava is a dessert pastry made of layers of filo filled with chopped nuts and stuffed with lots of honey. As you may have noticed, Armenia is full of good food, but nothing can beat the taste of Pakhlava, a pure pleasure for the senses!

Many Possibilities for Great Adventure Await You in Armenia
The Armenian landscape, defined by its mountains, and consisting of seven different climate zones, is the ultimate destination for those who are inspired and invigorated by the great outdoors.

Chasing Adventure
Adventure is the release of adrenaline, a chance to conquer and tame nature, and test your strength. Armenia is perfect for those who seek unusual holidays instead of a typical beach vacation. While the country provides options for both, it’s in the hands of the travelers to decide whether they want adrenaline rushing experiences and exploration of breathtaking places or simply a relaxing vacation.

If you’re ready to test your courage and capabilities there are many extreme activities you can try scattered throughout the country. If you’re interested in more spiritual experiences then once again you’ll be able to find many options specifically designed for you. Armenia is a country of opportunities and unforgettable experiences. It’s a country that has something for everyone.

Waters of Armenia
The diverse landscapes of Armenia allow for the development of various extreme sports. This includes different types of water sports that not only promote healthy lifestyle to beginners, but are also a great getaway for extreme-sports enthusiasts. In Armenia, lake Sevan braces its broad shores and welcomes all wind – and kitesurfing aficionados to rent a board and enjoy the day. You don’t have to worry about your skills, whether you’re trying it out for the first time or you’ve experienced it many times before, you’ll enjoy the experience regardless. Canyoning assembles a bunch of techniques that are mandatory for outdoor survival: such as walking, rappelling, hiking, swimming, cliff jumping and rock climbing. Rafting in Debed River guarantees a huge amount of adrenaline and incredible adventures!​

Taking Over the Skies
If you are ready to convert to high-mountain diving or paragliding, this is the perfect place to be baptized. A flight in an air balloon over endless mountain ranges is guaranteed to be a thrill and will end with nothing less than champagne and an aeronaut certificate. Explore Armenia right from the skies as you hover over the beautiful and mesmerizing landscapes. While the landscapes are impressive from any angle, it’s impossible to forget the scenery as seen on a thrilling hot-air balloon ride.

​For the Real Explorers
​The most enjoyed rock climbing walls (5a-7 difficulty grade) nestled in the “Valley of Sorrows” stand ready to challenge you. Keep going, and you will reach Noravank monastery. In the very same valley you can also discover Archeri – meaning Bear’s cave, which is a special treat for speleologists.

​Heading north through the country, into the high mountains of Tavush, explorers are encouraged to visit the local extreme park and go on horse treks that span the mountains of Dilijan and Yenokavan – vistas that rival the Swiss Alps. And don’t miss the opportunity to soar from Armenian ziplines with open eyes to capture all its beauty.

​Hiking and Cycling
​Armenia is undoubtedly an ideal place for hiking and cycling. Mount Aragats, Azhdahak and Spitakasar in Geghama mountain range, as well as Khustup mountain are the most interesting sites for trekking. Some people prefer to take their own unexplored routes and discover something new for themselves which can’t possibly be shared with simple words. The extremely diverse terrains all brought together in a limited space gives avid trekkers an overwhelming sensation. Trekkers can also avoid bring overloaded by too much luggage, travel light, and stay overnight at the houses of locals.​

Nightlife in Yerevan is pulsating. The best restaurants, cafes and clubs of the capital of Armenia.It’s a fusion of the old and new, the ballet and the jazz club, the theater and the cafe, old traditions and new trends.

​Nightlife
What could be more beautiful than a night in the city, surrounded by the alluring atmosphere of cafes, restaurants, pubs and bars? In this article you will learn about the best spots of the night Yerevan.

The capital of Armenia is famous not only for its beautiful nature and delicious cuisine, but also for unforgettable bars and pubs, where you can taste delicious local beer and other soft drinks after a hot day in Yerevan. Such spots, unlike similar places in other countries, are safe in Armenia. All you need to do is just relax, order your favorite beverage and forget about all household affairs.You can experience all music genres at different venues, dance to your favorite tunes till the morning. Many places are open all night long providing quality music by local and international DJs.

Tom Collins Pub
One of the pubs with the most pleasant atmosphere is located on Pushkin Street, right near the central walking street of Yerevan: Northern Avenue. The pub is so popular among locals and tourists that If you decide to visit it spontaneously, prepare to not be able to find a free spot, especially if you’re visiting on days with special offers. The pub’s loyalty system suggests choosing a day in the week as the day of free fried wings or the day of free crayfish – order one serving, and the rest is free, eat as much as you want. Therefore it is recommended to reserve a place in Tom Collins in advance by placing a call or contacting them on social media.

Paulaner Beerhouse
Are you a fan of real German beer, yet you don’t know where to find it? Then you’ll just need to get to the heart of Yerevan, Cascade, and visit Muenchner Paulaner. In Paulaner you will be met by professional staff who will do everything to make your evening full of fun and unforgettable memories. During pleasant evenings, you can request to sit down at the tables on the veranda, from where you will have a beautiful view of Cascade and the nightlife in Yerevan.

Paparazzi Club
If you are fond of EDM and Urban music, visit Paparazzi Club, located at Abovyan 3, on the 4th floor. People are chilling there enjoying top hits, dope remixes of popular artists accompanied by delicious bar menu and a hospitable atmosphere. It’s one of the favorite places for natives and tourists who prefer active lifestyle. Many international DJs come and perform at Paparazzi Club during constant special events. Follow their page to know about the upcoming parties​

Dargett
Dargett, in comparison with the institutions from this list, is a relatively new place on the map of cafes and restaurants of Yerevan, however it has already become one of the most favorite places not only for local residents, but also for the guests of the capital.

The restaurant offers a wide range of beers, delicious snacks and other interesting dishes. Dargett is a cozy place where you can meet friends, order a glass of beer and admire the night city through the windows of the institution or from tables located in the open air.

The Basement
If you are a techno and deep music lover, you will definitely love the Basement. It’s a cool place that has a signature interior design and mood, where you can totally relax and unwind. Many local and international artists play their live sets here for a crowd you will definitely like to hang out with. Having weekly events, you can surely find a day to visit it and enjoy your night at the center of Yerevan.

Mezzo
Do you want to relax from your daily routine and the city noise? Do you want to enjoy high-quality musical compositions performed by some of the best musicians in the country? In this case, you should head to the club Mezzo, which offers a huge collection of different styles and genres, from classical to ethno music.
This is a very tempting place for lovers of live music, who value comfort, exquisite atmosphere and delicious cuisine.

Pahest 33
With a delicious menu and unique interior decor, Pahest 33 is one of the hottest spots in Yerevan. The combination of old and modern styles is noticable both in the design and in the cuisine. You’ll be able to find all of your favorite brands in the bar and enjoy them within the cozy and at places avangard venue. Pahest 33 is located at the very center of the capital, between the Opera House and the Cascade Stairway. It’s recommended to book a place in advance as Pahest 33 is popular both among locals and tourists.

Simona
Simona is a bar-house with a very unique touch to it as it’s located within a 200 year old building. The place is known as both a coctail club and a vinyl club. Simona combines the old and the modern, marking itself a pioneer in coctail making in Armenia. One of the most interesting aspects of the bar is the combination of local ingridients with the classic ones in their coctails. Your evenings here will be filled with unforgettable experiences and aesthetically pleasing photos.

Cascade Royal
Cascade Royal is one of the most exquisite places in Yerevan. Cascade Royal is located at the very top of the Cascade stairway which is also an open-air museum. This establishment is characterized by its excellent service and fine cuisine, yet the place is more famously known for the view that opens up on Yerevan in the evening from its building. You’ll see the city illuminated by all the small lights and all the people walking around the streets of the capital. At night the center of the city transforms into hotspot where people from different places gather to party, eat and even simply enjoy a walk outside.

Nature Tourism in Armenia
Armenia is a popular destination for nature-based tourism. People looking forward to experiencing natural scenery, through outdoor activities while caring about the sustainability and the impact on the environment of these activities, will find their happy place in Armenia. Whether you’re interested in bird-watching, stargazing, camping or photography, Armenia has a lot to offer.

Fauna of Armenia
Despite Armenia’s relatively small geographic size, the country is a home to diverse fauna and flora. Before transitioning to the worship of national deities, Armenians were nature worshippers and upon visiting the country it becomes clear why. The beautiful mountainous terrains allow for creation of diverse habitats. The country is full of forests and generally wooded areas. Overall woods occupy over 12% of the area of the country, mostly concentrated in the northeast and southeast. Armenian flora covers over 3,200 species, out of which 106 are endemic to the area.

Armenia is an extremely important area for migratory animals. The area of the country is also were most of the world’s domesticated animals originated, including animals such as mouflon and sheep. Bird-watchers from all around the world come to Armenia due to its diverse wildlife. Over 372 bird species have been recorded in Armenia, out of which over 240 species breed here.

​Destinations to Explore
In Armenia you should, by all means, visit the symphony of stones in the valley of Garni, the terracotta cliffs of Vayots Dzor, the cave town of Goris and the meteors of Old Khndzoresk. Plunge into the “hair of the mermaid” – the waterfall in Jermuk, climb to Lake Kari – stone lake atop Mount Aragats, dive under the famous Umbrellas – the waterfall of Mamrot Kar with overgrown moss, located in the gorge of Unot in Artsakh, and snap a photo of a trout by the Trchkan waterfall.

Magnificent Lake Sevan – the largest lake in the Caucasus. Mandelstam called the lake “Gold value of cognac in the secret ambry of the mountainous sun.” He lived in Sevan for a month, observing how “every day at five o’clock the lake, full of trout, boiled, as if a large pinch of soda had been thrown in it, and studying two to three dozens of tombs.” The lake is also home to endemic fish species such as the Sevan trout. The lake offers many opportunities for relaxation and observation of the nature and wildlife alike.

Tucked away high in the mountains of Tavush is the marvelous Lastiver cave. During the Middle Ages, caravan robbers particularly took a liking to Lastiver. Today, it is a favourite destination for tourists. The path to the cave is flanked by several quaint treehouses and goes past the picturesque waterfall – the legendary “Ottoman of Seven Cyclops”, under the Celtic cross khachkar and past the church hidden in the tall grass.

The rocky mountains, stones, and caves of Armenia are covered with petroglyphs. The drawings on these stones and walls tell of everyday life and traditions of the ancient citizens of the mountainous highlands.

The rich and ancient culture of Armenia has left its mark throughout the whole territory of the country and its historical lands. Numerous excavations continuously reveal new and new facts about the ancient origin of Armenia and its people. Some findings even mention Armenia as the birthplace of civilization and mankind.

Petroglyphs play a huge part in the confirmation of the Ancient origin of Armenia. Stones throughout Armenia are covered with petroglyphs – the rock paintings tell the story of life and traditions of ancient inhabitants of the highlands. A huge collection of petroglyphs (V-IV millennium BC) is located on the mountain plateau of Ukhtasar – a beloved place by ancient pilgrims that today can be reached by off-road vehicles.

The Pre-Christian Era of Armenia
Once Armenia was filled with pagan temples as the nation worshiped the ancient Urartian deities, yet after the Christianization of the country most of the sites were demolished. Christian monasteries were built on top of the remains of the pagan temples. Despite this, some temples managed to survive and the preservation efforts successfully keep them in good condition.

The temple of the Sun god Mithra in Garni has been preserved since pagan times and is the only active temple in the former territory of the Soviet Union. Recent years have revealed new traces of the pagan past of the Armenia. The excavation of the Ogmik pagan complex in the village near the town of Amasia were recently resumed. Throughout these excavations archaeologists revealed sacrificial altars, rooms and remains of certain animals as well as statues and different carved symbols.

Christian Architecture of Armenia
Numerous Christian shrines are located on the outskirts of the capital and across Armenia. You can find lonely standing ascetic monasteries or monastic even complexes – cave monasteries and those resting at the bottom of deep valleys. The minimalistic interior of Armenian churches is further enriched with beautifully ornamented khachkars – cross stones, each unique in its type. For the demonstration of craftsmanship and symbolism, khachkars are now inscribed in the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage as well as certain other Armenian sites and objects.

The Stone Army
Zorats Karer is perhaps the most mysterious place in Armenia. “The Stone Army” is the interpretation of the name of the Stonehenge of Syunik. As legend would have it, since ancient times the space was inhabited by industrious dwarves, for whom giant neighbors built those stone dwellings. According to another legend, in the V millennium BC an observatory operated here: on the day of the autumnal equinox, the sun rises right above the gates of the central ring, and many boulders have small holes on them, most likely for observing the stars. The third hypothesis states that Zorats Karer was once the ancient temple of the Sun god. The fourth one claims that these are obelisks and an entire army is buried beneath.

Petroglyphs
Take yourself back thousands of years and witness the stone engravings from ancient cultures inside the caves and on the rocks of mountains. This is where ancient civilizations started…

The Ancient Inhabitants of the Highlands
​Petroglyphs are rock inscriptions and drawings found in Armenia. To date, there is an assumption that in the ancient centers of the origin of astronomical knowledge were the territory of Armenia and Asia Minor.

According to the English astronomer, the people who invented the ancient figures of the constellations lived, presumably, in the vicinity of Mount Ararat, also in the valley of the Euphrates River. The alleged justification for the findings of petroglyphs in Armenia, when in 1966 about 30,000 petroglyphs were discovered first on the Geghama Upland, then on the Vardenis Range and on the slopes of the Aragats mountains.

The petroglyphs of the Armenian Highlands with their volume, technique, a large number of characters and a variety of plots have no analogues in other countries. At the same time, some features of Armenian images suggest that they were used as a letter and had spiritual and ritual significance.

Petroglyphic culture in Ancient Armenia arose and developed inextricably linked with the cultural ancient world. Maps of the constellations, calendars and “open-air art galleries” were created by very educated people of that time – teachers and stone carving masters. Petroglyphs found in Armenia, depicted hunting scenes, space phenomena, astronomical concepts, constellations, mythical heroes, animals. There are petroglyphs depicting fantastic animals and people, such as the cult of the Moon, the Sun, the Snake, the Dragon, etc.

The art of cave paintings in Armenia is cloudy with rich imagination. As a result of the joint Armenian-German research program on ancient petroglyphs, a full-fledged database of Internet data has been created in Armenia, which is of unique value and will soon be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Ancient Astronomical Sites
Ancient Armenia
Armenia is one of the cradles of ancient science and astronomical knowledge. There is much to see and learn about the development of astronomy in Armenia and how it impacted scientific knowledge throughout the world today.

One of the Cradles of Ancient Science
Contrary to its small territory and relatively small population, Armenia was always active and advanced in astronomy. There is evidence of ancient astronomical observatories in Armenia from a few thousand years ago. Among the astronomical activities that have left their traces in the territory of Armenia are: the rock art, ruins of ancient observatories, the ancient Armenian calendar, astronomical terms and names used in Armenian language since II-I millennia B.C., sky maps from Middle Ages, and most important, one of the largest modern observatories in the region, the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (BAO) with its 2.6m and 1m Schmidt telescopes.​

The Transcaucasian Trail … paving a way through nature’s wonders and mysteries
Imagine this, a 3000 km long, world class hiking trail, making its way through the magnificent wilderness, a web of routes interconnecting a couple of dozens of national parks and protected areas going through Armenia and Georgia, a seemingly never ending route to conquer … sounds like a hiking aficionado’s dream, no ?

It only gets better.. In fact, this trail is located in a region that is rarely visited even though it’s filled to the brim with Historical heritage. A patch on the world map that is a cultural melting pot despite still remaining quite mysterious. To keep it short, this region is a sequence of cultural gems and biologically diverse ecosystems waiting to be explored.

And just to add the cherry on top, this won’t be just an out of this world hiking / trekking experience or an explorative adventure into some of this world’s best kept secrets, the journey will also be enriching on a human and social level. In fact, these regions are famous for the hospitality of their locals. After all Armenians are well known to love people, so don’t be stratelled or sceptical if you’re passing by a village and an Armenian family invites you for a mouth watering feast to get your energy levels up before you continue your way.

A Walk Through History – Armenia’s Fortresses
One of the remaining structures of evidence of ancient Armenian history is its fortresses. Many of them were destroyed by the enemy or earthquakes, but there are fortresses that can still be visited today…

Throughout history, Armenia has been in the crossroads of countries fighting each other for power. In turn, there have been many battles on Armenia’s land, causing many ancient fortresses to be destroyed. Armenia is also in an area prone to earthquakes that have made their marks on these structures as well. However, the ruins of these castles and fortresses are still a sight to see and often sit on top of peaks and hills with beautiful views. Tourists who are interested in Armenia’s history should visit these ancient fortresses and explore the ruins of what used to be…