What to See in Armenia

last edited Dec 11, 2019

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Location Map of Armenia

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UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Armenia has four sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list:

Monastère de Gherart et Haute vallée de l'Azat, Arménie

Gherart Monastery and Upper Azat Valley (2000)
This stunning 13th-century monastery near the capital is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is located on the edge of the gorges and the Azat River valley, which is also listed.

Haghpat and Sanahin Monasteries (1996)
These two medieval structures near the border with Georgia are part of the UNESCO World Heritage.

Zvartnots Archaeological Site (2000)
This is the country's main archaeological site, located in the suburbs of Yerevan. It features the UNESCO-listed ruins of a 7th-century cathedral.

Vagharshapat (2000)
Also known as its former name, Etchmiadzin, the spiritual capital of Armenia is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its cathedral and churches.

Cities and Cultural Heritage

Alaverdi
At one end of the Debed Gorge, the town is primarily a base for exploring it as well as the many nearby monasteries, including those of Haghbat, Sanahin, Horomayr, and the Odzun Basilica.

Amberd
In a rather desolate yet picturesque setting, this site near Etchmiadzin consists of the ruins of a medieval fortress and church.

Armavir
On the Turkish border, Armavir is a former capital. For tourists, it offers "just" a memorial to the 1920 Armenian-Turkish war and a few small archaeological sites nearby.

Odzun Basilica
A beautiful church in the village of the same name, located near Alaverdi and the Debed Gorges.

Dilijan
A charming small town with well-preserved traditional wooden architecture. It sits at the gateway to the eponymous park, where visitors come for hiking and several renowned monasteries (Haghartsin, etc).

Yerevan
Or Yerevan. It is the capital and largest city of Armenia. Its architecture is distinctive, blending old and modern styles with Soviet-era influences. The UNESCO-listed archaeological site of Zvartnots is located in its suburbs.

Baghaberd Fortress
These remains of a very ancient and imposing hilltop castle are more interesting for the setting than for the ruins.

Garni
This town southeast of the capital is home to the remains of an ancient fortress with a charming Hellenistic temple. Nearby, pleasant gorges with basalt formations and several monasteries.

Goris
A small town in the south surrounded by mountains, with several ancient monasteries nearby (including Tatev Monastery) and the cave dwellings of Khndzoresk carved into spectacular cliffs.

Gyumri
The country's second city, with a citadel and an old centre marked by 18th-19th century Russian architecture.

Nagorno-Karabakh
A source of conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh is a self-proclaimed republic populated by Armenians in Azerbaijani territory. You can trek there, discover numerous monasteries, and see various testimonies of past conflicts (memorials, the abandoned city of Agdam, etc.). A minimum of precautions is necessary, as visits are recommended depending on the period.

Ijevan
A small town in the heart of a beautiful region, surrounded by mountains and forests, Ijevan still partly retains its Armenian and Russian-style architecture. Several monasteries in its vicinity (Makaravank, Kirants, Arakelots...) and the Yenokavan Gorge with its cliffs, waterfalls, and caves.

Jermuk
This is a well-known spa town nestled in the mountains of the southern part of the country. The old fortified monastery of Gndevank is on its outskirts.

Metsamor
This is a small archaeological site with urban ruins dating from antiquity.

Gherart Monastery and Upper Azat Valley
This stunning 13th-century monastery near the capital is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is located on the edge of the gorges and the Azat River valley, which is also listed.

Goshavank Monastery
One of the (lovely) monasteries in Dilijan National Park, not far from Haghartsin.

Haghpat and Sanahin Monasteries
These two medieval structures near the border with Georgia are part of the UNESCO World Heritage.

Haghartsin Monastery
It is one of the most beautiful and well-known in the country. It is nestled in the heart of a forest in Dilijan Park alongside others like Goshavank, Matosavank, and Jukhtak Vank.

Harichavank Monastery
A striking medieval monastery in western Armenia.

Khor Virap Monastery
A perched monastery located on the Turkish border with a stunning backdrop of Mount Ararat, worth the trip on its own.

Monasteries of Lake Sevan
These are several medieval monasteries surrounding this vast lake. Sevanavank remains the best known, ahead of others like Hayravank, Noradouz (and its medieval cemetery), Makenyats, etc.

Marmashen Monastery
A 10th-century monastery on the border with Turkey.

Noravank Monastery
One of the best-known medieval monasteries in the south of the country, set in a stunning natural landscape.

Tatev Monastery
A stunning cliffside monastery in southern Armenia.

Mount Ughtasar
Thousands of petroglyphs can be seen here. The same region is also home to the Zorats Karer site and its megaliths, reminiscent of Stonehenge.

Zvartnots Archaeological Site
This is the country's main archaeological site, located in the suburbs of Yerevan. It features the UNESCO-listed ruins of a 7th-century cathedral.

Tsaghkadzor
Armenia’s ski resort.

Vagharshapat
Also known as its former name, Etchmiadzin, the spiritual capital of Armenia is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its cathedral and churches.

Yeghegnadzor
The town lies at the heart of a beautiful region that is home to several monasteries (Spitakavor, Tsakhats Kar, Noravank), ancient fortresses (Proshaberd, Smbataberd), and caravanserais (Selim). There are also gorges, caves, vineyards, and plenty of hiking opportunities.

Zorats Karer
Megaliths reminiscent of Stonehenge, located in the southern mountains.

Natural Heritage

Debed Gorge
This site in the north of the country, near Alaverdi, is home to several monasteries such as Haghpat and Sanahin. You can also hike here.

Lake Sevan
This vast lake at 2,000 meters above sea level is a major tourist destination, known for its stunning landscapes, beaches, monuments (including the medieval Noradouz cemetery), and churches and monasteries (such as Sevanavank) that line its shores. You can hike around its perimeter and observe birds.

Mount Aragats
The ancient 4,095 m volcano is the country’s highest peak. It can be climbed fairly easily in a beautiful setting.

Dilijan National Park
A forested park in northeastern Armenia, just outside the city of the same name. You can hike here and explore several monasteries, including Haghartsin, Goshavank, Matosavank, and Jukhtak Vank. The park’s wildlife is rich in species (bears, wolves, birds, etc.).