Yerevan is not on most travel radars, and Armenia is often out of the question. That mentality needs to change. Yerevan is a beautiful city and Armenia is a great destination for tourists seeking to travel somewhere unique.
Overshadowed by the mysterious Mount Ararat, Yerevan lies in the Southern Caucasus, bridging Europe and the Middle East. For thousands of years, Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, has been an important city for religion, travel, military strategy, regional politics, Armenian history and culture. In modern times, Yerevan maintains this high level of significance.
Travel in Yerevan, Armenia
Since independence from the Soviet Union, most news from Armenia has centered around war and political crisis. After nearly 30 years of turmoil and uncertainty, Yerevan is experiencing a renaissance. Cranes and construction zones are now a common sight, with luxury hotels, a newly redesigned airport and modern residences popping up.
The images on the news are not a fair representation of this 2,800-year-old city. Along with modernizing infrastructure, Yerevan has seen billions of dollars in investment and renovation. Museums, galleries and an array of high quality restaurants are now commonplace.
Yerevan is moving forward as a modern city and maintaining its long history and strong Armenian culture. Here are five fun things to do when you travel to Yerevan, Armenia:
Musical Fountains of Republic Square
Politics, history and culture come together in Republic Square, the de facto center of Armenia. The oval-shaped center of the city is an important place for a host of reasons. Republic Square has been the setting for an ominous statue of Lenin, political demonstrations and even concerts. There are important government buildings in the mix next to top international hotels. Travelers in Yerevan will inevitably find themselves in the bustling area.
On the northeast side of Republic Square stands one of the many stately buildings in the square. This building is home to the National Gallery of Armenia and the History Museum of Armenia. The museums are worth a visit, but the fun lies out front in the pool.
The pool in Republic Square sits quiet in the daytime, with a few springs shooting up anticlimactically. The daytime lull in activity allows for visitors to wander the area unencumbered and avoid the lines to get that shot with the “I [Heart] Yerevan” display.
Late evening brings a different scene. By now, the musical fountains are in full force with hundreds of people enjoying the show. Locals and tourists alike grab food, drinks and blankets to settle in for the performance. For two hours, the fountains perform an ensemble, dancing to a variety of music with multi-colored lights highlighting the towers of water.
A performance like this is something to be expect at a theme park or a Vegas resort, not Armenia. That is what makes this musical fountain show even more spectacular. The surprise of turning a corner in Yerevan to find crowds gathering around singing fountains will put a smile on the grumpiest of faces. With the glowing square, striking architecture and happy crowds around, the musical fountains of Yerevan are the perfect activity to wind down after a long day of sightseeing.
Pandok Yerevan Tavern
Food is always the most fun part of travel, and Yerevan is the epicenter of great Armenian food. There are a variety of cuisines at your disposal and options for any budget. Good burgers, pizza and local fast food is all there for the taking. But you’re in Armenia, so at least eat some Armenian food. It’s good!
Much like the food in other parts of the Caucasus, there is no shortage of bread, cheese and freshness. The advantage in Yerevan, much like much like Tbilisi to the north, is the availability of pork and wine on the menu.
Pandok Yerevan Tavern is a local restaurant near Luna Park, about a five minute walk to the south from Republic square. The restaurant specializes in cuisine from the Caucasus region with an emphasis on Armenian food. Downstairs is a very good wood-fired shawarma place, but the goal is the upstairs restaurant.
Start your meal off with a cheese plate – the whole Caucasus region has great cheese – and an order of bread. The bread may be a leavened type similar to popular Georgian staples, or it could be lavash. Lavash is an Armenian flatbread, eaten throughout the day with almost anything.
All of the main courses sound, look and smell wonderful. Whether or not your selected entree is available is a different story. Menus in Armenia are heavily seasonal, depending on produce availability and the weather. Certain soups are strictly seasonal. If there is a specifically enticing dish that is out of season, search for a more touristy venue and you may have better luck. The best bet is to eat what is in season.
My favorite dishes in this part of the world are the ones cooked and served in individual-sized clay pots. Putuk is a hearty Armenian stew served in one of these pots. There is a thin layer of dough covering the top of the pot, which crisps into a nice, tortilla-like addition to the prize within. The best part of the individual clay pots, and putuk in particular, is that all of the flavors – mutton, potatoes, chickpeas, tomatoes, onions – are sealed inside your own personal bowl of heaven.
Breaking the crispy seal of putuk, unleashing the pleasures within, is an experience to remember for the rest of your life. Armenian food should be enjoyed with Armenian drink. Kilikia is the most common beer around, but when eating a good meal, reach for the wine. Armenia and Georgia each lay claim to oldest wine-making culture in the world, but most of the evidence seems to side with Georgia. Either way, wine-making has been going on in Armenia for thousands of years and the country is home to very affordable, underrated wine.
Yerevan Cascade
In the 21st century, the Soviet Union is an afterthought in most minds. It has been nearly 30 years since it existed, and even longer since it was a formidable presence. But that does not mean the massive Red state didn’t leave a few lasting marks around the world. The general perception of Soviet architecture is often seen as a bland time in architecture study. While there is no doubt of the physical destruction rendered in Soviet domains, the government did manage to leave a few impressive structures behind.
The Soviet era was not kind to Armenian culture, especially with the loss of ancient churches. But the Reds did make some pretty cool stuff, too. Many of Yerevan’s most beautiful structures, government buildings and fancy promenades date back to Soviet days. The Yerevan Cascade began construction during those days and is now one of the coolest and most famous features of this ancient city.
The Cascade is a long stone stairwell leading from the city center up to a hill overlooking Yerevan. On a clear day, Mount Ararat is visible in the distance. At the bottom of the steps is a park filled with modern and abstract sculptures. Surrounding the park are several restaurants and cafes. It might be best to stop in for a pint to build up your strength before tackling the mountain of stairs. Then again, even if you don’t need the boost, get that pint anyway.
Beneath the steps – and on either side – of the Cascade is an art museum with free admission and a lot of peculiar stuff inside. The art within is the fun kind of weird art, so don’t worry about wasting time staring at blank canvases.
From the top of the Cascade, clear day or not, there is a fantastic view of Yerevan down below. Winter is clearer for photos encompassing the city and Mount Ararat.
Bring your camera. The steps not only lead to a great view, but there are plenty of fun photo-ops along the way. Take advantage of the Cascade’s central location and enjoy the view.
Victory Park
Victory ParkAfter your photo shoot at the top of the Cascade, continue walking for another fun thing to do in Yerevan. In the distance, on the ridgeline to the east, there is a Ferris wheel peaking out just above the treetops. Head that direction. Briefly walk along a busy road (on the sidewalk) and contemplate how to get across the street to the park. Stop the thinking there – I almost played dangerous game of real-life Frogger, but you don’t have to. Walk a little further and there is a tunnel leading to an underpass. Full disclosure: I’m not sure if I would walk around here at night. Daytime is creepy enough.
Rising up from the tunnel on the opposite side of the street, you will come to a nice park. Along the main stretch through the park, there are vendors selling snacks, drinks and strangely random stuff. Forget about souvenirs, but if you are in the market for sun-bleached children’s toys, somehow still in the original packaging, this might be the place.
After a few minutes of strolling, an amusement park comes into sight. For most travelers, this amusement park will be one of the strangest sights of the journey.
Imagine it’s 1959 and you are in an amusement park – giant swings, bumper cars, Ferris wheel, tiny roller coaster and all. Now, imagine what that same park would look like today, without any renovations, landscaping or fresh paint. Children’s screams of joy (hopefully) are heard in the distance, but there are no people around to be seen. Most of the rides are abandoned. The weeds are too tall to see around the corners, but you still hear faint laughter. Sounds creepy, right? Welcome to Victory Park, Yerevan.
It doesn’t take long to travel in Armenia and find an old amusement park, and there are a few in Yerevan. Dilapidated amusement parks are commonplace. Some are operational while most sit rusting in decay.
Victory Park seems to have stayed in the same condition. It seems that most of the rides still work, but I refuse to be the test subject. I feared for my safety after a mere three minutes on the Ferris wheel. And this ride, I was assured, does work. Seeing – feeling – the entire structure wobble as I slightly shift my weight is a gamechanger. The sight of loose bolts dangling as you’re suspended in the air, stuck in a sadistic time machine, one spin is enough.
For the adventurous traveler, go right ahead. There is plenty of fun to be had at this Soviet carnival relic, but don’t expect that travel insurance to pay up when dumbass just has to ride the rusty swing.
Victory Park does have some value as a living time capsule. The bizarre scene of a dated, functioning park is one of a kind. The beer is cheap, which is great for preventative numbing before the bumper car explodes. There are also some very good views of the city from the park. Most of all, Victory Park is a photographer’s fantasy. The creepy, horror movie, death-is-imminent, deserted park vibe is strangely photogenic. Good luck!
Khor Virap
Travel a short distance south of Yerevan to one of the most iconic, picturesque sights in the whole of Armenia. Armenia is the oldest Christian nation in the world and Khor Virap has been home to a church or monastery for over a thousand years.
The location outside of Yerevan is easily accessible, a quick 30 minutes south of the city. It is also historically, politically and culturally significant to Armenians. Khor Virap is near the Turkish border and has a phenomenal view of Mount Ararat. Mount Ararat, in present-day Turkey, has been in Armenian territory at times and is considered a holy site by locals. Perhaps more importantly, Ararat is a symbol of immense national pride for Armenians.
The border, a few hundred yards from the monastery, is heavily guarded and closed to everyone. It is fair to say that Turkey and Armenia are not friends. In fact, the word “hate” is more apropos.
Despite local tensions, there is no need to fear for your safety. The Russians are guarding the border, surely with everyone’s best interest in mind…
Khor Virap is not on this list to make fun of tense relations or overeager Russian peacekeeping duties. This monastery is on the list because it is one of the most dramatic sights in the world. Vineyards and fertile fields of green surround an ancient structure atop the only outcrop in sight. A massive, stunning peak looms with mystique in the distance behind. A good view can be found from within the monastery walls, but the real money shot is the scene from the hill just outside and above Khor Virap.
Khor Virap is an historic site and is one of the reasons travel in Armenia is increasing, with tourists wishing to see the beautiful sights in Yerevan and beyond.
Travel is increasing in the Caucasus. Armenia lags behind some of its neighbors, but thanks to the sights and eats in Yerevan, travel is increasing in the country. The city offers plenty of history, great food and great wandering opportunities.
Stability has brought a resurgence in travel and tourism to Armenia, and Yerevan is the natural launching point. Make sure to visit these five places for the best adventure.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.