Armenia! This beautiful old country, full of history and wonder… and churches! But there are a bunch of things to do in Armenia that are not churches. Not many people know about them… we can’t blame them. But the landmarks in Armenia are some of the most impressive we’ve seen. So we wanted to shine a light on these amazing places to visit in Armenia.
We’re never surprised about how curious people get about Armenia. Not many people know where it is or can point to it on a map. Things are slowly changing for this country as more and more people are starting to explore the Caucasus and adding Armenia to their list. And we can’t blame them. Armenia is awesome!
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Table of Contents
Why are so many of the attractions in Armenia churches?
Being the first country in the world to accept Christianity as a state religion in AD 301, it’s no surprise that the most famous sites in Armenia here are churches. Impressive, we know, but there is so much more to this magical place than the monasteries, churches and chapels!
They say that there are over 4,000 monasteries in Armenia. In fact, the city of Ani, currently located in Turkey, was said to be the city of a thousand churches. But we understand that not everyone is in Armenia to visit the churches. Lucky for you, there are a ton of other tourist spots in Armenia!
How to get to the best tourist spots in Armenia
There are plenty of ways to get to these amazing places in Armenia. But the truth is, most of these Armenian landmarks and attractions are off the beaten path. And because of the mountainous terrain in Armenia, they are longer to get to.
One of the best ways to get around in Armenia is by car. Car rental is readily available in Armenia and it’s going to help you get to these tourist attractions easily, quickly and based on your own schedule.
If not, there are plenty of sightseeing tours in Armenia. These groups will take you around in comfort and ease. They’ll also provide guides so you can learn more about these historical sites in Armenia. We recommend these tours, especially for certain places that are far away. The roads are long and you don’t want to fall asleep on the winding roads of Armenia.
If not, we have a whole article to help you navigate around Armenia. We cover everything from buses, trains, flights and more.
If you’re looking to make the most of your time in Armenia, we have a ton of articles to help you plan your trip:
– The best things to do in Yerevan
– The ultimate 2-week itinerary in Armenia
– The best restaurants in Yerevan
– Amazing day trips from Yerevan
– The best churches in Armenia
– How to get around and travel in Armenia
The 20 best places to visit in Armenia that aren’t churches
It was really important for us to show you all the different and unique places to visit in Armenia. We want to highlight some of the lesser-known Armenian landmarks and historical sights. Armenia has so many must-sees – we don’t want you to miss out! So here they are!
1. Visit Karahunj astronomical observatory, one of the most famous Armenian historical sights
Welcome to what is suspected to be the oldest astronomical observatory in the world! Before Stonehenge, there was Karahunj or Zorats Karer. It’s a prehistoric archaeological site near the town of Sisian. As its name indicates in Armenian, these are Speaking Stones or Standing Stones.
Actually, this is one of the Armenian tourist attractions that is off the beaten path, so often, you will have this place for yourself. It’s really a great way to take the place in.
The site is made of six different parts: the central circle, the north arm, the south arm, the North-East alley, the chord (crossing the circle) and separate standing stones. There are a total of 223 stones of which 80 have circular holes. After many studies, it was found that 17 of the stones were associated with observations of sunrise or sunset at the solstices and equinoxes, and 14 with the lunar extremes.
There’s so much history and mystic coolness associated with this place. It’s almost like you can feel the energy when you’re there. We highly recommend you stop by on your way to Tatev, another Armenian landmark that is on our list of places to visit in Armenia.
You can visit this amazing tourist spot in Armenia on a 2-day tour. We recommend taking the time to go to this attraction on a longer tour because a day trip will actually take up 13-14 hours… if there aren’t any traffic, construction, or delays along the way. With an overnight stay, you don’t need to rush, and you’ll be much more relaxed.
2. Visit Noraduz, the oldest cemetery in Armenia, and the largest collection of khatchkars
Noraduz cemetery is a medieval cemetery with a large number of early khachkars that date back to the 9th century. The cemetery is still in use today and is located in the village of Noraduz, Gegharkunik Province, the same province as Lake Sevan. You can easily visit this location on a day trip from Yerevan.
The cemetery holds the largest cluster of khachkars in the Republic of Armenia. It is currently the largest surviving cemetery with khachkars following the destruction of the khachkars in the Old Djulfa cemetery in Nakhichevan, by the government of Azerbaijan. That used to be the largest collection, over 28,000 cross-stones, some dating back to the 6th century, but it was destroyed completely in 2005.
Walking around the cemetery, you can see how the style of tombstones has changed over the centuries. From traditional blooming crosses to scenes of everyday life, you will find so many intricately designed stones in the cemetery. The oldest tombstones are toward the bottom of the cemetery, many of them have shifted with the ground over the years. Don’t be surprised if you stumble by some old skeletons, as it’s been known to happen.
You will also find one special tombstone, that of Father Garabed. Legend has it that Father Garabed lived to be very old, but never feared death. His dying wish was to be buried alive so that he can show others that death is not to be feared. He said that anyone who drinks from his grave will be washed of their fears as well. This is why you’ll find broken bottles on his grave. The tradition is that you must pour water over his grave and drink the water, then break the bottle.
Like we mentioned, going to Noraduz is best done on a sightseeing tour to Lake Sevan. If you don’t have your own car, we recommend taking a tour to visit this historical landmark in Armenia.
3. Fly on the Wings of Tatev, one of the most unique places to visit in Armenia (and the world)
Ok, this one is to get to a church, but it’s still a unique thing to do in Armenia and the world! The Wings of Tatev are the record holder for the world’s longest reversible ropeway, at 5,752 m. If you’re not afraid of highs, this is a must-see tourist attraction in Armenia.
With epic views over the valley, this ropeway will take you to the beautiful Tatev Monastery. If you don’t want to see the church, that’s ok too! You can go hiking in the area, do some wine-tasting, or even go paragliding!
If you do want to visit Tatev, know that it is a popular tourist spot in Armenia. Some tour companies will recommend you book your ticket in advance. In fact, if you are visiting on a weekend, or a really lovely day, we suggest you do book a spot, as it tends to fill up.
If you would like to visit the Tatev ropeway, there are plenty of tours that will take you there, and include some of the best churches and tourist attractions in Armenia.
4. Explore the caves of Khndzoresk, one of Armenia’s landmarks
Welcome to one of Armenia’s historical landmarks. But beware – access to this site requires a strong heart. So if you’re not afraid of heights and wondering what to do in Armenia, this is the place for you.
The swinging bridge to get to the caves of Khndzoresk is not for the faint. Be warned that this bridge swings and bounces quite a lot. But if you can cross it, it’s quite awesome!
Khndzoresk is a village and rural community in the South-East of Armenia, right by Goris. There, you have an amazing view of the steep slopes of Khor Dzor (Deep Gorge).
Khndzoresk is an old village that has been built into the side of the mountains. With caves and ruins still there for you to explore, it’s quite a sight. It’s such a cool place and well worth the detour if you go to Tatev, Goris and Artsakh.
This place is really off the beaten path in Armenia, thick makes it even more amazing. It was inhabited until the 1950’s. What’s even better is that despite being a top attraction in Armenia, there are no tourists around, especially around sunset. How freakin’ cool! There are so many points of interest in Armenia that are not churches and that are simply unique!
The trek down to the bridge is a long set of stairs (they feel even longer on the way up). You can take a taxi to get back to the main road, though if you’re slightly fit, you don’t need to. The steps there make it a pretty easy hike.
There are tours available to take you to Khndzoresk and include many other stops in the area. If you’re not renting a car, it’s the best way to get to this Armenian landmark.
5. Explore Areni-1, the oldest wine cave in the world, a must-see in Armenia
The Areni-1 is an old bird cave that was explored for archeological digging. It is said to be the oldest wine-making facility found in the world. This cave is home to unique birds that are under environmental protection. It is also home to so many significant archeological findings.
In 2007, they started excavating inside the cave, and excavation work is still going on. Today, there are Armenian, American, and Irish teams digging there. There were many findings that were made, but the most noteworthy was in 2010, when they found a 5,400-year-old leather shoe here. It is the oldest leather shoe found in the world, predating those found at Stonehenge and other archaeological digs in the world.
You won’t find the shoe at the Areni-1 cave, but instead, at the History Museum of Armenia. They also found many different jars and containers here. In those jars, they found remains of seeds from grapes, pomegranates, blood, and other human remains. It gave archeologists insights as to the type of sacrifices that were done here, mainly because they found a number of burial sites dating back to 5000 – 4000 BCE here.
Another noteworthy finding here was a human skull of a pre-teen, with the brain tissue almost intact. They are currently doing studies on it to learn more about it. What we do know is that this is the oldest example of the Neolithic brain ever discovered.
Areni-1 is one of the rarest and best-preserved late Chalcolithic (Copper Age) monuments in the South Caucasus. The findings here and the studies conducted help us understand the peculiarities of the material culture in the 5th-4th millennium BCE. They also show us that wine-production in Armenia has at least a 6,000 year history.
There is a small fee to pay to get into the Areni-1 cave. It’s very close to Noravank monastery, in the Vayots Dzor region. It’s a perfect stop on a day trip from Yerevan.
Again, if you don’t have your own rental car, you can visit these Armenian historical landmarks by joining a tour. They will also, as always, take you to nearby churches, but they’re lovely, so we recommend joining one of these tours.
6. Explore Armenia’s traditions on a tour, one of the best things to do in Armenia
Armenia is a beautiful country full of natural riches and traditions. We had a great time doing various tours of some of the country’s exports. The typical tour is a wine tasting. The Areni region is known for producing great wines, so find a wine you like and go do a wine tasting at their vineyards.
If wine is not your thing, then you can head to the Ararat brandy distillery and get a crash course in the tradition of brandy making in Armenia.
Next, you have the traditional carpet-making tour. We had a great time exploring the Megerian Carpet factory near Yerevan. We learned how they make these carpets with the traditional Armenian double knot, visited their museum and warehouse, and so much more. It was super interesting. We highly recommend you do this Armenian must-see!
And finally, for those who love natural and organic cosmetic products, you can tour the beautiful Nairian lab and production facility. We had a wonderful time seeing what plants and herbs are used to make their natural products. They even have a shop where you can try their products and buy them.
Ok, so we know that these were actually three things to do in Armenia when sightseeing, but we’re just trying to give you more reasons to go!
7. Hike to Shaki waterfalls, one of the best sightseeing things to do in Armenia
This little waterfall is just magic. You need to hike a short 5 minutes to get to it, but it is gorgeous. Lush and abundant, it’s somewhat surprising to find this waterfall in an arid Armenia. But there it is, tucked in a beautiful natural setting, on your way to Tatev. The Shaki waterfalls were one of our favorite places of interest in Armenia.
There are plenty of tables and places to hang out before getting to the waterfall, so do as the locals do and set up a little BBQ. It’s the perfect setting to take in the surrounding beauty. Unlike the locals, pick up your trash when you leave. This place is too beautiful not to care for it.
Without your own means of transportation, Shaki waterfall is hard to get to. If you don’t have a rental car, we recommend going on one of these Armenian sightseeing tours.
8. Check the Letters monument, a must-see place to visit in Armenia
One of the coolest things to do in Armenia is to check out the Letters Monument. Located near Abaran, in the Aragatsotn Province of Armenia, not too far from Ohanavank and Saghmosavank monasteries, is one of the newest landmarks in Armenia. The Letters monument was created in 2005, to commemorate the 1,600th anniversary of the creation of the Armenian alphabet.
Erected in the middle of the field are the 39 letters of the Armenian alphabet. The alphabet was invented in 405 by Mesrop Mashdots, and Armenians will proudly say how it has not been modified, except adding ‘yev’ ‘o’ and ‘phe’. Quite a rare thing for an alphabet that is this old.
Before the use of this alphabet, Armenians used Cuneiform script that was read all over Mesopotamia. They then moved on to other scripts, including the Mehenian alphabet, but it was very complicated, with over 300 signs in all. Armenians then used a mix of Assyrian and Greek alphabets.
It was Vrhamshaboo who asked Mesrop Mashdots to create the Armenian alphabet. Mashdots started traveling all around the world to research alphabets and came back to show his new alphabet. Although the romanticized version of the story says that Mashdots saw the hand of God draw the alphabet for him in a dream.
When the new alphabet was shown, it was quickly taught in new schools, which lead to a huge spike in literacy, with the majority of the population being able to read and write. The Bible was also translated into the new Armenian alphabet, which lead to religion becoming more popular.
Make sure you find the letter that matches your initials to take a picture in front of it. You can also check out the statues of the prominent Armenian figures that stand behind the letters. As well as the huge cross of crosses, which was created in honor of Armenia being the first Christian nation.
There is not much around the Alphabet monument, but luckily, there are tours that will take you there one the way to other tourist spots in Armenia. Depending on what you’re in the mood to see, there is a tour for you. Some visit nearby churches, while others focus more on natural landmarks.
9. Hike the many trails of the country, one of the best things to do in Armenia
Armenia is slowly getting noticed for its amazing hiking trails. Through valleys, mountains, and beautiful scenery, there are so many trails that run deep through this country. Best of all, some of these trails pass by Armenia’s landmarks.
Whether you want to do multi-day hikes, a loop circuit or get from point A to B, there is something for everyone. For those looking for a challenge, you can hike up Mount Aragats or Mount Aghzahad. There are beautiful lush forest hikes in the Dilijan National Park, which we call the “Switzerland of Armenia”. You can even hike to different countries on the Transcaucasian Trail. To find the best hikes, check out HikeArmenia’s website.
We won’t even count the number of trails available, because that would totally bust our list of 20 things to do in Armenia! But trust us when we say that you have enough hiking trails in Armenia to last a lifetime!
10. Eat a lot of Armenian food
In case you didn’t know, the food in Armenia is just delicious. Most of the produce is grown locally and cooked with care. In fact, cooking and food are an important part of Armenian culture. If you know any Armenians, even if they are not living in Armenia, chances are, every time you see them, they try to offer you insane amounts of food to eat. Yeah, we all have that in common!
So if you want a good glimpse of the beautiful and generous culture of this country, we highly recommend you eat as much as you can. Prices are low, and the food is so delicious! You can find the list of our 25 best restaurants in Yerevan here.
And for local food lovers, we recommend stopping by the GUM market. This traditional local market in Yerevan is one of the best places to buy local treats to bring home, to eat while you’re in Yerevan, and to taste-test some local delicacies. We always say that it’s best to visit the GUM Market on an empty stomach because the vendors there will feed you generously!
Here are some of our favorite dishes. Obviously, we prioritize the vegetarian and vegan ones (or versions):
- Lavash: This traditional Armenian bread is a staple of every meal. Thin and cooked in a tonir (clay barrel).
- Eggplant rolls: Grilled eggplant, rolled with a mix of cheese, dill, and walnuts, sprinkled with pomegranate. Yum!
- Vegetarian manti: Manti is a traditional Armenian dumpling (ish), served with broth and yogurt. They have the non-vegetarian version too.
- Cheese platter: Simple, but the local cheeses here are amazing. Derek’s new favorite is Lori cheese, the perfect mix of squeaky and salty.
- Garden salad: Another simple dish, but when the veggies are this fresh, it’s delicious!
- Lahmajoon: Also known as Armenian pizza. It’s a thin dough covered in meat. Some places have vegetarian lahmajoon, if not, go for the za’tar!
- Khorovats: Basically, this means BBQ. The veggies, the meats, it’s all delicious! Try it. You can’t go wrong!
- Gata: A typical Armenian coffee cake. Each family and city makes it a certain way. Regardless of how it’s made, it’s delicious, especially when it’s fresh out of the oven!
- Surjukh: Known as Armenian Snickers, this dessert is a string of walnuts dipped into a mixture of fruit juices and spices, then dried. You’ll find them sold at groceries, on the side of the highway, and at major tourist sites.
Again, we won’t count the number of things to eat in Armenia, because then, we’d have to turn this into the 1,000 things to do in Armenia blog post!
If you’re visiting Armenia with the mind to eat as much as possible, we recommend you try one of these tours. You can either learn how to make traditional Armenian meals or go on a long trip taste-testing all over the country.
11. Take in the arts, one of the best things to do sightseeing in Armenia
Armenians have always been a very artistic culture. It’s no surprise that we dance, sing, and play music, every chance we get! There are art museums, galleries, statues, and street art around every corner of major cities. At most Armenian tourist sites, you will find a local painter selling his art, or a musician playing traditional Armenian songs.
In Yerevan, you are spoiled. You can find any type of gallery, museum or handcraft. If you want to get traditional pieces, ranging from household goods to jewelry, painting to instruments and so much more, head to Vernissage or the Painters’ vernissage.
Walking around the streets, you’ll also find statues on almost every street in Yerevan. You can take in the beautiful art installations at Cascade. Even Cascade itself is a beautiful piece of art, with stunning views of Ararat! If you’re lucky, you may spot some cool street art around the city too.
With so many cultural events happening, there are so many things to do in Armenia, especially in Yerevan.
If you are spending time in Yerevan, we have tons of articles to keep you busy:
– The best free things to do in Yerevan
– The best restaurants in the capital
– Amazing day trips from Yerevan
– Kond, Yerevan’s oldest neighborhood
– Cascade, a Yerevan landmark you have to see
– GUM Market, the best food market in the city
12. Enjoy a night of music at the Opera in Yerevan, one of the best things to do in Armenia
Whether you are into the ballet, the opera or musical performances, you can always find tons going on, especially in Yerevan. From the National troupes to local musicians, from jazz shows to traditional Armenian classics and funky rock/Armenian fusion, there are shows going on nightly in certain bars around the city, at the National Opera or in coffee shops.
13. Honor the past at Tsitsernakaberd, one of Armenia’s landmarks
Armenia has quite a bloody past. Although it’s working hard to move past it, it’s still important to recognize what happened over 100 years ago. That’s why, no tour of Armenia would be complete without visiting Tsitsernakaberd, the Armenian Genocide memorial complex. This is truly one of Armenia’s landmarks and a beacon of hope for the world.
This is Armenia’s official memorial dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide of 1915. The monument was built in 1967, which is quite rare to see from the strict Soviet regime, and a trip there is quite moving.
The monument is made of 2 structures. First, there is a 44-meter stele that symbolizes the national rebirth of Armenians. Then, you have 12 slabs placed in a circle to represent the 12 provinces lost in present-day Turkey. At the center of this circle, there is an eternal flame dedicated to the 1.5 million people killed during the Armenian Genocide.
On the same hill, you have the genocide museum. It is a brutal recounting of the atrocities that the Armenian people endured during the Genocide. It is a stark reminder of the cruelty humans are capable of, and moreover, it’s a warning sign to ensure no such atrocities are ever committed again.
14. Check out the stars at Byurakan astronomical observatory, a historical sight in Armenia
Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (or BAO) was founded in 1946, during the Soviet era, a true historical sight. Located on the slope of the mountain Aragatz, Armenia’s highest peak, the observatory focused its studies mainly on the instability phenomena taking place in the Universe.
Since its opening, the observatory has discovered special star clusters – stellar associations (1947), more than 1,000 flare stars, dozens of Supernovae, hundreds of Herbig-Haro objects, cometary nebulae, and hundreds of galaxies. However, after the breakup of the Soviet Union, the observatory fell into hard times.
It still runs today, and it’s possible for you to visit the observatory on clear nights. It’s quite an experience to see the telescopes, get a sense of how things work and gaze at our beautiful galaxy. A must for any astronomy fans!
A little tip here is to book this as soon as you arrive. The skies and weather in Armenia are sometimes unpredictable, so the more time you give yourself, the better your chances of making it there on a clear sky!
15. Take a ride in a Soviet amusement park, an Armenian must-see
In most major cities, mainly Yerevan and Gyumri, you will find these old Soviet amusement parks. They are a mix of scary, thrilling and creepy! But they are kind of fun to check out, if only to wonder how these rides are still operating, and if they’re still up to code!
Certain rules are stricter than in other parks like you can’t bump the bumper cars, but you’re sure to have some fun. If you want a real thrill, we suggest heading up the Ferris wheel, which creaks and sways with the wind, or with the slightest movement!
Another cool timepiece left from the Soviet era is the Children’s Railway station in Yerevan. The station itself looks like a castle out of a fairytale. The trains and locomotives sitting in the backyard are also pretty cool. If you’re lucky, you may just get there when the trains are operating and you can go for a little ride with the kids.
16. Chill by the waters of Lake Sevan or Parz Lidj
Armenia is a very arid and mountainous country, but there are some places you can relax by the water. Being a landlocked country, don’t expect to see any oceanic beaches, but you will find some beautiful lakes!
First is the beautiful Parz Lake. When you come to Armenia, you have to visit Dilijan. Nestled in the mountains covered with lush forest, Dilijan is truly a unique place. Your trip there would not be complete without driving (or hiking) through the Dilijan national park, making your way to Lake Parz. There, you will find a lovely restaurant, a floating restaurant, as well as a ropes course, for those who need more action.
Then, you have the famous Lake Sevan, one of the best Armenian tourist attractions. This is the largest body of water in the country. Sure, there’s a monastery at the top of the peninsula, but that’s not what we’re here for today!
There are tons of cafes, restaurants, and bars around the lake. If not, you can do as the locals and set up camp by the shores, make your own BBQ and take in the beauty of this massive lake. If you’re brave enough, you can also jump in, but be warned, because the water is always cold!
Finally, there is Kari Lake, at Mount Aragats. This lake is by a hotel and restaurant, renown for serving khash, a traditional Armenian soup made of cow hoof (No vegetarian options for that). The lake is also the starting point for hiking Mount Aragats. It’s a beautiful lake, and if you don’t want to hike all the way up to the peaks of the mountain, you can go until the top of the nearby crater.
17. Go fortress hunting to discover Armenia’s historical sights
There are a ton of fortresses around Armenia, all quite old and full of history! Luckily, the main ones are near Yerevan.
The first is Erebuni fortress, located just outside the city center. Some also call it Arin Berd. It is an Urartian fortified city and one of many fortresses built along the northern Urartian border, dating back to 782 BC. This place used to be one of the most important political, economic and cultural centers of the vast old kingdom.
Next, you have Amberd fortress, which literally translates to “Cloud fortress” or Fortress in the clouds. This 7th-century fortress is located on the slopes of Mount Aragats, right where the Arkashen and Amberd rivers run. It’s a beautiful fortress, overlooking a gorge on the cliffside of the mountains.
Finally, you have Smbataberd, a 5th-century fortress located between the villages of Artabuynk and Yeghegis in the Vayots Dzor. You will notice that Smbataberd was built in a very advantageous position. It’s on the southern end of a ridge, guarded by steep cliffs on three of its sides. Its large ramparts with its towers are still relatively intact on the exterior, making it quite a site to see.
We know that a lot of these fortresses have churches by them, but if you’re trying to avoid churches all together, good luck! Maybe you can just focus on the non-church part of it! And then our list will be the perfect amount of tourist places in Armenia.
18. Celebrate! For any reason… The best thing to do in Armenia!
If there’s one thing Armenians know how to do well (ok, it’s one of the many things they do well), it’s party! You already know they love to sing and dance, well, they also like to celebrate while they’re doing that! During our 7 weeks in Armenia, we saw fireworks at least 4 times. That’s almost every other week! For the best parties, be sure to be in Yerevan.
During national celebrations, the city’s main streets around Republic Square shut down, becoming pedestrian walkways. There are concerts, shows, and kiosks all around the capital, all for free. Street performers, bands, face painting, and of course, fireworks! Expect to have a ton of fun these days!
Not only are national holidays cause for celebration, but you will find tons of bars, clubs and wine bars where you can get the party started any day of the week. If you want to experience the real Armenian joie-de-vivre, we highly recommend you head out for a night on the town!
Important dates, celebrations and holidays in Armenia
If you can be in Yerevan for one of these holidays, we highly recommend it! Don’t be surprised if you see the city comes to a halt on a random day, as celebrations are big in Armenia!
Here are the main holidays and celebrations in Armenia:
- January 1: New year’s day
- January 6: Christmas day
- Easter is celebrated, but businesses stay open.
- April 24: Genocide memorial day. There will be a march from the city to Tsiternagaberd
- April 27: Citizen’s day. It’s a public holiday which is a day off for the general population, while schools and most businesses are closed.
- May 1: Labour Day
- May 28: Republic day. This is to celebrate when Armenia became an independent republic.
- July 28: Vardavar. Ok, if you don’t want to get wet today, stay inside. This celebration is like Songkran – everyone goes out with buckets of water, balloons, and water guns!
- September 21: Independence day
- December 31: New Year’s Eve
19. Visit the only active mosque in Armenia
Ok, we said we wouldn’t show you churches, but mosques are different! Plus, this one is special, because it’s the only active mosque in Armenia.
As we know, Armenia is the first Christian country, and most people here are Christian, but Armenia also has very good relations with the neighboring country of Iran. In fact, the Blue Mosque is an 18th-century Shia mosque, commissioned by Huseyn Ali Khan, the khan of Erivan. It’s one of the oldest extant structures in Yerevan and the most significant structure of the Iranian period.
After Armenia’s independence in 1991, the mosque was renovated with support from the Iranian government and started operating again as a mosque, serving the many Iranians residing in Yerevan. It’s a beautiful place to visit and a welcome change from all the churches you’ll find in the city and country.
20. Catch an amazing view of Ararat, one of the best things to do in Armenia
Ararat is such an iconic symbol for Armenia. There are a few places you can catch a view of the imposing mountain. One of the best spots is at Cascade, the outdoor museum in Yerevan. On a clear day, you can see the imposing mountain over the city skyline.
We could have added visiting Cascade as one of the best tourist spots in Armenia, but we kept this landmark for our Yerevan article. Make sure you check it out if you’re spending a few days in Armenia’s capital.
Another place is on the road to Khor Virap. The route that goes to Vayots Dzor has a ton of scenic views of the mountain. Especially at sunset, it’s a crazy beautiful view to catch.
Finally, many people drive to Charents’ Arch, about 30 minutes outside of Yerevan, to catch a view of the iconic mountains beneath the archway there.
How to get around Armenia
There are a ton of ways to get around the country. Within cities, you can choose to walk, which is our favorite way of getting around. For example, in Yerevan, you can get from one end of the city to the next in 30-40 minutes.
If not, to get to all these amazing places, you can hire a car off the GG app. There are also marshrutkas that run around the cities and through Armenia.
If you’re looking for other ways to get around this small country, make sure you check out our article here.
Where to stay in Armenia
If you’re ready to crash after all these things to do in Armenia, you’re in luck! There are a ton of different options of places to stay in Armenia. From larger hotels to budget-friendly hostels and guesthouses and homestays, you’ll find something for every budget.
In Yerevan and larger cities like Gyumri or Goris, you will have a larger selection. While smaller towns and villages will have one or two larger hotels but will offer a lot more options for authentic experiences through homestays and guesthouses. If you feel like doing something different, we highly encourage you to try Couchsurfing.
Regardless of where you choose to stay, you will be able to experience Armenian hospitality at its best!
Sustainable travel and ecotourism in Armenia
As always, we want to be sure everyone practices sustainable travel in Armenia, and all over the world. That’s why we always share these tips to help you travel in the most eco-friendly way possible! Ecotourism is so important because it helps lower our carbon footprint, it helps travel becomes less of a burden on the environment, and it helps preserve our beautiful planet, so future generations can explore the beauty of the world.
Here are our tips to help you practice sustainable travel in Armenia:
- Bring reusable water bottles and coffee mugs: Tap water in Armenia is safe to drink, and it’s one of the cleanest in the world. So make sure you bring a reusable water bottle that you can fill up (we always have our Lifestraw Go with us!). You will also find freshwater fountains (called pulpulaks) all over Armenia. You can drink from there, or refill your bottle. And if you love to drink coffee, make sure you bring your reusable coffee mug too! This is the best way to reduce your plastic consumption and to sustainably travel all over the world! Make sure you check out our article on our favorite eco-friendly travel products for your next trip.
- Eat as local and vegan as you can: This is the easiest way to reduce your environmental footprint. Eat as much local produce and food as possible, and especially, eat all the vegan options you can! It’s a delicious and easy way to reduce your carbon footprint.
- Support small local restaurants and eateries: If you eat out, make sure you go to locally-owned restaurants. Avoid big chains or restaurants owned by conglomerates. Go off the beaten path with your restaurant choice by asking locals for their best recommendations.
- Bring your own bags and refuse plastic bags: Like most places, they still offer plastic bags in grocery stores, at the local markets, and at various shops. So bring your own bag and do your little step to promote ecotourism in Armenia and save our beautiful planet!
- Walk around: We walked all around Armenia’s cities and towns. We had a great time getting lost in the streets. It helped that our hotels were so centrally located to all the main attractions.
- Use public transportation to get around the cities in Armenia: The subway in Yerevan is great, and most cities have their own bus system, which is chaotic but in an organized way. It’s very easy to get around the cities using public transportation.
- Take the bus or train to get from city to city in Armenia: Another great way to cover long distances in Armenia, if you’re traveling from town to town, is to use the buses or the train.
- Stay in eco-hotels or small locally-owned hotels in Armenia: Another great way to promote ecotourism in Armenia is to stay in smaller, locally-owned hotels, or better yet, to stay in eco-hotels. There are a ton of great options available, so make sure you check these options first!
To recap, here are the best things to do in Armenia that are not churches
- Visit Karahunj astronomical observatory
- Check out the oldest collection of cross-stones at Noraduz cemetery
- Fly on the Wings of Tatev
- Explore the caves of Khndzoresk
- Visit the Areni-1 cave, the oldest winery in the world
- Explore Armenia’s traditions on a tour
- Hike to Shaki waterfalls
- Visit the Letters Monument
- Hike the many trails of Armenia
- Eat a lot of Armenian food
- Take in the art in Armenia
- Enjoy a night of music in Yerevan
- Honor the past at Tsitsernakaberd
- Check out the stars at Byurakan astronomical observatory
- Take a ride in a Soviet amusement park
- Chill by the waters of Lake Sevan or Parz Lidj
- Go fortress hunting
- Celebrate! For any reason in Armenia
- Visit the only active mosque in Armenia
- Catch a view of the iconic Mount Ararat
Although the history of Armenia is very rich, and churches are an intricate part of it, there is much more to the country than some of what the traditional tours offer. These churches and monasteries are beautiful, and true architectural wonders, having stood through wars, earthquakes and the tests of time. But if you want to truly discover all the beauty of this ancient country, we recommend going off the beaten path and seeing the other beauties it offers.
Hopefully, this list of 20 tourist attractions in Armenia that aren’t churches will give you a glimpse of all the incredible things this ancient country has to offer.
Have you ever been to Armenia? Are there other things we should be adding to the list? Let us know!
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Great post! A different view from this country. 😀
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!
I love the Armenians hospitality too
great pics 📷👌
Thank you Rita!
One day I swear I’ll make it to the Caucuses; it’s posts like these that make that day get closer and closer. Awesome post!
Amazing, that is exactly the kind of impact we strive to make with our blog!!!
Thank you so much for your kind words 🙌🏼
Superb pics
Thanks Abdul!
Awesome! Added to my must see list!
Wow! It is stunning! We planned to visit Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan this year but then we decided to go to Taiwan instead. But this definitely stays on my list. I am most excited about the food. 🙂
You will love it when you do come, and the food is great!
Beautiful country! Very beautiful and sincere! Thank you.
It really is an amazing place!
This is our Armenia 🙂
It sure is! And it is beautiful 😀
Hello, to me more precised
it should be written
SUJUKH – known as armenian snickers.. Churchkhela is a Georgian sweet and Georgian word, but looks a bit the same, but Churchkhela is still different.. and if the blogger doesn’t want tones of negative comments from Georgians towards Armenians, better to correct this mistake
Best
Hey Artsy, Thanks for the correction! We fixed it. We don’t want to get negative comments, especially not about delicious food! And now you have us curious to try Georgian Churchkhela. We love the Georgian Khachapuri, so we can just imagine how amazing the rest of the food must be! Bon appetit!
Will be happy to assist you in Georgia.
Yup amazing country next time don’t forget to visit Levon’s Divine underground . A village to discover 😊
Thanks it will be just one more reason to come back to this amazing country!
Welcome to Gyumri and you’ll discover a totally new Armenia… You’ll find yourself in a 19th century old Armenian town
Yes we loved Gyumri and Carine volunteered there for 3 months almost 11 years ago!
Welcome
Amazing! Happy to have found this page, 2 days before I head off to Armenia 🙂 one question: what is the name of the soviet amusement park in your pictures?
Stunning photos and writing! Thanks for sharing!
Excellent article! We haven’t yet been to Armenia, but there are some wonderful tips in here for a country that hadn’t previously been super high on our radar. Thank you!
Our pleasure Kristen, if we can get people to visit small unknown countries like Armenia, then I think we have achieved what we are trying to do with this blog!
Reblogging to my sister site Timeless Wisdoms