Vernissage is one of the best things to do in Yerevan and Armenia. In fact, no visit to Armenia would be complete without taking a tour of this wonderful open-air market. It’s not only the best place to buy your Armenian souvenirs, but it’s also the perfect place to observe locals and people-watch for hours.
Vernissage, from the French word for ‘varnishing’, is a term used to preview or launch an art exhibition. Considering how many artists and craftsmen showcase their work here, it’s no surprise the market bears this name.
No matter what you’re looking for, from meat grinders, books, paintings, beakers, jewelry, carpets, and more, this is the place to come. From very modern pieces to old traditional Armenian goods, everything you could dream of is sold at Vernissage. If you love bargain shopping and haggling, you will love it here!
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Where is the Vernissage market located in Yerevan?
Vernissage is located behind Republic Square metro on Nalbandyan street. Getting there from Yerevan’s main streets is very easy! And you really can’t miss it because of its sheer size. Vernissage extends from Hanrapetuyan street all the way to Khanjyan, between Buzand and Aram streets.
There are street signs pointing to it at Republic Square and at various points in the city. If you can’t find it, ask a local and they’ll gladly point you in the right direction. However, it’s very hard to miss.
What you will find at Vernissage Market Yerevan
If you’re looking to bring home some unique (and not so unique) Armenian souvenirs, this is the best place to get them. It’s also really fun to look at the weird oddities they sell at Vernissage. We like to call the last section of Yerevan’s market ‘Breaking Bad Vernissage’ because you can find all sorts of odd chemistry instruments there to cook up whatever you want!
At Vernissage, you will find anything and everything, ranging from ceramics, carved wooden goods, stone and small khachkars, lace and needlework pieces, handmade dolls, paintings, jewelry, carpets, books, Tshirts, and hats. Most of the pieces are locally made, which adds to their uniqueness.
When to visit Yerevan’s open-air market
In recent years, Vernissage has been open all days of the week, with Monday being a quieter day. Truthfully, on weekdays, most of the stalls are not open, but if you’re looking to get a good deal, and you know your favorite vendor is there, head out on those days.
However, weekends, and especially Sundays, are when the market truly comes to life. Starting at 10 am, you will find the most stalls and vendors open there. It’s also when you’ll find the most shoppers, so it does tend to get quite hectic. It’s also tougher to negotiate pricing on those days because the demand is much higher.
The Vernissage market is open from spring to autumn, weather permitting. However, since the weather is quite mild in the winter in Yerevan, some stalls remain open throughout the winter months. When we were last here in January and February, there were quite a few stalls open for business.
We said it before, but Vernissage is a must-see in Yerevan. You can easily spend a whole day walking through the stalls, looking at all the different pieces, and talking to the vendors. It’s also a great place for people-watching, examining daily life in Yerevan. We highly recommend you take the time and check out Vernissage (more than once, if you can) because it’s sure to delight you.
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