Flights to Armenia starting at €89.99*

Armenia lies at an intersection of Europe and Asia, at the foot of the mighty Caucasus Mountains. In ancient times, the country stretched from Iran to the Mediterranean. History has left Armenia much smaller but has bequeathed it a fascinating and diverse cultural heritage.

The first country to adopt Christianity as its state religion in 301BCE, Armenia is replete with world-famous historic churches and cathedrals. Khor Virap, the birthplace of Christianity in Armenia, is a popular tourist destination due to its historical importance and the breathtaking view of Mount Ararat behind it. The Echimiazin Armenian Apostolic Church in the city of Vagharshapat claims to be the oldest cathedral in the world.

For a further glimpse of Armenian antiquity, the city of Zvartnots is home to the ‘temple of ruins’, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Armenia’s capital city, Yerevan, is a great base for trips to other towns and cities. Take a trip to Goris to see the famous cave village of Old Khndzoresk and the beautiful Tatev Monastery. Tatev is reached by the world’s longest ropeway, offering stunning views over the Wings of Tatev mountains. If you’re interested in archaeology, the Areni-1 cave, the oldest wine cave in the world, is a must. Still under excavation, it is accessible to visitors, and many of its remarkable finds are displayed at the Armenian History Museum in Yerevan.

For a unique experience, visit the Letters Monument near Abaran in Aragatsotn Province, where the creation of the modern Armenian alphabet is commemorated in giant stone letters. Armenia offers a wide variety of stunning landscapes, from mountain ranges to deep river valleys to volcanic plateaus. Lake Sevan, which is under 40 miles from Yerevan, is land-locked Armenia’s largest body of water. Hike up to Sevanavank church to enjoy the views, walk along the beach, then end the day with a meal at one of the many lakeside restaurants.

Dilijan, often called the Switzerland of Armenia, also offers superb hiking routes, including the Transcaucasian Trail, Dilijan National Park and Parz Lake. Just over 60 miles from Yerevan, Dilijan’s lush mountain scenery is complemented by the wooden carved balconies of many buildings.

Overlooked by the snowy peak of Mount Ararat, Yerevan dates back to the 8th century BC. A great city to walk in, Yerevan is clean, safe and uncrowded, and you can walk from one side to the other in under an hour. Also known as the Pink City because of the colour of its buildings, Yerevan’s rich history is illustrated in its monuments and museums. For a great example of the pink tuff stone of which most of the city is built, check out the buildings in Republic Square, an excellent place to start any walking tour.

Yerevan is very easy to navigate, as everything radiates out from this central point. The Kentron (central) district offers a wealth of parks, galleries and museums, including the beautiful Yerevan Cascade and the impressive National Gallery. The Matenadaran Museum of Ancient Manuscripts offers a flavour of antiquity, while the Armenian Genocide Museum honours the million ethnic Armenians killed in 1915.

If you want to get around faster, why not take a marshrutka, a shared minibus? You can pick them up at bus stops or hail them like taxis. Journeys cost 100 dram (AMD), which is just 15p (GBP). The safe, efficient Yerevan metro is also very cheap at 100 dram per journey. Armenian food combines the influences of Eastern European and Middle Eastern cooking but is delivered in a way that is uniquely its own. You’ll be served lavash (Armenian traditional unleavened bread) with every meal, while manti (a type of dumpling) is served with meat or vegetables.

Armenian versions of pizza and barbecue appear as lahmajoon and khorovats. Yerevan has restaurants to suit every taste and pocket, and outside the capital, tourists are well provided for. Despite being a mountainous country, Armenia has a continental climate, so summers are hot while winters are cold. Much of the beautiful Armenian landscape is enhanced by winter snows, which can last from November to February.

However, for walking tours and hiking, the summer and early autumn months are preferable, as the spring months typically bring heavy rain. If you want to explore this beautiful, diverse country, book your visit to Armenia with Eurowings today!