Armenia Things to Do

  Soviet era steam locomotive
by GeoV
 
  • Soviet era steam locomotive
      Soviet era steam locomotive
    by GeoV
  • Cafesjian Museum
      Cafesjian Museum
    by lotharscheer
  • Cafesjian Museum
      Cafesjian Museum
    by lotharscheer
  • Cafesjian Museum
      Cafesjian Museum
    by lotharscheer
  • Cafesjian Museum
      Cafesjian Museum
    by lotharscheer
 

Comments

Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

MONEY !

by DAO

The currency of Armenia is the Dram. The symbol called 'Luma' represents the Dram and looks like an upside-down telephone pole bending to the left. The denominations are:Banknotes: 500, 1000, 5000, 10000, 20000, 50000, 100000Coins: 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500If you think about 500 Drams being worth a Euro - this makes life a bit easier. Try and avoid getting an note above 5000. It just makes life difficult for you. Credit cards are accepted fairly well in Yerevan. I saw a lot of HSBC ATM Machines that are on the Cirrus and Plus Network. They accept, Visa, Mastercard and Arca (Armenian) Cards. I have a good tip about one of the grocery stores doing currency exchanges in Yerevan. There are several banks that will do this as well. Drams are convertible, but I would not take them out of Armenia. Also there is NO Black Market so don't even try.

ARMENIAN DRAMS
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Joining daily tour to remote sites

by Sambawalk

As some travellers say, backpackers or budget travellers do not join daily tours from travel agents. I agree fully, but in view of distance, accessibility and time constraints, we should balance the pros and cons, including freedom. I would say a wise traveller should be able to balance all factors, convenience, cash available in pocket, or more bottles of beers in exchange for few kms of hiking. The choice is always yours.In Yerevan, I only had 4 days, so I chose to travel on my own for first and last days while joining the local daily tour from Sati for 2 days to visit those places require either your own transportation or long walks. For effectiveness and efficiency, I made a right choice.I must say Sati tour is very professional, after seeing some comments from VTers. I would recommend to single travellers if they have extra cash in pockets.See their website fro daily tour available.

Sati daily tour
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Armenia genocide museum (Tsitsernakaberd)

by Sambawalk

Armenia genocide museum (Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex) commemorates the the Genocide took place between 1915-1921. Admission is free and remember to visit the memorial. A taxi ride from teh Yerevan city (e.g. Opera house) is about 700-800AMD. Return trip is double.I went there before I went to airport for flight to Kiev. I got a good deal for all together in 2,500AMD. Airport alone will cost about 2,500- 3,000 AMD.

Armenia genocide museum (Tsitsernakaberd)
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lake sevan

by hanspeter_W.

This huge mountain lake which takes up 5% of Armenia's surface area and is about 2,000 meters above sea level. On a clear and sunny day, the water is often a deep turquoise color. Maxim Gorky once said about the waters that they were like a piece of the sky that had descended to the earth among the mountains. The shores are white sand and most beaches are uncrowded. The monastery peninsula (called the island in Armenian) is the most popular spot, and is the closest place to visit as well. The water is about 18-22 Celsius in the summer, a very refreshing swim after a hot week in Yerevan. It is a freshwater lake, so you do not have any salt residue after swimming. There are fish in the lake, however there has been a ban on commercial fishing (without authorization) in recent years. For this reason, it is not uncommon to see men standing along the main road signaling cars by hand the...

at lake sevan
vahanamank monastery

by hanspeter_W.

5 km towards SW of Kapan, one of the medieval Armenian historical monument-complexes is situated at the foot of Tigranasar mountain rising on the right bank of Voghji River. According to lithographic sources Syunik's ruler Dzaghik's son Vahan built Vahanavank (Վահանավանք) in the beginning of X c. A spiritual school was opened by this huge convent with more than 100 preceptors, where studied young boys from Baghk and other provinces. In 40's of X c Vahanavank's abbot becomes its own pupil Vahan II Jevanshir, which later on becomes the spiritual leader of Syunik region, and then the Catholicos in 60's. During his power he built a great many constructions, which preserved only as ruins. Vahanavank reaches pick of its fame during Syunyats kingdom. But many foreign invasions eventually make it unnoteworthy and in XIV c it becomes a...

vahanamank monastery
tegher monastery

by hanspeter_W.

The monastery is located on the southern reach of Mount Aragats, in the province of Ashtarak. Its church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a sober cupola'd hall, was built in the 13th century. A gavit, with two chapels erected on its roof, leans against the west flank of the church. [Paragraph Source: Monuments of Armenia] Continuing N. up the mountain from Aghdzk, one bears left at the fork to reach the monastery of Tegher* (176 v), made of dark gray basalt. The gavit, finished in 1232, is particularly impressive. The complex was built at the behest of Mamakhatun, wife of Prince Vache Vachutian, and the architect, according to an inscription on a column of the gavit, was the vardapet Aghbayrik. The ruined village has interesting houses and the remains of a funerary chapel. Taking the right fork, the road winds to Orgov (329 v), with several huge radio-astronomy telescopes, near the telescope...

tegher monastery
selim kawanserei

by hanspeter_W.

In medieval Armenia many buildings were built along commercial routes for the accommodation of travelers. One of those, the caravanserai of Selim (Սելիմ), was built in 1332 by Prince Chesar Orbelian, according to an inscription in Armenian and Arabic. This caravanserai offered hospitality to travelers along the highway crossing the Selim (Sulema) mountains. The best preserved of all medieval caravanserais in Armenia, it comprises a vaulted antechamber and a large hall partitioned into three sections lighted through openings in the ceiling. This building is an excellent example of Armenian secular architecture in the Middle Ages. [Paragraph Source: Monuments of Armenia] Selim Caravansaray** lies below the road just before the summit on the south side of Selim Pass (2410 m), a splendid relic of the days when an international trade route connected Vayots Dzor...

selim caravanserei
garni temple

by hanspeter_W.

Garni is on the road to Geghard and both can be comfortably seen on the same day. Halfway to Garni however, take a few minutes to look at the Charents Arch. The arch itself is not what you stop for, but for the great view of Ararat which it frames on a clear day. Truly a Kodak moment. When you get to Garni, it will remind you of a somewhat plain Parthenon. It was built in the first century A.D. by the Armenian King Tiridates with the money he received after visiting Emperor Nero in Rome. The temple was destroyed in 1679 in an earthquake, but was reconstructed in Soviet times. (You can recognize the new stones by their lack of carving, which allows you to appreciate the originals.) It is an excellent reconstruction and a very worthwhile place to visit. You can even see carved graffiti in Arabic... There are also ruins of mosaic ancient baths and residences in Garni. If you came in a car...

garni temple
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dilijan town remembering swiss landscape

by hanspeter_W.

Dilijan (Arm: Դիլիջան) is a city in the Tavush region of Armenia. Called by locals the "Little Switzerland" of Armenia, it is a worthwhile place to see, and spend the night. The forested town has some great examples of traditional architecture of the region and is a brief trip to the beautiful monasteries of Haghartsin and Goshavank. Sharambeyan street near the bus stop has been preserved and maintained as an "old town Dilijan", complete with craftsmens workshops, a gallery and a museum. The cool green forests are a nice contrast to Ararat Valley, especially in the hot summer. [edit] Public Transport to DilijanTake a marshrutni from the Pjhishkakan Hamalsaran (Medical University) on the corner of Abovyan and Korion to the upper Avtokayaran. From there you can take a marshrutni headed to Ijevan that will stop in Dilijan on the way.

dilijan
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yermuk town

by hanspeter_W.

Jermuk - Bridge over canyon into resort areaJermuk is a great place to spend as much time as you can spare to relax and get away from it all. There is one main north to south highway in Armenia, and Jermuk is easily found off of this main road. About 25 minutes off of the highway, it is a nice way to cut the drive from Yerevan to Tatev Monastery or Karabakh in half. It is a mountain village, and was a very large and popular Soviet resort. Today it has very few visitors. The employees at the place we stayed at were extremely friendly and helpful. There are a few places called sanatoriums, which have facilities to bathe in the piping hot mineral water, but most were in very poor condition. There was also a nice hotel which could be reached by turning right at the end of the steel bridge into town and heading to a large bed and breakfast type place near a playground. This place cost less...

in yermuk under the bridge
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Armenia Things to Do

Reviews and photos of Armenia things to do posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Armenia sightseeing.
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