Across Mountains & Monasteries : 7 Days in Armenia

Day 1: Exploring Yerevan - Art, History & Hilltop Views

As always, my top recommendation for your first day in a new city - A walking tour! It’s the best way to get your bearings, hear quirky local stories and learn a bit of history without having to Google everything. We chose free-cultural-walking-tour-in-yerevan led by Tigran - super entertaining, passionate, and full of honest takes on Armenian history, culture, and the complex geopolitical situation the country finds itself in today.

🚶‍♂️ Walking Tour Highlights:

These are some of the spots we visited on the tour (you can absolutely explore them on your own if tours aren’t your thing):

• Republic Square - grand central square is surrounded by elegant pink-toned buildings made from tuff stone
• Dalan Art Gallery & Café - A cozy and artistic space combining a gallery, museum-like decor, and a lovely garden café. Bonus: you can try sea buckthorn juice, a local favorite!
• Charles Aznavour square - lively spot often used for public performances and festivals
• Armenian national academic opera & ballet theatre -Soviet-era landmark, home to world-class opera and ballet performances
• The Cascade - one of Yerevan’s most iconic landmarks—a massive limestone stairway that connects the downtown area with the upper parts of the city
  • Each level features fountains, sculptures, and open-air art displays
  • From the top, you're rewarded with panoramic views of Yerevan
  • Come at sunset for the best vibes and views!

(Note: the walking tour only covers the Cascade from below, but it’s absolutely worth the climb afterward!)

🗺️ Exploring More of Yerevan?

If you have more time and energy after the walking tour, here are more highlights you can add to your itinerary:

• Vernissage - open-air market perfect for souvenir hunting
• Museum of History of Armenia -deep dive into Armenia’s past
• Matenadaran of Yerevan -  a striking building housing a rich collection of ancient manuscripts and also offering great view of the city
• Tsitsernakaberd (Armenian Genocide Memorial) - powerful, somber site with an eternal flame and beautiful views over the city

Most of these sights are easily walkable from the city center, or just a quick and affordable ride away using the Yandex Go app (the local version of Uber).

Day 2:  Exploring Temples and Natural Wonders

You’ll start your second day by visiting Garni Temple, located close to Yerevan. Garni is the last remaining pagan (Hellenistic) structure in Armenia — it looks so different from all the other temples and monasteries in the country, and you can almost pretend you’re in Greece!

⚡ Tip: This is a popular spot and can get quite crowded, especially with tour groups. If you arrive super early, you’ll have the place much more to yourself. But even if it’s busy, you can still enjoy the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and dramatic gorge.

Symphony of Stones is just a few minutes’ drive from Garni Temple. This is a natural masterpiece made up of towering basalt columns — some up to 50 m high — that rise alongside the river.

• The place certainly deserves its recognition as a monument of nature.
• However striking it looks in photos, you really need to see it in person to appreciate its scale and magic.

Next up is Geghard Monastery — hands down one of my favorite locations in Armenia. While it’s one of Armenia’s oldest Christian sanctuaries, the complex is much more than just a historical site.

It includes cave-carved and free-standing churches, with phenomenal architectural details that make you feel as if you’re inside a crypt in an Indiana Jones movie.

Some buildings even have skylights — openings in the ceiling —adding to the almost holy atmosphere.

✨ I highly recommend putting down your camera for a few minutes and just soaking in the moment.

The above objects can all be visited by a day tour from Yerevan as well, e.g. yerevan-garni-geghard-symphony-of-stones-day-trip

If you’re on a self-drive vacation, your next stop might be Zvartnots Cathedral.

• The cathedral itself collapsed during a 10th-century earthquake, but its majestic columns, arches, and intricate carvings still reveal its former glory.
• And if you’re lucky (we weren’t!), you might even see Mount Ararat in the background.

Close to Zvartnots, in the town of Vagharshapat, you can also find Etchmiadzin Cathedral — one of the oldest Christian cathedrals in the world.

• It’s been remarkably well preserved due to numerous renovations and restorations over the centuries.
• It stands today as a beautifully awe-inspiring structure.

✅ You can visit both sites together with a separate day trip from Yerevan — for instance, Echmiadzin, Mother Cathedral, Hripsime, Zvartnots tour — or combine them with your tour of Garni and Geghard (with the caveat that this option typically skips Symphony of Stones, which I think is well worth seeing).

After a day filled with religious, architectural, and cultural exploration, it’s time to rest up.

You can stay either in Yerevan or Vagharshapat. If you choose the latter, I warmly recommend Machanents Guest House.

• It’s a cultural complex featuring a guesthouse, restaurant, workshops, galleries, and a museum — a wonderful spot to rest while further experiencing Armenian culture and hospitality.

Day 3: Monasteries, Caves and Waterfalls

Today you’ll continue your journey further south in Armenia — a day filled with dramatic landscapes, rich history, and a bit of wine.

First stop is Khor Virap Monastery — less than an hour’s drive from Yerevan:

• If you’re into religious history, it’s famous as the place where Saint Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned in a deep dungeon for 13 years before helping bring Christianity to Armenia.
• If you’re not, it’s still worth it for the views — the monastery stands close to the Turkish border, with majestic Mount Ararat in the background.
  Mount Ararat is a powerful symbol of Armenian identity, heritage, and hope (and it even appears on Armenian banknotes), although today it lies just outside its territory in Turkey.

On the way to your next stop, Noravank Monastery, you can make a quick detour to Areni Cave — a true time capsule of human history, where archaeologists found the world’s oldest leather shoe (5,500 years old) 👟 as well as some anciant wine making equipment. This is one of the few sites where you need to pay for entrance (1.000 AMD, approx 2 USD), as religious sites in Armenia are free of charge.

✨ Tip: If you’ve had enough of religious sites by now, you can choose to visit some wineries instead. Areni is famous for its wine — consider stopping by Areni Wine Factory, Hin Areni Winery, or Trinity Canyon Vineyards for a tasting tour.

Next up — Noravank Monastery — situated amid dramatic red cliff formations in a narrow gorge. The complex includes several churches and chapels, rich sculptural details, and stunning views of the surrounding landscape — especially at sunset, when the red rocks illuminate in warm colors.

Then we move toward nature — and one of my favorite sights of the day — Shaki Waterfall.

This beautiful 18-meter cascade drops down over a cliff, surrounded by lush greenery and dramatic rocks. It’s a perfect spot to chill, appreciate the calming sounds of falling water, and grab some beautiful photos.

If you’re driving, you’ll overnight in Tatev Village — a convenient base to start exploring Tatev Monastery the following morning.

🚗 Day 3 involves quite a bit of driving (around 4 hours on the road).

If you prefer, you can let someone else do the navigating by booking a guided tour from Yerevan, for example:

• All the above sights + wine tasting (without the waterfall) — daytour-khor-virap-noravank

Day 4: From Sky-High Cable Cars to Mysterious Cave Towns

Day 4 will be one of the most exciting and picturesque days of this itinerary. It has everything — from breathtaking views from a cable car to caves and suspended bridges.

You’ll start the day with a monastery — but not just any monastery. This is one of Armenia’s most iconic and awe-inspiring sites (yes, even putting previous monasteries in the shade).

It’s famous for:

✨ The world’s longest reversible aerial tramway (the Wings of Tatev) — a 5.7 km ride that crosses the gorge, adding a dramatic approach to the complex.

✨ Spectacular views: The monastery offers sweeping panoramas of the gorge and surrounding mountains — especially breathtaking at sunset.

✨The monastery complex itself: it's like a mini-campus, complete with a cathedral, chapel, monks’ living quarters, library, oil mill, storage rooms, and even a small museum.

It almost goes without saying that you should take the Wings of Tatev. While entry to the monastery itself is free, the return trip by cable car costs 9,000 AMD (around $23). The ride is worth every penny — and you’ll enjoy an English commentary on the views and buildings as you travel.

Before you leave Tatev for good, make sure to visit "Tatev viewpoint" (you'll find it on google maps), a nearby hilltop that offers panoramic views of the monastery.

Another optional stop with great views is Halidzor Observation Deck - a historic spot overlooking Vorotan Gorge.

The next major stop is Khndzoresk Cave Town and Suspended Bridge. However, you can choose to make another pit stop on the way: Karahunj — an archaeological site featuring more than 200 vertically placed stones, which may have been used as an ancient observatory or calendar (the exact purpose is still unclear). The place has a mystic atmosphere and might be described as an Armenian Stonehenge. The entry fee is 1,500 AMD (around $4).

After the cave you will continue onto Khndzoresk :

✨ The main attraction here is its 160-meter-long suspended pedestrian bridge, which crosses a dramatic gorge and offers breathtaking views of the valley and its caves.

✨On the opposite side, you’ll find Khndzoresk Cave Town — a labyrinth of ancient caves and dwellings carved into the cliffside.

• This cave complex was inhabited until the 1950s, when Soviet authorities forced its evacuation due to unsafe living conditions.
• If you’ve visited Uplistsikhe Rock City in Georgia, this one might impress you even more in both size and views.

✨Visiting Khndzoresk is both a surreal experience and a bit of a workout, as to reach the swinging bridge you’ll need to go down quite a few stairs and then back up, so make sure to wear comfy shoes!

Today you'll overnight in Goris , small mountain town near Khndzoresk.

If you wish to avoid driving and let someone else handle the logistics, there are tour options from Yerevan:

• Covers Tatev Monastery, Khndzoresk, and Shaki Waterfall (day 3 of the road trip)
• Covers  Tatev, Khndzoresk, and wine tasting in Areni

Day 5: Relaxed Vibes & Stunning Lake Views

Day 5 is a bit more laid-back compared to the previous days, though there’s still some driving involved—just under 4 hours in total.

Today the roadtrip starts by visting Selim Caravanserai  - a historic roadside inn located on the ancient Silk Road. It used to serve as a safe resting place for ancient travelers and merchants, complete with large central hall, as well as stables for caravan camels.  

Note: It’s historically important but much simpler in appearance than the monasteries you’ve visited, so manage your expectations

Next up is the highlight of the day — Sevan Monastery, perched on the scenic Sevan Peninsula. Here you’ll get breathtaking views over Lake Sevan, one of the largest high-altitude freshwater lakes in the world, sitting at about 1,900 meters above sea level. The monastery itself dates back to the 9th century and historically doubled as a defensive fortress, thanks to its strategic location on what used to be an island before water levels dropped.

After exploring Sevan Monastery, consider staying overnight in the nearby town of Sevan. Lakeside accommodations offer a great chance to soak in those tranquil lake views a little longer. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the best weather on our visit, so we moved on to the charming town of Dilijan for the night instead.

If you prefer organized tours, there are several great options departing from Yerevan  including Sevan Monastery (Sevanavank) as well as other nearby sights:

E.g. : Sevanavank and Kecharis monastery

Sevanavank and Dilijan

Day 6: Monasteries of Lori region

This is your last monastery day — and yes, there are still a few more remarkable ones to see in Armenia! Each is well worth a visit, even if you think you’ve had your fill of ancient churches.

Start your day at Odzun Church. Located a 2-hour drive from Sevan or 2.5 hours from Yerevan, Odzun might not carry the heavy historical significance of some other sites, but it’s simply beautiful. Just look at its charming walkway lined with pillars — a picture-perfect spot for reflection.

Next up is Sanahin Monastery, just a short drive away from Odzun. The name Sanahin means “older than that” in Armenian — a nod to its friendly rivalry with nearby Haghpat Monastery. The complex includes several churches, chapels, an academy, a library, and numerous khachkars (decoratively sculpted cross-stones). Sanahin’s interior is especially striking: make sure to take a few minutes to appreciate its thick columns, high ceilings, and rays of light that illuminate the holy space.

Then make your way to Haghpat Monastery, another medieval complex and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While Sanahin stands out for its interior, Haghpat impresses with its dramatic exterior. Perched at the cliff’s edge, some of its structures appear to be slowly absorbed by the earth — adding to its atmospheric, somewhat other-worldly feeling.

The last monastery for the day (and for your Armenian trip) is Akhtala. Originally used as a strategic fortress, it offers a somewhat different architectural style and ambiance from the rest. The dramatic setting is best appreciated by climbing up to the rooftop of fortress in front of the church — a rewarding view for those not afraid of heights! The steep drops may be intimidating, but the panorama is well worth it.

While these monasteries are located farther away from major cities in Armenia, they’re close enough to each other to be covered in a convenient day trip. After you’re finished exploring, consider staying overnight in nearby Alaverdi (Yerevan is a 3-hour drive and it can be tiring to make the return trip in a single day).

If you wish to see these sights with a group tour from Yerevan, there are a few convenient options (but be aware — a day trip from Yerevan typically involves a long 14 hours on the road!):

Sanahin-Haghpat- Akhtala

Sanahin-Haghpat-Akhtala-Odzun

Day 7: From Gyumri Back to Yerevan — A Glimpse of Raw Armenia

On your last day, you can head straight back to Yerevan (around a 3-hour drive) — or make a short detour to discover the somewhat raw and vulnerable side of Armenia in Gyumri.

Gyumri — Armenia’s Second-largest City — offers a dramatic contrast to the bustling and somewhat cosmopolitan atmosphere of Yerevan. It feels more authentic and down-to-earth, yet a bit worn down due to both catastrophic earthquakes and ongoing economic struggles. It’s much less touristy and resonates with a strong post-Soviet vibe from the moment you arrive.

A striking example of this is the Iron Fountain, also known as the Friendship Fountain — a sculptural piece of Soviet-era modernist architecture located on the outskirts of Gyumri. The fountain’s design was meant to resemble unfolding butterfly wings; today, it stands abandoned and in disrepair following the 1988 earthquake, adding a somewhat melancholic allure.

Another emblem of Soviet architecture in Gyumri is the Mother Armenia Statue, erected in 1975 to commemorate the Soviet Union’s role in the Great Patriotic War (World War II’s Eastern Front). In contrast to the fountain, Mother Armenia stands proudly and resilient — a symbol of the city’s ability to endure difficult times. If you have sufficient time, you can also visit Black Fortress, a nearby military complex built during Russian Empire times.

One more spot worth a visit is Vardanants Square — the central square in Gyumri — which is surrounded by the City Hall, the Holy Savior Orthodox Church, and the National Gallery. A couple of hours in Gyumri are enough to appreciate its raw, unfiltered character — just be mindful not to expect a cheery or bustling atmosphere. This is a city still healing and rebuilding in many ways.

After you’ve gotten a glimpse of this side of Armenia, it’s time to make your way back to Yerevan, where your flight is likely departing.

Alternatively, you can make Gyumri a day trip from Yerevan, e.g. Gyumri- black fortress