Standing proud in the shadow of the snow-capped Mount Ararat, Yerevan is one of the world’s oldest inhabited cities (built 29 years before Rome!) – and one of the Caucasian region’s best-kept secrets. Its wide, tree-lined boulevards are dotted with lively cafés and wine bars, which spill out onto the pavement in the warmer months, creating a street party atmosphere. Dancing musical fountains grace the main square and modern buildings are sprouting up amid Soviet-era high-rises constructed from salmon-coloured rock. Add to this the Armenian capital’s excellent museums, world-renowned brandy, fine eateries and incredibly friendly locals, and it’s easy to see why it’s being trumpeted as a top emerging destination to visit in the 2020s. Head there now as word is truly getting out.
Fly to Yerevan, Armenia for:
Armenia’s buzzing pink city
Yerevan was founded in 782 BC when King Argishti I of Urartu, a predecessor of the Armenian Kingdom, erected a fortress here to protect the fertile Ararat plains from attacks. The city’s history is one of survival and resilience in the face of invasions and occupations. For centuries, it was passed back and forth between the Turks and the Persians until it came under the Russian Empire in 1828. Some 100 years later, it fell to the advancing Red Army and remained part of the Soviet Union until 1991. Much of today’s Yerevan bears the stamp of a single architect, Alexander Tamanian, who redesigned the city in the 1920s and 30s, transforming it from a provincial backwater into a modern metropolis. It was him who came up with the Armenian capital’s curious circular grid plan, featuring wide avenues and neoclassical squares positioned to face Ararat, the country’s national symbol (although it now lies in Turkey). He extensively used the rose-hued volcanic stone known as tuff, abundant in the region, which gave Yerevan its moniker, the “pink city”. Fun fact: it’s the only major urban centre in the whole world built from this rock. Head to Republic Square, the architect’s most famous creation, at sunset to admire the capital’s signature colour at its most intense.
A history-filled city break
Kick off your visit at Republic Square, the city’s throbbing heart. The vast plaza is fringed by grand Neoclassical buildings, including the National Gallery and the History Museum of Armenia (its superb Bronze Age collection is not to be missed). Come nightfall, join the locals gathering around the square’s beloved musical fountains, which shoot illuminated jets of water high into the air to classical melodies and kitschy pop songs. Continue your stroll across Children’s Park to the 18th-century Blue Mosque, the city’s only active Muslim place of worship, crowned with an eye-catching turquoise-tiled dome. Next up is the circular Yerevan Opera Theatre, another Tamanian masterpiece, surrounded by a lovely park with open-air cafés and a pond. Seek out the teeny-tiny Katoghike Church, dating back to the 13th century, tucked beside the modern St Anna Church. One of Yerevan’s star attractions is the Cascade, a huge white stairway with sculpture-studded terraces that offer fantastic views of the city and Ararat. Inside this magnificent structure (designed by who else but Tamanian), you’ll find an excellent contemporary arts centre as well as escalators if you don’t fancy climbing up the 572 steps. Above the Cascade towers the 22-metre-high Mother Armenia monument, guarding the capital since 1967. Afterwards, it’s time to say hello to the statue of Mesrop Mashtots, the linguist who invented the mysterious-looking Armenian alphabet in 405 AD. It stands outside the Matenadaran, a temple-like museum dedicated to the country’s age-old writing traditions – step inside to marvel at its astonishing collection of 23,000 manuscripts and scrolls. Alternatively, pay your respects to the Armenians killed by the Ottomans between 1915 and 1922 at the Armenian Genocide Memorial and Museum, offering a harrowing reminder of the inhumanity humans can inflict on each other.
Barbecue, bread and pizza – with an Armenian twist
As diverse as the country’s history, Armenian cuisine is hard to define but oh-so-easy to love. Expect a delightful combo of Russian, Georgian, Levantine and Persian influences, with plenty of fresh herbs and spices, plus veggies galore. Must-try specialities include dolma (meat and rice wrapped in grape leaves), ghapama (pumpkin stuffed with rice, dried fruit and nuts), lahmacun (Armenia’s take on pizza), khorovats (pork, lamb or beef grilled on a skewer) and gata (sweet bread with a gooey centre). Don’t miss the nation’s beloved flat bread called lavash, a cross between a foldable tortilla and puffy naan – it’s even made it to UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage! Often billed as Yerevan’s best restaurant, Dolmama is a great place to try traditional dishes. Its wallpapered dining room has hosted a long list of illustrious guests, including Gérard Depardieu and George Clooney and Hillary Clinton. Lavash is another popular choice (read: book a table), specialising in lavash breakfast wraps and moreish cottage cheese balls. For the tastiest khorovats in town, head to Proshyan Street, dubbed Barbecue Street for its cluster of grilled-meat eateries or try one of the branches of Tavern Yerevan. Don’t leave town without experiencing Armenian street food at its finest at the unpretentious Mer Taghe or Lahmajun Gaidz restaurants, both serving wonderful lahmacun.
Dark coffee, fine wines and Churchill’s favourite tipple
Need a pick-me-up? Cafés abound in Yerevan, from open-air hotspots (Gemini is a must) to third-wave coffee shops (try The Green Bean). While away an afternoon in a cosy anticafé (Aeon is a great choice), where you pay by the hour to get unlimited hot drinks and snacks. If you’re after the quintessential Armenian experience, be sure to order a cup of surj, the country’s strong Turkish-style coffee –it tastes best when flavoured with cardamom. The city’s most famous drink, however, is undoubtedly cognac. For a guided tour and tasting, make your way to the Yerevan Brandy Company, which produces the iconic ArArAt brandy – Winston Churchill is known for consuming his fair share of it. After dark, locals pack the streets to chat, drink, dance and party late into the night. Start off in Martiros Saryan Street, which isn’t nicknamed “wine street” for nothing. If you only visit one bar here, make it In Vino, a local institution that’s been spearheading Yerevan’s wine revolution and is usually packed inside and out. Beer geeks should check out Dargett Brewpub, boasting over 20 craft beers on tap. Fancy a cocktail? Opt for the Latin-inspired Rio Bar.
Centuries-old churches with unbeatable views
Yerevan also makes a great base for hopping around Armenia, often referred to as the “land of churches”. Little wonder, considering that this was the first country to adopt Christianity as the state religion. One popular day trip is to the medieval monastery of Geghard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built into a craggy hillside, often combined with a visit to the Hellenic-style temple of Garni, dating back to the 1st century AD. Alternatively, head to the 9th-century Sevanavank monastery complex, perched atop a hill, offering magnificent vistas over Lake Sevan, one of the largest freshwater high-altitude lakes on the planet (it’s set 1,900 metres above sea level!). The 13th-century Noravank Monastery is another highlight within easy reach of the capital, whose ancient beauty is accented by the dramatic cliffs around it.
Yerevan weather
Sitting on a plain surrounded by mountains, Yerevan has a steppe climate. It’s one of the sunniest cities in the Caucasus region, with little precipitation throughout the year. The best time to visit the Armenian capital is probably from May to June or between September and October when the weather is pleasantly warm. Expect long, very hot summers: in July and August, temperatures tend to hover in the 30s but can climb up to 40°C (average high temperatures are 33.7 and 33.4°C respectively). By contrast, winters are chilly and snowy, with the mercury sometimes dropping as low as -15°C. January is the coldest month of the year with an average high temperature of 1.2°C. It might not be the best weather for a city break but it’s perfect for heading to Armenia’s Tsaghkadzor ski resort, just 60 kilometres north of Yerevan!
Yerevan Airport
Zvartnots International Airport is the main airport of Armenia, located 15 km west of the capital city of Yerevan, Armenia. This is a modern, mid-sized airport with a number of facilities, from duty-free shopping and souvenirs to several cafes and snack bars. Travellers can reach the city centre from the airport by the Airport Express bus, leaving from in front of the arrivals area, a journey that takes about 40 minutes. The best way is to take the line 201 bus, which takes about 25 minutes. With a taxi or driving, it will take about 14 minutes to travel 12.5 km. Several town car services are available, which will take about 13-14 minutes.
FAQs for booking flights to Yerevan
How to get cheap flights to to Yerevan?
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When is the best time to visit Yerevan?
Yerevan is a town surrounded by mountains and is situated in the capital of Armenia. This means that Yerevan has a steppe climate. Yerevan is one of the sunniest cities in the Caucasus. The region experiences very little rain. The best months are May-June and September-October, when the weather is warm and comfortable.
The summer months (July and August) see temperatures soaring into the 30s, often hitting 40°C, which can be intense, yet still enjoyable with cooler evenings.
The winter (January to February) is cold and snowy, with January’s temperatures sometimes falling to -15°C. Though very cold, this is ideal for skiing at Tsaghkadzor, which is 60 kilometres north. For those interested in cultural experiences and good weather without the extreme heat or cold, late spring and early autumn are the best times to visit and experience the rich history and vivid outdoor life of Yerevan.
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