Armenia Travel Guide: Yerevan, Lake Sevan & Beyond

Haghartsin Monastery

Tucked deep into a forested canyon outside the town of Dilijan, Haghartsin feels like a discovery even when you know it’s coming. The drive through the trees alone is worth it—and the medieval monastery complex, dating back to the 10th century, is remarkably well-preserved and serenely uncrowded, leaving you in awe that it still stands today.

Garni Temple

A perfectly preserved Greco-Roman temple built in the 1st century AD, perched dramatically on a cliff above a river gorge. The fact that it exists in Armenia—that the ancient Roman world reached this far east—is itself the revelation. Combine with Geghard Monastery on the same day; they are 10 minutes apart and complement each other completely.

Geghard Monastery

Partially carved into a sheer cliff face, Geghard is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most atmospheric places we have ever visited. The interior chambers have extraordinary acoustic resonance—the silence inside, occasionally broken by chant, is something our whole family still talks about. The setting alone, surrounded by dramatic rock formations, is worth the visit even before you step inside.

Sevanavank Monastery on Lake Sevan

Lake Sevan is one of the world’s largest high-altitude freshwater lakes, and the Sevanavank monastery sits on a small peninsula above it with views that are almost unfair. The drive from Yerevan takes about an hour and a half. Pack a picnic. The light on the water in the afternoon is extraordinary.

Explore Yerevan on foot

Start at Republic Square. Yerevan is a flat, walkable city—genuinely easy with kids and without a car. Republic Square is the architectural heart of the city, ringed by pink tufa stone buildings. Walk from there toward the Cascade Complex and the surrounding restaurant and café district.

The Cascade Complex

A massive open-air staircase linking central Yerevan to the residential hills above, the Cascade is lined with contemporary sculpture and embedded with the Cafesjian Museum of Art. It functions as a park, a gallery, and a social gathering place all at once. Go late afternoon when locals are out and the light is warm.

History Museum of Armenia

One of the finest museums we visited on the entire trip—understanding what Armenia has survived (invasions, genocide, Soviet occupation, ongoing territorial conflict) makes every exhibit deeply meaningful, and it was an invaluable history lesson for the kids. Plan at least two hours.

Drink from the public fountains (pulpulaks)

Yerevan has hundreds of free public drinking fountains called pulpulaks throughout the city—cold, clean, and everywhere. It sounds small, but it’s one of those small pleasures that stays with you; we rarely carried water bottles the entire trip.

Singing and dancing fountains at Republic Square

Every night except Monday, from 8-10 p.m. (late May through September), Republic Square comes alive with free dancing water jets, colored lights, and music—locals and tourists all showing up together. It has an infectious energy that’s hard to describe until you’re standing in the middle of it.

Pro tip: You’ll know when it’s time—just follow the crowds. The whole city seems to move toward the square together.

Lavash Restaurant

We were mid-meal when dishes started arriving that we hadn’t ordered. We tried to push back. We were told, firmly, to stop. The large table across from us had over-ordered and the culturally appropriate thing to do was send the excess to another table. It was one of the most generous, unexpected, and genuinely moving things that has happened to us in any restaurant, anywhere in the world. This generosity is not unusual in Yerevan—come prepared to receive it. Order the khinkali and do not leave without the mille-feuille.

Santa Fe

Right next to the Cascade Complex and exactly what you need after climbing it. This sprawling outdoor restaurant has something for everyone—bungalows for a more sophisticated, grown-up experience, and a café section with a children’s play area for families. Ice cream, cooling mocktails, a menu with enough variety to satisfy all palates. A perfect place to rest, cool off, and linger.

Sherep Restaurant

A wonderful introduction to Armenian dining done with care and confidence. Order the Tandoor Khachapuri—soft, pillowy bread straight from the oven—and do not skip the khinkali (who can resist a dumpling?). The meat and cheese platter is ideal for sharing and arrives exactly as it should.

Black Angus Signature

Armenia has exceptional beef, and Black Angus Signature is the place to experience it. Great for a satisfying lunch, with a menu that delivers on a proper burger as much as a serious steak. Conveniently located right near Freedom Square, making it an easy stop on a day of exploring the city on foot.

Katsin

Exceptional. Go without hesitation and make a reservation. The Armenian cuisine here is the kind that makes you understand why food is also history. Order generously and eat slowly. The steaks are exceptional. In the evenings, there’s live music that makes the whole place come alive.