Armenia travel guide
Situated on the continental confluence of the Silk Road, Armenia is often overshadowed by its larger Eurasian neighbours. This is good news for cultural travelers as it has remained largely untouched by tourism, especially the rural towns and mountain villages. Armenia shares much religious and cultural heritage with each of its neighbours, although Orthodox Christian Georgia is looked upon more like a brother than the predominantly Islamic nations of Turkey and Azerbaijan. Their similarities and differences can be explored with Caucasus multicountry tours.
Armenia has often served as a pawn in the games of great empires, leading to a tangled, fascinating and often tragic history.
Scattered everywhere you’ll find monuments to the country’s strong Christian faith, with the world’s oldest cathedral, Etchmiadzin, and the UNESCO listed Geghard Monastery, just two examples of the church’s significance to the Armenian people. Aside from the ecclesiastical architecture it’s the landscapes that capture attention, with Lake Sevan, the Lesser Caucasus and the dominating snow capped peaks of Mount Ararat across the Turkish border, creating iconic backdrops to accompany cultural tours. Find out more in our Armenia travel guide.
Our Armenia Vacations
Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia vacation
A scenic journey through Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia
From
£2915 to £2995
14 days
ex flights
Armenia small group vacation
Stunning UNESCO churches and remote mountain territories
From
£1495 to £1565
8 days
ex flights
Georgia and Armenia vacation
Churches, monasteries, snow capped mountains, lakes and waterfalls
From
US $2349 to US $2799
14 days
ex flights
Georgia & Armenia cultural vacation
Journey to the furthest reaches of Europe
From
£2245
16 days
ex flights
Armenia vacation, Ancient Armenia
The best of Armenia from stunning churches to local culture
From
£1035
7 days
ex flights
Armenia tailor made vacation
Armenia's ecclesiastical architecture and amazing history
From
£1490
9 days
ex flights
Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia tour
Small group tour of the Caucasus
From
US $3700 to US $3840
19 days
ex flights
Georgia and Armenia small group tour
The cultural and scenic highlights of Georgia and Armenia
From
£1949
14 days
ex flights
Georgia and Armenia tour
Journey through the Caucasus region of Central Asia
From
US $2560 to US $2670
16 days
ex flights
The Great Silk Road Adventure via the Caucasus vacation
Our classic Silk Road Adventure via the Caucasus 48 day tour
From
£10595
47 days
ex flights
Beijing to Istanbul overland tour
The ultimate Silk Road journey
From
£8680 to £8910
105 days
ex flights
Oman to Georgia tour, Persian Caravan
Overland from the Arabian Peninsula to the dramatic Caucasus
From
£5670 to £5835
27 days
ex flights
Georgia and Armenia tour
Journey through Georgia and Armenia in 11 days
From
US $2219 to US $3229
11 days
ex flights
Armenia hiking vacation, small group
Armenia walking tour, mountains and forests with sightseeing
From
£959
11 days
ex flights
Best of Armenia and Georgia vacation
Luxury tour to Armenia and Georgia
From
£3054
13 days
ex flights
Armenia archaeological tour
Explore the main archaeological sites of Armenia
From
£1189
9 days
ex flights
Armenia and Georgia cultural vacation
Armenia - Georgia tailor made tours in 2019
From
£1795
10 days
ex flights
Armenia vacation, private departure
Independent tailor made vacations to Armenia
From
£671
8 days
ex flights
Georgia Armenia & Iran tour
Unforgettable journey around the three majestic countries.
From
£2616
17 days
ex flights
Caucasus tour
20 day tailor made tour to Azerbaijan, Georgia & Armenia
From
£3990
20 days
ex flights
Caucasus vacation, Armenia and Georgia
Experience the Caucasus in all it's beauty
From
£1950
12 days
ex flights
Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan small group tour
A comprehensive tour through Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia
From
£2599
20 days
ex flights
Armenia bird watching tour
Observe rare birds on this Armenia small-group vacation
From
£1241
10 days
ex flights
Armenia vacation, private departure
Private, tailor-made tour of Armenia
From
US $1810
9 days
ex flights
Armenia and Georgia food and wine tour
Discover this mouthwatering Caucasian food and wine
From
£1296
10 days
ex flights
What we rate & what we don't in Armenia
UNDERRATED
RATED
OVERRATED
Food, shopping & people in Armenia
Eating & drinking
Eating & drinking
Armenia is one of the world’s oldest wine producing regions. Every time a local winemaker pops a cork on their own vintage, they’re decanting centuries of knowledge, and you can taste it in every drop.
Some regions have their own roadside food specialities. Around Dilijan you might picnic on barbecued corn on the cob. Approaching the Tatev Monastery, beekeepers sell jars of sticky gold.
Sujuk is an ancient sausage and an Armenian delicacy. There is also a sweet version containing grapes, nuts and flour that you may see hanging in markets.
People & language
Hi / Hello – Bar’ev
People & language
Armenia’s population is almost entirely homogenous, but after nearly 70 years of rule from Moscow, it’s not only the architecture that still bears Soviet influences. Many Armenians use Russian as a second language, with English increasingly spoken in cities. There are around 11 million Armenians, but almost two thirds of them make up the diaspora which was spread after the 1915 genocide. Armenians take a lot of pride in their hospitality to visitors, perhaps a legacy of the country’s Silk Road past.
Please – Khnt’roomem
Thank you – Shnorakaloot’yoon
Wine / Water – Gi’ni / Jhur
Thank you – Shnorakaloot’yoon
Wine / Water – Gi’ni / Jhur
Winston Churchill was such a fan of Armenian brandy that legend has it Stalin sent him 400 bottles of the stuff. Every year.
Our top Armenia Vacation
Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia vacation
A scenic journey through Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia
From
£2915 to £2995
14 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 30 Jun, 27 Jul, 18 Aug, 1 Sep, 29 Sep, 12 Oct
2020: 18 Apr, 2 May, 16 May, 30 May, 27 Jun, 11 Jul, 15 Aug, 19 Sep, 17 Oct
2019: 30 Jun, 27 Jul, 18 Aug, 1 Sep, 29 Sep, 12 Oct
2020: 18 Apr, 2 May, 16 May, 30 May, 27 Jun, 11 Jul, 15 Aug, 19 Sep, 17 Oct
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Armenia or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
Gifts & shopping
Gifts & shopping
Yerevan has a modern retail sector, but head for the open air Vernissage market at weekends. You’ll find souvenir artworks here, and handicrafts such as carpets, jewellery and Russian nesting dolls. The quality does vary, so be picky.
Duduks are an indigenous, flute-like reed instrument known for their haunting music. Traditionally made from apricot wood, they are intrinsically bound up with the national identity.
Wine tasting is a popular activity, but for a stronger tipple, then the best place to start with brandy is Yeravan’s ARARAT Museum. ARARAT is owned by the Yerevan Brandy Company, Armenia’s most prestigious distillers.
For better or worse the Kardashians are probably the most famous celebrities with Armenian heritage, but others include Cher and tennis legend Andre Agassi.
How much does it cost?
How much does it cost?
Adult ticket on Wings of Tatev ropeway: £7
10-year-old bottle of Ararat brandy: £23
Ride on the Ferris wheel in Victory Park, Yerevan: 75p
Barbecued trout dish at a good Lake Sevan restaurant: £10
A note on tipping: During the Soviet era, leaving a gratuity was not customary in Armenia. Today, in Yerevan certainly, a tip of around 10-20 percent is considered normal.
A brief history of Armenia
Among the most unlikely facts about Armenia is that its national symbol, Mt. Ararat, is actually now in Turkey. That inconvenient fact aside, Ararat has been Armenia’s ‘holy mountain’ since pre-Christian times, and some even say that Noah’s Ark is buried somewhere up there. It shouldn’t really be any surprise that Armenians can be a little stubborn on points such as this. After all, the small, mountainous country is bordered on every side by larger neighbours, not all of which it gets along with very well. Read more
More about Armenia
The most popular time of year to visit Armenia in terms of climate and scenery tends to be autumn.
Almost every trip to Armenia will feature a sprinkling of the key monasteries, some light hiking, and a day or so in Yerevan.
Armenia is more than just ancient monasteries – although they are, of course, the focus of many trips here.
You can easily spend a week or more exploring Armenia in depth, but a popular option is to combine it either with Georgia, and possibly also Azerbaijan.
If you've always wanted to explore in the furthest reaches of Eastern Europe but didn't know where to start then read on as we explain why visiting Armenia and Georgia together is a really worthwhile experience.
Armenia is great for families, allowing for a mix of outdoor activity, interesting cultural excursions and relaxation.
You don't have to be deeply devout to be curious about the churches and monasteries in Armenia.
What’s the food like? Don’t all the monasteries look the same after a while? What do we need to pack? Plan your Armenia vacation in confidence with expert guidance from our suppliers, and trustworthy feedback on trips from those who know them best – previous travelers.
There’s never been a better time to think about how to make a positive difference on your vacations.
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Photo credits: [Page banner: ReflectedSerendipity] [Multicountry Caucasus tours (Georgia): Amy Nelson]
[Tavush: Dmitry Karyshev]
[Lavash: Marco Verch]
[Lake Sevan: Nerses Martinyan]
[Religious sites: Areg Amirkhanian ]
[Wine tasting: David Stanley]
[Summer vacations (Yerevan): Forbes Johnston]
[Speaking English: debs-eye]
[Early nights: Serouj Ourishian]
[Eating & drinking: Rita Willaert]
[People & language: Erik Furianis]
[Quote - brandy: Erik Furianis]
[Gift & shopping: Nicholas Babaian]
[How much does it cost?: iretina]
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