Traveling around Armenia on your own: routes, attractions and tourist tips

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

Traveling around Armenia is worth doing just because the country is good at any time of the year. Tourists are attracted not only by climatic features, but also by the unique beauty of nature. Here you can enjoy your holidays basking in the bright sun, climbing snowy peaks and even sightseeing in the warm rain.

Convenience is added by the fact that all iconic objects are located near the roads, which makes it possible to visit them at any time and in any weather. Of course, it is preferable to admire Armenia in clear weather. It will be useful for any traveler to know that the number of sunny days here prevails over cloudy ones and is about 300. However, for every tourist, Armenia is delightful in its season, depending on what the trip is made on.

When to plan your trip?

Many avid tourists advise you to travel to Armenia on your own. Reviews at the same timehelp you choose the best time. So for those who do not like many hours of excursions and prefer walking to the sights located near the hotel, it is worth coming to the country in spring or early autumn. At this time in Armenia, the weather favors leisurely hikes. There are no strong temperature drops and sweltering heat.

Spring comes alive. Many tourists are attracted by blooming exotic fruit trees and flowers. In autumn, there is an opportunity to taste a variety of fruits and take amazing photos against the backdrop of mountains flooded with sunlight.

Traveling around Armenia on your own: routes

For tourists who decide to visit the country on their own, it is recommended to choose combined routes so that in one trip:

• get acquainted with the life and customs of the Armenian people;
• visit a variety of historical and cultural monuments;
• walk the streets;
• rent a bike and ride the forest paths.

You can take food supplies with you and arrange a camp dinner on the river bank in the evening. The reviews of many tourists show that the starry sky against the background of the mountains is simply mesmerizing. But for such sorties it is necessary to choose the summer period or September, October.

Winter holidays

In winter, travel routes in Armenia necessarily include visiting the mountains. Even if the tourist is not fond of extreme sports, he just needs to get to Tsaghkadzor at a height of 1,800 meters above the levelseas. Here is the main sports attraction of the times of the USSR. On its territory, training sessions were held for all members of the national teams of the Soviet Union. Today, Tsakhkadzor has become a unique place that provides all the conditions for winter sports and just a relaxing holiday against the backdrop of snow-capped peaks.

For comfortable movement, skiers are offered chairlifts that can take them to the very top. After exciting day adventures, you can relax in various boarding houses and hotels. Moreover, rooms are offered for people with any income and preferences.

Features of the Armenian mentality

Stories about traveling to Armenia often begin with stories about the hospitality and cordiality of the local people. The people of the mountainous country are its calling card. Any indigenous person considers the guest of his home to be a messenger of God. Traveling around Armenia on your own, you can not worry about possible problems. By knocking on any house, the tourist will be provided with shelter and delicious food. Even if the traveler offers money in return, the hosts politely refuse.

General facts about the country

Armenia is a country with a rich history, beautiful nature and unique architectural monuments. Independent travel is highly recommended by experienced tourists, because a visitor will never be offended here. Armenia adopted Christianity a long time ago, so there are many churches, monasteries and other religious places not on its lands.facilities.

There are cities that have been founded for more than 3,000 years. It is here that you can find an unprecedented number of large and strong fortresses, beautiful castles, striking in their architecture.

What is the best way to travel?

If it is supposed to travel to Armenia by train or car, Georgia will be on the way. The route is considered the most suitable, but many, especially residents of the capital, prefer to travel by plane.

From Moscow regularly depart direct flights, the end point of which is the capital of Armenia, Yerevan. Travel can be made spontaneously, because flights are carried out almost every day and at any time.

If the tourist prefers the train, then you should take into account that you will have to travel with transfers in order to travel to Armenia. Georgia will be on this path, so those who wish can do two tours in one.

For those wishing to travel by their own car, remember that the distance from Moscow to Yerevan is just over 2,000 km. Be sure to have identification documents and car papers with you.

What to visit?

Traveling in Armenia involves visiting a wide variety of places. Here for the tourist it is offered:

• delicious cuisine;
• wonderful climate;
• mountains;
• ancient civilizations;
• monasteries.

First of all, you need to visit the capital of the region Yerevan. Here you can see a large number of monuments left over from ancient times. Also nearbyUrartu is located - the city that was the capital of Armenia in antiquity.

Further recommended to visit Dilijan. A large number of sanatoriums and monasteries are located in the mountains. For those who want to heal, bathing in thermal springs is offered here.

Of course, a trip to Armenia involves not only admiring the ruins and ancient sights. The country is curious in that it is one of the first where the people adopted Christianity. It is recommended to visit the temple complex of Etchmiadzin. It is he who confirms the acceptance of faith, because the Christian building dates back to the very beginning of our era.

Origins of winemaking

Armenia is also famous for its wine-making success. Independent travel involves a mandatory tasting of local wines. Even the ancient inhabitants of the country considered this drink a blessing of the gods. They especially revered the place where grapes grow - the Ararat valley. The area is recommended to visit, as here you can taste real Armenian wines.

The valley is a flat area where the Araks River flows. Turkey is already on the other side of the coast. The Ararat Valley is also notable for the fact that here a tourist can see a beautiful natural phenomenon - sunshine.

Tips for motorists

Traveling to Armenia by car from Russia is easy if you plan your route in advance. It is useful for any traveler who has started a trip in his own car from our country to know that he will need to cross the Georgian border. Judging by the feedback from drivers, customs officerswork around the clock, which is an undoubted advantage. It is worth preparing all the necessary documents for the car in order to speed up the process of checking them and, accordingly, driving.

It's better to refuel at the exit from Vladikavkaz, because there is usually a long line at the border that moves slowly.

It is also necessary to allocate more time for a trip around Armenia itself, because, judging by the reviews of drivers, the roads are in a deplorable state. Particularly bad is the section from the border with Georgia to Yerevan.

There are quite a lot of people wishing to visit Armenia. Traveling by car imposes the fulfillment of road requirements. Drivers should be aware that the vehicle will not be released from the screening point if the fee for its entry into the country is not paid.

Tasty trip to Armenia

Armenia is able to surprise the most demanding gourmet. One of the attractions is not without reason the national cuisine. Coming to any restaurant or small cafe, the traveler will be able to appreciate the taste of a variety of vegetables, meat, flavored with lots of herbs, cheeses. The obligatory dish is lavash.

Also, the menu will include items such as:

• chechil cheese;
• fermented milk matsun;
• salads with beans and herbs;
• variety of s alty snacks;
• pilaf;
• kebab.

Of course, this is only a small part of the delicious dishes that chefs in a cafe or hospitable home owners will offer their guests.

Residence conditions

Even traveling in Armenia by car, one of the pressing issues of any tourist is accommodation. There are various hotels in major cities of the country. You can also stay at a sanatorium if you need treatment.

Of course, the most comfortable hotels are in Yerevan. It offers not only comfortable rooms and food, but also:

• pool;
• solarium;
• winter garden for relaxation.

However, it should be remembered that the construction of new hotels is an unaffordable luxury for the country. Usually the service corresponds to the category of two, less often three stars, despite the fact that the hotel is assigned five.

Choosing a vehicle

Traveling around Armenia without a car involves the use of transport. For movement within the country, the main type is buses. Their routes connect large cities. But it must be remembered that there is usually no clear schedule for departure from the destination, movement and arrival. Basically, buses start their movement as the passenger compartment fills up.

As a rule, you can always rent a car. But this is recommended only for experienced drivers, because the roads are extremely worn out. If you are going to travel to mountainous areas, then there is only a country path.

When driving, you should be extremely careful. Locals usually do not respect road markings and prefer to travel without using a signal.

Beachrest

Coming to Armenia, it is possible to enjoy a beach holiday near Lake Sevan. The National Park and mountains are also located here.

In addition to direct swimming in the water, tourists are offered to try their hand at catching zander, trout and barbel. To do this, you need to purchase a license offered by local companies involved in organizing such tours.

Arzni, Vanadzor and Hankavan - mineral resorts, where small beaches are also located.

Main Attractions

Tourists usually start exploring Armenia from its capital. Here travelers are interested in Mashtots Avenue, Republic Square and various museums. The city is fairly easy to navigate. If you are interested in historical sites, you should visit the Matenadaran fortress built in the 16th century. It is a building where the manuscripts of the ancient inhabitants are kept.

Onward journey

When traveling in Armenia, you should not limit yourself to just visiting modern cities. It is recommended to drive to Armavir, which is located on the left bank of the Araks River. Initially, the town was a small fortress, which over time was transformed into a large settlement.

Armenian Carthage is called Artashat. This is due to the fact that the number of ancient monuments exceeds the number even in Yerevan.

What else to see

Include the city of Goris in your trip to Armeniadefinitely recommended. It is located on the eastern outskirts of the country and, according to official data, originated before our era. Historians say that until the 20th century, local residents lived in caves, which were natural structures. Of course, now such a need has disappeared and the settlement is gradually acquiring a civilized shape.

In addition to the old part of the city, which originally existed, a new one has now been added. It is worth seeing to see it. After all, all the architecture was designed by foreign specialists, and local architects embodied their ideas, but observing their own construction technologies.

In the past, due to its special proximity to Nagorno-Karabakh, the city was often shelled. But most of the old buildings survived, which speaks of their special strength.

Of course, the city is peaceful now. Damaged structures that suffered from shelling were restored, some were replaced with new ones. Many tourists flock here for homemade cakes, which, judging by the reviews, are incredibly tasty. The locals are also famous for their cheese and wine production.

Recently, a workshop specializing in the production of crochet toys and various household items has opened in the city. Thanks to the active development of winemaking and restaurant business, the tourism industry is flourishing.

Certainly, Goris cannot be compared with Yerevan in terms of the number of attractions located in the center. Here, as well as in Vanadzor, it is necessary to study the outskirts. Worthy of interest are Cave City, Stone Forest andKarahunj.

Youth Holidays

Armenia provides many opportunities for those who want to actively relax. In Yerevan, after sunset, life is literally in full swing, illuminated by colorful lights. There are also plenty of entertainment in the old streets, but only in summer.

Most active tourists and locals prefer to spend time on Revolution Square. There are various cafes where you can have a cup of delicious coffee or spiced wine. Singing fountains add festive mood, illuminating with multi-colored lights all around. They are turned on at 9 pm, so tourists take the most advantageous seats in the nearby cafes in advance and just enjoy the charming atmosphere.

Young people will not be bored in Yerevan and other major cities of Armenia. There are many trendy cafes, clubs and wine bars. Almost all of them are located in the center. There you can also listen to the music of local performers, as well as dance to the incendiary tracks of DJs. It is noteworthy that usually admission to such establishments is absolutely free for everyone.

Subtleties of staying in Armenia

Recently, the country's tourism business has been actively developing. For a comfortable stay, the traveler is provided with ample opportunities. There are many restaurants and small cafes that provide services both day and night.

However, almost all hotels and hotels have retained the Soviet way of service and originality. Their owners, adhering to the nationalmentality, unwilling to meet accepted standards. Therefore, in the reviews of tourists you can often hear about incredibly tasty and satisfying dinners, but with the complete absence of the possibility of accessing the Internet.

What to buy in Armenia?

Traveling independently around the country, you need to visit a variety of specialized stores. Of course, if a tourist arrived by train, then it is difficult to take out such a peculiar symbol of Armenia as a carpet. But it is worth buying at least a small handmade rug, which is distinguished by the presence of national symbols and a special color.

It is recommended to buy cognac as a souvenir for yourself or your friends. You can not doubt its quality. Each shop offers unique drinks. A bronze figurine, a copper Turk or a charm doll will help to complement the gift.

Conclusion

Traveling around Armenia contributes not only to a wonderful holiday, but also to recovery. In addition to sightseeing and enjoying national cuisine, you can significantly strengthen your body when visiting thermal springs.