3 days in Yerevan

Day by day

1. Day 1: Cascade and Cafesjian Center for the Arts and Republic Square

   Cascade and Cafesjian Center for the Arts, Republic Square and Matenadaran, then Opera House and Swan Lake in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Cascade and Cafesjian Center for the Arts

      A monumental limestone stairway climbs from Tamanyan Street towards Victory Park, with fountains, gardens and contemporary sculptures on its terraces.

   2. Late morning

      Republic Square

      Come in the evening during the warmer months for the singing fountains show.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Khorovats

      Grill restaurants across the city and roadside places on day trips.

   4. Afternoon

      Matenadaran

      The Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts holds thousands of Armenian manuscripts, including illuminated gospels, scientific texts and maps.

   5. Evening

      Opera House and Swan Lake

      Check the programme for opera or ballet; tickets are affordable by European standards.

2. Day 2: History Museum of Armenia and National Gallery of Armenia

   History Museum of Armenia, National Gallery of Armenia and Vernissage market, then Saryan Street in the evening.

   1. Morning

      History Museum of Armenia

      Book a guided tour at the desk; the collection is large, and context makes it far more engaging.

   2. Late morning

      National Gallery of Armenia

      In the same building as the History Museum, the National Gallery displays Armenian painters such as Martiros Saryan and Ivan Aivazovsky alongside Russian and European art.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Lavash

      Every restaurant; watch it being baked at Garni and village bakeries.

   4. Afternoon

      Vernissage market

      Visit on a weekend morning, and haggle politely.

   5. Evening

      Saryan Street

      A cluster of wine bars serving Armenian wines by the glass.

3. Day 3: Armenian Genocide Memorial and Museum and GUM Market

   Armenian Genocide Memorial and Museum, GUM Market and Erebuni Fortress, then Northern Avenue and Abovyan Street in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Armenian Genocide Memorial and Museum

      On Tsitsernakaberd hill, a circle of 12 inclined basalt slabs surrounds an eternal flame commemorating the victims of the Armenian Genocide of 1915, beside a tall stele.

   2. Late morning

      GUM Market

      Try dried apricots and sujukh before you buy; prices are usually per kilo.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Tolma

      Most Armenian restaurants.

   4. Afternoon

      Erebuni Fortress

      Founded in 782 BC by King Argishti I of Urartu, Erebuni is the origin of Yerevan.

   5. Evening

      Northern Avenue and Abovyan Street

      Cocktail bars, pubs and cafés in the city centre.

If it rains

• Swap in Sergei Parajanov Museum (Kond): Watch a clip of 'The Colour of Pomegranates' before visiting to appreciate his style.
• Swap in Yerevan Brandy Company tour (Hrazdan): Choose a tour with more tastings if you want to compare ages; eat beforehand.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Republic Square keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Northern Avenue and Opera ($$$) suits couples, nightlife, shopping and luxury. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 12–15 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 9.3 hours in December to 15 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Yerevan
• 2 days in Yerevan
• 5 days in Yerevan

Questions travellers ask