5 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

      Ride the indoor escalators up and walk down the outdoor steps at sunset, when Ararat may be lit pink. (1–2 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Republic Square

      Come in the evening during the warmer months for the singing fountains show. (30 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Khorovats

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

   4. Afternoon

      Matenadaran

      Join a guided tour in English to understand the illuminations and the history of the Armenian alphabet. (1.5 hours, low cost).

   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 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      National Gallery of Armenia

      Head to the top floors first for the Armenian collection, which is the gallery's strength. (1.5 hours, low cost).

   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. (1–2 hours, free).

   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

      Allow time for the museum, and visit with quiet respect; flowers can be left at the flame. (1.5–2 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      GUM Market

      Try dried apricots and sujukh before you buy; prices are usually per kilo. (1 hour, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Tolma

      Most Armenian restaurants.

   4. Afternoon

      Erebuni Fortress

      Visit the museum first, then climb to the hilltop for views over the city. (1.5 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Northern Avenue and Abovyan Street

      Cocktail bars, pubs and cafés in the city centre.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Garni Temple and Geghard Monastery

   About 45 minutes by car each way. Getting there: Tour, taxi or marshrutka to Garni.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Garni Temple and Geghard Monastery

      About 45 minutes by car (Tour, taxi or marshrutka to Garni); about 40 km.

   2. Day

      Garni Temple and Geghard Monastery

      Garni is a 1st-century Greco-Roman temple above a gorge with basalt columns known as the Symphony of Stones. Best for first-timers, culture and families.

   3. Evening

      Back in Yerevan

      Dinner: try Khash.

5. Day 5: Blue Mosque and Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral

   Blue Mosque, Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral and Victory Park and Mother Armenia, then Cascade and Tamanyan Street in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Blue Mosque

      Dress modestly; women should cover their hair, and scarves are usually available at the entrance. (30 minutes, free).

   2. Late morning

      Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral

      Visit during a Sunday morning liturgy to hear the choir. (30 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Khash

      Specialist restaurants in winter; it is rarely served in summer.

   4. Afternoon

      Victory Park and Mother Armenia

      Combine it with the Cascade: walk up the steps, then continue to the park. (1–2 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      Cascade and Tamanyan Street

      Outdoor cafés and terraces that stay busy late on summer evenings.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 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 14–18 hours of visiting over 5 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
• 3 days in Yerevan

Questions travellers ask