Free things to do · Yerevan · Armenia
11 free things to do in Yerevan
Yerevan without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Petar Milošević, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
You can fill at least 4 days in Yerevan without paying an entry fee: Cascade and Cafesjian Center for the Arts, Republic Square, Armenian Genocide Memorial and Museum and Vernissage market are all free. Use ride-hailing apps rather than street taxis to avoid overcharging.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 11
- Low-cost extras
- 5
- Cost level
- Affordable
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February
Free sights and experiences
Landmark · Cascade and Tamanyan Street
1.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.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Views
- Art
- Kids
- Photo spot
Landmark · Republic Square
2.Republic Square
Come in the evening during the warmer months for the singing fountains show.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Architecture
- After dark
- Kids
Historic site · Tsitsernakaberd
3.Armenian Genocide Memorial and Museum
Allow time for the museum, and visit with quiet respect; flowers can be left at the flame.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Views
Market · Republic Square
4.Vernissage market
Visit on a weekend morning, and haggle politely.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
Market · Republic Square
5.GUM Market
Try dried apricots and sujukh before you buy; prices are usually per kilo.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
Religious site · Mashtots Avenue
6.Blue Mosque
Dress modestly; women should cover their hair, and scarves are usually available at the entrance.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
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Religious site · Republic Square
7.Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral
Visit during a Sunday morning liturgy to hear the choir.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
Park · Arabkir
8.Victory Park and Mother Armenia
Combine it with the Cascade: walk up the steps, then continue to the park.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Views
- Outdoors
Architecture · Northern Avenue and Opera
9.Opera House and Swan Lake
Check the programme for opera or ballet; tickets are affordable by European standards.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes or an evening performance
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Couples
- After dark
Religious site · Republic Square
10.Katoghike Church
Stop on a walk between Republic Square and the Cascade; it takes a few minutes.
- Time needed
- 15 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Off the beaten path
Neighbourhood · Kond
11.Kond district
Explore by day, respecting residents' privacy; it is a lived-in neighbourhood.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Off the beaten path
- Photo spot
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Cascade and Tamanyan Street | Cascade and Cafesjian Center for the Arts | 1–2 hours |
| Republic Square | Republic Square, Vernissage market, GUM Market, Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral and Katoghike Church | 30 minutes + 1–2 hours + 1 hour + 30 minutes + 15 minutes |
| Tsitsernakaberd | Armenian Genocide Memorial and Museum | 1.5–2 hours |
| Mashtots Avenue | Blue Mosque | 30 minutes |
| Arabkir | Victory Park and Mother Armenia | 1–2 hours |
| Northern Avenue and Opera | Opera House and Swan Lake | 30 minutes or an evening performance |
| Kond | Kond district | 1 hour |
Worth a small ticket
Museum · Mashtots Avenue
Matenadaran
Join a guided tour in English to understand the illuminations and the history of the Armenian alphabet.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
- Iconic
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Museum · Republic Square
History Museum of Armenia
Book a guided tour at the desk; the collection is large, and context makes it far more engaging.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
Gallery · Republic Square
National Gallery of Armenia
Head to the top floors first for the Armenian collection, which is the gallery's strength.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
Historic site · Erebuni
Erebuni Fortress
Visit the museum first, then climb to the hilltop for views over the city.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Off the beaten path
Museum · Kond
Sergei Parajanov Museum
Watch a clip of 'The Colour of Pomegranates' before visiting to appreciate his style.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
More ways to save
- Use ride-hailing apps rather than street taxis to avoid overcharging.
- Group day tours are much cheaper than private drivers for monasteries and lakes.
- Eat at local cafés and bakeries for very affordable meals.
- Buy dried fruit and sujukh at the GUM Market rather than in tourist shops.
- Check bills for service charges before tipping.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Yerevan expensive to visit?
Yerevan is affordable for most visitors, but 11 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Yerevan?
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.