Things to do · Yerevan · Armenia
17 best things to do in Yerevan
17 sights and experiences ranked for a first visit, with honest notes on time, cost and crowds.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Sonanik, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
The essential sights in Yerevan are Cascade and Cafesjian Center for the Arts, Republic Square and Matenadaran. Of the 17 picks below, 11 are free, 5 work on a rainy day and 3 suit children. Allow about 5 days to see the highlights without rushing.
Key facts
- Top sight
- Cascade and Cafesjian Center for the Arts
- Free sights
- 11
- Good on a rainy day
- History Museum of Armenia
- Time to see the highlights
- 5 days
At a glance
| Sight | Area | Time needed | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cascade and Cafesjian Center for the Arts | Cascade and Tamanyan Street | 1–2 hours | Free |
| Republic Square | Republic Square | 30 minutes | Free |
| Matenadaran | Mashtots Avenue | 1.5 hours | Low cost |
| History Museum of Armenia | Republic Square | 2 hours | Low cost |
| National Gallery of Armenia | Republic Square | 1.5 hours | Low cost |
| Armenian Genocide Memorial and Museum | Tsitsernakaberd | 1.5–2 hours | Free |
| Vernissage market | Republic Square | 1–2 hours | Free |
| GUM Market | Republic Square | 1 hour | Free |
| Erebuni Fortress | Erebuni | 1.5 hours | Low cost |
| Blue Mosque | Mashtots Avenue | 30 minutes | Free |
| Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral | Republic Square | 30 minutes | Free |
| Victory Park and Mother Armenia | Arabkir | 1–2 hours | Free |
| Sergei Parajanov Museum | Kond | 1 hour | Low cost |
| Yerevan Brandy Company tour | Hrazdan | 1–1.5 hours | Mid-priced |
| Opera House and Swan Lake | Northern Avenue and Opera | 30 minutes or an evening performance | Free |
| Katoghike Church | Republic Square | 15 minutes | Free |
| Kond district | Kond | 1 hour | Free |
The 17 best things to do
Landmark · Cascade and Tamanyan Street
1.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. Inside, the Cafesjian Center for the Arts has escalators and galleries. From the top, the view takes in the city centre and, on clear days, Mount Ararat.
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
Yerevan's main square, designed by Alexander Tamanyan, is surrounded by buildings of pink and yellow tuff, including the History Museum and the National Gallery. On summer evenings, its fountains dance to music in front of crowds.
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
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Museum · Mashtots Avenue
3.Matenadaran
The Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts holds thousands of Armenian manuscripts, including illuminated gospels, scientific texts and maps. A statue of Mesrop Mashtots, creator of the Armenian alphabet, stands in front of the building.
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
4.History Museum of Armenia
On Republic Square, the national history museum covers Armenian history from the Stone Age onwards. Highlights include Bronze Age artefacts, Urartian finds and the Areni-1 shoe, a leather shoe around 5,500 years old found in a cave in southern 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
5.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.
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 · Tsitsernakaberd
6.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. The museum below documents the events with photographs and documents.
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
7.Vernissage market
An open-air market near Republic Square selling carpets, woodcarving, obsidian jewellery, paintings, Soviet memorabilia and crafts. It is largest at weekends.
Visit on a weekend morning, and haggle politely.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
Market · Republic Square
8.GUM Market
A covered market selling dried fruit, nuts, spices, cheese, sujukh (walnuts in grape juice) and pickles, with sellers offering tastes. It is a lively place to see everyday Yerevan.
Try dried apricots and sujukh before you buy; prices are usually per kilo.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
Historic site · Erebuni
1.Erebuni Fortress
Founded in 782 BC by King Argishti I of Urartu, Erebuni is the origin of Yerevan. Ruins of the fortress and reconstructed frescoes sit on a hill in the south-east, with a museum displaying cuneiform inscriptions and Urartian artefacts.
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
Religious site · Mashtots Avenue
2.Blue Mosque
Built in the 18th century, the Blue Mosque is the only functioning mosque in Yerevan. Its tiled dome and minaret rise above a peaceful courtyard garden with fountains.
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
3.Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral
Consecrated in 2001 for the 1,700th anniversary of Armenia's adoption of Christianity, this is the largest Armenian cathedral, with a bright, spacious interior and the relics of St Gregory.
Visit during a Sunday morning liturgy to hear the choir.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
Park · Arabkir
4.Victory Park and Mother Armenia
A large park above the Cascade with amusement rides, a small lake and the Mother Armenia statue, a sword-bearing female figure overlooking the city. The pedestal houses a military museum.
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
Museum · Kond
5.Sergei Parajanov Museum
The museum of the film director Sergei Parajanov displays his collages, assemblages, costumes and drawings in a house overlooking the Hrazdan Gorge. It is playful, surreal and quite unlike other museums in the city.
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
Experience · Hrazdan
6.Yerevan Brandy Company tour
The Yerevan Brandy Company, producer of Ararat brandy since 1887, offers guided tours of its cellars and history, ending with tastings of aged brandies. The building stands near Victory Bridge.
Choose a tour with more tastings if you want to compare ages; eat beforehand.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Book ahead
- Tours run at set times and must be booked in advance.
- Food
- Couples
- Rainy day
Architecture · Northern Avenue and Opera
7.Opera House and Swan Lake
The Armenian National Opera and Ballet Theatre, another Tamanyan design, stands in a park with cafés. Next to it, the small Swan Lake becomes an ice rink in winter.
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
8.Katoghike Church
A tiny 13th-century church, the oldest surviving in Yerevan, standing next to the modern Saint Anna Church. It was uncovered in the 1930s when a larger basilica built around it was demolished.
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
9.Kond district
One of Yerevan's oldest surviving districts, a maze of lanes and small houses on a hill near the centre, with street art and a church. It shows a side of the city very different from the Soviet-planned avenues.
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
Pick by interest
| Interest | Best picks |
|---|---|
| Art and museums | Cascade and Cafesjian Center for the Arts, Matenadaran, History Museum of Armenia and National Gallery of Armenia |
| History | History Museum of Armenia, Matenadaran, Armenian Genocide Memorial and Museum and Erebuni Fortress |
| Views | Cascade and Cafesjian Center for the Arts, Armenian Genocide Memorial and Museum, Erebuni Fortress and Victory Park and Mother Armenia |
| Outdoors and nature | Victory Park and Mother Armenia |
| Food and markets | Vernissage market, GUM Market and Yerevan Brandy Company tour |
| After dark | Republic Square and Opera House and Swan Lake |
| With children | Cascade and Cafesjian Center for the Arts, Republic Square and Victory Park and Mother Armenia |
| On a rainy day | History Museum of Armenia, National Gallery of Armenia, Matenadaran and Sergei Parajanov Museum |
What to book ahead
- Yerevan Brandy Company tour: Tours run at set times and must be booked in advance.
Plan the rest of your trip
Questions travellers ask
+What is the number one thing to do in Yerevan?
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.
+What can you do for free in Yerevan?
Cascade and Cafesjian Center for the Arts, Republic Square, Armenian Genocide Memorial and Museum, Vernissage market and GUM Market. More free things to do.
+What is there to do in Yerevan when it rains?
Head indoors to History Museum of Armenia, National Gallery of Armenia, Matenadaran and Sergei Parajanov Museum.
+What is there to do in Yerevan at night?
Republic Square and Opera House and Swan Lake are best after dark.