Despite its wonderful mix of old and new, Yerevan, Armenia’s capital, is still relatively untouched and unaffected by tourism. But with its fabulous combination of museums, parks and markets, it’s a fascinating place to visit.
Here’s our pick of the best that Yerevan has to offer:
1. Yerevan Opera Theater
This is Yerevan’s main entertainment center and dates back to the 1930s when the country was under Soviet rule. Over the years it has hosted Russian and Armenian masterpieces including the very famous Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky. There are two concert theaters here – the National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet and the Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall, named after the Armenian composer. The box office is located near to the theater by Mesrop Mahtots Avenue, or you can buy tickets on various Armenian tourist websites online.
Address: 54 Tumanyan Street, Yerevan, Armenia
Search cheap flights to Yerevan2. Armenian Genocide Memorial & Museum (Tsitsernakaberd)
This museum is not for the faint hearted but victims of the Armenian Genocide during 1915 to 1922 in the Ottoman Empire deserve to be remembered. The number of those who were deliberately killed during this time reached a shocking 1.5 million, and this museum and memorial was built so their deaths would never be forgotten. The story of the genocide is told through film clips, newspaper articles, personal documents and diaries, and photographs. The museum is built into a hill beneath the 40 meter spire by a circle of 12 huge slabs which sit at angle around an eternal flame. Each slab represents a western Armenian province, or pieces of land that were given to Turkey after WWI. It is a stunning monument and a must-see on any visit to Yerevan. You can easily catch a taxi from the city centre to Tsitsernakaberd Hill which sits across Hrazdan Gorge.
Address: Tsitsernakaberd Highway, Yerevan, Armenia
Opening times: Tuesday through Sunday 11am – 4pm. Closed Mondays and major public holidays. Extended opening hours on April 24 (Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day)
Entry: Admission is free but there is a donation box in the entrance
3. Matenadaran
This huge library (matenadaran means book in Armenian) houses more than 23,000 articles and is one of the country’s most important and prized cultural buildings. Its most important pieces are the 1,800 beautiful illustrated manuscripts that were part of an original collection put together in the first Armenian matenadaran which was built in the 5th century by St Mesrop Mashotots. Much of the original collection was looted or destroyed over the years but what’s left is still worth seeing. There’s also some wonderful Arabic manuscripts, along with Roman and Greek scientific works. Everything is labelled in eight languages including Arabic, Spanish, English and Russian.
Address: Mashtots Avenue 53, Yerevan, 0009
Opening times: Tuesday through Saturday 10am – 5pm
Entry: Adult tickets cost 1,000 AMD (Dh8). You also have to pay 2,500 AMD (Dh19) if you want to use a camera (no flash allowed)
4. Yerevan Republic Square
Republic Square in the center of Yerevan draws big crowds in the summer when the outdoor fountains ‘perform’ to music between sunset and 10pm every night. The square was actually originally called Lenin Square after Vladimir Lenin but this was changed to Republic Square in 1990 and the large Lenin statue dismantled the following year. There are five large pink and yellow buildings surrounding the square which house, among other things, the National Gallery and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The square is a popular concert venue and has hosted an eclectic mix of artists including the rock band System of a Down and hip-hop artist Timati! It’s also home to a huge Christmas tree every December.
Address: Kentron, Yerevan, Armenia
5. National Gallery of Armenia
This is the biggest art museum in the country and one of the most popular things to do in Yerevan. It has a huge collection of Russian and Western European art, as well the best collection of Armenian art in the world, including Medieval frescoes and miniatures.
Address: Republic Square, 1 Arami Str, 0010, Yerevan, Armenia
Opening times: Tuesday through Saturday 11am – 5.30pm (6.30pm on Sundays). Closed Mondays
Entry: Tickets cost 1,500 AMD (Dh12) for foreigners
6. Mother Armenia
This 22 meter-high statue in Yerevan’s Victory Park takes a rather strict approach to mothering by the looks of things! She carries a huge sword and stands like she’s part of an army procession. The message is clear – she will protect her country at all costs. There’s a military museum in the pedestal underneath the statue which tells the story of country’s role in WW2 and the Karabakh War in the late 1980s.
Address: Haghtanak Park (Victory Park), Yerevan, Armenia
Opening times: Tuesday through Friday 10am – 5pm, Sunday 10am – 3pm. Closed Saturdays
Entry: Free
7. Cafesjian Center for the Arts (Yerevan Cascade)
Better known as the Yerevan Cascade, this arts centre is housed in a massive staircase structure – hence the name ‘cascade’, and is one of the most popular places to visit in Yerevan. There are two garden galleries and a further five exhibition rooms which you can reach on an escalator inside the building. The center is named after the Armenian-American philanthropist Gerard Cafesjian who helped fund the build. Some of his own collection of sculpture and furniture are now on display inside the arts center. The stairs are surrounded by statues and sculptures as well as plants and grasses and are a popular place for artsy locals to hang out. There’s a great gift shop as well as an interesting library.
Address: 10 Tamanyan Street, Yerevan 0009, Armenia
Opening times: Exhibition galleries, visitor center and museum store Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10am – 8pm. Escalator gallery 8am – 10pm. The sculpture garden is always open
Entry: Tickets cost 1,000 AMD (Dh8) for adults and 750 AMD (Dh6) for children aged 13 through 17
8. Sardarabad memorial
This is another of Yerevan’s memorial dedicated to its fight for independence. The distinct red-colored monument (built from Armenian red tuff stone) marks the Battle of Sardarabad and is built where Armenia fought for the final time to save its nation from the Turks during the 1918 battle. The Armenians were heavily outnumbered but were so determined to win that they managed to defeat their enemy. The entrance to the memorial is flanked by two massive winged oxen, with a huge trellis and 12-bell structure in between them. The bells are rung every year to commemorate the battle victory.
Address: Sardarapad Memorial, Araks, Armenia
9. Treat yourself at Grand Candy Ponchikanots
This is the place to go in Yerevan to buy a traditional ponchik, a sort of donut filled with hot sweet custard or jam. The shop, which is now owned by Grand Candy, used to be a ponchik factory where you could enjoy the most delicious piping-hot desert with a side of hot chocolate, but now has a candy store downstairs as well as the original factory.
Address: 54 M. Mashtots Street, Yerevan, Armenia
10. Visit the markets in Yerevan
If you’re looking to buy souvenirs of all kinds and tastes, visit the Vernissage outdoor weekend flea market in Yerevan. You can pick up everything from crockery and rugs to handmade jewelry and even some genuine antiques. The first Vernissage market was held in the 1980s and organized by Armenian artists who wanted to sell straight to the public. Feel free to haggle, and save some space in your suitcase before your visit! An alternate market is the indoor G.U.M. Market which focuses on food and drinks including local cheeses and meats, fresh vegetables, nuts and dried fruits. It’s especially delicious in summer when peaches, cherries and berries are in season.
Address: Vernissage: Aram Street, Yerevan, Armenia. GUM Market: 35 Movses Khorenatsi St, Yerevan, Armenia
*Content published June 2018. Information and prices correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change and/or availability.
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