Armenia is a small mountainous country where they come to admire the picturesque natural landscapes, ancient monasteries, a ruff, lined with pink tuff, or ancient Gyumri. Typically, tourists stay in the capital and travel out of town for one day with guides. But the seasoned travelers who have already been to Armenia may not be interesting to the most obvious directions. This time we will talk about the deserving of the original cities of the republic.
North
Ijevan
At the mention of Izhevan, many recall the same producer of the wines, which is considered one of the best in Armenia. Arriving in a small city in the north of the country, you should definitely visit a local wine factory and better find out about the production of an alcoholic beverage, tasteing unique samples.
Do not be too lazy to take a walk along the large dendropark. On the Tavush region, the administrative center of which is Ijevan, accounts for 60% of all forests of the country. Here is a rich flora: there are oak, beech, ash, berry shrubs and fruit trees.
In the vicinity of the city, numerous historical monuments and monasteries have been preserved: Makaravank, Nor Varagavank, Khoranashat, Goshavank, medieval fortresses Tavush and Berdavan. For lovers of campaigns, bikes and horseback riding there are picturesque routes leading to waterfalls, caves and small lakes.
Where to stop:
Elgay Guest House. The cost of one night for two is 2,500 rubles*.
Eco Park Resort. The cost of one night for two is 4,200 rubles*.
B&B kamar. The cost of one night for two is 6,000 rubles*.
Dilizhan
Ijevan and dilizhan are similar in location and natural environment, but the second has a more developed tourist infrastructure. Dilijan is known thanks to the cult film “Mimino”, where the hero of Frunzik Mkrtchyana pronounces the legendary phrase that it is here that water flows from the tap that takes second place in the world. In Soviet times, the dilizhan was considered a resort, he still justifies his status. The city is located in a large gorge at an altitude of 1,200-1,500 m, there are many viewing points with beautiful views, good establishments and hotels.
The most popular among tourists is Sharambeyan Street, on which the old city is recreated: stone houses along the promenade are decorated with carved elements, wooden terraces and balconies. In the center of the city, you can take a picture at the Mimino monument and see the modernist obelisk established for the 50th anniversary of Soviet Armenia.
In the vicinity, it is worth visiting the forests of the local National Park, Lake Parz, Monasteries Agarcin, Matosavank and Djukhtaxwank.
Where to stop:
Green Dilijan B&B. The cost of one night for two is 3,000 rubles*.
Casanova Inn – Boutique Hotel. The cost of one night for two is 5,400 rubles*.
Best Western Plus Paradise Hotel Dilijan. The cost of one night for two is 11,800 rubles*.
To the northwest
Alaverdi
He is located in the Lorian Gorge, stretching from Vanadzor to the Armenian-Georgian border. At different times, several kingdoms were owned by this region, in the legacy of which numerous monuments remained. Today Alaverdi is the Center for the Copper Industry of the Transcaucasian country. The city was already built up in Soviet times and in itself is not of much interest for tourists. However, in the immediate vicinity of him there are many places that deserve visits.
First of all, these are Ahpat and Sanain monasteries, one of the most beautiful and oldest in Armenia, both are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Founded in the 10th century, the monastery complexes remained almost unchanged. From here, magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and the gorge are opened. Other popular religious monuments nearby – Ozun, Kobair and Akhtal.
In the village of Sanain, there is a museum of the Mikoyan brothers – aircraft designers, thanks to which aircraft of the MiG brand appeared as part of the Soviet Air Force. The brothers were born and grew up in the vicinity of Alaverdi. In the city itself there is a medieval Sanain bridge connecting the two banks of the DeBed mountain river. The building, built in the 12th century, survived many earthquakes, but did not lose its picturesque appearance.
Where to stop:
Mini House. The cost of one night for two is 2,600 rubles*.
Iris B&B in Debed Canyon. The cost of one night for two is 2,600 rubles*.
Pottery House. The cost of one night for two is 3,400 rubles*.
To the west
Echmiadzin
Echmiadzin is the spiritual capital of Armenia, also known as a Vagarshapat. Here is the residence of the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Here, medieval buildings and churches are preserved, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The most significant building is the Echmiadzinsky Cathedral, laid down in 301-303 of our era and built for more than one century. One of the oldest Christian churches in the world repeatedly rebuilt, having traveled from a wooden church to a monumental stone building that has existed to this day. Inside the cathedral you can see unique frescoes and paintings.
The less significant, but no less beautiful buildings of the city – the Church of St. Ripsima and St. Gayan, erected in the 7th century AD. In the vicinity of Echmiadzin are the picturesque ruins of their peer – the Temple of Zvartnotz. The building was destroyed in the 10th century as a result of an earthquake and partially restored in the 20th century. The colonnade of the cathedral emphasizes the monumentality of Ararat, rising against the background of the ruins of the church.
It is also worth looking at the Echmiadzin Museum-Shchelik, in which there are unique exhibits, including sacred relics, ancient robes and works of art.
Where to stop:
Machanents Guest House. The cost of one night for two is 3,000 rubles*.
Artson b & b vagharshapat. The cost of one night for two is 3 100 rubles*.
OUR House. The cost of one night for two is 3 100 rubles*.
To the southeast
Goris
The ancient city with cozy and ancient streets, surrounded by amazing rocks with numerous caves amazing in shape. All this is about Goris, which is located in the south of the country, in the field of Syunik.
They go here mainly for the sake of the cave complex of the KhNZOROSK and the Tatev monastery located nearby. Now active work is underway here and a new tourist infrastructure is appearing, so in Goris you can stop in order to inspect all nearby attractions without haste and comfortably.
Where to stop:
Hotel Mira. The cost of one night for two is 2,500 rubles*.
Hotel Lara. The cost of one night for two is 4,700 rubles*.
Diana Hotel. The cost of one night for two is 6,200 rubles*.
Kapan
Yerevan Koronovan Ararat, a magnificent view of the Aragams opens from Gyumri, and a picturesque scrap rises above the drip. The top clings to itself from many points of the city and attracts enthusiasts. The path to the mountain is not easy, therefore it requires some preparation and support of the guide.
In the vicinity of Kapan, it is worth seeing the medieval fortress Bagaberd and the Castle Alidzor. For several centuries, they have been considered one of the most protected fortifications in the region. 5 km from the city is the Vaanavank monastery, founded in the 10th century. For some time he served as a pantheon for members of local tsarist families. You can also visit the Historical Museum in Kapan in order to learn more about the past of this place and see unusual archaeological finds of the Middle Ages.
Where to stop:
Alex B&B. The cost of one night for two is 3,200 rubles*.
Dian Hotel. The cost of one night for two is 4,200 rubles*.
Navasard Resort. The cost of one night for two is 10,600 rubles*.
Jermuk
Jermuk is another city resort city and the main hospital of Soviet Armenia. They come here now for clean mountain air and amazing landscapes. Thanks to the surviving infrastructure, the city did not lose its orientation, and in our time new hotels were built as an alternative to the Soviet sanatoriums.
Jermuk is located at an altitude of 1,980-2 080 m above sea level, in the city and its environs there are many mineral springs and waterfalls, the main of which, Jermukik, has a height of 70 m and is the second in this indicator in the country. In Jermuk, it is worth stopping for several days to relax, a favorable climate and a large selection of hotels allow you to spend time here. In the winter, the ski resort of the same name is nearby.
Where to stop:
Centrale Guesthouse. The cost of one night for two is 3,800 rubles*.
Jermuk Ararat Health Spa. The cost of one night for two is 6,400 rubles*.
Grand Resort Jermuk. The cost of one night for two is 9,500 rubles*.
Megri
Megri is the southern city of Armenia, located on the border with Iran. The mountains surrounding him are strikingly different from everything that can be seen in other places of the Transcaucasian Republic. The pointed gray cliffs that do not have vegetation surround the city and the green valley of the Araks River.
In some details, the proximity of historical Persia is felt here: in the guise of ancient houses and aquates of the 17th century, in brickwork and frescoes of local churches, in a formidable form of towers of a dilapidated Megrin fortress. Here, Armenia is felt completely different, in the east.
In Megry, it is worth visiting the Arselik National Park, in which rare and disappearing species of animals and plants are found. The city itself is small, you can study it in one day. But you need to be prepared for the fact that there is practically no tourist infrastructure in it, and the path by car from Yerevan will take 8 hours, you will have to go along the serpentine.
Where to stop:
Haer b & b. The cost of one night for two is 2,100 rubles*.
House On the Rock. The cost of one night for two is 3,600 rubles*.
Continental Complex. The cost of one night for two is 3,700 rubles*.
*Prices are relevant at the time of publication.
