Armenia (Armenian: Հայաստան Hayastan) is a landlocked country in the Caucasus. Once the centre of an empire, this former Soviet republic straddles the line between Europe and Asia. Armenia has a rich, ancient history, and it is most famously known for being the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as the state religion.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Armenia.
Cards and cash
ATMs (Bankomats) are widely available in larger towns; though outside of Yerevan, you should have a major system such as Visa or MasterCard on your card for it to work.
Tipping
Tipping is increasingly common in Armenia, especially at cafes and restaurants.
International calling is available through prepaid mobile phone cards using a landline.
Mobile networks
Ucom
Telecom Armenia
Viva ArmeniaThe tap water is generally safe, as it comes directly from mountains.
If you are dining with Armenians, they will feed you until you cannot eat any more. The food is generally safe, even from the roadside khorovats stands.
Covered in the guide
Armenians are like any other Europeans in their manners and lifestyle, though very much on the traditional end of the spectrum.
Covered in the guide
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
Yerevan (Armenian: Երեւան, Երևան) is the capital of the Republic of Armenia, one of the three hubs of the South Caucasus and is home to over a million people (2022) — the largest Armenian community in the world. Central Yerevan is a true jewel of early Soviet architecture.
Alaverdi (Armenian: Ալավերդի) is a city in Northern Armenia, and an important commercial and industrial centre in this region.
Dilijan is a town with mild climate and fresh air to the northeast of Yerevan. It is famous for its lovely surroundings, called the "Armenian Switzerland" by the locals, due to the densely forested valleys and mountains with alpine meadows surrounding them.
Echmiadzin (Էջմիածին), in Central Armenia, is Armenia's fourth-largest city. It was officially renamed Vagharshapat (Վաղարշապատ) in 1995, but since the main tourist site in the city is still named Echmiadzin, the old name is still in common use colloquially and in some official contexts.
Goris (Գորիս) is a city in Southern Armenia. Goris is a favoured destination of many local and foreign tourists, with a lot of hotels and inns.
Gyumri is the second largest city in Armenia and the capital of Shirak Province in Northern Armenia. The city was hit hard by the 1988 Spitak earthquake, the consequences of which are still visible throughout the city in the 2020’s.
Jermuk is a spa town in Southern Armenia.
Tsaghkadzor is a city in Central Armenia. Tsaghkadzor is known for being a ski resort, with forests and an ancient monastery.
Places in Armenia on the World Heritage List.
Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots
Listed 2000
Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin
Listed 1996
Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat Valley
Listed 2000
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
The political center of Armenia contains much of the country's museums and cultural venues in Yerevan, the religious center of Echmiadzin, the 4100-m-high volcano Aragats and the Monasteries of Geghard and Khor Virap. Much of central Armenia near the Turkish border consists of Ararat valley. In the uplands you have Ashtarak on the Kasagh river gorge and the Hrazdan river gorge through Kotayk region, plus the hidden in plain sight Khosrov Preserve on the east.
This region is centered on the beautiful, 2,000-m-high Lake Sevan, which is surrounded by ancient monuments, churches, monasteries, and popular beaches. Highlights include the largest remaining khachkar cemetery in the world, the crowded beaches near Sevanavank Monastery or isolated beaches elsewhere, and the countless fish and crayfish restaurants along the shores. Windsurfing has been reintroduced to the list of recreational activities.
Bordering Georgia to the north, this mountainous region includes numerous, wonderfully beautiful, and isolated churches and monasteries. Postcard perfect Debed Canyon contains many of these, and the remote Shamshadin region is a glimpse of a virtually unvisited and beautiful Armenia. Dilijan meanwhile has developed an exciting food scene. All of northern Armenia is covered in great hiking trails.
A particularly beautiful section of Armenia stretching south to the Iranian border with interesting caves and more remote, beautiful Christian monuments. Highlights include Tatev Monastery, Noravank Monastery, Selim Caravanserai and the abandoned part cave part built villages of Hin Khndzoresk and Hin Khot.
Public transport and paid services in Armenia.
By train
Most trains in Armenia are Soviet-era stock. Two lines have new faster trains: the international Yerevan-Tbilisi (+Batumi in the summer), and the Yerevan-Gyumri line that runs Friday-Saturday-Sunday.
By taxi
For the average Western European tourist, you can hire a taxi to go most anywhere in the country on very short notice.
By rental car
You can rent cars in Yerevan. Driving in Armenia for the average tourist will be different than at home, though roads are getting better and better and driving style is quite good in general.
By plane
Armenia has only two working airports (Yeveran and Shirak) but there are no internal flights between them.
By tour
One of the most convenient but not necessarily authentic or exciting options for getting to the major tourist sites—some of which have infrequent public transport—are the many day tours advertised…
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Armenia.
Finding apps for Armenia…
Other ways to travel:By thumbBy bicycle
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Yerevan · International · EVN
Loading places around the airport…
Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Yerevan
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 5° | 8° | 14° | 20° | 25° | 31° | 35° | 35° | 29° | 22° | 13° | 6° |
| Avg. low | -5° | -3° | 1° | 6° | 11° | 16° | 20° | 20° | 15° | 8° | 1° | -4° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 19 | 16 | 29 | 47 | 60 | 44 | 29 | 21 | 18 | 33 | 20 | 18 |
| Humidity | 60% | 55% | 50% | 50% | 49% | 42% | 37% | 35% | 38% | 48% | 54% | 61% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$40
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$125
Per person, per day
Luxury
$310
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $20 | $70 | $185 |
| Food and drink | $10 | $25 | $55 |
| Local transport | $5 | $10 | $25 |
| Activities | $5 | $20 | $45 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
—
We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 2 of 4Exercise increased caution
Exercise increased cautionin Armenia due to areas of potential armed conflict. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. U.S. citizens should exercise increased caution in Armenia. Further military activity could occur in the region. Read the Travel Guidance for Armenia for additional information on travel to Armenia. Do Not Travel To These Areas for Any Reason: The border region with Azerbaijan. U.S. Embassy employees and their families cannot travel to these areas for non-essential reasons: Gegharkunik region east of Vardenis Syunik region east of Goris Syunik region south of Kapan Travel through Yeraskh village in Ararat region is allowed, stopping is not.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against travel Armenia-Azerbaijan border The border with Azerbaijan remains closed. FCDO advises against all travel to within 5km of the entire eastern border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, due to tensions between the 2 countries. M16/H26 road between Ijevan and Noyemberyan FCDO advises against all travel along the M16/H26 road between the towns of Ijevan and Noyemberyan, due to border tensions. Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated. Follow FCDO: travel advice on X travel advice on Facebook Travel Aware on Instagram
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Armenia.
Travel tipsThe Armenian Genocide was a campaign of deportation, forced marches, and mass murder during World War I, carried out by the Ottoman Empire against ethnic Armenians.
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesA good way to trace through the history of Armenia, the Armenia Heritage Trail is a suggested itinerary of places which takes you on an approximate chronological tour of the long and rich history of Armenia.
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsThe Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) (Russian: Союз Советских Социалистических Республик (СССР)), or Soviet Union, emerged as the successor state to the Russian Empire in 1917, and was dissolved in 1991.
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyThe Mongols came to rule much of Asia and Europe during the 13th century, becoming the largest contiguous land empire ever, and second only to the British Empire in total land area.
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyChristianity is the world's most prolific religion, with more than 2.38 billion followers, and churches, cathedrals and chapels on every continent including Antarctica. Many of those are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesThe Transcaucasian Trail is a long-distance hiking route under development across Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan, eventually linking the Greater and Lesser Caucasus in two intersecting trails totaling about 3,000 km.
Wikivoyage
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.
