Here’s how I spent 3 days in Armenia, an incredibly beautiful country that I initially visited for personal reasons but ended up loving too much not to share. From unforgettable food and iconic landmarks to hidden gems, this guide covers everything you need to know about visiting Armenia based on my personal experience.

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3 Days in Armenia: Landmarks, Food, & Hidden Gems

I Never Planned to Visit Armenia: Here’s Why I’m Glad I Did

To begin with, Armenia was never on the top of my travel bucket list. As a traveler, you eventually want to see everywhere, but for some reason, Armenia’s stunning landscapes and historical landmarks never seemed to appear on my social media feeds. I wasn’t even sure I would end up writing about Armenia.

Unlike most of my trips, this wasn’t a work trip, a content trip, or part of any larger travel project. The main reason for visiting Armenia was much more personal: I was meeting my 82-year-old grandmother, who flew from St. Petersburg, Russia, and whom I hadn’t seen in more than ten years. Because of that, I assumed we’d spend most of our time relaxing and catching up rather than sightseeing. I certainly didn’t expect to see much of the country. Yet somehow, this short 3-day trip turned into one of the most memorable travel experiences I’ve had this year.

What surprised me most was not just Armenia’s ancient monasteries, dramatic landscapes, or fascinating history. It was the people. Everywhere we went, Armenians were incredibly welcoming, kind, and genuinely excited to see visitors discovering their country. You could feel how much people wanted Armenia to thrive and how important tourism has become for the country’s future.

This article is my small thank-you to everyone we met during our trip. Armenia made me feel at home from the moment I arrived, and I hope more travelers will add it to their bucket lists because this remarkable country deserves far more attention than it currently receives.

Where to Stay in Armenia: My Experience

For this trip, we stayed at Amora Guesthouse in Ashtarak, a peaceful countryside property located about 30 minutes from Armenia’s capital city, Yerevan. Looking back, I think staying outside the capital was one of the best decisions we made. Yerevan is fascinating, but the traffic there can be intense, especially during peak hours.

If your goal is to explore different parts of Armenia, choosing a base outside the city can save you a lot of time. That said, if it’s your first visit, I would still recommend spending at least a few days in Yerevan itself to experience the city’s culture, museums, and cafes.

Also, our hosts at Amora Guesthouse were exceptional. They helped organize airport transfers and connected us with a local guide who helped us make the most of our trip while taking care of all the driving. Having someone who knew the roads, handled parking, suggested extra stops, and adapted the itinerary to our pace made all the difference, especially while traveling with my grandmother. Also, we arrived to a huge welcome gift filled with homemade dried fruits, jams, and local treats – a perfect introduction to Armenian generosity.

You can find the latest accommodation deals for Armenia on the map below.

How I Spent 3 Days in Armenia: My Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Exploring Yerevan, Armenia’s capital city

Our first day was dedicated to Armenia’s vibrant capital. It’s such a peculiar city, known for its fascinating mix of influences that you’ll find everywhere – from Soviet architecture (Armenia was part of the USSR, and Russian is still the second most widely spoken language after Armenian) to monuments dedicated to famous Armenians from around the world, vintage cars, and European-style cafes and restaurants. The city is also filled with vibrant murals featuring Armenian motifs.

From this perspective, Yerevan was an incredibly interesting city to visit, as it felt unlike any other place I’ve seen in either Europe or Asia.

We started with breakfast on the LETE terrace at the Ibis Hotel, one of the nicest spots in central Yerevan to enjoy a morning meal. All of us were curious to try the Russian breakfast plate, mainly because the other options were much heavier and we wanted something lighter. The menu also featured Armenian, English, and American breakfast options.

From there, we wandered through the city center along Abovyan Street, one of Yerevan’s main avenues, stopping to admire the famous Spider Sculpture as well as various monuments and pieces of street art before making our way toward the Opera House and, eventually, the iconic Cascade Complex.

No first visit to Yerevan would be complete without exploring the Cascade. While the monumental stairway itself is impressive, there are also escalators inside the complex, allowing visitors to admire contemporary art installations as they ascend or descend. This remarkable landmark blends modern art, landscaped gardens, fountains, and some of the best panoramic views over the city.

After exploring the Cascade Complex, we stopped for lunch at Food Industry, a local cafe-restaurant with an incredibly cool interior design. One thing I quickly noticed in Armenia was how common homemade lemonades are in cafes and restaurants, so naturally we had to try a few different flavors.

Afterwards, we continued our walk through the city, passing the Arno Babajanyan Statue, dedicated to one of Armenia’s most celebrated composers and pianists. Along the way, we browsed several local shops that offered a glimpse into contemporary Armenian culture.

One of my favorite spontaneous discoveries was the Amoghilian Art souvenir shop, a beautifully curated space showcasing the work of Armenian artists and artisans.

From there, we headed to Zangak Bookstore, as I was determined to bring home books by Armenian writers, including Narine Abgaryan, William Saroyan, and Ruben Sevak.

The bookstore had an impressive selection of titles in Armenian, Russian, and English. However, most works by Armenian authors were available primarily in Armenian and Russian, while the English-language section was dominated by international bestsellers. I sincerely hope that more international travelers will discover Armenian literature in the future, as I’ve already started reading the books I brought home and have found them absolutely excellent.

To better understand Armenia’s long history, we ended the day at the Matenadaran Museum, home to one of the world’s most important collections of ancient manuscripts. Even if you’re not normally a museum person, this place offers incredible insight into Armenia’s role as one of the oldest Christian civilizations on Earth.

Day 2: Lake Sevan, Dilijan, and Tsaghkadzor

Lake Sevan

The second day took us through some of Armenia’s most beautiful natural landscapes, which ultimately became one of my favorite aspects of the country. While I’ve visited many destinations known for their lush scenery, Armenia felt especially raw and untouched. Since most of the country’s population lives in Yerevan, traveling beyond the capital often means having incredible natural wonders almost entirely to yourself, with the exception of more popular sites such as Garni Temple and the Symphony of Stones.

Our first stop of the day was Lake Sevan, often referred to as the jewel of Armenia. Surrounded by mountains and located at an altitude of nearly 2,000 meters above sea level, the lake feels more like an inland sea than a traditional lake. The vibrant blue waters combined with the surrounding greenery created an almost surreal landscape.

We also visited the nearby Sevanavank Monastery, one of Armenia’s most iconic religious landmarks. Perched on a hill overlooking the lake, this ancient monastery dates back to the 9th century and offers some of the most spectacular views in the region. The combination of centuries-old stone churches and the vast expanse of Lake Sevan below makes it a truly unforgettable stop on any Armenia itinerary.

Armenian Sweets at Tsovagyugh

After leaving the lake, we made an unexpected but very enjoyable stop at a supermarket and food court, Tsovagyugh, where we sampled a variety of Armenian pastries. The bakery there was enormous, and since everything was sold individually, it was easy to order just one piece of each and try lots of different specialties. If you have a sweet tooth – this is definitely a place you shouldn’t miss in Armenia.

“You can read more about traditional Armenian foods in this post.

Dilijan National Park / Parz Lake

After enjoying Armenia’s pastries, we continued to Dilijan National Park and the peaceful Parz Lake. This is Armenia’s most famous national park, and the country is currently partnering with the EU on new trail development projects. If these plans continue, I believe Armenia could become one of the ultimate hiking destinations in the coming years, as the natural scenery here is truly spectacular.

On our way to the national park, we noticed numerous roadside stalls selling freshly grilled corn. Our guide explained that Dilijan is a popular weekend getaway destination for Armenians, and stopping for fresh corn on the way to the lake has become something of a local tradition.

Parz Lake itself is a beautiful area, with an easy walking loop that circles the water. You can also rent a pedal boat. There is also a family adventure park nearby, which immediately made me want to return to Armenia one day with my own children. The surrounding forests, scenic trails, and fresh mountain air make this one of the most relaxing places to visit in Armenia.

Lunch and Feeding Seagulls in Armenia

After the lake, we returned to a popular restaurant at Lake Sevan – Colette. Overlooking the water was another memorable experience, made even more entertaining by the constant presence of seagulls hoping to steal a snack. This restaurant has a paid option to sit in a special elevated box where seagulls fly right up to you and you can throw bread to them. It costs 10,000 Armenian drams (around $27 USD), but we felt it was so worth it – especially since the food for all four of us only cost around 12,000 Armenian drams (around $33 USD).

Kecharis Monastery and Tsaghkadzor Ropeway

After lunch, we visited Kecharis Monastery, one of Armenia’s many remarkable medieval religious sites. Like so many Armenian monasteries, it combines stunning architecture with a beautiful mountain setting.

I absolutely loved the churches in Armenia; they felt truly ancient and sacred without focusing on lavish decorations, especially compared to Spanish cathedrals. While it isn’t very common to film inside, visiting these churches and monasteries – many of which are more than 1,000 years old – felt like touching history itself. Not many people know that Armenia was actually the very first country in the world to adopt Christianity as its official state religion on a government level, back in 301 AD. So, as someone with a deep love for ancient history, I really appreciated these landmarks.

We finished the day at the Tsaghkadzor Ropeway, located in another popular vacation area for Armenians. The views there were great, though this place is not a match for anyone with a fear of heights. I also recommend bringing a jacket, as it gets windy even in the summer.

Day 3: Saghmosavank Monastery, Garni Temple, and Symphony of Stones

Saghmosavank Monastery

Our final day was packed with some of Armenia’s most popular landmarks and a natural wonder. We began at Saghmosavank Monastery, a breathtaking 13th-century complex dramatically perched above the Kasagh Gorge. The combination of medieval architecture and dramatic scenery makes it one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen during my 3 days in Armenia.

Garni Temple

From there, we traveled to Garni Temple, Armenia’s most famous pre-Christian monument. Unlike the country’s many churches and monasteries, Garni preserves the legacy of Armenia’s pagan past and looks remarkably like a classical Greek or Roman temple. It was the busiest landmark we saw during our time in Armenia, but it was still incredibly unique, and thanks to its hilltop location, the surrounding views are absolutely breathtaking.

Symphony of Stones

Nearby Garni Temple lies one of Armenia’s most fascinating natural wonders: the Symphony of Stones. Massive hexagonal basalt columns formed millions of years ago rise from the canyon walls, creating structures that almost look man-made.

It slightly reminded me of Northern Ireland’s Giant’s Causeway, but bigger and much less touristy. Even though it was one of the busiest landmarks we saw in Armenia, it felt empty compared to popular European sites.

Once you arrive, there’s an option to take a tourist train for around 300 Armenian drams. However, they only accept cash and we didn’t have any. The driver kindly insisted that our grandmother could join anyway. When I offered him a few dollars, he refused and said it was his present to her. This beautiful gesture truly reflects the Armenian attitude toward guests – seniors are deeply loved, respected, and treated like family.

Armenian Dishes at Vineyard Restaurant

For lunch, we stopped at a really nice, spacious restaurant called Vineyard, located in the small town where our accommodation was. There, we enjoyed traditional Armenian dishes paired with beautiful countryside views. The most typical Armenian dishes we tried were an aveluk roll, strained matzoon yogurt, a bread basket with fresh lavash, dolma, and khashlama. We also had their traditional kebab and plech potatoes – the last two were our absolute favorite dishes from our time in Armenia!

Khor Virap

We ended our trip at Khor Virap, perhaps Armenia’s most iconic monastery. Located right near the border, it offers the country’s most famous view of Mount Ararat – a sacred mountain deeply tied to Armenian identity, which became part of Turkey following the geopolitical shifts of the early 20th century and the Armenian Genocide.

Khor Virap itself holds massive historical weight; its name translates to ‘deep dungeon,’ marking the site where Saint Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned for 14 years before successfully converting Armenia into the world’s first Christian nation in 301 AD. Watching the sun begin to lower behind the majestic mountain was the perfect, poignant ending to our 3 days in Armenia.

Is Armenia Worth Visiting? What I Loved About This Incredible Country and Its People

Not only is Armenia absolutely worth visiting, it is one of my greatest travel discoveries this year and one of the most underrated countries I have ever explored. The people here are incredibly warm and welcoming, deeply proud of their heritage and joyful in sharing their culture.

Their pride is entirely justified, especially considering Armenia’s position at the crossroads of three historic empires: the Persian, Ottoman, and Russian. Unfortunately, this geography made it the stage for dramatic and tragic historical events, facing countless invasions and losses of sovereignty. Today, this painful past is why the global Armenian diaspora is larger than the population of the country itself. I am utterly fascinated by how, despite centuries of struggle, the Armenian people managed to preserve their unique language, alphabet, and traditions.

Yet, with recent political shifts, Armenia is experiencing a massive revival. Locals shared with me that this is the first year they are seeing positive net migration – where the number of people moving in is actually higher than those leaving. During our three days there, we met locals who had just returned to Armenia after decades of working in Russia, a sign that local opportunities are finally growing.

I truly hope to return to Armenia one day to see this beautiful country continue to prosper, especially since 3 days wasn’t nearly enough to see it all. I highly recommend Armenia to travelers who love hidden gems, breathtaking nature, and profound historical landmarks. It is incredibly budget-friendly compared to Europe or the United States, yet it feels completely unique because of its people, culture, and cuisine. Armenia truly has everything to make a trip unforgettable.

Travel Tips for Armenia

Money & Currency

I highly recommend carrying local cash (Armenian Dram). Changing money at the airport is always more expensive, so only exchange a small amount there if you don’t have a transfer already arranged. In Yerevan, paying by card is generally not an issue, but across the rest of the country, it is mostly a cash economy.

Interestingly, the unofficial second currency is the US Dollar (USD), while the Euro is not very common. For example, on my last day, I didn’t want to exchange any more money, so I was able to buy a few souvenirs at the market for 1–2 USD.

Driving & Taxis

Taxis are incredibly affordable in Armenia, so we decided not to rent a car. Plus, driving in the capital, Yerevan, is a bit rough and not as comfortable or orderly as driving in Europe.

The two main taxi apps in Armenia are Yandex Go and GG. Yandex Go did not work with my Spanish phone number (though it did work on my grandmother’s Russian number). GG worked on my Spanish number, but I couldn’t connect my Spanish credit card to the app, but I could use it and pay in cash.

Tipping Culture

In Yerevan, a 10–20% tip is standard, similar to Europe. However, in countryside restaurants – where locals often go to spend the entire day – tips are usually a bit higher. A few times when we paid by card, the QR code for leaving a tip wasn’t working. The waiters were incredibly nice about it, reassuring us that it was completely fine and we didn’t need to leave anything. Armenians are friendly and welcoming to travelers, regardless of tips! Still, it’s always best to keep some cash on you – or at least a few 1, 2, or 5-dollar bills – just in case.

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For more travel tips check out my Pinterest board Armenia

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