Taking a Trip to Armenia? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

Welcome to Our Armenia Travel Guide - your one stop shop for planning the perfect trip to Armenia.

Armenia is a country that completely surprised us in the best way possible. It is rich in history, deeply cultural, incredibly scenic, and a really fun place to do a road trip. From ancient monasteries perched on cliffs to vibrant city life and unforgettable food, Armenia made a positive impression on us everywhere we went.

In this complete Armenia travel guide, we’ll be sharing how to get to Armenia, the best places to visit, what to eat, how to get around, and everything you need to know to plan an unforgettable trip.

Basic Info for Taking a Trip to Armenia

Welcome to our Armenia travel guide! Before diving into all the details for your trip to Armenia, let’s cover some basics to introduce you to this fascinating and often overlooked destination.

🤔 Why Do Tourists Go to Armenia?

Tourists visit Armenia for its incredible history, dramatic landscapes, and authentic cultural experiences. The country is home to ancient monasteries, mountain scenery, wine regions, and lively cities like Yerevan. Armenia also appeals to travelers looking for destinations that feel untouched, affordable, and deeply rooted in tradition.

A trip to Armenia is perfect for history lovers, foodies, hikers, and travelers who enjoy destinations that still feel undiscovered.

⛪ Religion in Armenia

Armenia is the first country in the world to officially adopt Christianity, and religion plays an important cultural role. You will see churches and monasteries everywhere, many of them dating back over a thousand years. While Armenia is religious, it is very relaxed for tourists. Just be respectful when visiting churches by dressing modestly.

📍 Where is Armenia Located?

Armenia is a landlocked country in the South Caucasus region, located between Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It borders Georgia to the north, Iran to the south, Azerbaijan to the east, and Turkey to the west.

Entry Requirements for a Trip to Armenia

Before your trip to Armenia, let’s make sure you’re prepared to enter the country smoothly.

🛂 Visas for Armenia

Many nationalities can enter Armenia visa free, including travelers from the EU, US, UK, Canada, and several other countries. Others can apply easily online for an e-visa. Visa rules are generally straightforward and Armenia is considered one of the easier countries in the region to enter.

🚷 It's important to note that the land border between Azerbaijan and Armenia is not open, so if you plan on taking a trip to Armenia after Azerbaijan (like we did), you'll have to visit from another country like Georgia.

💉 Do You Need Vaccines for Armenia?

There are no mandatory vaccines required to enter Armenia.

Things to Do During Your Trip in Armenia

Now for the fun part of planning your trip to Armenia! Let's explore all of the unique places to see and activities to add to your Armenia itinerary.

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❣️ Top Places to Visit in Armenia

• Yerevan: the capital city with cafes, museums, nightlife, and Soviet era architecture
• Lake Sevan: one of the largest alpine lakes in the world
• Dilijan: lush forests, hiking trails, and charming streets
• Tatev Monastery: dramatic monastery accessible by the world’s longest cable car
• Geghard Monastery: a UNESCO site carved into rock
• Garni Temple: a Greco-Roman temple with scenic views
• Areni: Armenia’s famous wine region
• Gyumri: cultural city known for art, architecture, and humor

Want the full list of the best places in Armenia? We have a full guide dedicated to that!

🪂 Fun Things to Do in Armenia

• Visit ancient monasteries
• Go wine tasting in Areni
• Hike in Dilijan National Park
• Ride the Wings of Tatev cable car
• Explore Yerevan’s cafe and bar scene
• Visit local markets and bakeries
• Take a traditional cooking class

What to Eat & Drink on a Trip to Armenia

Armenian food is comforting, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying. You can expect lots of grilled meats, fresh herbs, baked flatbreads, and rich stews. Must try dishes include khorovats, dolma, lavash, and khash. Armenia is also one of the oldest wine producing regions in the world, making wine tasting a highlight of any trip.

Restaurants are generally very affordable in Armenia, and the country is full of authentic eateries in beautiful settings. In larger cities like Yerevan and Gyumri you can also find other cuisines, as well as chic cafes with more modern options.

We’ve written a full Armenian food guide to help you know exactly what to eat during your trip.

Where to Base Yourself During Your Trip to Armenia

The best place to base yourself on a trip in Armenia is Yerevan. It's not only the capital, but it is very centrally located, making it easy to access other areas of the country on day trips.

if you're looking to spend some days in the north of the country, you can spend some time in Gyumri, and if you're looking to explore the south, then we'd recommend basing yourself in Goris or Tatev.

Other Things to Know About Taking a Trip to Armenia

Ready to take your trip to Armenia? Well, our guide isn't done just yet. Here are a few final things to keep in mind when visiting Armenia.

☀️ What Is the Weather Like in Armenia?

Armenia experiences four seasons. Summers are hot and dry, and winters can be cold and snowy, especially in the mountains. Spring and fall are ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities.

📆 Best Time to Take a Trip to Armenia

The best time for a trip to Armenia is from May to June and September to October, when the weather is pleasant and landscapes are vibrant. Summer is great for festivals, while winter is ideal for snow lovers.

🧳 Packing for a Trip to Armenia

Here are some of the things that we recommend bringing on your trip to Armenia:

• Comfortable shoes/sneakers for walking around the cities and hiking
• Bathing suit for swimming in natural pools or waterfalls
• Bag/ Backpack for day trips and tours (check out our list of favorite backpacks for travelers!)
• Action Camera (we use the Insta 360 X3 because you can use it with an extra long selfie stick to mimic a drone and it's ideal for the Gobustan mud volcanoes)
• Sunscreen 
• Sunglasses
• Chapstick
• Jacket (except for summer)
• Reusable Water Bottle (we use this water bottle from Cafago because it holds the temperature well)
• Camera (we use the Sony A7Riii)
• Wide Lens for capturing certain landscapes (we use Sony GM 14mm 1.8)
• Drone for unique shots of the country's beautiful landscapes and monasteries (We use the DJI Mavic Mini 4 Pro)
• Power Bank (we use Anker power banks as they are super long lasting and durable)
• Cash (especially for outside of Yerevan)
• Travel Adapter

🤔 Is Armenia Worth Visiting?

Armenia is definitely worth visiting! It offers history, nature, food, and culture in a way that feels genuine and untouched by mass tourism. A trip to Armenia is both rewarding and really memorable.

⏳ How Many Days in Armenia Is Enough?

We recommend at least 7 to 10 days to properly experience Armenia. If you are short on time, basing yourself in Yerevan with day trips works well, and having 3-4 days will give you a good taste of Armenia's top highlights. With more time, a road trip in Armenia allows you to truly appreciate the country’s diversity though.

👀 What's Next?

Now that you know all about the different Armenian dishes and culinary experiences, you'll probably want to know more details about discovering what the country has to offer.

Here are a few other travel guides we have about Armenia:

✈️ How to get to Yerevan, Armenia

🚆 Tbilisi to Yerevan train ride

🤩 33 fun things to do in Yerevan

❣️ 31 best places to visit in Armenia

📸 27 photo spots in Armenia

🚗 Renting a car in Armenia

🗺 The Ultimate Armenia Road Trip

🚌 Getting around Armenia

🍴 Armenia Food Guide

🇦🇿 Which is better - Azerbaijan or Armenia?

We're also going to be publishing new articles each Thursday, so stay tuned!

We hope you enjoyed our Armenia travel guide, and that it helps you greatly in planning your most epic trip to Armenia! There are so many great things to see and do in this unique country, and we're excited for you to explore this underrated destination.

Want to learn more about exploring Armenia? We have several other detailed Armenian travel guides for you to check out, as well as others about nearby countries. Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter for all of our weekly updates of new articles, and for exclusive discounts on the Scratch Your Mapa shop.

Excited about your trip to Armenia but don't want the hassle of planning it all? Well, we're here to help! Scratch Your Mapa offers custom travel planning services, finding you affordable flights, and unique accommodation options, while designing specially-curated itineraries. Want to learn more? Simply sign up for one of our packages or grab your travel consultation today.

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