The best day trip from Yerevan is undoubtedly to visit Garni and Geghard, and the Symphony of Stones; a Greco-Roman temple, a UNESCO listed 4 th century church, and a bizarre rock formation. And it’s completely achievable independently, so there is no need to book on to a guided tour with loads of other people and limited time at each spot. We spent six weeks in Armenia making several trips from Yerevan, and the Garni and Geghard trip takes the top spot! This travel guide will give you all the info you need to make this day trip from Yerevan.

Looking for things to do in Yerevan? Read this post here.

Or maybe looking for the best vegetarian spots and cafes? Check out this post.

First Stop: Garni Temple

Travel Yerevan to Garni

The bus to Garni leaves from a small bus station a little out of town called Gai. It is in the wrong location on Google Maps, but someone has very helpfully added a marker for ‘the real Gai Bus Station’, so make sure you search for this one instead!

Take a GG Taxi (a local Armenian taxi app) to the real Gai Bus Station, which is close to a Mercedes Benz shop.

Get on bus no. 266, which leaves every hour on the hour. It costs about 500 AMD (prices may have increased, but it still gives you a rough idea), and will take about 45 minutes to reach Garni.

Pay for your ticket on the bus and ask the driver to let you know when to get out (or follow the journey along on Google Maps).

Also, I would recommend against sitting anywhere near the back. This is a very bumpy ride.

History of Garni Temple

As Armenia was the first country to declare itself Christian back in the 4th century, most historic religious structures around the country are also Christian. However, this temple actually predates Christianity in Armenia!

It is believed to have been built back in the 1st century when Paganism was practised. It survived the conversion to Christianity, and several occupations until an earthquake hit in the 17th century. The temple was rebuilt and completed by 1975. It has a Greco-Roman colonnaded style, which is unique in the country.

Exploring Garni Temple

The entrance fee for Garni Temple is 1500 AMD.

Garni temple sits overlooking the Garni Gorge, which means that you get beautiful panoramic views too. Wander round the temple, take in the views, but also make sure you step into the ruins of the Roman bath. It seemed that most people didn’t realise that this was here, but you’ll see what is left of mosaic decoration that lined the bottom of the baths. You won’t need much time to explore Garni Temple – 45 minutes should be plenty.

Second Stop: Geghard Monastery

Travel Garni Temple to Geghard Monastery

From Garni, you’ll have to find a taxi as it’s realistically too long to walk (unless you’re not doing this just as a day trip from Yerevan). We walked down the road a bit from the Garni Temple entrance to a small coffee place. While we were waiting for the coffee, we got chatting with the woman serving us. And she mentioned that her Dad would be able to take us!

So she called up Dad, and we arranged 3000 AMD for a drop off at Geghard, he would wait an hour for us, then take us for a quick look at the Symphony of Stones, and then drop us back at the bus stop.

Otherwise, you will be able to find a driver outside of the temple; just be aware that this is the prime spot to pick up a taxi so you might have to do a bit of bargaining to get the price down to a reasonable amount!

You could always try your hand at hitchhiking. Geghard Monastery is situated at the end of a road, not a through road, so anyone going that way will be going to see the monastery.

There is no bus to take you from Garni to Geghard, though it would make an absolute killing if there was a shuttle running this route!

History of Geghard Monastery

It is understood that the beginnings of this monastery date back to the 4th century, but the current building dates back to the 13th century. The monastery is UNESCO listed and sits on the site of a sacred spring in a cave that still flows to this day. 

Geghard means ‘spear’ in Armenian, and the monastery holds this name as it housed what is believed to be the spear that wounded Jesus. It became a pilgrimage site for this reason, but the spear is no longer kept in the monastery. Instead, you’ll find it in Echmiadzin Cathedral which is the oldest cathedral in the WORLD, and makes another great day trip from Yerevan!

Explore Geghard Monastery

There is no entrance fee.

The monastery is located at the end of a road in a valley, and like with Garni Temple, the views are outstanding. There are several rooms and stairs and passageways to explore, so make sure you take a look round everything! You’ll see impressive rock carvings, ancient inscriptions, the sacred spring, and khachkars (cross stone – an Armenian intangible cultural heritage artform recognised by UNESCO). 

Make sure you go up the steps round the left of the monastery as it will take you through a passage to a room above the main part of the monastery.

And also make sure you head through the archway to the right of the Monastery where you’ll see a picturesque arched bridge running over a stream.

Is it Armenia’s most impressive monastery? 

I honestly think so. I was absolutely blown away by its decoration, how well it has all been preserved, and its stunning location.

You’ll need about an hour to see everything here.

Third Stop: Symphony of Stones

Travel from Geghard Monastery to the Symphony of Stones

Get the taxi driver to take you back to Garni via the Symphony of Stones.

Explore the Symphony of Stones

There is a small entrance fee of 200 AMD.

From the ticket desk, walk down the path, but remember to look up! In the cliff face you will see hexagonal shaped tubes of rock that are entirely natural. It is similar to the of the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, just the other way round (so sticking out of the cliff as opposed to out of the ground).

You’ll need about 15 minutes here. It’s a quick one, but a really interesting rock formation to view!

Back to Yerevan

Tell your taxi driver you are heading back to Yerevan and he will drop you at the nearest bus stop (there are several in Garni). Wait until you see the 266 bus, and jump back on.

Arrive back at the real Gai Bus Station, and order yourself a GG Taxi back to your accommodation.

Armenian cuisine as a whole isn’t always the most vegetarian friendly, but if you’re heading to Yerevan, you will be able to get yourself plenty of delicious vegetarian food. You’ll find local fare, modern fusion cuisine, rich coffees, and plenty of falafel! So where are the best spots you should try out? After spending two weeks in the city, here are our top spots for vegetarian eats in Yerevan!

Vegetarian Eats in Yerevan

Lavash Restaurant

If you want to see your lavash being made in front of you in the traditional tonir methods, this is your place. Try to bag yourself a table near the tonir so you can watch it all going on! Lavash is a traditional Armenian flat bread that is cooked inside a tandoor style oven.

The ghapama from here is a must. This is a traditional celebratory dish where rice, dried fruits and nuts are baked inside a whole pumpkin. Try the muhammara (marked as walnut paste on the menu for us English speaking folks), and the Yerevan wine. A beautiful meal all round.

Anteb

Budget-friendly Anteb serves up West Armenian fare in a casual setting, and absolutely everything we ordered was delicious. Try the garlic paste, muhammara, veg lahmajun, hummus, mtafayeh (spiced, sumac potatoes) and you must get a puffy sesame bread! You get little plates, so you can mix and match and try a bit of everything. We went back twice!

Eat and Fit Healthy Food Cafe

Vegetarian and vegan options here. We’ve had the hummus platter (pots of different flavoured hummus), guacamole bowl, but the real star of the show was the summer rolls with cashew butter sauce. Wow, were these good. Fresh and crunchy with the smooth, creamy sauce – lovely. We also went for breakfast, and I cannot recommend the matzoon (Armenian yoghurt) with granola and fruit highly enough.

Elie’s Lahmajun

This is a really local, budget-friendly place with no frills. It’s a real place with authentic, delicious food. The falafel is crisp and the hummus is so smooth and creamy, it’s like butter!

Hummus Kimchi

Some of the tastiest non-local food we came across in Yerevan. This place specialises in Middle Eastern and Korean flavours, and they do them well! We tried a Korean sticky aubergine dish, and a tahini aubergine dish and both were great. The restaurant is hidden off the main road up a set of stairs, and has a really hipster feel to it. A great spot for something less traditional.

La Poutinerie

Just around the corner from Hummus and Kimchi, is a small hut that serves different types of poutine (a Canadian dish of chips topped with gravy and cheese curds). We combined a visit to both places to have a Korean, Middle Eastern, Canadian fusion meal.

Mama Jan

This is such a cute little place! It feels like you’ve gone to Grandma’s house; it’s really cosy and homely. If you’ve not tried syrniki, give them a go here. You find these cottage cheese pancakes all over the ex-Soviet republics, and here they are served with Armenia’s favourite apricot jam. The sweet and savoury combination here is a really interesting contrast!

Art Cafe

Tucked away in a little courtyard, you will find art galleries, studios and a couple of cafes. Art Cafe serves a few veggie options (we tried the omelette wraps which were huge and really tasty), and they have a quirky outdoor seating area.

Al Darwandy

Falafel wraps, pide, salads. Close to the Cascade, this place makes a great spot to stop for a canteen-style lunch.

Froze Gelato

THE best place for ice cream and sorbet! We went back here several times to try all the flavours, and I can report that every single one was great. The cones used are super crisp and crunchy, not those Styrofoam-textured ones that get soggy really quickly.

GUM Market

Just wandering around GUM Market is an experience in itself. This local food market has rows upon rows stacked high with dried fruit, nuts, lavash, cheeses (some of which are definitely an acquired taste!), fresh fruit and veg. You will be handed plenty of tasters to help you decide on your final purchase.

Drinks in Yerevan

Beatles Pub

Not somewhere for food, but great for a drink. Beatles Pub is an underground bar with plenty of seating and obviously Beatles music and Beatles themed décor. Great for a Kilikia beer or a glass of Armenian wine in a lively atmosphere.

Dargett Craft Beer

Not a budget-friendly bar, but it serves local craft beers with interesting flavours. The apricot beer is of course a must-try (Armenia is apricot country), and there is also a tropical smoothie beer. Yeah, I know what you’re thinking: erm? But it was pretty good! And even though the beers themselves are expensive, if you ask the guy behind the bar nicely, he’ll be able to give you free ‘tasters’.

Kondi Hayat Café

You should definitely head to Kond district while you’re in Yerevan. This is the oldest part of the city, and is authentic, raw and real. The area is very run-down, with dilapidated buildings, but there has been a real effort to brighten the place up with vibrant street art. Kond is full of great opportunities for street photography as well as a great spot for coffee and gata (traditional Armenian sweet cake). Kondi Hayat Cafe has an outdoor seating area with views over the city, and the owner is really friendly. Even though he didn’t speak much English, he came and sat with us to have a chat through Google translate!

Coffee House

You’ll find takeaway Coffee House stands all over the city. The coffee is great and affordable. Make sure you give the baristas your name, so that they can write it on your cups in Armenian!

Melody

Super budget-friendly coffee place at about 200 AMD per Armenian coffee (40p!). Good and strong.

Andrew’s

Another great spot for Armenian coffee. Beautiful interior décor that has a street art type vibe, and a few tables outside too overlooking a park.

Lumen Coffee 1936

Not necessarily my favourite spot for coffee (the one I ordered was quite sour and pricey), but it is interesting just to sit in the cafe. I understand that the space used to be a bookshop, and it still has all the original features. A very small spot with pricey coffee, but a really beautiful place.

Salut

We only had drinks and snacks from here (the cheeseboard is good!), but this place has outdoor seating right at the bottom of the Cascade. Sit here with a drink and some cheese just before sunset and watch the Cascade light up as the darkness sets in.

Yerevan is Armenia’s capital city. Situated relatively centrally, Yerevan is not only full of fascinating things to do, but is the perfect location to base yourself to explore the rest of the country. You can reach Echmiadzin, Sevan, Dilijan within a couple of hours’ journey!

We spent over two weeks exploring the city and compiling this ultimate list of things to do in Yerevan: Armenia’s vibrant and exciting ‘pink city’.

Climb the Cascade for Outrageous Views of Mount Ararat

You will see this at the top of everyone’s lists for Yerevan; it is THE quintessential thing to do. Even though the mountain is no longer on Armenian territory due to land border changes after the Turkish-Armenian War of 1920, it is still the symbol of Yerevan, and Armenia. It has religious significance as it is believed that Noah’s Ark landed on the top, creating the dip. As well as this, you will see Armenia’s two largest brandy producers are called ‘Ararat’ and ‘Noy’ (Noah).

At the bottom of the Cascade is a garden full of sculptures that can be politely called ‘quirky’. So have a wander through here first and take a look. Then, head up the travertine stairs of the Cascade complex. On the outside, you will see Soviet style sculptures and water fountains as you progress to each new layer of the steps. If the steps are too much, there is an inside escalator that can take you to the top. 

Once you reach the top, you will be rewarded with phenomenal views stretching across the city and the peaks of Ararat as the perfect backdrop!

Wander Higher Up to Reach Victory Park and Mother of Armenia

When you get to the top of the Cascade, there is a walkway off to the left. Walk this way, up the road and then up a set of metal stairs that take you to a higher viewing platform. Once here, cross the main road to get to Victory Park.

It is a classic Soviet style fairground with ferris wheels, bumper cars etc. Carry on walking through the park to see the huge Mother of Armenia statue. There is an eternal flame memorial and another great viewpoint over the city.

Learn about the Armenian Genocide

Yerevan’s Armenian Genocide Museum has done an excellent job of explaining the horrific events of 1915. We spent a couple of hours here reading all the information as we had such little knowledge of it previously. The exhibits and stories are raw and real, and even though they may be uncomfortable to read, it is a vitally important topic to understand when visiting the country.

Before you leave the area, make sure you see the memorial complex on top of the museum with its eternal flame.

Entrance to the museum is free.

Shop for Retro Souvenirs at Vernissage

This isn’t just another market, I promise! There are so many interesting stalls here selling everything from padlocks from Soviet times, pomegranate themed souvenirs, to beautifully hand-made jewellery. We spent hours wandering around all the stalls, and I bought a pair of handmade earrings with the Armenian alphabet on; they are my favourite pair of earrings from our travels so far! (I try to buy a pair in each country).

Taste Local Specialities at the GUM Market

We paired our Vernissage visit with a visit to the GUM market, and it ended up lasting the whole afternoon. See rows upon rows of dried fruit, nuts, cheeses, lavash bread, fresh fruit and veg all displayed beautifully. The vendors will inevitably shower you with tasters so that you can try before you buy.

Armenian cheeses are some of the most interesting looking and tasting that we have ever tried (some look hairy and green!). Make sure you head to the cheese counter and give some a go before deciding which one you want.

Have Your Name Written in Armenian

You know when you go to a fancy coffee shop, and they write your name on the cup? Well, each time we bought a coffee from Coffee House, they would ask us our names and then write it for us in Armenian! It’s only a small thing, but we loved it.

Take a Free Walking Tour to Get to Know Yerevan and Armenia Better

This free walking tour is really informative, and provides you with a better insight into the history of the country as well as the current political situation, recommendations on restaurants, things to do, day trips etc. Top tip that we learnt from this tour – a nightclub, does not mean what a nightclub means back home; it actually means a strip club. That’s not a mistake you want to make!

Wander Kond District and Stop for a Coffee

The one thing missing from Yerevan that I always love exploring in a new city, is an old town. And unfortunately, the old buildings of the central district were removed during the Soviet occupation. This means that Yerevan feels relatively knew despite being one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited places! To get close to an ‘old town’, you need to head to Kond.

Now Kond isn’t you typical old town, but it is full of character with its dilapidated buildings and winding narrow alleys. Kond is built into a hill, so you’ll need to take a set of steep stairs from the main part of town to get there. Take a wander round to see the interesting buildings and the new street art, before stopping here for a proper local cup of coffee with the friendliest host. Even though we did not share a common language, he sat with us while we drank our coffee and ate our gata (more on that later), and we used google translate to communicate.

Witness the Ancient Manuscripts at Matenadaran

As someone who loves a good book, finding a museum full of loads of ancient handwritten books was fascinating! The building in which all these masterpieces are housed is an absolute beauty in itself, but the collection of manuscripts really was mind-blowing. We spent about an hour exploring. Entrance costs 1500 AMD.

Take a Drink from a Pulpulak (or maybe don’t!)

A pulpulak is a distinctive drinking water fountain you will see all around the city. Yerevan, and Armenia for that matter, has no shortage of running water, so these are always free-flowing. And while I love the idea, we did see some stray dogs jumping up on to the water fountains for a drink. Maybe drink from the pulpulaks that look least stray dog accessible!

Eat Everything Apricot

Armenia is the land of apricots. If you are around during apricot season, you have hit the jackpot! Otherwise, you can get your hands on apricot jam, dried apricots, apricot brandy, apricot sweets, apricot wine, apricot beer. The list is endless.

Feast on Falafel Wraps

Yerevan knows how to do falafel, and we took full advantage of this, essentially becoming Yerevan falafel wrap connoisseurs. We ate an obscene number of falafel wraps during our two week stay in the city because they are so tasty, convenient for on-the-go, and fully veggie/vegan. Full Yerevan restaurant guide is on its way!

See the Intricate Tiling of the Blue Mosque

The last functioning mosque in Yerevan is a beautiful one. Tiled domes and archways, a peaceful garden courtyard area. Even though it’s on the main road, it’s tucked away and is actually really quiet.

Find Kond Tunnel

Now, this is a weird one. There is a huge, long pedestrian tunnel that goes from the main centre of Yerevan to the outskirts of town. This makes it on to the Yerevan to-do list because of the photos you can take with the crazy zigzag lighting. The tunnel is long and dark except for this lighting, and isn’t the most pleasant experience, but you’ll get some interesting photos and the tunnel will lead you to the creepy abandoned children’s railway.

Try Not to Be Creeped Out by the Abandoned Children’s Railway

This feels like something straight out of an apocalyptic horror film. Head down the dramatic staircase to the old station, and you’ll see small Soviet trains waiting on the tracks. You can even head into the train though, I was more than happy just to take photos from the outside!

Take a Break and Order a Proper Armenian Coffee

Ok, top tip, Armenian coffee is not Turkish coffee. Armenian coffee is Armenian coffee. It’s thick, dark, strong, and aromatic. You can get it for dead cheap at Melody, or more regular pricing at somewhere like Andrew’s.

Grab a Beer at an Underground Bar

Two places that we really liked (partly because I have scouse blood), are the Beatles Pub, and the Calumet Ethnic Lounge next door. The Beatles Pub has a great atmosphere and can get pretty busy, so you might even want to book a table. Calumet Ethnic Lounge is very much rough and ready in comparison (more of a budget backpacker vibe), and they’re next door to each other, so you can hop from one to the next.

Photograph the Quirky Soviet Design

Chess House, Opera Theatre, Moscow Theatre, the Central Post Office in Republic Square (and stained glass window inside), the metro stations, Yerevan train station, Kilikia bus station. Yerevan is full of this intriguing style. Hunt down these examples and then keep an eye out for more!

Visit the History Museum of Armenia

This is the history museum in Republic Square, not to be confused with Yerevan History Museum (the second one is not worth your time!). Super informative and plenty of exhibits including the world’s oldest leather shoe.

While we were there in March, there was renovation going on, so we’d be interested to know what it is like now. Outside the museum are many plaques talking about the history of Armenia, and how the size of the country has decreased to only 10% of what it was. It also has detailed info on the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.

Wander the Ruins of Erebuni Castle

Erebuni Castle is very much in ruins, but there are a few spots that have artwork that has been preserved. And the views of the city from here are great too! Underneath the castle is a small museum that is worth exploring too.

Try Armenia’s Famous Gata

This tasty sweet treat is great paired with a coffee, or even served as a dessert. Gata is a cake that has a layer of butter, sugar and vanilla running through it. We have had some really pretty gata that have designs baked onto the top, and others that almost look a little croissant-esque.

Drink Armenian Wine and Brandy

Armenian wine can be anything from white to red to pomegranate to apricot! The varieties are endless. Pomegranate is my favourite because of its sour note. But brandy (or cognac as it is referred to by locals) is hugely popular in Armenia too. The two major brandy factories are both in Yerevan – Ararat and Noy – and they offer tastings and tours if that’s your thing.

Eat the Armenian Vegetarian Classic Dish – Ghapama

Ghapama is a dish that you need to share between a few people. It is a whole roasted pumpkin filled with rice, dried fruits, and nuts. It’s so decadent! We found this beauty at Lavash Restaurant. But this isn’t the only reason to head to Lavash Restaurant.

Watch Lavash Being Cooked in a Traditional Tonir

Lavash Restaurant in Yerevan has a tonir inside the restaurant where bakers use the traditional methods to bake the flat bread. It really is fascinating to watch the lavash that you’ve just ordered being baked in front of you!