Travel & Things To Do
Travel Note
Transportation:
We recommend using local taxis or ridesharing services. The uber equivalent for Armenia is GG, the app for which can be found in the app store. GG cars are cleaner than taxis. Alternative is Yandex. It is very affordable to use taxis and GG in Armenia. On June 13th, a bus will be available from Yerevan to the Ceremony, from Ceremony to the Reception venue and back to Yerevan. Times will be updated closer to the date.
Travel Note
Tour Companies:
https://www.onearmenia.org/ www.absolutearmenia.com https://hyurservice.com/en https://hikearmenia.org/
Travel Note
Outside of Yerevan:
Sites near Yerevan: Gheghard Monastery and Garni Temple (make sure to pick up the gata sold by the entrance + walnut preserves and soudjoukh). Also visit Symphony of Stones, River of Garni and hike in Azat Gorge. Echmiadzin City and Cathedral Zvartnots Cathedral Khor Virap Monastery and Viewpoint Sardarapat Monument Ambert Fortress (Hike) Alphabet Monument Aragatz Mountain Yerevan Park (amusement park) Sites further away from Yerevan: City of Gyumri: a quick and affordable train ride away City of VanaDzor in Lori Sevan Lake, Sevan Monastery Lori Province: Odzun and Ardvi villages, Monasteries of Haghpat, Sanahin, Akhtala, Horomayri, Kobayr, Lori Berd Fortress. Stepanavan Dendropark (arboretum). Stay at Tufenkian hotel or Debed Life (B&B) Dilijan: Dilijan old town (green lush forests); Parz & Gosh Lakes on the way w/ another activity park here. Goshavank Lastiver (Hike) with Yell Extreme Park (ziplining) (looks like Swiss alps, can stay there for a few days in beautiful nature. Horseback riding, fishing, extreme park) Haghartsin Monastery Complex Sites in southern Armenia: Tatev Monastery and the aerial tramway The swinging bridge in Khndzoresk Qarahoonj (Stonehenge) Noravank Monastery Jermuk Tsaghkadsor
Travel Note
Places to visit in Yerevan:
Note: googlemaps works great in Armenia but Yandex maps is better. Erebuni Yerevan Archeological Site and Museum Cascade/Cafesjian Center for the Arts. Restaurants and cafes lined on both sides of the streets around here. Great places for hanging out. At the top of the stairs is Mother Armenia statue. Opera House. Surrounded by open air cafes usually open until very very late. Swan lake Theater/concerts at various locations (check tomsarkgh.am or Yerevan Events applications) Matenadaran (Ancient Manuscripts museum) + Books 1512 Old Bookstore (near Matendaran) National Gallery of Armenia (History/Art Museum) Abovyan street – one of the oldest Yerevan streets now lined with cafes and stores, secret courtyards Hyusisayin Boghoda (or Northern Blvd) - shops both above and underground and some restaurants - across from it is the Swan Lake. Yerevan’s equivalent to Rodeo Drive. Republic square - museum, fountains, government buildings, restaurants, hotels. They have a lot of festivals here. Vernissage (open air / flea market) Ararat Brandy (Cognac) Factory + Yerevan Noy Wine Brandy Vodka Factory Parajanov Museum Tsitsernakaberd (Genocide Memorial) Seasons Park and Childrens Park. Water fountains for kids to run around. Seasons Park has evening concerts frequently. Khachkar maker on Aram street Lover’s park Yerevan Park and Poplavok (amusement parks) TUMO Saryan St. - this is where all the wine bars and restaurants are. GUM Market at 35 Movses Khorenatsi Street (big indoor farmers market)
Travel Note
Music/Bars/Clubs
Malkhas Jazz Club Mezzo Classic House Club different music every night. A lot of jazz. Minas Cocktail Bar Club 12 Kami Club Stop Club (Wednesday nights) ZEN rooftop restaurant and club Kong Yerevan or Mamba Yerevan (right across from each other) Hin Areni music and dinner venue Rio Bar Evn Simona Pahest33 El SKY BAR Dvin Music Hall and rooftop bar upstairs Epicure Hard Rock Cafe Yerevan
Travel Note
Cafes
Coffee is everywhere in Armenia. Try: Jazzve Coffee Mirzoyan Library and Cafe Dalan Patrick’s (rose latte is delicious) AfroLab Roastery Café Vergnano Ground Zero Nero Bean Coffee Brioche Paul’s Brew 1582 Collective
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Food
Breakfast -- The Italian Armenia by republic square, Brioche (best croissants), Limone Cascade or Aperitivo Yerevan (near Cascade), Patrick’s Pastry (on Aram street near Seasons park or near Cascade), PAUL Armenia (on Abovyan), Dalan Muraba Restaurant for homemade food Casa Nostra – the best pizza Anything on Saryan – Ktoor, Voskevaz Winery Say Cheese, Zanzibar Restaurant, In Vino EVN (the ORIGINAL wine bar), EXTRA VIRGIN Asador – best fish; high end restaurant Asian -- Tokyooo – best sushi in Yerevan right now and owned by a Japanese chef named Hiroki; YANG Izakaya or Mao Yerevan – next door to Asador; amazing Chinese; great sushi; Wine Republic Yerevan; Koyo - newest Asian on Hyusisayin Terra Grill Western Armenian Food - Zeituna, Baron Restaurant, Rehan Restaurant – known for Rehan (ie basil) hummus, Byblos Grill and Bakery Como – newest Italian restaurant Katsin – very good high end restaurant Sophiste Black Cat Cascade at Cascade – great duck, short ribs, great appetizers Lavash Restaurant Yerevan - make sure to have their giant napoleons for dessert. Sherep Restaurant Tumanyan Khinkali Tsirani Home Restaurant Vostan Restaurant Martini Royale Cafe Seven Visions / Dvin hotel has several new restaurants – Hayrik, Coba, https://7visionshotels.com/dine/ Seasons Restaurant and Seasons Cafe Ankyun Italian Home Restaurant – good italian and steak Collective Yerevan – this is good coffee, good breakfast, good dinner / music / late night Black Angus (also another kid favorite) Hard Rock Cafe Yerevan Hummus Kimchi Dors craft beer & kitchen Las Culturas - Mexican De Angelo Yerevan Poplavok Jazz Cafe Cascade Royal - Would go for drinks and the view. At Gayane's - Գայանեի մոտ Buddha Hall sirelis.evn – retro cool restaurant El Garden – overpriced but cool place to hang out at night. Fun for kids b/c they have separate kid park. Jellyfish
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Quick Bites
Tumanyan Shaurma Abu Hagop Sandwich ( a syrian-armenian fast food place) Karas La Poutinerie Yerevan Barbq Yerevan Grand Candy Ponchikanoc (this is the mandatory ponchik (a type of donuts) breakfast) EVN Diner PitStop Burger Fourchette Buffet Must try dishes: Lahamjoon, Jungyalov Hats, Khachapoori, Perashki, Dolma, Khorovats, Khash, Ishkhan Fish, Cheese. Food musts outside of Yerevan: Abovyan LCHER - pick your fish out of the water; order “ser”, summer salad and the cheese platter. Tsaghkunk Restaurant & Glkhatun near Sevan
Travel Note
Wineries
Van Ardi Wines Old Bridge Winery, Bed & Breakfast Areni Wine Winery (and see Areni-1 Cave) Voskevaz Winery
Hotel
Grand Hotel Yerevan, an SLH Hotel
A museum you can live in. Grand Hotel Yerevan, formerly known as Hotel Yerevan or Hotel Intourist, is a living legend of the capital of Armenia, the witness of the country’s essential events and one of the leading protagonists of the city’s history. Since its opening, being a symbol of elegance, it has served as a source of inspiration for generations of intellectuals and artists. The best examples of architecture built anywhere across the world at the times of different state systems and historical periods, although various in style, size and function, have some features that make them alike. Filled with the master – architect’s talent, they attract the most outstanding people and become the epicentre of the most important on-going events, soaking up the strength and the spirit of the epoch. Grand Hotel Yerevan is one particular building of such type in Yerevan. The hotel was built according to the project of Nikoghayos Buniatyan – the first General Architect of Yerevan. The building is located on Abovyan Street, formerly Astafyan, which was the main street in pre-Soviet Yerevan. Built in 1926-1928, the hotel became the first large-scale public building of the capital of Armenia, which, at that time, was under total reconstruction according to the first general plan designed by architect Alexander Tamanyan. The building was already dominating over the nearby semi-circular square, now named after Charles Aznavour, whereas the projects of Yerevan’s two main complexes – Republic Square and Liberty Square – hadn’t yet been brought to life. Today, Grand Hotel Yerevan is not only a hotel, but also a historical structure that reflects the endurance and lasting heritage of Armenian hospitality. The hotel offers modernized and elegant rooms as well as restaurant and spa services.
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Tufenkian Heritage Hotels
Step into an architectural masterpiece showcasing 19th-20th century trends. Nestled in downtown, its central location offers unparalleled convenience. Indulge in 83 spacious rooms and a lavish presidential apartment, exuding authentic Armenian style and supreme comfort. Enjoy conference facilities, an outdoor pool, and Kharpert restaurant serving traditional Western-Armenian cuisine. Immerse yourself in the unique interior design, featuring exquisite stone, wood, and metal accents. Adorned with famous Tufenkian carpets, the hotel even houses a showroom where you can witness carpet knitting. Experience the epitome of elegance and heritage at Historic Yerevan Hotel.
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Armenia Marriott Hotel Yerevan
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DoubleTree by Hilton Yerevan City Centre
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Holiday Inn Yerevan - Republic Square, an IHG Hotel
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Airbnb
Airbnb works as a great option for those in Yerevan who want to stay with a bigger group. Look for the area of Kentron (downtown) to be close to everything you might want to check out during your stay.
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Concept Hotel by COAF
A cool hotel to stay at while visiting the region of Lori
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