WHAT TO SEE IN YEREVAN

Yerevan is a beautiful city, both ancient and modern. One can here find many small sidewalk cafés and souvenir boutiques, luxury and budget hotels and hostels, and much more to anyone's liking. 

Both first-time visitors and already regular tourists are  always welcome here. Even a casual passer-by will enthusiastically show you the way, advise on where to go, what to choose at the shops, and where to visit as a must. Some people will not let you walk away until they treat you with coffee and homemade cakes.

 

Firstly, it’s worth strolling around downtown and visiting Republic Square, Northern Avenue, the Cascade, and Matenadaran, choosing a different time for each! Early morning is great for climbing up to the top of the Cascade and admiring the view of the yet sleeping city with Mount Ararat in the horizon. At daytime, it's worth visiting Matenadaran and Vernissage; the sundown hours are the best for enjoying the Singing fountains in the Republic Square and sitting in a Northern Avenue café.      

 

 

Art lovers should visit the Museum of History, Parajanov Museum, Erebuni Fortress and Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, and others, as well as permanent and touring exhibitions. 

Classical music blares out from the walls of the pearl of the city – the Armenian National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet after Alexander Spendiaryan, also located downtown, and is performed in Komitas Chamber Music Hall. 

It is recommended to visit theatres, namely, Yerevan State Pantomime Theatre, Hovhannes Tumanyan Puppet Theatre, Hrachya Ghaplanyan Theatre of Drama, K. Stanislavsky State Russian Theatre of Drama, Hakob Paronyan State Theatre of Musical Comedy and others, where performances are not only in Armenian.

Lovers of different music genres will feel happy in small cosy bars and clubs, to enjoy live music performed in the evening hours by both young and renowned musicians and singers. Among them are: Malkhas Jazz Club, Ulikhanyan Jazz Club, Mezzo Classic House Club, Hin Areni music Hall, Downtown Club, and others. 

There are ancient and newly-built churches and also ruins in Yerevan such as the St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, St. Sargis Church, Holy Mother of God Katoghike Church, Zoravor Surp Astvatsatsin Church. St. Anania Chapel, St. John the Baptist Church; the ruins of the Holy Mother of God in Avan (an administrative district in Yerevan), etc.  

 

Great places for family entertainment are the Yerevan parks and gardens, such as Play City, Yerevan Park, Victory Park and the monument of Mother Armenia, the Lovers' Park, the English Park, Yerevan 2800 Anniversary Park, etc. It is a must to take kids to the Zoo, where, apart from wild animals and serpentarium, there are swings and merry-go-rounds, and one can also ride a horse. On hot summer days you can enjoy water attractions in the “Waterworld” acquapark.

 

There are a lot of cafés and restaurants in the city which offer both European and Asian, as well as national cuisine. Without spending much, you can have a snack in pizzerias and fast-food outlets. Fancy restaurants are open till late at night along Hrazdan River banks.   

 Make sure to take a tour to the Yerevan Brandy Factory to taste the famous Armenian cognac. If you are lucky enough to visit the Armenian capital city during the days of festivals, you can enjoy a variety of victuals and wines accompanied by performances of street musicians  and singers; you may also be surprised to attend outdoor live concert programs for free or almost for free.

 

Among the well-known fast-food restaurants are Tashir Pizza, Pizza Hut, Pizza di Roma, ArtLunch, Mister Gyros, Tumanyan Shaurma, KFC, Karas. Doughnut House, Artash Eatery, Zhingyalov Hats, and others.  Each of these will offer you their house specialties.  

Visitors and guests of Yerevan can always find amusement to their liking, and they all depart Yerevan with an intent to return here more than once. Overriding impressions will by all means beautify the days to come.