The Perfect Armenia Itinerary for Culture and Nature

Deep into Europe and at a crossroads into Asia, Armenia offers unique and surprisingly affordable adventures that are, for many people, a little bit off the radar. As a landlocked country, it certainly won’t promise you any wide open sea views, but it will do more than compensate with an incredible mountainous landscape, superb local brandies and cuisine, and a capital city packed full of art and history.

And, it’s actually become one of the most affordable destinations to visit across Europe, meaning whether you’re keen on backpacking into Asia or want to dive into a few of the continent’s best-kept secrets, you won’t break the bank stopping here for a few nights.

In fact, we’ve put together a fantastic guide to things to see and do across the country, whether you’re planning a week or a fortnight out in Armenia. While some travellers are content to cover much of what’s here in seven days, we think there’s plenty to keep your interest for longer. Just make sure you have an eSIM for Armenia loaded up and ready to go!

Armenia itinerary overview

It’s worth noting from the start that itineraries are purely advisory, and that you can build your trips to Armenia and elsewhere around the world entirely as you desire. In this guide, we’re simply breaking down the most important points to keep in mind when planning a holiday for more than a few days.

So, before we get into the best places to visit in Armenia, here are a few tips to keep in mind, fresh from SIMOVO team members who have explored the region in recent years.

• Consider how long you’d like to stay in Armenia. The changing weather here can dictate how long travellers hang around for, meaning when things get too windy or dry, they might move on. Generally, the northern reaches tend to be cooler, and for the best balance in climate, look to visit in fall/autumn.
• Always make sure you have access to communications, regardless of whether you’re travelling solo or otherwise. An eSIM for Europe, for example, will always make sure you stay connected.
• Prioritise visiting the capital of Yerevan wherever possible! While there are plenty of spots dotted across other towns in Armenia you’ll want to explore, this is a large, historical city that works nicely as a base.
• Try to plan trips to landmarks and places of interest outside of Yerevan as day adventures as part of your itinerary. For example, you might want to look at UNESCO sites such as the stunning Zvarnots Cathedral, but you’ll need to drive a short way out of the centre.
• Make the most of the national park scenes here! We’ll come to why it’s worth visiting Lake Sevan shortly, but the Dilijan National Park offers rolling views and even a handful of cozy houses to stay in - great if you want to experience some high Armenian culture while wandering about in nature.

We’ll break down a few more travel tips specific to Armenia a little further down in our guide.

Best places to visit in Armenia

You’re probably keen to start adding places to go to your Armenia itinerary, and here’s the meat of our guide! As mentioned, Yerevan is a must-visit and where we’d also recommend you establish your base, but do also make sure to visit the region’s various monasteries, national parkland, and the fabulous Lake Sevan.

Yerevan

While Armenia absolutely has more to offer than its capital city alone, Yerevan should certainly be your first port of call, and where we recommend heading back most of all across any itinerary you follow here.

The best place to start is the fabulous Republic Square, home to fountain shows in the summer and some of the most vibrant coloured buildings and garden spaces for miles around. Then, there’s the incredible monument marking the decades since the October Revolution, the famous Opera House, and a wave of museum spaces. It’s a proud city with tons of art and market spaces, too.

Lake Sevan

Lake Sevan is a little off the beaten path, so it’s well worth setting off early when planning this stunning body of water into your itinerary. This is an enormous lake that’s at quite a high altitude, making it a must-see for anyone looking for unique trips out into natural Europe. Skirt around the area, and you’ll find diving spots, beach zones, and even cheese-tasting experiences!

Tatev Monastery

The Tatev Monastery is another Armenian landmark that will take you a few hours out of Yerevan, but which is well worth the journey for the view alone. Take a look at social media if you don’t believe us - the mountainous landscape beyond the amazing 9th century building really deserves to be seen by the naked eye at least once.

Dilijan

Dilijan is a truly remarkable day out (or maybe even a few days away) that’s replete with thick forests, backdrops of snowy mountains, and Swiss-style housing. It honestly feels like you’ve taken a tumble into a storybook village! The national park here has a few cosy hotels and rolling greenery - again, a must if you’re in it for the views.

Armenia itinerary for 7 days

Here’s a quick rundown of how you might want to spend a week here, followed by suggestions for longer stays.

• Days 1-3: Travel to and stay in Yerevan
• Day 4: Explore Lake Sevan and nearby attractions
• Day 5: Head on out to Tatev (do so early as it’s a few hours from the capital)
• Day 6: Plan a trip to Dilijan National Park and try some outdoor activities
• Day 7: Head back to Yerevan and enjoy the last day close to city amenities

Armenia itinerary for 10 days

• Days 1-3: Head to and stay in Yerevan
• Days 4-6: Book a cosy space in Dilijan and relax
• Day 7: Head over to Tatev, staying in Yerevan or Dilijan
• Days 8-9: Sample Lake Sevan for a couple of days’ trips out
• Day 10: Head back to Yerevan to bookend your trip

Armenia itinerary for 14 days

• Days 1-3: Check out Yerevan and book your initial base
• Days 4-5: From Yerevan, explore Lake Sevan for a couple of days
• Days 6-7: Spend a couple of days driving around Tatev and the nearby reaches
• Days 8-10: Book a stay in Dilijan and enjoy the national park
• Days 11-12: Enjoy a couple more days in Yerevan, if there are parts of the city you’ve yet to explore
• Days 13-14: You choose - but make sure you have a route back to Yerevan for flights

Travel tips for Armenia

Let’s finish up our guide to Armenia itinerary recommendations with some practical tips well worth remembering before you travel.

• We’ll say it again - establish your base in Yerevan and travel out! It’s here where you will find the main airport, and there are taxi and public transport links.
• That said, you’ll need to rely on the marshrutka, or share mini van fleets, to get around much of the rest of the country - unless you plan to hire a car or bring one across.
• Avoid travelling to the border with Azerbaijan, as the two nations have experienced tensions. Keep this in mind if you are making an Azerbaijan itinerary, too.
• Pack comfortable, supportive shoes for some of the hillier treks here, and make sure to pack modest and relaxed clothing depending on where you go.
• Make sure you have a SIMOVO eSIM ready to go - you never know when you might want to connect!
• Take toilet paper with you! And, be prepared to throw used paper in the bins provided across public facilities, as they can easily block the plumbing.
• If you’re taking pets or even come across other dogs while visiting, there is a risk of rabies in Armenia - so get all your shots and steer clear of strange animals.

Now you’ve got an idea of what’s in store for you in Armenia - get exploring (but not before you’ve loaded up that eSIM)!