Tour guides Armenia

5 ideas for guided tours in Armenia

• Garni pagan temple and Geghard monastery.

  

  About thirty kilometers from Yerevan, the Azat Gorge cuts its path. There, set against the slope, stands the Temple of Garni—the only one of its kind still standing in Armenia. Columns, symmetry, open sky. It pays homage to Mihr, the sun god, though few remember him today.

  The surroundings still bear the mark of centuries. Remains of Roman baths, faded mosaics, scattered stones that seem to have shifted with time. The wind drifts down from the mountains and slips between the columns, as if carrying a silent memory.

  Farther on, nestled in the rock, lies Geghard. The monastery impresses without trying. You enter as if through a fault line. Stones carved straight from the mountain. The echo lingers long after.

• Lake Sevan and the city of Dilijan

  

  The Lake Sevan stretches wide, set at 1,900 meters. A little higher than everything else. Armenians come here for no particular reason. For the air, for the calm. There’s nothing to prove in this place.

  In some spots, small churches keep watch over the shore, perched on rocky promontories. Their dark walls carry the scent of wet stone, their crosses outlined against the clear sky. In the evening, the water turns to copper before fading into the shadows of the hills.

  Around it, forests grow denser. They lead toward Dilijan, tucked away among the trees. Ancient stones still rest there. Some call it the “Armenian Switzerland”… a comparison, perhaps, but this place moves to its own rhythm.

• City of Etchmiadzin

  

  Not far from Yerevan, just 24 kilometers away. Etchmiadzin is more than a city. It’s a breath, a presence. This is where the Catholicos, head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, resides.

  All around, ancient churches line the streets, listed as World Heritage sites. Their dark stones bear the marks of restoration, yet still hold an unchanging air. At times, the wind carries the scent of incense across the squares.

  At the center stands the Saint Gregory Cathedral. Year 303. Ancient, without ostentation. The surrounding streets are quiet. You walk softly here. History is not taught, it is sensed.

• The monasteries of Khor Virap and Noravank

  

  Among Armenia’s most iconic sites, Khor Virap draws both pilgrims and travelers. Its religious significance is profound, but what often leaves the strongest impression is the breathtaking view of Mount Ararat, standing just opposite. The monastery, whose origins likely date back to the 7th century, was rebuilt over time up until the 17th. Today, its walls rise above sunlit vineyards—perfect for an unforgettable stroll.

  Eighty kilometers to the east lies Noravank, the “new monastery,” near the town of Eghegnazor. It is renowned for its unparalleled decorative detail and the unforgettable landscapes that surround it—the glowing red cliffs of Vayots Dzor and the wine-growing region of Vayots Dzor.

• Haghpat and Sanahin monasteries

  

  Nestled in the mountains of the Lori region, Haghpat and Sanahin are jewels of Armenia’s golden age. Built at a time when the country flourished culturally, these two monasteries still impress today with their scale and the refinement of their design. They seem placed there as silent witnesses to a period when faith and knowledge walked hand in hand.

  The Debed Gorge adds to the charm of these sites. A harmonious route winds through waymarked villages and forests where clear streams flow. The most well-known town in the region is Alaverdi. From here, you can take its old funicular—once used by mine workers, now leading up to the Sanahin Monastery with breathtaking views over the whole valley.

Thanks to Mihran Simonyan Tour Guide in Armenia