Armenia is one of the few countries with ancient and rich history, medieval churches and various monuments that will make you love this place. While relatively small, it has a lot of places worth visiting. Here are the top 8 tourist destinations of Armenia which you should certainly visit.
1. Geghard Monastery
The first destination is Geghard monastery located in Kotayk province of Armenia. The monastery was partially carved out of the adjacent mountain. This ancient monastery is considered to be one of the greatest spiritual and cultural centers of Armenia.
2. Ejmiatsin Cathedral
Ejmiatsin cathedral is located in the city of Vagharshapat (Ejmiatsin) founded in the first half of the 2nd century (was initially named Vagharshapat). Since 1441 the city has been Armenia’s religious center. Today it’s the center of the Armenian church where the Catholicos of All Armenians resides. The cathedral is surrounded by beautiful gardens and structures.
3. Zvartnots Cathedral
Zvartnots Cathedral is a 7th-century centrally planned aisled tetraconch type Armenian cathedral built by Catholicos Nerses the Builder in between 643-652. It is located at the edge of the city of Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin) in Armavir Province of Armenia. Being one of the tallest buildings in that period, the Cathedral of Zvartnots is a real architectural miracle. Also, it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000.
4. Lake Sevan
Beautifully “seated” 1900 meters above the sea, in the embrace of majestic Geghama Mountains, Lake Sevan is the largest in Armenia, and one of the major freshwater high-altitude lakes in the world. Lake Sevan is located in Gegharkhounik Province, 60 kilometers to the north of capital Yerevan.
5. Tatev Monastery
Tatev Monastery is a 9th-century historical monastery located high in the mountains near the Tatev village in Syunik Province. It is one of the oldest and most famous monastery complexes in Armenia. Along with visiting the monastery tourists also like to see the natural and historical treasures of Syunik with the aerial tramway called Wings of Tatev.
6. Khor Virap
Khor Virap is an Armenian monastery on the hill near the village of Pokr Vedi, near the closed border with Turkey in Ararat Province. The monastery was erected in the 6th – 17th centuries above the dungeon where Gregory the Illuminator was initially imprisoned here for 14 years by King Tiridates III of Armenia.
7. Amberd
Amberd is a medieval fortress located 2100 meters high on the slopes of Mount Aragats in Aragatsotn province of Armenia. The name 'Amberd' means "fortress in the clouds" in Armenian. The architecture of Amberd is simple. The walls of the fortress are made of large basalt tiles that once served to protect from shells and siege weapons.
8. Alphabet Alley
And last but not least is the Alphabet Alley made up of 39 giant letters given in 2005 as a celebration of the 1600th birthday of the Armenian alphabet. In commemoration, It is located near the final resting place of Mesrop Mashtoc, the man who created the alphabet.
