What to See in Armenia in 3 Days
Armenia has its own unique face. The visiting of colorful Armenia will let you get in touch with both modernity and past millennium as the history of Armenia dates back to 4110 years. This country will be especially interesting for cultural tourism lovers, as it had ancient culture, picturesque landscapes, surprising hospitality and exotic highlander way of life.
Traveling around Armenia tourists will visit interesting places that witnessed bloody fights and important historical events. Indeed, the ancient castles, temples, fortresses, and canyons keep lots of mysteries. It is said, that nowhere else will you find such mountains, such ancient history, such beautiful female eyes and such thin bread!
It is difficult to get acquainted with all the attractions of Armenia in a short time, as it is said that the country has more than 4000 unique monuments. For those who still do not have enough time, we offer the following itinerary and sights that should be necessarily visited during the trip.
Exploring the Country of Armenia
Day 1: A stroll around Yerevan
It is better to start the excursion from the capital of Armenia – the ancient Yerevan. It was founded in 782 BC and is older than Rome. Yerevan is often called “a pink city”, because all the buildings here are made of pink tufa; this gives to the city a special unique face. There are so many sights and interesting corners here, sometimes Yerevan is even called “a city of museums and galleries.”
One of the most popular and required for visiting places is Matenadaran Museum – the repository of ancient manuscripts. Here you will get acquainted with both ancient Armenian and single handwritten world exemplars.
Not far from the museum, proudly stands the famous Cascade, which is a huge staircase that connects the city center with housing estates.
Matenadaran Museum – the repository of ancient manuscripts
If you go to the top of Cascade, you’ll get a wonderful view of Mount Ararat and Yerevan. Both the upper and the lower parts are decorated with interesting and peculiar sculptures, one of which, “The black cat”, belongs to the well-known South American sculptor Fernando Botero.
After you have reached the upper part, cross the road to The Victory Park. In this cozy green park proudly stands the fifty-meter high monument “Mother Armenia”, which can be seen from the different parts of Yerevan. Inside the pedestal there is a museum of the Ministry of Defense. In the evening, it is best to go to the Republic Square, which is also called “the heart of Yerevan.”
In the center of the square, there are famous Singing Fountains which operate from May to October and amaze its visitors with the colorful musical show. The show starts at nine in the evening and lasts until eleven. Hundreds of tourists and locals gather here to watch the exciting show, for many it has become a good tradition.
Day 2: Excursion – Geghard / Garni
Next day you can go to the monastery of Geghard. It is an amazing architectural structure located in the Kotayk region at a distance of 40 km from Yerevan (about an hour drive by car). The complex was built in the 4th century right in the picturesque gorge of the river Goght on the slopes of whimsical cliffs.
The monastery of Geghard
Initially, it was called “Ayrivank” (“Cave Monastery”), as it was built on the site of the cave spring, but then the monastery was renamed to “Gegardavank” that in Armenian means “Monastery of the Lance”. The fact is that famous spear of Login was kept in Geghard for many years. Not long ago, the monastery became another object of the UNESCO World heritage list. At the monastery territory, you can see the Armenian khachkars – cross-stones, which are the large stones depicting a cross.
Not far away (10.5 km) is the village of Garni, where tourists often go to see the temple of Garni – the only surviving Hellenistic temple, built in 76 AD
Day 3: Excursion – Echmiadzin / Zvartnots
Armenia is a country with a rich religious heritage. After all, it became the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as a state religion. And now, we can say that almost all the attractions are associated with Christianity. The construction of Echmiadzin Cathedral is related to this magnificent event. Armenians say that if a traveler came to Armenia and didn’t see Echmiadzin – he didn’t see Armenia at all.
This majestic Cathedral is a religious center of all Armenians and the seat of the Catholicos of the Apostolic Church. It is situated no far from Yerevan: about 30- minute ride.
Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots
In 2000, the cathedral was included into UNESCO World Heritage List.
Not far from Echmiadzin, just 5 km away, there is another unique attraction, a must for visiting. It is the ruins of Zvartnots temple. This temple was built in the 7th century and has an amazing beauty and marveled by its unique sculptural relief.
However then, after a strong earthquake, the temple was destroyed, and many years later, archaeologists discovered its ruins.
Today the ruins of this unique medieval architectural creation are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
There you have it a set of excellent travel and itinerary suggestions covering what to see in Armenia in 3 days.
