Armenia map & highlights
Perhaps because it is borderd on all sides by larger countries, Armenia seems to puff out its chest for visitors. And why not indeed, when you have such an armoury at your disposal? Beguiling variety in your landscapes; a thriving religious heritage; and, in Yerevan, a cosmopolitan capital that feels decidedly youthful despite being one of the world’s oldest cities. Armenia isn’t great for independent travel: English is not widely spoken, roads are often ill maintained and public transport unreliable. But small group and tailor made tours are ideal to uncover this Caucasian gem’s rich history and culture, escorting you through what feels like an endless roster of monasteries, vineyards and spectacular alpine viewpoints. Armenia can also be easily folded into multicountry Caucasus tours that span Georgia and Azerbaijan, too.
Our Armenia Holidays
Armenia small group holiday
Group tour to Armenia's culture, nature, cuisine & history
From
£1385 to £1559
8 days
ex flights
Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia tour
Small group tour of the Caucasus
From
£3286 to £3452
19 days
inc UK flights
Georgia & Armenia cultural holiday
Journey to the furthest reaches of Europe
From
£2095 to £2450
16 days
ex flights
Georgia and Armenia holiday
Churches, monasteries, snow capped mountains, lakes and waterfalls
From
£2499
14 days
inc UK flights
Armenia holiday, Ancient Armenia
The best of Armenia from stunning churches to local culture
From
£1075
7 days
ex flights
Armenia tailor made holiday
Armenia's ecclesiastical architecture and amazing history
From
£1490
9 days
ex flights
Georgia and Armenia tour
Journey through the Caucasus region of Central Asia
From
£2353 to £2504
16 days
inc UK flights
Caucasus small group tour
Charms and contradictions of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia
From
£2845
15 days
ex flights
Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia holiday
A scenic journey through Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia
From
£2995 to £3245
14 days
ex flights
London to Isanbul via Kathmandu overland tour
Exploratory overland Asia tour
From
£8750
26 weeks
ex flights
Armenia and Georgia motorcycle tour
Enjoy Armenia & Georgia by motorbike ride
From
£3880
16 days
ex flights
Silk Road overland tour, Genghis Khan explorer
Ultimate Silk Route from Istanbul to Ulaanbaatar.
From
£10245 to £10515
129 days
ex flights
Georgia Armenia & Iran tour
Unforgettable journey around the three majestic countries.
From
£2616
17 days
ex flights
Uzbekistan to Turkey overland tour
Overland through Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia & Turkey
From
£4700
48 days
ex flights
Istanbul to Ashgabat overland tour
Overland adventure through Turkey, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, Turkmenistan
From
£2495
6 weeks
ex flights
Baku to Tbilisi holiday, Georgia, Armenia & Azerbaijan
Overland in the stunning high Caucasus Mountains
From
£4710
21 days
ex flights
Xian to Istanbul overland tour
Experience the Silk Road and the beautiful Caucasus
From
£9515
42 days
ex flights
Turkmenistan to Georgia overland tour, 24 days
Overland adventure through Armenia, Georgia, Iran and Turkmenistan
From
£1575
24 days
ex flights
Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan highlights tour
Three stunning countries in one unforgettable tour
From
£1627
13 days
ex flights
Georgia and Armenia small group tour
The cultural and scenic highlights of Georgia and Armenia
From
£1999
14 days
ex flights
Georgia and Armenia tour
Journey through Georgia and Armenia in 11 days
From
£1600 to £1887
11 days
ex flights
Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan small group tour
A comprehensive tour through Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia
From
£2699
20 days
ex flights
Armenia archaeological tour
Explore the main archaeological sites of Armenia
From
£1155
9 days
ex flights
Armenia bird watching tour
Observe rare birds on this Armenia small-group holiday
From
£1496
10 days
ex flights
Armenia and Iran walking holiday
-Explore off the beaten track in two beautiful countries
From
£2749 to £2889
16 days
inc UK flights
1.
Etchmiadzin Cathedral
2. Garni Gorge
3. Geghard Monastery
4. Haghpat Monastery
5. Jermuk
6. Khndzoresk Cave Village
7. Khor Virap Monastery
8. Lake Sevan
9. Mount Aragats
10. Tatev Monastery
11. Tavush
12. Yerevan
2. Garni Gorge
3. Geghard Monastery
4. Haghpat Monastery
5. Jermuk
6. Khndzoresk Cave Village
7. Khor Virap Monastery
8. Lake Sevan
9. Mount Aragats
10. Tatev Monastery
11. Tavush
12. Yerevan
Etchmiadzin Cathedral
1. Etchmiadzin Cathedral
Church and religion are integral to Armenian culture, and the UNESCO site of Etchmiadzin Cathedral, not far from Yerevan, holds regular Orthodox services that can get pretty full on. Even though the exterior isn’t overly extravagant, Etchmiadzin is nonetheless impressive and as the world’s oldest cathedral it fully deserves a visit alongside several other medieval churches that you’ll find nearby.
Garni Gorge
2. Garni Gorge
Just east of Yerevan, Garni Gorge is notable for a striking stretch of tall basalt columns known as the ‘Symphony of the Stones.’ Overlooking this dramatic setting is one of Armenia’s most distinctive religious sites: a 1st century Pagan temple said to have been funded by the Emperor Nero, and rebuilt to a remarkable standard after being devastated by an earthquake.
Geghard Monastery
3. Geghard Monastery
This UNESCO site was built amongst the towering cliffs of the Azat River gorge on top of a sacred freshwater spring within a cave, and features several notable khachkars (carved stone towers) as well as churches carved from the surrounding rock face. Combine this with a visit to the nearby colonnaded Temple of Garni.
Haghpat Monastery
4. Haghpat Monastery
Weathered by age, damaged by earthquake and scarred by siege, the medieval Haghpat Monastery complex has survived almost intact since the 10th century, and remains a superb example of Armenian religious architecture. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the monastery sits half concealed on a hillside, surrounded by picturesque villages.
Jermuk
5. Jermuk
This alpine spa town is a very tranquil and scenic spot to visit, popular for medical tourism during Soviet times and surrounded by pristine forest. Jermuk is most famous for its hot springs and mineral rich waters, but it also has a growing reputation as a ski resort, and for hosting international chess competitions.
Khndzoresk Cave Village
6. Khndzoresk Cave Village
Somewhat astonishingly, this network of caves dug into the cliffs was until the 20th century the largest village in eastern Armenia, and inhabited right up to the 1950s. Residents would sometimes need to use a system of ropes and ladders to visit distant neighbours. A suspension bridge spans the yawning gorge that links the old and new villages.
Khor Virap Monastery
7. Khor Virap Monastery
On the fenced border with Turkey, Khor Virap was where Armenia’s patron saint, Gregory, was imprisoned for trying to preach Christianity, and has become one of the country’s more sought after pilgrimage sites, with regular church services still held to this day. Views over the green fields and vineyards of the Ararat plain ascending the snow capped Mount Ararat are some of the country’s most endearing.
Lake Sevan
8. Lake Sevan
Lake Sevan has Armenia’s only beaches, and consequently is one of the most desirable holiday locations in the country. Residents traditionally hold summer picnics or take a boat ride on the lake. Sevanavank and Hayravank monasteries, located on the lake’s western shore, make great alternatives to sunbathing, with the country’s largest collection of khachkars to be found nearby in the medieval cemetery of Noratus.
Mount Aragats
9. Mount Aragats
‘Sister mountain’ to Mt. Ararat over the border in Turkey, volcanic Mt. Aragats also holds an important role in Armenian heritage. Hiking is popular on the mountain in summer, the route to the northern peak more arduous than that to the southern. On the way up you can visit the ruins of 7th century Amberd Fortress, and Alphabet Park, an artistic monument to the man who 16 centuries ago created the Armenian alphabet.
Tatev Monastery
10. Tatev Monastery
Regarded as one of the bastions of Armenian culture as well as a stopping point on a world record breaking double track cable car, the 9th century Tatev Monastery features three churches as well as stunning views from the top of the Vorotan River Gorge. A visit to Tatev is a fantastic opportunity to take in the surrounding scenery and if you’re feeling fit there’s a further 2km walk to view Tatev from above.
Tavush
11. Tavush
A northeastern province bordering Georgia, and still relatively undeveloped, Tavush is a hotspot for ecotourism in Armenia. Dilijan is a medicinal spa town located inside a gorgeous national park, and a good base for hiking and bathing in mineral springs. The forests and lakes in this area are dreamy to explore in the summer and autumn months.
Yerevan
12. Yerevan
Despite being one of the oldest inhabited cities on the planet, Armenia’s capital, Yerevan, is pretty darn cosmopolitan with a charming blend of historic memorials, flower filled parks and aesthetically beautiful buildings, especially those surrounding the Republic Square. Monuments and statues are everywhere, a fine example being a 22m-high Mother Armenia who gazes down from a position once occupied by Stalin.
Our top Armenia Holiday
Armenia small group holiday
Group tour to Armenia's culture, nature, cuisine & history
From
£1385 to £1559
8 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2020: 3 Oct
2021: 10 Apr, 12 Jun, 17 Jul, 25 Sep
2022: 25 Jun, 3 Sep
2020: 3 Oct
2021: 10 Apr, 12 Jun, 17 Jul, 25 Sep
2022: 25 Jun, 3 Sep
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Armenia or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
More about Armenia
The most popular time of year to visit Armenia in terms of climate and scenery tends to be autumn.
Armenia is where East meets West - the landlocked Caucasian country bridges Asia and Europe, resulting in an especially rich cultural heritage.
Armenia is more than just ancient monasteries – although they are, of course, the focus of many trips here.
You can easily spend a week or more exploring Armenia in depth, but a popular option is to combine it either with Georgia, and possibly also Azerbaijan.
If you've always wanted to explore in the furthest reaches of Eastern Europe but didn't know where to start then read on as we explain why visiting Armenia and Georgia together is a really worthwhile experience.
Armenia is great for families, allowing for a mix of outdoor activity, interesting cultural excursions and relaxation.
You don't have to be deeply devout to be curious about the churches and monasteries in Armenia.
The Armenian capital of Yerevan is home to a third of the country’s population, and dates back to the 8th century (making it just a smidge older than Rome).
What’s the food like? Don’t all the monasteries look the same after a while? What do we need to pack? Plan your Armenia holiday in confidence with expert guidance from our suppliers.
There’s never been a better time to think about how to make a positive difference on your holidays.
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