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Best time to visit Armenia

The most popular time of year to visit Armenia in terms of climate and scenery tends to be autumn. Summer is also delightful with a superb range of outdoor activities to compliment the obligatory monastery visits and wine tasting. Although Armenia is mountainous the winter sports scene is not especially developed, but the capital, Yerevan, does a nice line in ice skating.

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Best time to visit Armenia

Autumn is the best time to visit Armenia. Days are long, sunny and mild with beautiful colours in the trees, and everywhere you go there are the fruits of the harvest.

Armenia’s mountains, valleys, canyons and forests, result in a range of microclimates, with weather conditions varying significantly by altitude. The south broadly has a subtropical climate, whereas the north tends to be more continental. Spring can be a case of blink-and-you’ll-miss-it, with the heavy snow of Jan-Feb quickly turning to rain in Mar, before ramping up the heat from June onwards. Autumn takes longer to change, so drier Sep-Oct is usually a good time to holiday in Armenia, especially in Dilijan National Park where the foliage moves to rich shades of orange and yellow.

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Armenia Weather Chart

MIN °C

MAX °C

RAIN (mm)

JAN

-10

-1

FEB

-8

MAR

-2

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

-1

DEC

-6

Our Armenia Holidays

Armenia month by month

Winter is the low season in Armenia. Temperatures drop, precipitously in some places, from December onwards and heavy snow is likely in mountainous regions as well as Yerevan. In January and February the temperatures can fall as low as -14°C in the mountains. Be warned that many sites, such as Amberd Fortress, may be closed in winter and some are pretty much snowbound from November all the way through to April. Many roads, already not well maintained, can be difficult to travel. In the capital ice skating is a popular winter activity, and there is a growing appetite for skiing at the nearby Tsaghkadzor resort. Armenia usually has quite a short spring, though the scenery is undeniably lush. The weather can be unpredictable, with rain showers common in March and April. Typical spring temperatures average around 17°C in Yerevan, but will be cooler at higher altitudes. By late April and heading into May, Armenia is a lot warmer and drier, with flowers in bloom across the country. This makes late spring a good time for hiking in the mountains and visiting the country’s many monasteries. Summer is a fantastic time to take an outdoorsy holiday in Armenia. By June the days tend to be long, balmy and dry, with brilliant blue skies and green landscapes creating an idyllic setting for hiking, ballooning and watersports on Lake Sevan. July and August are typically the hottest months of the year, with average temperatures of around 26°C, but mountainous regions are a lot cooler. A long autumn begins in September, which is probably the most enjoyable time to be in Armenia. You’re going to start seeing a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables everywhere, especially apricots which are the (unofficial) national fruit. Temperatures start to fall from October, with rainy spells likely, but up until November it’s still a good time for photographers and hikers to explore areas such as Dilijan National Park. As with spring, frosts are also likely in the late autumn.

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.

01273 823700 (UK)

rosy@responsibletravel.com

01273 823700 (UK)

rosy@responsibletravel.com

Festivals & events in Armenia

Varadavar is a Christian festival taking place 98 days after Easter, but interestingly it dates back to Pagan times. Associated with Ashtghik, goddess of water, the one-day festival sees people throwing water over friends, family and random strangers with gleeful abandon. Expect to get very wet.

On April 24th every year, the Armenian diaspora honours Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, marking the horrific events of 1915-17. In Yerevan, many thousands of people queue to leave flowers by an eternal flame in a moving ceremony.

More about Armenia

Armenia travel guide

Armenia is where East meets West - the landlocked Caucasian country bridges Asia and Europe, resulting in an especially rich cultural heritage.

Armenia map & highlights

Almost every trip to Armenia will feature a sprinkling of the key monasteries, some light hiking, and a day or so in Yerevan.

Things to do in Armenia

Armenia is more than just ancient monasteries – although they are, of course, the focus of many trips here.

The Caucasus

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.

Armenia & Georgia

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.

Travelling in Armenia with kids

Armenia is great for families, allowing for a mix of outdoor activity, interesting cultural excursions and relaxation.

Churches & monasteries in Armenia

You don't have to be deeply devout to be curious about the churches and monasteries in Armenia.

Armenia travel advice

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.

Responsible tourism in Armenia

There’s never been a better time to think about how to make a positive difference on your holidays.

More relevant guides

Written by Rob Perkins

ABTA member P7085 so you are fully protected

Photo credits: [Page banner: ReflectedSerendipity] [Best time introduction: Arthur Chapman] [Festivals & events - Varadavar : Kamanrh001] [Festivals & events - Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day: stefan_fotos]

Best time to visit Armenia