Soak up cultural heritage (and plenty of wine) on a day trip from Yerevan, Armenia

Yerevan, the tuneful capital of Armenia, boasts over 2,800 years of cultural heritage and has plenty to sing about. Older than Rome and with a cosmopolitan population of one million, Yerevan is the perfect introduction to the nation through its immaculate blend of tradition and modernity. 

Upon arrival in Yerevan, you’ll be welcomed by a trendy food scene and a jam-packed cultural calendar, set against the stony majesty of the city’s heritage architecture and the melodious sounds of its folk music. 

Once you’re ready to explore the nation at large, you’re only a stone’s throw away from uncovering more of Armenia’s cultural gems, from mountainside monasteries to prehistoric winemaking villages. 

Below, we explore the top things to do in Yerevan before venturing out on accessible day trips to discover ancient monasteries, natural monuments, and more. 

A Cultural Base in Yerevan

Before venturing further afield, a few days in Armenia’s capital will provide a generous first taste of the national culture. Fill your days in Yerevan by soaking up the richness of Armenian heritage through music, art, language, and food. 

Combine leisurely coffee dates—such as at Lumen Coffee 1936—with visits to the city’s top museums, starting with the History Museum of Armenia for a comprehensive overview of Armenian history. 

Among the city’s most charming museums is the Parajanov Museum, which showcases the work of filmmaker Sergei Parajanov in a quaint stone property. Regarded as one of the most important filmmakers in Armenia and beyond, his work, including ‘The Color of Pomegranates,’ creatively captures Armenian culture and storytelling during Soviet rule. 

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The Lusik Aguletsi House Museum is another intriguing stop, charting the country’s cultural heritage in the former home of Aguletsi, a renowned painter, ethnographer, and social activist. This home is dedicated to a colourful showcase of Armenian art and folk crafts. Here, an extensive collection of traditional Armenian costumes, intricate artifacts, and unique jewellery sits alongside the history of Aguletsi’s life and work. 

The soundtrack of Yerevan is diverse. From classical symphonies resonating in the storied halls of the Armenian National Opera and Ballet Theatre to raucous rock and folk bands shaking the walls of Pushkin Street’s venues, Yerevan has something for everyone. 

A jazz lover’s paradise since the Soviet period, Yerevan is a hotbed of jazz styles. Catch regular live performances at grand concert halls like the Arno Babajanyan Music Hall, cultural spaces such as the Cafesjian Center for the Arts, or a variety of cozy jazz clubs, including the popular Malkhas Jazz Club. During Yerevan Jazz Fest and Jazz Day, Armenian jazz rhythms take over the city, featuring cultural events and live performances over multiple days. 

Saryan Street, also known as ‘Wine Street,’ combines the city’s love of music, festivals, and food, hosting an array of wine, craft beer, and cocktail bars, coffee shops, and delicious restaurants that spill over with music and fun-loving crowds until late. Come in spring for Yerevan Wine Days, when wineries from all over the country showcase their portfolios to a mix of local and international wine lovers.

1. Etchmiadzin: For a Leisurely Pilgrimage from Yerevan

Once you’re ready to branch out from Yerevan, a day trip to the sacred city of Vagharshapat (also known as Etchmiadzin) lies within easy reach, just twenty kilometres from the capital. 

An ancient Christian pilgrimage site and the enduring home to the oldest cathedral in the world, Etchmiadzin is an Eden of religious architecture, where magnificent cathedrals and churches stand beside old-world masterpieces, showcasing the evolving architecture and artistry of the world’s first Christian nation. 

Located approximately five kilometres from Etchmiadzin, the UNESCO-listed Cathedral and Churches of Etchmiadzin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots offer some of the most significant remnants of medieval architecture in Armenia. 

With the grand circular formation of the Zvartnots Cathedral at its core, this UNESCO-listed site encompasses numerous ruins, illustrating the influence of early Armenian religious architecture, with many structures dating back to the 7th century. 

2. Areni: For Heritage Wines and “Gastroyards”

An unmissable day trip for wine lovers is Areni Village in the fertile Vayots Dzor region. Step back through millennia at Areni-1 Cave, an archaeological wonder revealing over 6,100 years of history and one of the oldest known wine production facilities in the world. 

For present-day insight into the region’s wine traditions, be sure to visit one of the region’s beloved wineries, pairing afternoons among the vines with a traditional cooking and feasting experience at a nearby ‘gastroyard.’ 

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Providing ultimate cultural immersion, these gastroyards offer cooking classes and menus focused on authentic Armenian foods—such as dolma (stuffed vine leaves), sweet gata bread, and lavash, a traditional flatbread listed by UNESCO as ’Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’—all made from homegrown produce under the guidance of friendly and knowledgeable locals. 

Also noteworthy in October is the Areni Wine Festival, when harvest time becomes a festive affair. If you are serious about learning about Armenia’s wine heritage, consider visiting the Wine History Museum of Armenia on a detour through Sasunik Village. Here you’ll gain insight into the nation’s centuries-old viticulture and winemaking traditions through archaeological artifacts and ethnographic exhibits. 

3. Upper Azat Valley: For Heritage Stop-offs and Natural Monuments

For religious heritage in breathtaking surroundings, the Upper Azat Valley has it all. Though you may wish to stay longer, a single-day itinerary can cover key natural and historic landmarks. 

Start the day by admiring the view over Ararat from Charents’ Arch, a site named after the famous poet Yeghishe Charents, who celebrated the beauty of the location in his poems. From there, Garni village’s Symphony of Stones—a mesmerizing arrangement of geometric basalt columns along volcanic cliffs—is a must-see. 

Standing high on a hill nearby is Garni Temple, a symbol of pre-Christian Armenia built in honour of the Armenian sun god Mihr. 

To cap off the day, tour the ramparts of the UNESCO-listed Geghard Monastery for an impressive display of medieval temples, churches, and tombs carved into living rock and backed by the towering cliffs of the Azat Valley. 

Alternative adventures can be had at Azat Reservoir, where water sports such as kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) offer fun within the breathtaking natural landscape. 

4. Lake Sevan & Dilijan: For Tranquil Adventures in Nature

Fed by high-altitude rivers and streams, Lake Sevan is a cool paradise for soaring birds and rich aquatic life, as well as a popular place to enjoy water-based adventures and surprising heritage attractions just one hour north of Yerevan. 

Though you can easily drive around the lake to enjoy family-friendly activities and gorgeous vistas, the best way to see the sights is on the water, floating between beaches by kayak or paddleboard. 

In between water activities, there are plenty of cultural attractions in the vicinity, including Sevanavank Monastery, Hayravank Monastery, and Noratus Cemetery, where you’ll find a vast collection of khachkars (ornate cross-stones). Additional activities at Lake Sevan include a challenging heritage hike from Drakhtik to Kalavan, followed by a traditional Armenian BBQ on the shore. 

Just north of Lake Sevan is another of Armenia’s great natural offerings: Dilijan National Park. While the park itself is a major draw for hiking and adventure, the heritage spa town of Dilijan is the place to go for a cultural day trip ensconced in nature. 

Fill your day with a luxury spa experience and a slow-paced tour of the Old Town and the well-preserved Sharambeyon Street to discover the town’s historic architecture and Soviet-era oddities, typified by the city’s radial layout and monumental plazas such as Republic Square. 

A hub for many famous artists and creators, Dilijan also has a creative streak. The town is filled with craftsman workshops and artisan stores where you can learn about traditional folk crafts and try your hand at jewellery-making, painting, and more.

Whatever you’re looking for from your cultural getaway in Armenia, you’re sure to be spoiled for choice by the variety of cultural offerings in and outside the capital city. 

After exhilarating day trips from Yerevan, extend your visit with wider cultural explorations across the country, considering the city of Gyumri, outdoor adventures near Vanadzor, or the monasteries of Tatev in the south.