Another checked off my bucket list!
Armenia proves to be an ideal retreat for snow enthusiasts like myself, boasting captivating winter conditions throughout February. Beyond its snowy landscapes, Armenia presents a myriad of attractions. From ancient fortresses dating back 3,000 years, to historic churches and monasteries, to breathtaking panoramic vistas of the city, there's something for every traveler to explore and appreciate.
Another reason for you to visit this country is that it’s budget friendly! You get to enjoy their delicious food, great scenery for just around AMD1,500-3,000 per meal.
How to get there
Armenia is just 3-hour flight from Doha. Philippine passport holders can get a visa on arrival (gcc residents) or apply for E-Visa. The processing time for the visa is up to 3 working days when applying by E-VISA system. More info: https://www.mfa.am/en/visa/
You will need a travel insurance which you can purchase online, we purchased Safetywing Travel Insurance for a minimum of 6 USD.
Getting a tour package is way cheaper and much easier than a diy tour as the places is a little far from the city centre. We used Pinoy Travel LLC. Hostel and Tours through Mr. Pancho. The package includes 4nights stay in the hostel with breakfast, 2days of group tour and Airport pick up. The hostel is located near Republic Square and walking distance to Vernissage souvenir markets.
Places to Visit in Armenia
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| Mother of Armenia. This was the first place we headed to in Yerevan. The park has an amazing view over the city and Mount Ararat in the background. it's worth a visit to see the other parts of the park. the statue is very impressive a huge one, representing female personification of Armenia. There's also a museum in the base too. There wasn't a lot of English descriptions of the exhibits, but the photos speak for itself. We gave a small donation at the end. Outside the statue are various military vehicles (MiG jet, tank, rocket launchers etc). that you can go right up to. |
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| Saghmosavank Monastery. The monastery itself is beautiful, but the setting around it, with the hills and the deep gorge make it truly stunning. Have a wander around the whole complex and enjoy the scenery. About 45 minutes away from Yerevan. |
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| Armenian Alphabet Monument. Certainly, unique and unusual. Not a lot to see although the carving of the letters of the Armenian alphabet was of some interest. Probably, if stopping, a few photos and 15 minutes would be sufficient. |
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| Tsaghkadzor Ski Resort. As a native South East Asian the snow sites are very rare to me as there is no snow or winter in the Philippines. Coming here was actually a dream come true for me. The mountain was very stiff and getting there would require you to ride an open cable car, which I found a little bit scary but an adventure all the same. On the top of the mountain was full of snow. Make sure to wear your winter clothes, gloves, headgears. Temperature can be as low as 3 degrees down to – 9 degrees Celsius. And the experience is a must! |
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| Tsitsernakaberd Genocide Memorial Complex. Plan at least few hours to visit memorial monument and museum. The monument is located on a high hilltop overlooking the city. It's also the home of the internal flame. Walking toward the monument, you can see the gardens of trees planted by visiting official figures and the wall listing the cities that have disappeared during the Genocide. There's also a museum underground. I would recommend to check museum hours in advance - it is open from 11am to 4pm, and closed on Mondays |
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| Republic Square is one of the most beautiful places in Armenia. The square sports a timeless façade with its oval roundabout and a section that features a pool and musical fountains. Around the square, one can find charming buildings built in neoclassical style, including famous landmarks like the National Art Gallery, the Central Post Office, the Government House, and the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources. |
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| Sevanavank Monastery & Lake Sevan. A trip to Lake Sevan and the monastery is a mystery on your visit to Armenia. Need to climb steps to reach the monastery, but totally worth it, a photographer’s paradise! |
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| Garni Temple. Replete with rich history and ancient secrets, visiting the historic village of Garni is something that no sane visitor would miss out on! An iconic masterpiece of Hellinistic architecture, the Garni Temple is the pagan temple of the Sun, and perhaps one of the best structural symbols of pre-Christian Armenia. |
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| Geghard Monastery. Partly carved out of a mountain, and erected amidst towering cliffs, Armenia’s stunning Geghard monastery is hands down one of the best displays of medieval Armenian architecture. The monastery promises mind-boggling vistas of the surrounding Azat River gorge, making it one of best tourist spot in Armenia. What a timeless peaceful highlight in Armenia |
Where to eat
No matter where you are inside the city, you can be guaranteed to find a café, restaurant or snack bar. The restaurant scene in Yerevan offers everything from authentic local cuisine to international fare.
Armenian cuisine has a large variety of richly flavoured dishes. Here are the restaurants to try based on our experience.
The Old House is a Caucasian Restaurant in Yerevan. We tried the Grilled Sterlet Fish that can be shared to 3-4 persons for 8,000amd, dumpling is delicious it costs 1,800amd. Rice is only 900amd. Steak is served hot for 4,800amd, roasted pork with potato for 2,300amd and bread for 600amd. Everything was fresh and tasty with reasonable price; the services and ambience is good.
Anchor Restaurante in Sevan. Good food and great view of the Lake. This restaurant is located beside the lake sevan. You can enjoy the nice view of lake sevan while having a meal. From window of the restaurant you can also see the view of Sevanavank Monastery from far. The food here are nice. Not much choice but enough to choose by tourist. You had to try the fish here. Very fresh and nice. The food costs an average of 7,200amd per person.
If you're seeking an inexpensive restaurant to taste Armenian cuisine, try the small eatery next to where you're staying. We stumbled upon Sasnatun and were fortunate to find they also offer a Georgian menu, satisfying our craving for Khinkali.
You might find their food salty, but I believe it reflects the local cooking style.
*Please note: The restaurant applies a 10% service fee to the bill.
Shopping
If you’re looking for souvenirs during your visit to Yerevan, head to the Vernissage, a weekend open-air market located east of Republic Square. Here you’ll find everything from rugs, ref magnets, locally made bags and folk art to paintings and trinkets. There is also the art market, which is a wonderful opportunity to pick up works by local artists and artisans. It is a good place to purchase souvenirs and you can haggle prices especially if you are buying in bulks
More detailed expenses:
The expenses above is for 4nights and 2 full days of Tour per person.
Essential facts about Yerevan
Enjoy a hassle-free journey with all the information you need to know before your trip.
Currency 1usd = 478.55amd
Electricity 220 V 50 Hz