Yerevan is the capital and largest city of Armenia, a rose-tuff city of about 1.1 million people set at roughly 900-1,300 m above sea level on the Hrazdan River, with snow-capped Mount Ararat visible across the Turkish border on clear days. Founded as the fortress of Erebuni in 782 BC, it combines Soviet-era neoclassical planning around Republic Square, the Cascade arts complex, the Matenadaran manuscript library, the Tsitsernakaberd Genocide Memorial, outdoor cafes, brandy cellars and a growing wine-bar scene. Visitors come for Armenian food and hospitality, very low prices by European standards, and easy day trips to Garni, Geghard, Khor Virap, Echmiadzin and Lake Sevan.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Garni Temple and Geghard Monastery
Highlights: Garni Temple: the only surviving Hellenistic colonnaded temple in Armenia, above the Azat gorge · Symphony of Stones basalt column formations in the gorge below Garni · Geghard Monastery's rock-cut churches and chambers, a UNESCO World Heritage site · Lavash baking demonstrations and village meals in Garni
Khor Virap Monastery
Highlights: Classic view of Mount Ararat directly behind the monastery · Descent into the underground pit where Gregory the Illuminator was held · The seventeenth-century chapel of St Astvatsatsin and hilltop walls · Easy pairing with Noravank and the Areni wineries
Echmiadzin Cathedral
Highlights: The mother cathedral of the Armenian Apostolic Church, founded in the early fourth century · Museum of church treasures and relics inside the complex · Nearby churches of St Hripsime and St Gayane within walking distance · Easy pairing with the Zvartnots Cathedral ruins on the way back
Zvartnots Cathedral Ruins
Highlights: Seventh-century circular cathedral foundations with a distinctive clover-shaped plan · Carved columns and eagle-headed capitals among the ruins · On-site museum with models and reconstructed fragments · Views of Mount Ararat on clear days
Lake Sevan and Sevanavank
Highlights: Sevanavank's ninth-century churches on a hilltop peninsula with lake views · Lakeside beaches and promenade for summer swimming and picnics · Grilled Sevan trout and khorovats at lakeside restaurants · Easy combination with Dilijan or Tsaghkadzor
Dilijan and Haghartsin Monastery
Highlights: Haghartsin Monastery's thirteenth-century churches in a forest valley · Dilijan old quarter on Sharambeyan Street with wooden balconies and craft shops · Walking trails in Dilijan National Park · Autumn colours in October
Areni Wineries, Noravank and Yeghegnadzor
Highlights: Noravank's thirteenth-century churches in a red-cliff canyon · Wine tasting in Areni, including the local Areni grape and fruit wines · Areni-1 cave area, linked to some of the oldest known wine-making evidence · Grape harvest atmosphere in September
Tsaghkadzor and Kecharis Monastery
Highlights: Kecharis Monastery's medieval churches and khachkars among pines · Ropeway ride above the town in summer · Winter skiing, Armenia's main ski resort · Easy pairing with Lake Sevan on a longer day
Amberd Fortress and Mount Aragats Foothills
Highlights: Tenth-to-thirteenth-century fortress at about 2,300 metres on Mount Aragats · Tigran Honents church in the gorge below the walls · Views of Mount Aragats and the Ararat plain · Stop in Ashtarak with its old churches and gorge
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Public
- Marshrutkas (shared minibuses) leave Yerevan from several stations: Gai Bus Station (14/3 Gai Avenue) for Garni and Geghard, Northern Bus Station (Sevan Street 93/1) for Sevan, Dilijan and Tsaghkadzor, and Kilikia Bus Station (Budapest Street) for Etchmiadzin, Ashtarak and the south. Fares are roughly 200-2,000 AMD (USD 0.5-6) per person. Vehicles often leave when full rather than on a timetable, so arrive before 09:00 and confirm the last return. Timetables are also on t-armenia.com.
- Tours
- Organised day tours (Garni and Geghard, Khor Virap with Noravank, Lake Sevan with Dilijan) cost about 12,000-20,000 AMD (USD 33-55) per person with transport; check recent reviews and group size before booking.
- Private
- A private driver with a car is about 25,000-45,000 AMD (USD 70-125) per day within 150 km of Yerevan; Yandex Go taxis work for the shorter trips (Garni about 2,700-3,200 AMD / USD 7-9). Agree the price and waiting time before leaving.
- Rental
- Self-drive hire is available in Yerevan; roads to Garni, Sevan and Khor Virap are paved. Mountain roads such as the one to Amberd can close in snow from late autumn to spring. Fares assume 1 USD = about 363 AMD.
Multi-day tours from Yerevan
If you have longer than a day, these are organised multi-day trips that start here.
Browse multi-day tours from YerevanWe may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Marshrutkas leave when full, not on a timetable: arrive at the bus station before 09:00 and confirm the last return before boarding
Download the Yandex Go taxi app; it is the usual ride-hailing app in Yerevan and lets visitors fix a price before a trip
Cover shoulders and knees at active churches and monasteries such as Geghard, Khor Virap and Etchmiadzin
Carry cash in Armenian dram: small cafes, minibuses and village sights rarely take cards. Rate assumed in this guide: 1 USD about 363 AMD (early October 2026)
Combine Garni with Geghard, Khor Virap with Noravank and Areni, and Lake Sevan with Dilijan or Tsaghkadzor to use a driver's day well
Bring layers: Sevan, Dilijan and Tsaghkadzor are higher than Yerevan and noticeably cooler