Nationals of most countries require a visa to enter Yerevan. You can obtain a visa upon arrival at the airport or apply for it electronically at www.armeniaforeignministry.am/eVisa. In most cases eVisas are approved and issued online within two business days.
Getting Around
A very easy way to travel anywhere in Armenia, especially in Yerevan, is using a mini bus (marshrutka). For as little as AMD 100 (US$0.30), mini buses run from early morning untill late at night, and the convenience is that they stop anywhere on request.
Taxis are cheap in Yerevan, available 24/7 and a comfortable way of getting about. The standard fare in the city center is about AMD 1000 (US$3). However it is advisable to agree the price in advance.
Currency
The official currency is the Armenian Dram but US dollars are also widely used. Yerevan has a cash economy with limited credit card use. There are several ATMs around Yerevan, which can be used for cash withdrawals.
Hotels
Yerevan abounds with hotels of all grades and prices. A few of the leading hotels around the city center include Hotel Armenia in Republic Square (http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/EVNMC), Hotel Yerevan on Abovyan Street (www.hotelyerevan.com), Congress Hotel on Italian Street (www.congresshotelyerevan.com) and Ararat Hotel at 7 Grigor Lusavorich Street (www.ararathotel.am). A little away from the center but with spectacular view of the city are the hotels Avan Villa (www.tufenkian.am) and Arma Hotel (www.arma.am) with a great view of Ararat.
Wine and Dine
Yerevan has an ever-increasing selection of restaurants catering to all tastes. The best restaurants for traditional Armenian food are Art&Co, Old Erivan and Our Village. If you are looking for more upmarket restaurants then visit Dolmama. Popular cafes and restaurants include Wheel Club on the corner of Sayat Nova and Teryan Street and Artbridge on Abovyan Street.
After Dark
Apart from the restaurnats there are many bars and clubs around Yerevan. For live jazz music there is nothing better than the Poplovok and the cafes around the Opera. For dancing there's the Cheers Club on Nalbandyan Street, and the well established 2x2 on Khanjyan Street.
Must See
Armenia has very many attractions too numerous to mention. In Yerevan the major attractions include the National Gallery of Art and State Museum of Armenian History at Republic Square, Matenadaran (Institute of Ancient Manuscripts) at 53 Mashtots Avenue, various churches and a cathedral where you can attend Armenian services on Sundays. Outside of Yerevan, Armenia consists of 10 further Marzes (regions) each of which has their own unique character and attractions. Numerous ancient churches, monasteries and fortresses cover the countryside.
On half-day trips from Yerevan you can visit Garni, a 2nd century pagan temple that includes a bathhouse with the remains of a beautiful mosaic.
Geghard, an ancient monastery with a two-story church and chapels carved out of solid rock. Etchmiadzin, the most ancient Christian center in Armenia and the Holy Sea of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Close by are the ancient churches of Hripsime, Gayane and Shoghakat. Khor Virap, the ancient monastery worth visiting just for the spectacular backdrop of the biblical mount Ararat, is the site of the dungeon where St. Gregory the Illuminator, who brought Christianity to Armenia, was imprisoned.For a full day out, take a trip to Lake Sevan, the second highest navigable lake in the world surrounded by mountains and extinct volcanoes. A visit to Sevanavank monasteries perched on the peninsula will give you a rewarding view. Noravank, an hour and a half to the South and up a spectacular gorge road, is a 13th century monastery which has been reconstructed in recent years.
Should you have a weekend or more to spare, visit Tatev, situated in the southern Marz of Synik. This large monastery complex is located on a plateau surrounded on three sides by steep cliffs.
For more information visit ARMENIA Information at www.armeniainfo.am
3 Nalbandyan Street
Yerevan, Armenia
T: 54.23.03
E: help@armeniainfo.am
