First Time in Armenia: What You Need to Know Before You Go

Armenia surprises most first-time visitors. The country is more cosmopolitan than expected (Yerevan is a genuinely enjoyable city), the scenery is dramatic, the food is excellent, and the tourist infrastructure — while not as developed as Turkey or Georgia — is better than most expect.

Getting to Armenia

Yerevan’s Zvartnots Airport (EVN) is served by Wizz Air, Ryanair, Armenian Airlines, Fly Dubai, and various regional carriers. Direct flights are available from several European cities; connections through Istanbul or Dubai expand the options.

Overland from Georgia: the border crossing at Sadakhlo/Bagratashen is straightforward. Shared taxis (marshrutkas) run between Tbilisi and Yerevan (around 5–6 hours, around 25–30 USD per seat). Private transfers are more comfortable.

Visas

Most Western passport holders (EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia, and many others) can enter visa-free for up to 180 days. A visa on arrival or e-visa is available for nationalities that require it. Check current requirements at the Armenia Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Getting Around

A hire car from Yerevan is the most practical option for visiting monastery circuits and regional destinations beyond Yerevan. Roads are generally paved and signage is reasonable, though mountain roads can be narrow and challenging. International driving licences are accepted.

Yandex Go operates in Yerevan as a ride-hailing app — far more reliable than unmarked taxis. For longer day trips, many guesthouses and hotels can arrange drivers at reasonable rates.

Public minibuses (marshrutkas) run between cities and to popular tourist destinations, but schedules are unpredictable and comfort is basic.

Money

Armenian dram is the only accepted currency. Carry cash for markets, smaller restaurants, and anywhere outside central Yerevan. ATMs are plentiful in the capital. Tipping is appreciated but not expected — 10% in restaurants is generous.

The Highlights

• Yerevan: The Cascade complex, Republic Square, the National History Museum, the Vernissage market (weekends), and the restaurant and cafe strip around Abovyan Street
• Garni and Geghard: A classic day trip — the only standing Hellenistic temple in the former USSR and a medieval monastery carved into a cliff face
• Khor Virap: The monastery with the most dramatic view of Mount Ararat; best visited at dawn
• Noravank: A 13th-century monastery in a spectacular red-rock gorge in southern Armenia
• Lake Sevan: A high-altitude freshwater lake (1,900m) with excellent fish restaurants and the Sevanavank monastery
• Tatev: Armenia’s most impressive monastery complex, reached by the world’s longest non-stop double track cable car

Food

Armenian cuisine is distinctive and very good. Key dishes: khorovats (barbecue, particularly lamb and pork), dolma (stuffed vine leaves or peppers), lavash (flatbread, UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage), harissa (wheat and chicken porridge, traditional), manti (small baked dumplings), and ghapama (pumpkin stuffed with rice and dried fruit, served at celebrations).

The brandy (cognac-style) is excellent — Ararat is the best-known brand internationally and worth trying. For a more thorough guide to what to eat, see our Armenian food guide and our eating out in Yerevan guide.

Language

Armenian uses its own unique alphabet, created in 405 AD. English is increasingly spoken in Yerevan, but a few words of Armenian go a long way outside the capital. Our basic Armenian phrases guide covers greetings, directions, dining phrases, and emergency words.

Travelling alone? Our guide to solo travel in Armenia covers the practicalities of independent travel, the best bases for solo visitors, and how to meet other travellers on the road.

What to Do: First Itinerary Ideas

For a structured first visit, see our 5-day central Armenia itinerary — it covers the essential monastery circuit (Garni, Geghard, Khor Virap, Sevan) at a relaxed pace. If you have more time, the 10-day Armenia itinerary extends south to Tatev and north to Dilijan and Gyumri.

Specific activities worth considering on a first visit: a cooking class in Yerevan for an introduction to Armenian cuisine, a visit to the Armenian Genocide Memorial for historical context, and a wine tasting tour if you’re visiting in harvest season (September–October).

Before You Go

A few practical items worth sorting before arrival:

• Packing: Our Armenia packing list covers what to bring for each season and monastery visits
• Flights: Aviasales aggregates fares including post-Soviet carriers that are underrepresented on Western booking sites — useful for finding the cheapest routing through Yerevan
• Travel insurance: Required if you plan to visit border-adjacent areas; strongly recommended regardless. See our travel insurance guide for Armenia or go straight to VisitorsCoverage
• eSIM: A data-only eSIM activated before departure removes the need to find a local SIM on arrival. Airalo covers Armenia well — plans start from a few dollars for 1 GB
• Airport transfer: If you want a stress-free arrival without negotiating with kerbside taxis, Welcome Pickups provides pre-booked transfers from Zvartnots to central Yerevan with English-speaking drivers and a fixed price

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Plan Your Trip

✈️ Book your flights to Armenia 🛡️ Get travel insurance 📱 Stay connected with an eSIM 🚗 Rent a car