7 Best Things to Do in Yerevan, Armenia

If you are wondering what to do in Yerevan, I would focus less on ticking off every attraction and more on experiencing the city at street level. It is an extremely walkable city with museums, markets, cafés and wine bars dotted all around (I only took the bus once and it was to get to the coach station). My priorities would be the Cascade and Republic Square, the hop-on-hop-off bus, and making room for Armenia’s strong wine and brandy culture. The Yerevan Card can also make it easier to fit more into a short stay (more on that at the end).

Start at the Cascade

The Cascade is probably the first place I would recommend. The huge limestone staircase climbs through the city towards the Cafesjian Center for the Arts, with sculptures and galleries along the way.

The best part is the view as you climb. Yerevan gradually opens out behind you, although the weather was unfortunately too poor for me to see Mount Ararat. I did not make it for sunset either, so that is something I would try on a future visit as I heard it is a great time to go.

An hour is enough to walk through the complex, look at the art and take in the view.

Visit the Museums by Republic Square

Republic Square is one of those places that makes more sense once you have spent some time walking around Yerevan. I visited during the day and combined it with the History Museum of Armenia, which gave me a useful introduction to the country’s culture and history.

I already knew about Armenia’s massive diaspora but I learned so much more. For example, not only is Armenia known as the first country to recognise Christianity as its state religion, but it is also one of the oldest countries in the world.

Visit the Opera House

The Armenian National Opera and Ballet Theatre is worth seeing even if you are not planning to attend a performance (at least that’s what I did and it did not disappoint). Set in the heart of Yerevan, the building faces Freedom Square and sits within one of the city’s nicest areas for an evening walk.

When I went, I managed to bag myself a mini tour and actually saw the orchestra rehearsal. It was definitely one of the highlights of my trip. If you are into the opera or ballet, it is worth checking the showing times whilst you’re in the city.

Spend an Afternoon around Saryan Street

As a traveller, one of the most enjoyable ways I think to enjoy a city is to stroll around the lively streets. Saryan street is where the city’s café and wine culture becomes particularly noticeable, with wine bars and restaurants just about everywhere.

I did what any sweaty and thirsty traveller did: I walked around, chose somewhere that looked interesting and settled in for a drink. An iced latte at Ground Zero café is what I opted for since it was an unsurprisingly sunny day (Armenia actually has up to 300 sunny days in a year).

For more advice on temperatures and walking conditions throughout the year, see this guide to the best time to visit Armenia.

Browse Vernissage Market

Vernissage has a large open-air market that sells everything from handmade crafts and jewellery to Soviet-era objects, paintings and traditional Armenian pieces. If you’re into the Soviet era, this has to be your first stop.

Go earlier in the day if you want a calmer experience and more time to look around. It is also a good place to pick up a small, genuinely local souvenir without spending much. Whilst there are generally more vendors on the weekend, I went during the weekday and still found it extremely worthwhile.

Wander Around the Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque stands out immediately as it is on one of Yerevan’s busier central streets. I liked that it felt slightly tucked away despite being so close to the centre, with a courtyard surrounded by greenery and blue-tiled details.

I was simply going for an evening stroll when I spotted the blue mosaic tiles poking out through the trees so whilst it was closed when I passed by, it was just as impressive admiring it from the outside. That, and the fact that the juxtaposition was something I was not expecting.

Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus

If you only have a day or two in Yerevan, the hop-on hop-off city tour is actually a useful way of getting your bearings. I would not use it instead of walking around the city, but I found it helpful for seeing how the main areas connect and getting a broader overview of Yerevan.

For me, it makes the most sense towards the beginning of a trip. Once you have seen the city from the bus, you can decide which areas you want to return to on foot.

Is the Yerevan Card Worth it?

If you plan to visit several museums and attractions, I would check the Yerevan Card before paying for everything separately. I got mine before landing, and it included an airport transfer and a SIM card, which were both useful.

I also used it for the ARARAT Museum, History Museum of Armenia, wine tasting and Hop-On-Hop-Off bus. Based on how much I actually used it, I would personally buy it again, particularly for a short trip when you want to pack several experiences into a few days.

Yerevan is a big city with loads to do so it is easy to over-plan. Give yourself time to walk between the major sights, stop for Armenian food or wine, and leave a few hours with nothing scheduled. That is when the city tends to feel less like a checklist of attractions and more like somewhere you can explore freely.