Where to relax in Armenia. Traveling to Armenia on your own - a detailed guide. Weather features of beach holidays in Armenia

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Summer is the ideal season to visit sunny Armenia, as the hero of “Mimino” said. It is in the summer that you can discover the beauty of the land, learn the rich history of the country, and also enjoy the rich assortment of Armenian fruits and vegetables.

It should be noted that, despite the absence of the sea, Armenia offers holidays for everyone in the summer - for people on business trips, for lovers of active recreation, or for those who want to undergo treatment or solitude with nature, and also - why not - for swimmers...

Summer holidays in Armenia are active in such places as Dilijan, Hankavan, Arzni, Jermuk, Sevan.

Lake Sevan- perfect place for those who want to spend their holiday actively. The water on the lake is very clean, transparent, the lake is surrounded beautiful nature, Sevan National Park, and the clean mountain air has a great effect on the health of vacationers. In the morning you can enjoy the warm summer sun, lying on the hot sand and listening to the sound of the waves. And in the evening you can enjoy a beautiful view of the starry sky and the emerald lake.

In Sevan you can also rent jet skis, bicycles, boats, and a paragliding service is also provided. There are also attractions on the territory of the lake - the Sevanavank monastery complex, which is located on the Sevan Peninsula. It should be noted that Sevanavank is famous for the Battle of Sevan, which took place in the 11th century between Armenian and Arab troops.

On Sevan there is also the Hayravank Church, from where you can see beautiful view to the lake. However, there are plenty of churches nearby - you just have to come to Sevan and wander around the peninsula, which was once an island.

Jermuk is a resort city in Armenia. It is located on the Arpe River, 175 km from Yerevan. The city produces famous mineral table water, which is also suitable for drinking. In total, there are about 40 springs in this city. mineral waters. Healing waters, mild climate, ultraviolet rays, rich vegetation and other conditions contribute to Jermuk being considered a first-class resort area. The air in Jermuk is absolutely clean, devoid of dust and saturated with the aroma of flowers. And the beauty around is incredible!

Whoever wants to relax - get treatment or retire with nature can visitArzni. According to legend, Semiramis treated the wounds of Ara the Beautiful with the immortal water of Arzni... Another legend says that during short breaks between campaigns and wars, Tigran the Great treated illnesses and fatigue in Arzni. Having come once for treatment in Arzni, people return here again and again. There are favorable conditions for treatment and relaxation thanks to the clean mountain air and mild climate.

Armenia is also called the “mountain island”. And summer is the best time to conquer mountain peaks. So: during summer season can be conquered highest point Armenia - mountain Aragats(4090 m), or climb Azhdahak and admire the amazing small lake located in the crater itself. But of course, that’s not all: you can make hikes towards Kaputdzhukh, Arayler, Tsakhkunyats, visit Khustup and Trasar.

In summer in Armenia you can also visit temples and monasteries, which speak of the inviolability of the Christian faith of the people, of pride in the fact that Armenia was the first to adopt Christianity as an official religion.

For example, a monastery Khor Virap dates back to the 17th century. Its name translated means "Deep Dungeon". Gregory the Illuminator, the first Armenian Catholicos, lived in captivity in Khor Virap for 15 years before the Armenians adopted Christianity. From the Khor Virap monastery there is a beautiful view of the biblical Mount Ararat.

Those who are not afraid long journeys, can visit various medieval monasteries in the north of the country - for example, Haghpat or Sanahin. Tourists come here to admire the stunning beauty of nature, enjoying relaxation and clean mountain air.

It is in the summer that you can fully enjoy the delightful nature of Armenia in all its glory, visit unique attractions and simply have a great time. You can visit places where great civilizations flourished, bloody battles took place, and historical events of world importance took place. You can eat deliciously in local cafes, wander around the Armenian capital, and have fun hanging out.

However, you can’t count everything! There are many beautiful corners in Armenia that will make your heart beat faster and your eyes and soul relax. Although it's better to see it once...

There are three mobile operators in Armenia - VivaCell MTS, Beeline and Ucom. The first two are subsidiaries of Russian operators. Upon arrival in the country, tourists usually buy local SIM cards. They are sold in company offices using your passport. The client is offered one of the ready-made packages. 85% of the territory of Armenia is covered by 3G Internet. VivaCell MTS has the largest coverage area, but Ucom has the fastest Internet.

In Yerevan and other popular tourist cities Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, cafes, restaurants and parks. Overall quality cellular communications and the Internet speed can be rated, if not “excellent,” then definitely “good.”

Language and communication

The Armenian language belongs to a separate branch of the Indo-European languages. Russians find it quite difficult to hear due to the abundance of consonant letters coming one after another. However, almost everyone understands Russian, and many older and middle-aged people speak it perfectly. English is more popular among young people. However, just in case, below is a list of the most common expressions in Armenian and their sound in Russian:

Features of the Armenian mentality

The Armenian genocide in Turkey at the beginning of the 20th century is an open wound in national identity. The attitude towards Turks and related Azerbaijanis is definitely bad. Otherwise, Armenians are hospitable and friendly people towards foreigners.

The Armenian temperament and mentality are typical of southern peoples. European punctuality and commitment should not be expected from most Armenians. Real time Many television programs often do not coincide with what is stated. Rules traffic are not always observed, but drivers treat pedestrians with respect.

Most Armenians are characterized by egocentrism and exaggeration of the importance of their small country. Locals love to remember great people with Armenian roots. So be prepared to hear not only about Aivazovsky and Charles Aznavour, but also about the mother of Alexander Suvorov, the Russified Armenian Manukova.

Shopping in Armenia

On Saturdays and Sundays, not far from Republic Square in Yerevan, there is a market of original souvenirs and antiques. If you are not going to buy the products of local artisans and artists, then at least just look at them. It's worth it!

On weekdays, souvenirs can also be bought in specialized stores located on Abovyan Street. You can get to it by going up from Republic Square.

Kitchen. What and where to eat in Armenia?

Dishes of Armenian cuisine are distinguished by their unique piquant taste and spiciness. The basis is meat dishes with vegetables and herbs. Beef and lamb predominate, less often pork. Cheese and fresh herbs are always served at the table. Dishes made from flour and cereals occupy a significant place in the Armenian diet.

The most popular dish is shashlik (“khorovats”), only men participate in its preparation. Meat, including fish and poultry, is soaked for several hours in a special sauce before cooking. In addition to meat, eggplants, tomatoes and peppers are fried on skewers. Classic kebab is served wrapped in national bread, lavash. Every September in Akhtala, near the monastery of the same name, a barbecue festival is held.

A very specific dish is khash. It is a high-calorie hot jelly made from beef legs with garlic sauce, which, however, does not leave a smell. Drink with vodka in the morning during the cold season. The calorie content of the dish is so high that there are no other meals during the next day.

Harisa is a porridge made from dzavar (spelt) wheat cereal with chicken meat. The chicken and spelled, previously soaked overnight, are filled with water and cooked with continuous stirring for several hours. The bones are removed as they separate from the meat. As a result, everything turns into a homogeneous paste-like mass.

Armenia has very tasty fruits. In the first half of summer, it is recommended to buy local apricots, called Prúnus armeniáca (Armenian plum) in Latin. The short season of this Armenian brand is extended by drying or candiing. In autumn the grape season begins.

Popular among sweets are gata - a round sweet flatbread with a crispy flour filling, baklava - with nut filling, alani - dried peaches stuffed with nut crumbs and granulated sugar, sujukh - chains of walnut slices strung on a string in grape juice syrup.

The cost of food while traveling in Armenia is relatively low. A full lunch in a cafe will cost no more than 3 thousand drams (400 rubles) per person, the same with alcoholic drinks in a restaurant - up to 10 thousand drams (1,400 rubles).

Holidays and Events

Armenians are unoriginal, so of all the holidays they love the most New Year. It is customary to meet him in the family circle at the festive table. Unfortunately, most local residents get too carried away with the New Year's feast, spending a lot of money and even getting into debt.

Naturally, in the first Christian country, Christmas, celebrated on January 7, and Easter are popular. A specific Armenian Christian holiday - St. Sarkis Day - is celebrated at the end of January. It is dedicated to the Roman commander and preacher of Christianity. Saint Sarkis is considered the patron saint of warriors and lovers. The Armenian Apostolic Church actively promotes this holiday in order to displace the alien Catholic Valentine's Day.

On the night before the day of Sarkis, young people eat a salty pancake. According to legend, such a dish helps to meet the future groom or bride in a dream. And during the day on the streets of Yerevan you can meet Sarkis himself on a horse in military armor. He is accompanied by military personnel, clergy and youth.

The most joyful Armenian holiday, celebrated 14 weeks after the nomadic day of Easter, is Vardavar. According to the Christian calendar, this is the day of the Transfiguration of the Lord. Vardavar has pagan origins, from which the tradition of pouring water on everyone and everyone remains. Since the holiday is celebrated in the midst of the summer heat, it is not customary to be offended by dousing.

Safety

The criminal situation in Armenia is calm. There is practically no threat to the safety of tourists. It is believed that you can safely walk along the streets of Armenian cities even at night. But I still wouldn’t recommend lonely tourists tempting fate.

3 tips that you will definitely need when traveling around the country

In Armenia, you can safely drink water from a tap, so few people buy it in stores. In many areas the water is truly tasty. IN populated areas There are many outdoor drinking water fountains.

If your cell phone is dead and you ask for a short conversation on someone else's, do not try to reimburse the owner. This is considered petty in Armenia.

Almost all tourists leave the country with the famous Armenian cognac. I advise you to purchase it in branded stores on Mashtots Avenue, or during an excursion to the cognac factory.

Photos from Pixabay, Unsplash, news.am, All Armenia were used in the material.

And tours to the country of high mountains, flowering apricot trees and majestic stone monasteries usually have a clearly educational character. However, finding yourself in the summer on the shores of the purest alpine lake Sevan, many travelers decide to combine an excursion program with a beach holiday. In Armenia, it is organized at a quite decent level, and classic Armenian hospitality and cordiality are a pleasant addition to sunbathing against the backdrop of breathtaking landscapes.

Where to go to sunbathe?

Direction for beach holiday in Armenia there is only one thing - . It appeared on the world map thanks to volcanic activity, and the surrounding landscape is particularly beautiful and majestic. The mountain ranges surrounding Sevan guarantee stunning photos in which the blue bowl of the lake plays the main violin.
You can get to Sevan by taxi or public transport from the capital. Travel prices are quite affordable, and the distance from the city of Sevan is just over 50 km.
Hotels and motels, restaurants and cafes, boarding houses and camp sites have been built on the shores of the lake. Prices for food and accommodation vary from very affordable to quite high, which allows a traveler with almost any budget to organize a beach holiday in Armenia. Local residents also offer their houses to those who want to rent a room.

Weather features of beach holidays in Armenia

The high mountainous location of Sevan (the lake is located at an altitude of almost two kilometers above sea level) largely determines the local climate. He is quite harsh and average monthly temperatures comparable to Karelian ones, for example. When choosing the best place to sunbathe in Sevan and when to go on a tour, you should consider:

• The humidity on the shores of the lake is always high and strong winds often blow from Sevan to the coast.
• The snow melts only by mid-April, and the air temperature rises to a stable +20°C no earlier than the end of May.
• Even in the midst beach season There is no hot weather on the shores of the lake, and in July and August the thermometers usually do not rise above +25°C.
• The water temperature remains at +18°C most swimming season from July to September.
• At the end of summer and beginning of autumn, there is less precipitation than in June-July.

Beach holidays in Armenia on Lake Sevan require some acclimatization for those who have heart and lung problems. Despite favorable temperatures, it may take time to get used to the relative high altitude conditions.

Active and sporty

On the banks of Sevan there are many areas for practicing the most different types sports Here you can find courts and test your strength in serving a tennis ball, or take advantage of the opportunity to rent a jet ski. On the shores of Sevan there are places to play volleyball, beach soccer and basketball, and horse riding fans can take lessons at the local equestrian club.

Ancient stones of Sevan

Diversify your beach holiday in Armenia by visiting ancient architectural and historical monuments locals will help travel agencies. After studying the reviews, choose excursions to ancient monasteries. They were built at a time when the rest of the world had not even begun to accept Christianity:

• The most famous and significant monastery of Sevanavank was founded in the 9th century. The monastery became a fortress when the monks had to repel the attacks of Arab conquerors, then it was destroyed and abandoned. Today Sevanavank is accessible to tourists and its main attractions are two churches that have stood on the shore of the lake for more than a thousand years.
• Hayravank is built on a small hill and the most picturesque views of the lake open from the walls of this monastery. It is better to choose early morning for photo sessions, because during the day its territory becomes a place for picnics organized by residents of nearby villages.
• At the khachkar cemetery in the village of Noratus you can see carved stone steles preserved from the 13th century. On the territory of the museum open air local women sell the most inexpensive souvenirs in the area.

Delicious symbols

Everyone who has ever been on a beach holiday in Armenia has certainly tried the famous Sevan trout. This fish is called Ishkhan and it is so loved by the Armenians that it has become the same symbol of the lake as its ancient monasteries. An image of trout adorns a commemorative postage stamp, and it is prepared in every roadside cafe or restaurant.
The second signature dish of Sevan, which you will hardly be able to try anywhere else, is Sevan crayfish kebab. Every self-respecting cook in Armenia knows the ideal recipe for its preparation, and the best accompaniment to a fragrant and satisfying kebab is local herbs, cold white wine and a view of Sevan. A lake that you will never forget once you see it.

Hello friends! Today we have an article with purely practical information. We tell you how to travel to Armenia on your own: what documents are needed, do you need a foreign passport, how to get there, what to eat, where to live, where to go, and so on.

Are you planning a trip to Armenia? Read our detailed guide!

Documents and visa

Citizens of the Russian Federation, the CIS and Georgia do not require a visa to Armenia, and they can stay in the country for as many as 180 days in a six-month period. Do you need a foreign passport to travel to Armenia? No, the usual is enough: on January 24, 2017, an agreement was signed allowing citizens of the Russian Federation to enter Armenia using a general passport. They promise that the new rules will come into force in the summer of 2017, but for now you can travel with a foreign passport that is valid for the duration of the trip.

If you have foreign citizenship, then a visa will be required. It can be issued either at the consulates of Armenia, or upon arrival at Zvartnots airport, or upon entry through land borders with Georgia. The cost of such a visa will be 3000 drams (for 21 days).

Entry to the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR)

Citizens of Russia need to obtain accreditation, which can be done at the NKR representative office in Yerevan (Zaryan St., 17 a), or in Stepanakert itself. In any case, upon arrival, be sure to register with the consular service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Stepanakert (28 Azatamartikneri St.). Entry is carried out using a foreign passport, and no marks should be put on it.

After visiting Karabakh, you may have problems entering Azerbaijan, you should be allowed in, but a long conversation at the border cannot be avoided. However, Russian citizens are not given stamps in their passports when visiting the NKR, please keep an eye on this.

Foreign citizens need to obtain a visa to Karabakh in Yerevan in advance, its cost is only 3,000 drams (for 21 days). A regular visa is issued within 5 working days; you can get an urgent visa by paying the same amount.

Documents for traveling to Armenia with children

• a passport for a child, and if the child is under 14 years old, then he must be included in your passport
• birth certificate
• If a child is traveling with one of the parents, then a notarized permission from the other parent is required.

How to get to Armenia?

By plane

Most convenient way getting to Armenia from Russia requires air travel. Direct flights are operated by Pobeda, Aeroflot, S7, UTAir, Ural Airlines, VIM, Georgian Airways from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Krasnodar, Sochi and others major cities Russia.

From Pobeda you can get tickets from Moscow to Gyumri for 999 rubles one way and for 2000 round trip - this is the cheapest and most convenient way to get to Armenia. You can take 10 kg of luggage with you. Of course, prices are higher in summer, but still cheaper than others.

For other airlines, the cost of tickets from Moscow to Armenia in winter and summer differs little; in the low season you can find them for 8,000 rubles round trip, and in summer tickets cost about 11 thousand rubles.

There are also direct flights from Belarus, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan.

Find cheap flights to Armenia:

By train

It is impossible to get from Russia to Armenia by train. During the time of the union, a branch line operated through Adler-Abkhazia-Georgia, but now, due to the Abkhaz conflict, this line is not functioning along its entire length.

It is possible to get to Armenia by train from Georgia: Yerevan and Tbilisi are connected by one train, it takes a long time, but at night, so you can use it. In summer there is a flight from Yerevan to Georgian Batumi.

By car or bus

Land borders are open only with Georgia and Iran. Armenia’s relations with Azerbaijan and Turkey, to put it mildly, are not very good, which is why all checkpoints are closed. The only way to Armenia from Russia is through Georgia.

There are three crossings between these countries in total; if you are traveling from Tbilisi to Yerevan, use the Sadakhlo/Bagratashen checkpoint, and if from Akhaltsikhe to Gyumri, use the Ninotsminda-Bavra checkpoint.

To enter Armenia by car you will need the following documents:

• rights
• registration certificate
• rental agreement if the car is rental
• upon entry and exit, a customs fee of 2000 drams is charged.

There are buses from many cities in southern Russia and Moscow to Yerevan, theoretically you can get there, but physically it is difficult: the journey from Moscow takes about 40 hours.

Trip to Armenia - where and when to go?

You can go to Armenia at any time of the year, depending on your goals. Temples and cultural heritage can be visited at any time of the year. In winter you can have a great time at the ski resort of Tsakhkadzor, and in summer you can go on excellent trekking in the mountains or climb the most high mountain country - Aragats.

But still, the best time to visit is mid-spring and autumn. In spring it is already warm, but not yet hot, nature blooms with bright colors, the slopes turn green and are covered with flowers. And in the fall, delicious peaches ripen. plums, grapes and other fruits are very cheap in the markets at this time. Moreover, in the fall it is no longer so hot.

Armenia is a small country, so the route consists of the following combinations:

Yerevan and surroundings (, Etchmiadzin,) - 3-5 days.

Trip to the south (Sisian) - 3-5 days.

If you wish, you can also travel around the northern part: Ijevan, Gyumri, Stepanavan.

Thus, 10-12 days is enough to leisurely enjoy your trip around Armenia.

Read also:

Transport within the country

Many interesting places are remote from civilization, and public transport there is no public service there, so the best option is to come by your own car or take a taxi. Moreover, the cost of a taxi in Armenia is low - expect about 120-150 drams per km for the entire car.

You can easily rent a car - the cost is about $40 per day, and you can rent a four-wheel drive for $50. Recently, international car rental services have appeared in Armenia. Public taxis are also common, for example there are ones from Yerevan to Karabakh.

Public transport has deteriorated; mostly minibuses travel between cities, but they are cheap.

The railway line connects Yerevan and Tbilisi, passing through Gyumri and Vanadzor; in the summer, trains run to Lake Sevan. The train is an almost useless way to travel around Armenia.

Hitchhiking is very good, although there are some requests for money, but we never stopped for a long time. Public transport in Yerevan includes the metro, buses, trolleybuses and minibuses, and travel around the city costs 100 drams.

Housing in Armenia

In general, the tourism infrastructure is not very developed, and a large selection of hotels/inns/hostels is only available in Yerevan. There is plenty of choice: very cheap hostels for 3,000 drams per night, modest hotels for 7,000 drams per room, and there are also comfortable, more expensive options.

You can rent an entire apartment in the capital - this will be the most comfortable option for families and large companies. Read more about - 10 good options.

In other cities, housing is represented mainly by old Soviet hotels and guest houses. I highly recommend staying in guest houses! This will give you the opportunity to immerse yourself in local life and customs. I stayed in a guesthouse in Tatev (near the monastery) - it turned out the owner lived in Omsk for 15 years! We talked all evening, the hosts treated me to delicious Armenian food, it was fun ;-) Locals can invite you to spend the night with them for free, subject to a certain level of your sociability.

Find cheap hotels in Armenia:

Money, cards

The currency of Armenia is called the dram, and all transactions in the country are carried out only in drams. It is most convenient to carry cash, although there are also ATMs in Yerevan and other cities, you can withdraw money there. Regardless of the currency of your account, the ATM will issue the amount in drams. Now they give 7.5 drams for one ruble, but check the current rates before traveling to Armenia.

Prices for groceries and food in cafes

Armenia is very inexpensive country, everything here is cheaper than in Russia, except for goods brought from the Russian Federation. The hostel in Yerevan cost us $5 per person per night, including breakfast. City transport costs 100 drams (13 rubles), in Russia there have been no such prices for ten years. Intercity minibuses cost about 1.5 rubles per kilometer, that is, almost half as much as ours. A hearty meal for two in a cafe can easily cost 3,000 drams. We bought fruits and vegetables at the market and their cost at the end of summer was also very low, but how delicious they are! By the way, in cafes and restaurants a 10% tip is always included in the bill.

Communication and Internet

Making or receiving calls while roaming is quite costly, so buy a local SIM card right away. There are currently three mobile operators in Armenia: MTS VivaCell, Beeline, Orange. MTS and Beeline have approximately the same packages, and the quality of coverage, as far as I understand, is better in MTS. We took a SIM card for 1500 drams (1500 minutes on-net, 1 GB of internet, 150 SMS) and were satisfied. This is quite enough not only to access your email and social networks, but also to do a little work. Wi-Fi is available in almost all hotels/hostels around the country, as well as in some cafes in major cities. In general, there were no problems with this.

Food

The cuisine alone is worth a trip to Armenia! Meat-eaters, vegetarians, and those with a sweet tooth will love it here. Of course, be sure to go to the Ararat factory and try cognac (you can buy it there), as well as go to Areni and taste local wine. It’s hard to imagine Armenian cuisine without khorovats (kebabs), pita bread, cheese, dairy products, various snacks, such as minced pepper. I recommend trying dolma and zhengyalov-khats.

What to bring as a gift from Armenia?

First of all, everyone brings the famous cognac “Ararat”, “Noy” (there are other brands) and wine. Armenian craftsmen are famous for their silver products, precious stones, ceramics. If your budget allows, you can purchase a real handmade carpet. A good souvenir would be Armenian sweets: homemade halva, boiled fruit juice - doshab, sujukh (analogous to churchkhela), dried fruits. You can also take cheese and dried herbs and spices from the products.

We are often asked how Russians are treated in this or that country? Well, we answer: in Armenia, Russians are loved and respected. Many fondly remember the years they spent in Russia, or indicate that their brother/husband/son is now working with us. Although the official language is Armenian, some speak Russian and certainly understand almost everything. We have the most pleasant memories from communicating with Armenians; this people is famous for its hospitality, and our trip to Armenia independently confirmed this!

The locals are quite religious, but they are calm about observing certain rituals. Women have equal rights with men, and it seemed to us that they feel quite free.

They will rarely try to deceive you, this was surprising for us, especially considering the general standard of living. They may quote an inflated price for a taxi, but you can and should bargain. Sometimes there are power outages; in Dilijan we had no light all evening. As a rule, there is no central heating in houses. Roads in Armenia leave much to be desired: while the Yerevan-Sevan-Dilijan highway is of good quality, the road south towards the Iranian border is narrow and full of potholes. The road towards Georgia from Vanadzor to the border is of the same poor quality.

If you get behind the wheel in Armenia, be careful - the locals drive recklessly, quickly, and do not particularly follow the rules.

Although in general everything is in order with security in Armenia. You just have to exercise reasonable caution, don’t flash large amounts of light, don’t walk through remote areas at night, and everything will be fine. And one more thing: if a girl travels alone, then they will probably show her signs of attention, trying to get to know each other. That's all. Have a great adventure in Armenia!

Holidays in Armenia are one of the best options, if you want to look at ancient monuments, feel the color new country, see beautiful mountains and even heal your soul and body. The country offers ample opportunities for those who are looking for ways to combine the useful with the interesting and will definitely be able to surprise. What to see, where to go and what you need to know about Armenia? About this and much more below.

Getting to know the republic

Armenia is one of the oldest countries in Transcaucasia with rich history and architectural monuments. Since she was one of the first to accept Christianity, this was reflected in numerous monasteries, churches and other religious buildings. The oldest cities that can be found in this country date back approximately 3000 years, with large beautiful castles and fortresses, unique architecture and beauty.

Where is

This high mountainous country is located on the Armenian Plateau. Its height is approximately 1,700 meters above sea level, its total area is 29.75 thousand square meters. km. It neighbors Georgia in the north, Azerbaijan in the south, and the west and south of the country with the Turkish border. The famous Ararat Valley is also located here. It is important to remember that the time difference with Armenia is plus one hour Moscow time. When going on a trip, you should remember this.

Armenia Map

How to get there from Moscow

The most in a simple way There will be air transport to get to Armenia. Since there is no direct train connection with Russia, road transport or a bus would also be a suitable option. The best way is through Georgia.

Several direct flights depart from Moscow and head to the country's main airport near the capital Yerevan. Planes take off almost daily and different time, so choosing the right flight will be easy.

You can fly from Russia on flights of the following companies:

• Aeroflot - flies directly from Moscow;
• Air Armenia is the national carrier;
• "Siberia" - departure from Moscow daily;
• Vim-Avia also flies from Moscow every day.

Since there is no direct route from Moscow to the country by train, you will have to travel with transfers, and the price will be the same as a plane ticket.

If you are planning a trip to Armenia by car or bus, then you should know that the distance between Moscow and Yerevan is approximately 2250 km. When traveling this way, you must have documents for the car with you.

Popular holiday destinations

Mountains, monasteries, ancient civilizations, wonderful climate, delicious cuisine - all this is widely represented in Armenia. Rest, first of all, involves visiting the capital of the country - Yerevan. In the city you can find monuments of ancient civilizations, which are intricately intertwined together. Not far from this city is the ancient capital of the great country Urartu, one of the oldest capitals of the past.

It is worth paying attention to another city - Dilijan. Here is the largest number of monasteries located in the mountains and sanatoriums offering treatment in thermal springs. The country also has ski resort, Tsakhkadzor, which offers tourists a variety of conditions for recreation and training.

Holidays in Armenia also involve visiting the ancient ruins of the capital of the state, Urartu, not far from Baku. This country is also interesting because it is considered one of the first to adopt Christianity. Temple complex Etchmiadzin is considered one of the most popular; its appearance and construction date back to the beginning of our era, which is confirmed by the very fact of the appearance of Christianity in these territories.

Armenia is one of the most ancient countries, famous for its winemaking. Wine began to be made here many centuries ago. The ancient Armenians believed that this was a blessing from the gods, and therefore they especially revered the place where grapes grew-Ararat Valley.

Another holiday destination popular among tourists is the Ararat Valley. Almost all tours to Armenia offer a variety of opportunities to visit this truly unique place. The valley itself is a plain in the Armenian Highlands west of Lake Sevan. The Araks River flows through it, which divides it into two parts - the large one, which belongs to Armenia, and the small southern part - part of Turkey. It is also notable for the fact that on hot summer days you can see a truly unique a natural phenomenon- Sun shine.

Temperature and climate of Armenia

The climate in the mountains is more severe, and therefore attracts lovers of traveling along the mountain slopes. In the Ararat Valley it is milder, but in the capital it can be very hot. In summer the temperature rises to +40 °C. That's why, best time For traveling to the country there will be the beginning of spring and autumn, when there are not yet or no longer such high temperatures. Winters in the mountains are very harsh, but excellent for skiing and winter sports. The season starts in December and ends in March.

Water

The water temperature at the country's resorts varies. In the warm season in Lake Sevan it does not exceed +18 °C, which is quite cool. In spring and autumn it does not fall below +15 °C. In winter, conditions are more severe, so the temperature can drop very much, about 4-7 degrees on average.

Air

In the foothills, average temperatures in summer are +24…+26 °C. In winter they drop to +5 °C. It's much cooler in the mountains; depending on height, temperature regime fluctuates from +10 °C to +20 °C in hot weather, and in winter - from +2 °C to -15 °C. During spring and autumn, frosts are very common, sometimes the temperature drops quite significantly - down to -28 ° C.

Popular beaches

Most of the beaches in the country belong to the resort areas of Armenia and are located near Lake Sevan. Nearby there are mountains and a National Park.

Among the special entertainments offered at the resorts of Armenia, it should be noted the possibility of fishing - trout, pike perch, barbel and others. A license can be purchased right there, on the spot, from local companies that organize water tours.

Any trip to Armenia also involves visiting mineral resorts - Vanadzor, Arzni, Hankavan, Dilijan, where you can also find small beaches for relaxation.

Ski resorts and active recreation

40 kilometers from Yerevan to the north is one of the most popular ski resorts in the country. In the valley of the Marmarik River, more than 1900 meters above sea level, you can see Tsaghkadzor - it’s 13 km ski slopes. Here you can find one of the largest in the country sports complexes. There are also swimming pools, a stadium, a stable, a sauna and other sports facilities that can be used for relaxation and active pastime. Well, after active activities, you can visit many restaurants and cafes that will pamper you with their delicious national cuisine. If the question arises about what you can see in Armenia in winter, then visiting and relaxing at this resort will be the best options.

Must-sees: attractions

It is best to start a tour to the country from the capital. This is one of the largest and main attractions, which is located in the heart of the Ararat Valley. In the ancient dialect, the name of the city sounds like Erebuni, mentions of which date back to several centuries BC. The city was one of the largest in history, and was also famous for its trade. Here you can see Republic Square, which is located in the center, Mashtots Avenue, and many museums. Yerevan is very easy to navigate and travel. Among historically interesting places we can highlight: the Yerevan fortress of the 16th century, Matenadaran - an institute where ancient manuscripts are stored, memorial Complex“Sardarapat”, and of course churches, of which there are a great many here.

The first church in the world was built in Armenia. This is the Etchmiadzin Cathedral, which was the first of the documented ones. Its construction dates back to approximately the 4th century.

The city of Ashtarak is famous for its Karmvor Church, which is located on a mountain slope. Amberd Fortress, the ancestral domain of the princes of Pahlavuni, is one of the best preserved castles.

Travel to Armenia is limited to visiting modern cities. Armavir is the ancient capital of Armenia. Located on the left coast of the Araks. At first it was a fortress, which over time turned into Big city. Nearby is Artashat, which is often called the Armenian Carthage. Here the number of ancient monuments is the largest in the country. The capital of the Middle Ages, Dvin, is still under the supervision of archaeologists.

Artsakh has almost 2 thousand architectural monuments, 600 of which are monastery complexes. The number of churches here has exceeded 500.

Nightlife in Armenia

For those who want to relax more actively, Yerevan offers many opportunities for night walks. After sunset, the entire city is illuminated with many colorful lights, especially in summer. Then life comes alive on the old streets of the capital. Especially many tourists and local residents relax on Revolution Square, where you can drink wine or coffee in a cafe. At 9 pm in the summer, multi-colored singing fountains turn on here - all you have to do is sit and enjoy the atmosphere.

There are also many fashionable clubs, cafes, and wine bars. Most of them are located in the center. Local performers always play in clubs; you can listen to both jazz compositions and fashionable music that is fun to dance to. The best thing is that entrance to such establishments is usually free for everyone.

Cafes, hotels, car rental

Recently, the country has offered quite wide opportunities for a comfortable holiday. Many cafes and restaurants offer their services both during the day and at night. Hotels have mostly retained the Soviet approach. This is due to the fact that the owners do not want to comply with the accepted classification. So don’t be surprised if you are served a very tasty dinner, but you still won’t get internet.

Nutrition

Since tourism has recently begun to develop with great strides, Armenia will surprise you with a variety of dishes. National cuisine is even one of the country's attractions. In any cafe, restaurant or other similar place, you will be offered lots and lots of greens, cheeses, vegetables, meat and definitely lavash! These are traditional components of Armenian cuisine. And also fermented milk matsun, a variety of salty snacks, twisted Chechil cheese, salads with beans and herbs, pilaf and, of course, shish kebab. This is only a part of all the delicious dishes that you will be hospitably offered to taste.

Accommodation

Hotels offer their services in all the largest cities of the country. Accommodation services are also offered by sanatoriums located in the most popular resorts. The most convenient and best hotels is located in the capital. They offer transfers, winter gardens for viewing, and swimming pools with solariums.

New hotels are rarely built in the country. Therefore, even if the hotel category is calculated as 5 stars, the service corresponds to the 2-3 star category.

Transport

Buses are the main mode of transport. It connects almost all big cities. But it is very important to remember that this type of transport rarely has a clear schedule of movement and shipments. Buses usually depart when they are full.

You can also travel by car, which can be rented in the capital. But this will require special driving skills - the country’s roads are very worn out, and in mountainous areas they are completely absent. Traffic rules will also be problematic, since local residents accustomed to moving without signals and markings.

Shopping in Armenia

If we talk about shopping in this country, then we immediately need to mention a unique symbol - carpets. This is the real pride of Armenians. You can buy them both in specialized stores in Yerevan and in the market, where prices will be more reasonable. They all differ in color and national symbols.

Another souvenir that you can buy here is cognac. You can find it in any store, and the quality will be the best! You can also return home with copper Turks, bronze figurines, and amulets dolls.

Places for wellness

Transcaucasia has always been famous for its fresh, healing mountain air, mineral springs and beautiful landscapes. The best places There will be local resorts for recreation. Based on mineral springs - Hankavan, Arevik and Arzni. A visit to one of the largest resorts in Vanadzor is also recommended. Jermuk and Dilijan also offer health and recreation services. More leisure offers the ski resort Tsaghkadzor.

Armenia and security

An important aspect of visiting the country will be maintaining special safety measures on the road. Since the local population does not strictly adhere to traffic rules, this can lead to accidents and injuries. Prepare for the fact that pedestrians will also cross the road right in front of your nose. It is difficult to buy good gasoline, so if you are concerned about the safety of your car’s engine, it is better to buy it in the capital.

Lighting on the streets is very poor, so traveling by private vehicle at night is prohibited, especially without the accompaniment of a person who knows the area.

In Armenia, the export and import of antiques, precious stones, works of art, drugs and weapons is prohibited. It is better to declare large sums of money.

Holidays in Armenia are an opportunity not only to look at beautiful landscapes, enjoy fresh mountain air and relax at mineral springs. Here you can also see interesting sights, enjoy delicious national cuisine and observe unique traditions that are still passed on to this day.