When to go to Armenia? The best time to travel. All about holidays in Armenia: reviews, tips, guide Where to swim in Armenia September
I decided to write an online guide to Armenia based on my trip. There is not much useful information.
Below you will find answers to planning questions, where to live, how much money you need, whether you need a visa and how to get around, as well as the route we traveled through Armenia. Based on it, you can make your own or use ours.
I am often asked: “Why go to Armenia, what to see there and whether it is worth spending time and vacation on this country at all.” And now I answer without hesitation: “Of course it’s worth it!”
I will say a banal fact, but Armenia is the country that was the first to adopt Christianity. Therefore, there will be no shortage of historical and architectural sights here even for tourists experienced in travel.
In addition, it is an amazing and diverse nature. The greenery of the north and the colored mountains in the south are worth coming here not for the weekend to see Yerevan, but to make a full trip around this country.
But nature and ancient monasteries are only half of the values of Armenia. People, ordinary Armenians, who stayed in their own country, and did not leave for other countries, that's why it is also worth coming here. I am not afraid of these pathos statements, but the word "hospitality" was rediscovered for me.
And, finally, Armenia is not yet as crowded with tourists as neighboring Georgia or Azerbaijan. It is absolutely real to be somewhere alone, in the silence of mountains or monastery walls. Fortunately or unfortunately, but the main tourists in Armenia are ethnic Armenians who came to see their homeland, and Chinese tourists who are just everywhere. But the Armenians do everything to make the guests feel comfortable and they come and return again and again. And it is true.
Well, the prices here are not high, for Russian salaries. You can afford a little more, and this cannot but rejoice.
When is the best time to go to Armenia
If you want to see the whole country in one trip, then the best time to travel to Armenia is summer, starting from June and ending in September. Juicy Armenian fruits have ripened, a lot of cheap vegetables, the snow has melted in the mountains and on the passes and does not create obstacles for inspection and travel.
You can just come for a walk around Yerevan already on March 8. It is already warm enough, but you can still eat Armenian khash and keep warm.
If you are interested in skiing, then you need to go to the Tsakhnadzor resort from December to February / March.
Going to Armenia in August is almost perfect. But during the day in Yerevan and in the open area in the vicinity: Garni, Eribuni or Zvartnots, it will be quite hot, but tolerable.
Documents, visa and whether Armenia needs a passport
Fortunately, the Armenians are brothers to us, our army guards the border between Armenia and Turkey, and the Russians do not need a visa to Armenia. And a foreign passport to Armenia is no longer needed either. However, it's a pity. After all, he was given a beautiful stamp upon arrival with Big and Small Ararat.
In addition to Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, Georgians and other residents of the CIS do not need a visa to Armenia either. The period of stay should not exceed 180 days.
And the rest is put on arrival and costs 3000 drams for 21 days or 15000 drams for 120 days.
You can cross the border of Armenia by land in Georgia and Iran, and by plane you can fly from any city with which there is an air connection (except Turkey and Azerbaijan).
Language in Armenia “And they will understand me”
Armenia has recently ceased to be one country with us, so the Russian language there, if not the second state, but the second, after the Armenian. It is obligatory at school, the older generation jokes about “I also died in a Russian school” and knows and speaks simply after the fact, and also many Armenians go to work in large Russian cities. But I still cannot answer unequivocally that they will understand you. In Yerevan, in a cafe in the center not far from the fountains, the young waiters understood us only in English. But in general there were no problems with understanding. Still, as the Armenians themselves say: “Putin is our president,” that’s why they learn Russian, one way or another.
The Armenian alphabet is very beautiful and revered by the inhabitants.
Religion in Armenia
In Armenia, the Christian Apostolic Church. Yes, they are Christians, but they have their own customs, which are somewhat different from our understanding of religion. For example "mate".
In churches and monasteries, in principle, you can come in shorts and a T-shirt. I have never seen someone not let in or made a remark. The Armenians themselves do not give the impression of being very devout and believers, but they often go to churches, even if they are walking or driving past and there is time, then why not go in and light a candle.
Armenians are Christians, but not like us In temples, there is usually one place where candles are placed. There is no difference what kind of health is here, and what kind of rest is elsewhere. You just bet, and God will figure it out, somehow. Do not put candles at different icons, again. But they are not. They try to leave churches in such a way that they do not turn their backs on the icons.
Armenians are baptized as Catholics, from left to right, but this is due to the language and pronunciation of the words "In the name of the father, son and holy spirit." The fact is that the Trinity must fall each to its place when you are baptized. Father on the forehead, son on the stomach, and the word spirit on the left shoulder. When this prayer is said in Armenian, the word order is slightly different. They say, not "Holy Spirit", but "Holy Spirit". It turns out that for the word "spirit" to fall on the left shoulder, you need to be baptized in the opposite direction.
I described my observations of life in the country in this article, it contains a little about religion.
Money, what currency to go with
The currency in Armenia is the Armenian dram and all payments are made only in local money. In addition to the souvenir market in Yerevan, here you can pay in rubles, and even at a mutually beneficial bank rate.
You can go with rubles, euros or dollars, but you should not change rubles for them before the trip. You will lose more when exchanging back and forth. You can change money in exchange offices in Yerevan, or in banks in other cities.
You can also safely withdraw local dramas from ATMs from a ruble card, I did just that. The commission is the usual bank, you can check with your bank.
It is better to have cash everywhere, but sometimes, in stores, it is quite possible to pay with a card. Rarely, but possible.
If you rent a car, then at each parking lot you will be asked for 200 drams, to buy fruits, kebabs or lavash to eat, to pay for entrance to the museum or for travel in transport, cash will be needed everywhere.
Food prices, how much money to take to Armenia
As I said, Armenia is not yet so popular among tourists (but everything will change soon), so the prices are very, very attractive and encourage you to spend more.
I will write a separate article about prices in more detail, but in general, count on the following order:
Housing in Armenia can be found in different ways. It all depends on what you choose, a hostel in Yerevan and a guest house in the province, or a good hotel in Yerevan and a sanatorium in Jermuk. On average, the price tag for accommodation in a hostel / not expensive, but a decent hotel, is 10,000 AMD for 3 people. We took beds in hostels in common rooms, and in hotels the price tag is the same, regardless of two or four. There will be a separate article about the hotels where we lived. I will write about the good ones and about the ones that turned out to be unsuccessful.
Eating in a cafe of traditional Armenian food costs from $5. We often bought groceries and ate in apartments that we rented or in hostels, where there is always a kitchen. The cost of living in a hostel almost always includes breakfast, sometimes very hearty, such as pasta with sausages, fruit and coffee.
For example, to eat kebab with baked vegetables, pita bread, cheese, wash it all down with okroshka tan and beer, which we bought to take away and ate by the river, cost 700 rubles for 4 and still left for breakfast. We also bought food in a store in Jermuk for dinner, vegetables, cheese, matsun, basturma, sweet gata and churchkhela, having spent 700 rubles and, again, we still had to have a hearty dinner. In a supermarket in Goris, we also bought food for 500 rubles for 4 people, and again it was enough for dinner and breakfast. If you eat in restaurants, then prices will be from $ 5 and more per person.
The cost of transport is based on the type of transport. Renting a car with a driver 20,000 AMD, without - from 15,000 AMD. The cost of minibuses depends on the distance. You can get to everything that is further than the outskirts of Yerevan for 1500-2000 drams from bus stations and minibus parking lots.
Food in Armenia
Armenian cuisine is wonderful! If we take into account the fact that everything is prepared from seasonal and fresh products, then you can even evaluate the taste qualities in absentia.
Vegetarians will have a harder time than meat eaters. But it’s harder in terms of giving up and explaining why you don’t eat meat. But the argument that you just feel sorry for the poor animals works, it has been verified. And so in the season from the end of May to September, the amount of vegetables and fruits will satisfy even the needs of raw foodists!
Armenian fruits Housing in Armenia
Of course, in order to get a good price / quality option, you need to have a clear trip plan and not deviate from it. We had a route, but after we left Yerevan, it was not always possible to follow it, although we tried. Booking on the go, especially in season, is tricky if you're on a budget. Good and cheap (around 10 thousand drams for 2-3 people) is, but if you book in advance, there are more chances. If we understood that we did not have time to arrive where it was already booked, then we simply opened a booking and booked from what was available. For not arriving at an already booked hotel, no fines were taken, although it seems like a cancellation for the day was already with a fine of min 1 night.
The choice of housing is great and varied only in Yerevan. Here you can find hostels and a lot of apartments that are good and not expensive on Airbnb, if you book in advance, and even more so hotels. But the price tags in the capital are decent. We preferred to spend the night in hostels.
In the province, the choice of housing is not large, but it is. In Jermuk, in general, we had to use the theory of 6 handshakes and, through our driver and calls, look for housing within 10,000 drams (this was our ceiling for housing, 500 rubles per person).
Communication in Armenia
You can choose different cellular operators, which ones you trust more. There are Beeline and MTS and Orange.
Do I need insurance in Armenia
There is no such obligation for a trip to Armenia as insurance. No one will ask you for it at the border. However, it does not hurt to have insurance if you plan to actively spend time in the country. Insurance is not expensive and it is better to have it if something happens.
I'm not talking about conquering peaks now, but even simple trekking in the national park in Dilijan or rock climbing in the gorges near Garni can have consequences.
I buy insurance online before every trip. Wrote about insurance for outdoor activities In this article.
How to get to Armenia
The most convenient way to get to Armenia is, of course, by plane. You can fly to Yerevan or Gyumri from Russia and Georgia. I collected all the flights with the lowest prices In this article. There you will also find a calendar of flights to Armenia for the year ahead. It is very convenient to search for cheap tickets on it. Click on a month and it opens with the prices of flights by day.
By car, you can also get to Armenia, through Georgia or Iran. But in winter it can be difficult to move along the Georgian Military Road through the passes, they are sometimes covered with snow. However, I considered the budget for such a trip from St. Petersburg, and if there are 3-4 people, then you can get there on a budget, cheaper than by plane, if you don’t catch a cheap flight.
Route in Armenia
I can suggest our itinerary in Armenia. Except for visiting friends, it took us 7 days to see the maximum. Although it is possible to see everything at once in 10-14 days in the country, Armenia is not the country that needs to be “run through”. Still, oriental slowness reigns here and you need to make stops along the way.
Important note. In my opinion, to see the maximum in the country in a short time is possible only by car. Yes, there is public transport, it works, there is also a hitchhiking. But when you are limited in time, then a car is the best solution. If you do not drive yourself, then it is possible to take a car with a driver.
You can start from Yerevan, or if you come to Armenia from Georgia, then from the north from Alaverdi.
For each place from the guide there is a separate detailed article. Follow the turquoise link buttons if you want to learn more.
1 day
For the first 2 nights, feel free to book accommodation in Yerevan. Because the most visited places in the country are located near the capital and it is easier to return to the same place for the night. We lived in the Rafael hostel in the very center not far from Vernissage and singing fountains.
What see in Yerevan in one day?
If you are limited in time, then you can explore the capital of Armenia in one day, if quickly and briefly. We arrived in the afternoon and in half a day just walking around Yerevan managed to visit Gregory's temple, reached Republic Square, walked around northern avenue, climbed Cascade, looked at night Yerevan and statue of mother Armenia in Victory Park.
In addition, the very next day, having also spent half a day, we visited monument to the Armenian genocide visited the souvenir market Vernissage, watched the evening singing fountain show on Republic Square. Here in the square there is museums of the history of Armenia and an art gallery. We missed the collection of manuscripts Matenadaran but I will definitely go next time. You can also visit cognac factory Ararat, if interesting.
On a good day, you can walk around Yerevan for 3-4 days and it is worth a separate trip for a short weekend holidays. There are a lot of places in Yerevan that you can and should see. I personally advise you to take a guide and a personal tour. Then they will immediately bring you up to date, explain the features and local customs, and simply tell you a lot of interesting things.
2 day
Around Yerevan
In general, if there is not much time for a trip to Armenia, even when traveling by public transport around Yerevan, you can see a lot. And although most of it has been reconstructed, which many do not like, nevertheless you can see monuments and temples that are already many hundreds of years old.
Pagan Temple of Garni is located 30 km from Yerevan, and Geghard Monastery a little further, 40 km. If you rent a car, you have the opportunity to make a stop on the way to these monasteries near arches of Charents. According to this Armenian poet (who you can see on the 100 dram bill), this is the best view of Mount Ararat. If you are lucky and there will be no haze.
We were not lucky enough to see Masis, but the views still deserve a stop.
Although Garni Temple is considered a remake, it is not. And this is the most unusual temple in all of Armenia.
The monastery in the rock of Geghard, despite the crowds of people, is impressive. It definitely cannot be excluded from the route in Armenia.
Former capital of Armenia Erebuni worth a visit, no doubt, especially if you are interested in the history of Armenia. And a trip to Etchmiadzin, the Armenian Vatican, deserves attention if you want to learn about the history of religion and understand Armenia. If I had not had much time on my first visit, I would not have gone here. But with a week left and a rental car, be sure to come. For Armenians, these places are the most real, authentic and important.
And I advise you to end the day in the temple of vigilant forces Zvartnotse. Ararat can also be seen from here with a good combination of circumstances.
3 day
We're going south
In one light day you can visit the monastery Khor Virap and see the most famous symbol of Armenia - Mount Ararat, which Armenians call Masis. Find out that in Armenia there is not only cognac, but also make delicious wine. And before sleep drink mineral water in Jermuk straight from the waterfall.
If for some reason you don’t want to rent a car even with a driver, then you won’t be able to see everything in one day ( read about rent and transport here). However, you can buy a tour in Yerevan and see everything except Jermuk, because the bus will return to Yerevan again.
Day 4
You can see everything from our list for this day only by car. But for the first time, you can choose the very best.
Armenian stonehenge carahunge And Tatev Monastery available without a rental car. First you can get to Karahunj by bus next to Sisian () or Goris, and then take a taxi or ride to Tatev. It is convenient to spend the night in Goris, there choice of cheap hotels, we stayed at the Nar Var hotel, it is more of a guest house. The hosts provided a kettle and crockery. If you do not have time in the evening, then inspect stone forest in Goris possible the next morning.
Vorotan pass 
Karahunj - Armenian stonehenge 
Caravanserai Katratz 
Stone forest in Goris
Day 5
Through the pass to Lake Sevan
See cave city Khndzoresk , which ceased to exist only half a century ago and which can be reached via a suspension bridge and chat with its inhabitants. And then, after resting Caravanserai standing on the Great Silk Road, through the Vardenyats pass to leave the scorched south.
See the largest collection of ancient Armenian cross-stones of khachkars near the city Noratuz just a must. Khachkar is one of the symbols of Armenia.
And after such a long day to find yourself by the Armenian sea - Lake Sevan will be just a gift. If you have time and money, stay here longer. However hotels on lake Sevan You need to book very early if you want to save money. Rest on Lake Sevan is very popular with the locals, still, the only place where, if you're lucky with the weather, you can swim and eat Sevan crayfish. If you don't find a suitable hotel for the price, feel free to leave to spend the night in Dilijan.
Suspension bridge and cave city Khndzoresk 
Caravanserai Orbelyans on the pass Vardenyats (formerly Selim) 
Cemetery of khachkars in Noratuz 
Hayravank Monastery on Lake Sevan
Day 6
Walks in the national park and mountain resort
Dilijan, or rather the nature of this area, this is what I want to come back here for. Simple trekking through the forests and mountains, with access to the monasteries is not suitable for everyone, but just walking in the park and breathing fresh cool air after a week spent among the stone monasteries will definitely appeal to many. If you have not watched the movie "Mimino", then I advise you to do it before the trip, you will find out why Dilijan is called "sunny".
Old Dilijan
Just exploring the city will take time until lunch, after which you can boldly keep your way north to the city of Alaverdi, where it is convenient to make yourself a “base” for spending the night and visiting the monasteries in northern Armenia, because there is 7 days. It was created not so long ago, but is popular among locals and tourists.
If there is time, then turn deep into the mountains and look at the highest mountain in Armenia - Mount Aragats and also visit Amberd fortress. If you have a desire, then you can make a one-day ascent to the mountain. Although there is snow in summer, it is not so much. However, it is advisable to have at least minimal tour equipment for this. If you want, but it's scary, you can take a guide.
On this last day, we visited only the monument to the Armenian alphabet, and in the evening we walked along the Vernissage in Yerevan. Early in the morning there was already a plane home. And although we saw a lot on this trip to Armenia, there are still enough white spots where you want to go. And that's great.
Route map in Armenia
This is how our entire route in Armenia for 7 days looks like. If you open the map in full screen (the rightmost icon at the top), you can turn off layers and choose movement for each specific day.
Transport in Armenia, how to get around
I will list all the ways of transportation available for tourists in Armenia:
Metro in Yerevan.
Has a place to be. Sometimes it is convenient, if you are limited in time, to get to a certain attraction in Yerevan. But as the locals say, sometimes it is more convenient to take a taxi, it is not at all expensive in the capital.
rental car. Convenient, comfortable, fast. You are in full control of your time.
Rental prices start from $30 for a mechanic booked in advance (for a day of rent, booking on the eve of the trip, the price tag can already be $50). Renting a car with an automatic transmission starts at a price of $ 40, but on the eve of the trip you can fly over, economy models are dismantled in advance. For an SUV, you will have to pay $ 50-70 per day, depending on the type of transmission.
It is convenient to rent in, then you know exactly what you are taking. There are also local rental offices on the spot, but here it’s how lucky.
Car with driver. The price can be even cheaper than renting a car with an automatic transmission, especially if you book on the eve of the trip, and not much in advance. We did just that. It is convenient because you can take a driver not for the entire period, but only for those days when you plan to travel around the country.
Almost all local cars run on gas and it saves on fuel, gas is much cheaper than gasoline, and all cars for rent run on gasoline. Such a service costs 20000-25000 AMD for the whole day. You can bargain if you take for many days. The driver himself finds where he will spend the night along the way and will help you find an overnight stay if you do not book in advance.
Public transport. I have a large detailed article about transport in Armenia.
If you have a lot of time and do not have a goal to see the country in one visit, do not have a license or just want to save money, this is your way.
There are 5 places in Yerevan where buses, minibuses and private transport leave in different directions. But the number of flights per day to other major cities can be 1-2. It is difficult to build a route with a large number of points in one day. There are no public transport routes to some attractions at all.
Hitch-hiking. It works, the Armenians are very located in this regard and can hospitably give you a lift not only along the way, but also a little further. However, it works well only for short distances and getting to places like Noravank or Caravanserai is not easy, relying only on hitchhiking.
Our rental car What souvenirs to bring from Armenia
The main souvenir market Vernissage is located in Yerevan. It is difficult to guess which souvenir to bring to whom without knowing the person, but various Armenian motifs are very popular with tourists.
A mill for spices and coffee, coffee itself in Armenia is also good, finely ground, ideal for brewing in a Turk, and I also brought it to lovers. And it would be my desire, I would bring copper utensils!
Letters of the Armenian alphabet. The best ones were in Dilijan, I didn’t find them at Vernissage, but there were others.
All kinds of ceramics with symbols of Armenia, Ararat and pomegranate.
Duduk, also a symbol of Armenia, will be a great gift for a lover of musical instruments.
Chess! In Armenia, chess is taught at school as a regular subject from the 1st grade.
Sweets! Churchkhela and sweet gata.
Of course, cognac "Ararat" and "Noah". They are in duty free and can not be downloaded separately in the city. True, at the airport there is only a large volume of bottles.
If you have money and interest, then you can buy a carpet or a small rug, both on the floor and on the table. Armenian motifs in carpet weaving are as unique as the drawings on khachkars.
This guide is the author's and does not claim to be ideal. However, I have gone through everything that is mentioned in the article personally and I assure you, everything is more than possible and accessible. If for some reason you copy it to your site, ask permission from me.
The guide will be updated as new information becomes available. I have not told everything about Armenia from what I know. Come back!
The residents of Yerevan themselves usually relax by the sea in neighboring Adjara. For a sea tan, they also travel to Turkey and Bulgaria. In the capital of Armenia itself, you can also swim in the heat, but the choice is small. Those are the three main places.
First of all - the Yerevan reservoir, located in the southwestern part of the city. Through a cascade of ponds, it feeds on the waters of the mountain river Hrazdan (Zangu). The main beach area of Yerevan is concentrated on the shore of this artificial reservoir. The water is quite cold, but you can swim.
The second bathing point of the capital of Armenia is also artificial - the Water World water park. This is the only body of water in the country with a comfortable temperature for swimming. A set of pleasures is standard - water rides, slides and so on. The park was created in such a way that it resembles a mountain river with rapids. The pool is full of sculptures of wild animals - to the delight of the kids.
The water park is open from early summer to mid-September. Nearby is the indoor complex "Aquatek". Residents of Yerevan and tourists bathe in it all year round. There is also a standard set of water pleasures.
The main water attraction is located 60 km from Yerevan - Lake Sevan. It is highland. Travel time from Yerevan is about an hour. The water is very clean.
Posted by Armenian Diaspora PMFI (@arm_pmfi) Mar 5, 2017 at 4:52 PST
The lake is divided into Big and Small Sevan. The beaches are pebbles, but there are areas with sand. What is warmer - Big or Small Sevan? Definitely Big. There is less depth. Therefore, the water warms up better. But in general, even in extreme heat, its temperature does not exceed 25 degrees. Most often, it keeps at around 18.
The coolness of the mountain water is very refreshing, but it also whets the appetite. Came in full, came out hungry! But it doesn't matter - right by the water there are a lot of barbecues with wonderful kebabs. At quite affordable prices.
Shish kebab in Sevan is offered not only from meat. Many people like fish. Well, and where without local wine!
Posted by Kolya (Russia, Abkhazia) (@d.nik7) Sep 4, 2016 at 10:51 PDT
There are many mountain lakes in Armenia, which could become places of rest for those who like to swim in cold water. But they are not equipped, there are a lot of hydraulic structures. Therefore, it is too early to say that they will finally be paid attention to and transferred to the category of beach areas. It will require too much investment ...
If you know more places in Yerevan where you can swim in the heat with pleasure, leave a message below in the comments.
We stopped noticing that interesting places to stay are near us. For example, Armenia. Its history and culture dates back centuries, and the tourists who have already been there speak for themselves. Everyone, as one, admires the landscapes, architecture of Yerevan and the traditions of the local population. You, as a potential tourist, just need to properly organize your vacation.
How and when to go?
A visa to Armenia is not needed, only a valid passport or a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation is required. Remember that this document must expire no earlier than 3 months after the return. By the way, when entering Armenia, you do not pay consular fees.Autumn is the most fertile time for tourists. In September, it is still warm here, housing prices are quite reasonable, and juicy fruits are sold in the markets. Throughout May and until mid-June, excursions are held - it is not yet hot. Mountaineering is advised from July to August, and to occupy the beaches from June to September.
Where to rest?
The necessary place for rest in Armenia can be chosen in accordance with the preferences for the duration of the vacation. Would you like to sunbathe on the beach? The most popular of them are near Lake Sevan, surrounded by mountains. Not far from it is the National Park. Are you attracted to mineral springs? The waters of Vanadzor, Dilijan, Arevik and Jermuk are not inferior to the Czech ones.If you are a fan of outdoor activities, you can fish in Sevan, however, having obtained a license before that. Climbing provides routes for both beginners (caves of mountains Aragats and Khustul) and extreme sports (ascent to Lenin Peak and Communism Peak). Tsaghkadzor will be a real discovery for connoisseurs of skiing. The newly built bobsleigh track is suitable for extreme descents. Organized in Armenia and cycling tours of Artavaz and Ara-ler.
What to see?
Gevardavank Monastery, built in the 4th century BC, is not only included in the UNESCO heritage, but is also located not far from Yerevan. In Sanahin you will see the monastery complex at an altitude of 1000 m above sea level, and in the pagan temple of Garni - echoes of the Hellenic culture. You can bring elite cognac, wooden products and carpets from this country, but do not forget that it is worth haggling in the markets.The main attraction of Armenia is its majestic mountains, an unforgettable culture that has evolved over thousands of years.
- one of the main resorts of Armenia. There is no sea in the country, and some go to Georgian Batumi, but getting there is an order of magnitude longer and more expensive. And here it is only 70 km from Yerevan to sandy beaches and clear water. That is why the locals call it the Armenian Sea.
Sevan and its surroundings are one of the most beautiful sights of Armenia, which you should definitely visit if you come to this country. The lake is located at an altitude of 1900 m above sea level among the mountains and is the largest in the Caucasus. 28 rivers flow into Sevan, and the entire bottom flows out - Hrazdan (as in Baikal).
Sevan in summer
In July and August, the water warms up to +20 degrees, which already allows you to swim. Residents of Yerevan and the Ararat plain come to Lake Sevan to escape the unbearable summer heat, it is really much cooler here than in the valley.
This is the only place in Armenia where you can catch crayfish or trout (or buy them in shops) and cook them right there. On the sandy beaches there are sunbeds, volleyball courts, you can immediately rent a boat or a jet ski - everything is like in a real resort, only the water is still cool, not like in the sea.
View from the peninsula to the lake
Sights of Sevan and surroundings
The most famous attraction of Sevan is Sevanavank monastery located on a peninsula on a hill. From here you have excellent views of the turquoise expanse of the lake. Interestingly, the monastery was originally built on an island, but due to a drop in the water level, the island turned into a peninsula. The monastery was built by monks in the 8th century from black volcanic tuff, by the way, “sev” in Armenian means black.
Be sure to check out Hayravank monastery, which is on the western shore of the lake, it is also over 1100 years old. There is a much more peaceful atmosphere here than in Sevanovanka with its sellers and crowds of people.
A little further south is an ancient Armenian village Noratus(sometimes called Noraduz) and the world's largest cemetery of khachkars not far from it. Khachkars are large boulders with crosses carved on them, they can be found everywhere in Armenia, but there are a lot of them at once. Even near Noratus you will find secluded beaches, on the peninsula everything is occupied by hotels-restaurants.
You can make a trip around Sevan by car, motorcycle or even a bicycle along the circular road. The whole journey takes about 200 km, but for sure it will be an interesting experience.
Small towns on the west coast haven't changed much since the days of the Soviet Union, but you can still find a couple of hotels in them to spend the night. From Martuni, the road goes to the Selim pass towards Yeghegnadzor, but do not try to drive along it in winter, it may be impassable due to snow drifts. On the south coast you will find several more monasteries hidden from all eyes: Vanevank and Makenis.