From Culture to Cuisine: 25 Amazing Things to Do in Yerevan

Yerevan, Armenia, often called the “Pink City” due to the unique tuff stone (it's volcanic, baby!) used in many of its buildings, is a vibrant blend of ancient history and modern charm. Bathed in sunshine for around 280 days of the year, this Armenian capital is famed for its warm, golden glow that reflects off its streets, creating an inviting atmosphere for visitors.

Whether you’re drawn to its Soviet-era architecture, its bustling squares, or its rich cultural heritage, Yerevan is a city where you’ll uncover countless surprises.

We spent a few weeks in Yerevan (after spending some time in Armenia's second-biggest city, Gyumri and before heading to Tbilisi, Georgia), slowly checking off and immersing ourselves in each and every item on this list. We gained a true affinity for the city and will be heading back to Armenia and Yerevan one day!

From free walking tours to discovering local hotspots, here are the 25 best things to experience in this sun-soaked city. At the end, there is a map that you can save for when you are in Yerevan.

1. Take a FREE Walking Tour

The very first thing you should do after checking into your hotel is to take a walking tour around the city. In doing this, you will already have checked off quite a few things from this list, so if you’re strained for time, it’s the easiest way to get the most out of the city! Plus, you will acquaint yourself with Yerevan and learn an unbelievable amount of information about the country.

We did a free tour with Vako and can highly recommend it! The concept with free tours is that you tip what you think the tour was worth at the end. Vako explained all the little details you would never have noticed had you just been walking around by yourself. He went deeply into the history of Armenia and gave plenty of recommendations of restaurants and hotspots along the way. Our group was a humble seven people, and he limits it to around 20.

Definitely give it a go, and you will already gain a deep understanding of this incredible city. They also offer other tours like the Soviet tour and Taste of Yerevan tour.

2. Climb the Yerevan Cascade Complex

If you were literally in Yerevan for just one hour, this would be our top-priority recommendation. The Cascade Complex has to be one of my favorite architectural sites I have ever seen - anywhere in the world, and I have seen a lot. There is something about the grandness of it that just impresses beyond belief. Plus, the soviet architecture makes it feel like something out of an H.G. Wells novel.

The Cascade has 572 steps, spread across four massive levels. It was meant to be six levels and go all the way to the Cascade Memorial and Obelisk, but as you can imagine when you see this in person, it was a massive undertaking and an overwhelming amount of resources.

Give yourself at least two hours to wander around. Start at one of the cafés at the bottom for a coffee to fuel you up, admire the many sculptures of different artists, most notably, Fernando Botero. And when you are ready, start climbing the 572 steps to the summit. Along the way, you’ll find immaculate fountains, sculptures, gardens, and little secret corners. Turn around often, as if it’s a clear day, you’ll get sprawling views of the city and Mount Ararat, Armenia's all-famous symbol.

If you’d prefer, there are also various access points on the left side where you can go to the top via escalator (there are even some paid exhibitions here!) The escalator is open from 8 to 8 each day.

Eventually you’ll reach a rickety fence at the top where the structure was meant to be continued. Don’t turn around just yet…

A man stands next to another man, seemingly deep in conversation about Yerevan's vibrant culture and its unique foods.

3. Continue Hiking up to the Cascade Memorial and Obelisk

As mentioned, the Cascade was planned to go up to the Cascade Memorial and Obelisk (Cascade Memorial to the Victims of Soviet Repression), but construction has been halted for the time being. What you can do for the time being is to take the path to the left, walk past the monstrosity of a construction site, and take a set of rickety steps, and you will arrive at this platform.

From the top, you’ll get a healthy dose of Soviet, Brutalist architecture and an even grander view of the city and Mount Ararat.

Don’t stop there…

4. Wander Around Victory Park

If you’re not entirely exhausted from the trek up the Cascade and to the Obelisk, then cross the street to Victory Park. If you are tired, you can always descend the Cascade and come back here with a cab later.

The lush green park features an old soviet-style theme park complete with a Ferris wheel with the highest, most panoramic views you’ll get of the city and its surroundings. There is also a dinosaur park that we gave a miss, but we spotted massively sized dinosaurs growling over the fences.

In Victory Park, you will also find a massive statue of Mother Armenia, the female personification of Armenia, looking over the city as though it’s protecting it.

As the urban explorers that we are, our favorite part was the abandoned restaurant (Aragil former Restaurant) overlooking Yerevan. Splattered in graffiti and a hang-out spot for teens (we may or may not have witnessed a cheeky make out session), this was something we are glad we didn’t miss. You’ll find this on the lower side of the park between the Ferris wheel and the main gate that you would have come through if you came from the obelisk.

The urban explorers in us had to check out this abandoned restaurant

5. Explore Kond: Yerevan's "Old City"

You’ll start to notice that Yerevan somewhat lacks an old town (like the crumbling ones you’ll find in Tbilisi, for example).

The closest thing you’ll find to an old town is the neighborhood of Kond, accessible right outside the center, to the west of the main circle of Yerevan. Perched on top of a hill, when you come to this area, you’ll know you’re headed to the right place if you find a bunch of various steep staircases nestled amongst the buildings. Take one of those up, and you’ll be in quaint Kond.

Immediately, you will no longer feel like you are in the hustle and bustle of Yerevan, but rather a village. The buildings are remarkably old, built of different stone and mud than the standard Armenian tuff stone, and have tin roofs.

You’ll come across a few murals and super viewpoints of the city for photographing.

6. Wander Republic Square; Watch the Singing Fountains of Yerevan

If you take the walking tour mentioned above, this will be the centerpiece for your tour, but even so, definitely come back and admire the square in your own time.

Here is where the Prime Minister's official residence lies as well as a few other buildings in the same style. The buildings are decorated with various Soviet and Armenian symbols, like pomegranates (for unity) and grapes (for wine, and on a deeper level god).

This is the ideal place to people watch on a weekday or weekend to see how life ebbs and flows around Yerevan.

Additionally, every night (except for Mondays) at 8 pm to 10 pm, there is an impressive fountain show, called the Singing Fountains of Yerevan. If you’d rather watch it over a drink, you can head to Diamond and hang out on the terrace.

7. Ararat Brandy Company: Go for a Brandy Tasting and Factory Tour

Back when the word cognac was used!

If you weren’t aware, Armenia, specifically Yerevan, is world-famous for its brandy (unlike Gyumri's beer culture), which was once called cognac until the French disallowed that classification.

And fear not, you can actually tour the Ararat Brandy Company facilities, learn about the history and making of brandy, and end it all with a tasting.

We did the 4,500 Dram Standard Package tour. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and passionate about brandy and at the end we were able to taste 2 brandys, aged 5 and 7 years. If you are looking for a higher quantity and quality of brandy, there is a more expensive 12,500 Dram tour, as well.

8. Drink Coffee in a Café and Try One of the Many Coffee Vending Machines

Armenians are coffee drinkers, more evidently than Georgia is and far more evident than Azerbaijan’s solely tea drinking.

Yerevan is bursting with cafés featuring artisanal coffees. You have everything from Armenian-style coffee (more globally known as Turkish coffee, but avoid calling it that here), Italian-style espressos and cappuccinos, and even a lot of places have American style brews.

The Best Yerevan Cafés

There are really too many to list here, and you aren't going to go wrong with any spontaneous choice, but our favorites are:

• Surf Coffee: Nice atmosphere, plus really delicious (and American-sized) brewed coffees.
• Jermots Cafe: Cozy atmosphere, good coffee, and inexpensive lunch sets.
• 202F Alternative Coffee: Artisanal-style coffee with a few branches around the city.

For the cheapest and fastest method for those on the go, look for the little vending machines on almost every corner. For just 100 Dram, you can have a double Nescafé, and also control how much sugar you can put into these. I became obsessed with these because they remind me of the vending machine scene in Japan.

The legendary coffee vending machines all over the country!

9. Spend an (Obligatory) Few Hours at the Armenian Genocide Museum and Genocide Memorial Monument

The Armenian Genocide Museum isn’t the most uplifting, but I believe it’s obligatory when you come to Armenia.

If you’ve read up on Armenia, you may have heard about the Armenian Genocide during the early 20th century and World War I. Denied to this day by Turkey (then the Ottoman Empire), this was a dark period when many Armenians were deported and executed from Ottoman-considered land, also leading to a diaspora and the main reason why there are more people of Armenian descent living in other countries than Armenia itself.

The free-entry museum goes deep into every detail of the genocide with tons of photographs that aren’t for the faint-hearted along with temporary exhibitions. While we were there, the exhibition was on women who survived the genocide.

After the museum, head to the memorial itself. Known as “Tsitsernakaberd,” or “Swallow’s Fortress,” featuring 12 inward-facing columns (one for each of the twelve provinces where Armenians were murdered) towards an eternal memorial flame. Next to it, is a tall needle, representing Armenia's rebirth following the genocide.

Once again, for the abandoned building lovers, if you head to the other side of the park, you’ll be treated to a complex that reminded me of a small and decrepit cascade complex, complete with lots of graffiti. The Sport/Concert Complex after Karen Demirtchian is still in use, but the staircase in front of it is bizarrely abandoned.

10. Drink Dargett, Yerevan’s Craft Beer

One of the cool bars in Yerevan to drink Dargett, 13:20

If you aren’t such a brandy fan, craft beer is having its moment in Yerevan!

Every bar and restaurant you go to, you’ll find some standard beers like Kilikia and Gyumri (from Armenia's second-biggest city).

But more and more bars and cafés are starting to feature craft beers ranging from lagers to pale ales.

The most notable brand is Dargett, which has its brewery right in the center of town, where you can stop by for some food and a drink. Pair a fresh beer with one of their burgers, and it’s heaven.

Our favorite place to grab a craft beer is 13:20, along with a few other ruin bars in a very hipster courtyard of one older buildings in Yerevan. These are at risk of getting shut down, as the buildings around are scheduled to be knocked down, so get there quickly.

In case of this, you can also head to the Art Kvartel, which has some nice places to drink craft beer as well. Bonus: Both of these last options are quite LGBTQ+ friendly places to get a drink.

11. Ride Yerevan's Metro

The Yerevan metro is a bit of a miracle in the sense that it never should have been built at the time it was built. During the Soviet Union, the rules stated that a city needed to have more than 1 million citizens for it to be eligible for a metro. Well, Yerevan had only about 700,000, but with a little skewing of numbers, it convinced the Soviet Union it had over 1 million.

Now featuring one line and ten stations (with 8 more planned), riding the metro is an experience! The stations have that beauty common in many Soviet-era stations, like Baku, Azerbaijan and Almaty, Kazakhstan. Plus, the carts are old, and the interiors are covered in intricate Armenian patterns.

You can grab it from Republic Square and head to other parts of town from there (we took it to the Genocide Museum, although this requires a bit of a walk from the station to the museum).

12. Marvel at all the fountains also drink out of a pulpulak!

Armenia is kind of obsessed with fountains.

All over Yerevan (and the country for that matter) you’ll find a splendor of fountains ranging from nonfunctional to absolutely breathtakingly impressive! For the most impressive, head to Yerevan 2800th Anniversary Park, where you will find fittingly, 2,800 fountains, running daily from 11 AM to midnight.

Also, scattered all over Yerevan are pulpulak, or little fountains that are for the public's drinking needs. Yerevan claims to have some of the cleanest water out there (it is blessed with many surrounding mountains), and drinking out of pulpulaks is so much handier than carrying a bottle around all day.

13. Taste Armenian Wine

As you can probably tell from previous sections, Armenia is famous for many types of alcohol, and with the country claiming its wine-making practices being one of the oldest in the world, you'll have no shortage of wine options.

The easiest way to try Armenian wine is just to get a bottle for dinner at just about any restaurant in Yerevan. However, if you want to a more wine-focused approach, try out some wine bars or take a tour.

Best Wine Bars in Yerevan

• Invino
• Voskevas Wine Time
• Urban Wine Bar

Best Yerevan Wine Tasting Tours

• Private tour to Khor Virap, Areni winery, Noravank: Combine some of Armenia's most famous Christian sights with wine tasting in Armenia's famed wine region.
• Wine tasting with cheese and meat assortment in Yerevan: If you would rather stick to Yerevan, this one is an incredible deal, as you'll get six half-filled glasses and some snacks to hopefully prevent you from getting too drunk 🤣.

14. Explore the Art Kvartel

Yerevan’s Art Kvartel is a dynamic and colorful neighborhood that showcases the city’s thriving contemporary art scene. Nestled in the heart of Yerevan, this area is filled with street murals, quirky galleries, and creative spaces where artists work on installations, paintings, and sculptures. The district itself feels like an open-air museum, with every corner offering something visually stimulating.

It’s a hotspot for cultural events, workshops, and art festivals, making it the perfect place to immerse yourself in the local art movement. Whether you’re an art lover or simply curious, the Art Kvartel invites you to explore its vibrant, imaginative energy.​

As mentioned, make sure to check out some cafés/bars within the complex.

15. Walk the Entire Circular Park

Circular Park wraps around the eastern half of the main circle in which the center of Yerevan is contained.

We did a run around this the first day we arrived, and while we don’t think it is the world’s most runner's friendly park (or city), there is a lot of fun sights to see.

You will encounter another Soviet-style park on the bottom of the circle, and as you wind your way counterclockwise, you’ll come across the largest church in all of Armenia, The Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, more fountains, interesting Brutalist architecture, and restaurants.

16. Go Shopping at Vernissage Market

For market lovers, Vernissage Market is a must-visit in Yerevan. Located in the heart of the city, this bustling open-air market offers a mix of authentic Armenian handicrafts, antiques, jewelry, traditional carpets, artwork, and chess boards (did you know it is obligatory to study Chess in school?). It’s the perfect place to shop for souvenirs, unique trinkets, or a piece of Armenian culture to take home.

The market is most lively on weekends, where you’ll find local artisans selling handmade items and painters showcasing their works. Haggling is welcome, so don’t hesitate to negotiate for a better price (but maybe just start with asking for a discount). Beyond shopping, Vernissage is also great for people-watching and soaking in the local vibe.

Whether you’re after a hand-carved chess set, a vintage Soviet-era relic, or a beautifully crafted piece of jewelry, Vernissage Market offers a treasure trove of finds.​

17. Shop Some More at GUM Market (Especially for Dried Fruit)

Outside the main part of the city, GUM market (also known as the Armenian market) is a treat to the market lover’s eye.

Although the front part may seem to be a bit catered to tourists, as everyone and their mothers seem to be selling dried fruit, it’s worth it. The dried fruit is super delicious and the vendors will give you a tasting of literally 10 different things (of course, you’ll then feel a bit obligated to buy afterwards 😅). Wander to the right, and you’ll find lavash and butcheries, wander upstairs, and you’ll find clothing. It’s very clean and not so crowded, so you won’t be overwhelmed in any way.

If you’re still hungry afterwards, there is a great little kebab restaurant next door called Ker U Sus.

18. Check Out One of Yerevan’s Oldest Churches

Yerevan’s spiritual history can be felt through its ancient churches. One of the oldest and most notable is Katoghike Holy Mother of God Church, dating back to the 13th century. Despite its small size, this church has survived the test of time and modernization, nestled between newer structures. Step inside to witness a serene atmosphere with traditional Armenian church architecture and design.

19. Head to Armenia’s Last Mosque

The Blue Mosque in Yerevan stands as the last remaining mosque in Armenia, representing a significant part of the city’s diverse history. Built in the 18th century during the Persian rule, this peaceful oasis of Persian architecture contrasts the otherwise Soviet-style surroundings of Yerevan. Take a moment to explore the courtyard and admire the stunning blue-tiled dome.

20. Pop by the Biggest Cathedral in Armenia

The Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral is the largest church in Armenia and a must-visit for those interested in Armenian religious heritage. Completed in 2001, it was built to commemorate Armenia’s conversion to Christianity in 301 AD. The massive structure, with its simple yet majestic design, provides a great view of the city.

21. Try Lamajo

You can’t leave Yerevan without trying lamajo, Armenia’s version of pizza!

This thin, crispy flatbread is topped with a savory mix of minced lamb, vegetables, and herbs. It’s available at most bakeries and local restaurants around the city. Lamajo is cheap, delicious, and perfect for a quick snack on the go.

Our favorite Lamajo Places in Yerevan

• Anteb: Features Western Armenian cuisine and a hell of a good Lamajo (Lamajun)
• Mer Toon: It feels like you are dining in somebody's home, plus the lamajo with cheese and meat is just divine!

22. Explore the Restaurant Scene

Some pro lavash makers!

Yerevan’s culinary scene is as diverse as its history. From traditional Armenian fare to international flavors, the city offers an abundance of dining options. Whether you’re in the mood for upscale dining or seeking out the best street food, Yerevan won’t disappoint.

Some must-try dishes include khorovats (Armenian BBQ), dolma, and lavash bread fresh from the oven.

Our Favorite Restaurants in Yerevan

Along with the two mentioned in the section above on Lamajo, here are our favorites:

• Caucasus Tavern: Features dishes from all over the Caucausus, but we were good boys and stuck with the Armenian fare!
• Grillian: TO DIE FOR khorovats barbecue (definitely try the pork ribs with sweet sauce).
• Lavash Restaurant: A more upscale Armenian restaurant right in the heart of Yerevan.
• Shirvan Persian Halal Restaurant: If you need a change from Armenian food, this little Persian restaurant has a cozy atmosphere and banging dishes.
• Grab&Go: I am adding this one, as food is cheap is plentiful. It is Swedish buffet style (you serve yourself food on a plate and pay based on the additional weight of what you’ve added), and perfect if you are in a rush!

Must-try ribs at Grillian!

23. Visit the MANY Museums of Yerevan

Yerevan boasts an impressive array of museums that demystify its rich history, culture, and art. Some of the most notable include the History Museum of Armenia, the National Gallery, the Matenadaran (home to ancient manuscripts), the Cafesjian Center for the Arts (under the Cascade Complex), and the Folk Art Museum.

Whether you’re an art lover or a history buff, there’s a museum for every taste.

24. Take a Garni and Geghard Tour

Garni Temple in all its glory!

No trip to Armenia is complete without visiting the iconic Garni Temple and the Geghard Monastery, both just a short drive from Yerevan. Garni Temple is a classical Hellenistic-style structure, while Geghard is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for being partially carved into the mountains. Many tours from Yerevan combine these two incredible sights, offering a great half-day adventure. You'll be back in time for an afternoon wine-tasting session 😜.

25. Marvel at the Armenian Alphabet Monument

Located near the village of Artashavan, the Armenian Alphabet Monument is a unique attraction celebrating the creation of the Armenian alphabet in 405 AD.

The monument consists of large stone carvings of each letter of the alphabet, beautifully set against the backdrop of the mountains. It’s a great spot for photos and a tribute to Armenia’s linguistic heritage.

Map of Things To Do in Yerevan

շնորհակալություն, for reading!

Yerevan is a city that captivates with its vibrant mix of ancient heritage and modern creativity. From its pink tuff stone buildings glowing in the sun to the cultural pulse found in places like Cascade Complex and Art Kvartel, the city offers a journey through history, art, and nature. Whether you’re hiking the steps for a view of Mt. Ararat or strolling through lively neighborhoods, Yerevan will leave you inspired, charmed, and eager to return.