Yerevan City Tour: the Must-Sees of Armenia's Capital
Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, is a city that captivates at first sight with its buildings of pink volcanic tuff, its lively atmosphere and the warmth of its people. At 1,000 meters above sea level, with Mount Ararat dominating the horizon to the southwest (on Turkish territory), Yerevan is a metropolis of barely 1.1 million inhabitants that packs some of the most important cultural treasures of the Caucasus into just a few square kilometers.
Republic Square: the Heart of Yerevan
The natural starting point of any city tour is Republic Square, designed in the 1920s by architect Alexander Tamanian with a neoclassical vision that fuses elements of medieval Armenian architecture with a modern language. The five buildings surrounding the square — including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Armenia Hotel and the History Museum — are built in volcanic tuff of different shades, from rose to cream, which gives the square its characteristic visual warmth.
The Matenadaran: Treasure of Medieval Manuscripts
The Matenadaran is far more than a museum: it is one of the most important repositories of medieval manuscripts in the world, with more than 23,000 manuscripts in Old Armenian (Grabar) and other languages, covering topics from theology and philosophy to medicine, mathematics and history. Founded in 1959 on the basis of centuries-old monastic collections, the building dominates Mashtots Avenue from its monumental staircase.
The Cascade: Contemporary Art and Panoramic Views
The Cascade is a complex of monumental stairways in Soviet neoclassical style that connects the city center with the park in the Kentron district. Inside it houses the Cafesjian Center for the Arts, with works by Fernando Botero, Jaume Plensa and Barry Flanagan, among others. Climbing the Cascade on foot (or by interior elevator in summer) offers panoramic views of central Yerevan and of Ararat on clear days.
Armenian Cuisine: the Flavors of Yerevan
No city tour of Yerevan is complete without a gastronomic stop. Armenian cuisine is one of the richest in the Caucasus: khorovats (Armenian barbecue), dolma (stuffed vine leaves), lahmajoun (Armenian pizza) and fresh cheeses with honey and dried fruits are must-tries. To continue the adventure, combine Yerevan with a visit to the Armenian Genocide Museum or with an excursion to the Orbelian Caravanserai in Vayots Dzor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need to see Yerevan?
In 2–3 days you can see Yerevan's main attractions: Republic Square, the Matenadaran, the Cascade and the Genocide Museum. With 4–5 days you can add day trips to Lake Sevan, Garni and Geghard.
Is Yerevan an expensive city for tourists?
Yerevan is relatively affordable by European standards. Public transport is very cheap, food at local restaurants is inexpensive and museums have reduced admission rates. Hotel prices vary widely.
What is the volcanic tuff used in Yerevan's buildings?
Tuff (tufa) is a light, porous volcanic rock very abundant in Armenia. It is quarried in several colors — pink, red, orange, grey and black — and has been the dominant building material in Yerevan since the Soviet reconstruction of the 1920s, giving the city its characteristic warm, rosy appearance.