Armenia may be small, but it has plenty to offer!
Armenia is rich in incredible natural, historical, and cultural landscapes, offering countless captivating attractions to the curious and adventurous traveler. Visit hundreds of breathtaking and unique natural sites in Armenia to add vibrant colors to your trip. Check out the best natural attractions below to fully appreciate Armenia’s untouched beauty.
While Armenia is home to countless tourist sites, here are the top tourist attractions. These popular locations will impress all types of nature lovers, history addicts, and culture observers.
Parz Lake
Lake Parz is located within the territory of Dilijan National Park and is about 2 hours drive from Yerevan. The road leading to the lake is mesmerizing – all you need to do is breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the views of the dense forest. When near the lake, enjoy its tranquility and take some scenic shots.
Gosh Lake
If you want to connect with nature, go to Lake Gosh. It’s just you, the lake, the forest, and the sky – what a great time! It takes about 3 kilometers of hiking to reach Lake Gosh. Only true nature lovers choose to visit and enjoy its steep hiking trail. It is a small mountain lake formed by melting snow and springs.
Jermuk Waterfall
While Jermuk is well-known for its mineral water supplies, you will be blown away by another one of its attractions: Jermuk Waterfall, otherwise known as “Mermaid’s Hair.”
Devil’s Bridge
When you visit the Syunik region, make sure you stop by the Devil’s Bridge, especially if you are the adventurous type. Devil’s Bridge might lead you to expect scary and spooky devils under the bridge, right? Well, that is almost correct. When you look down from both sides of the bridge, you can see that less water enters and more water gets out from the bridge. Locals suspected the devil was involved, but the truth is that the water volume increases due to natural springs beneath the bridge.
Debed Canyon
Are you looking for breathtaking views? Remember to stop by the cliff and enjoy the scenic view of Debed Canyon. Located in the Lori region, Debed Canyon is a top spot to enjoy nature to the fullest and take some great shots from different locations. You can have lovely canyon views from Alaverdi’s Sanahin residential quarter, Odzun, or Akori villages.
Mount Azhdahak
Do you love hiking – especially up a mountain? Then, Mount Azhdahak is what you need. Located in Gegharkunik province, Mount Azhdahak was a volcano that erupted thousands of years ago. The colors of the highest peak of the Geghama Mountains, Azhdahak, claim its volcanic origin. The hike to Mount Azhdahak is delightful, with a small mountain lake formed over the crater due to snow melting.
Zvartnots Cathedral
Another important must-see site is the 7th-century Zvartnots Cathedral Ruins. Legend has it that at the site of Zvartnots, Armenian King Tiridates first encountered Grigor Lusavorich (Gregory the Illuminator), the first catholicos of the Armenians, before converting to Christianity. This fateful encounter eventually led the king to accept the Christian faith and make it a state religion. About three centuries later, Nerses Catholicos built the majestic Zvartnots Cathedral at the exact same location. Unfortunately, the Cathedral did not survive the severe earthquake in the 10th century.
Amberd Fortress
Amberd is the largest standing fortress in Armenia. Dating back to the 10th century, the fort is located on the slopes of Mount Aragats on a triangular, rocky cliff. The location is chosen on purpose, as it is naturally impregnable. Here, you will have scenic views of Mount Ararat, Mount Aragats, and the small 11th-century Vahramashen church with a river gorge in the background.