The main sights of Yerevan are concentrated in the central Kentron district. Our list includes old and new churches, squares, parks, fountains, monuments, museums and observation decks. Walking through Yerevan along this route, you will see the historical buildings and the modern look of the capital of Armenia.
- Cascade
- Alexander Tamanyan Square
- Armenian Opera and Ballet Theatre
- Swan Lake
- Republic Square
- The History Museum and the National Gallery of Armenia
- Khachkars Square
- Northern Avenue
- Church of the Holy Mother of God Katogike
- Abovyan Street
- Koltsevoy Boulevard
- Opening day
- Yerevan 2800th Anniversary Park
- St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral
- The Old Market
- The Blue Mosque
- Cond District
- The Church of St. Zoravor Astvatsatsin
- Matenadaran
- Victory Park
Sights of Yerevan on the map
Sights of Yerevan on the map
Sightseeing tours in Yerevan
It is best to start your acquaintance with the capital of Armenia with a sightseeing tour. No matter how many days or even hours you come to Yerevan, you will have time to make up your impression of this beautiful city. Read the reviews and choose the tour format that suits you.
Review of the tour “Daily walk around Yerevan”
We started our first trip to Armenia with a tour of Yerevan. I am glad that in the allotted time we managed to walk around half of the city and saw and talked about the main attractions. Separately, I would like to note the bonus after the walk — a message from the organizers with a description of the main points and places we passed by, as well as recommendations where else to go. Special thanks to the guide Gayane, who spoke about the city in an interesting and succinct way.
I definitely recommend this tour and Gayane as a guide. Abram
Cascade
Cascade is a unique architectural and monumental complex in the style of Soviet modernism. The construction of the Cascade began in the 60s of the XX century, was frozen in 1988, resumed in the 2000s, but its last tier remained unfinished.
The design of the complex shows different artistic styles and eras: ornaments of the ancient state of Urartu and modern sculptures.
The height of the Cascade is 118 meters, the number of steps is 572. You can go up on foot or by escalator. On the left side of the complex is the entrance to the Art Center and exhibition halls.
The upper tiers of the Cascade offer magnificent views of Yerevan and Mount Ararat. In the evening, the Cascade complex is beautifully illuminated.
- 10 Tamanyan St, Yerevan
Alexander Tamanyan Square
The park at the foot of the Cascade is named after the brilliant Armenian architect Alexander Tamanyan. According to his master plan of 1924, Yerevan was built. The monument to Tamanyan was opened in 1974, and the architect is depicted on it bending over the city plan.
There are many modern sculptures and compositions in the Alexander Tamanyan Park. The project was funded by the Armenian philanthropist from New York Gerard Gafeschyan, his name is cut on the lawn.
The most famous exhibits of the “Hafescian Sculpture Garden” are sculptures by the Colombian sculptor Fernando Botero: “Roman Warrior”, “Cat” and “Smoking Woman”.
Sculptures by other international masters are made of different materials: stone, plastic, metal: jumping antelopes, hares, blue kiwi. Fashionable people and tourists gather in cafes and restaurants near the Cascade.
- 10 Moskovyan St, Yerevan
Armenian Opera and Ballet Theatre
The building of the Armenian National Opera and Ballet Theater is located on one of the central squares of Yerevan — Freedom Square. It was built in 1940 by architect Alexander Tamanyan. For this work, the author received the first place at the World Architectural Exhibition in Paris (1937). The monumental building combines classical features and national ornaments.
World-famous stars perform on the stage of the National Theater of Armenia. After the reconstruction, the theater accommodates more than 1070 spectators. The Yerevan Opera and Ballet Theatre is named after the Armenian composer Alexander Spediarov.
- 54 Tamanyan St, Yerevan
- website
Swan Lake
An artificial reservoir called “Swan Lake” appeared in the square near the Opera and Ballet Theater in the early 1960s. After reconstruction, it is one of the most picturesque places in the center of Yerevan.
The Swan Lake pond resembles Lake Sevan in its shape, and their similarity ends there. A decorative humpback bridge under a spreading willow is a favorite location for wedding photo shoots.
In 2003, a monument to composer Arno Babajanian, who plays the piano, was erected near Swan Lake. If you walk through the park, you can find other sculptures.
- Tumanyan St / Teryan St, Yerevan
Republic Square
Republic Square is the main square of Yerevan. Five monumental buildings are located in a large open space: the National Art Gallery, the Museum of the History of Armenia, the government house, the central post office building, the Marriott Hotel, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Energy. All buildings are built of tuff and basalt in pink and white shades.
The architectural ensemble of Republic Square was created by Alexander Tamanyan in 1924. The last reconstruction was carried out in 2003.
One of the places of attraction of the central square of Yerevan is the Singing fountains. Every day, except Monday, hundreds of Yerevan residents and guests of the city come to watch the light and music performance. The repertoire of the singing fountains includes masterpieces of world classics, national compositions and modern musical themes.
- Republic Square, Yerevan
The History Museum and the National Gallery of Armenia
If you have time for Yerevan museums, choose these two classic museums located in the same building on Republic Square.
The Armenian History Museum tells about the culture and history of Armenia and the Armenian people from prehistoric times to the present day. There are more than 400 thousand archaeological, ethnographic, numismatic and other valuables in his collection.
For a detailed immersion in the history of Armenia, take a guided tour of the historical museum “Treasures of Ancient Armenia: a group tour to the museum”.
The National Gallery of Armenia has the largest collection of Armenian art in the world. The gallery’s collection includes more than 40,000 works of Armenian and foreign fine and decorative arts. Several halls of the gallery are occupied by a permanent exhibition of paintings by marine painter Hovhannes Aivazovsky.
- 1 Aram St, Yerevan
Khachkars Square
Khachkars Square is located near the Republic Square metro station. There are 17 khachkars installed on it — copies of khachkars from Western Armenia and Old Julfa. The square is decorated with three fountains, flower beds and benches.
Khachkar is a unique example of Armenian medieval Christian art, included in the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. “Hach” translates as a cross, “kar” — a stone. There are more than 30,000 khachkars in the whole of Armenia.
- Khachkar Park, Yerevan
Northern Avenue
Yerevan’s Northern Avenue is a 1.5 km long pedestrian street connecting Republic Square and Freedom Square. The Northern Avenue project was included in Tumanyan’s general plan, but it was implemented only in 2007, the result of the construction caused heated disputes among the residents of Yerevan.
Until the 20s of the last century, this central area was a chaotic building of old dilapidated shack houses, which are still preserved in the Kond district.
After the reconstruction of the Northern Avenue, buildings in the same style were erected on it. They were given over to luxury housing, offices, shops, cafes and restaurants. Severny Avenue is bustling with life from morning to evening. People come here to meet friends, listen to street musicians, and go shopping.
- Hyusisayin poghota, Yerevan
Church of the Holy Mother of God Katogike
The 13th century Church of the Holy Mother of God Katoghike is a small medieval church located in the very center of Yerevan. It survived the earthquake of 1679 and was rebuilt several times. The temple was built of traditional Armenian tuff and is now used as a chapel-oratory.
In 2011, the construction of the Apostolic Church of St. Anne began next to the old church. On April 30, 2015, the Church of St. Anna was consecrated by the Catholicos of Armenia. It is a single-domed temple in the shape of a cross with a bell tower at the entrance. In the Church of St. Anna hosts lavish Armenian weddings, which you can witness on weekends.
- 17 Abovyan St, Yerevan
Abovyan Street
Abovyan Street is one of the oldest streets in Yerevan, it stretches from Republic Square to Myasnikyan Avenue. The street is named after the outstanding Armenian poet Khachatur Abovyan. During the reconstruction of the city, Abovyan Street was straightened and widened, but retained its face.
A distinctive feature of Abovyan Street is houses made of dark tuff, called “black houses”. Memorial plaques can be seen on many of them. Next to the house at Abovyan 3 there is a monument to the eccentric Karabala, who in the 1930s gave flowers to girls walking along this street.
If you walk through the souvenir shop in the house on Abovyan 12, you will find yourself in a cozy green courtyard. This is the Dalan Gallery, an exhibition of works by Armenian masters and a cafe—restaurant. In an original designed space, you can take photos, sit at a table under grapes, drink coffee or wine, and buy author’s souvenirs.
- Abovyan St, Yerevan
Koltsevoy Boulevard
The Ring Boulevard is a ring with a length of more than 2 km, encircling the center of Yerevan from the east. Take a walk along the green alley, look at sculptures and monuments, relax on shady benches, sit in a cafe.
There is a tennis club, an amusement park, a national chamber music center, and a sports complex on the ring boulevard of Yerevan. The Messier 53 Hotel Yerevan is located at the intersection of the Ring Boulevard with Vardanyan Street — spacious rooms with sound insulation and excellent service.
- Khanjyan St, Yerevan
Opening day
Yerevan’s main flea market, Vernissage, is located between Khachkars Square and the Ring Boulevard. This is the best place in Yerevan where they sell inexpensive souvenirs.
On the Opening Day, you can find both typical tourist souvenirs and handmade products, new and antique items. Carpets, jezvas, chess, backgammon, shawls, jewelry, paintings, dishes, national clothes. It is better to come from 10:00 to 15:00 and be sure to bargain.
- 1, 3 Buzand St, Yerevan
Yerevan 2800th Anniversary Park
The park dedicated to the 2800th anniversary of Yerevan was opened on May 10, 2019. The park area was landscaped at the expense of the Vardanyan Family Charitable Foundation, therefore its second name is Vardanyan Park.
The park territory is laid out of 500 thousand granite paving stones of seven colors with the image of ornaments of ancient Armenian carpets. In the center there is a map of Yerevan made of rose quartzite. The map is surrounded by a fountain consisting of 2,800 jets, in the evening the fountain glows and “dances”. Bronze sculptures, a drinking fountain, and about 250 species of trees have been planted in the 2800th Anniversary Park of Yerevan.
- 2 Italy St, Yerevan
Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator
St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral is the first large cathedral in modern Yerevan. It is located near the Ring Boulevard.
St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral was built in honor of the 1700th anniversary of the adoption of Christianity by Armenia (301). Its construction was completed in 2001.
The cathedral has an area of 3,822 m2, a height of 54 m, and can accommodate up to 1,700 people. The cathedral complex consists of three temples: the main cathedral, the church of St. Trdat III and the Church of St. Queen Ashkhen. The cathedral’s design style is simple and austere, the windows are decorated with stained glass windows on biblical themes. The relics were imported from Naples.
- 5GC8+VV9, Yervand Kochar St, Yerevan
The Old Market
The indoor market on Mashtots Avenue was built in 1952 by architect Grigory Aghababyan. At one time, camel caravans stopped at this place, and about 50 stalls and coffee shops were located inside.
The market building is completely covered with a single vault, as was done during the construction of temples. On the wide facade there is a large cast-iron vintage consisting of polyhedra. Armenian ornaments, fruits, fish, and ears of corn are clearly visible on it.
Unfortunately, the reconstruction of the Old Yerevan Market has completely changed its internal architecture and now it is an ordinary supermarket. Admire the building from the outside.
- 5 Mesrop Mashtots Ave, Yerevan
The Blue Mosque
The Blue Mosque is located on Mashtots Avenue opposite the Old Market. To get inside, you need to go down the steps to the courtyard.
The Blue Mosque got its name due to the color of the dome. It was built in 1766 by order of the Governor of Erivan Hussein Ali Khan. In the 19th century, there were 8 mosques in the city, 7 of them were destroyed during the First World War.
In the shady courtyard of the mosque in the 30s of the last century, the Yerevan intelligentsia liked to gather. In honor of one of them, the poet Egishe Charents, a mulberry tree is named — the “Charents tree”.
- 12 Mesrop Mashtots Ave, Yerevan
Cond District
Kond is the old historical district of Yerevan. It is located in the eastern mountainous part of the city. The name “cond” means “steep hill”. The Cond was not affected by the general reconstruction of Yerevan, but very soon everything may change and this quarter will be demolished. Have time to see it!
The oldest surviving building in Konda is the Church of St. Hovhannes Mkrtich (Church of John the Baptist), built in 670 and rebuilt in 1710 after the earthquake of 1679.
When you get to the Cond, you find yourself not even in the past, but in the century before last. Narrow uneven streets, one-story dilapidated houses. Tourists admire the authentic atmosphere of the old district, and the residents of Kondovo still live in poverty without basic amenities.
It is easy to get lost in the Kond area, it is better to go here with an excursion. The guide will tell you about the history of the quarter, show you the most photogenic corners and invite you to drink coffee in a colorful courtyard.
The Church of St. Zoravor Astvatsatsin
St. Zoravor Church (Church of the Almighty Mother of God) is one of the oldest operating churches in Yerevan — the favorite church of the people of Yerevan. She hides in the depths of urban development, so many do not find her.
According to legend, the temple was founded in the VII century by the Apostle Ananias, whose relics rest under the foundation. The modern church of St. Zoravor Astvatsatsin was built in 1693-1694 on the site of a monastery destroyed by an earthquake. In 1889, a new chapel of St. Ananias was built to the northwest of the church.
The Church of St. Zoravor belongs to the type of three-nave, domeless basilicas. Khachkars are carved on its outer walls. In the 1970s, the church was returned to the Armenian Apostolic Church and reconstructed.
- 9 Ghazar Parpetsi St, Yerevan
Matenadaran
Matenadaran is a scientific research institute of ancient manuscripts named after Mesrop Mashtotts. You can explore the building from the outside and visit the museum.
The Matenadaran building, built in 1959, is typical of Armenian architecture. Its facade is decorated with monuments to prominent figures of ancient and medieval Armenia: Movses Khorenatsi, Mkhitar Gosh, Frick, Toros Roslin, Grigor Tatevatsi and Anania Shirakatsi. The sculptures are 4 meters high and made of solid basalt. A monument to Mesrop Mashtots, the creator of the Armenian script, has been erected in front of the Matenadaran on Mashtots Square.
The Matenadaran houses one of the world’s largest collections of ancient Armenian manuscripts, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The funds of the Matenadaran number more than 17 thousand ancient manuscripts, of which 14.5 thousand are in Armenian and 2.5 thousand manuscripts in foreign languages. The oldest fragments of the manuscripts date back to the 5th-6th centuries.
- 53 Mesrop Mashtots Ave, Yerevan
Akhtanak Victory Park
Akhtanak Park is located above the Cascade across the street from Stella. Geographically, this is no longer the central district of Yerevan, but surely you will want to climb here for the best view of the city and the statue of “Mother Armenia”.
The observation deck at the “Reborn Armenia” obelisk can be reached from the upper level of the Cascade through a temporary staircase. In clear weather, Mount Ararat is clearly visible from it.
Akhtanak Victory Park is dedicated to the Great Patriotic War. There is a grave of an Unknown soldier, a monument to Border Guards, an Alley of Heroes, a sculpture “Mother Armenia”. There is an amusement park with a Ferris wheel in Akhtanak Park, and you can ride a catamaran on Lake Arevik.
- Azatutyan Ave, Yerevan
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