Armenia: Mountains, Monasteries, and Lavash
Fun fact about me: my great-grandparents are from Armenia!
So it was only right that we take a family trip there. We based ourselves in Yerevan, the capital, and stayed at the Ramada (super comfy and a great home base). The city has this lively, laid-back vibe, with clean bubbling public fountains everywhere that honestly made it feel extra charming. One of the biggest things about Armenia is that it’s the first Christian country in the world, so you can imagine how many incredible churches and monasteries we saw.
Most days we grabbed lunch at random roadside spots — always hearty, always good, always cheap. Here’s the full itinerary:
Day 1
Lunch at Frank by Basta (casual, delicious)
Dinner at Boho by Status (trendy vibes, really fun)
Evening stroll through Republic Square — the heart of the city, buzzing with life and light shows at night.
Day 2
We fueled up at the hotel breakfast, then hit the road:
Armenian Alphabet Monument — yes, a whole monument dedicated to letters, and honestly cooler than it sounds. It’s actually the burial site of the man who invented the Armenian alphabet.
Holy Cross Church in Artashavan
Haghpat Monastery (a UNESCO site, very atmospheric)
Cathedral of the Holy Mother of God & St. All Saviors Church — both stunning.
Dinner at Lemon Cafe, low-key and cozy.
Day 3
First stop: Khor Virap — amazing views of Mount Ararat, super iconic, and you’re only 5km away from the Turkish border!
Tried to get on the Tatev cable car, but the lines on weekends/holidays are no joke. Pro tip: go early because they don’t do reservations.
Found Shaki Waterfall — peaceful and beautiful.
Mini wine tasting at the Areni Wine Factory, a family-run spot. I bought a bottle of their “French Method Rosé” — so good.
Dinner at Lali, a sweet little restaurant to end the day.
Day 4
We switched it up with some outdoor fun:
Tsaghkadzor Ski Resort — rode the lifts, hopped on ATVs, sipped fresh juice at the top.
Lake Sevan — swimming, a pool day at Aqua Pool, and lakeside lunch.
Dinner at Seasons Restaurant, cozy and classy.
Day 5
Breakfast at Nönö — their juice is addicting.
Checked out the Opera Theatre, wandered the Cascades, and visited the Armenian National Gallery.
Lunch at Jijil.
Out to Geghard Monastery, the jaw-dropping Symphony of Rocks, and Garni Temple (the only Greco-Roman colonnaded building in Armenia).
Dinner and dessert at Gelateria di Aperitivo — yes, gelato counts as dinner when you’ve been sightseeing all day.
Day 6
Back to Nönö for breakfast (yes, again).
Saw St. Gregory’s Cathedral and the Blue Mosque.
Lunch at Ghost (cool modern spot).
Day trip to Echmiadzin, the holy city of Armenia — spiritual center of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial, a deeply moving and important stop that reflects Armenia’s resilience and history. This stop made the trip a full circle moment as the genocide was the reason my family members had to leave Armenia to begin with.
Wrapped things up with dinner at Mayrig, which felt like a celebratory farewell.
Armenia is rich in history with beautiful mountain views and delicious food. Imagine the Middle East mixed with Russia and you have modern day Armenia! Roadside eats, fresh juice, and iconic monasteries. Yerevan is such a cool capital to explore, and the day trips out into the countryside show just how diverse and breathtaking the country is. Ending the trip at the Genocide Memorial was a powerful reminder of Armenia’s strength and spirit, and made the whole experience even more meaningful.
Samantha Shammas, Author
A true travel enthusiast, Samantha has been going around the globe her entire life and has visited over 40 countries and counting. With a lust to wander, she’s always excited to visit new places and soak in inspiration for her artwork.
