Everything that tourist want to know about Armenia
The Republic of Armenia is a small country of Transcaucasia, which is located in the north of Western Asia. The country has gone through many stages in its history, during which it was proclaimed one of the powerful empires of the Middle East. Today secluded Armenia is a sunny island of peace and a magnet for tourists interested in history, culture and natural attractions. The country attracts guests with good nature and hospitality, the warmth and comfort of its towns, the smiling people and their willingness. The country will attract you for a long time with its delicious and healthy cuisine, unusually rich nature and safety.
However, before the tour to Armenia, we will share useful information about the country, which will provide the usefulness of your tour and vacation.
Geography of Armenia
Armenia is located in the north of Western Asia, it is a link between Europe and Asia. The neighbors of Armenia are:
Georgia – to the north
Iran -to the south
Azerbaijan – to the northeast
Turkey – to the southwest.
Territory – 29,743 km2 (11,484 sq mi),1800 meters above sea level. The highest point is Mount Aragats – 4090 m.
The capital of Armenia – Yerevan
The capital of Armenia is Yerevan – one of the oldest cities in the world. However, visiting today, you will not have a feeling the old age of the city. Yerevan is being transformed day by day and becoming a modern capital with national traditions and features.
How to get to Armenia?
You can fly to Armenia by plane. There are two airports in Armenia: the main is Zvartnots, located 12 km from the center of Yerevan, and the second is Gyumri. Airplanes from more than 50 cities of the world leave for Yerevan. You can also get on land roads through Iran and Georgia.
Weather in Armenia
In Armenia, sunny days are the most dominant. It has hot summers: from +22 ° C to +36 ° C. Winters are mostly cold, on average from -15 ° C to -1 ° C. The tops of the high mountains are covered with eternal snow, while their hills are like alpine meadows. The best time to visit Armenia is spring, autumn and the beginning of summer. In spring and early summer you can visit sunny Yerevan, and in the middle of summer, when it is sultry and hot, the Jermuk, Tsakhkadzor ski resort and of course, the blue-eyed Lake Sevan. All these three seasons you will have opportunities to enjoy delicious food, the beauty of the mountains and the expanses and the warmest communication with the locals.
Armenia Time Zone
+4 GMT
Visa to Armenia
Russian and Georgian tourists do not need a visa to cross the border with Armenia. All you need is a passport, at the expiration of which at least 3 months are left. For CIS countries, a visa is also not needed to cross the border (except for the Baltic countries). Representatives of other countries can get a visa right at the border crossing.
Children
If you are going to travel to Armenia with children, then you need to bring with you:
- Birth certificate
- Passport (or the child must be entered in the passport of the parent)
- If one of the parents is absent – issue a power of attorney in the name of the second parent
There is a certain cult of children in Armenia, so don’t be afraid if your child will be entertained to sweets on the streets or will play with him. We – Armenians – do it lovingly and from the bottom of our hearts. After all, children are our Everything!
Holidays and observances in Armenia
In Armenia, both secular and church holidays are celebrated. Shops, markets, cafes, malls and restaurants are open during the holidays. The following holidays are non-working:
- Christmas and New Year holidays – from December 31 to January 3
- Army Day – January 28,
- International Women’s Day – March 8,
- Labor Day – May 1,
- Victory and Peace Day – May 9,
- Republic Day – May 28,
- Constitution Day – July 5,
- Independence Day of Armenia – September 21.
April 24 is also a day off dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide.
For tourists, holidays are of special interest:
- International Children’s Day – June 1
- Yerevan City Day – October 13
- National wine festival in Armenia – November 7
- Armenian Independence Day – September 21
- Easter
- Vardavar. Water Festival – The first Sunday after the vernal equinox, and the full moon
Festivals in Armenia
- Sheep shearing festival – June 9 / Khot village, Syunik region
- Wheelchair Parade – June 10 / Yerevan
- Festival of Celebratory Dishes “Tasty and Fragrant Yerevan” – June 10 / Yerevan, named after Tumanyan
- Artsakh Airfest – June 16 / Artsakh, Stepanakert
- Ecotourism Festival – June 30 / Artavan, Vayots Dzor region
- Syunik Mulberry Festival- July 7 / Karahunj, Syunik Region
- Raspberry Festival – July 7 / Ashotavan village, Syunik region
- Vardavar – July 8 / Republic Square, Yerevan
- Watermelon Festival – July 14 / Swan Lake, Yerevan
- TarazFest National Clothing Festival – August 4 / Northern Avenue, Yerevan
- Music Festival “Sevan” – August 11 / Sevan
- Festival of Honey and Berries – August 13 / Bird, Tavush Region
- Shish kebab festival – August 18-19 / Akhtala, Lori region
- Yerevan Beer Festival – August 18-19 / Yerevan
- Festival “1000 years in the village” – August 25-26 / Zorakan, Tavush region
- “Wine and Culture” – September 2 / Ashtarak city
- Armenia at the crossroads of the world – September 8-12 / Byurakan, Gyumri, Ashtarak, Yerevan
- Festival of Village Life and Traditions – September 15 / English Garden, Yerevan
- Gata festival – September 22 / Khachik village, Vayots Dzor region
- Coffee and Tea Festival – September 28-29 / Swan Lake, Yerevan
- “Erebuni-Yerevan” – September 29-30 / Yerevan
- Festival “Big Bakery” – September 29 / Sarukhan, Gegharkunik Region
- Areni Wine Festival – October 6 / Areni
- New Year in Yerevan – December 31 / Small Center, Yerevan
Language
The official language is Armenian, but most of the population also speaks Russian and English. Thanks to this, tourists feel quite comfortable, because if you have questions, you can turn to the first person you come across.
Communication in Armenia
There are 3 mobile operators in Armenia: Beeline, VivaCell-MTS, UCom. Roaming in Armenia is provided by almost all Russian mobile operators. Nevertheless, it is recommended to purchase a local SIM card, so home calls will cost less.
Phone Code of Armenia
+374
Internet domain
.am
Armenian currency
The national currency of Armenia is the Armenian dram. There are paper bills worth 1,000, 5,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000 drams, as well as pennies, worth 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 drams. Currency exchange points can be found everywhere: on the streets, in supermarkets and, of course in banks.
Currency rate (as of January 10, 2018):
1 RUB – 7.36 AMD
1 USD – 483 AMD
1 EUR – 561.34 AMD
1 GEL – 196.97 AMD
Food in Armenia
The city is full of cafes and restaurants with the highest level of quality of service. There are so many of them that in the center within 10 meters you will definitely find a place where you can eat and taste national dishes. On the outskirts of the city, this radius reaches 100 meters. Prices for tourists are affordable and reasonable.
Water
Armenia is called the country of free water, because the purest mountain water can be drunk both from the tap and in the streets from small fountains one-meter high. You can also buy bottled water at all grocery stores.
Transport
In Yerevan, you can get a taxi everywhere: both on the street, and with the help of applications such as Yandex taxi, GG taxi. In the city center, the average price is from 600 to 1200 drams. There are a lot of minibuses and buses, the fare is 100 drams. One noticeable drawback can be distinguished – the congestion of the roads of small Yerevan.
Safety
Yerevan and a whole of Armenia can consider one of the safest places in the world. Here you can safely go for a walk both late in the evening, which is natural and even necessary in Yerevan, and late at night. Also, thanks to the maps and good-natured passers-by, you will definitely not get lost here, even if you came here for the first time and are not familiar with anyone.