With 7 days in Armenia, there is so much you can see! For your first few days in Armenia, I would recommend starting with my 3 days in Armenia itinerary and then following on from there.
Day 4: Armenian Winery & Exploring Yerevan
Start your day with a relaxed morning in Yerevan. Grab some breakfast and a cup of Armenian coffee at a traditional Armenian breakfast place (try Mirzoyan Library or Zeituna), lining your stomach before we continue with the day’s plans…
Then head out to Van Ardi Winery just 40 minutes outside of Yerevan for a tour & wine tasting. Armenia is one of the oldest wine-making regions in the world and has wineries across the country all producing unique and amazing wines. Van Ardi is no exception. Not only does it have amazing wine, but the views from the vineyards of Mt Ararat are breathtaking.
After you’ve had your fill of wine (and some lunch along with it), head back to Yerevan in time for some rest before the evening begins.
If you’ve still got energy, your next stop is going to be a sunset walk up to Victory Park, a visit to Mother Armenia, and a stroll through an old Soviet theme park. Start your journey at Cascade and if you’re feeling brave climb the steps to the top (or catch the escalators)! From there follow the path up and you’ll find another staircase leading you to up to a viewing platform over the city. Then, you’ll head across the road (via the underpass) into Victory Park, and walk the path until you get to the famous Mother Armenia statue. A soft spot for me, the story of the inspiration for this statue can be found here. From there, continue through to the theme park and take a sunset Ferris Wheel ride (on the newly built Ferris Wheel, or the older Soviet one if you’re brave).
Finish off the evening however you feel, with dinner and a drink or straight to bed if the wine got to you…
Day 5: Dilijan
My favourite day trip from Yerevan, today we’re grabbing a coffee and hitting the road to Dilijan! A town in the Tavush region of Armenia, Dilijan is surrounded by a national park and beautiful scenery. Winter or Summer, this is a must-visit destination.
In (and around) Dilijan, there are a few places you can’t miss. I would recommend starting with Haghartsin Monastery, a beautiful 13th-century monastery set against the backdrop of the national park. The drive up is beautiful and at the monastery, you can find a couple of other places to visit; one of the best Gata bakeries in Armenia & a store selling homemade honey (& honey ice cream). If it’s something you’re interested in, the bakery also runs classes on how to make gata where you can make & try their different flavours. It is one of my favourite experiences to do in Armenia, but it will make the day a little more packed.
After you finish up at Haghartsin, make a stop at Lake Parz, a small & peaceful lake in another part of the national park. Depending on the season, there are a few activities you can take part in including a small zipline or boat rides.
From there, head into Dilijan town and do some exploring. Start at the lake and work your way up to Old Dilijan, a small part of town with old-fashioned charm, souvenir shops, and craftsmens workshops.
For lunch, I would recommend Flying Ostrich, an Armenian restaurant with excellent high-quality food and lovely design. Then, end your afternoon at Arm Food Lab, an experimental kitchen & cafe for coffee & chat with the owner about her gastronomic initiative & the region of Dilijan.
Finally, head back to Yerevan and relax after your big day.
Day 6: Yerevan & Tsakhkadzor
After an action-packed day yesterday, spend a leisurely morning enjoying breakfast in Yerevan before heading out to spend the afternoon in Tsaghkadzor.
Tsaghkadzor is a beautiful place no matter what season you choose to visit, with each quarter bringing a completely different feel to the town & surrounding mountains. Spring & Summer bring luscious green rolling hills, a place for hiking and strolling through the town. Winter is perhaps what it is most well known for, as Armenia’s first skiing destination.
Tsaghkadzor is home to some amazing restaurants and sightseeing destinations. My recommendations for lunch would be Yasaman or Pur.
Must-do activities include catching the chair lift up the mountain for spectacular views over the town and surrounding region (if you’re visiting in Winter, dress for thick snow just in case).
After exploring the town, it’s up to you whether you’re in the mood to ski, hike, or head back to Yerevan for a relaxing late afternoon.
You can also stop on the way back to Yerevan in the town of Bjni, try some of Armenia’s famous Bjni water fresh from the springs, and visit the famous Bjni fortress!
Once you get back to Yerevan, the night is yours! Check out if there’s anything on at the Opera or grab some dinner & relax.
Day 7: Ararat Factory Tour, Yerevan
It’s your last day in Yerevan! Start your morning with a stroll around the city. Visit Saryan Park for the Artists Market and do some shopping at local stores. Treat yourself to a nice lunch in the city, you can try something from this list or here.
After that, it’s time for a tour of Armenia’s most famous alcohol distillery, Ararat Cognac. Rumour has it that after trying Ararat Cognac for the first time with Stalin in 1945, Winston Churchill enjoyed it so much that Stalin sent him 400 bottles every year after that! The Ararat factory is set right in the heart of the city, with different tour options depending on your budget & love of cognac.
After that, head to Gum Market for some last-minute additions to your souvenir shopping. Filled with dried fruits, candy, nuts and everything else Armenian, Gum is the perfect stop for your last stop. You can also find fresh produce and see how they make traditional Armenian Lavash.
For your last evening in Yerevan, if you haven’t managed to catch a ballet or play at the Opera this is a must. Armenia’s Opera building has stunning interiors and it’s definitely worth spending an evening here.
