Armenian tourist cities; 7 cities, 7 wonders

Armenia is a country in the neighborhood of Iran, which is considered one of the most ancient countries in the world due to its old historical and cultural heritage. This small country is located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia and is bordered by Georgia from the north, Turkey from the west, Iran from the south and southwest, and the Republic of Azerbaijan from the east. Armenia's tourist cities are full of incredibly beautiful ancient sites and monuments that can be a lot of fun to explore. Armenia also has a rich culture, delicious food and incredibly warm locals. If you are planning to visit this amazing country, you have made a very good choice. In the continuation of this article, we introduce the tourist cities of Armenia, each of which offers many attractions.

Yerevan; The capital of Armenia

If you are traveling to Armenia for the first time, we recommend that you start from its capital, the city of Yerevan. Yerevan is the most important city of Armenia and one of the oldest cities in the world, whose origin dates back to the 7th century. The city is known as the Pink City due to the color of the stones used in its architecture, as the city was developing under the Soviet regime.

The city has a lot to offer its guests, from beautiful cafes and restaurants to several historical museums and an opera house. During your trip to Yerevan, you can immerse yourself in the ancient history of the land, Matenadaran Library, National Gallery of Armenia and Tsitsernakaberd Museum (Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex) located on a hill in the western part of Yerevan. Yerevan generally has a mild climate and the best time to visit it is in May and June or late September and October. In addition, Zvartnots Airport of Yerevan is the main and domestic airport of Yerevan where international flights to Armenia are carried out.

Gyumri; The cultural capital of Armenia

Gyumri

Gyumri is the second largest city in Armenia and is often referred to as the country's cultural capital, as many Armenian films of the 20th century were filmed here. Gyumri is a very beautiful city with a strong historical atmosphere. As a cultural center, this city has several notable museums, including the Hovans Shiraz Museum House, the Aslamazian Sisters Gallery, and the Mehr Makratchian Museum.

The black buildings of the city have given it a unique atmosphere. This architectural style dates back to the 19th century, when the city was called Alexandropol after the Russian princess Alexandra Feodorovna. Gyumri also has several beautiful churches. One of them is Yot verk church, located next to Vardanants square.

Dilijan; A city with unique nature

Dilijan

Dilijan is another city in Armenia that tourists usually call the Switzerland of Armenia because of its stunning nature and peaceful environment. Dilijan is a spa town surrounded by forests and mountains.

Besides being a popular travel destination among local people, this city has also become one of the educational and financial centers of the country. For example, the Central Bank of Armenia has established its large monetary research center here. If you ask someone, “What is the famous place of Dilijan?” It introduces “Dilijan National Park with Perez Lich” which means clean lake. You can also try the zip line that passes over the lake. Dilijan also has several old monasteries. Hagartsin and Goshavank are among them, which are definitely worth visiting if you are interested in the Christian tradition of Armenia.

The spiritual city of Armenia; and stores

Vagharshapat

If you're traveling around Armenia, Vagharshapat, also known as Echmiadzin, is a must-see city. The name of this city means “where Jesus came down”. This spiritual center is the fourth largest city in Armenia and the residence of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Echmiadzin is very close to Yerevan, so a day tour can be done there. In addition, it is a city that hosts some of the most prominent UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Armenia.

Echmiadzin Cathedral was founded by St. Gregory the Illuminator in 301 and is called the Mother Church. We recommend paying attention to the gates and the open altar at the entrance of the whole complex. Echmiadzin has many old churches, such as the Church of St. Heripsimeh and the Church of St. Guyan, both dating back to the 7th century. Be sure to make time to visit the Machanants Cultural Center, which is a museum, gallery, restaurant, and charity organization.

Jermuk; A city with magical water

Jermuk

The city of Jermuk, which means geyser, is the center and source of mineral water in Armenia. This city, with its wonderful weather and fresh air, attracts many tourists from different parts of the world. The most famous part of this place is Jermuk waterfall, which is 2080 meters above sea level.

We suggest not to miss the ropeway, where you can see the beauty of the city in full scale from above. The town is called the Magic Water because Jermuk's mineral water offers documented medical benefits. It is believed that in ancient times there was a wounded deer in the Jermuk area that jumped into the water and was immediately healed. This is how the deer became the symbol of this city. In our opinion, Jermuk is a great option to stop during your Armenia tour.

Vanadzor; Experience relaxation

Vanadzor

Vanadzor is a beautiful city in northern Armenia that is the perfect natural retreat for anyone looking to escape the busy streets of other Armenian cities. This city has a very peaceful charm and a green atmosphere dominates its surroundings.

Vanadzor has many monuments left over from the Soviet era and many dancing fountains. Also, the Museum of Fine Arts, which houses more than 1,700 works of art and includes sculptures, paintings and other forms of decorative arts, depicts the local life and history of Armenia.

Other places of interest in this city include the Russian Orthodox Church, Larry Pambek Geology Museum, and Vanadzor Botanical Garden. In addition to these attractions, Vanadzor is a great place to participate in river rafting, hiking, climbing and other nature-related activities.

The strange city of Goris

Goris

Goris, which is located in the south of Armenia, is a city that is referred to as a city and a town. In this city, you will encounter unusual and strange sights. When you are in Goris, we recommend you to visit the surrounding towns and experience the southern charm of Armenia.

The Church of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, designed by an Italian-Armenian architect, is a very interesting attraction in this city. The Geological Museum, which houses a wide collection of ancient artifacts from different eras, is another place you can visit in this city. Also, the medieval Goris Cave Houses are a good place to see how the early inhabitants created housing in the city. Goris, located in a high area, has very cold snowy winters and very hot summers.

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