9 tips for those who are going to Armenia for the first time
Tips / / December 19, 2019
Getting there
the sky
The fastest and most convenient way - by plane. Direct flight lasts about three hours. Return ticket can be found within the limits of 9000 rubles, and during sales - and a half times cheaper.
When you book tickets, we advise to take extra baggage on your flight back. It is unlikely that you will fly away from Yerevan with empty hands. After all, wine, brandy, traditional sweets and spices, as well as souvenirs will want to take with you.
on the ground
Other modes of transport are not suitable for weekend trips. The bus journey from Moscow takes 48 hours, by car - 30, and this is without taking into account stops along the way and possible congestion at borders.
At what drive
1000 Armenian drams ≈ 134 rubles
From airport
Zvartnots Airport is located 12 km from the center of Yerevan. Cheaper to go by bus: Flights from 7:00 to 22:00, a ticket costs 300 drams (40 rubles). taxi trip will cost in the 2 000-2 500 drams (269-336 rubles).
Of the major international services here is only "Yandex. Taxi". But there are also local companies like GG Taxi or UTaxi, as well as private traders drivers, which can be traded.
Short (4 km) trip to the center costs 400-600 drams, each additional kilometer - AMD 100 150 in the city and outside the city. Be sure to check whether the driver turned on the counter: many "forget" about it, to make more money.
Around town
Yerevan subway runs from 6:30 to 23:30. On the main branch - 10 stations, also has an additional line between the stations where "Shengavit" and "Charbakh" there is a train-shuttle. Tour price - 100 drams. Work and trolleybuses: the ticket costs 50 drams, pay at the exit. But local residents mainly use the bus, travel on them costs 100 drams, as in the subway.
Yerevan - a small city area is seven times less than in St. Petersburg. Nice to walk here almost all year round, except that of the summer, when temperatures may exceed 40 degrees. City center - a circle that surrounds the river Hrazdan. Download offline maps - and forward to the adventure! And if you get tired, take a taxi: they stand there almost every attractions.
Where to stay
housing options
The most budget option - hostel. A bed in a common room in the city center will cost about 2 000 AMD per day. Options in more remote areas can be found in two times cheaper.
The price tag on a double room with private bathroom in the Three-star hotel in the city center, sometimes even with breakfast, - 10 000 AMD per day. The same amount will cost apartments in the 3-4 km from the center.
interesting districts
But if you want to be with Yerevan, "you", rather rent a room in the area of the fortress of Erebuni. Here you can feel the spirit of the ancient city, you can walk to historical sites and along the shore of Lake Vadavar.
Another option - Quarter condo, where you can find an apartment within the walls of the ancient mosques and apartments in noisy common courtyards. But many locals say that the condo - modern slums and favelas, and dwell here is unsafe. But housing is very cheap, and the quarter is a 10-minute walk from the famous Place de la République.
What to watch
Republic Square
It is a symbol of Yerevan, designed by architect Alexander Tamanyan, the capital of which owes much of its modern appearance. On the area of the main face of the building of the country: the Government House with the city chimes, house Armenian ministries, the museum complex, which combines history museum and an art gallery. Pink tuff and fine stone carving to create a recognizable style of Yerevan.
Opposite the museum complex - a small lake with fountains. In the evening, from 22:00, the fountains "sing": starts light show that they watch and the tourists and the locals. On the other hand - boulevard with fountains 2750, created in 1968, in honor of the 2750th anniversary of the city.
The block from the Republic Square - the Blue Mosque. Very bright and unusual building - an example of Islamic architecture with a beautiful park and luxury mosaics. Free entrance to the mosque, although the door is not easy to spot from the street. Inside, women need to cover the head, but if you do not have with a handkerchief, on-site free of charge give white hijab.
Northern Avenue, "Cascade" and the Victory Park
Elite area with an expensive restaurants and spectacular skyscrapers - the modern face of Yerevan. With him will be taken to the Liberty Square at the Opera House, and if you will walk a little further, you will see the French area. Immediately after it begins the famous "cascade" - a complex of terraces with numerous sculptures, beautiful flower gardens and fountains. From here on a clear day, views of the snow-covered Ararat. And on the opposite side - the monument "Mother Armenia" in Victory Park - a huge female statue with a sword in his hand. Alleys, pond, attractions, military museum in the base of the statue - in the park, you can relax and learn more about the history of the country. As a bonus - the opportunity to admire the center of Yerevan from a height.
Other places not to be missed
Take time to visit at least half of these sites:
- Cathedral of Saint Gregory the Illuminator.
- Monument to David of Sasun.
- Museum of Aram Khachaturian, Sergei Parajanov, Charles Aznavour.
- Institute of Ancient Manuscripts Matenadaran.
What is
Armenian cuisine is distinctive, generous and colorful. Order want everything at once, but small portions here are not able to do, and to each dish necessarily bring "bonuses". The restaurant is worth a go now, to choose whatever they like, and then share - just so there is a chance to try the taste of Yerevan and not burst while.
Starters and main courses
Start with tolma (miniature cabbage vine leaves) and Eggplant rolls. Enjoy them while preparing khorovats (local barbecue), kyufta (meatballs) or borane (chicken with matsun and eggplants).
Try mshosh of lentils or red beans, dried fruit, apricot and walnut; hapamu - pumpkin stuffed with rice, fruits and vegetables; Tanaka - flaky dish of vegetables and lamb. And of course, the hash - a thick hearty soup, which is eaten only in the morning and not a spoon, and pita bread. Yes, in the Armenian capital will have to forget about all diets, but have an unforgettable gastronomic experience and zapasotes for the day.
For dessert
If your stomach for some reason, still have a place, treat yourself Alash - Baked peaches with nuts; Gata - puff pastry; sudjukh sweet with nuts. Try ryazhin (Armenian fermented baked milk) and matsun (very thick sour milk).
With myself
If you have a long walk, take the road zhengyalov hats (burrito greens), lamadzho (cake with minced meat), tzhvzhik (offal in a thin pita) or crayfish Sevan.
Gifts already prepared Yerevan restaurants:
- Tufenkian Kharpert Restaurant - Hanrapetutyan Street, 48;
- Elen - avenue Mesrop Mashtots, 9;
- Tsirani Tun Restaurant - Northern Avenue 5;
- Thaiwine Republic - Northern Avenue, 10;
- Wine Republic - Tamanyan street, 2;
- Alaska by Hans & Franz - Aram Street 64;
- Dargett - Aram Street, 72/37;
- Dragon Garden - Aram Street, 76;
- Ginovkats Wine House - Abovyan street, 7/3;
- Vostan Restaurant - Abovyan street, 8;
- Asador - Isahakyan street, 28;
- Chinar - Moskovyan street, 28.
The promotion is valid for all JCB card of any bank, except kobeydzhingovyh cards "Peace» - JCB.
Learn the details of the action
What drink
Cognac "Ararat" and "Noah Araspel" needs no introduction. According to legend, the Mount Ararat in the flood during Noah's Ark landed. When the dove returned to Noah with an olive branch, a 600-year old man and his family went down to the valley and started growing grapes. It was he who gave mankind wines and brandies.
Armenian national grape varieties - "Mskhali", "Garan dmak", "Voskehat", "Kangun". In addition, there is growing Georgian "Rkatsiteli". Distilled grape juice strictly on grades.
A wine in Armenia are made from a variety of fruits and berries: local winemakers use quince, cherry, plum, raspberry, blackberry, pomegranate.
Dry wine "Areni" is the most famous in the country. It is made from the same grapes and aged in oak barrels for at least three years. Dessert "Getashen" with a tart aftertaste, like Cahors, goes well with local dishes of meat. Popular white wines - semi-sweet "Echmiadzin" and "Muscat".
By the way, with the participation of JCB in the action, you can receive as a gift one of these wines. Which brand and manufacturer - defines each restaurant separately.
How and where to relax in nature
In the capital
In Yerevan, there is a large reservoir, and many other water bodies, natural and man-made. Even their own "Dead Sea" - a tiny salty lake on the outskirts of the city, where many of the locals learned to swim. Guests can relax on the river Hrazdan River, which crosses the capital.
In Avan district, you can go underground into a real salt mine. Salt caves treat many diseases. And if you get bored, you can play billiards, work on simulators or even sleep - right into the cave!
Around
Most postcard view - Khor Virap 60 km from the Armenian capital. He stands on a cliff on the background of snow-covered giants - Mount Ararat.
At the same distance from Yerevan - Tsaghkadzor ski resort, nestled at the foot Teghenis. The season lasts from December to April, the height - up to 3000 km. There are trails for beginners and experienced skiers and snowboarders, chairlifts and ski tow.
Outside Yerevan JCB your card can also provide you with a pleasant service. Nothing does not deny restaurants Dilijan Tava and Losh (Kalinin street, 1/2), Tsirani Aygi in the village Arinj (quarter Marshal Babajanyan, 3/1). As well as in Yerevan, here you get a free bottle of wine, paying the expense of 10 000 AMD JCB card.
10 things to do in Yerevan
This list does not claim to be universal, but if you have time to master at least half of it, we can assume that you were able to get into the spirit of the city. A list you can use if you do not have time to plan exactly what you will do in Yerevan.
- Go down to the shop factory "Ararat" and want to stay here to live. The price of the tour depends on what will taste.
- Impressed violent Armenian impressionism in the museum Saryan.
- Pat the cat Botero to "Cascade".
- Chat with colorful locals such as colorful courtyards Kond district.
- Visit the Museum of Modern Art and discuss experiences in the nearby restaurant Elen.
- Make selfie with her zodiac sign on Charles Aznavour Square.
- Find a hairdresser in one of the courtyards in the center and ask for a laying. And at the same time to drink a cup of thick fragrant coffee, settle for homemade lunch and listen to stories from the life of the city - and all this in less than 2 000 AMD.
- The conversation with the director, writer or musician in a coffee shop "Parisyan SURCH".
- Rate selection of wines in the Wine Republic at the "Cascade". Take everything that you liked and try to fit it in a suitcase.
- Buy souvenirs at the "Vernissage" - the spontaneous market near the Republic Square. Duduk, Alan, ceramic figurines and silver are always in demand.
On what to save
Yerevan - one of the most budget tourist capitals of the world. Not least thanks to the life hacking to save:
- Bring a bottle of sports, not to spend money on water. Drinking fountains is practically everywhere, summer is the true salvation.
- Pre-connect favorable roaming package or buy a SIM-card for travelers. However, in Yerevan well free Wi-Fi in public transport.
- If ASSUME a car, you can put it in any court: the place is usually easy to find. Another option - a guarded parking lot for 500 drams a day.
- On the "Vernissage" and other markets necessarily bargain. The language barrier is not a problem.
- Do not buy anything at the entrance to the market. Go further: it will be cheaper.
Check for special offers on the JCB site - they will help to save money and receive gifts from partners.
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