: View from above of a brightly lit city at night with snow-covered mountains in the background and a dark blue night sky.
: View from above of a brightly lit city at night with snow-covered mountains in the background and a dark blue night sky.

Yerevan – Pink City in the Caucasus

Published: 05 September 2024, 11:00

Yerevan is one of the oldest cities in the world. The multifaceted metropolis, which has over one million inhabitants and is nicknamed the “Pink City” because of the colour of its buildings, is located at an altitude of around 1,000 metres in the Lesser Caucasus. The cityscape combines medieval churches, monasteries, museums and buildings from different eras with modern buildings. European influences are just as noticeable as the Soviet charm of bygone times. Deeply rooted in its traditions, Armenia’s capital combines a rich culture with a modern lifestyle characterised by lively bars and cosy cafés. The city centre around Republic Square is a great place to explore on foot. Those who take their time and pay attention when strolling through the streets and boulevards will experience Yerevan as an emerging city that has so far been spared from mass tourism. Another discovery is Armenian cuisine, which is an important part of the local culture and includes many delicacies.

Numbers, data, facts

  • Time difference: + two hours
  • Population: 1.1 million
  • Official language: Armenian
  • Currency: Armenian dram (AMD)

Travelling in Yerevan – five insights

View over the roofs, streets, residential and high-rise buildings and green spaces of a city to a snow-covered mountain panorama.
On clear days, the holy Mount Ararat is visible from Yerevan and gives distinction to the panorama with its impressive presence. © whatafoto/stock.adobe.com
View from the steps of the sandstone-coloured Cascade monument to an adjacent boulevard flanked by reddish buildings and trees. Within the Cascade is a work of art on the ground with ornaments, water basin and a sphere.
The view of the city centre from the Cascade is one of the most beautiful. Sculptures and water features can be observed along the 572 steps of the staircase complex. © EdNurg/stock.adobe.com
View of an elongated, grand building with many arched windows and a large passageway. There is a clock on the rectangular tower of the building and a flag on the tower. A large water basin with a fountain and a spring can be seen in front of the building.
In the heart of the city lies the sprawling Republic Square, where the National Gallery, history museum and government building line up alongside one another. © borisb17/stock.adobe.com
View of an impressive neoclassical-style building with a wide, columned vestibule with large arches, semi-circular balcony and curved dome. To the left and right of the building is a massive sculpture and trees, and in front of the building is a large, deserted square. The sky is blue and slightly cloudy.
Yerevan is the cultural centre of Armenia, especially for music lovers. One highlight is the Armenian Opera Theatre, built in 1930. © borisb17/stock.adobe.com
Side view of a mosque with an orange-and-blue domed roof and mosaic-like wall decorations in the entrance area on the right of the picture. The main building is made of reddish bricks.
There is only one mosque left in Yerevan today and it is an architectural gem: the Blue Mosque with its ornate dome can be visited. © MehmetOZB/stock.adobe.com

Between Ararat and the Caucasus: tourism in Armenia

Still relatively unknown to tourists, Armenia is an unusual and rewarding destination. With its ancient monasteries, valuable cultural monuments and impressive mountain landscapes, the country in the South Caucasus looks back on 3,000 years of cultural history between Europe and Asia. Day trips to the region from Yerevan are an option. It is advisable to start and end the round trip in the capital. The Khor Virap Monastery is located in the valley of the holy Mount Ararat, the Geghard Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Tatev Monastery can be reached via the world’s longest cable car. There are not only monasteries, lakes and picturesque villages to discover along the way but also the warm hospitality of the locals in this country that lies between Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkey.

Undiscovered and beautiful: tourism in Armenia

View of a monastery complex standing on a hill in front of a large, snow-covered mountain. There is a lush green meadow in the foreground.
An impressive backdrop: the 17th century Khor Virap Monastery lies directly in front of the holy Mount Ararat near the Turkish border. © saiko3p/stock.adobe.com
View from above of a large, grey monastery complex with a round tower and several outbuildings. The complex is surrounded by a wall and stands on a rock overgrown with bushes and trees.
Famous pilgrimage site: the Geghard Rock Monastery is located in a gorge in eastern Armenia. It was carved out of a stone wall and decorated with stone carvings. © vesta48/stock.adobe.com
View of a three-nave basilica with a main dome in a green garden. Three arches can be seen in the entrance area.
Religious centre: built in the 7th century, Saint Gajane Church in Etchmiadzin is said to be the oldest church in Armenia. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. © Leonid Andronov/stock.adobe.com
View from above of a large, green-blue lake, on the left bank of which a monastery can be seen. A flat mountain panorama looms in the background. Clouds can be seen in the blue sky above the lake.
Beauty in the Caucasus: the turquoise Lake Sevan is located at an altitude of almost 2,000 metres. The high mountain lake impresses thanks to its size and setting. © Leonid Andronov/stock.adobe.com
View of several wooden buildings with pointed roofs on a cobbled street surrounded by small walls with shrubs. A mountainous landscape with golden yellow coloured deciduous trees can be seen in the background.
Little Switzerland: Dilijan is known for its traditional buildings surrounded by beautiful nature. There are small ceramic and wood workshops on the artists’ street. © karen/stock.adobe.com

Yerevan from BER

Flugzeug kurz vor dem Aufsetzen auf die Start- und Landebahn

Eurowings

 

Piktogramm Info-i

Zvartnots International Airport Yerevan (EVN) 

Five recommendations for ...

1. The evening light show at Republic Square

2. A ballet performance at the opera

3. The scent of fruit and spices at the central market

4. A walk through the old district of Kond

5. The 527 steps of the Cascade and the view from the top

1. Spas – yoghurt soup with wheat

2. Harissa – savoury porridge with chicken

3. Dolma – stuffed vine and cabbage leaves

4. Lavash – traditional, wafer-thin flatbread

5. Ghapama – pumpkin stuffed with rice and dried fruit

1. The Matenadaran Archive with its old manuscripts

2. The National Gallery with the largest collection of Armenian art

3. The small Erebuni Museum with archaeological finds on the history of Yerevan

4. The Cascade with its sculptures, mosaics and water sculptures

5. The 52-metre-high Mother Armenia statue

Picture Source title:
© ARAMYAN/stock.adobe.com

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