Geography
The Republic of Armenia (Hayastani Hanrapetutyun) is located in the Eurasian Caucasus region and borders Turkey to the west, Iran and the Azerbaijani exclave of Naxchivan to the south, Azerbaijan to the east and Georgia to the north.
Regions:
North: Lori and Tavush, Shirak, Aragatsotn, Armavir
Center: Kotayk, Gegharkunik, Ararat
South: Vayots Dzor, Syunik
Main cities:
Yerevan, the nation's capital and the most populated city, Gyumri and Vanadzor.
Regions:
North: Lori and Tavush, Shirak, Aragatsotn, Armavir
Center: Kotayk, Gegharkunik, Ararat
South: Vayots Dzor, Syunik
Main cities:
Yerevan, the nation's capital and the most populated city, Gyumri and Vanadzor.
Currency
The Armenian Dram (AMD) is the currency of Armenia.
There are coins of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 dram.
There are banknotes of 1000, 5000, 10000, 20000, 50000 and 100000 dram.
The main foreign currencies (euros, dollars) can be exchanged without difficulty but damaged banknotes are not accepted. The use of ATMs and credit cards is fairly easy in large cities but is very limited in the rest of the country.
There are coins of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 dram.
There are banknotes of 1000, 5000, 10000, 20000, 50000 and 100000 dram.
The main foreign currencies (euros, dollars) can be exchanged without difficulty but damaged banknotes are not accepted. The use of ATMs and credit cards is fairly easy in large cities but is very limited in the rest of the country.
DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR ENTRY
A valid passport is required. From 10 January 2013, citizens of the European Union can enter Armenian territory without a visa for a maximum period of 180 days over a twelve-month period. However, it is advisable to refer to the website of the Armenian Embassy in your Country or to the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your Country for the latest information regarding the documentation necessary for access.
Food
Food is one of the strengths of Armenia and is generally safe, even street food such as in the stalls that prepare Khoravats. There is little to worry about food safety in Armenia, which is why we will always encourage you to try and taste the food you come across. Our programs include meals in restaurants that have been tested and approved by our organization, of course in the most remote regions of the country we cannot guarantee western standards, but our guides are well trained and know even the most remote areas and will always take you to eat in the best places available.
Some examples of tasty Armenian dishes are:
Khoravats, barbecue of pork, lamb, chicken or beef, usually flavored with onions and spices served on the grill with tomatoes, eggplant or potatoes.
Borsch, a vegetable soup of Russian origin, traditionally prepared with beets that give it its typical red color.
Dolma, grape leaves stuffed with rice and meat, there are also varieties with stuffed cabbage leaves, peppers, tomatoes or eggplant.
Khash, a traditional dish, a nutritious winter food of boiled beef feet that the rural poor once ate, is now considered a delicacy and is usually eaten early in the morning in the winter during the holiday season.
Armenian fruits and vegetables are special. It is highly recommended to try them, we assure you that you will never forget the taste of apricots, peaches, pomegranates, grapes, etc.
Lavash, the typical Armenian bread, is a yeast-free dough baked inside a clay oven and is served almost everywhere.
Some examples of tasty Armenian dishes are:
Khoravats, barbecue of pork, lamb, chicken or beef, usually flavored with onions and spices served on the grill with tomatoes, eggplant or potatoes.
Borsch, a vegetable soup of Russian origin, traditionally prepared with beets that give it its typical red color.
Dolma, grape leaves stuffed with rice and meat, there are also varieties with stuffed cabbage leaves, peppers, tomatoes or eggplant.
Khash, a traditional dish, a nutritious winter food of boiled beef feet that the rural poor once ate, is now considered a delicacy and is usually eaten early in the morning in the winter during the holiday season.
Armenian fruits and vegetables are special. It is highly recommended to try them, we assure you that you will never forget the taste of apricots, peaches, pomegranates, grapes, etc.
Lavash, the typical Armenian bread, is a yeast-free dough baked inside a clay oven and is served almost everywhere.
Beverages
Alcoholic beverages
In Armenia, Oghi are very popular, distilled from fruit with high alcohol content that the Armenians also call Vodka. The most popular are Tut Oghi (Mulberry Vodka), Tsiran Oghi (Apricot Vodka).
The most famous beer brands are Gyumri, Kilikia, Kotayk but craft beer productions are also appearing on the market. The most famous brand is Dargett.
As for wine, Armenia is the place where the oldest winery in the world was found (dating back to 6000 years ago) and the cellars are innumerable. The wines produced are derived from native grapes such as Areni, Khndoghni, Voskehat, Haghtanak, Kangun, etc.
Brandy, which Armenians call Cognac based on an international agreement with France that allows Armenia to use this name, is of the highest level and there are many distilleries that produce it. The most famous brand is Ararat (said to be Winston Churchill's favorite), but the Noy and Proshyan brands are highly regarded.
Other types of drinks
Tan is a drink made from Matsun yogurt mixed with water and salt.
Jazzve coffee (the typical Armenian coffee pot) is drunk everywhere and the water is boiled together with the powder which, once the coffee is poured into the cup, settles on the bottom.
Herbal tea and black tea are also very popular.
Water
Tap water is generally safe (although it is not recommended to drink it anyway) as it comes straight from the mountains, but you can also buy both still and sparkling bottled mineral water at almost every street corner.
In Armenia, Oghi are very popular, distilled from fruit with high alcohol content that the Armenians also call Vodka. The most popular are Tut Oghi (Mulberry Vodka), Tsiran Oghi (Apricot Vodka).
The most famous beer brands are Gyumri, Kilikia, Kotayk but craft beer productions are also appearing on the market. The most famous brand is Dargett.
As for wine, Armenia is the place where the oldest winery in the world was found (dating back to 6000 years ago) and the cellars are innumerable. The wines produced are derived from native grapes such as Areni, Khndoghni, Voskehat, Haghtanak, Kangun, etc.
Brandy, which Armenians call Cognac based on an international agreement with France that allows Armenia to use this name, is of the highest level and there are many distilleries that produce it. The most famous brand is Ararat (said to be Winston Churchill's favorite), but the Noy and Proshyan brands are highly regarded.
Other types of drinks
Tan is a drink made from Matsun yogurt mixed with water and salt.
Jazzve coffee (the typical Armenian coffee pot) is drunk everywhere and the water is boiled together with the powder which, once the coffee is poured into the cup, settles on the bottom.
Herbal tea and black tea are also very popular.
Water
Tap water is generally safe (although it is not recommended to drink it anyway) as it comes straight from the mountains, but you can also buy both still and sparkling bottled mineral water at almost every street corner.
Transport
Taxi
Taxis are cheap and generally safe. The cost of a ride in downtown Yerevan should generally not exceed 1500-2000 Dram. In addition, there are a number of taxi mobile applications available that allow you to order a taxi after downloading the application.
Yerevan Metro
The fastest way to get around Yerevan is with its metro system, although the route is very limited being only 14km long. The cost is only 100 drams and there are ten clean and comfortable stations, with trains running every five minutes from 6:30 to 23:00. Yerevan Metro has become part of the life of the locals and, during the summer months, when it gets too hot, the stations become the best place to cool off. Except for a few peak hours, the subway is almost always completely empty.
Buses and minivans
Buses and minivans (locally called marshrutke) have a widespread network within Yerevan but also connect the large cities and smaller towns. Within the city the cost is only 100 drams. The Marshrutkas that connect the different centers cost a little more depending on the distance to be covered (generally a few thousand Dram) but generally do not have a fixed timetable and the drivers wait for them to be full before leaving.
Railway network and trains
The Armenian railway network is very limited, slow and the tracks are those built in the Soviet Union period. The main line connects Yerevan with Tbilisi and continues to Batumi (on the black sea) in the summer. There are also daily trains to Gyumri and, on summer weekends, a daily train operates from Almast Northern Station to Lake Sevan.
Taxis are cheap and generally safe. The cost of a ride in downtown Yerevan should generally not exceed 1500-2000 Dram. In addition, there are a number of taxi mobile applications available that allow you to order a taxi after downloading the application.
Yerevan Metro
The fastest way to get around Yerevan is with its metro system, although the route is very limited being only 14km long. The cost is only 100 drams and there are ten clean and comfortable stations, with trains running every five minutes from 6:30 to 23:00. Yerevan Metro has become part of the life of the locals and, during the summer months, when it gets too hot, the stations become the best place to cool off. Except for a few peak hours, the subway is almost always completely empty.
Buses and minivans
Buses and minivans (locally called marshrutke) have a widespread network within Yerevan but also connect the large cities and smaller towns. Within the city the cost is only 100 drams. The Marshrutkas that connect the different centers cost a little more depending on the distance to be covered (generally a few thousand Dram) but generally do not have a fixed timetable and the drivers wait for them to be full before leaving.
Railway network and trains
The Armenian railway network is very limited, slow and the tracks are those built in the Soviet Union period. The main line connects Yerevan with Tbilisi and continues to Batumi (on the black sea) in the summer. There are also daily trains to Gyumri and, on summer weekends, a daily train operates from Almast Northern Station to Lake Sevan.
Markets
Vernissage, an open-air market just off Republic Square, offers great shopping opportunities (from handicrafts to Soviet-era memorabilia) and is a must-see for anyone coming to Armenia. In past years, the market took place only on Saturdays and Sundays but, in the last three years, it has been open every day (even if the stalls are much more numerous on weekends).
Another must-see market in Yerevan is the GUM indoor market, held daily in the south of the city. Here, in addition to fresh fruit and vegetables, all kinds of spices and lots of dried and dehydrated fruit are on sale.
However, there are fresh fruit and vegetable markets in the major cities and it's nice to mix with the locals to get in touch with the everyday life of the local population and, why not, buy what you like!
Many supermarkets in large cities are open 24/7.
Another must-see market in Yerevan is the GUM indoor market, held daily in the south of the city. Here, in addition to fresh fruit and vegetables, all kinds of spices and lots of dried and dehydrated fruit are on sale.
However, there are fresh fruit and vegetable markets in the major cities and it's nice to mix with the locals to get in touch with the everyday life of the local population and, why not, buy what you like!
Many supermarkets in large cities are open 24/7.
Security
Armenia is a generally safe country with some of the highest security levels in the world for foreigners. Its capital, Yerevan (as well as the other two large cities of Gyumry and Vanadzor), despite being a metropolis of one and a half million inhabitants, is not a dangerous city and petty crime is almost non-existent. This is not to say that common sense should not always be used when walking the streets at night, female visitors should be aware that single women are an unusual sight during the late hours.
Political situation
The country has no diplomatic relations with Turkey; therefore, the borders of Armenia to this country are currently closed as well as the borders with Azerbaijan.
