Khorovats
Charcoal-grilled meat, Armenia’s essential barbecue.
01 · The journey
A country made for the long way round
This route begins at the Georgian border, pauses among Gyumri’s black-tuff façades, crosses Yerevan, and then turns south through Areni and Goris before circling Lake Sevan.
It is a practical, road-tested itinerary from May 2024: ambitious enough to reveal Armenia’s scale, but paced with two-night stays in Yerevan and Sevan.
Stone changes colour here — black in Gyumri, rose in Yerevan, gold beneath Ararat.
02 · Road book
Armenia in 8 days
Open each day in Google Maps. Driving times can shift with mountain weather and border traffic.
Day 0101
Batumi → Gyumri
Via Akhalkalaki and Ninotsminda. Settle into Armenia’s creative second city.
Open map ↗Day 0202Gyumri → Yerevan
Black Fortress, Echmiadzin Cathedral and the ruins of Zvartnots.
Open map ↗Day 0303Yerevan
Republic Square, Vernissage, the Opera district and sunset from the Cascade.
Open map ↗Day 0404Yerevan → Areni
Geghard, Symphony of Stones, Garni, Khor Virap, Noravank and Azat Reservoir.
Open map ↗Day 0505Areni → Goris
Tatev, the Wings of Tatev cableway and the cave village of Khndzoresk.
Open map ↗Day 0606Goris → Sevan
Noratus khachkars, Hayravank and Berdkunk Fortress along the lake.
Open map ↗Day 0707Lake Sevan
A slower day for the peninsula, mountain air and freshwater fish.
Open map ↗Day 0808Sevan → Batumi
Sevanavank, Haghartsin and Goshavank before the return to Georgia.
Open map ↗
03 · Yerevan
A capital built in warm light
Start at Republic Square, browse the Vernissage market, pass Freedom Square and the Arno Babajanyan monument, then climb the Cascade as the city turns amber. The centre is compact; save your energy for the steps and the evening café tables.
04 · At the table
Order with curiosity
A shortlist from the original travel notes — breads, soups, herbs and slow-cooked comfort food.
Spas
Tangy fermented-milk soup with wheat and herbs.
Tolma
Meat and rice wrapped in vine or cabbage leaves.
Jingyalov hats
A thin flatbread filled with mountain greens.
Harissa
Slow-cooked wheat and chicken or lamb.
Gata
Sweet, buttery pastry in many regional styles.
Sweet sujukh
Walnuts threaded through thickened grape juice.
Lavash & matnakash
The paper-thin and pillowy everyday breads.
05 · Our Armenia
Ten frames from the road
A personal family album from eight days across Armenia — rain, mountain light and the places we still talk about.
05 · Small words, warm welcome
A pocket phrasebook
The Armenian is shown in its own script with an easy Latin reading.
HelloԲարև ձեզBarev dzez
Thank youՇնորհակալությունShnorhakalutyun
PleaseԽնդրում եմKhndrum em
Excuse meԿներեքKnerek
Yes / NoԱյո / ՈչAyo / Voch
How much is it?Սա ի՞նչ արժեSa inch arzhe?
Where is…?Որտե՞ղ է…Vortegh e…?
The bill, pleaseՀաշիվը, խնդրում եմHashivy, khndrum em
06 · Before you go
Useful, not timeless
01Currency: Armenian dram (AMD). The rates above are personal notes from May 2024 — check live rates before travel.
02For a road trip, confirm border-opening hours, insurance requirements and mountain conditions before departure.
03Cards work widely in Yerevan, but carry dram for guesthouses, markets and remote stops.