What to Know Before You Travel to Armenia

We try to hit all points of what we deem useful information for this post. If something is missing that you’d like to know, or specific destination information, please shoot us a message or leave a comment so we can answer! 

1. Where is Armenia? It might be a bit challenging to find Armenia on the map, and you might have never heard of it, but it is located in the southern Caucasus region; Georgia borders it to the north, Iran to the south, Turkey to the west, and Azerbaijan to the east. Armenia is a landlocked country and it’s important to know that it’s not possible to get to Armenia overland from Turkey or Azerbaijan because of political issues.

2. Armenian Nature Armenia has a surprisingly diverse nature for being such a small country… from mesmerizing green canyons and gorges to dry and colorful mountains to semi-desert landscapes. The biggest lake in the Caucasus is also found in Armenia. Lake Sevan is considered to be the blue pearl of the country. It is surrounded by breathtaking mountains, little islands, and gorgeous villages. There are several national parks and reserves all over the country such as Dilijan National Park or the Khosrov Reserve, a place considered to be one of the oldest protected areas in history. Approximately seventeen centuries ago, the reserve was founded and its ecosystem is absolutely amazing. Despite its small size, Armenia is one of the most mountainous countries in the world as mountains make up almost 90% of the country.

3. Seasons in Armenia The climate of Armenia can be different. Each season has a different beauty in the Caucasian country. You can hike in the colorful autumn mountains, ski, and snowboard in Tsaghkadzor spa town in the winter, or chill out in green Dilijan guesthouses in the summer. Spring is also special in Armenia because of the vibrant colors and blooming flowers saturating the country.

4. Armenian Culture and History: About Armenia Armenia is one of those rare countries that still exists despite having more than 6000 years of history. Many civilizations have disappeared over the decades, but as a surprise to many, Armenia has managed to conserve its cultural heritage with traditions that still exist today. There is a lot of archeological evidence that shows existing civilizations in the Bronze Age in the modern theory of Armenia dating back to 4000 BC. It’s possible to see heritage from the different stages of Armenian history, like the Pagan Temple of Garni or the Christian churches in Etchmiadzin that were one of the first in history as Armenia was the first country that adopted Christianity as a state religion in 301 AD.

When is the Best Time to Visit Armenia?
Armenian has pretty much all types of weather- from hot summers to dry, cold winters with significant amounts of snow in almost all regions of the country.
The hottest time in Armenia is from June to September, when the temperature can fluctuate between 37- 40 Celsius, but the evenings promise a cool breeze coming from the mountains. Temperatures also depend on where you are in the country; it’s not as hot in the north compared to the south during the summer.

Winters in Armenia are dry and cold, and during this time temperatures can drop as low as -10 Celsius. However, winter activities and sports are easily accessible, such as skiing in Ashotsk or Tsaghkadzor, where you can enjoy cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, snowboarding, and winter hikes in the places. Another plus of visiting Yerevan during the winter is spending New Year’s there, as the country is partying the entire time. Also, Yerevan Hotels are comparably cheap during that period. 
Spring Once it’s spring in Armenia, like in many places, the weather in Armenia becomes pleasant, and many festivals like Yerevan Wine Days, BBQ Fest, and the Urvakan Electronic Music Festival take place in the country.

Summers in Armenia are the perfect time to take multiple-day trips from Yerevan to all throughout the country when the weather’s hot and you will have a unique opportunity to discover an ancient country. Within approximately 10 days, you can see amazing cultural and historical heritage.

Autumn Our favorite season is autumn in Armenia. This is when the weather is just perfect for outdoor activities, camping, and day trips. In our opinion, the beginning of autumn is the best time to visit Armenia. It is just so picturesque! Book a cozy boutique hotel in Yerevan and take wonderful day trips to different places in Armenia. From Dilijan’s lush forest to Noravank Monastery’s surrounding area, you will see the true colors of Armenian nature during fall.