In summer the nature of Armenian reaches its peak of bloom in Sevan, Dilijan, Djermuk and Aghveran. Tsaghkadzor is the best place for spending an active winter vacation and engaging in winter sports.
There are many 3- to 5-star category hotels in Yerevan. The information about hotels in Yerevan can be found here.
The weather in Armenia is mild in winter and hot in summer. In summer the temperature fluctuates between +22C to +36C. The winters are mainly cold, the average temperature is between -15C to -1C.
The traditional and most popular Armenian dishes are: dolma (minced meat, wrapped in cabbage or stuffed in eggplants, peppers and tomatoes), barbeque, qyufta, khash. The Armenian bread (lavash) is the integral part of the Armenian meal.
Souvenirs can be purchased in Vernissage which is located in the centre of Yerevan, close to the Republic Square. Numerous traditonal and contemporary art exhibits are sold here. There are also many other souvenir shops on Abovyan and Tumanyan streets.
You can get detailed information at the web-pages http://www.port.am/afisha (in Armenian and Russian), http://www.armeniainfo.am (in English), http://www.museums.am (in English) or http://www.toms.am.
The oldest church in Armenia is the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, which was founded in 303.
Old Armenian parchment manuscripts and books are kept in Matenadaran. Those are unique and do not have analogues in the whole world. The first printed Armenian book, the smallest and the biggest Armenian books can also be found in Matenadaran. For details visit http://www.matenadaran.am.
The electricity in Armenia is 220 volt, 50 Hz , as in almost all of Europe. The Armenian socket standard is CEE, mostly without lines. The outlet adaptors for the standards of different countries can be purchased in almost all home appliances and electronics stores in Yerevan.
The following means of public transportation are available in Yerevan: metro (100 AMD), taxicabs (100 AMD per 1 km, the minimum fare is 600 AMD), buses (100 AMD) and minibuses (100 AMD). Taxicabs, buses and minibuses connect Yerevan and the adjacent areas.
There are Armenian ("Afrikyanneri pandok" - 39, Sayat-Nova Ave. and 1, Pushkin Str.), Georgian ("Mimino" - 7, Alek Manukyan Str.), Arabian ("Lagonid" - 37, Nalbandyan Str.), Chinese ("Beijing" - 33, Sayat-Nova Ave. and 9, Tumanyan Str.), Italian ("Ai Leoni" - 40, Tumanyan Str. and "Gusto" - 11, Abovyan Str.), Mexican ("Cactus" - 42, Mashtots Ave) and many other restaurants in Yerevan.
International calls can be made in the post offices. There are also telephone cards sold everywhere, which allow to make a call by fixed and mobile phones.
The visa to Artsakh is necessary for all foreign country citizens, except for the ones from CIS countries and Argentina.
Any amount of foreign currency can be taken to Armenia. In case of taking more than 5.000.000 AMD (or equivalent currency) out of the country, customs declaration should be filled in.
Yes, it is possible. Upon arrival it is necessary to apply to the corresponding department of the airport. In general the procedure lasts 20-25 minutes. The citizens of the CIS member-states, the EU member-states and the Schengen Acquis states do not need visa to travel to Armenia. For the visitors under 18 years old visa is free of charge. By the expiration of the visa dates it should be prolonged at the Passport and Visa Department (Yerevan, 13a, Mashtots Ave). Visa can be also obtained prior to the arrival (online) by applying to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia: http://www.mfa.am/eVisa. More detailed information regarding visa provision can be found at the web-page of Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Armenian, Russian and Ukraine airlines operate direct flights from almost all the big cities of CIS countries. "Flydubai", "Air France", "Atlasjet", "Aeroflot", "Aseman", "Austrian Airlines", "Czech Airlines", "Siberia Airlines" and other air companies operate direct flights from Dubai, Paris, Istanbul, Moscow, Tehran, Vienna, Prague and from other cities. The timetable of the flights is presented on the web-page of Zvartnots International Airport.
No, starting from April 2009, you do not need to pay 10000 AMD airport tax anymore when leaving Armenia.
There are ATMs on Abovyan, Tigran Mets, Tumanyan, Isahakyan streets and Baghramyan and Komitas avenues, as well as near the banks.
Bank cards are accepted in all banks, hotels and many centrally located shops and restaurants in Yerevan.
There are currency exchange offices everywhere in Yerevan, especially in the big stores and central places. Banks exchange currency, too.
The national currency of Armenia is called "Dram" (AMD). The shops trade only in Dram.
The monastic complex of Khor Virap is located very close to Mount Ararat and from there you can easily take photos.
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