As you are planning your trip, here are nine things not to do when you’re hitting the road to visit Yerevan, Armenia.
Imagine a vibrant city with a rich history and insanely beautiful mountainous landscapes.
Did Armenia come to your mind?
It is likely not the first place you thought of – or it’s not even a country that came to your mind at all. We think that should change.
Armenia is an incredible country where you can feel the blending of Asian, European, and Middle Eastern cultures. Although travelers are often overlooking Armenia as a top travel destination, it is a budget-friendly country with amazing sights and activities for every type of traveler.
For most travelers, their journey to Armenia begins in the capital and largest city in the country – Yerevan. The city is home to a population of just over one million.
The Republic Square, Yerevan Opera Theatre, and Yerevan Cascade are some of the main landmarks at the center of Yerevan. The city has a variety of activities, including museums, shopping, nightlife, day tours, and more.
Here are nine things to not to do in Yerevan, Armenia.
#1: Don’t be afraid to visit!
Armenia is a safe country with kind and hospitable people. Americans do not frequently visit Armenia, or even many Europeans, so there may be misconceptions of safety.
The Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia reported that of the 1.67 million tourists to visit in 2022, approximately 3% (or 51,000) were American tourists. The highest percentage of visitors to Armenia in 2022 were Russian tourists.
Yerevan typically has a low index of crime, with even pickpockets not being as frequent of an issue as in other major cities.
We feel very safe in Yerevan and did not experience any crime or scams in Armenia. However, it is important to always remain vigilant and use your common sense and general precautions for safety like you would anywhere.
#2: Don’t forget to do your research
Make sure to do your research to have some understanding of the current political situations in Armenia.
The border with Azerbaijan is currently closed due to conflict over the disputed territory of Nagano-Karabakh. This area can be prone to unrest.
Although you can visit this area from Armenia, just be mindful if you later plan to visit Azerbaijan. In Azerbaijan it is a crime to enter Nagorno-Karabakh without authorization from Azerbaijani authorities. If the local authorities are aware of your visit, you may be unable to enter Azerbaijan.
The border with Turkey is also closed due to conflict between the countries, so you cannot cross this border as well.
It is essential to be aware of these situations and border crossings when planning your trip if you are traveling outside Yerevan. It is also important to be mindful of purchasing and wearing any souvenir clothing or hats you may wear if you visited one of these bordering countries out of respect for the Armenian people.
#3: Don’t jaywalk
As in most major cities, Yerevan has crossing lights and cross walks, also known as zebra crossings. It is not common to jaywalk, or cross outside of these marked crosswalks, while in the city. This is especially true on the main streets.
You can be fined by police for around 13 USD (or 12 EUR) for jaywalking since it is illegal. We have not seen anyone be fined or approached by police, keep this in mind when walking around the city.
If you are approached by police for jaywalking, it is not a scam or bribe for this as it may be in other countries.
Most of the crosswalks have a crossing light with a button to push. The crowds wait to cross until the light turns green even if there is no oncoming traffic.
#4: Don’t forget to check the weather
Armenia can be a great travel destination year-round, but don’t forget to check the weather before you plan your trip depending on your preferences.
The best season to visit depends on your goals and itinerary.
Summer: The summer can have temperatures around 105 degrees, so you may want to avoid these months if you aren’t a fan of the heat. This is also the high season, so prices can be more expensive. For reference, we visited in August and it was around 100 degrees each day. We enjoyed our time, but the heat is no joke. Bring sunscreen and stay hydrated if you visit during these months.
Winter: Winter can have temperatures around 10 degrees, so not the best if you don’t like being cold. Driving can also be difficult due to the snow. However, this is a good time to visit for skiing and snowboarding.
Spring and Fall: If you want the most moderate weather and slightly cheaper prices, travel in the shoulder seasons of spring and fall. Plan for April & May for spring or September and October for fall. The downsides are that the days are a bit shorter and overnight, it can get cold.
#5: Don’t be nervous to drink from the fountains
All over the city of Yerevan – and the entire country of Armenia – you will find water fountains. These are also known as “Pulpulaks”. They are such a strong part of Armenian culture and unique to the country. These fountains are especially nice if you are visiting during the hot summer months.
Pulpulaks are typically built with or in stone and are approximately one meter tall. The fountains have cold mountain spring water. They are perfectly safe to use and the water is so refreshing.
On a hot day, in the busy places in Yerevan, like Republic Square or Northern Avenue, you can often see the line of people waiting to take a sip or splash some water to cool down.
Be sure to pack a reusable water bottle for the fountains.
#6: Don’t go out only during the day
Unlike many major cities around the world, when you walk outside early in the morning in Yerevan, you will see almost no one.
We had a tour guide tell us that he typically doesn’t even wake up until around 10am each day. The city slowly begins moving around midday, but it really comes to life in the evening.
Yerevan transforms to a completely different city at night once everyone is out. During the summer months, the fashionably-dressed locals are walking the streets with friends and conversing over drinks and coffee at one of the numerous trendy cafes. Whether it is a Tuesday night or a Saturday night, you will find tons of people out about.
Although it can be tempting to spend the entire day exploring and then crashing early at night, try not to wear yourself out too early. Many of the shops and restaurants are open until midnight or later.
Make sure to spend some time exploring and walking around during the late evenings – or even into the early morning if you are planning to party. Yerevan has a vibrant nightlife with plenty of options for drinks and dancing.
#7: Don’t miss the fountain show
One of the must-see attractions in Yerevan are the Singing Fountains. While you’re out exploring the city in the evening, these fountains are a fun (and free!) activity.
The fountains are located in Republic Square. Each night they light up in different colors and music is playing while everyone gathers around the fountain.
The show is every night, except Tuesdays when they clean and drain the water. The show usually runs from around May to September.
We enjoy walking by the fountains almost every evening while in Yerevan because there is various music playing each time. Grab a seat by sitting around one of the fountain edges and enjoy the show.
#8: Don’t have a credit card only
Yerevan is a modern city and credit cards are widely accepted. A credit card should be fine for most of your visit.
However, there are a few smaller restaurants that we’ve visited that have told us they don’t accept cards or their card machines aren’t working.
As with any city, it is not a bad idea to have a little bit of cash.
We also recommend having cash, preferably in various small bills, if you are planning to use taxis as transportation.
#9: Don’t forget to slow down
Life in Yerevan can be slow-paced and often involves hours lingering over coffee or beers at cafes around the city.
There is a huge cafe culture with dozens and dozens of cafes to chat with a friend, read a book, or people-watch.
Don’t forget to take time to slow down to stroll around the streets and sit in a few cafes simply taking in the city during your time here.
We hope these things not to do in Yerevan, Armenia is helpful in planning your visit. Let us know your don’ts (and do’s!) for visiting the city to help out other travelers.
