Autor: Eliza Balayan

A short journey west of Yerevan leads to two places that tell an important part of Armenia’s story: Echmiadzin and Zvartnots. One is still the spiritual center of the Armenian Apostolic Church; the other survives as the ruins of an extraordinary medieval cathedral. Together, they offer a journey through centuries of Armenian history and architecture, from the early years of Christianity to one of the most ambitious buildings of medieval Armenia.

Travel through southern Armenia and the scenery around Sisian reveals a landscape shaped by mountains, deep gorges and volcanic rock. Just a few kilometres from the town, Shaki Waterfall brings a very different element into this rugged setting. The waterfall lies on the Shaki River, a tributary of the Vorotan, surrounded by rocky slopes and patches of greenery. After the wide-open landscapes around Sisian, arriving beside flowing water gives this corner of Syunik a noticeably different atmosphere.

What if, for a day or two, you could leave the noise and busy streets behind?

The road leads higher into the mountains, the air grows cooler, and the pace begins to change. Here, mineral water rises naturally from underground springs, forested slopes surround the town, and there is little reason to hurry.

This is Jermuk — Armenia’s mountain spa town.

Located in Vayots Dzor, Jermuk has a long tradition as a health and wellness destination and is known for its natural mineral waters. Visitors can taste warm mineral water at the town’s drinking gallery, walk towards the Arpa River Gorge and see Jermuk Waterfall.

But there is more to Jermuk than its spa tradition. Beyond the town centre, mountain scenery and walking routes invite you to spend more time outdoors and discover the quieter side of the region.

Wellness may have made Jermuk famous, but its setting is just as much a reason to come. Here, mineral water, mountain air and an unhurried pace are simply part of the experience.

You do not have to be a skier to enjoy the Tsaghkadzor Ropeway. The chairlift takes you up the eastern slope of Mount Teghenis, leaving the town behind as forests, mountains and wide landscapes open below you. The lift system runs between approximately 1,966 and 2,819 metres above sea level, offering a completely different view of Armenia’s mountain scenery. And the experience changes with the seasons. In winter, you travel above snowy slopes and forests; in the warmer months, the mountain turns green. On clear days, Mount Ararat can also be seen in the distance. Whether you come for winter sports, nature, photography or simply the ride itself, the ropeway is an easy way to experience Armenia from above.

Just a short drive from Yerevan, Tsaghkadzor offers an easy escape into the mountains.  This is Tsaghkadzor, one of Armenia’s best-known mountain destinations and an easy escape from the capital. Located in Kotayk Province, the town sits on the slopes of Mount Teghenis and offers a different experience in every season. Winter brings snow, skiing and snowboarding, while the warmer months are a good time for mountain views, walks and outdoor activities. But you do not need to come with a long list of things to do. Part of Tsaghkadzor’s appeal is simply being in the mountains. Ride above the landscape, spend time outdoors, explore the town or stop for a meal with fresh mountain air around you. Whether you visit for an active day or a quieter break from Yerevan, Tsaghkadzor shows another side of Armenia.

If there is one place in Armenia where history and the view of Mount Ararat come together, it is Khor Virap. Located not far from Yerevan, the monastery is known for much more than its spectacular view of Ararat. This is where one of the most famous stories in Armenia’s Christian history took place. According to Armenian Christian tradition, Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned at Khor Virap for 13 years, before his release and the events that would later be connected with Armenia’s adoption of Christianity. Today, visitors can explore the monastery, climb down into the underground chamber associated with Gregory the Illuminator, and see Mount Ararat from one of Armenia’s most famous viewpoints.

In southern Armenia, near the city of Goris, Old Khndzoresk reveals a very different side of the country. The former village lies on the sides of a deep gorge and is known for its many caves, which were once used as homes, storage spaces and shelters.

For generations, local people adapted their daily lives to this unusual landscape. Natural and man-made caves became part of the village, while stone buildings and narrow paths connected different parts of the settlement.

Khndzoresk remained inhabited until the middle of the 20th century, when residents gradually moved to the present-day village. Today, its empty caves, stone ruins, old churches and dramatic gorge preserve the traces of a community that once lived among these cliffs.

Just outside Yerevan, Garni brings together two completely different sides of Armenia: an extraordinary ancient monument and one of the country’s most unusual natural landscapes. Standing above the Azat Gorge, the Temple of Garni takes you back to Armenia’s pre-Christian past. From the temple, continue down into the gorge and the landscape changes completely. Here you will find the Symphony of Stones, where huge basalt columns formed naturally as volcanic lava cooled and cracked. Their shapes are so regular that they can almost look as if they were carved by hand. Within this small area, two very different landmarks stand close to each other: the Temple of Garni, built by people, and the Symphony of Stones, created by nature.