Yerevan is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, founded in 782 BCE—older than Rome. Built largely from rosy volcanic tuff, it’s nicknamed the “Pink City,” with a skyline forever framed by the snow-capped silhouette of Mount Ararat. In a week, you can savor its café culture and museums and still have time to roam out to monasteries hewn into rock and emerald forests north of the capital.

Armenia’s soul hums in Yerevan’s streets: the Cascade’s sculpture gardens, the manuscript treasures of the Matenadaran, the somber grace of the Genocide Memorial, and the lively barter of Vernissage market. Day trips unfurl layers of antiquity—Hellenistic Garni, cave-carved Geghard, the sapphire mirror of Lake Sevan, and the vineyards and gorges of Vayots Dzor.

Practical notes: US/EU/UK travelers often enter visa-free or via easy e-visa (confirm before departure). The Armenian dram (AMD) is standard; cards are widely accepted. Rides via Yandex Go/Bolt are inexpensive; tap water is generally safe. Armenia is welcoming and walkable, though check current advisories regarding border regions. Come hungry—lavash (UNESCO-listed), khorovats barbecue, dolma, and robust wines await.

Yerevan

In Yerevan’s center (Kentron), 19th-century boulevards meet Soviet modernism and a thriving new café scene. Start at Republic Square, climb the Cascade’s 572 steps to the Cafesjian Center for the Arts, and wander the Kond neighborhood’s lanes that hint at an older city beneath the grid.

• Top sights: Republic Square, Cascade Complex & Cafesjian Center, Matenadaran, Vernissage market, GUM food market, Tsitsernakaberd (Armenian Genocide Memorial), Erebuni Fortress (Urartian citadel).
• Food to hunt down: khorovats (barbecue), jingalov hats (herb-stuffed flatbread), tolma (dolma), manti, harissa, gata pastry; sip brandy and Areni wine on Saryan “Wine Street.”
• Cafés & bars: Mirzoyan Library (arts café), The Green Bean (third-wave coffee), In Vino (first dedicated wine bar), Wine Republic (energetic bistro), Dargett (craft brewery), Calumet (bohemian lounge).

Getting there (EVN – Zvartnots International Airport):

• From Europe: compare fares on Omio (often 4–5 hours via hubs like Vienna, Paris, Warsaw).
• From the Middle East/Asia/Africa: check Trip.com flights and Kiwi.com; frequent 1-stop routes via Dubai, Doha, or Istanbul.
• Overland from Tbilisi: daytime minibus (~6 hrs) or overnight train (~10 hrs); compare regional buses on Omio.

Airport to center: 20–30 minutes by taxi (Yandex/Bolt), typically modest fares depending on time of day.

Where to stay (central Kentron is ideal for walking):

• The Alexander, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Yerevan – refined suites, indoor pool, and Old World-meets-modern design near Republic Square.
• Best Western Plus Congress Hotel – dependable midrange with a pool and easy access to the square and train station.
• Kantar Hostel – bright, social, and spotless; great for budget travelers who want a central base.
• Browse apartments/homes on VRBO Yerevan or hotels on Hotels.com Yerevan.

Day 1: Arrival, Republic Square, and the Cascade at Sunset

Morning: Travel day. If you arrive early, stretch your legs along Northern Avenue and grab a flat white at The Green Bean (eco-minded café) or a croissant at Louis Charden bakery.

Afternoon: Check in and orient at Republic Square—observe the pink tuff architecture and, if time allows, step into the History Museum for an overview of Armenia’s millennia. Stroll to Vernissage (open daily, liveliest on weekends) to browse hand-carved chessboards, carpets, and traditional instruments.

Evening: Climb the Cascade terraces for golden-hour views over the city toward Mount Ararat. Dine at Sherep (open kitchen, modern takes on classics—try tolma and slow-cooked lamb), then wander to In Vino for a glass of Areni Noir or Voskehat on Saryan Street, Yerevan’s “wine mile.”

Day 2: Walk Old Yerevan, Manuscripts, and Wine Street

Morning: Join a story-rich urban ramble on the Cultural Walking Tour in Yerevan with tastings (about 3 hours). Expect architecture, hidden courtyards, and local nibbles that decode the city through food.

Afternoon: Visit the Matenadaran to see illuminated manuscripts and medical treatises that survived centuries of upheaval. Break at Mirzoyan Library, a creative café-gallery in a former 19th-century house—excellent espresso and honey cake.

Evening: Dinner at Lavash Restaurant (don’t miss jingalov hats and lamb khorovats; breakfast here is also beloved). Continue to Wine Republic (lively, international-meets-Armenian small plates) or Dargett Craft Beer for a flight including apricot-inflected seasonal brews.

Day 3: Garni Temple, Geghard Monastery & Lavash Baking (Day Trip)

Take a small-group excursion east of Yerevan on the Garni, Geghard & Symphony Small-Group Day Trip with Lavash Baking. You’ll stop at Charents Arch for a postcard-framed view of Ararat, step into the only standing Greco-Roman temple in the Caucasus at Garni, hear the acoustics of rock-hewn Geghard, and watch UNESCO-listed lavash baked in a tonir oven before you taste it warm.

Duration typically 5–7 hours; expect short, scenic walks and optional detours to the Symphony of Stones basalt columns. Back in town, feast at Tavern Yerevan (Pandok Yerevan) for rustic platters—try khashlama (braised beef), fried trout, and clay-pot beans. Nightcap at Calumet Ethnic Lounge Bar for eclectic music and a local crowd.

Day 4: Memory, Markets, and Brandy

Morning: Pay respects at Tsitsernakaberd, the Armenian Genocide Memorial and Museum—powerful exhibits provide essential context for Armenia’s modern story. Continue to the Hrazdan Gorge overlook for a contrasting view of the city’s industrial past and green ravine.

Afternoon: Explore GUM Market: taste dried apricots, churchkhela-like sujukh (walnuts threaded and dipped in fruit must), mountain cheeses, and pickles. Lunch at Anteb (Syrian-Armenian spot) for lahmajun and hummus with warm bread. Tour a brandy house in the afternoon—Yerevan Brandy Company or the historic Noy factory—for a guided tasting of Armenia’s famed “cognac.”

Evening: Stroll around Opera House and Swan Lake. Dinner at Gata Tavern (homey, with clay-pot stews and flaky gata dessert) or Pandok by Yeremyan on Amiryan. For music, check Kami Friends (Kami Music Club) or Poligraf for DJ-driven nights.

Day 5: Lake Sevan, Dilijan, Haghartsin & Goshavank (Day Trip)

Head north to alpine waters and forests on From Yerevan: Sevan, Dilijan, Haghartsin, Goshavank, Lake Parz. You’ll visit Sevanavank with sweeping views over the turquoise lake, wander Dilijan’s Old Town and its wood-balconied houses, and breathe in cedar-scented paths around Lake Parz. Monasteries of Haghartsin and Goshavank glow with medieval stonework tucked into green folds.

It’s a full day (8–10 hours). Bring a light jacket even in summer; lakeside breezes are cool. Back in Yerevan, reward yourself with manti and a bottle of Voskehat at Dolmama (classic, candlelit Armenian fine dining).

Day 6: Khor Virap, Noravank & Areni Wine (Day Trip)

Go south into Armenia’s wine cradle on the Khor Virap, Noravank & Birds' Cave Day Trip with Wine Tasting. Stand at Khor Virap for the most iconic panorama of Mount Ararat, thread into the red-limestone canyons of Noravank to admire its double-decker church, then sample Areni reds near the “Birds’ Cave,” where archaeologists found the world’s oldest known winery (c. 4100 BCE).

Count on 9–10 hours with scenic stops. Back in the city, keep it light: head to Saryan Street for a progressive tasting—start at In Vino, then pop next door for a cheese plate and a final glass under the string lights.

Day 7: Kond, Erebuni, Last Bites, Departure

Morning: Breakfast at Artbridge Bookstore Café (Abovyan) or Achajour in Lovers’ Park. Wander Kond, Yerevan’s oldest surviving quarter: narrow alleys, small chapels, layered stone homes—bring your camera. If you’re a history buff, taxi to Erebuni Fortress, the Urartian citadel that birthed the city (excellent hilltop views).

Afternoon: Final shopping: back to Vernissage for textiles or copperware; swing by GUM Market for vacuum-packed dried fruits and spices. Quick lunch at Karas (fast-casual Armenian—khorovats wraps, soups) before you check out.

Evening: Departure day. If your flight is later, take a last Cascade stroll and grab coffee gelato from the kiosks nearby. For a memorable farewell meal, book an early table at Lavash or Sherep and toast with a shot of Armenian brandy.

How to book transport for flights and overland legs:

• Compare fares and routes on Omio (flights to/from Europe), Trip.com (global flights), and Kiwi.com.
• For regional buses (e.g., Tbilisi–Yerevan), check Omio buses.

Insider tips:

• Getting around: Yandex Go/Bolt rides in central Yerevan are typically inexpensive; the metro is simple (one line) and useful for a few key stops.
• Tipping: 5–10% is welcome if not already included. Many restaurants add a service charge—check your bill.
• Seasonality: Summers are hot (carry water and a hat), winters crisp with possible snow; September–October is superb for harvest and wine.

In seven days you’ll have tasted Armenia’s past and present—Yerevan’s vibrant café life, solemn memorials, and joyous tables—while also stepping into mountain monasteries and wine valleys. You’ll leave with the scent of lavash from a tonir, the outline of Ararat at dusk, and a list of reasons to return.