Welcome to Yerevan, one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited capitals, founded as Erebuni in 782 BCE. The city’s rose-colored tuff stone glows at golden hour, with Mount Ararat often floating on the horizon like a memory. This is a place made for unrushed days, café tables in the sun, and warm hospitality that shows up as heaping plates and second pours.

Yerevan’s compact center makes it perfect for a short city break. Spend time at the Cascade Complex and the Cafesjian Center for the Arts, watch Republic Square light up at dusk, and dip into the Vernissage flea market for crafts. Easy day trips reveal a different era: the pagan Temple of Garni, the rock-hewn Geghard Monastery, and vine-draped valleys that have produced wine for millennia.

Practical notes: the currency is the Armenian dram (AMD), and costs are pleasantly low. Taxis via GG or Yandex Go are inexpensive; walking is often quickest in the center. Dress modestly for monasteries, carry some cash for markets, and expect hearty, herb-bright cuisine—lavash, khorovats (barbecue), dolma, and tangy cheeses. Spring and fall are ideal; summers are dry and sunny.

Yerevan

Yerevan is nicknamed the “pink city” for its blush tuff façades and sunsets that match the stone. Cafés spill onto sidewalks; musicians tune up by the Opera House; and Saryan Street, known as “Wine Street,” hums with glasses of Voskehat and Areni Noir. It’s relaxed, creative, and made for wandering.

• Top sights: Cascade Complex and Cafesjian sculpture garden, Republic Square, Opera House, Blue Mosque, Kond old quarter, Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, Vernissage Market, GUM Food Market.
• Food and drink: Lavash fresh from a tonir oven, khashlama (slow-cooked beef with vegetables), jingalov hats (herb-stuffed flatbread), and an ever-growing scene of wine bars pouring native grape varieties.
• Fun fact: Lavash-making is recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. Watching it baked is hypnotic—and delicious.

Getting there (flights): Search fares to Yerevan (EVN) via: Omio (flights to/from Europe), Kiwi.com, or Trip.com. Most European hubs offer 3–5 hour nonstop or 1-stop options; arrivals are typically late night or early morning.

Where to stay (budget-forward):

• Kantar Hostel – Clean, social, and central; great for budget travelers. Check availability.
• Best Western Plus Congress Hotel – Solid value near Republic Square; pool and breakfast often included. See deals.
• The Alexander, a Luxury Collection Hotel – A splurge if you decide to upgrade a night. View rooms.
• Prefer apartments? Browse entire homes on VRBO Yerevan or compare hotels on Hotels.com Yerevan.

Day 1: Arrival, Cascade Views, and Wine Street

Afternoon: Land at EVN and head into town (20–30 minutes by taxi). Drop bags and ease into Yerevan with a slow coffee at Achajour in Lovers’ Park or at The Green Bean near the Cascade—both friendly and affordable.

Climb the Cascade Complex terrace steps at a gentle pace, pausing for sculptures by Botero and friends in the Cafesjian gardens. From the top, the whole city spreads beneath you; if skies are clear, you may spot Ararat.

Optional guided intro (1.5–2.5 hours): If you’d like a historian’s context and a relaxing pace, consider a private city walk:

Private sightseeing and walking tour in Yerevan

Expect Republic Square, the Opera, and Kond’s alleyways. Great for orienting yourself and getting photo tips from a local.

Evening: Dinner on a budget with flavor: try Mer Taghe for flaky lahmajoon and jingalov hats; or Tumanyan Shaurma for quick, juicy wraps under $5–7. For a sit-down feast, Lavash Restaurant serves homestyle soups, dolma, and lavash swirls baked in a tonir at moderate prices; Sherep offers an open kitchen with fire-kissed khorovats.

Stroll to Saryan Street for wine. Order a flight at In Vino or Wine Republic; look for native grapes—Voskehat (white), Kangun (white), Areni Noir (red). Sweet finish: a warm “ponchik” cream donut at Grand Candy.

Day 2: Garni Temple, Geghard Monastery, Symphony of Stones (with Lavash)

Today is your serene, photogenic day trip—green valleys, basalt canyons, and ancient stone.

Group Tour: Garni, Symphony of Stones, Geghard, Lavash Baking

Expect a relaxed full day with hotel pickup, the Hellenistic Temple of Garni, the rock-hewn Geghard Monastery (a UNESCO site), and the Symphony of Stones in Azat Canyon. You’ll also witness—and taste—fresh lavash baking in a traditional tonir. Typical running time: 6–8 hours; driving Yerevan→Garni ~45 minutes.

Food tips: Bring water and a light snack; many tours stop for an affordable village lunch (grilled trout, herb salads, matsun yogurt). Vegetarians do well with bean tolma and jingalov hats.

Photography tips: At Garni, frame the colonnade against the canyon; at Geghard, low light rewards a tripod or steady phone night mode. Mind respectful quiet in chapels.

Evening back in Yerevan: Celebrate the day with a hearty, good-value dinner. At Tavern Yerevan (Pandok), share khorovats platters and spas soup. Wine bars nearby pour Voskehat from Ararat Valley and Areni Noir from Vayots Dzor; ask for a 3-glass flight to compare regions without breaking the bank.

Day 3: Kond Lanes, Blue Mosque, and Market Grazing (Departure Day)

Morning: Meander the Kond neighborhood—weathered doors, mural fragments, and quiet lanes perfect for photography. Continue to the serene Blue Mosque courtyard, then wander to the GUM Market to taste churchkhela-like sujukh, dried apricots, walnuts, basturma, and local cheeses. Vendors happily offer samples; small purchases make for excellent edible souvenirs.

Coffee & light lunch: Grab a cappuccino and a spinach-greens jingalov hats at a café near Republic Square, or try Karas National Food for a budget sampler of classics (soups, salads, pilafs). If you missed it, peek into Vernissage Market for hand-carved chess sets, woven textiles, and hand-painted ceramics.

Departure: Plan 3 hours before your flight for the airport. Taxis are inexpensive; your hotel can call one, or use ride-hailing apps.

Have a late flight and want one more UNESCO site? Consider this short, low-effort heritage excursion west of the city:

Group Tour: Echmiadzin Cathedral & churches, Zvartnots Temple

Echmiadzin is the spiritual heart of the Armenian Apostolic Church; nearby Zvartnots is a photogenic 7th-century temple ruin. Typically 4–5 hours total.

Practical Food & Budget Notes

• Breakfast on the go: Gata (sweet bread), cheese-stuffed khachapuri, and seasonal fruit from small bakeries, usually $2–5.
• Great-value lunches: Lahmajoon, khashlama, or vegetarian plates at casual canteens for $5–10.
• Dinner: Sit-down restaurants with salads, a shared main, and wine typically land at $12–20 per person.
• Wine tasting in the city: Saryan Street bars offer flights; ask for a trio: Voskehat, Kangun, and Areni Noir to compare terroirs.

Alternate Day Trip (if you extend)

If you add a day and want mountain air and forest hermitages, this is a favorite:

Group Tour: Lake Sevan (Sevanavank), Dilijan (Goshavank, Haghartsin)

Expect 9–10 hours of turquoise lake views, breezy monasteries, and wooded walks; great for photography.

Before You Go

• Dress & etiquette: Shoulders covered in churches; ask before photographing people.
• Water: Tap water is generally safe; refill at public fountains (“pulpulaks”).
• Transit: Most sights are walkable; taxis are inexpensive. The metro is simple and cheap if you prefer it.
• Connectivity: Buy an inexpensive local SIM at the airport for maps and rides.

Final tip for flights: Compare fares and times on Omio (Europe flights), Kiwi.com, and Trip.com; arrive the evening before Day 1 if possible to maximize time.

Three days in Yerevan flow like a good glass of Areni—smooth, unhurried, and quietly memorable. With one standout day trip, generous village cooking, and golden-stone cityscapes, you’ll leave with memory cards full and a promise to return.