# Armenia in 5 days: an itinerary city by city

> Five days in Armenia: Yerevan with trips to the country's best-known churches, mountain Dilijan and old Gyumri. Three days in Yerevan: the centre with the Cascade and the Matenadaran, the Azat gorge with Garni and Geghard, then Etchmiadzin and Khor Virap with its view of Mount Ararat. A day in Dilijan — Jukhtakvank and Haghartsin monasteries in the forests of the national park, and Lake Parz. A day in Gyumri — 19th-century houses of black and red tuff.

Web page: https://yesgo.io/armenia/in-5-days

## Who it suits

- First trip to Armenia
- Flying in and out of Yerevan
- By car, or by taxi out of town

Not for:

- Tatev and the south of Armenia need 2 more days
- Without a car Dilijan and Gyumri are hard to link

When to go: May–June and September–October. Dilijan's forests are green from May to October.

## Day 1 — [Yerevan](https://yesgo.io/armenia/yerevan.md)

1. [Yerevan Vernissage](https://yesgo.io/armenia/yerevan/yerevan-vernissage.md) — YesGo score 50/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h · Free entry
   ↓ 9 min on foot
2. [Republic Square](https://yesgo.io/armenia/yerevan/yerevan-republic-square.md) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free
   ↓ 10 min on foot
3. [Northern Avenue](https://yesgo.io/armenia/yerevan/yerevan-northern-avenue.md) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free
   ↓ 18 min on foot
4. [Yerevan Cascade](https://yesgo.io/armenia/yerevan/yerevan-cascade.md) — YesGo score 58/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h · Free
   Lunch break, about 1 h
   ↓ 8 min on foot
5. [Matenadaran](https://yesgo.io/armenia/yerevan/matenadaran.md) — YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · 2,000 AMD, under 6 free

Total with walks: 6 h

## Day 2 — [Yerevan](https://yesgo.io/armenia/yerevan.md)

1. [Geghard Monastery](https://yesgo.io/armenia/yerevan/geghard-monastery.md) — YesGo score 48/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free
   ↓ 40 min by transport
2. [Garni Temple](https://yesgo.io/armenia/yerevan/garni-temple.md) — YesGo score 47/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · 1,500 AMD

Total with walks: 2 h 40 min

## Day 3 — [Yerevan](https://yesgo.io/armenia/yerevan.md)

1. [Etchmiadzin Cathedral](https://yesgo.io/armenia/yerevan/etchmiadzin-cathedral.md) — YesGo score 40/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free; treasury 2,000 AMD
   Lunch break, about 1 h
   ↓ 2 h 14 min by transport
2. [Khor Virap](https://yesgo.io/armenia/yerevan/khor-virap.md) — YesGo score 35/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · Free

Total with walks: 5 h 59 min

Transfer Yerevan → Dilijan: car or minibus, ≈ 1 h

## Day 4 — [Dilijan](https://yesgo.io/armenia/dilijan.md)

1. [Jukhtakvank Monastery](https://yesgo.io/armenia/dilijan/jukhtakvank.md) — YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · Free
   ↓ 32 min by transport
2. [Mimino statue](https://yesgo.io/armenia/dilijan/dilijan-mimino-statue.md) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 15 min · Free
   ↓ 4 min on foot
3. [Dilijan Local Lore Museum and Art Gallery](https://yesgo.io/armenia/dilijan/dilijan-museum.md) — YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · 4,000 AMD; one section 2,000 AMD
   Lunch break, about 1 h
   ↓ 4 min on foot
4. [Old Dilijan (Sharambeyan Street)](https://yesgo.io/armenia/dilijan/old-dilijan.md) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · Free
   ↓ 36 min by transport
5. [Haghartsin Monastery](https://yesgo.io/armenia/dilijan/haghartsin-monastery.md) — YesGo score 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free
   ↓ 39 min by transport
6. [Lake Parz](https://yesgo.io/armenia/dilijan/lake-parz.md) — YesGo score 33/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free; boats and zipline extra

Total with walks: 8 h 10 min

Transfer Dilijan → Gyumri: car via Vanadzor, ≈ 2–2.5 h

## Day 5 — [Gyumri](https://yesgo.io/armenia/gyumri.md)

1. [Black Fortress (Sev Berd)](https://yesgo.io/armenia/gyumri/black-fortress.md) — YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · Free (unofficial)
   ↓ 15 min on foot
2. [Plplan Zham (St Michael the Archangel Church)](https://yesgo.io/armenia/gyumri/plplan-zham.md) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 15 min · Free
   ↓ 15 min on foot
3. [Dzitoghtsyan Museum of National Architecture](https://yesgo.io/armenia/gyumri/dzitoghtsyan-museum.md) — YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h · AMD 2,000, two museums
   Lunch break, about 1 h
   ↓ 8 min on foot
4. [Holy Saviour's Church](https://yesgo.io/armenia/gyumri/gyumri-holy-saviour-church.md) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 30 min · Free
   ↓ 3 min on foot
5. [Vardanants Square](https://yesgo.io/armenia/gyumri/vardanants-square.md) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Free
   ↓ 3 min on foot
6. [Seven Wounds Church (Holy Mother of God Cathedral)](https://yesgo.io/armenia/gyumri/seven-wounds-church.md) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 25 min · Free
   ↓ 5 min on foot
7. [Kumayri historic district](https://yesgo.io/armenia/gyumri/kumayri-historic-district.md) — YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Free — public streets

Total with walks: 6 h 49 min

## Armenia itinerary: how the five days work

The first three days are the 3-day Yerevan itinerary: the centre on foot and two trips out of town, back to Yerevan each night. Then north to Dilijan, west through Vanadzor to Gyumri, and from Gyumri back to Yerevan: about 3 hours by train or 2.5–3 hours by minibus.

Transfers are short — 1–2.5 hours — and best done in the morning. On the way to Dilijan, almost on the highway, is Sevanavank monastery on Lake Sevan.

## By car or without

Easiest by car or with a driver: in Dilijan, Haghartsin and Lake Parz are 14–18 km from the centre, and there are few direct buses between Dilijan and Gyumri. Without a car: buses or taxis from Yerevan to Garni, Geghard, Etchmiadzin and Khor Virap, a minibus to Dilijan, and the train from Yerevan to Gyumri, about 3 hours.

## The towns on the route

Yerevan — the 572-step Cascade, the tuff Republic Square and the Matenadaran manuscripts. Dilijan — a resort in the forests of the national park, with Sharambeyan Street and the Mimino statue. Gyumri — Armenia's second city: the Black Fortress, Vardanants Square and the streets of old Kumayri.

## Where to stay

Three nights in Yerevan, one in Dilijan and one in Gyumri. If you would rather not move, Dilijan also works as a day trip from Yerevan.

## Armenia in 7 days

Add the south with Tatev monastery. Yerevan has itineraries for 1, 2 and 3 days.

## Tips

- The Matenadaran is closed on Sundays and Mondays, Garni on Mondays.
- The Dilijan local museum is closed on Mondays.
- Dress modestly for monasteries; women wear a headscarf in church.
- Armenia uses the dram (AMD). Cards work in Yerevan cafés and museums; minibuses and markets want cash.
- Leave the gorges before dark: the mountain roads have no lights.

## Questions

### What is a good Armenia itinerary for 5 days?

Three days in Yerevan with trips to Garni, Geghard, Etchmiadzin and Khor Virap, a day in Dilijan and a day in Gyumri.

### Where should I start?

In Yerevan: flights arrive there, and all the first days' trips start from the capital.

### Can I travel around Armenia on my own?

Yes: on foot and by taxi in town, by bus, minibus or taxi out of town.

### How long is the drive from Yerevan to Dilijan?

65–70 km, about an hour by car.

### How do I get from Dilijan to Gyumri?

By car through Vanadzor, 2–2.5 hours.

### What to add for 7 days in Armenia?

The south of the country with Tatev monastery.

### Is this a good Armenia road trip?

Yes: by car the Dilijan and Gyumri days are the easiest, and Sevanavank is on the way.

### Is it good with kids?

Yes: the Cascade, Garni and Lake Parz are popular with children.

### Where can I see Mount Ararat?

Closest from Khor Virap; in Yerevan from the top of the Cascade on a clear day.

### What currency is used in Armenia?

Armenia uses the dram (AMD). Cards work in Yerevan cafés and museums; minibuses and markets want cash.

## Sources

- South Caucasus Railway: Yerevan–Gyumri train
- Wikipedia: Dilijan, Gyumri

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