2 days in Yerevan: a day-by-day itinerary
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- 5 of 7 free; paid: Matenadaran, Garni Temple
- Duration
- 2 days, 9:30 to 15:30 each day
- Start and finish
- Yerevan Vernissage → Garni Temple
- On foot
- ≈ 45 min in total
- Transport
- 1 ride, ≈ 40 min
- Lunch
- around 13:07
- With kids
- fine: short walks
- Best time
- Tuesday to Saturday, when both the Matenadaran and Garni are open. On a clear day Ararat is visible on the road to Garni.
Day-by-day plan
Times include walking and lunch. Drag a stop by ≡, remove it with the cross or add one nearby — the plan updates.
Day 1 · Yerevan09:30–15:30 · 5 places · 6 h
Yerevan Vernissage
· 1 h · Free
- 9 min on foot
Republic Square
· 30 min · Free
- 10 min on foot
Northern Avenue
· 30 min · Free
- 18 min on foot
Yerevan Cascade
· 1 h · Free
- Lunch · 1 h
- 8 min on foot
Matenadaran
· 1 h 15 min · 2,000 AMD, under 6 free
Day 2 · Yerevan09:30–12:10 · 2 places · 2 h 40 min
Geghard Monastery
· 1 h · Free
- 40 min · transport or taxi
Garni Temple
· 1 h · 1,500 AMD
Add nearby
Places near the plan — Yes puts one into the day and the times update.
What the route costs
5 of 7 are free; 2 charge entry — prices below, check them on site.
| 1 | Yerevan Vernissage | 50 | 1 h | Free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Republic Square | 45 | 30 min | Free |
| 3 | Northern Avenue | 44 | 30 min | Free |
| 4 | Yerevan Cascade | 58 | 1 h | Free |
| 5 | Matenadaran | 38 | 1 h 15 min | 2,000 AMD, under 6 free |
| 6 | Geghard Monastery | 48 | 1 h | Free |
| 7 | Garni Temple | 47 | 1 h | 1,500 AMD |
| Total | 6 h 20 min | 5 of 7 free |
Tips for each stop
Day 1
- 1
Yerevan Vernissage. Start at the open-air craft and souvenir market: stalls every day, the full market at weekends. Free.
- 2
Republic Square. Yerevan's main square — an oval of pink and yellow tuff, with the Government House and the History Museum around it.
- 3
Northern Avenue. A 450-metre pedestrian street from Republic Square to the Opera, lined with cafés and shops.
- 4
Yerevan Cascade. A white stairway of 572 steps with a sculpture garden at the foot. The outdoor stairs are always free, and there is an escalator inside.
- 5
Matenadaran. The repository of Armenian manuscripts: 2,000 AMD, ages 6–18 1,000 AMD. Tuesday–Saturday 10:00–17:50.
Day 2
- 6
Geghard Monastery. Day two — a 13th-century monastery partly carved into the rock, 40 km from Yerevan. Free; cover shoulders and knees, women usually cover their heads.
- 7
Garni Temple. A classical temple with 24 columns above the Azat gorge, 10 km from Geghard. 1,500 AMD; closed on Mondays, until 15:30 on Sundays.
Who this route is for
- A weekend in Yerevan
- First trip to Armenia
- On foot in town and by taxi out of town
- Mondays — the Matenadaran and Garni are closed
- Etchmiadzin and Khor Virap are in the 3-day itinerary
Tuesday to Saturday, when both the Matenadaran and Garni are open. On a clear day Ararat is visible on the road to Garni.
How to spend 2 days in Yerevan
Day one is the centre on foot, as in the one-day itinerary. Day two goes east to the Azat gorge: Geghard first, Garni on the way back — less driving back and forth.
Day two is short — about three hours at the sights, half a day with the drive. In the evening you can still climb the Cascade for the sunset: on a clear day Ararat is visible from the top.
How to get to Garni and Geghard
Easiest is a taxi for the whole trip: the two are 10 km apart and minibuses between them are awkward. By bus — from the Gai bus station in Nor Nork: bus 266 to Garni, bus 284 to Goght; buses do not reach the Geghard gate. The fare is 250 AMD, cash to the driver.
Stop on the way at the Charents Arch: on a clear day you can see Ararat from there.
Can I swap the days?
Yes, but mind the closing days: the Matenadaran is closed on Sunday and Monday, Garni on Monday and closes at 15:30 on Sunday. Geghard is open every day in daylight.
Is 2 days in Yerevan enough?
For the city and the best-known day trip, yes. With a third day add Etchmiadzin Cathedral, the mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church 20 km west, and Khor Virap with its view of Ararat — that is the 3-day itinerary.
How to do it right
- The Matenadaran is closed on Sundays and Mondays, Garni on Mondays.
- Get to Geghard at opening time: fewer tour buses before noon.
- Cash in drams is safer at the Garni ticket desk.
- Armenia uses the dram (AMD). Cards work in Yerevan cafés and museums; minibuses and markets want cash.
- Head back from the gorge before dark: the road has no lights.
Questions
Is 2 days in Yerevan enough?
Yes for the centre and the Garni–Geghard trip. Etchmiadzin and Khor Virap need a third day.
What to do in Yerevan in 2 days?
Day one: the Vernissage, Republic Square, Northern Avenue, the Cascade and the Matenadaran. Day two: Geghard and Garni.
How much does a 2-day itinerary cost?
The Matenadaran is 2,000 AMD and Garni 1,500 AMD; Geghard and the Cascade stairs are free. Add the taxi out of town.
How do I get to Garni and Geghard on my own?
By taxi for the whole trip, or buses 266 and 284 from the Gai bus station; buses do not reach the Geghard gate.
How far is Garni from Yerevan?
28 km east, about 40 minutes by car; Geghard is 10 km further up the gorge.
How much is Garni Temple?
1,500 AMD, the same for everyone. Closed on Mondays.
Is Geghard free?
Yes, it is a working monastery with free entry.
What should I wear to Geghard?
Shoulders and knees covered; women usually cover their heads.
Is it good with kids?
Yes: the Cascade and Garni are popular with children; ages 6–18 pay 1,000 AMD at the Matenadaran.
Where to stay for 2 days in Yerevan?
In the centre, near Republic Square or the Cascade — day one is all on foot.
Sources and fact-check
- Prices, opening hours and time on site come from each place's page, with its own sources and check date
- Garni Historical and Cultural Reserve: hours and ticket
- Matenadaran: hours and tickets
- Wikipedia: Geghard, Garni Temple
