Blue Mosque in Yerevan
The Blue Mosque is an 18th-century Persian mosque in central Yerevan, known for its blue tilework, peaceful courtyard, dome and minaret. Here is what to see and how to visit.
Historical Sites
Armenia preserves traces of every era β from prehistoric caves and Bronze Age megaliths to medieval caravanserais on the Silk Road and old cave-dwelling settlements. This section gathers the country’s historical sites that fit naturally into day trips from Yerevan: the Areni-1 Cave with the world’s oldest leather shoe, the Zorats Karer megalithic complex (Karahunj), the cave village of Khndzoresk, the 14th-century Selim Caravanserai on the Vardenyats Pass, and other monuments.
Historical Sites to Visit in Armenia
-
-
Kond District in Yerevan
Kond is a historic residential district in central Yerevan, known for its maze of narrow lanes, old houses and traces of the city that existed before the large-scale redevelopment of the 20th century.
-
Ughtasar Petroglyphs
Ughtasar Petroglyphs are thousands of ancient rock carvings high in the mountains of Syunik near Sisian. The site lies at about 3,300 metres beside a small alpine lake and is reached by 4×4.
-
Jermuk Mineral Water Gallery
Jermuk Mineral Water Gallery is one of the best-known landmarks of the spa town, where visitors can sample warm mineral water from several taps and see the distinctive 1956 pavilion.
-
Vardanants Square in Gyumri
Vardanants Square is the central square of Gyumri and a convenient starting point for exploring the city. Historic churches, civic buildings and the Vardan Mamikonian monument surround the square.
-
Kumayri Historic District
Kumayri is the historic heart of Old Gyumri, known for its 19th-century houses of black and red tuff, traditional courtyards, carved façades and old city streets.
-
Sharambeyan Street in Dilijan
Sharambeyan Street is the best-known historic quarter of Dilijan, with stone houses, carved wooden balconies, craft workshops and the atmosphere of the townβs traditional architecture.
-
Tatev and Surroundings
Tatev and its surroundings combine Tatev Monastery, Goris, Khndzoresk and the dramatic landscapes of southern Armenia for a one- or two-day trip.
-
Areni and Surroundings
Areni and Noravank form a scenic route through Vayots Dzor, combining a wine-producing village, Areni-1 Cave, Amaghu Gorge and a medieval monastery.
-
Garni and Surroundings
Garni and surroundings combine Garni Temple, Geghard Monastery, the Symphony of Stones, Charents Arch and natural sites of the Azat Valley near Yerevan.
-
Areni-1 Cave
The cave near Areni village that gave the world its oldest leather shoe (~5,500 years) and its oldest known winery (~6,100 years) β both still being excavated, with the originals now in Yerevan.
-
Khndzoresk Cave Village (Old Khndzoresk)
A cave village abandoned only in 1958, ~3,000 rock-cut dwellings on a 3 km gorge near Goris, reached by a swinging 160 m bridge built by villagers themselves in 2012.
-
Zorats Karer
A megalithic site of 223 basalt stones on a 1,770 m plateau in Syunik β sometimes called the “Armenian Stonehenge”, contested between observatory and necropolis interpretations.
-
Selim Caravanserai
Armenia’s best-preserved Silk Road inn at 2,410 m, built in 1332 by the Orbelian princes. Officially renamed Orbelian’s Caravanserai in 2014.
-
Tours to Armenia's Historical Sites
Armenia's deepest history sits outside the main monastery circuit: the Areni-1 cave complex with the world's oldest leather shoe and the earliest known winery, the Zorats Karer megalithic complex, sometimes called the Armenian Stonehenge, the cliff-side cave village of Khndzoresk, and the 14th-century Selim Caravanserai still standing on a Silk Road pass. Each of them sits far from public transport and needs a half- to full-day trip from Yerevan.
Areni-1 pairs naturally with a Vayots Dzor day around Noravank Monastery and the Areni wine route. Khndzoresk and Zorats Karer fit a Syunik loop with Tatev Monastery β usually a long single day, or more comfortably an overnight in Goris. The Selim Caravanserai stands on the Vardenyats Pass between Vayots Dzor and Lake Sevan and works as a natural stop on the southbound route.
For most of these sites the cleanest option is a car with driver from Yerevan β none of them has direct public transport. Larger groups can use a minivan with driver for the long Syunik loop. For a guided multi-stop day that combines historical sites with adjacent monasteries, choose one of our day tours from Yerevan.
