Lakes of Armenia

Armenia’s lakes are one of the most underrated parts of the landscape. Beyond the famous Lake Sevan with its beaches and trout, the country holds the quiet forest lakes of Parz and Gosh in Dilijan National Park, the alpine Lake Kari at 3,200 m on Mount Aragats, the wild crater lakes of the Geghama mountains, and the high-altitude Lake Arpi national park in the northwest — an important bird area on the Turkish border. Two scenic reservoirs round out the list: the turquoise Azat on the road to Garni, and Kechut with its daisy-shaped spillway near Jermuk. The catalogue below covers eight bodies of water with distances from Yerevan, the best season for swimming or photography, and day-trip combinations.

  • Azat Reservoir

    Armenia’s most photogenic man-made lake — turquoise water inside the same black basalt canyon as the Symphony of Stones, just 40 minutes from Yerevan on the road to Garni.

    Near Lanjazat village, foot of Mount Yeranos, Ararat Province 35 km / 40–60 min up to ~72 m

  • Kechut Reservoir

    A six-petal star-shaped spillway on the road to Jermuk — the most photographed piece of Soviet hydro-engineering in Armenia, set on a 48 km tunnel longer than the route under the English Channel.

    Arpa River valley, south of Jermuk, Vayots Dzor Province 170 km / about 2 hr 50 min up to 36 m

  • Lake Akna

    A crater lake at 3,032 m in the Geghama volcanic plateau — Armenia’s classic high-altitude trek, with Bronze Age petroglyphs and an optional ascent of Mount Azhdahak.

    Geghama volcanic plateau, near Sevaberd village, Kotayk Province 60 km to Sevaberd + 10–13 km on foot up to 15 m

  • Lake Arpi

    Armenia’s second-largest lake and a Ramsar wetland on the Ashotsk Plateau — home to the world’s largest Armenian gull colony and the country’s only breeding Dalmatian pelicans.

    Ashotsk Plateau, near Amasia community, Shirak Province 200–210 km / 3.5–4.5 hours avg 4.2 m, max 8 m

  • Lake Gosh

    A quiet forest lake hidden in Dilijan National Park, a short walk from medieval Goshavank Monastery. Mirror reflections, beech woods, and no crowds.

    Dilijan National Park, near Gosh village, Tavush Province 130 km / about 2 hours up to 8 m

  • Parz Lake

    A small “Clear Lake” in Dilijan National Park — forest setting, boats and zipline on site, and the classic easy hike through beech woods to 12th‑century Goshavank Monastery.

    Dilijan National Park, Tavush Province ~110 km from Yerevan 10 m

  • Lake Kari

    Armenia’s highest drive-up lake at 3,207 m on Mount Aragats — turquoise alpine basin, classic Aragats summit trailhead, and the only place you can stand above 3,200 m without hiking.

    Mount Aragats southern slope, Aragatsotn Province ~70 km from Yerevan 9–10 m

  • Lake Sevan

    Armenia’s high-altitude inland sea, 1,900 m above sea level. Guide to Sevanavank Monastery, beaches, Sevan trout, and the Soviet-era water-level crisis.

    Sevan, Gegharkunik Province About 65 km / 1 hour Free (lake and beaches); Sevanavank Monastery parking ~200 AMD

    • Tours to Armenia's Lakes

    Most of Armenia's lakes are an hour or two from Yerevan, but public transport to the shoreline is rare. The easiest way is to hire a driver who will take you to the lake and wait while you walk.

    For Lake Sevan, book a Yerevan–Sevan transfer or join a guided day tour from Yerevan. The forest lakes Parz and Gosh combine naturally with a day in Dilijan via the Yerevan–Dilijan transfer. The Azat Reservoir sits directly on the route to Garni and Geghard. For the remote and high-altitude lakes — Akna, Arpi, Kari, Kechut — the most flexible option is to hire a car with driver and let them plan the timing and the road.