General Advice For Travelling In Armenia

"Armenia is a beautiful country, with friendly people and fascinating history. There's so much to explore here, whether you're into outdoor activities, architecture, or art."

Food in Armenia is amazing!

Food in Armenia is amazing! Armenian food is very diverse, delicious and healthy. You will find lots of different types of food here. There are a lot of vegetarian options, which is great for the vegans out there.
Many of the recipes are meat-based, and everything—including vegetables—is grilled or barbecued. The delectable BBQ aroma will soon become pervasive almost everywhere you go.
You will consume a lot of lavash, a thin flatbread that is complementing to practically every dish and is baked in a traditional "tonir" oven.
There are too many foods to list and judge whether or not they are good.
Asking questions about their cuisine or other aspects of Armenian culture generally results in an enthusiastic Armenian and some delectable fare. Armenians enjoy tourists who are interested in their culture.
There are also some really good street foods available to eat any time you want! They cost less than $2-3 USD each, so their prices are very affordable as well!

Locals are friendly and welcoming.

Locals are friendly and welcoming, so don’t be afraid to strike up conversations with people. They like to talk to foreigners! If you get lost or need directions, most locals will be happy to help you out. Likewise, if a person invites you into their home for a meal or party (and they will invite you), be sure to follow through. Also you may be surprised with the fact that Armenians speak a lot of languages including English, French, Italian, Russian and German.

Have a visa or passport ready.

Before you go:
●   Make sure you have a passport that is valid for at least six months past your travel date. You can find out if you need a visa ahead of time by checking with the embassy or consulate of Armenia in your home country. You'll also want to double check that all pages are filled out and stamped with the correct dates.
●   Arranging an itinerary before leaving home is recommended, but it's not necessary (or expected) if you're just going on a quick trip to Armenia. If possible, try to book transportation ahead of time so there's no chance of getting stuck without a ride after being dropped off at your hotel.

Learn or brush up on some Armenian language.

You should learn or brush up on some Armenian language. It is the official language of Armenia and is spoken by approximately 12 million people around the globe. There are many dialects of Armenian, but two most common dialects are Eastern Armenian and Western Armenian. 
You can easily presume that no one speaks English outside of the capital. Armenian, which has its own alphabet, is the language that is spoken there.
With Russian, you can get along fairly well. Typically, there are English and Armenian road signs.
Try to pick up a few phrases like "hello" (barev) and "thank you" (mersi).   The majority of lodging and tour operators only speak enough English to get the job done.
Even if they cannot speak a word of English, Armenians are exceedingly friendly and will make every effort to assist you.
Here are just a few words in Armenian that will help you to communicate better with local. Keep in mind that the locals love when a foreigner uses Armenian words.

Barev – hello
Shnorhakalutyun – thank you
Hasnel – to get to
Ognel - help
Yes – I/me
Hajoghutyun – goodbye

A few words about the safety in Armenia.

We can't stress enough how important it is to stay in a group and be careful when you're out on the streets. But that doesn’t apply to Yerevan streets. While Armenia is generally safe, and Yerevan is one of the safest cities in the world, it's still important to always stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings. In the Yerevan downtown you may freely wander off by yourself even after dark. A few advises ahead - don't take pictures of military installations.

One of our travelers left the following note on the safety in Armenia "Armenia is a completely safe place to travel. We never once felt threatened anywhere. As you would elsewhere, exercise common sense and take general safety precautions against petty crime, etc."

Drinks

Almost all local beers are average, with the exception of Dargett, a brand-new craft brewery in Yerevan. The place is crowded with young residents on the weekends and they create extremely amazing craft beer.
However, wine and cognac are the true specialties when it comes to libations. The Yerevan Brandy Company is enthusiastically promoted as a significant city attraction with tasting tours and a museum since Armenian cognac is well-known around the world (Ararat Museum).
Grape cultivation dates back to ancient times, making Armenia one of the oldest wine-producing nations in the world. Make sure to sample a few from this well-known wine region, which also produces some of the highest quality wines available.

There's a little something for everyone in Armenia.

There's a little something for everyone in Armenia. While it can be a challenge to visit this small country, the rewards are well worth it. You can travel to Armenia by plane, train or car and explore the country's many natural wonders. You can go hiking, biking and camping to your heart's content! Though the country is small, from north to south you will find a vast variety of relief, flora and fauna. Armenia is reach with birdlife unique to Armenia. The villages you may visit on your way to your destination may seem to you too friendly but that’s how the locals are, you will always find a safe stay, a warm and delicious food to be offered for a very low cost.
Armenia has high mountains and deep gorges, vast valleys and old forests, making in a great destination for explorers, hikers, wanderers and those who would like to spend a day or two out of city routine, whether it is summer or winter.

Conclusion

We hope that this article helped you form the general picture of Armenia, it’s people and how to get around. If you have any questions, feel free to ask us! We’re always happy when visitors from other countries come here and help us explore our beautiful country.