Armenia is a land of contrasts and surprises, but it's also an affordable country for travelers. If you are planning a trip to Armenia, you can very much enjoy yourself in the country on a budget.
Armenia is a land of contrasts and surprises, but it's also an affordable country for tourists and travelers.
If you are planning a trip to Armenia, don’t be afraid of the cost. You can find great food at local restaurants, amazing scenery from its mountains to its Sevan Lake beaches and ancient monasteries that are both active and abandoned laying in ruins that make you feel like you're in another world. Here are some tips on how you can plan your trip:
Armenia has many beautiful places to visit such as Dilijan National Park or Garni Temple (one of the most famous sites).
If you want to go hiking or skiing in wintertime then try out Tsaghkadzor which is considered one of the most beautiful places in Armenia because of its natural beauty.
While staying at Yerevan hotel don't forget visiting Matenadaran Museum which houses thousands of manuscripts written by various authors dating back to 5th century, including Mesrop Mashtots who recreated Armenian Alphabet back in 405 AD! Mark the Museum Day in Yerevan in your calendar as that is the day when all museums in the city are free.
You have all the chances to save 20% of the experience cost.
Armenia is one of the safest countries in Europe, and it's also one of the most affordable. So don't be afraid of coming here for a vacation! There are a few simple tips that will help you to save money while still being abroad and choosing your experiences in Armenia. One of them is to book an experience via the websites of the local tour operators which guarantee lesser cost by approximately 20% compared to the cost of the same experience booked via international online booking and travel agencies, comparison shopping websites and mobile apps.
Be aware that the direct engagement with local service providers will always cost less than via mediators that have their share in the services bought. Locals do speak many languages and of course English is the most spread foreign language, so the incoming travel websites have English language too, some have also German, French and Spanish.
Check for a hotel deal online and book your accommodation in advance.
You can find a hotel deal online and book your accommodation in advance. This will ensure that you have a place to stay when you arrive at Armenia, which is especially important if there are only a few hotels in the city where you want to stay. As in any other city in Yerevan too there are a few hotels that offer a beautiful authentic rooms with the local culture code read everywhere starting from the reception to the rooms and the halls of the entity.
And of course, the logic of saving money by doing a direct booking applies here too. If you are going to book both experience and hotel stay directly, our advice is to do so via one supplier that may be the tour operator providing you the travel services you are interested in, including the hotel stay, ground transportation, guide and so on.
Booking early will also help keep costs down because many hotels offer discounted rates during slow periods (like winter) or off-peak seasons (like summer).
If you are traveling as a family, look for family-friendly hotels that have extra beds and other services designed for children.
If you're traveling with children, look for hotels that have extra beds or other services designed for children such as cribs and playrooms. These types of accommodations tend to be more expensive than standard rooms but may make your trip easier on everyone involved.
Look for hotels with extra beds. Many hotels offer discounted rates on rooms with two or three beds, which can be ideal if you're planning to travel with kids.
Look for playgrounds near the hotel. There are many great options near Yerevan's center, so make sure to check out their locations before booking your stay!
If you are going to stay outside of Yerevan, consider staying at an all-inclusive resort--these usually have swimming pools and babysitting services onsite as well as restaurants where children can eat free breakfast every morning.
Rent a car, order a taxi or take public transportation in Yerevan.
If you're planning on spending a lot of time in Armenia, renting a car is the best way to get around. Public transportation is available, and it costs only 0.4 EUR per passenger in one direction and depending on the age of the children they may even use public transport free of charge. You can hire a driver to take you around if you don't want to drive yourself. In Yerevan a taxi will cost minimum 600 AMD that is about 1.2 EUR and plus 100 AMD per kilometer if your route exceeds 4km length.
However, as the Yerevan city is not too big, to explore the downtown we do not advise to take a ride as there is a real risk of missing a nice secluded spot. The walk from one edge to another in the downtown will take around 40 mins only, which gives a lot of space for exploring it from A to Z.
Eat at restaurants offering set menus and buffets.
There are a lot of small and medium sized restaurants and cafes in the downtown offering set menus for breakfast and lunch. You may try for example the “Fourchette Buffet” on the Moskovyan 31 right in the neighborhood of Opera House and in front of the Saryan Park. The food is good there, the prices are good, and the portions are good. We highly recommend.
This is only one example as such cafés are all around. Keep in mind that a lunch in such restaurants and cafes typically will cost some 3-5 EUR per person.
Try local dishes.
Armenian cuisine has a lot to offer to all kind of gourmets. Whether you are a meat lover or a vegetarian in any restaurant you will always find something fitting your tastes. Don't be afraid to try something new; ask the waiter for recommendations and if it takes a long time for the dish to be served, you may easily cancel it by saying that you changed your mind or decided not to eat after all. Yes! In Yerevan restaurants it is possible to cancel the order if it takes too long.
Lastly, enjoy a traditional Armenian dinner or picnic while listening to live music at one of Armenia's festivals or concerts.
After you've spent the day exploring Armenia's historical sites and museums, it's time to relax. You can either enjoy a traditional Armenian dinner or picnic while listening to live music at one of Armenia's festivals or concerts. Though Armenia is not particularly famous for its festivals, every month in one of regions or in the capital a few festivals are held.
One of the most famous ones is the Yerevan Wine Days festival which is usually held in June from 3rd to 5th on the Saryan, Tumanyan and Moskovyan streets. Or for example the Harvest Festival of Rural Life and Traditions held in the 3rd week of Ocrober near Yerevan in Dzoraghbyur.
Attending these festivals and making great pictures will cost you nothing at all.
If you're visiting in summertime, try going out for a walk in Yerevan at night when everything is lit up and there are lots of people milling around on the streets. This will give you an opportunity to sample some delicious food from one of the many restaurants that line Liberty Square (also known as Republic Square). If you want something more formal, reserve a table at any one of these establishments and you won't be disappointed!