Yerevan is the capital and the heart of Armenia. This vibrant city is home to one million people, a third of the country’s population. With its many parks, museums, concert halls, theaters, markets, hotels, restaurants and cafés, you’ll never want for something to do when you’re in town. Yerevan is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, dating back to the founding of the fortress of Erebuni in the 8th century BC.
Download Virtlo app to explore all places around you in Yerevan and special WCIT suggestions.
The heart of Armenia is the centrally located capital, Yerevan. This vibrant city is home to one million people, a third of the country's population. Its vibrant streets are dotted with cafes and buzzing with life.
It's compact. A well-designed, circular city center that is easy to navigate on foot, with virtually everything a person could need within a twenty minute walk.
With so many parks, museums, concert halls, theaters, markets, hotels, restaurants and cafes, you'll never want for something to do when you’re in town.
Built with a combination of Armenia’s iconic pink tufa and ivory-colored limestone, Republic Square is Yerevan’s heart and architectural crown jewel. Inside the central building of the square you’ll find the History Museum of Armenia, as well as the National Gallery of Armenia, the State Government offices of the Prime Minister and hotels Marriott and Hyatt Place. The Ministry of Finance and Government House are situated to the left. The Marriott and Hyatt Place hotels stand across from the National Gallery. Recently, Republic Square got a lot of international media coverage as it was the main venue for demonstrations during the peaceful Velvet Revolution that took place in April-May, 2018. It has since become a proud symbol of democracy.
Yerevan's Opera House (the Alexander Spendiaryan Opera and Ballet National Theatre) is located on Mashtots Avenue, adjacent to many touristic sites, including France Square, the Cascade, and Northern Avenue.
The Opera House is surrounded by the statutes of three Armenian cultural icons Aram Khachaturian (composer and conductor), Hovhannes Tumanyan (writer and poet), and Alexander Spendiaryan (composer, conductor, founder of Armenian national symphonic music).
The Cascade is the place to see and be seen in Yerevan. Stylish cafes and bars flank both sides of a beautiful, green, and pristinely maintained outdoor art gallery, featuring contemporary sculptures by Fernando Botero, Barry Flanagan, Stanislav Libensky and Jaroslava Brychtova and others.
It all culminates in a 400-step staircase, complete with gardens, fountains and more art, that offers breathtaking views of the city and Mount Ararat. Don't worry, if the stairs are too much for you escalators in the building beneath them can take you to the top, which boasts more exhibits and a jazz club with an unbelievable view.
Founded in 782 BCE by the Urartian King Argishti the First, Erebuni Fortress is the pillar around which the city of Yerevan was born. The remnants of this 2800-year-old fortress still firmly stand in Yerevan's Erebuni district. The adjoining museum holds numerous ancient artifacts found at excavations in the area, including ancient cuneiform inscriptions, agate and glass jewelry, bronze bracelets, armor, coins and silver vessels.
Mother Armenia, located in Victory Park, at one of the highest points in Yerevan, stands guard over the city.
The statue is said to be the female personification of Armenia, embodying peace through strength.
At 22 meters tall (51 meters, combined with its pedestal) Mother Armenia is an imposing figure and a landmark that can be spotted from many vantage points in the city below.
Yerevan’s charm lies in its iconic cozy streets, including Saryan (commonly referred to as the "wine street" because of the many outdoor wine bars located there), Abovyan, Parpetsi (known for pubs), Teryan and many others.
If you want to really get to know the city and its people, take an evening stroll down these lively, charming streets.
Yerevan has a wide range of museums of art, history, archaeology, and more.
In addition to the National Gallery, the National History Museum, and the Cafesjian Center for the Arts at the Cascade, some impressive ones to explore include the Sergei Parajanov Museum (iconic filmmaker), the Martiros Saryan Museum (painter), the Ararat Brandy Museum, and the Genocide Memorial Museum.
