Armenia prides itself on being the first nation to formally adopt Christianity (early 4th century). Despite periods of autonomy, over the centuries Armenia came under the sway of various empires including the Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Persian, and Ottoman. During World War I in the western portion of Armenia, Ottoman Turkey instituted a policy of forced resettlement coupled with other harsh practices that resulted in an estimated 1 million Armenian deaths. The eastern area of Armenia was ceded by the Ottomans to Russia in 1828; this portion declared its independence in 1918, but was conquered by the Soviet Red Army in 1920. Armenian leaders remain preoccupied by the long conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, a primarily Armenian-populated region, assigned to Soviet Azerbaijan in the 1920s by Moscow. Armenia and Azerbaijan began fighting over the area in 1988; the struggle escalated after both countries attained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. By May 1994, when a cease-fire took hold, ethnic Armenian forces held not only Nagorno-Karabakh but also a significant portion of Azerbaijan proper. The economies of both sides have been hurt by their inability to make substantial progress toward a peaceful resolution. Turkey closed the common border with Armenia because of the Armenian separatists' control of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas.

Yerevan - The capital, and by far the largest city

The Armenian Genocide Memorial (Genocide Museum & Tsitsernakaberd Monument)

Located on a hill above the city center. A very austere monument dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide. Worth seeing. Tsitsernakaberd (meaning "Fortress of swallows") is probably best reached by taxi. Genocide Museum is home to Armenian-French artist Jean Jansem's startling collection of paintings named Génocide.

Cascades

Massive white stairwell up a hillside of central Yerevan, with fountains, a free escalator inside, and excellent views of the city and Mt. Ararat. The steps serve the double purpose as seating for free outdoor concerts in the summer and fall as well.

Victory Park/Monument

Amusement park. Features a huge monument of Mother Armenia as well as some Soviet military equipment on display. Very nice view of the city center.

Katoghike

The oldest (and possibly smallest) church in Yerevan, constructed in typical Armenian style. Currently undergoing expansion.

Parajanov Museum

The House-Museum of Sergei Parajanov, a famous Soviet film director is best known for the crazy collages, art made from junk, and other ecletic works. This is one of the funnest art collections you may ever see!

Erebuni Fortress

The excavations, recreations and museum of the nearly 3,000 year old fortress that established Yerevan.

Matenadaran

Houses the worlds largest collection of Armenian Illuminated manuscripts, and one of the largest such collections of any kind in the world. A display room has a sampling of some of the finest works, and the additional cost of the guided tour is worthwhile.

The National Art Gallery

Located at Republic Square in the same building as the National History Museum. Features several floors full of mostly paintings, organized by their country of origin. The Armenian collection is the best, but the Russian is quite good, and art lovers will enjoy the European collection as well.

Republic Square

Make sure to see the main square. Perhaps considered the finest example of Soviet era architecture as far as squares go. There is a free fountain and light show every night (weather permitting) in front of the National Art Gallery from 22:00 to 23:00. Accompanying the fountains is a program of classical favorites along with a variety of US and Russian hits.

The Ararat Cognac Factory

The oldest factory in Armenia. Offers tours and tasting.

The Opera House

A beautiful building, and hub of Yerevan. Freedom Square is behind it, surrounded by parks which have been taken over by cafes, and finally Swan Lake by Terian Street, which becomes an ice-skating rink in the winter.

St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral

Completed in 2001 to commemorate the 1700th anniversary of Armenia as a Christian nation. Seats 1700! The holy relics of St. Gregory the Illuminator were given back to the Armenian Church by the Vatican in 2001 and placed in this cathedral.

AquaWorld

A water park which is popular with the locals in the summers.

Levon's Amazing Underground World

See what happened when Levon set out to dig a potato storage cellar for his wife, you won’t be disappointed.

Northern Avenue

Impossible to miss, this pedestrian avenue was just opened in 2008 connecting Opera with Republic Square, the two hubs of central Yerevan.

Gyumri (Shirak Marz) - Second city

Town Square

Huge square in the middle of town, with a church, a cathedral, a massive government building, fountains, restaurants, and all adjacent to the old town with great architecture and some small museums.

Black Fortress

The big, round, black fortress on the top of the hill overlooking Gyumri is a good spot to take in the view. It once protected the Russian Empire from the Ottoman Empire. Nearby is the huge "Mother Armenia" statue.

Russian Church

If you're spending a few days in Gyumri, make your way over to this church, which is a bit different from the norm.

National Arch. Museum

This museum is nearer the highway to Yerevan, and has beautiful traditional architecture, interesting rooms, and a cool dining room where you can order a meal ahead of time.

Vanadzor (Lori Marz) - Third city

Train Station

If you want to get a taste of the Soviet Union, head to the train station right by the Russian Church. Classic Soviet architecture of its time, which has remained virtually untouched since the collapse of the USSR. The train which used to connect Vanadzor with all of Eastern Europe and the world, now only gets you as far as Tbilisi, so the crowds are gone, but the shell is still there.

Russian Church

The Russian Church is right next to the train station, and if you take a Marshutni to Vanadzor, this is where you'll likely start your visit. It is a very nice old church with a golden dome.

Karakilisa Church

Known popularly as Karakilisa (meaning Black Church in Turkish), this very old black and orange stone Armenian church by the river on the north end of town is one of the nicest examples of historic architecture in Vanadzor.

Dilijan (Tavush Marz) - Popular forest resort known as the "Little Switzerland" of Armenia.

Haghartsin Monastery

One of Armenia's most popular monasteries, Haghartsin is nestled in lush forested mountains about a half hour drive from Dilijan. The monastery is in good condition and has a resident priest who sometimes gives tours. There are a few different churches, a large gavit, a huge dining hall, khachkars and a massive hollow tree. A slightly sweet bread is often being baked in an old oven.

Goshavank Monastery, (40 minutes north of Dilijan)

Goshavank monastery is surrounded by a traditional village, and has a groundskeeper who opens the main church building up for visitors, and can give a tour. This is the one church in all of Armenia where entrance to one of the chambers is not free. The chamber is nice, but you can certainly enjoy the rest of the complex without it, especially since it may not be offered in English. There are excellent carved details and khachkars here, but the "lacework" khachkar at Goshavank is one of the most impressive in the world.

Jukhtak Vank Monastery

A nice little monastery just on the edge of Dilijan, a short 10 minute hike from the Dilijan Mineral Water plant. Huge iron bands hold one of the two churches together, preventing its collapse.

Matosavank Monastery, (Follow the marked trail from the water bottlers.)

Matosavank is a 25 minute hike from the Dilijan Mineral Water plant. It is easy to miss, and not terribly interesting from the outside, but the inside is a cool, moist, green, mossy world unto itself. The low light illuminating bright green algae covered khachkars is very soothing, and the environment transports you far from your daily life.

Dilijan Reserve

Dilijan Reserve surrounding town has some marked hiking trails you can try out and discover some lesser known monasteries, a lake, forests, springs and wildlife.

Jermuk (Vayots Dzor Marz) - famous for its mineral waters, which come out at very high temperature and can be enjoyed at the spas. Ski lifts are under construction.

Jermuk Lake

Just below Jermuk is a large reservoir lake

Gndevank Monastery

Under the cliffs of Gndevaz village is the fortified monastery of Gndevank. You can hike or bike down the picturesque old canyon road to it as well as scale down the cliffs from the village. The fortifications have a few levels of chambers and passages, the church and gavit are very nice, and there are some cool carvings, khachkars and picnic area.

Tsaghkadzor (Kotayk Marz) - Armenia's ski destination.

Kecharis Monastery

Beautiful monastery that recently underwent restoration work. It is now a working church again, with the smells, sounds and music that goes with it.