Armenia Travel Guide

Overview

Capital:

Yerevan.

Geography:

Armenia lies on the southern slopes of the Armenian Mountains in the Lesser Caucasus and is bordered by Georgia, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Iran. Its highest peak is Mount Aragats, 4,090m (13,415ft), and even its deepest valleys lie 450 to 700m (1,200 to 1,870ft) above sea level. Its biggest lake is Lake Sevan in the east.

Getting There

Getting There By Air

Air Armenia (www.armenianairlines.com) is the national airline. If travelling to Armenia from the UK, you can fly to Yerevan via Kiev with Ukraine International Airlines (www.flyuia.com) or via Moscow with Aeroflot (www.aeroflot.com).

For political reasons, there are no direct international transport links between Armenia and Azerbaijan; Georgia is sometimes used as a stopover point.

Departure Tax

None.

Flight Times

From London to Yerevan - 8 hours (including stopover).

Getting Around

Getting Around By Air

There are no domestic flights in Armenia.

Documentation

An international driving licence is required and the minimum age of driving is 18.

Getting Around By Rail

The main railway station is the Sasuntsi Davit Station on Tigran Mets Avenue. Trains to places such as Sevan, Gyumri and Vanadzor are slow, overcrowded and poorly maintained. Make sure you secure all belongings.

Regulations

Local drivers have a tendency to flout traffic regulations and ignore signals.

Visitors should take care when driving or crossing the road.

Seat belts are required by law (although no one seems to use them).

Road Quality

Road surfaces can be very poor, even in the case of major highways, and care should be taken to avoid children and animals on the road.

Side Of Road

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Urban Travel

There is a small underground system in Yerevan (0630-2300). Buses and trolleybuses run in the city.

Taxis are available in the city centre or can be ordered by telephone. Private cars can be flagged down as well as official taxis. Taxi fares should always be negotiated before starting a journey, and visitors should be aware that rates proposed initially are likely to be unreasonably high, in the expectation that foreigners will have unlimited cash and little idea of how much they ought to be paying. It is therefore advisable to make enquiries about 'going rates' per kilometre of travel before entering into negotiations with taxi drivers.

Chauffeur-driven cars are available but are expensive. It is advisable to obtain them through official channels, such as hotels or travel agencies in Yerevan.

Travel Advice

Areas where FCDO advises against travel  

Armenia-Azerbaijan border  

The border with Azerbaijan remains closed. FCDO advises against all travel to within 5km of the entire eastern border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, due to tensions between the 2 countries.   

M16/H26 road between Ijevan and Noyemberyan  

FCDO advises against all travel along the M16/H26 road between the towns of Ijevan and Noyemberyan, due to border tensions. 

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel. 

Before you travel 

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:  

• see general advice for women travellers 

• read our guide on disability and travel abroad 

• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers  

• read about safety for solo and independent travel 

• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad 

Travel insurance 

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. 

About FCDO travel advice  

FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. 

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated. 

Follow and contact FCDO: 

• travel advice on X
• travel advice on Facebook
• Travel Aware on Instagram

This information is for people travelling on a full 'British citizen' passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government's understanding of Armenia's current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Armenia set and enforce entry rules. If you're not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Armenian Embassy in the UK. 

Passport validity requirements 

If you are visiting Armenia, your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to. 

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.  

Visa requirements 

You can visit Armenia without a visa for up to 180 days in a year for tourism or business.  

To extend your stay, contact the Administration Department for Passports and Visas (OVIR).

Address: Davtashen, 4th District, 31/2 Building, Yerevan, Armenia 0054 

Telephone: +374 11 36 1394, +374 11 36 9140 

To work or study, you must check the requirements from the Armenian Embassy in the UK.

Vaccine requirements  

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro's Armenia guide.

Customs rules 

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Armenia. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. 

This guide also has safety advice for regions of Armenia.

Terrorism  

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. You should remain vigilant at all times. 

Terrorism in Armenia 

Terrorist attacks in Armenia cannot be ruled out.

You should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be in public areas including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. 

Political situation 

Although a ceasefire exists, the eastern border between Armenia and Azerbaijan is closed and tensions remain. See regional risks for details about FCDO's warning against all travel.

Protests 

Protests sometimes take place in central Yerevan and other major cities. These are usually organised by opposition political parties or activist groups highlighting topical social and political issues. Although protests tend to be peaceful and usually pass off without incident, avoid large crowds and demonstrations, follow the advice and instructions of the local authorities, monitor the media and remain vigilant.

Crime 

Protecting your belongings 

Crime levels are low. There are occasional incidents of pickpocketing, bag-snatching, theft from cars and burglary involving foreign nationals. To help protect your belongings: 

• leave spare cash, passports and valuables in a safe place
• carry a copy of the photo page of your passport rather than the original document
• when using ATMs check no one is watching or following you
• take particular care if using an ATM after dark

Laws and cultural differences  

Illegal drugs and prison sentences 

If you use illegal drugs, you can get fines and a long prison sentence. The penalty for smuggling drugs is a prison sentence of between 4 and 10 years. 

It is illegal to use, possess or trade marijuana, cannabidiol (CBD), or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products. You can be prosecuted for having these substances even when they are prescribed for medical purposes. 

Using cameras and binoculars in secure areas 

It is illegal to photograph sites such as military bases, equipment and installations. These are considered sensitive areas and visitors have been detained and questioned for attempting to photograph them. 

LGBT+ travellers 

Same-sex sexual activity has been legal since 2003 but many Armenians still view same-sex couples with disapproval. LGBT+ people in Armenia tend to be discreet about their sexuality. Local LGBT+ groups occasionally suffer from verbal and physical harassment. Physical contact between members of the same sex, such as holding hands and kissing, are common signs of friendship in Armenian culture, and not necessarily an indicator of sexual orientation. 

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers. 

Disorderly behaviour 

Armenian society does not tolerate drinking to excess as this leads to disorderly behaviour, particularly during the late evening and through the night. British nationals have been arrested for drunken behaviour.

Transport risks  

Taxis 

If you hail taxis on the street you risk being scammed for high fares. There have also been occasional reports of taxi drivers sexually harassing single female passengers. You can download the GG taxi app on your phone when you arrive. GG is considered a reputable taxi app service in Armenia.

Public transport 

Public transport is often overcrowded, particularly in Yerevan. Yerevan buses are modern, but local buses in the regions may be old and poorly maintained.   

If you travel on the cross-border train service between Armenia and Georgia, secure your valuables, do not leave the compartment unattended, and lock the door from the inside.  

Road travel  

If you are planning to drive in Armenia, see information on driving abroad and check the rules of the road in the RAC's Armenia guide. The guide lists driving regulations and other legal requirements you need to be aware of.

You'll need to have both a 1968 International Driving Permit (IDP) and your UK driving licence to drive in Armenia. You cannot buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel.

Road safety 

The standard of driving is poor. Be prepared for drivers who drive recklessly and ignore traffic laws. Roads are in a poor state, particularly in the coldest months, from November to February. If possible avoid driving outside of cities and towns in the dark because of the poor condition of the roads and lack of lighting.  

If you are walking, be careful when crossing roads and use subways where available. 

Air travel 

The UK Air Safety List (ASL) lists all known airlines in Armenia that do not meet international safety standards and are banned from operating commercial air services to, from, and within the UK. Check ASL when considering which airlines to fly with. The list is maintained by the Department for Transport, based on advice from the UK Civil Aviation Authority. 

The UK has placed sanctions on Aeroflot, Rossiya Airlines and Ural Airlines, which operate out of Russia and fly to Armenia. It is illegal under UK law for any British national or British company to buy tickets from these airlines.

Extreme weather and natural disasters 

Earthquakes 

There is a risk of earthquakes. The last serious earthquake was in 1988 in the Lori region in the north. It killed between 25,000 and 50,000 people, injured thousands and left several cities in ruins. 

The US Federal Emergency Management Agency has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake.

This section has safety advice for regions of Armenia. It only covers regions where FCDO has specific advice.  

You should also read FCDO's overall travel advice and safety and security advice. 

Armenia-Azerbaijan border 

The border with Azerbaijan remains closed. FCDO advises against all travel to within 5km of the entire eastern border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. This is due to tensions between the 2 countries as a result of the conflict. Consular support is severely limited within this area.

M16/H26 road between Ijevan and Noyemberyan 

FCDO advises against all travel along the M16/H26 road between the towns of Ijevan and Noyemberyan. This is due to tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan as a result of the conflict.

Armenia-Turkey border 

The land border with Turkey is closed, although there are scheduled direct flights between Yerevan and Istanbul. 

South Caucasus 

Travelling in the South Caucasus can be unpredictable and infrastructure is sometimes in a poor state of repair. Plan your travel carefully. 

Before you travel check that: 

• your destination can provide the healthcare you may need 
• you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation 

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant. 

Emergency medical number 

Call 911 and ask for an ambulance with an English speaker.  

Contact your insurance company quickly if you're referred to a medical facility for treatment. 

Vaccine recommendations and health risks 

At least 8 weeks before your trip check: 

• the latest vaccine recommendations for Armenia  
• where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page 

Altitude sickness is a risk in parts of Armenia, including Mount Aragats (4,090m elevation) and the lakes of Aragats (approximately 3,000m). Read more about altitude sickness on TravelHealthPro.  

Medication 

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries. 

Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro. 

Healthcare facilities in Armenia 

Public medical facilities and treatment in Yerevan are generally sufficient for minor or straightforward ailments. Public healthcare outside Yerevan is likely to be basic. Private hospitals in Armenia are of a good standard but can be expensive.

Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation. 

FCDO has a list of medical facilities in Armenia where some staff will speak English.

There is also guidance on healthcare if you're living in Armenia.  

Travel and mental health 

Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro. 

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel. 

Emergency services in Armenia 

Telephone: 911 

Contact your travel provider and insurer 

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do. 

Refunds and changes to travel 

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first. 

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including: 

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider 
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim 

Support from FCDO 

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including: 

• finding English-speaking lawyers, funeral directors and translators and interpreters in Armenia  
• dealing with a death in Armenia 
• being arrested or imprisoned in Armenia 
• getting help if you're a victim of crime  
• what to do if you're in hospital  
• if you're affected by a crisis such as a terrorist attack 

Contacting FCDO 

Help abroad 

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad. 

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours) 

Find out about call charges 

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow and contact FCDO: 

• travel advice on X
• travel advice on Facebook

Risk information for British companies 

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Armenia on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

Vaccinations

Title	Special Precautions
Yellow Fever	No
Typhoid	Sometimes
Tetanus	Yes
Rabies	Sometimes
Hepatitis A	Yes
Malaria	Sometimes
Diphtheria	Yes

Overview:

Travellers are advised to take out comprehensive travel insurance. Power shortages and disrupted medical supplies have undermined normal health services to such a degree that travellers would be well advised to consider a health insurance policy guaranteeing emergency evacuation in case of serious accident or illness, as medical insurance is not often valid within the country.

Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services and credit or debit cards will not be accepted; most will want treatment paid for in local currency. Travellers are also advised to take a supply of those medicines that they are likely to require (but check first that they may be legally imported) as there is a severe shortage of even the most basic medical supplies, such as disposable needles, anaesthetics and antibiotics.

Food Drink:

All water should be regarded as being a potential health risk. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products should be safe for consumption, however, the incidence of communicable diseases among livestock is increasing because of a breakdown in vaccination programmes.

Other Risks:

Hepatitis B and E, tick-borne encephalitis and tuberculosis may all occur. Visitors are advised to take precautions which may include vaccination. There may be a risk of rabies although there has been no reported incidence in animals or humans since 1997. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.

Currency Information:

Armenian Dram (AMD) = 100 luma. Dram notes are printed in denominations of AMD50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 1,000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of AMD500, 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10.

Credit Cards:

Major credit cards are accepted in most cities. There are ATMs in major cities.

ATMs:

There are ATMs in major cities.

Travellers Cheques:

These are accepted in a few shops and hotels. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars.

Banking Hours:

Mon-Fri 0900-1500. Exchange offices are open until midnight and also operate at weekends and on public holidays.

Currency Restrictions:

Individuals can import and export the cash equivalent of €15,000.

Currency Exchange:

Foreign currencies can be exchanged at the airports, banks and most hotels and shops during normal opening hours. US Dollars are the most widely recognised foreign currency. Visitors using the national currency are advised to carry plenty of small change as some shops and, particularly markets, may be unable to accept large denominations.

Currencies

Code	Symbol
AMD

Exchange Rates

502.72

599.05

483.18

Language

Armenian. Russian is usually understood, but rarely used; Kurdish is sometimes used in broadcasting as 56,000 Kurds inhabit Armenia.

Overview:

Public holidays are listed here:

.

List Of Public Holidays

Title	Start Date	To Be Confirmed
New Year's Day	2024-01-01 00:00:00	0
Armenian Orthodox Christmas	2024-01-06 00:00:00	0
International Women's Day	2024-03-08 00:00:00	0
Good Friday	2024-03-29 00:00:00	0
Motherhood and Beauty Day	2024-04-07 00:00:00	0
Genocide Remembrance Day	2024-04-24 00:00:00	0
Victory and Peace Day	2024-05-09 00:00:00	0
First Republic Day	2024-05-28 00:00:00	0
Constitution Day	2024-07-05 00:00:00	0
Independence Day	2024-09-21 00:00:00	0
Earthquake Memorial Day	2024-12-07 00:00:00	0
New Year's Eve	2024-12-31 00:00:00	0

Overview:

Armenia duty-free allowance
The following goods may be imported into Armenia by travellers over 18 years of age without incurring customs duty and it is advisable to declare valuables on arrival:

• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco products/tobacco;

• 3 liters of alcoholic beverages or beer;

• Other goods for personal use up to a value of €500 and up to 25 kg total weight (by land) or up to a value of €10,000 and up to 50 kg total weight (by air).

.

Banned Imports:

Live animals and plants, pornography, and objects of historical, cultural and archaeological value.

Telephone:

IDD calls can be expensive but in Yerevan some private phone offices offer cheaper Internet calls.

Mobile Telephone:

Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone companies. ArmenTel and VivaCell are the local carriers. Both are similar and offer phone coverage to most parts of the country.

Internet:

Available in large cities and resorts. There are many Internet cafes in Yerevan. Some are open 24 hours.

Post

International postal services are available to most countries but may be slow and unreliable, although there have been significant improvements in recent years. The main post office is located at Republic Square, Yerevan.

Post Office Hours:

Mon-Fri 0900-1700.

Media:

Armenian government oversees national TV and radio. Libel and defamation are punishable by prison terms, and journalists have been sentenced under these laws in the past. All print and broadcast media must register with the Justice Ministry. Self-censorship is common. Noyan Tapan is an English-language weekly circulated primarily among the foreign missions and small foreign business community.

Echmiadzin

Experience holy Echmiadzin, the capital of Armenia from AD 180-340, and the location of the Cathedral of St Gregory the Illuminator. The cathedral's treasury contains a spearhead believed to have been used to pierce the side of the crucified Christ.

Cultural sites

Yerevan's impressive array of cultural sites, including the National Gallery (founded in 1919) and the Yerevan library of ancient manuscripts (Materadaran), which houses over 13,000 texts. Don't miss the State Museum of Armenian History in Yerevan, which houses the country's best collection of historical artefacts.

Debed Canyon

Travel to the steep-sided Debed Canyon where you can visit the UNESCO-protected monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin. It is believed that the great Armenian troubadour-poet, Sayat-Nova, was born in Sanahin, and became a monk at Haghpat.

Dilijan

Relax in Dilijan, a town set amid lovely pine forests with walking trails that ascend to alpine lakes. The town has a number of renovated Soviet-era sanatoriums and a community of retired artists.

Geghard Monastery

Make a pilgrimage to one of Armenia's most dramatic sights, the Geghard Monastery. A monastery has occupied this site since the fourth century AD, and the existing churches, all magnificently carved, date from the 13th century. Take a detour and visit Garni Temple. Earthquakes have destroyed most of the original structure, but the temple's vertiginous position, on a plateau 300m (984ft) above the Azat River, secures its beauty.

Goris

Journey to Goris, a town that has changed little since it was first planned by a 19th century German architect. The surrounding area is worth exploring for its cave dwellings. Nearby is the spectacular Tatev Monastery.

Lake Sevan

Much vaunted for its pure waters, stunning setting and delicious salmon trout, the lake is 70km (43 miles) east of Yerevan and the largest in the Caucasus.

Bird watching

Spot rare species of birds, including eagles, falcons and swans. Armenia is home to 346 of Europe's 550 bird species.

Brandy drinking

Sample some of Armenia's excellent brandies, which Winston Churchill always insisted on after first tasting it at the Yalta conference.

Caving

Explore into some dazzling limestone caverns in Vayots Dzor. Near Goris you can explore cave homes carved into the hillsides.

Fishing

Cast a line into lake Sevan, where you can reel into Armenia's famous species of trout, the Salmon trout (Ishkhan), plus many more that swim in Armenia's other lakes and rivers.

Hiking

Hike through Armenia's spectacular countryside, ambling over country roads through timeless villages or up steep mountain passes to catch a gorgeous sunrise.

Horse riding

Horse ride on Mount Aragats in the spring, when you can traverse Armenia's tallest mountain.

Overview

Yerevan has several shops selling modern fashions produced by local designers. Souvenir and craft shops are available in shopping plazas and hotels. The Vernisaj flea market in Yerevan attracts sellers of all kinds of goods and is popular with tourists. Shopping is far more limited elsewhere in the country, although Dilijan has a tourist market where you can buy Armenian crafts and artwork.

Opening Hours

Mon-Fri 0900-1700. Shops stay open longer in the summer.

Overview

Yerevan has a booming restaurant scene, with cuisine available from every corner of the globe. Along Paronyan Poghots (Barbeque Street) you'll find a number of places that serve the famed Armenian dish, khoravats (grilled meats). Crawling between cafes is a popular local activity; many are located in parks and along sidewalks.

Much Armenian cooking is based on lamb, either grilled and served as shashlik with flat bread, or prepared as soup (the most popular being bozbash, a dish which exists in infinite variations) or stew, often in combination with fruit or nuts. A meal usually starts with a large spread of hors d'oeuvres, which may include peppers and vine leaves stuffed with rice and meat, pickled and fresh vegetables and various kinds of cured meat (basturma).

Regional Specialities

Tipping

Expected by waiters and doormen in restaurants - sometimes in advance to ensure service.

Drinking Age

There is no minimum.

Hotels

Many of the old Soviet-era hotels have been privatised and upgraded, including the excellent Armenia Marriott Hotel on Republic Square in Yerevan. The Tufenkian Group has established several heritage hotels across the country, notably the Avan Dzoraget Hotel in the Debed Canyon.

History

Before it was incorporated into the Roman Empire in AD114, the Armenian Empire stretched from the Caspian Sea in the east to the Mediterranean in the west. In 301, Armenia became the first country to adopt Christianity as its state religion and by the fifth century, the church had developed an alphabet, which is still used today.

The incorporation of Armenia into the Turkish Seljuk Empire, in the 11th century, resulted in the first of many waves of emigration before the Egyptian Mamluk advance was followed by the Ottoman Turks occupation and a constant struggle with the Iranian Safavid dynasty until the beginning of the 19th century when the Russians moved in and took control.

In 1915 the Turks massacred an estimated 1.25 million Armenians in the first act of genocide of the 20th century. After a brief spell of independence in the aftermath of World War I and following the Bolshevik victory in the Russian civil war Armenia was incorporated into the Transcaucasian Soviet Federated Republic and later became one of three distinct Soviet republics with Azerbaijan and Georgia. In the late 1980s, the Armenians were among the first groups in the Soviet Union to test the limits of glasnost with a series of demonstrations against industrial pollution and repression of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh.

In December 1988, a massive double earthquake struck killing some 60,000 people and destroying nearly half a million buildings. The city of Spitak experienced near total destruction and in Leninakan, Armenia’s second city, some 80 per cent of buildings collapsed. The reconstruction process and the simmering Karabakh conflict strengthened the hand of the growing dissident movement leading to the election of Levon Ter-Petrossian, head of the Pan-Armenian National Movement, as President. Independence was formally declared on 23 September 1991 and the Karabakh conflict soon escalated into full-scale war until a Moscow-brokered ceasefire took effect in May 1994.

Although there are still many obstacles, Armenia and Azerbaijan have found sufficient issues of common interest to establish a reasonable working relationship, but diplomatic relations between Turkey were severed in 1992 and remain so. However, Armenia has maintained solid ties with Russia and Iran, as well as the United Statesand the European Union.

Did you know?

In the wake of the 1988 earthquake, the British music industry launched Rock Aid Armenia to raise money through the release of the album Earthquake and three singles – covers of What’s Going On, Smoke on the Water and Led Zeppelin’s Rock and Roll.

The National Art Gallery in the capital Yerevan has more than 16,000 works, some dating back to the Middle Ages.

The apricot is the national fruit of Armenia.

Religion

94% Armenian Apostolic Church, with Catholic and Protestant communities and a Russian Orthodox minority. Armenia is the oldest Christian nation in the world, its conversion dating from the year AD 301.

Social Conventions

Almost all entertaining takes place in private homes, and guests may find themselves subjected to overwhelming hospitality and generosity, as well as being expected to eat enormously and participate in endless toasts. Visitors invited to an Armenian's home should arrive bearing some kind of small gift, such as flowers and alcohol (preferably imported) or chocolates. Handshaking is the normal form of greeting. Business cards are invariably exchanged at any kind of official meeting and not infrequently on first meeting people socially as well.

Conversation tends to be highly politicised, and guests may be well advised to avoid expressing strong opinions. Homosexuality is now decriminalised but is still an unacceptable lifestyle for many Armenians. Women tend to be less retiring than in nearby Muslim countries, and can usually dress in normal western-style clothing (especially in the capital), although female visitors may wish to avoid wearing short skirts and shorts.

Photography: Refrain from photographing sites such as military bases equipment and installations. Also be aware of cultural sensitivities when photographing churches and other religious sites.

Best Time To Visit:

Armenia is mostly mountainous (more than 90% of the territory is over 900m/2,286ft above sea level), so expect a dry highland climate.

Springs are short with mild temperatures. Temperatures range from 7°C (45°F) to 19°C (66°F) at the capital Yerevan in April. Rains are scarce, but they do fall in springs.

Summers are dry with plenty of sunshine. In Yerevan, temperatures hover around 33°C (91°F) in August. But in the north, temperatures are cooler and they can fall sharply at night too.

Autumns are long and beautiful, with leaves turning gold and red.

Winters are extremely cold, bleak with heavy snow. Temperatures often dip below 0°C (32°F)

May to June and September to October are good times to visit Yerevan, as the weather is warm but mild. If you are travelling to Lake Sevan, June to September are your best bet.

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Required Clothing

In Yerevan, you can wear light clothes in summers and autumns, with a light jacket for the evenings. But do bring very warm clothes for springs and winters.

Dialing Code:

+374

Area(sq km):

29743

Population:

2.963.243

Population Density(per sq km):

103

Population Year:

2020

EU Member:

No

Main emergency number

112