Yerevan
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Yerevan (Երեւան) is in its own administrative area as the capital of Armenia.
[edit] Understand
Yerevan is one of the three major cities of the South Caucasus and is the capital city of Armenia. It is home to some 1.1 million people and to the largest Armenian community in the world.
Even though the history of Yerevan dates back to the Erebuni fortress, making it about 2800 years old, it was completely rebuilt in the 1930s. Being on a strategically important place Yerevan was a constant war stage for rival Ottoman, Persian and Russian Empires. It has been repeatedly ruined by those wars or natural disasters (e.g. an earthquake in 17th century almost entirely destroyed the town). Few buildings of the old Erivan survived to the present-day Yerevan.
In Soviet years Yerevan underwent a serious reconstruction. It was following Alexander Tamanyan's (the architect) plan to make a perfect city of the time. The center, though only loosely followed the plan, is a true jewel of early soviet architecture. In those days Yerevan got the name Pink City due to the color of the stone used for building.
[edit] Religion
Many visitors will be surprised to know that Armenia is not just a Christian nation but it is the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as a state religion. It took place in 301 AD. One can find thousands of churches and monastaries in Armenia. Armenians are Apostolic Christians and have their own Catholicos (religious leader, like the Pope for Catholics).
[edit] Visa
Almost all the visitors considering a trip to Armenia need to obtain a visa even if visiting for a couple of days.Citizens of USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, EU countries require a valid visa which can be obtained on arrival at Yerevan Zvartnots Airport only, for a touristic stay of max. 21 days provided holding sufficient funds. Single entry visa fee is 30 USD. For staying longer than 21 days, an official invitation is required. For detailed information contact the nearest Armenian embassy or consulate.
CIS nationals do not need visa to enter Armenia for max. 90 days.
[edit] Get in
[edit] By plane
Zvartnots International Airport (EVN) is the main gate to Armenia. Lately, a new terminal has been opened offering passengers a great comfort and good service. Free WiFi access is availabe in the depature terminal. Airport is located 14 km from Yerevan. Taking a taxi to the city is the best option. A taxi ride from the airport to the city will cost from AMD 3000 to 5000 (USD 10-20) depending on your direction. All the passengers leaving Armenia from Zvartnots International Airport have to pay 10000 AMD (30 USD) departure air tax.
Western airlines flying to Yerevan:
- AirBaltic from Riga
- British Mediterranean Airways from London,
- Austrian Airlines from Vienna,
- Czech Airlines from Prague,
- Lufthansa from Munich,
- AirFrance from Paris,
- Aeroflot from Moscow
- Armavia to Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Cologne, Moscow, Kiev
- Siberia Airlines from Moscow
- Pulkovo Airlines from St. Petersburg
- Belavia from Minsk
Air Arabia has direct flight to Sharjah and conections to major Gulf cities, India and Egypt. Armavia offers direct flights to Tbilisi, Istanbul and Dubai.
[edit] By train
An overnight train runs from Tbilisi, Georgia. It is very inexpensive and actually fairly comfortable, but slow enough that it is a good idea to bring food, snacks, and water. Tickets can be purchased for a seat in a four-person coupe (pronounced koo-peh) or a more expensive two-person SV (ehs-veh) class.
[edit] By car
Options include arriving into Armenia via Georgia or Iran
[edit] By bus
You can reach Yerevan by bus from Tbilisi, fare costs 15 lari and whole journey can take about 12 hours. More expensive is to take a minibus (price is about 30 lari) but is shorter (about 6 hours).
[edit] Get around
[edit] On foot
The center of Yerevan is very compact and easy to get around by foot. Watch your step, however, as potholes, construction sites, and ruthless drivers abound.
[edit] By metro
The metro system in Yerevan is quite reliable and relatively modern, having been built in the early 1980s. It is the quickest way around town, and at 50 dram (US$0.10), the cheapest aside from walking. There is only one line (with an appended station), however, so the convenience of the metro is largely dependent on where you are going.
[edit] By minibus
More than hundred of minibus (marshrutka, pronounced mahrsh-root-kah) routes exist that criss-cross the city and travel to the suburbs and beyond (such as to Georgia or Karabagh). At 100 dram (US$0.20) a ride, they are a bargain. The minibuses are often overcrowded, and one may find themselves standing, crouched without a seat during rush hour.
[edit] By bus or trolleybus
Yerevan has a few trolley lines and buses, operated by "Yergortrans." The fare is very inexpensive (50 dram) and the vehicles are not too crowded. It is customary to pay when leaving a bus or trolley.
[edit] By taxi
Abundant throughout the city, a taxi ride anywhere downtown should not cost more than 1500 dram (US$3-4), although it is not unknown for drivers to try to get more out of foreigners. A car and driver can easily be rented for day trip outside of Yerevan, for as little as $20 plus gas.
[edit][add listing] See
- 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.
- Cascades
- 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.
- The Apartment Museum of Sergei Parajanov
- Erebuni Fortress
- Matenadaran
A museum and research institution dedicated to the Armenian language. Has an exhibition of various books and scrolls written in Armenian.
- The National Art Gallery
Located at Republic Square in the same building as the historical museum. Features several floors full of mostly paintings, organized by their country of origin.
- Republic Square
- The Ararat Cognac Factory
- The Opera House and Swan Lake
- St. Gregory the Enlightener's Cathedral
Recently built to commemorate the 1700th anniversary of Armenia as a Christian nation. Interesting architecture.
- AquaWorld
[edit][add listing] Do
Make sure to see the main square. Perhaps considered the finest example of Soviet era architecture as far as squares go (only rivaled by Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan).
For music fans, attend cheap and excellent performances at the Opera and/or the Chamber Music Orchestra.
[edit] Learn
Yerevan State University (YSU) is the largest university in Armenia.Educational system in YSU is corresponding to international standards and uses the two-grade system of education (Bachelor's and MA degrees). By now there have been approximately 90 000 graduates/ 13 000 students study in 22 faculties/. More than 200 lecturers of 1200 have doctoral degrees and more than 500 are Candidates of Sciences. More than 30 academicians of NAS RA work in YSU. Owing to highly qualified scientists significant researches related to different modern scientific branches are carried out in YSU. The educational and scientific activities are organized in more than 100 departments, which are replenished with modern techniques and equipments. There a number of international students attending YSU.
Yerevan State Medical University is one of the best medical schools in the region and offers a number of courses in Armenian, Russian and English. It is widely popular among international students.
[edit] Work
Working in Yerevan may be an issue, unless proper visa's and documentation is provided by the Government of Armenia.
Volunteering in Armenia may be a suitable for those wanting the experience. http://www.armenianvolunteer.org/.
For those of Ethnic Armenian Descent, there are programs such as Birthright Armenia. http://www.birthrightarmenia.org/ .
[edit][add listing] Buy
Armenian cognac is justly considered one of the world's finest brandies and is accordingly the tourist souvenir of choice in Yerevan.It was actually Winston Churchill's brandy of choice. There are many stores within Yerevan's center devoted solely to brandy from the Ararat Cognac Factory; the airport is also a good place to stock up. As a rule, the more aged the brandy, the more refined the taste and the more expensive. But regardless the series of brandy, in Yerevan it will be an excellent value.
[edit][add listing] Eat
[edit] Budget
[edit] Mid-range
There is a local company named "CheeZLer" that makes wonderful cheesecakes. Cheesecakes are sold in most of the big supermarkets in the centre of Yerevan city. You can even order cheesecakes online only for 7.5 $ (per 1 kg cake). The web site is http://www.cheezler.com .
[edit] Splurge
- Hotel Yerevan off the Republic Square for some fine Armenian dining.
[edit][add listing] Drink
Yerevan is famous for its Cognac distilleries. 'Ararat' is mentioned by many as the very best.
[edit] Night Clubs
It's easier to find strip clubs (there are many) than ordinary night clubs with dance floors in Yerevan, but here is a list of a couple:
- Bunker Club
- Opera Club In the basement of the Opera building.
If you ask around for "Night clubs" you are likely to be shown the way to strip clubs such as these:
- Omega
- Pyramida
[edit][add listing] Sleep
Yerevan has a wide variety of accommodations but for the most part they are over priced. If you're staying for an extended period of time, rent an apartment. Check the AUA (American University of Armenia) or real estate brokers for rental listings.
[edit] Budget
- There is a dormitory/hostel at 52 Mashtots Poghota. They are very kind and it is very clean.
- Envoy Hostel [1] (corner of Pushkin and Parpetsi) The only hostel in town. It is large, immaculate and costs 7,000 AMD with breakfast.
- several homestays, on Sayat Nova 5. About 10 USD per person (summer 2005), conditions from bad to average.. edit
[edit] Mid-range
It is almost impossible to sleep cheap in Yerevan. The cheapest hotel will generally run $15 to $20 per person. Hostels do not exist as they do in Europe but a good alternative is home stays with Armenian families that rent out rooms. There are many of these places and they cost from $8 - $12 per night per person. Many are located in the center of Yerevan and if you can handle not having your own “space” they are a wonderful way to truly see Armenian hospitality up close. You can get a list of these home stays by contacting the Armenian Information Center[2].
[edit] Splurge
The main western standard hotels are the Marriott Hotel Armenia, located in Republic Square, Hotel Yerevan (Golden Tulip) on Abovyan, and the Congress Hotel, a short walk from Republic Square. The Congress is one step down in price but offers the same western feel as the Marriott, and has a large outdoor pool. The Golden Palace, which claims 5 stars, has recently opened (July 2005). It is at the top of the Cascade.
The Hotel Ani and Bass Hotel are nice and offer more realistic prices for western style accommodations. The specialty niche has the Tufenkian Hotel which tries to give you western standards but be true to the Armenian culture. It is high up in the Nork district of Yerevan, and you will be lucky if your taxi can find it easily. Olympia Hotel is situated in one of the most prestigious parts of Yerevan. The outstanding view from your balcony (you’ll see Mountain Ararat, Mountain Aragats, Razdan valley and hear the voices of the waterfall just in front of you). Renovated and recently opened Erebuni Hotel is also a good choice in terms of price, location (next to Republic Square) and accommodations.
- Armenia Marriott Hotel [8]
- Golden Palace Hotel [9]
- Golden Tulip Hotel Yerevan [10]
- Olympia Hotel [11]
- Tufenkian Avan Villa Yerevan [12]
[edit] Contact
There are several places of Contact within Yerevan when requiring services such as travel or information.
Hyur Service - Servicing for guests visiting Armenia http://www.hyurservice.com/eng/ Available in Armenian, French, Russian, German & English
Armenia Info is the Official Website of the Armenian Tourism Development Agency http://www.armeniainfo.am/ Available in English
[edit] Stay safe
Yerevan is an exceptionally safe city (it is certaintly safer than many European capitals) and there have been virtually no reports of crimes targeting foreigners. Unless you plan on loitering alone at night somewhere far from the city center you are going to be safe. In crowded places and crowded transport beware of pickpockets.
The traffic can be quite rough, so pay attention when crossing the street.
[edit] Cope
A favorite means of coping with homesickness (especially for Americans) is a stop by Yum-Yum Donuts, located at 39/12 Mesrop Mashtots Ave. This is certainly one of the only places you can get Dunkin' Donuts style food in this part of the world!
[edit] Get out
| This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow! |
[edit] Language
The official language of the country is Armenian which belongs to Indo-European language family. Russian is universally understood and spoken as well. English is spoken in hotels, some restaurants and touristic sites.
[edit] Mobile phone provider
There are two GSM service providers operating in Armenia: VivaCell (K Telecom) and ArmenTel. International roaming rates can be high, that is why it is strongly advised to purchase a temporary prepaid SIM card. The latter option is cheap and comfortable. It allows both local and international calls, no charge for incoming calls and no monthly fee. VivaCell is the leading GSM services provider in Armenia and offers a quality service at reasonable rates. VivaCell temporary SIM card (it is called ALO card) will cost you from AMD 1100 - 7000 (USD 3-20) depending on how many credits you wish to have on your account already. ArmenTel Easy card can be an alternative.
Majority of foreign visitors find their mobile phones compatible with Armenian SIM cards (GSM 900).
[edit] Money
Dram (AMD) is a national currency of Armenia.
- 1 USD = approx. 310 AMD
- 1 EUR = approx. 450 AMD
The rates can vary. (February 2008).
When arriving in Zvartnots International Airport exchange only 20-30 USD for taxi or airport service as the exchange rate at the airport in very low. The rest amount can be exchanged in the city center or any bank. Usually no commission is charged. For exchanging more than 1000 USD a passport may be required.
Cash can be easily withdrawn from numerious AMT's located in the city. Though VISA and Master Card are accepted in many restaurants, supermarkets and shops, carry some cash.
