Yerevan is a place where the thousand-year history is woven with modernity, where the East meets the West over a bottle of the world’s oldest wine and get engaged in the everlasting argument: who’s the boss here? Actually, even the locals have no answer to this question, since they perfectly balance between two poles, understanding both parts of the globe quite well.
Here are several ways to explore Yerevan, offered by its native, Eugenia Evoyan.
With a Map in Hand
Once in Yerevan, you immediately get tons of information about numerous must-sees: the Cascade, the Matenadaran, the History Museum, The National Gallery, the Vernissage Market…
A city map and Google are also always ready to help. However, I would like to tell you about some newer parts of the city, where it is already devoid of that gauze of the olden days and shows completely different facets.
With a Book in Hand
On a cool summer night, you will probably want to relax by the singing fountains on the main square of Yerevan. From there, you can walk
up Abovyan Street and stop by Dalan, a small souvenir shop (12 Abovyan str.). However, it is only at first glance that it looks both «small» and «souvenir». Come inside and you will find yourself in an old Yerevan courtyard. There are very few of them left in the city.
The owners of Dalan managed to preserve its authenticity and literally gave it a second life. In summer an open-air restaurant operates here. On the second floor, there is a balcony, where you can take some nice pictures, and an art gallery featuring works by contemporary Armenian artists. Regular souvenirs are more expensive here than at the Vernissage Market, unless you really like something specific from the wide assortment of Dalan.
If you like spending nights in a cozy company of books, a little bit further up the same street Zangak, a new cafe & bookstore, is waiting for you (7 Abovyan str.). There is also a little terrace there where you can read books, have coffee and watch passers-by walking along one of the busiest streets of Yerevan. Books are available not only in Armenian but also in foreign languages.
Yerevan is one of those cities you don’t fall in love with at first sight, but you remember the city with smile and warmth as you leave it.
With a Fork and Knife in Hand
If this is your first time in Armenia, you should definitely taste shashlik, dolma, kofta, kebab, local soups. They are served virtually in every
restaurant. And when you feel like you’ve tried everything and had enough, make a stop by Eat & Fit (80 Aram str.) and feel its special charm. It’s cozy, tasty and, what’s most important, you can eat without counting calories there. After Angela, the founder of the restaurant, lost over 20 kg, her husband and she decided to open a healthy food place — by the way, the first and so far the only one of the kind in Yerevan.
With a Glass in Hand
If you are a fan of craft beer, Dargett (72 Aram str.) is a must-visit for you. This place is also relatively young, but insanely popular since it is the only brewpub in the city with around 20 kinds of locally produced beer. Beer machines are right here, so you can see the entire process with your own eyes — just go down to the basement. In spring and summer, it’s quite warm in Yerevan, so cool evenings are the best time for walks and meetings with friends. On those nights the wide summer terrace of Dargett is often overcrowded, on weekends, live music sounds here. On the days of football games better book a table in advance.
If you prefer wine, Yerevan has a whole street with numerous wine bars and restaurants for you — Saryan. You can even combine a visit to the house-museum of the famous Armenian painter Martiros Saryan (3 Saryan str.) with a wine tasting. Right across the street from the Saryan Museum, you will see the nice and cozy InVino wine bar (6 Saryan str.) with a large selection of wines from different parts of the world. A sommelier will tell you in detail about each of them and recommend the one to your taste. They also offer cheese and meat plates as appetizers.
With a Rope in Hand
Yerevan is an old city, but it is not boring there at all. You can enjoy the view of the gorge while flying over it at a speed of 120–130 km per hour and get a big dose of adrenaline. How to do it?
Yerevan Zipline Airlines is the longest zipline not only in Armenia but also in the whole region: one of the lines is 870 m long, the other one is 650 m. It is also the only zipline in the world located under the bridge. Typically, they run along bridges, but it’s Armenia, so everything is special here.
If you feel like you still haven’t got enough adrenaline, head to Yell Extreme Park, which is one hour’s drive from Yerevan. You will find more than 10 different types of extreme activities there and the park is considered as one of the unique entertainment sites in the region. You will have to choose between 5 types of cable cars, a horse club, a climbing wall, zorbing, paragliding and paintball.
Yerevan is one of those cities you don’t fall in love with at first sight, but you remember it with a smile and warmth as you leave it. Once you will want to return there, and it will welcome you with open arms, like an old friend. And then you will keep coming back, until one day you’ll understand that it’s not infatuation, it’s love –– quiet, calm, and… true.
Eugenia Evoyan,
Marketer, Dreamer, Founder of EVE, Leather accessories with an Armenian accent.
The article was first published in English and Ukrainian languages in Panorama, the official board magazine of FlyUIA, Ukrainian International Airlines.
This post is also available in: Russian