Armênia

Khor Virap monastery, south of Yerevan on the Ararat plain, is the classic place to photograph Mount Ararat rising behind a church. A local forum poster calls the view even better than the city viewpoints, and a visitor tip says early morning gives the best view. Check the forecast the day before, because the mountain…

For handmade gifts without haggling, try Dalan, a shop and gallery on Abovyan Street selling wood, ceramic, leather, textile and metal pieces by Armenian artists. Shops have set prices, so keep bargaining for open-air markets. If origin matters to you, ask staff who made the piece, because a guide notes that not every…

Walk past the Cascade to Victory Park, where the Mother Armenia statue stands over the city and its base houses a military history museum. The park's observation point is a good place for Ararat and city views, but only in clear, sunny weather, so check the sky before you climb. Paths run through trees, and there are…

Do not plan the Armenian Genocide Museum and memorial for a Monday: the museum is closed that day and on official holidays, and Sunday hours are shorter. Entry is free, but guided tours must be reserved by phone in advance and start on time, so arriving more than ten minutes late can lose your slot. Allow about 90…

The Sergei Parajanov Museum on Dzoragyugh Street holds about 1,400 exhibits by the filmmaker: collages, dolls, hats, drawings and behind-the-scenes material from Sayat-Nova, The Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors and The Legend of Suram Fortress. Watch one of the films first, because the objects make more sense with the…

The UK government warns that hailing a taxi on the street can mean a high fare, and it names the GG app as a reputable service. GG, Yandex Go and UVO all work in Yerevan, so install one on arrival and enter your destination in the app. Foreign cards often cannot be linked, so carry small dram notes because drivers may…

Yerevan Zipline crosses the Hrazdan Gorge, and its first line is about 870 metres long and passes under a bridge. On a clear day riders can see Mount Ararat. Riders must be at least 130 cm tall and weigh between 30 and 130 kg, and pregnant guests and anyone who has been drinking cannot fly. Confirm the season and book…

Head to GUM market, the covered market behind St Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, for dried and candied fruit, nuts and sujukh at the front stalls. Everything is sold by weight, so ask for a sample and check the weight before you pay, because candied fruit is heavier than it looks. The fresh produce and pickles are…