Skip to content
wheretotravel.info
Republic Square building with clock tower

Armenia travel guide

A small, landlocked country for autumn city breaks and road trips beyond Yerevan

Best: Sep, Oct

Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg / Wikimedia Commons

Capital
Yerevan
Language
Armenian
Currency
Armenian dram
Time zone
UTC+04:00
Plugs
Type C, F · 220 V
Driving
On the right
Emergency
112

Why visit Armenia

Armenia suits travellers who like cities, history and short drives. It covers 29743 km², so distances stay short. Most trips start in Yerevan, the capital and by far the largest city. The best months are September and October. Yerevan is also good in April and May. Gyumri and Alaverdi work well in July and August. One honest limitation: Armenia has no coast, so do not come for a beach holiday.

  • Autumn is the best time

    September and October are the best months to visit Armenia overall. Both months also appear on the best-month list for Yerevan, Gyumri and Alaverdi, so one autumn trip suits the capital and smaller towns alike. If you can only choose one season, choose this one.

  • Yerevan in spring or autumn

    Yerevan, the capital, has 1,106,300 people, more than any other city on our list. Its best months are April, May, September and October. That gives you two good windows in the year, not just one, so you can pick the season that fits your plans.

  • Smaller towns in summer

    Gyumri (121,976 people) and Alaverdi (13,000 people) both have July, August and September as their best months. Yerevan's list does not include July or August. So if you travel in high summer, plan more time in these towns than in the capital.

  • A small country to cover

    Armenia covers 29,743 km² and has 3,103,900 people. It is a compact country. Yerevan, Gyumri, Hrazdan and Alaverdi are its main towns, so a single trip can take in both the capital and smaller places.

  • Simple practical basics

    Armenia uses the Armenian dram and runs on UTC+04:00. Cars drive on the right. Sockets are types C and F at 220 V, and the emergency number is 112. Check your plugs and phone settings before you go.

Is Armenia right for you?

Great for

  • Autumn trips in September or October, when Yerevan highs are about 28°C and then 20°C
  • Travellers who want dry weather in early autumn: Yerevan averages 2.7 rain days in September
  • Summer trips to Gyumri or Alaverdi, which both rate best in July and August
  • Short road trips: the country covers 29,743 km², and you drive on the right
  • Spring city breaks in Yerevan in April, with highs of about 18°C

Less ideal for

  • Beach holidays: none of the main cities in our data is on the coast
  • Heat-sensitive travellers in Yerevan in July and August, when highs reach 33–34°C
  • Winter visitors who want mild days: January in Yerevan has highs of 3°C and lows of -5°C
  • Travellers hoping for a dry spring: May brings 12 rain days and 84 mm of rain

Armenia right now: September

8.4/10
Avg high
28°C
Avg low
16°C
Rain days
3

Averages for Yerevan.

Weather by month

In Yerevan, September and October are the best months to visit: daytime highs drop from 28°C to 20°C after the summer heat, with only 3 to 7 rainy days a month. Avoid December to March, when highs reach just 3°C to 12°C, nights fall as low as -5°C, and March brings 12 rainy days.

Average highs and lows in Yerevan by month January: high 3°C, low -5°C , 6 rain days . February: high 7°C, low -3°C , 6 rain days . March: high 12°C, low 2°C , 12 rain days . April: high 18°C, low 7°C , 11 rain days . May: high 23°C, low 11°C , 12 rain days . June: high 30°C, low 17°C , 5 rain days . July: high 33°C, low 20°C , 3 rain days . August: high 34°C, low 20°C , 2 rain days . September: high 28°C, low 16°C , 3 rain days . October: high 20°C, low 9°C , 7 rain days . November: high 12°C, low 3°C , 5 rain days . December: high 6°C, low -2°C , 7 rain days . 3°C -5°C JAN 6d 7°C -3°C FEB 6d 12°C 2°C MAR 12d 18°C 7°C APR 11d 23°C 11°C MAY 12d 30°C 17°C JUN 5d 33°C 20°C JUL 3d 34°C 20°C AUG 2d 28°C 16°C SEP 3d 20°C 9°C OCT 7d 12°C 3°C NOV 5d 6°C -2°C DEC 7d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Yerevan · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Armenia: month-by-month weather →

Armenia's climate regions

The weather varies across the country; each region has its own best months.

  • Yerevan and the Ararat Plain

    Yerevan

    Yerevan has hot summers and cold winters. Highs reach about 33°C in July but only about 3°C in January. Rain falls on about 77 days a year. Go in April, May, September or October. Midsummer is often too hot for walking.

    Best: Apr, May, Sep, Oct

  • Northern Armenia

    Gyumri, Alaverdi

    Gyumri and Alaverdi are cooler and wetter than Yerevan, with about 121 rain days a year. July highs are about 26°C and January highs about 3°C. The best months are July, August and September.

    Best: Jul, Aug, Sep

Sample itineraries

7 days

Yerevan, Gyumri and Alaverdi in one week

  1. Day 1–2

    Yerevan

    Start in the capital, home to about 1106300 people. Use these days to walk the centre, change money into Armenian dram and get used to local food and pace.

  2. Day 3–4

    Gyumri

    Move on to Gyumri, a city of about 121976 people. It is smaller and calmer than Yerevan, so take time to explore the streets on foot.

  3. Day 5–6

    Alaverdi

    Head to Alaverdi, a small town of about 13000 people. Best months here are July, August and September. Outside those months, consider spending these days in Yerevan instead.

  4. Day 7

    Yerevan

    Return to Yerevan for your last day. Plan a quiet day close to your onward travel, with time for last meals and shopping.

10 days

Ten days across four Armenian towns

  1. Day 1–3

    Yerevan

    Spend 3 days in the capital. Its best months are April, May, September and October. Settle in, explore the centre slowly and plan the rest of your route.

  2. Day 4

    Hrazdan

    Make a short stop in Hrazdan, a town of about 52283 people. We have little data on it, so treat it as a 1-night break rather than a main stop.

  3. Day 5–6

    Alaverdi

    Continue to Alaverdi, the smallest stop with about 13000 people. Go in July, August or September. September also suits Yerevan, so it is the best month for this full route.

  4. Day 7–8

    Gyumri

    Spend 2 days in Gyumri, Armenia's second city on this list with about 121976 people. Its best months are July, August and September. Walk the centre and slow down.

  5. Day 9–10

    Yerevan

    End back in Yerevan. Use the last 2 days to revisit favourite spots, eat well and stay close to your onward travel.

Food to try in Armenia

Lavash

Thin, soft flatbread baked against the walls of a clay oven. It is served with almost every meal, and people use it to wrap meat, cheese and fresh herbs.

Khorovats

Armenian barbecue of pork, lamb or chicken grilled on skewers over coals, often with vegetables. It is the centre of family gatherings, weekend picnics and celebrations.

Dolma

Minced meat and rice wrapped in grape leaves or stuffed into peppers, tomatoes or aubergines. It is a common home dish and is usually served with garlic yogurt.

Khash

A strong broth made from slow-cooked beef feet. People eat it in winter, early in the morning, with garlic, dried lavash and often a shot of vodka.

Tan

A cold, salty drink made from yogurt mixed with water. Locals drink it with heavy meals like khorovats, and it is popular in the hot summer months.

Armenian brandy

A grape brandy with a long history, made in and around Yerevan. It is served as a toast at dinners, and you can take a tasting tour at distilleries in the capital.

Know before you go

  • Plugs and voltage: Armenia uses plug types C and F, the round-pin plugs common in much of Europe. The supply is 220 V. Check that your chargers accept this voltage, and bring an adapter if your plugs are a different type.
  • Driving side: Traffic drives on the right in Armenia. If you come from a country that drives on the left, take extra care at junctions and roundabouts during your first days behind the wheel.
  • Emergency number: Call 112 for emergencies in Armenia. Save it in your phone before you travel, together with the address of where you are staying.
  • Currency: The local currency is the Armenian dram. Check the current exchange rate before you travel so you can judge prices and spot a poor rate at exchange desks.
  • Language: The official language is Armenian, which has its own alphabet. Road signs and menus may be hard to read at first, so an offline translation app with camera support is useful.
  • Time zone: Armenia is on UTC+04:00. Check the time difference with home before booking calls or connecting flights, so you do not miss anything on arrival.
  • Calling code: The country calling code for Armenia is +374. Use it when you save local numbers for hotels, guides or drivers, so they work from a foreign SIM card.

Armenia: frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Armenia?

September and October are the best months to visit Armenia. They score 8.4 and 7.8 out of 10. In Yerevan, September averages highs of 28.3°C with only 2.7 rain days. October is cooler, with highs of 19.8°C and lows of 9.4°C. April, May and June are also good. These figures are Yerevan averages for 2015–2024.

Is Armenia good in August?

Yes, August is a good month, but Yerevan is very hot. Average highs reach 33.6°C and nights stay around 20.4°C. It is the driest month, with 1.8 rain days and 8 mm of rain. If heat bothers you, go north. Gyumri and Alaverdi both list August among their best months. July is similar, with highs of 33.3°C.

Should I visit Armenia in winter?

No, December to March are the months to avoid, with scores of only 3.5 to 3.8 out of 10. In Yerevan, January averages a high of 3.2°C and a low of -4.8°C. December is similar, with a low of -2.3°C. March warms to 12°C but is wet, with 11.7 rain days and 63 mm of rain. November is a middle option, rated ok at 5.1.

Does it rain a lot in Armenia in May?

Yes, May is the wettest month in Yerevan, but it is still a good time to go. It averages 12 rain days and 84 mm of rain. Temperatures are pleasant, with highs of 22.7°C, and May scores 7.3 out of 10. April is a little drier, with 10.6 rain days and highs of 18.2°C. Pack a rain jacket for either month.

What plugs and voltage does Armenia use?

Armenia uses plug types C and F at 220 V. These are the standard two-round-pin European plugs. If your devices use a different plug, bring an adapter. Check that your chargers accept 220 V before you plug them in.

What currency, time zone and emergency number does Armenia use?

Armenia uses the Armenian dram and runs on UTC+04:00. The emergency number is 112. The country calling code is +374. If you plan to rent a car, note that traffic drives on the right. Armenian is the official language.

Similar destinations

Countries with a year of weather much like Armenia.