Discover history, culture and tasty food in Yeghegnadzor. The city is a gateway to Southern Armenia, where you can visit ancient monasteries, pristine wilderness areas and boutique wineries. Dine at farm-to-table restaurants and visit the city’s excellent museum, which is considered one of the best in Armenia.
Things to do in Yeghegnadzor
Admire a cornucopia of artefacts at the Yeghegnadzor Regional Museum of Vayots Dzor. The museum is housed in a striking contemporary building and showcases ethnographic and archaeological treasures from across Armenia. Showpieces include a “khachkar” stone slab engraved with intricate carvings from the 14th century.
Visit the Museum of Gladzor University in the neighbouring village of Vernashen. The museum is housed in a beautiful 17th-century church and charts the history of Armenian monasteries. Look for carvings of lions, bulls, eagles and other animals on the façade of Tanahati Monastery. The ancient monastery dates back to the 8th century and is one of the most important medieval sites in Armenia.
Book a Jeep safari and explore the Arpa Protected Landscape. The 6,000-hectare park is home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna, including wild bezoar goats. Drivers help you spot wildlife and take you to the best scenic viewpoints.
Use Yeghegnadzor as a base to explore the Vayots Dzor Wine Route. Stroll through the vineyards, tour winemaking cellars and try vintages in atmospheric tasting rooms. Some wineries offer chef-driven restaurants where you can enjoy delicious food and sweeping vineyard views. Don’t miss the chance to visit one of the oldest wineries in the world.
Try signature Armenian dishes like “midye tava” fried mussels, “dolma” grape leaves stuffed with ground lamb and “lavash” flatbread at local restaurants in Yeghegnadzor. Prefer a hands-on experience? Learn to make Armenian favourites like “gata” sweet pastries in a cooking class.
Getting around Yeghegnadzor
Yeghegnadzor is pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot. The city is in Vayots Dzor Province in Southern Armenia, a two-hour drive from Yerevan. Zvartnots International Airport is a two-hour drive away.