Armenia Travel Report: Yerevan, Monasteries & Hidden Gems
- Hot air balloon over Yerevan: one hour, up to 2,000 meters
- Cascades: 118 meters tall stair complex with escalators inside
- Zipline under the bridge: Start at 123 meters, 870 meters long
- Garni is located about 23 kilometers outside of Yerevan.
- Chess is a separate school subject in Armenia.
Contents of this post5 chapters
The. Highlights of Armenia
Yerevan
The International Hot Air Balloon Festival
On the morning of October 14th, hot air balloon pilots from all over the world gathered at the Republic Square. I had been looking forward to this day for weeks. At half past 7 it was finally time. The Brazilian balloon pilot was already waiting for our arrival. In total there were five of us, standing close together. Shortly afterwards, not only the balloon rose, but also our excitement. It felt a bit unsafe. “ So helpless, so unpredictable “. Max even said he found it worse than paragliding. For me it was the other way around. In the first half hour we climbed high up, up to 2000 meters, and enjoyed the incredible panoramic view. Then I felt sick to my stomach for 5 minutes and afterwards I was thankfully fine again. I actually have no fear of heights at all, but even for me that was pretty high! (The ride lasted one hour, by the way).
An experience that will probably stay in my memory forever.
Cascade Complex
One of the most beautiful viewpoints over the city of Yerevan is probably offered by the 118-meter-high stair complex, the Cascades. Don't worry: there are plenty of escalators that slowly carry you up through the inside of the Cascades. Meanwhile you can admire the artistic exhibits & take a stopover in the outdoor area on every floor.
Mother Armenia Complex
In Victory Park you'll find the monument “Mother Armenia“, which consists of a tomb, a military museum and a large statue. From there you also get another impressive view over the city!
Modern Art Museum
On Mashtots Avenue is the modern art museum, where you can find many kinds of paintings as well as some statues. The artworks are truly very impressive and you can let your imagination run free.
Vernissage
A paradise for all souvenir buyers & shopping lovers. Here you'll find a good mix of knick-knacks and high-quality handicrafts! At some stalls you can even see how the chessboards are made. Did you know that chess is its own school subject in Armenia?
Dancing Fontains
In the evening at the Republic Square you'll find glowing water fountains that present their water show with varied music and different colors. In addition, you have a view of the Hotel Marriott, the post office, the Government Building with Clock Tower & former buildings of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Freedom Square
On this city square you'll find the opera and ballet theater. It is the most important and largest music theater! Also a cool spot to zip around for a few laps in an electric car.
Yerevan Zipline Airlines
A zipline that runs directly underneath the bridge! The first stretch starts at a height of 123 meters and is 870 meters long. The second is a tiny bit shorter at only 650 meters in length. Here you actually don't need to pay much attention to anything, as an automatic stop system is built into the track. For this reason it was pretty easy. The only important thing is that the minimum weight is met so that you don't get stuck halfway. Max & I went together, which was pretty cool!
Tours and activities: Jerewan
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“Life is too short for ‘someday’.”
Janet Dannehl
Garni
The Symphonie of Stones, Garni Gorge
Don't forget to make a small detour outside of Yerevan. The majestic natural monument is only about 23km away from the capital and is truly admirable!
Next Stop: Back to Camperlife!
Armenia Travel: Entry, Visa and Health
Armenia is well-suited for a tour of the South Caucasus, and entry is straightforward for Germans. The following information comes from the Travel and safety advice from the Federal Foreign Office (As of October 15, 2026). Entry and customs regulations are subject to change at short notice.
Armenia visa and travel documents
- German citizens do not need a visa for stays of up to 180 days per calendar year, regardless of the purpose of travel.
- Entry is possible with a passport, temporary passport, or child's passport, not with a national identity card. The documents must be valid beyond the date of travel.
- Good to know: Entry will be refused with a damaged passport.
- For stays exceeding 180 days or for gainful employment, an extension must be applied for at the Armenian Passport and Registration Authority in good time before the deadline expires.
Vaccinations and health in Armenia
No mandatory vaccinations are required for direct entry from Germany. Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended, and vaccinations against rabies and hepatitis B are also recommended depending on individual needs. Standard vaccinations should be up to date.
Tip for route planning: The German Federal Foreign Office has issued a partial travel warning for parts of Vayots Dzor and Syunik. It is therefore advisable to check the current travel advisories before traveling south.
For tourism boards that want to present Armenia, Yerevan, and the country's monasteries with well-grounded content, information about possible productions can be found on the page for collaboration.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high does the hot-air balloon in Yerevan go, and how long is the flight?
We climbed to 2.000 metres in the first half-hour, and the whole flight lasted an hour. I felt sick for five minutes, even though I'm not usually afraid of heights. Max found it even more uncomfortable than paragliding.
Do I have to walk up the Cascade?
No. The staircase complex is 118 metres high, but there are plenty of escalators inside taking you up. Along the way, you can see exhibits and step outside on every level.
How does the zipline in Yerevan work?
It runs directly beneath the bridge. The first section starts at 123 metres and is 870 metres long; the second is 650 metres long. An automatic braking system makes it easy, the only important thing is the minimum weight, otherwise you'll stop halfway. We went together.
What's worth visiting outside Yerevan?
Garni with the Symphony of Stones in the Garni Gorge. The natural monument is only about 23 kilometres from the capital.
Do I need a visa for Armenia?
No. German citizens do not need a visa for stays of up to 180 days per calendar year, regardless of the purpose of travel (Federal Foreign Office, as of 15.10.2026). A national identity card is not sufficient for entry; you need a passport.
Which vaccinations are recommended for Armenia?
No vaccinations are mandatory when arriving directly from Germany. Hepatitis A is recommended, with rabies and hepatitis B also recommended depending on individual circumstances.
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