Practical information Armenia

French, Belgian, Swiss and European Union nationals are exempt from visa requirements for tourist stays of up to 180 days per year. No prior formalities are needed: a simple stamp is applied upon arrival at Zvartnots Airport in Yerevan or at land borders with Georgia. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure date. For Canadian and Québécois nationals, an e-visa can be obtained online at the official site evisa.mfa.am within 3 business days, for approximately 7 euros for 21 days. For any other nationality, our Yerevan team will provide you with the appropriate procedure.

No vaccines are required to enter Armenia. We recommend keeping up to date with routine vaccinations: DTP, hepatitis B, MMR. For stays in rural areas or longer trips, hepatitis A and typhoid are advised, as they can occasionally be transmitted through water or food. Rabies may be considered for hikers trekking independently in Syunik or Lori, due to the presence of shepherd dogs. Malaria does not exist in Armenia, so no antimalarial treatment is necessary. Dengue does not circulate there either. A consultation at an international vaccination center 4 to 6 weeks before departure remains the best course of action.

Excluding international flights, budget between €70 and €110 per day and per person for a comfortable trip with English-speaking guide, driver, mid-range hotels and meals included. For a more independent version, the budget drops to around €40 to €60 per day. Some practical reference points: a full meal at a good restaurant in Yerevan costs €8-15, a night in a village guesthouse €25-35, the Tatev cable car €12 return trip, monastery entry is generally free. Wines from Areni can be found at €6-10 per bottle at the winery. Bring cash in Syunik and Tavush regions, ATMs are rare there.

The tourist season runs from May to mid-October. September is our favorite month: clear skies, temperatures of 22 to 28°C in the plains, grape harvest in Vayots Dzor, ripe fruits at the markets. May and June offer lush, flowering nature, with a risk of showers in the mountains. July and August are hot in the Ararat plain (up to 38°C in Yerevan) but pleasant on the high plateaus and at Sevan. To avoid: December to March, when snow blocks access to several monasteries and the Selim Pass. For skiing in Tsaghkadzor or snowy landscapes, January and February work well.

The country is traversed by car: 380 kilometers separate Yerevan from Meghri, at the Iranian border. Our trips use sedans for the main routes (Yerevan-Sevan, Yerevan-Dilijan) and 4x4s in Syunik, around Khustup or to reach certain monasteries by dirt road such as Smbataberd. Marshrutkas, shared minibuses, connect the main cities at low cost but without comfort, mainly for independent travelers. The overnight Yerevan-Tbilisi train exists but remains slow. No domestic flights, the country is too compact. Allow 1h30 from Yerevan to Sevan, 4 hours to Dilijan via the tunnel, 5 hours to reach Tatev by the direct road.

Armenia is generally safe for travelers: low crime rate, genuine hospitality toward foreigners, and security in cities even at night in Yerevan. Our on-ground team follows recommendations from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Two zones should be avoided: the border with Azerbaijan, particularly around Yeraskh, Sotk, and certain areas of Syunik close to the Lachin corridor, where occasional tensions have persisted since 2020. Standard tourist itineraries (Yerevan, Sevan, Dilijan, Tatev, Vayots Dzor) are not affected. Standard precautions: cover shoulders and knees in active monasteries, avoid photographing military buildings, keep a copy of your passport with you.