1. Admire The Beauty Of The Cascade Complex -One of the most impressive tourist attractions in Yerevan is the Cascade Complex, a massive monument made out of white travertine stones consisting of 5 hillside terraces connected with 572 steps. The structure alone is over 300 meters high and you can climb or take the escalator all the way to the top for an incredible view over the city
2. Check Out Matenadaran -an incredible museum that houses a huge repository of manuscripts with over 23,000 manuscripts, scrolls, and fragments in its collection.Inside, you will find many MANY manuscripts from old biblical texts to political documents on display. Even burned books are displayed here, which are supposed to show the troubling history and struggle of this museum and its effort to preserve texts throughout history.
3. Visit Mother of Armenia Monument -Much like the Mother Georgia monument in Tbilisi, the Mother Armenia Monument is a remnant of the region’s Soviet past and stands tall atop a hill overlooking the entire city. The statue atop the monument was originally that of Joseph Stalin, and it was constructed as a victory memorial for World War II.
4. Check Out The Armenian National Opera And Ballet Theatre -As you make your way down from the Cascade, you will pass a massive grey structure with animpressive Brutalist architectural style. That is the Armenian National Opera and Ballet Theatre, one of the most prominent buildings in the city, located right in the center of Freedom Square.
5. Stroll Around The Northern Avenue –The Northern Avenue is a tourist strip that connects the Cascade Complex to Republic Square, which is where we will be heading next. It’s a great place to stroll as you make your way to the city center and take a break from all the exploration we just did in the upper part of the city.
6. Watch The Light And Sound Show At Republic Square -As you make your way to Yerevan’s city center, you will arrive at Republic Square, a massive town square surrounded by the impressive pink/yellow buildings Yerevan is known for, with an oval-shaped roundabout in the middle, and a system of fountains that puts on an incredible light and sound show every night.
7. Visit Saint Gregory, The Illuminator Cathedral –Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral is one of the largest religious buildings in the Caucasus, alongside the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi, and it stands out as one of the most recognizable landmarks in Yerevan. Its block-like architecture, blending modern elements with hints of Soviet design, is not the typical style you see in Armenian churches.
8. Pay Respect And Check Out The View At The Genocide Memorial Complex -Since the museum is built on the site of the Genocide Memorial Complex, be sure to check that out as well. The memorial was constructed in 1967 on the hill of Tsitsernakaberd, which is visible from across the city, and the locals often come here to pay respect to the victims of the genocide.
9. Drop By Karen Demirtchian Spo
rt Complex -While visiting the Genocide Museum, be sure to check out the Karen Demirtchian Sports Complex. This old sports complex, built during the Soviet era in Armenia, was initially named after the former head of the country during that time. However, in 1999, shortly after the assassination of the former speaker of the Armenian parliament Karen Demirchyan, the complex was renamed in his honor.