Top places to visit in Vagharshapat

• Etchmiadzin Cathedral

  cathedral · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, seat of the Armenian Apostolic Church, one of the oldest cathedrals in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Holy See Grounds & Gardens

  religious-complex · 4.7 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Landscaped grounds surrounding Etchmiadzin Cathedral with khachkars (cross-stones), a bell tower and Armenian Church monuments.

• St. Gayane Church

  church · 4.8 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  7th-century Armenian church near Etchmiadzin, part of the UNESCO-listed ensemble, notable for its austere early medieval design.

• Zvartnots Cathedral Ruins

  archaeological-site · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  7th-century Armenian cathedral ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for their circular architecture, now partly excavated.

• St. Hripsime Church

  church · 4.8 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  7th-century Armenian Apostolic church, part of the Etchmiadzin UNESCO ensemble, known for its classic Armenian cross-dome architecture.

• Etchmiadzin Treasury Museum

  religious-museum · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  Museum inside the Mother See complex housing Armenian Church relics, including the reputed Holy Lance and manuscripts.

Things to do

• Etchmiadzin UNESCO Heritage Tour Cultural · 3 h · from AMD 8,000 per person
• Zvartnots Ruins Guided Visit Cultural · 1.5 h · from AMD 5,000 per person

Day trips and tours

• Etchmiadzin Sacred Sites Tour 5 h · from AMD 8,000

Where to stay in Vagharshapat

• Etchmiadzin Cathedral Quarter about AMD 19,000 per night

  The area immediately around Etchmiadzin Cathedral and the Holy See grounds — Armenia's spiritual center, the standard base for visiting the cathedral complex and nearby churches.

• Zvartnots Area about AMD 15,000 per night

  The area near the ruined Zvartnots Cathedral, convenient for travellers combining a Vagharshapat stop with Zvartnots Airport transfers.

Hotels

• Sim Plaza Hotel 4-star · AMD 18,000 to AMD 32,000 per night
• Machanents Guest House 3-star · AMD 10,000 to AMD 18,000 per night

Where to eat

• Old Vagharshapat Restaurant Armenian · about AMD 3,500 per person
• Cascade Cafe Etchmiadzin Cafe, Armenian · about AMD 2,000 per person
• Zvartnots Garden Restaurant Armenian · about AMD 4,000 per person

Getting to Vagharshapat

Nearest airport: Yerevan (EVN), about 9 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.

Getting around

• Minibus
• Taxi
• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Unofficial Cathedral Parking Fee

  Car parks around Etchmiadzin Cathedral and Holy See grounds

  Self-appointed attendants direct tourist cars and buses into informal parking spots near the cathedral and collect a cash "parking fee" with no ticket or official markings.

  How to avoid it: Use the marked visitor car park within the Holy See grounds; municipal or church-operated parking does not require an unreceipted cash handoff to an unofficial attendant.

More in Armenia

• Yerevan
• Sevan
• Dilijan
• Gyumri
• Goris
• Jermuk

Frequently asked questions about Vagharshapat

What are the top-rated places to visit in Vagharshapat?

The highest-rated places in our Vagharshapat guide are St. Gayane Church, St. Hripsime Church, Etchmiadzin Cathedral, Holy See Grounds & Gardens, Zvartnots Cathedral Ruins.

Where should I stay in Vagharshapat?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Vagharshapat: Etchmiadzin Cathedral Quarter, Zvartnots Area.

How do I get around Vagharshapat?

Ways to get around Vagharshapat covered in our guide: Minibus, Taxi, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Vagharshapat?

Scams reported to us for Vagharshapat include Unofficial Cathedral Parking Fee. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

Which airport is nearest to Vagharshapat?

The nearest airport to Vagharshapat has the code EVN.