A trip to Garni and Geghard is the classic first day out in Armenia. Both sites lie east of Yerevan, the road is good, and with a car you don’t depend on tour groups and can stay as long as you like.
The route
From central Yerevan to Garni it is about 30 km, roughly 40 minutes. From Garni to Geghard Monastery it is another 10 km or so along a scenic road above the gorge. The whole round trip easily fits into half a day.
What to see
- Garni Temple — Armenia’s only surviving Hellenistic-era pagan temple, built in the 1st century AD. Next to it are the ruins of a royal palace and a Roman bath with a mosaic.
- The Symphony of Stones — basalt columns in the Azat river gorge below Garni. You can walk down or drive on a dirt road — a crossover is more convenient here.
- Geghard Monastery — a monastery partly carved into the rock and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Step into the cave halls — the acoustics are amazing.
Tips
- Leave in the morning: on weekends Garni Temple gets busy by noon.
- Have lunch at a family restaurant in Garni village and try lavash fresh from the tonir.
- If you want to drive down to the Symphony of Stones, choose a car with higher ground clearance.
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