Lake Sevan: Armenia’s Most Beautiful Natural Sites

Alongside Yerevan, names like Lake Sevan and Dilijan have started showing up more often in content from Saudi travelers sharing details of their trips to Armenia, and these places are often what surprises visitors more than the capital itself. Lake Sevan gives you a natural scene that’s genuinely rare in this part of the world, while Dilijan and Gyumri reveal two completely different sides of Armenia: one quiet and forested, the other historic with a distinctive architectural stamp.

This guide covers Lake Sevan up close among the best places to visit in Armenia, then moves on to Dilijan and Gyumri, and how you can combine all three destinations into a single trip.

Lake Sevan: The Caucasus’s Natural Jewel

Lake Sevan is Armenia’s largest lake and one of the largest high-altitude freshwater lakes in the world, sitting at roughly 1,900 meters above sea level in Gegharkunik Province and covering more than 940 square kilometers. Sevan was historically one of three great lakes known as the Seas of Armenia, alongside Lake Van and Lake Urmia, both of which now sit outside the country’s borders, making Sevan the only one of the three still remaining within Armenia today.

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Sevanavank Monastery: History Above the Water

Sevanavank Monastery, dating to the 9th century, sits on what was once a small island in the middle of the lake, before it became a peninsula connected to the shore after the water level dropped by about 20 meters during the Soviet era, when Sevan’s water was heavily used for irrigation and hydropower. Today you can climb the short stone steps up to the monastery for one of the best views over the entire lake.

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The Best Activities at Lake Sevan

• Swimming and water sports: sandy beaches line the lake’s northwestern shore, offering swimming, rowing, and water skiing during the summer months.
• Trying ishkhan trout: a rare local salmon species found only in Lake Sevan, served fresh and grilled at most restaurants overlooking the water.
• Browsing local markets: the area around Sevan is known for traditional pottery, carpets, and Armenian handicrafts.

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Dilijan: Armenia’s Little Switzerland

Dilijan sits in Tavush Province in northeastern Armenia, at about 1,500 meters elevation, surrounded by dense forest that forms part of Dilijan National Park, which covers more than 24,000 hectares. The town is nicknamed Armenia’s Little Switzerland for its mountain scenery and mild climate, and it built its reputation as a spa town starting in the 19th century before becoming a favored retreat for Armenian artists, musicians, and filmmakers during the Soviet era. Don’t skip a walk down Old Dilijan Street, lined with restored traditional wooden buildings.

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Monasteries Around Dilijan

Haghartsin Monastery, dating to the 13th century, sits about half an hour by car from Dilijan, tucked inside a dense forest that adds to its quiet, spiritual character. Goshavank Monastery, founded by the monk Mkhitar Gosh in the 12th century, is one of the oldest monasteries in the region and worth visiting for anyone who wants to dig deeper into Armenian religious architecture.

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Gyumri: Armenia’s Unofficial Cultural Capital

Gyumri is Armenia’s second-largest city, sitting in the far northwest about 120 kilometers from Yerevan. The city has carried several names through its history, from Kumayri to Alexandropol under Russian imperial rule, then Leninakan during the Soviet era, before reverting to its current name. Gyumri is nicknamed the City of Black Tuff for the dark volcanic stone used throughout its historic architecture, and it’s often compared to St. Petersburg for its architectural character, which has earned it the title of Armenia’s unofficial cultural capital.

Among its top landmarks are the Black Fortress, built in 1837, and Vardanants Square in the heart of the city, with its bronze statue of the military leader Vardan Mamikonian. Gyumri suffered major damage during the 1988 Spitak earthquake, one of the most painful natural disasters in modern Armenian history, and its effects are still visible in some parts of the city today, while other parts of its architectural heritage have been carefully restored.

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How to Plan Your Trip Between Sevan, Dilijan, and Gyumri

Lake Sevan sits about an hour from Yerevan by car, while Dilijan is about an hour and a half to two hours away, which makes it possible to visit both in a single day trip, or over two days if you want more time to relax. Gyumri sits about two hours away in a completely different direction to the northwest, so it’s usually best to set aside a separate day for it, either as a full day trip from Yerevan or as an overnight stop before heading back.

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Where to Stay Near Lake Sevan

If you’d rather stay right on the lake instead of just visiting for the day, you can browse almatar’s Lake Sevan hotels page. Here are a few solid options:

• Comuna Sevan Beach Glampings: a unique glamping complex in the village of Artanish, sitting directly on a private stretch of Lake Sevan’s shore, with a heated pool and direct water views, about an hour and a half from Yerevan.
• Gavarr Motel: located in the town of Gavar, the administrative center of Gegharkunik Province, about 10 kilometers west of Lake Sevan, a practical base for anyone who wants to stay near the lake without being right on the beach.
• Rancho on Sevan Beach by HV: sits in the village of Chkalovka directly on the lake’s beach, and about fifteen minutes from Sevanavank Monastery.

If you’d rather use Yerevan as a base for day trips to Sevan, Dilijan, and Gyumri, you can browse almatar’s Yerevan hotels page to compare prices and book your stay directly.

Book Your Trip Now

Now that you have a clear picture of Lake Sevan, Dilijan, and Gyumri, use almatar’s flight search feature to compare fares to Armenia.

You can also book your stay directly through almatar’s Yerevan hotels page.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lake Sevan?

Lake Sevan is Armenia’s largest lake and one of the largest high-altitude freshwater lakes in the world, sitting at roughly 1,900 meters above sea level, and known for the historic Sevanavank Monastery overlooking its waters.

What makes Dilijan special?

Dilijan is nicknamed Armenia’s Little Switzerland for its dense forests and mild mountain climate, along with historic monasteries like Haghartsin and Goshavank.

Why is Gyumri famous?

Gyumri is known for its historic architecture built from black volcanic stone, and its title as Armenia’s unofficial cultural capital, along with landmarks like the Black Fortress and Vardanants Square.

Can Lake Sevan be visited as a day trip from Yerevan?

Yes, Lake Sevan is only about an hour away from Yerevan by car, making it an ideal day trip, and it can be combined with Dilijan in the same day if you’d like.

What are the best places to visit in Armenia around Lake Sevan?

Beyond Lake Sevan itself, the best nearby places to visit in Armenia include Sevanavank Monastery, Dilijan and its surrounding monasteries, and the historic city of Gyumri a bit further north.