The Atlas Obscura Guide To Armenia

40 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Armenia

Updated October 15, 2026

Email

Cities

Unusual Attractions in Armenia

Garni, Armenia

Garni Gorge

A geological oddity topped with a 2,000-year-old pagan temple.

Long Shot

Goght, Armenia

Geghard Monastery

This Armenian monastery was carved out of cliffs and named after the spear used to stab Jesus.

Khor Virap Monastery

Lusarat, Armenia

Khor Virap Monastery

The most visited pilgrimage site in Armenia once held a saint in a pit for 13 years.

Shaki, Armenia

Shaki Waterfall

After visiting hours, this picturesque waterfall is essentially turned "off" to be used for hydroelectric power.

Old Khndzoresk Cave Village

Khndzoresk, Armenia

Old Khndzoresk Cave Village

Right up until the 20th century this network of man-made caves was the biggest village in Eastern Armenia.

The Matenadaran and statue of Mesrop Mashtots.

Yerevan, Armenia

The Matenadaran

This medieval manuscript collection has some of the most obscure and ancient texts in the world.

Levon’s Divine Underground

Arinj, Armenia

Levon's Divine Underground

She asked for a potato cellar and over the next 23 years he gave her a network of holy caves.

See All 40 Things To Do in Armenia

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Armenia

Aged duck served with seasonal and preserved vegetables.

Tsaghkunk, Armenia

Tsaghkunk Restaurant

This modern tandoor eatery was once a canteen for Soviet farmers.

Mannequin by the side of the road

Tsovagyugh, Armenia

Fish-Selling Mannequins of Tsovagyugh

Men and special assistants stand by the road to sell the day's catch in this lakeside village.

In partnership with GetYourGuide

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Armenia

Sacred Spaces 8

Soviet History 6

Churches 6

Architecture 6

Medieval 5

Caves 5

Abandoned 5

Monasteries 5

History 5

Ecosystems 4

Art 4

Archaeology 4

Ruins 3

Repositories Of Knowledge 3

Observatories 3

Religion 3

Ancient 3

History & Culture 3

Cemeteries 2

Telescopes 2

Armenia Leaderboard

Places Added

Join the Ranks!

Add an unusual place to Armenia.

Places Edited

Places Visited

Recent Armenia Activity

katielou106

has been to Katoghike Church
GRH profile photo

GRH

wants to go to Iron Fountain Gyumri
benlloyd

wants to go to Iron Fountain Gyumri
junkrat0 profile photo

junkrat0

wants to go to Iron Fountain Gyumri
zichk

has been to Iron Fountain Gyumri

Stories About Armenia

Sevan trout, baked in bark from a birch tree at Tsaghkunk restaurant.

Armenia's Ancient Ovens Are Hot Again

They're fueling a new approach to traditional cuisine.

by Barbara Woolsey, Atlas Obscura

August 30, 2022

All illustrations: John Mata for Atlas Obscura

Puzzle Monday: Code-Breaking on the Armenian Subway

by Alex Bellos, Atlas Obscura

Homemade gata, a traditional Armenian pastry.

Armenia's Culinary History Hides in a Museum's Manuscripts

Using rare documents and notebooks, Sonia Tashjian is piecing together the nation's food story.

by Rafael Tonon, Atlas Obscura