Location: Ashtarak
Top Things to do in Ashtarak
What to do and see in Ashtarak, Armenia: The Best Places and Tips
Ashtarak in Armenia, from Asia region, is best know for Churches & Cathedrals. Discover best things to do in Ashtarak with beautiful photos and great reviews from traveller around the world here!
Restaurants in Ashtarak
1. Karmravor Church
Overall Ratings
4 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By BijanTehran_Iran - Tehran, Iran
Karmravor ( "Reddish" because of the color of its dome) or Surp Astvatsatsin ("Holy Mother of God") is a 7th-century Armenian church built by priests Gregory and Manas. The church is located on the northeast side of the town of Ashtarak in the Aragatsotn Province of Armenia.
According to a legend, 3 sisters lived in Ashtarak, fell in love with the prince Sargis. The elder 2 sisters killed themselves with orange and red dress in favor of the youngest one. When the youngest sister found out, she put on a white dress and also threw herself into the gorge. Sargis then became a hermit and three small churches appeared at the edge of the gorge, named after the sisters' dress colors.
The place is not too large but has a very beautiful atmosphere.There is a very nice and also expensive caffe and restaurant nearby.
2. Armenia Wine Company
Overall Ratings
5 based on 14 reviews
Armenia Wine is a modern winery built in the style of Armenian classical architecture. Located 40 minutes from Yerevan it is one of the favorite destinations of tourists and wine lovers. Here you can enjoy the charm of Armenian terroir and learn about the history and contemporary trends of wine-making in Armenia.
Reviewed By yYlena - Yerevan, Armenia
It was really marvelous excursion. We drove in Armenian Wine Company from Yerevan on bus of company. We admired both the beautiful architecture and the extraordinary views of the Ararat. We tried all kinds of wines: champagne, red and white. And in a good mood...MoreDear yYlena, Thank you very much. We love having guests and it always makes us happy when our visitors are happy! You're most welcome to enjoy your fairy tale with us whenever you want. Best wishes Armenia Wine Co.
3. Hovhannavank Monastery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By patrickmeyer - Washington DC, District of Columbia
Despite being just a short drive from Yerevan, Hovhannavank Monastery is not a very well known site. The monastery stands precariously on the edge of the Kasagh River canyon in the community of Ohanavan. The oldest part of the monastery is from the 4th century, although most of what you'll see today was completed in the 13th century. Some parts of the monastery underwent renovation in the 1990s. I've been to many Armenian monasteries and must say that Hovhannavank Monastery is in an exceptionally good state of preservation. We visited on a Sunday and the monastery was being use for Sunday service. The carvings above the doors are beautiful. From the grounds you can get an excellent view of the canyon below. You'll find some local ladies selling bread and fruit, even in the off-season. Highly recommended!
4. Saint Mesrop Mashtots Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By Brun066 - Florence, Italy
We visited this Cathedral when we crossed Oshakan to go towards the Mount Aragats (the highest peak in Armenia today).
Oshakan is a village rather sleepy, but this church (which overlooks a small square along the highway H19) drew our attention by a huge statue on the right side of the facade.
The statue is that of Mesrop Mashtots, the monk and scientist who in the first half of the fourth century CE invented the alphabet still used, thus giving a powerful contribution to the Armenian culture.
The church houses the tomb of Mesrop, although it is modern (1875).
To commemorate this illustrious person, in addition to the statue you can observe, in the garden outside the church, many small hedges, each of them reproduces a letter of the Armenian alphabet; also you can remark many clay pillars, which, evoking the forms of "khatchkar" (the traditional Armenian crosses carved in stone): they also reproduce the letters of the alphabet.
If you cross even quickly Oshakan, this site is worth a stop; as a stop is advised at the small canyon formed by the Kasakh river and crossed by H19 highway just south of the church, with its picturesque bridge dating at the beginning of the eighteenth century.
5. Aghtamir Fortress
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By patrickmeyer - Washington DC, District of Columbia
Aghtamir Fortress is located west of Oshakan, Armenia, along the Kasakh River, standing high on the edge of the gorge at coordinates 40.255687, 44.285734. The site is not very easy to access, but you can get there with a high-clearance vehicle or on a bike. At the site you will find the remains of Aghtamir Fortress itself, as well as even larger remains of Aghtamir city. I was unable to find any reliable information online about Aghtamir, other than finding it on a few lists of castle ruins in Armenia. I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived at Aghtamir Fortress to find a number of original stone walls still erected, ancient tomb stones, and what appeared to be large holes in the ground where tombs have been excavated. With a bit of imagination, you can make out the outline of more than a dozen rooms in the rubble of rocks. Because this site is so isolated, there is not much trash or litter (a rarity for Armenia). Positioned high on the edge of the Kasagh River Gorge, the site provides sweeping views in 360 degrees, and especially pleasing views of the gorge itself. This is a very good site and I recommend you find your way there if you're a history buff or need a day out of the city. If you're looking for a more well-preserved fortress, then I recommend you check out Amberd Fortress further north near Mt. Aragats.
6. Saghmosavank Monastery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By Katrien S - Ghent, Belgium
This 13th century monastery is located on the edge of a cliff, over the cliff and the canyon you have a great view from the complex. The monastery, or at least what remains, is quite compact, everything is build next to each other. Outside and inside there are some nice carvings and inside there are some remains of the original frescoes.
7. The Churches of Echmiatsin and the Archaeological Site of Zvartnots
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 150 reviews
Reviewed By Ricardo B - London, United Kingdom
This place is an Unesco monument and it has a medieval church and one much older relatively well preserved. A very interesting site with a lot of history and well maintained. A short distance from central Yeveran
8. Mughni Church
Overall Ratings
4 based on 6 reviews
9. Tukh Manuk Shrine
Overall Ratings
4 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By patrickmeyer - Washington DC, District of Columbia
Located in the unexciting town of Oshakan, Armenia is the Tukh Manuk Shrine. I read online that Tukh Manuk literally translates to "dark baby" or "dark-skinned youth." Interesting. The shrine is actually quiet pleasant and well-preserved. It is the most redeeming part of the otherwise ugly Oshakan Cemetery. If you come to Oshakan Cemetery, I recommend you visit this shrine only, since the rest of the cemetery is below average. It seems the shrine was at one time gated off, but someone has since removed the gate, although it is still there leaning on the building. You can access the shrine by climbing a short path from a dirt road.
10. Voskevaz Winery
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 3 reviews
Voskevaz Winery creates unique high-quality wines, which combine winemaking traditions and innovations. Voskevaz winery is located in Aragatsotn region of Armenia in the village of the same name Voskevaz, which in Armenian means "golden bunch". On the territory of the winery is created unique touristic complex, which is decorated with elements and symbols of Armenian architecture.During the tour you will not only get acquainted with the rich history of Armenian winemaking and the winery, but also will taste wines from the large assortment range of "Voskevaz Winery" production: young or aged red and white assemblages, exquisite dessert wines and limited series of unique monovarietal wines for true connoisseurs.
Reviewed By Zolcsii - Szolnok
We wanted to visit the winery on our way to Aghtamir, but it seemed to be closed for public. It is just a remarkable factory, unfortunately you can not visit.
Their wine however quite delicious. Try to find in Yerevan's stores.
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