Armenia is a beautiful, mountainous, landlocked country in the Caucasus region and it was the first country to recognize Christianity as a religion. Needless to say, Armenia is an ancient country full of interesting places to explore.
Yerevan is the capital of Armenia, and here you can find many Armenia hostels. The number of Armenia hostels here has increased quickly and the prices have dropped over the last few years. Now you can find a very nice Armenia hostel in central Yerevan for a small per-night charge. Many good Armenia hostels can be found here and it is easy to find either a dorm room or a private room, depending on your wishes.
Yerevan is an attractive city with many things to see and do. The centre is full of bars and surrounded by a big "garden" with many bars, making the centre very lively and attractive. Due to its architecture, Yerevan is also a beautiful city to see. Many of the attractions in Armenia can also be visited as a day trip from Yerevan, as most places worth visiting are located close to the capital. Garni and Geghard, and Echmiadzin are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites and only a short drive from Yerevan. Khor Virap, a monastery looking over Mt. Ararat, is also just a short drive from Yerevan. Therefore you may choose to book a hostel in Yerevan for a longer period and do several day trips from here. Many travelers choose to do this, which makes it easier to make a connection with other travelers and eventually team up and do some sightseeing in the region together.
Other places you may like to visit to explore some cultural include Dilijan, Vanadzor, and Gyumri. Lake Sevan is a beautiful destination if you want to escape from the cities, and in Tsaghkadzor, you can even go to practice winter sports.
Although the majority of the Armenia hostels can be found in Yerevan, hostels in Armenia are not located in Yerevan only. In several other cities and towns you can book a hostel in Armenia. Hostels in other cities are scarce though. In most cities where you can find an Armenia hostel, there are only a few hostels. It is therefore recommended to check availability and book a hostel in Armenia before heading to this particular town. The prices of Armenia hostels in those towns are also not as competitive as in Yerevan. So if you do not intend to spend several days in a small town in the proximity of Yerevan, it may be better to return the same day to Yerevan.
If you intend to stay in a town with no hostels in Armenia, you should be able to find a cheap guesthouse. Even if there is an Armenia hostel in those towns, you may be better off by booking a private room in the guesthouse because the rates for private rooms can be cheaper when you are traveling with more people. These guesthouses normally offer private rooms, sometimes with shared facilities. Some of the guesthouses do offer dorm rooms too. In the more rural areas, the facilities might be basic, and facilities like warm water and high-speed internet should not always be expected.
From Armenia, you can also visit the de facto independent state Nagorno Karabakh. Nagorna Karabakh is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, but under Armenian military control. Visiting Nagorno Karabakh is definitely worth the experience. However, keep in mind that any proof of a visit to Nagorno Karabakh will get you blacklisted, deported, and possibly detained when you try to enter Azerbaijan.
Handwritten by local expert for Armenia hostels Martin Straatman
