Etchmiadzin Cathedral
The mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church and one of the oldest cathedrals in the world, at the heart of the religious centre known as the Vatican of Armenia. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Etchmiadzin
In this town the Armenian Apostolic Church has its spiritual centre, along with a UNESCO-listed cathedral regarded as one of the oldest anywhere.
Attractive locations
Zvartnots Cathedral
The ruins of a large seventh-century round cathedral, with carved capitals and column bases lying among low walls. The site is part of the UNESCO listing, with Mount Ararat visible on clear days.
Saint Hripsime Church
A seventh-century stone church named after the martyr Hripsime, admired for its balanced, compact design and plain interior. It is part of the UNESCO-listed group of Etchmiadzin buildings.
Saint Gayane Church
A domed church named after Saint Gayane, set in a quiet courtyard. Its sober stone architecture and quiet setting make it a calm stop, and it belongs to the UNESCO-listed group.
Shoghakat Church
A small stone church near Etchmiadzin, built in the seventeenth century. Its simple lines and calm setting make it a peaceful contrast to the larger monuments nearby.
Sardarapat Memorial
A memorial complex of red stone with winged bulls, a bell tower and a museum, marking the 1918 battle that halted an advance on Yerevan. It is a symbol of Armenian national pride.
Airports
Zvartnots International Airport EVN
It is about 9 km in a straight line from Etchmiadzin.
Shirak International Airport LWN
It is about 74 km in a straight line from Etchmiadzin.
Scams and safe taxis
Taxi and scam advice for this country is on the Armenia page
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan-0.3 °C19 mm
- Feb2.3 °C16 mm
- Mar7.5 °C29 mm
- Apr12.5 °C47 mm
- May17.9 °C60 mm
- Jun23.5 °C44 mm
- Jul27.2 °C29 mm
- Aug27.0 °C21 mm
- Sep22.0 °C18 mm
- Oct15.0 °C33 mm
- Nov6.8 °C20 mm
- Dec1.3 °C18 mm
Driest months: Feb, Sep, Dec. Wettest months: Apr, May, Jun.
Costs
Prices here are about 38% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Who can help
Emergency
112. Police 102. Ambulance 103. Fire 101.
local government
Police emergency number 102
Helps with: Armenia's police number, listed with the other emergency numbers on the national tourism site. No separate tourist police unit is shown on that page.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Armenia who needs the police, including visitors.
Phone: 102
local government
Visit Armenia (national tourism site)
Helps with: Armenia's official tourism site. It lists tourism information centres in Yerevan and the regions and takes questions through an online contact form. It shows no phone number.
Who qualifies: Anyone travelling in Armenia or planning a trip there.
ngo
Armenian Red Cross Society
Helps with: Armenia's national Red Cross society. Its site lists disaster management, a search service, first aid, and social and health care. Contact its Yerevan headquarters reception.
Who qualifies: People in Armenia who need its disaster, first aid, search or social and health services.
Phone: +374 60 62 50 50
Address: 21/1 Paronyan Street, Yerevan 0015
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Armenia
Helps with: The UN migration agency. In Armenia it advises on migration policy, supports voluntary return and reintegration, works against human trafficking and provides health services for migrants and refugees.
Who qualifies: Migrants, returnees and refugees in Armenia. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +374 10 585 692
Email: IOMArmenia@iom.int
Address: 14 Petros Adamyan, UN Building, Yerevan
embassy
Foreign diplomatic representations in Armenia (foreign ministry list)
Helps with: For a lost passport or serious trouble, contact your own country's embassy. The Armenian foreign ministry lists foreign representations by country and offers a downloadable diplomatic directory.
Who qualifies: Citizens of each country, through their own embassy or consulate.
local government
Emergency number 911
Helps with: Armenia's emergency number for police, fire and ambulance. The national tourism site lists it for the Emergency Situations Crisis Management Center, with 101 for fire and 103 for ambulance.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Armenia facing an emergency or disaster.
Phone: 911