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Travel Tips
Visa Regulation
Citizens of most countries are required an entry visa which can be obtained online, at the embassies abroad (takes about 7 working days) or upon arrival to the country (about 30 minutes). For further information about the visa regulations for your country of origin you can follow the below given link.
Also, you can apply for it online by submitting an application form with the required documents and paying the visa fee, which is approximately 7 USD.
Climate in Armenia
Armenia has a tremendous climatic variety. In the mountainous regions of the country the climate is moderately cold with cool summers and harsh winters. Woody areas of the country are characterized by moderately warm and humid climate with mild summers and winters, while Ararat valley (where the capital in located) has a dry continental climate with hot summers and cold winters.
In summer the average temperature varies between 22 to 26 °C and may reach up to 40°C. In winter the temperature falls to -14 °C in the mountains and to -5 °C in plain lands. Springs are short with a temperature from 12 to 25 °C, while autumns are long with a temperature fluctuating between 20-30 °C.
Overall, Armenia is considered a sunny country where one can enjoy sunshine even in winter.
The best time to visit Armenia
The best seasons to visit Armenia and to experience its full beauty are from mid-spring to early autumn, particularly from April to October. For those who are not keen on hot weather better to skip mid-July and August, since the temperature in Yerevan and in the sub-tropical regions may reach up to 40°C.
People and Language
There are about 3 million people living in Armenia and it is mostly a mono-ethnic country since 98% of the population are Armenians. Ethnic minorities leaving here which consist of less than 3% of the population include Yazidis, Russians, Assyrians, Ukrainians, Kurds, Greeks, Georgians and Belarusians.
The Armenian language is the official language of Armenia as well as of the Republic of Artsakh. Russian is widely spoken in Armenia as well, and about 40 percent of the population has basic knowledge of English.
The most important thing about Armenians is that they are friendly and always ready to help travellers. They go out of their way to help foreigners, welcome them and do everything to make them feel comfortable in their homeland.
Religion
Armenia is the first country in the world to adopt Christianity as a state religion in 301 AD. According to the statistics, about 94 percent of Armenians consider themselves to be Christians and followers of the Armenian Apostolic church. Yet, in the Armenian Constitution it is mentioned that people who live in Armenia have the right to change their religious belief and practice any other religion.
Currency
The national currency of Armenia is Armenian Dram (AMD). This denomination is for both coins and banknotes. There are coins of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 and banknotes of 1000, 2000, 5000, 10.000, 20.000, 50.000 and 100.000. You can easily exchange US dollars, Euro, Russian Rubles and Georgian Laris in any bank or exchange bureaux. For exchange rates check the website of the Central Bank of Armenia: www.cba.am.Credit and debit cards are accepted in the majority of shops, restaurants and hotels of Yerevan, but less so outside the capital. All cities and most towns in the country have ATMs.
Safety
Armenia is one of the safest countries in the world boasting a very low crime rate. This is stated also in the Worldtravelguide.com. Here one can walk the city streets alone or with families past midnight with a peace of mind. In case of needing assistance, you can feel free to approach the locals walking in the streets and they will go out of their way to help you.
Public Transport
In Armenia the transport is very varied and relatively cheap compared to other countries. There are different types of transport such as bus, mini-bus, trolleybus and a subway. Trolleybus is the cheapest way of transportation costing 50 AMD (0,1 USD). Others cost 100 AMD (0,2 USD). During rush hours, when people hurry to work, university or school (from 8 to 10 am and from 6 to 9 pm), it is very uncomfortable to travel by public transport. So, if you are in a hurry or feel uncomfortable about public transport you can take a taxi. You can use taxi applications, such as GG, Yandex, UTaxi and so on in order not to be cheated on the amount of the price.
How to get to Yerevan from the Airport
There is a 24-hour taxi service at “Zvartnots” International Airport. The average amount to reach from the airport to a hotel in Yerevan will cost around 3000 AMD (about 6 USD).
What to eat
Armenian cuisine with its rich flavors and mouthwatering dishes will not leave indifferent even to the most rigorous gourmets. It is full of many delicious and fragrant dishes for both meat and vegetables lovers. The variety of fresh and organic fruits and vegetables available at any stop will surely please anyone visiting Armenia.
In Yerevan, you can eat almost everywhere as there are snack bars, cafes and restaurants at every 100 metres and at every 10 metres in the city center. Here one can find any type of cuisine: European, American, Arabic, Chinese and many more which might satisfy your needs. If you want to try local cuisine, there are many traditional restaurants offering a huge variety of national dishes. Make sure to try the incredible Armenian dolma, khorovats, harissa, gata and many other local dishes together with the famous lavash- the traditional UNESCO-listed thin bread.
Is it safe to drink tap water in Armenia?
Tap water in Armenia is considered safe to drink. There are public water fountains in the streets, called “pulpulak” in colloquial Armenian, where you can drink some fresh and delicious water for free.
Tipping in Armenia
Although tipping in Yerevan has become pretty common, it is absolutely up to you whether to tip or not. You can tip the waiters, taxi drivers, hotel doormen and bellhops if you are satisfied with the service. Tipping is less expected outside Yerevan; yet, it will always be appreciated.
The usual tipping rule at cafes and restaurants in 5-10 %, however be aware that in Yerevan the service charge on your bill does not usually go to the stuff.
Is WiFi widely available in Armenia?
WiFi is available across Yerevan in most cafes and restaurants, parks and shopping centers. Hotels and B&Bs are also equipped with WiFi, however, the internet access may vary a bit outside of the capital.
What vaccinations do I need for Armenia?
Although there is no special vaccination needed before travelling to Armenia, you can consult this with your local health practitioner before your trip. You can also visit the CDC Traveler’s Health page for more information.
What time zone is Armenia on?
Armenia Standard Time is 4 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+4). There are no Daylight-Saving Time changes observed throughout the year.