The capital, Yerevan, is Armenia's largest city and an excellent location to start for anybody interested in seeing the country. The city's great Republic Square is a must-see, as is ascending the Cascade to witness the city's monument commemorating the Soviet triumph in WWII.

Yerevan is a historically significant city, and visiting the Armenian Genocide Memorial is a must for those interested in learning more about the country's turbulent past. A trip down the Hrazdan gorge is also strongly recommended, as is a visit to the Vernissage flea market, which is open on weekends.

Day tours from Yerevan, often known as the City of Cafes, may take you to see a lot of what Armenia has to offer. Yerevan is also home to the Blue Mosque, the country's lone mosque, as well as Levon's Amazing Underground World, one of Europe's most bizarre tourist sites.

Because of the color of the stones used to construct much of the city center, which is a tight region known as Kentron, Yerevan is commonly referred to as the 'Pink City.'

• Location: Yerevan, Armenia
• Timing: Open all day
• Famous for: The pink-hued volcanic stone that was utilized to construct the city
• Entry Fee: Free
• Best Time To Visit: Late May to early June is the ideal time to visit Armenia.

Shikahogh State Reserve, Armenia's second biggest forest reserve, is so untouched that huge portions of it remain unknown to this day. Leopards, bears, wild goats, and vipers are supposed to live in the forest, and Shikahogh State Reserve is considered to have over 1,100 plant species, however its wildlife has not yet been thoroughly studied.

In 2005, a proposed motorway endangered the reserve, but environmentalists successfully pushed for the forest's future to be saved. A variety of stunning waterfalls may also be seen inside the reserve. "Shikahogh State Reserve" – State Non-Commercial Organization conducts all operations linked to natural ecosystems, genetic resources, landscape and biological variety, natural heritage protection, restoration, and natural resource accounting.

Armenia's well-developed transportation system allows visitors to reach "Shikahogh" State Reserve by private automobile or through a variety of travel firms that offer frequent excursions and trips to the country's many landmarks. The trip will not appear long due to the "Shikahogh" State Reserve's geographical position.

• Location: Shikahogh, Armenia
• Timing: Open all day
• Famous for: over 1,100 plant species
• Entry Fee: Free
• Best Time To Visit: March to June.

The country's largest lake, Lake Sevan, is located in the center of Armenia and is a lovely site to explore during a vacation to the country. The lake is surrounded by several monasteries, the most spectacular of which is perhaps the Sevanavank Monastery, which provides a beautiful panoramic backdrop for a pleasant journey.

Windsurfing is one of the lake's recreational activities, and the lake's shoreline is lined with outstanding seafood eateries. Because Armenia lacks a coastline, Lake Sevan has a variety of famous beaches, making it the greatest site in the nation to sunbathe, with Sevan Bay and its surrounding mountains providing stunning views.

If you're traveling from Yerevan to Lake Sevan, it's highly recommended that you stay overnight and explore the area. You won't get to visit as many local businesses if you simply take a day trip up there way, but there are some excellent places to dine in and around Sevan, as well as some very intriguing locations to explore there.

• Location: Armenia
• Timing: Open all day
• Famous for: Armenia's lone beach is on Lake Sevan.
• Entry Fee: Free
• Best Time To Visit: November to December.

Dilijan National Park, one of Armenia's four national parks, may be the most beautiful of the four. The park, which opened in 2002, is known for both its medical mineral water springs and its natural landmarks.

Many of Armenia's most prominent cultural sites, including Haghartsin Monastery, Goshavank Monastery, and Jukhtak Vank, as well as Matosavank Monastery and the Akhnabat church, are located within the park's boundaries.

The Aghestev and Getik river basins are also inside the Dilijan national park's limits. It is located in Armenia's north-eastern Tavush Province and has an area of 240 km2. Forest settings, abundant biodiversity, medicinal mineral water springs, natural and cultural landmarks, and a wide network of hiking routes make it a popular destination.

Dilijan National Park is known for its crystal-clear air, as well as its diverse flora and wildlife. Mineral springs are well-known in the Dilijan area. Some estimates put the number of mineral spring sources in Dilijan Park at about 20.

• Location: Armenia
• Timing: Open all day

• Famous for: The Aghestev and Getik river
• Entry Fee: Free
• Best Time To Visit: The greatest time to visit Dilijan National Park is from April to October, when the weather and conditions are at their optimum.

Mount Aragats, a dormant volcano in Armenia's north, is one of the country's most beautiful natural wonders. It is Armenia's tallest mountain, and it is surrounded by a wealth of rock art, including drawings of animals and human-like forms that date back hundreds of years.

Mount Aragats is snow-covered practically all year, although it may be climbed, with July, August, and September being the ideal months to do so. The simplest of the four summits to climb is the southernmost, while the northern peak, at roughly 4,000 meters, is the most difficult.

Aragats, according to legend, is an extinct volcano with a crater between its peaks. Mountains have a particular place in Armenian culture and history, which is why many stories and folk tales are linked to their names and origins. The name Mount Aragats is said to be derived from the name of the Armenian pagan God Ara, which means "Ara's Throne" in English.

• Location: Armenia
• Timing: Open all day
• Famous for: a sacred mountain for the Armenians
• Entry Fee: Free
• Best Time To Visit: The best time to climb Aragats is between June and August, when the mountain routes are dry and safe.

During the peak tourist season, Lake Sevan may be highly busy, whereas Lake Arpi offers a considerably more tranquil atmosphere. Lake Arpi, which is used for irrigation and hydropower generation, is also the source of the Akhurian River.

With about 100 kinds of birds known to reside in the vicinity, a new park was constructed around the lake in 2009 to safeguard the natural environment. Lake Arpi is also a Ramsar Convention protected site with a diverse flora and fauna. Lake Arpi is home to one of the greatest colonies of Armenian Gulls, as well as camping and walking trips.

Lake Arpi's region is acknowledged as one of the world's most significant bird habitats. There are 140 bird species and 670 plant species that have been recorded.

Lake Arpi National Park's lakes and marshes are well-known for being good bird-watching spots, with breeding species visible from May to July and migrating birds resting in the spring and fall. Arpi is also a site where winter sports traditions may be revived.

• Location: Lake Arpi, Shirak Province
• Timing: Open all day
• Famous for: bird-watching spots
• Entry Fee: Free
• Best Time To Visit: Lake Arpi National Park is divided into three regions, each of which should be visited separately.

One of Armenia's distinguishing qualities is its monasteries, and the one at Noravank is one of the most magnificent in the country. The monastery, which was established in the 13th century, is protected by sheer brick-red cliffs. With the terracotta slopes of the Amaghu River canyon as a background, this monastery may be one of Armenia's most gorgeous locations.

The Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God) church in Noravank is famous, and legend has it that the monastery was preserved by God himself when Armenia was overrun by the Mongols hundreds of years ago. If you just visit one monastery during your vacation to Armenia, Noravank would be a great choice — hundreds of tourists visit each year.

Noravank is known for its spectacular architecture, history, and surrounding nature. A defensive wall has also been constructed. Two churches, a gavit, a church entryway, and a chapel make up the monastery complex. Many Khachkars (cross-stones) may also be seen in the monastery's vicinity.

• Location: 3604, Armenia
• Timing: Open all day
• Famous for: Amaghu River
• Entry Fee: US$ 39
• Best Time To Visit: Summer (April to July).

Gyumri, Armenia's second biggest city, is definitely worth a visit for anybody visiting the nation for the first time. The Black Fortress on the hill that overlooks the city is perhaps the greatest site to take in the scenery of Gyumri, while the gigantic Mother Armenia statue is also close.

Gyumri is home to several of Armenia's most notable cultural institutions, including the Dzitoghtsyan Museum of Social Life and National Architecture, the Aslamazyan Sisters House-Museum, and the Sergey Merkurov House-Museum. The Kumayri Historic District is Gyumri's oldest neighborhood, with over a thousand historic structures.

Gyumri has a wide range of average temperatures. When humidity is included in, temperatures feel chilly for approximately half of the year and pleasant for the other half, with a good possibility of precipitation for about half of the year. When compared to tourist locations throughout the world, the area is less temperate than others, ranking in the 34th percentile for pleasant weather.

• Location: Gyumri, Shirak, Armenia
• Timing: Open all day
• Famous for: Aslamazyan Sisters House-Museum
• Entry Fee: Free
• Best Time To Visit: If you're searching for the hottest months to visit Gyumri, August, July, and subsequently June are your best bets.

Vanadzor, in Armenia's northwestern region, is the country's third largest city. Vanadzor is an excellent starting point for seeing the Lori area, which is unquestionably one of Armenia's most beautiful destinations. The Vanadzor Botanical Garden is one of the city's most popular tourist destinations, and visitors should also visit the Vanadzor Fine Art Museum.

Because of the Lori region's numerous mineral springs, there are a variety of fantastic spas in and near Vanadzor to enjoy. Vanadzor is predominantly an industrial city, but it also has a number of theatres, including the Vanadzor Puppet Theatre and the Bohem Chamber Theatre of Vanadzor.

One of the most interesting things about Vanadzor is that if you want to go hiking, biking, rock climbing, rafting, or participate in other activities, it is very easy to arrange because, like many other regions in Armenia, Lori has ideal conditions for such activities and has an active outdoorsy population as well as tourist centers.

• Location: Vanadzor, Armenia
• Timing: Open all day
• Famous for: hiking, biking, rock climbing, rafting
• Entry Fee: Free
• Best Time To Visit: January to March.

Amberd Fortress, which dates from the seventh century, is one of Armenia's most beautiful destinations. The stronghold, which was formerly one of the Armenian Kingdom's key military-defensive positions, is about an hour's drive from Yerevan, the capital city.

During the winter months, however, snowfall can render the stronghold inaccessible, although the weather normally improves by late May. The view from the top of the fortress is amazing, and the structure itself is as impressive. Amberd Fortress is within a short distance from Byurakan Village, which is home to the Byurakan Observatory.

The historical significance of the Amberd complex stems from its distinctiveness as one of the outstanding instances of Armenian fortification architecture. The site has a wide range of structures, including a church, a chapel, baths, walls, and many gates. This fortification is perched high on the Aragats mountain, encircled on three sides by ravines. Exploring the citadel's fractured water supply, spas, and secret tunnel leading to a canyon beyond the fortress walls also appeals many visitors.

• Location: Amberd road, Armenia

• Timing: Open all day

• Famous for: Armenian fortification architecture

• Entry Fee: Free

• Best Time To Visit: February to June.