Hand-woven carpets
Traditional patterns.
Deb Collins — CC BY 2.0 · RG72 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · RG72 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · RG72 — CC BY-SA 4.0
Armenia's best-known handicraft market, an open-air market a few minutes from Republic Square, its stalls lining the paths of a small park and bustling above all at weekends. Vendors sell hand-woven Armenian carpets in traditional colours and patterns, wood carvings, handmade chess and backgammon boards, silver jewellery, black volcanic obsidian, decorated ceramics, hats and textiles. In another part of the market painters show their canvases, while others sell antiques and Soviet-era collectibles, from medals and watches to cameras and stamps. It is a good place to buy souvenirs, and bargaining is expected. The market is open daily with a few stalls and peaks on Saturdays and Sundays from morning to evening; entry is free. Paying in cash in Armenian dram is best.
Traditional patterns.
Carved wood.
Medals and watches.
Aram and Buzand streets, near Republic Square, Yerevan
Republic SquareThe architectural heart of Yerevan and its finest square, a broad oval laid out 7 minutes walk4.7
Blue MosqueThe only working mosque in Armenia today, built in the 1760s under Hussein Ali K14 minutes walk4.6
The CascadeA giant white limestone stairway climbing a hill on the north side of central Ye19 minutes walk4.8
Matenadaran (Institute of Ancient Manuscripts)One of the world's richest repositories of ancient manuscripts, an institute and23 minutes walk4.6On Saturdays and Sundays, when most stalls open from morning to evening.