Top view
City and Ararat.
Gerd Eichmann — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Սէրուժ Ուրիշեան (Serouj Ourishian) — CC BY 4.0 · Marcin Konsek — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Marcin Konsek — CC BY-SA 4.0
A giant white limestone stairway climbing a hill on the north side of central Yerevan, with hundreds of steps and a chain of terraces, fountains and stepped gardens, begun in the Soviet era and now one of the city's best-known sights and favourite places to stroll. The top of the steps gives the finest view over all of Yerevan, with snow-capped Mount Ararat and its twin peaks behind it on clear days. Those who would rather not climb can ride the escalators inside the structure, lined with art exhibits on each level. At the foot of the steps is an open sculpture garden belonging to the Cafesjian Center for the Arts, with modern works by international artists, among them a huge bronze cat by Fernando Botero that children love. Cafés and restaurants around the garden fill up in the evening. The climb and the garden are free, and some exhibitions inside the centre charge. The best time to visit is just before sunset, when the city and the mountain colour, and then the fountains light up.
City and Ararat.
Botero's cat.
Fountains and gardens.
Tamanyan Street, north of central Yerevan
Matenadaran (Institute of Ancient Manuscripts)One of the world's richest repositories of ancient manuscripts, an institute and7 minutes walk4.6
Republic SquareThe architectural heart of Yerevan and its finest square, a broad oval laid out 17 minutes walk4.7
Blue MosqueThe only working mosque in Armenia today, built in the 1760s under Hussein Ali K19 minutes walk4.6
Vernissage MarketArmenia's best-known handicraft market, an open-air market a few minutes from Re19 minutes walk4.6Yes, by the free escalators inside the structure.