Yerevan Brandy Company, Armenia - Things to Do in Yerevan Brandy Company

Things to Do in Yerevan Brandy Company

Yerevan Brandy Company, Armenia - Complete Travel Guide

Armenia's capital sits in the Ararat plain, a city that's managed to hold onto its ancient soul while embracing modernity with surprising grace. The pink volcanic stone that defines much of Yerevan's architecture gives the place a warm glow, especially during those legendary sunsets when Mount Ararat dominates the horizon. You'll find yourself in one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities, where Soviet-era boulevards intersect with medieval churches and where the smell of lavash baking mingles with the aroma from countless coffee houses. The city has this remarkable energy - part Mediterranean café culture, part post-Soviet resilience, and entirely Armenian in its hospitality.

Top Things to Do in Yerevan Brandy Company

Republic Square and Singing Fountains

The heart of Yerevan comes alive each evening when the fountains dance to classical and Armenian folk music, creating one of those genuinely magical urban experiences. The pink tufa stone buildings surrounding the square glow beautifully in the evening light, and locals gather here to socialize and enjoy the show. It's touristy, sure, but touristy for all the right reasons.

Booking Tip: The fountain shows run from May through October, typically starting around 9 PM. No booking needed - just show up early to claim a good spot on the steps. The show is free and runs every 30 minutes.

Cascade Complex and Modern Art

This massive limestone stairway connects downtown to the Haghtanak neighborhood, but it's actually much more interesting than that sounds. Inside, you'll find the Cafesjian Center for the Arts with an impressive collection of contemporary pieces, while outside, sculptures dot the terraces offering increasingly spectacular city views. The climb is worth it, though you can cheat and take the escalators inside.

Booking Tip: The outdoor areas are free and accessible 24/7, perfect for sunset views. The indoor museum costs around 1,000 AMD ($2.50) and closes on Mondays. Allow 2-3 hours if you want to see everything properly.

Yerevan Brandy Company Tasting

Yerevan Brandy Company has been crafting Armenian cognac since 1887, and their cellars hold some seriously impressive aged spirits. The tour takes you through the production process and history, but honestly, most people come for the tasting - their 20-year-old varieties are genuinely world-class. Winston Churchill was apparently a fan, which tells you something about the quality.

Booking Tip: Book tours in advance, especially during summer months. Standard tours cost around $15-20 and include 3-4 tastings. Premium tours with older brandies run $40-60. Tours run multiple times daily except Sundays.

Vernissage Weekend Market

Every weekend, the area near Republic Square transforms into this sprawling open-air market where you can find everything from Soviet-era memorabilia to handcrafted Armenian carpets. It's the kind of place where you might stumble across a 19th-century samovar next to someone selling homemade churchkhela. The vendors are usually happy to chat about their wares, and bargaining is expected.

Booking Tip: The market operates Saturdays and Sundays from morning until late afternoon. Bring cash (Armenian drams work best) and don't be afraid to negotiate - starting at about 60-70% of the asking price is normal. Quality varies widely, so examine items carefully.

Erebuni Fortress Archaeological Site

This 8th-century BC fortress represents the actual birthplace of Yerevan, and while it requires a bit of imagination to picture the ancient Urartian city, the museum does a decent job of bringing the history to life. The cuneiform inscriptions and archaeological finds give you a sense of just how deep this city's roots go. The views over modern Yerevan from up here are pretty spectacular too.

Booking Tip: Entry costs about 1,000 AMD ($2.50) and the site is open daily except Mondays. Take a taxi or marshrutka #67 from the city center - it's about 20 minutes. Allow 1-2 hours for the museum and ruins combined.

Getting There

Zvartnots International Airport sits about 12 kilometers west of the city center and handles most international flights, with connections through European hubs like Amsterdam, Paris, and Moscow being most common. The airport taxi service is reliable but pricey at around $15-20 to downtown - marshrutka minibuses cost under a dollar but require some patience and Armenian language skills. If you're coming overland, the borders with Georgia work smoothly, though the Turkish and Azerbaijani borders remain closed to tourists.

Getting Around

Yerevan's metro system is small but efficient, connecting key areas for about 100 drams (25 cents) per ride, and the Soviet-era stations are actually quite beautiful with their marble and artwork. Marshrutkas (minibuses) cover the entire city for similarly cheap fares, though route numbers and stops can be confusing for newcomers. Taxis are affordable and most drivers use meters now, while ride-sharing apps like GG and Yandex work well - walking is often your best bet in the compact city center where most attractions cluster within a few kilometers.

Where to Stay

Republic Square area
Cascade neighborhood
Kond historic quarter
Arabkir residential area
Kentron central district

Food & Dining

Armenian cuisine centers around fresh herbs, grilled meats, and that incredible lavash bread that's baked in traditional tonir ovens throughout the city. You'll find excellent traditional restaurants like Sherep and Tavern Yerevan serving classics like khorovats (barbecue) and dolma, while the café culture rivals anywhere in Europe - Armenians take their coffee seriously and sitting in outdoor cafés is practically a national pastime. The wine bars and brandy lounges offer local spirits that are genuinely world-class, and don't miss trying the local mineral water from Jermuk or the various fruit vodkas that somehow taste nothing like vodka.

Top-Rated Restaurants in Yerevan

Highly-rated dining options based on Google reviews (4.5+ stars, 100+ reviews)

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Mozzarella

4.6 /5
(1774 reviews)

Limone

4.6 /5
(767 reviews)

Syrovarnya

4.6 /5
(503 reviews)

InTempo

4.7 /5
(462 reviews)

Black Angus Signature

4.9 /5
(443 reviews)

L'ÉTÉ Cafe & Veranda

4.7 /5
(390 reviews)
bar cafe
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When to Visit

Late spring through early fall (May through October) offers the most pleasant weather, with warm days perfect for walking around and cool evenings ideal for those outdoor café sessions. Summer can get quite hot, but the low humidity makes it manageable, and this is when the city truly comes alive with festivals and outdoor events. Winter brings snow and a different kind of beauty, though some attractions have reduced hours - that said, there's something magical about seeing Mount Ararat snow-capped against a clear winter sky, and the brandy tastings feel especially appropriate when it's cold outside.

Insider Tips

The best views of Mount Ararat are actually from the airport road or the Cascade complex - the mountain looks deceptively close but sits across the closed Turkish border
Many restaurants don't open until 11 AM or noon, but Armenian breakfast culture happens at home anyway - grab coffee and pastry from a local bakery instead
Learning a few words of Armenian goes a long way with locals, but Russian is widely understood by older generations, while younger people often speak excellent English

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