Things to Do in Yerevan in August
August weather, activities, events & insider tips
August Weather in Yerevan
Is August Right for You?
Advantages
- Peak apricot season across Armenia - roadside vendors sell fresh fruit for 500-800 AMD per kilogram, and you'll find apricot everything from dried fruit to homemade vodka in local markets. The Ararat Valley orchards are in full harvest mode.
- Long daylight hours until 8:30pm give you extended time for outdoor exploration without the scorching heat of July. Evenings cool down significantly to 19°C (66°F), making rooftop dining and terrace bars genuinely comfortable.
- Wine harvest preparations begin in late August, particularly around Areni. Wineries offer pre-harvest tours where you can actually see the grapes being tested and preparations underway, rather than just tasting rooms. Tours typically cost 3,000-5,000 AMD including tastings.
- Fewer international tourists than June-July peak season, though you'll still see decent crowds at major sites. Hotel prices drop 15-20% compared to high summer, and you can book quality guesthouses in the city center for 12,000-18,000 AMD per night without months of advance planning.
Considerations
- Afternoon heat in the city can hit 34°C (93°F) with 70% humidity, creating that sticky, draining feeling between 2-5pm. The pollution from traffic gets trapped in the valley during these hours, making outdoor sightseeing genuinely unpleasant during midday.
- Occasional thunderstorms roll in from the mountains, typically late afternoon. They're brief but intense - the kind that floods streets for 30 minutes then disappears. About 10 days in August see rain, though it rarely ruins entire days.
- Mount Aragats higher trails above 3,000 m (9,840 ft) can still have unpredictable weather with sudden fog banks and temperature drops to near freezing at the summit. If you're planning serious hiking, conditions are less stable than September.
Best Activities in August
Geghard Monastery and Garni Temple Mountain Routes
The 30 km (18.6 miles) route from Yerevan to Geghard through Garni Gorge is spectacular in August mornings before 11am when temperatures are still comfortable at 22-25°C (72-77°F). The basalt columns at Garni catch perfect light for photography, and Geghard monastery stays naturally cool inside the rock-carved chambers. Most tour groups arrive after noon, so early starts mean you'll have the monastery courtyard nearly to yourself. The drive back through apricot orchards lets you stop at farm stands.
Lake Sevan Beach and Monastery Circuit
Lake Sevan sits at 1,900 m (6,234 ft) elevation, making it 5-8°C (9-14°F) cooler than Yerevan throughout August. The water temperature reaches 20-22°C (68-72°F), actually swimmable unlike earlier summer months. Sevanavank monastery on the peninsula gets crowded by midday, but the northern shore beaches near Tsaghkunk remain relatively quiet. Locals pack the beaches on weekends, but weekdays you'll find space. The grilled ishkhan trout at beachside restaurants costs 2,500-3,500 AMD and is genuinely fresh.
Yerevan Evening Food Walking Routes
August evenings from 7-10pm are perfect for walking the city when temperatures drop to 24-26°C (75-79°F) and locals fill outdoor cafes. The route from Republic Square through Saryan Street to the Cascade covers about 3 km (1.9 miles) and takes you through the actual dining scene - outdoor grills smoking khorovats, lavash bread being slapped onto tonir ovens, and seasonal produce markets. GUM Market stays open until 8pm with vendors selling fresh herbs, tomatoes, and late summer vegetables. This is when you see how Yerevantsis actually eat.
Dilijan National Park Forest Trails
Dilijan sits at 1,500 m (4,921 ft) in forested mountains, staying 8-10°C (14-18°F) cooler than Yerevan throughout August. The trails between Parz Lake and Goshavank monastery wind through pine and oak forests that provide actual shade - rare in Armenia's summer landscape. Morning mist often lingers until 9am, creating atmospheric conditions for photography. The 5 km (3.1 miles) lake loop trail is manageable for most fitness levels and stays comfortable even at midday. Late August brings early mushroom season, and you'll see locals foraging.
Khor Virap Sunset Viewpoint Sessions
The monastery sits 45 km (28 miles) south of Yerevan with direct views of Mount Ararat across the Turkish border. August offers the clearest visibility of the year - Ararat is visible roughly 70% of evenings compared to spring's hazy conditions. Arriving around 6pm gives you golden hour light on the mountain, and the temperature drops from scorching to comfortable as the sun sets. The monastery dungeon where Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned stays naturally cool if you need a break from heat. Most tour buses leave by 5pm, so late afternoon visits are quieter.
Vernissage Weekend Market and Crafts District
The weekend market along Aram Street expands significantly in August as craftspeople return from summer villages. Saturday and Sunday from 9am-4pm, you'll find over 200 vendors selling everything from Soviet-era cameras to hand-carved wooden items and traditional carpets. August heat means arriving before 11am is essential - the market has minimal shade and becomes uncomfortable by midday. This is where locals actually shop for household items, not just tourist souvenirs. Bargaining is expected - start at 60% of the asking price. The nearby Cascade complex offers air-conditioned contemporary art galleries when you need a heat break.
August Events & Festivals
Armenian Wine Festival
Typically held in early August at various Yerevan venues including Republic Square, this festival showcases Armenian wineries with tastings, food pairings, and live music. You'll find wines from Areni, Vayots Dzor, and emerging regions, with most tastings costing 1,000-2,000 AMD per pour. The evening sessions from 7-11pm are most comfortable temperature-wise and draw bigger crowds. Worth attending if you're interested in Armenian wine beyond the standard tourist tastings.