Day Trips to Lake Sevan from Yerevan

Getting from Yerevan

Lake Sevan is about 65 km from Yerevan, and the M4 drive takes 1 to 1.5 hours.

  • Car or hired driver. The easiest way to link Sevanavank, Hayravank and Noratus in one day. A taxi or hired driver for the day is the easy way to link the lake’s sights; agree the rate before you set off.
  • Marshrutka. Minibuses to Sevan town take about 45 minutes to 1 hour 15. Sources differ on the departure point, with Gai station and the Northern Bus Station on the Abovyan Highway both named, and on the fare, from about 800 to 1,500 AMD. Confirm both locally and check timetables on t-armenia.com . Services leave roughly every half hour in the day.
  • Summer weekend train. In 2026 the service ran on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from mid-June to the end of September, leaving Yerevan main station. Carriages have wooden benches and no toilet. Check railway.am for times and fares.

Sevan town lies about 3 km from the shore, and Sevanavank is on the peninsula about 5 km by road to the north-east. Take a taxi or walk if the weather allows.

The Western Shore Loop

This is the classic day, driven in the order below:

  1. Sevanavank. Founded in 874, with two churches reached by about 200 stone steps. Free to enter and open daily in daylight hours.
  2. Hayravank. A late 9th-century church on a rock outcrop above the water, about 20 km along the western shore. Free to visit.
  3. Noratus. A khachkar cemetery about 30 to 35 km south of Sevan, with a working village church beside it.
  4. Gavar. The provincial capital, handy for a meal or fuel before the drive back.

Start early, because wind and cloud build at the lake in the afternoon.

Adding Dilijan

Sevan to Dilijan is about 37 km by road. A long day with Haghartsin, Goshavank, Parz Lake and old Dilijan is possible by tour, though a night in Dilijan is more relaxed. Sevan to Dilijan marshrutkas exist, with times on t-armenia.com. Read more: Multi-day trips around Sevan .

Adding Tsaghkadzor

Tsaghkadzor is about 22 to 25 km by road. The monastery of Kecharis is free to enter and the chairlift runs from 10:00 to 17:30 from 7 October 2026, at about 3,000 AMD a ride.

Not a Day Trip from Sevan

Tatev in Syunik is about 250 km away. Garni and Geghard are on the other side of Yerevan. Plan each as its own day.

Practical Tips

  • Wear layers and a windproof jacket; the lake sits at about 1,900 m.
  • Bring cash in dram for taxis, boats and cafes.
  • Cover shoulders and knees at the churches.

Search guided departures on GetYourGuide .