Sightseeing in Yerevan: Cascade to Erebuni

October 30, 2026

Yerevan was laid out in 1924 to a plan by Alexander Tamanian and is faced in pink and black tuff, which gives it the name Pink City. Its history reaches back to Erebuni, founded in 782 BC, 29 years before Rome. The centre, Kentron, is compact, with the Hrazdan gorge along its west side. Check gov.uk and travel.state.gov for current Armenia advice before you go.

The Cascade and the sculpture garden

The Cascade is a Soviet-era staircase that was renovated in the 2000s, and the Cafesjian Center opened inside it in 2009. Counts of the steps run from 555 to 572, so say about 570. The outdoor steps and terraces are free and open at all times, and the escalators inside usually run daily from 08:00 to 20:00. A sculpture garden at the base holds Botero’s cat and other works. Mount Ararat lies south-southwest of the city and is clearest on a clear early morning.

The Matenadaran

The manuscript repository at 53 Mashtots Avenue is open Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 to 17:50 and costs 2,000 AMD. The Echmiadzin Gospel of 989 AD and the Mush Homilies are real highlights among over 17,000 manuscripts. The official page lists concessions.

Republic Square and the History Museum

Government buildings from 1926 to 1958 surround the square, and the History Museum and the National Gallery fill its north side. The museum charges 2,500 AMD for the permanent exhibition. It is open Tuesday to Saturday 11:00 to 18:00 with last entry at 17:15, and on Sunday 11:00 to 17:00. It is closed Mondays. Check the admission page for national holidays.

Erebuni Fortress

The fortress and museum at 38 Erebuni Street, Arin Berd, are open Tuesday to Sunday 10:30 to 16:40 for 1,500 AMD. Argishti I founded the settlement in 782 BC. See the museum site .

The Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque on Mashtots Avenue, commonly listed at number 12, was built in 1766 under the Iranian governor Huseyn Ali Khan and is described as the only working mosque in Armenia. Opening hours are about 10:00 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 18:00, but check on the day. Dress modestly, and women should carry a scarf. Entry is free and donations are welcome.

Mother Armenia and Victory Park

The Mother Armenia statue stands on the terrace of Victory Park and measures about 51 m including its pedestal.

Tsitsernakaberd, the Armenian Genocide Memorial

Tsitsernakaberd, at 8/8 Tsitsernakaberd Highway, is the national memorial to the victims of the Armenian Genocide, and the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute stands beside it. Entry is free and donations are welcome. The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 to 17:00 from 15 February to 15 November and 11:00 to 16:45 for the rest of the year, with last entry 30 minutes earlier in each case. On Sunday it is open 11:00 to 15:00. It is closed on Mondays and on listed holidays and has longer hours on 24 April. Visit in quiet, respectful dress, and note that photography rules are posted at the entrance. Tours are not offered to children under 13. Official information is at genocide-museum.am .

Getting around

The metro is one line of 10 stations. Pay with a contactless card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or a QR ticket, since cash ended in February 2025.

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