Two and Three Day Trips from Lake Sevan
A Three Day Plan
Day 1: the peninsula and the shore. Drive the 65 km from Yerevan on the M4, which takes 1 to 1.5 hours, and reach Sevanavank early. Climb the roughly 200 steps to the two churches, founded in 874, then spend the afternoon on a public beach if it is July or August. Finish with trout, whitefish or crayfish at a lakeside restaurant such as Collette on the M4 or Bohem tea house in Sevan town.
Day 2: the western shore, then Dilijan. Visit Hayravank, about 20 km along the western shore, then Noratus Cemetery, about 30 to 35 km south of Sevan, with its several hundred to almost a thousand khachkars. After lunch in Gavar, drive to Dilijan, about 37 km from Sevan by road, for the night.
Day 3: Dilijan and back. Spend the morning at Haghartsin and Goshavank, or walk from Parz Lake to Goshavank, about 6.5 km on foot. Return to Yerevan in the afternoon. Dilijan is about 100 km and 1.5 to 2 hours from the capital.
Two days works if you drop the third morning: skip Parz Lake and head home after Haghartsin.
Where to Stay at the Lake
Options near Sevan include Best Western Bohemian Resort, the Sevan Writers’ House on the peninsula, which operates as a small hotel, and Comuna Sevan, accommodation in town with a private beach. Rates vary by season, so compare current prices. Search lakeside stays on Booking.com .
A Southern Extension
In the warm months you can continue from the lake over the Vardenyats, or Selim, Pass at 2,410 m on the Martuni to Yeghegnadzor highway. The road is usually passable from late spring to autumn but closes often in winter, so check road conditions before you set out. At the top stands the Selim Caravanserai, built in 1332 by Prince Chesar Orbelian. The road then drops into Vayots Dzor, where Noravank and Areni are the main stops. Read more: Day trips from Sevan .
Season and Weather
Swimming is a July and August activity, and the water is cool to cold. Spring and autumn suit sightseeing, but nights at 1,900 m can be cold. Winds can rise fast, so keep small craft near the shore and wear a lifejacket. In winter, expect snow on the passes and frequent closures on the high roads.
Getting Around
A car or hired driver is the simplest option for a loop. Marshrutkas run to Sevan town from Yerevan, with timetables on t-armenia.com , and Sevan to Dilijan buses exist, though check times locally. In summer the weekend train from Yerevan main station runs on Fridays to Sundays, with details on railway.am .
Packing
- A windproof layer, even in July
- Water shoes for pebbly beaches
- Cash in dram
- Modest clothes for the churches