Geghard
A monastery hollowed out of a cliff at the head of the Azat valley, named for the spear of the Passion, with a classical temple of basalt nearby at Garni.
- Arrival
- Zvartnots International · EVN
- To the monastery
- About 36 km east of the airport, in a straight line
- Private jets
- Zvartnots, 3,849 m runway, VIP terminal
- Best time
- May to October
The city
Churches cut from the rock.
Tradition puts the founding of Geghard in the early fourth century, when Armenia had just taken Christianity as its state religion, and its first name, Ayrivank, meant the monastery in the cave. The present complex was finished in the thirteenth century, and much of it is carved: churches and the tombs of the Proshyan princes cut straight into the mountain, their walls set with cross-stones.
The later name, Geghardavank, comes from the spear said to have pierced Christ, which the monastery kept for some five hundred years. UNESCO listed Geghard with the upper Azat valley in 2000. At about 1,700 metres it runs cooler than Yerevan, and the season is May to October.
- The rock-cut churches Two churches carved out of the cliff, the first before 1250, the second in 1283.
- Garni Temple An Ionic temple of basalt above the Azat gorge, felled by the earthquake of 1679 and rebuilt stone by stone by 1975.
- The Basalt Organ The basalt columns of the Garni gorge, placed on Armenia’s tentative list for UNESCO in 2025.
Arriving
East from Zvartnots into the hills.
Every journey starts at Zvartnots, west of Yerevan, about thirty-six kilometres from the monastery in a straight line.
- Beirut 1 h 45
- Kuwait City 2 h 00
- Paris 4 h 45
- London 5 h 05
- Hong Kong 8 h 55 long-range jet
When to go
May to October.
These are Yerevan’s figures; Geghard stands some seven hundred metres higher and is noticeably cooler. Summers are dry and warm, winters cold, and May is the wettest month. From December to February the highs hover around freezing, and lower still at this height.
- -1° J 15
- 1° F 21
- 9° M 29
- 16° A 45
- 21° M 65
- 26° J 52
- 30° J 31
- 30° A 23
- 26° S 19
- 18° O 32
- 10° N 22
- 3° D 15
Where to stay
In the capital, half an hour away.
Shown for information. We have no arrangement with any of these hotels.
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The Alexander, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Yerevan Close to the Opera, and the first international luxury hotel in the old centre.
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Grand Hotel Yerevan Open since 1928 and rebuilt in 1999, with a pool on the roof.
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Mövenpick Yerevan A central hotel whose finest rooms are the Saryan Suite and a penthouse.
Where to dine
Dinner back in the capital.
No MICHELIN Guide covers Armenia. These are among the fine-dining restaurants Tripadvisor lists in Yerevan, each upmarket by its prices, dress code or tasting menu. All are in Yerevan, about 30 km away.
- Livingston Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice 2026 European $$$$ Yerevan, Karen Demirchyan Complex
- Barev Arev Tripadvisor, fine dining Armenian tasting menu $$$$ Yerevan, Khanjyan Street
- Dolmama Tripadvisor, fine dining Armenian $$$$ Yerevan, Pushkin Street
Elsewhere in Armenia
More reasons to come.
Flying to Geghard?
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A Business or First Class seat on a scheduled airline, or an aircraft of your own. Tell us the date and how many are travelling, and we reply with one final price, our margin included.