Armenia’s Most Photogenic Small Towns

Armenia is a small nation, yet the beauty of its small towns is the charm of the country, its serenity, and its colorfulness and centuries-old history. Stone pavements and old monasteries, breathtaking mountain sceneries, all parts of this land could be a story worth documenting. These towns provide scenic locations and memorable experiences to UAE travelers who want to escape to a perfect location on the postcard. In case you are willing to visit this beautiful place, remember to obtain Armenia visa in Dubai before you begin your trip.

1. Dilijan -Little Switzerland of Armenia.

Dilijan is the place called the Little Switzerland of Armenia, and it is the place of every photographer and nature lover who wants to visit this place. This small town is hidden by the green forests and hills and the most beautiful walking paths and traditional buildings in Armenia. The Old Town, particularly the Sharambeyan Street, is particularly transparent to photography, with its preserved houses bearing the Armenian artisanship of the 19th century.

2. Goris -The home of caves and stone houses.

Goris is a special town which is a mixture of both natural beauty and the ancient history. It is engulfed in the rocky cliffs and bizarre cone-shaped structures, something that appears in the fairytale. The antique cave houses excavated in the mountain side is mysterious and photo-genic.

Stroll down the packed walks in the town, bordered as it is by a series of stone houses with their roofs of red, and you will think you had gone back in time. The morning and evening

3. Jermuk -the Mountain Spa Town of Armenia.

Located in high mountains, Jermuk is well known in its natural hot springs, mineral water, and treatment spas. However, it is not only wellness, it is one of the most photogenic small towns in Armenia. One of the most fascinating places to capture the attention of a photographer is the Jermuk Waterfall that is falling at 70 meters high during spring when the surrounding landscape turns into a green lush area.

4. Tsaghkadzor -The Blooming Valley.

The Valley of Flowers (Tsaghkadzor) is just as the name suggests. During spring and summer the valley is bright with colorful wildflowers whereas during winter it turns into the best ski resort in Armenia. This renders it a place to be seen all the year round.

The central point of the town is the Kekaris Monastery Complex a 11 th century old structure, which is situated on the backdrop of mountains. Rides by the cable cars give one the panoramic view of the complete valley - ideal in panoramic photographing.

5. Ashtarak A mixture of Colour and Culture.

Ashtarak is a small town, only 20 kilometers away in distance, and although it is small, it is located in an ideal spot to unite history, culture, and architecture. This place is called the town of tower and there are a few ancient churches that are situated on the Kasagh River gorge.

The most photogenic place in it is the Karmravor Church, a little red-brick chapel surrounded by greenery. It is a very simple yet strong subject to be photographed, particularly during sunrise.

6. Areni -Wine Village of Armenia.

Areni is a must visit place to people who love vineyards and the beauty of countryside. This is the center of the Armenian winemaking in the region of Vayots Dzor. Areni Wine Festival which is conducted in the autumn turn the town in bright colors with the traditional costumes and dancing and, of course, wine tasting.

The local Areni Cave that archaeologists found the oldest known winery in gives the place an exciting historical touch. Photographers will enjoy painting the difference between the dark deep interiors of the caves and sunlit vineyards in the outside.

7. Meghri -Southern Jew of Armenia.

The warm weather and the southern charm is specific to Meghri, which is situated close to the Iranian border. The city is ideal in travel photography because of the pastel-colored houses, fruit gardens, and ancient fortress of this town.

The Meghri Fortress was constructed in the 17 th century and is located on the top of a hill where one can have a panoramic view of the town and the Aras River valley below. One more secret treasure that should be captured is the murals located in the St. Hovvannes Church. During autumn, orchards in Meghri are full of the color of pomegranates and persimmons - the golden touch to your photos.

8. Alaverdi A Town between Mountains and Monasteries.

Located on the Debed River and enclosed in cliffs, Alaverdi is a city that is both industrial and spiritual history. It is near some of the most renowned UNESCO-listed monasteries in Armenia such as Haghpat and Sanahin.

The ancient stone monasteries will be the delight of photographers who will appreciate the way they have integrated into the mountainous terrain. The cable car of old Soviet times that is still operating across the canyon also gives it a nostalgic feel and a photo opportunity.

9. Byurakan -A Town Under the Stars.

Byurakan is the best place to be when doing night-sky photography. This small town is known to have an astronomical observatory and is located on the slopes of the Mount Aragats and provides one of the clearest night skies in the area.

You can also visit medieval churches and picturesque hiking paths around during the day. However, after the sun goes down, Byurakan turns into the heaven of astrophotographers, and thousands of stars can be seen with the naked eye.

10. Noravank Canyon- The meeting of Nature and Architecture.

It technically belongs to a settlement rather than a town, but Noravank Canyon area is worth a mention due to its astonishing beauty. The red rocks of the Noravank Monastery are lit up in the evening light and it is one of the most recognizable sceneries in Armenia. It is the place where all photographers would want to go because it is the place where the two worlds of nature and the art of human beings come together and complement each other.

Final Thoughts

The small towns in Armenia are so covetable you will not experience the same thing in big cities. They all narrate something, they all have people, colors, landscapes. It makes no difference whether you were photographing the stone houses of Goris or the forests of Dilijan or the vineyards of Areni, you will come home not only with photographs, but memories that will last forever.

Getting your Armenia visa in Dubai is your first step in visiting these photogenic locations yourself, as long as you are motivated to do so. With our fast visa service and tailor-made Armenia travel packages, our experienced travel executives will assist you in the simple things: to explore and discover as well as to capture the beauty of Armenia through your own perspective.