Which Monasteries Should I Visit in Armenia? [2024]

Sevanavank Monastery

Armenia is a beautiful country full of monasteries. In fact, there are over 4,000 monasteries in this nation where 97% of its population is Christian. With so many stunning monasteries to choose from, you could be asking yourself – which monasteries are actually worth visiting? Read this short guide to find out.

History of Monasteries in Armenia

Tatev Monastery by drone

With a little research about the country’s religious history, you would find out that Armenia was the first country to widely adopt Christianity in about 300 AD. Legend goes that St. Gregory the Illuminator convinced Armenia’s king at the time, Tiridates III, to convert to Christianity. Prior to this, Armenia was a country that largely practiced paganism (more on that later).

Candles lit up inside Khor Virap Monastery

Since then, Christianity has become a large part of Armenia’s identity, and this made extremely clear as you travel around Armenia’s countless number of monasteries.

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Our Favourite Monasteries in Armenia, Ranked

Garni Temple – not technically a monastery but a very popular religious site in Armenia.

We visited six of Armenia’s highest-rated monasteries and ranked them, based on our personal preference. Both are important to us, but keep in mind that we usually lean more towards visual appeal over historical significance when making our rankings.

6. Khor Virap

View of Mount Ararat from Khor Virap

We may have ranked Khor Virap sixth on this list, but we still really loved visiting. The Khor Virap monastery itself is a little simple, but the real attraction here are the uninterrupted views of Mount Ararat in the background – an instantly recognisable icon of Armenia. You should definitely visit Khor Virap if you’re looking for one of the best views of Mount Ararat in the country.

Khor Virap Monastery

Khor Virap is a highly historical and special monastery in the context of Armenia’s history, as legend has it that Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned on the site for 14 years by King Tiridates III. Eventually, Gregory the Illuminator became the king’s religious mentor, and together, they helped usher in a new era of Christianity for Armenia in the year 301.

Asher at Khor Virap Monastery

Fun fact: Khor Virap is only 8km from the border of Turkey.

5. Geghard Monastery

Geghard Monastery by drone

Geghard Monastery was the most recommended monastery out of all these monasteries, and has the most pristine rating across multiple platforms (e.g. Google, TripAdvisor). So don’t let our relatively low ranking of Geghard put you off – you may end of loving Geghard like most people who visit.

Exterior of Geghard Monastery

Interior of Geghard Monastery

The monastery complex was founded in the 4th century by Gregory the Illuminator, with the main chapel being built in 1215. UNESCO has listed this monastery as a World Heritage Site, for its historical and cultural significance.

Rock carvings inside Geghard Monastery

The rock carvings inside Geghard Monastery were beautiful

What makes Geghard impressive is that the monastery is partially carved out of the adjacent mountain, and the interior to the monastery is done extremely intricately. The wall carvings are truly unique, and in some ways, makes Geghard’s inside more appealing than its outside.

4. Garni Temple

Garni Temple

Okay – this one isn’t a monastery per se, but Garni Temple is one of Armenia’s most visited sights – and is within easy reach of Yerevan (the capital), so we had to include it. Like we mentioned previously, Armenians used to worship pagan gods, and Garni is the only standing pagan temple left in the country.

Garni Temple by drone

Caption: So this makes Garni Temple really old. Historians estimate that the temple was built in the first century AD, as a tribute to the sun god of Mihr. After Armenia converted into Christianity, Garni was converted into a royal summer house for King Tiridates III’s sister. Eventually, the temple was destroyed in a 1679 earthquake. The temple was then reconstructed between 1969 and 1975.

Surrounding mountains of Garni Temple

Ralph at Garni Temple

Why did we love Garni Temple? It was something different compared to the rest of the monasteries, and the surrounding mountains are really impressive. It is a popular tourist destination though, so expect crowds.

3. Sevanavank Monastery

Sevanavank Monastery is a photographer’s dream.

Sevanavank Monastery’s complicated history dates all the way back to the year 874, and interestingly involves royals, French explorers and Joseph Stalin (it’s pretty wild), but is now more well-known for being one of the prettiest monasteries in Armenia.

Sevavank Monastery

The buildings of Sevanavank Monastery are a bit simple, but still beautiful

Although the monastery itself is relatively small and not as intricate as the other ones on this list, Sevanavank is situated on top of a hill overlooks the alluring blue waters of Lake Sevan, which is an attraction in its own right.

Sevanavank Monastery by drone

Ralph at Sevanavank Monastery

This is a great photographer’s spot, as the juxtaposition between the old monastery, green grass and fresh blue water is always really satisfying to look at. Just be prepared that to get here, you’ll have to climb a series of steps – so bring your shoes.

2. Noravank Monastery

Noravank Monastery

Another angle of Noravank Monastery

Noravank Monastery is a 13th-century monastery immediately recognised for its beautiful churches, dramatically surrounded by brick-red cliffs. If you’ve seen pictures of Noravank before, you may recognise the Surb Astvatsatsin church. You used to be able to get to the second storey of this church by climbing up a stone-made staircase from the outside of the building façade. However, when we visited, this section was closed.

Surb Astvatsatsin church – you can see those famed steps here

Viewing point of Noravank Monastery

Noravank Monastery by drone

The atmosphere around Noravank is special, as it feels like you’re in the middle of an arid canyon. If you visit this monastery, I would recommend you take the short hike to take this photo below.

Asher at Noravank Monastery

Surrounding mountains of Noravank

It’s us! Hello!

It’s pretty easy to do if you have relatively good walking shoes. To get there, you’ll have to find your way behind the churches and make your way up the small hill, and keep walking until you see a pile of big rocks. Those rocks will provide a great vantage point for you to take the shot.

1. Tatev Monastery

Tatev Monastery by drone

Before traveling to Armenia, we had heard a lot of great things about Tatev Monastery. We had heard accounts of Tatev being the highlight of many travelers’ trips, and that their experience at the monastery was breathtaking. We were still a little hesitant, however, as we based in Yerevan and would have to embark on an extremely long day trip to make it to Tatev. Well, I can safely say that trip was completely worth it because Tatev is gorgeous.

Inside the Tatev Monastery complex

View of Tatev Monastery from afar

This 9th-century monastery complex previously hosted a pagan temple, but was replaced with a modest church in the 4th century, before transforming into the monastery it is now between the 9th and 11th centuries.

Tatev Monastery is stunning from all angles

Asher at Tatev Monastery

What is so special about Tatev is that it sits majestically on top of a hill, overlooking a deep gorge of the Vorotan River. Being so isolated, you’ll have to ride the Wings of Tatev aerial tramway to get the monastery complex. The Wings of Tatev tramway has actually been recognised by the Guinness World Records as the world’s longest non-stop double track cable car. The views are gorgeous everywhere you look, and that’s why it’s our favourite monastery in Armenia.

Tatev Monastery, seen from the Wings of Tatev aerial tramway

View from the Wings of Tatev aerial tramway platform

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Other Religious Sites

Holy Mother of God Kathoghike Church in Yerevan

We also visited other religious sites such as the Holy Mother of God Kathoghike Church and Blue Mosque, both of which were beautiful and worth visiting. Both are located within Yerevan city, so would make for an easy visit if you’re based out of the Armenian capital.

You should visit Kathoghike Church if you’re in Yerevan

Blue Mosque in Yerevan

Beautiful tiled roof of Blue Mosque

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What about other monasteries?

We only had the time to visit six of Armenia’s best-known monasteries, but there are many, many other monasteries that are most likely worth visiting too. These include the Sanahin and Haghpat Monasteries, Haghartsin Monastery, Hayravank Monastery, Saghmosavank and Hovannavank Monasteries, and many more!

Etchmiadzin Cathedral and Zvartnots Cathedral are not technically monasteries, but visitors frequently cite visiting these as highlights of their Armenian trip.

Let me know if you’ve visited any of the above and if you liked visiting!

Have you visited Armenia? Which were your favourite monasteries? Let me know in the comments below!

Check out my photos of my Armenian trip on Instagram!