Tourist Attractions to Visit in Ashtarak
Ashtarak is located on the southern end of the Aragatsotn Province. It is the most popular town to visit in the province and it’s the administrative capital. The most popular places to visit in Ashtarak are mostly Churches and Monasteries. The Karmarov Church is one of the largest churches among Ashtarak tourist attractions. There is also a ruined fortress among things to see in Ashtarak. But more than the monuments themselves, it is the hike to these monuments, especially those located atop mountains, that is praised most by people on Ashtarak travel for being memorable.
The highest mountain of Armenia is not too far from Ashtarak and Mount Ara is close by as well. These two mountains are popular for hiking, trekking, mountaineering, camping, nature exploration and the similar things to do in Ashtarak. One of the most popular Ashtarak tourist attractions for hiking is Lake Kari. This is lake is especially wonderful for Ashtarak sightseeing when the winter is either arriving or receding as there are patches of snow, grass, and rocks creating a natural collage.
One of the interesting places to visit in Ashtarak for food as well as shopping is the city market. There are many shops located along the M3 motorway, the H19 motorway, and the Yerevan Street. All these streets are bristle with shops and food joints for you to enjoy on Ashtarak travel. The Lavash bread is a popular choice among people on Ashtarak sightseeing. Lavash is usually served in combination with a side gravy made from meat, chicken, or vegetable.
Ashtarak is known for both its walnuts & its wine. There are festivals to attend on Ashtarak travel concerning each of these items. The Walnut Festival promotes the local variety of walnuts grown around Ashtarak. You can try different items made from walnut & walnut tree among things to do in Ashtarak during Walnut Festival. The wine & culture festival is also a hoot to attend in September on Ashtarak travel. You can try the local variety of wine and also experience cultural performances in dance, music, and drama. You will also find many places to visit in Ashtarak hosting cultural events on this day. Even beside the festival, you try out the wines at many wineries in and around the city among Ashtarak tourist attractions.
Table of Contents
Things to do in Ashtarak, Armenia
Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Ashtarak, Armenia
- Amberd Ruined Fort
- Hovhannavank
- Saint Mariane Church
- Spitakavor Church
- Karmravor Church
- Tsiranavor Church
- Saint Sarkis Church
- Saghmosavank Monastery
- Arshakid King’s Mausoleum
- Kasakh Monastery
- Byurakan Observatory
- Teghar Monastery
- Saint Gevorg Church
- Saint Mesrop Mashtots Church
- Vahramashen Church
- Artavazik Church
Nature & Wildlife Tourist Places to Visit in Ashtarak, Armenia
- Mount Ara
- Lake Kari
Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Places to visit in Ashtarak, Armenia
- Armenia Wine Company
- Radio Optical Observatory
Shopping in Ashtarak, Armenia
- M3 Motorway
- H19 Motorway
- Yerevan Street
Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Ashtarak, Armenia
- Pascal & Diodoto
- Nazani Restaurant
- Amberd Tavern
- Old Ashtarak
- Ashtaraki Dzor
- Nor Jraghats
- Old House
How to Reach Ashtarak, Armenia?
By Air
The nearest airport for Ashtarak travel is the Zvartnots International Airport located in the province of Armavir. This Airports is towards the south of Aragatsotn Province. The Yerevan Airport is not far away for places to visit in Ashtarak. Both these airports can be said to be equidistant for Ashtarak sightseeing. There are no airports within Ashtarak or in the Aragatsotn Province. So you will have to land in either of these cities for Ashtarak travel as well. You can also choose Shirak International Airport located north of Aragatsotn. But, then you will have to traverse the length of Aragatsotn Province to get to Ashtarak tourist attractions.
By Road
If you take road route for Ashtarak travel, you will get to enjoy some wonderful sights of mountains and rivers. You may also explore nature & enjoy other things to do in Ashtarak on the way. Motorway M3 passes through Ashtarak across its north south axis. Many of the historical places to visit in Ashtarak are located along this Motorway. Motorway M1 connects to this city from the west and Motorway H6 from the east. You have many route options for things to do in Ashtarak. You will get public transport as well from all major cities and towns in Armenia for Ashtarak travel. The road journey is incredible for Ashtarak sightseeing as it is in all of Armenia.
By Water
Ashtarak is surrounded by Mountains by all sides. So there are no water routes for Ashtarak travel. You can wait for the world to drown till the height of mountains to have a water route to places to visit in Ashtarak. But then that would be asking too much for merely a boat ride.