Tourist Attractions to Visit in Shirak Province
Shirak is the most north-western province in Armenia. It shares international border with Turkey in the East and Georgia in the North. Shirak Province has a little different terrain as compared to other parts of Armenia. It is classified as a mountain meadow. There are parts of Shirak which are considered some of the oldest settlements in Armenia. There are also several historical places to visit in Shirak Province. Majority of Shirak tourist attractions are located in the capital city of Gyumri. The hiking trails though are spread amidst the mountains and plains. Nature exploration is in fact one of the most popular things to do in Shirak Province. You will find adventure tourism agencies inn all major towns and cities.
One of the most popular things to see in Shirak Province for nature exploration is the Lake Arpi National Park located on the north-west end of Shirak, as well as of Armenia. The Park covers the area around Lake Arpi extending all the way to Armenia-Turkey border. Hiking to this lake and within the park are popular things to do in Shirak. Another very famous nature site among Shirak tourist attractions is the Trchkan Waterfalls located towards the east side of Shirak Province. There are also other mountains popular among mountaineers & hikers on Shirak travel.
Besides nature, Shirak is a very culturally & historically rich province. There are several historical buildings among places to visit in Shirak. The most popular of these Shirak tourist attractions are located in Gyumri city, which is the second largest city in Armenia. There are forts, churches, and monasteries among things to see in Shirak Province. In Gyumri there are also several museums for Shirak sightseeing. You can also find archeological ruins in several regions in the province, but it will take some research as these places to visit in Shirak are usually only explored by very few people. There are also scattered pieces of historical craftsmanship called khachkars among things to see in Shirak Province. There are pink & red stone blocks of varying size carved to show a cross in various floral & spiral patterns. These are really beautiful work of art within themselves among Shirak tourist attractions. You will find many of these scattered across the province, besides historical places to visit in Shirak.
Coming to food & flavors, you will get easy & convenient access to great food, both traditional & foreign. Gyumir is the best place to hit for food on Shirak travel. There is a very interesting place for those who wish to try fish in Shirak Province. A restaurant called fish farm in Gyumir let’s you catch your own fresh fish & then they will prepare it for you in a variety of ways. You can also easily find many places to visit in Shirak Province which serve traditional Armenian food.
Shirak being home to second biggest city in Armenia, is quite prosperous. Though there are many things to do in Shirak Province, people mostly go to visit Gyumri only. If you are planning on Shirak travel, do include the northern regions of the province in your itinerary as well. If you are taking a route from Yerevan, you will find many Shirak tourist attractions near Artik on your way to Gyumri. For Shirak sightseeing of the western region, you can visit Maralik. Though there is not much for Shirak sightseeing in that regions besides a few churches and one fortress. The fortress is accessible from Gyumri as well, but if you are interested in visiting the Churches & Monasteries among things to see in Shirak Province, then you should travel towards Maralik via Artik.
Table of Contents
Cities to visit in Shirak
Things to do in Shirak, Armenia
Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Shirak, Armenia
- All Saviours Armenian Church
- Arakelots Monastery
- Black Fortress
- Ghushi Chapel
- Gusanagyugh Fortress
- Harichavank Monastery
- Hogevank Monastery
- Holy Mother of God Church
- Lmbatavank Monastery
- Marmashen Monastery
- Mher Mkrtchyan Museum
- Minas Avetisyan House Museum
- Museum of National Architecture & Urban Life
- Poghos-Petros Church
- Saint Stephen Church
- St. Gregory Church
- The Gallery of Mariam & Eranuhi Aslamazyan Sister
- Tigran Mansurian Cultural Palace
- Vartants Square
Nature & Wildlife Tourist Places to Visit in Shirak, Armenia
- Mount Aragats
- Shiraki Lerrner Mountain Peak
- Techkan Waterfalls
- Lake Arpi National Park
- Lake Arpi
- Mount Kaputkogh
- Shirak Plain
- Mount Maralik
- Mount Achkasar
How to Reach Shirak, Armenia?
By Air
The most direct destination for Shirak travel by air is the Shirak International Airport. Shirak Province has its own international airport in the city of Gyumri. You can also choose other airports in Armenia and then embark on a journey north-eastwards for Shirak sightseeing. Some people would prefer to land in Shirak province itself if they are exploring northern parts of Armenia, but if you are looking for a broad vacation in Armenia, then Yerevan is the place to start. You can then move northwards for places to visit in Shirak Province.
By Road
Shirak in not only connected nationally by road, but internationally as well. The M7 highway will take you from Shirak travel to Turkey in the east. The M1 highway will drive you towards Georgia while exploring things to see in Shirak Province.
By Water
Being a landlocked province, so there are no water routes for Shirak travel. There used to be a water route to Shirak Province at the time of the great flood and there might again be a water route for Shirak sightseeing once global warming raises the water levels enough. Till then enjoy the road for all things to do in Shirak Province.
