Makaravank is the strongest day trip from Ijevan for anyone interested in Armenian church architecture. The monastery sits in forest above Achajur village, away from the main tourist road, with stone churches and khachkars that feel intimate rather than monumental.
The approach is part of the experience. Roads can be rough, so a local taxi or driver is sensible, especially after rain. Once there, give yourself time to look at the carvings instead of treating it as another quick monastery stop.