Noravank is the single most photogenic site in Vayots Dzor and one of the most striking monastery complexes in Armenia. The combination of the red stone canyon, the khachkars carved into the cliff face, and the medieval church architecture creates a setting that makes most Armenian monasteries look austere by comparison. The best light for photography is in the late afternoon when the sun catches the red cliffs from the west.
The monastery complex includes the main Cathedral of St. Astvatsatsin, the smaller Church of St. John the Baptist, and the Burtelashen church with its famous external staircase. The stairs to the upper chapel are genuinely vertiginous — they project from the smooth facade at a steep angle with no supporting wall on the outside. The gavit at the top is used as a service space and contains notable carved stone work. The road into the gorge passes through a narrow canyon section that's dramatic in its own right.