Almost every visitor uses Yerevan as a base for at least one day trip — most of Armenia's great medieval monasteries and pre-Christian sites are within easy striking distance.
Echmiadzin, 20 kilometres west, is the historical seat of the Armenian Apostolic Church and worth half a day. Garni and Geghard, 30 kilometres east, are usually combined: a Hellenistic temple in dramatic terrain and a partly rock-cut medieval monastery in a deep gorge. Khor Virap, an hour south, is the pilgrimage church staring straight up at Mount Ararat. Lake Sevan with its peninsular monastery of Sevanavank lies an hour north, a cool summer escape with trout restaurants on the shore.
All of these can be done by hired taxi for a fixed day rate, by organised mini-bus tour, or — with more time and patience — by marshrutky from the Kilikia bus station.
