Date: 20th May 2026
Travelled: Walking Yerevan in Armenia
Visited: Lots of Stuff
Stayed: Hayasa Hotel, Yerevan
We have a free day to ourselves in Yerevan today. There was an optional tour but we needed a day of whatever after nearly two weeks on a bus. So breakfast done we turn the corner and walk Mesrop Mashtots Avenue which continues all the way to Freedom Square.
So about Yerevan itโs the capital and largest city of Armenia, and one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, dating back to 782 BC. Known as the “Pink City” due to the extensive use of rosy volcanic tuff stone in its architecture, it serves as the cultural, historical, and economic hub of the country
However whilst central Yerevan is marked by some grand Soviet-era architecture and post independence public buildings in pink stone itโs only a couple of kilometres to the far less grand Soviet apartment blocks which appear to be waiting for the next earthquake.
The avenue is an easy walk small fruits sellers line the footpaths, lots of flower shops and small supermarkets. Armenianโs love a public sculpture every little piece of open space has a statue. Our guide had explained the numerous โheroโs of the revolutionโ statues have all gone replaced by famed Armenians.
Enough stone monuments, we move into the bronze age, pictured above.
Below, turning right from Freedom Square looking down Northern Avenue pedestrian mall. Full of upmarket cafes, trendy shops and some interesting murals that adorn the only two Soviet era buildings still on the avenue. Browsing our way down the avenue we note escalators every 50 metres, we find they lead to an underground shopping mall running the length of the mall. We walk that as well, but nothing captures Pamโs eye.
Pictured above, veering to the left from Freedom Square, the Cascades. A series of staircases and fountains providing easy public access to and from the suburb on the ridge above. Within thereโs another series of stairs, escalators and lifts. Each of the 5 levels within the Cascades has modern art gallery.
Weโve really enjoyed Yerevan (other than the traffic) everything is an easy walk and it feels safe and friendly. We decide to eat in tonight, thereโs a great supermarket just around the corner. We get some fresh cooked chicken and vegetables for dinner and settle in with a local lager and a dry white wine.
So another day slides through to the keeperโฆ
Michael + Pam
