Geghard Monastery
Mets Gilanlar, Armenia
Armenia isn’t light on religious buildings in spectacular settings, yet Geghard Monastery still finds a way to stand out. Surrounded by rocky peaks and perched in a valley over the Azat river gorge, the monastery is an awe-inspiring sight. The complex’s chapels and tombs have been carved from the cliffs that loom over them, making for one of Armenia’s most unique architectural experiences.
The basics
Many people combine a visit to Geghard Monastery with a trip to Garni Temple, an ancient Greco-Roman landmark located just 15 minutes away by car. If starting from Yerevan, there are many full-day tours that stop by the monastery, as well as sites like Khor Virap and Lake Sevan. Even if you’re juggling a packed itinerary, make sure you spend long enough at the monastery to do it justice—you’ll find multiple churches and chapels to explore, plus panoramic walks over to surrounding viewpoints. Most visitors spend at least a couple of hours here, if not more.
Things to know before you go
You won’t find food or drink sellers here, so bring your own water.
This is still an active place of worship, so modest clothing is required for both men and women; keep arms and legs covered and avoid anything tight, revealing, or with inappropriate text.
A spring flows through Geghard Monastery that many people consider sacred. Many pilgrims come to drink from its waters, or even fill up bottles to take home.
Keep an eye out for khachkars, carved slabs of stone that typically feature crosses, florals, geometric designs, or Christian symbology.
How to get there
Geghard Monastery is located 25 miles (45 kilometers) from Yerevan, which takes around one hour by car. There’s no public transportation option to Geghard, although shared minibuses (marshrutkas) connect Yerevan to nearby Garni. The easiest option is to join a guided tour; many include transportation and offer hotel transfers, too.
When to get there
To avoid the crowds, aim for a quiet weekday morning, ideally in the winter or shoulder seasons—the summer months tend to be peak season in Armenia. There’s no real wrong time for photography, but you’ll catch the best lighting conditions in the early morning or late afternoon. Anyone interested in attending a service should plan a Sunday morning visit.
Garni Temple, Armenia’s only Greco-Roman landmark
Built back in the first century, Garni Temple may have been battered by an earthquake in 1679, but the colonnaded temple has been impressively restored to its millennia-old glory. While exploring the site only takes around 30–40 minutes, the temple also boasts stunning views overlooking the Gegham Mountains.
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