AM
Dilijan
A forested mountain town with medieval monasteries, hiking trails and 19th-century houses
A forested mountain town with medieval monasteries, hiking trails and 19th-century houses
This group of churches, built between the 10th and 13th centuries, stands in a forested valley about 13km from town. It was restored in the 2010s.
Photo: Beko, CC BY-SA 4.0
In the village of Gosh, this monastery was founded by the medieval scholar Mkhitar Gosh, who wrote an early Armenian law code. It has a finely carved stone cross (khachkar).
Photo: Soghomon Matevosyan, CC BY-SA 4.0
A small forest lake with boats, a café and ziplines. A popular trail of about four hours leads from the lake back to Dilijan.
Photo: Dav Sargsyan, CC BY-SA 4.0
Sharambeyan Street has restored 19th-century houses with craft workshops, a small museum and guesthouses.
Photo: Dor Shabashewitz, CC BY 4.0
Around town, wooden balconies and tiled roofs show the traditional architecture of the region.
Photo: Vahe Martirosyan, CC BY 2.0
Try khorovats (barbecue), dolma, mountain herbs, local honey and mineral water from the springs.
Guesthouses often serve home-cooked dinners.
Minibuses leave Yerevan’s Northern Bus Station roughly hourly in the daytime and take about 1.5–2 hours. Taxis and tours are also common.
Dilijan is spread out; local taxis are cheap.
Armenia uses the dram (AMD).
Monasteries and forest.
Visit Haghartsin and Goshavank, then walk Old Dilijan.
Hike from Parz Lake back to town.
Use the Hike Armenia app for trail maps.
Bring a rain jacket; the forest is often damp.
Dress modestly at monasteries.
Carry drams for small purchases.
Quick answers for planning time in Dilijan.
About 1.5–2 hours by road.
Haghartsin and Goshavank.
Yes, trails include the route from Parz Lake and part of the Transcaucasian Trail.
Sharambeyan Street, with restored 19th-century houses.
May to October.
Planning a wider trip? Our Armenia travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.