AM
Goris
A stone-built town among cave dwellings, and the base for Tatev monastery and its cable car
A stone-built town among cave dwellings, and the base for Tatev monastery and its cable car
Medieval caves and rock formations line the valley above the town. A marked walk leads through them.
Photo: Beko, CC BY-SA 3.0
About 15km from Goris, this abandoned cave village spreads across a gorge. A 160m swinging footbridge crosses to the old village.
Wear good shoes for the steep paths.
Photo: GerritR, CC BY-SA 4.0
This 5.7km cable car, recognised by Guinness in 2010 as the longest non-stop double-track cable car, crosses the Vorotan Gorge from Halidzor to Tatev.
Check operating days and weather before going.
Photo: Marcin Konsek, CC BY-SA 4.0
The 9th-century monastery stands on the edge of the gorge and was once an important centre of learning.
Dress modestly.
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0
The town has a regular grid of stone houses and a quiet centre. Local fruit vodkas and fruit preserves are sold in shops.
Photo: Dalibor Z. Chvatal, CC BY 3.0
Try jingalov hats (herb-filled flatbread), khorovats (barbecue) and local fruit preserves.
Choice is limited; guesthouses often cook dinner.
Goris is about 4 hours by road from Yerevan along the M2. Minibuses leave from Yerevan’s southern bus station; private drivers and tours are easier.
The UK Foreign Office advises against all travel within 5km of Armenia’s eastern border with Azerbaijan. Some roads in Syunik run close to it, so check current advice before travelling.
Armenia uses the dram (AMD).
Caves, gorges and Tatev.
Walk the cave dwellings, then visit Old Khndzoresk.
Ride the Wings of Tatev to the monastery.
Check current advice for areas near the Azerbaijan border.
A car or driver makes day trips easier.
Winters are cold and roads can be icy.
Carry drams; cards are not always accepted.
Quick answers for planning time in Goris.
About 4 hours by road.
5.7km, one of the longest in the world.
An abandoned cave village near Goris with a 160m swinging bridge.
Check current government advice; the UK advises against travel within 5km of the border with Azerbaijan.
May to October.
Planning a wider trip? Our Armenia travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.