Surrounded by tall mountain peaks and dotted with ancient Armenian history, Lake Sevan is one of the most popular day trips from Yerevan. We loved our visit here on a warm May day, exploring the quiet shores, historic monasteries and spectacular viewpoints around the lake.
Although it is 65 kilometres from Yerevan in the east of Armenia, visiting Lake Sevan is worth the effort for those looking for a break from the busy capital. From taking in the spectacular mountain backdrop to the sampling delicious freshwater fish, there is plenty to see and do.
As well as being a hub for tourism, Lake Sevan is also vitally important to Armenia’s economy. With a total surface area of 1,242 km2, Lake Sevan’s immense size makes it a crucial source of freshwater for the country. Lake Sevan also boasts rich fish stocks, ensuring that it plays a pivotal role in agriculture across Armenia.
Whether you want to hit the water or marvel at monasteries, here are the seven best things to do during your day at Lake Sevan.
1. Go swimming in the icy-cold waters of Lake Sevan
Best for: Cooling off on a hot day.
With calm, crystal-clear waters, Lake Sevan is perfect for a refreshing dip on a hot afternoon – you can swim anywhere that is safe.
Whilst the rocky beaches that hug the huts and shacks around the Sevanavank Monastery attract the crowds, Lake Sevan’s shorelines stretch for hundreds of kilometres. If you are looking for a quieter spot to swim, you shouldn’t need to travel far.
With average summer temperatures around the shores of Lake Sevan reaching 24°C, a dip in the water could be the ideal way to cool off on a hot day.
When we visited, there were a handful of families taking the plunge. Young children raced down the beach, followed reluctantly by their parents. Our group – mainly Russians and a handful of Western Europeans – were not so brave.
2. Try a freshly-grilled Lake Sevan trout
Best for: Trying a local delicacy cooked the traditional way.
Lake Sevan is famous for its fresh fish. With a proud tradition of fishing dating back centuries, the lake still produces plump trout that are perfect for grilling.
If you want to try the trout for yourself, look for the tell-tale signs of smoke rising from small huts. Poke your head around the corner and see what’s on the grill.
For a guaranteed taste of Lake Sevan’s fish, Yerevan-based Hyur Service offers a trout-cooking masterclass as part of their tours to the area. A chef will demonstrate how to prepare the dish using traditional methods before serving the results to you during a lunch fit for a king.
3. Admire the mountain scenery around Lake Sevan
Best for: Taking in the spectacular surroundings.
Lake Sevan sits at an altitude of 1,900m and is surrounded on all sides by even higher peaks.
From any vantage point – whether gazing out over the shores of the lake or perched on the precipitous walls of Sevanavank monastery – the views are magnificent.
On a clear day, enjoy the snow-capped peaks of the Geghama mountain range, glistening in the bright sunshine as wisps of cloud dance around the high summits.
4. Take a boat trip on Lake Sevan
Best for: An alternative perspective on the historic monasteries.
One of the most popular things to do on a sunny day at Lake Sevan is to take a boat trip. If you visit the small resort town of Sevan, you will have no problem finding a boat to take you to the lake.
By the beach at Sevan, a handful of small pleasure boats stand by the shoreline, waiting for groups of eager tourists to venture onto the waters. Simply approach the captain, who will tell you the price – this should be no more than 5 euros each.
The boat takes visitors onto the water for a quick spin. Whilst there is little interest to see out on the water, the views back to the Sevanavank monastery and the jumble of buildings on the shoreline are excellent.
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Best for: Visiting one of Armenia’s most popular historic sites.
Commanding an enviable position high on a clifftop above the tourist huts, the Sevanavank monastery is a must-visit when travelling to Lake Sevan.
Founded in the ninth century to host sinning monks from the Holy See at Etchmiadzin, the Sevanavank monastery is currently open for tourists. Traditional Armenian khachkars surround the walls of the Surp Arakelots church, their engravings somehow surviving centuries of wild Caucasus weather.
The views from the monastery’s grounds are sublime, from the snow-capped mountains on the lake’s eastern shore to the sparkling waters of Lake Sevan below.
6. Visit the Hayravank monastery
Best for: An alternative to the busy Sevanavank monastery.
Twenty-five kilometres to the south of Sevan stands Hayravank monastery. Like Sevanavank, Hayravank offers views across Lake Sevan from its vantage point atop a small hillock on the grassy shores.
Built between the ninth and twelfth centuries, Hayravank boats a sizeable church and chapel alongside dozens of khachkars that adorn the grounds of the adjacent cemetery.
Hayravank is a short drive from Sevan and is well worth a visit if you are interested in the history of the Armenian church. It is the less popular of the two monasteries at the lake and, therefore, could be a great choice if you want to avoid the crowds at Sevanavank.
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7. Marvel at the hundreds of khachkars at the Noratus cemetery
Best for: A remarkable display of Armenian heritage.
For those who have visited the Hayravank monastery by private transport, we recommend heading south once more. Just 12 kilometres down the road, the Noratus cemetery contains a remarkable collection of khatchkars.
No matter the weather, the Noratus cemetery is simply a remarkable sight. Nearly a thousand ornately carved stones stand proudly among the overgrown grass. Each stone offers a glimpse into Armenian history, with khachkars ranging from the ninth to the eighteenth centuries.
How to get to Lake Sevan from Yerevan
There are four ways to travel to Lake Sevan from Yerevan:
- By car
- By private tour bus
- By public bus
- By train
Here’s how to make the journey:
Yerevan to Lake Sevan by car
The best way to get to Lake Sevan on a day trip from Yerevan is by car. The drive from Yerevan to Lake Sevan takes one hour along the 65-kilometre M4 road. Eventually, you will reach the town of Sevan – home to the Sevanavank monastery. From here, you can travel either clockwise or anti-clockwise on the road around the lake.
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Yerevan to Lake Sevan by tour bus or public bus
If you do not have access to a car, we recommend taking a day trip to Lake Sevan with a tour company. We travelled to Lake Sevan from Yerevan with Hyur Service on a journey which combined an aerial ropeway with trout grilling and a visit to Sevanavank Monastery.
It is also possible to get to Lake Sevan by public bus. You can take a marshrutka (shared minibus) from Yerevan’s Northern Bus Station to the town of Sevan. The minibuses will leave approximately once an hour during the day. Although this is the cheapest option, the minibuses will not drop you off at the lake.
When you arrive, your marshrutka will stop in the middle of Sevan town. From here, you will either need to walk to the lake or catch a taxi.
Yerevan to Lake Sevan by train
Finally, there is a train service from Yerevan to Sevan. The train is by far the longest option – the journey takes three hours, and there is just one service a day. There is a morning departure from Yerevan railway station and a late afternoon departure from Sevan.
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