Things to do & places to visit in Shirak Province, Armenia

Shirak Province #11 destination in Armenia 2023. The average rating score is 4.56 based on 640 traveler reviews, of 44 attractions. Timezone: Asia/Yerevan, current date and time: Saturday, May 04, 2024, 17:09.

Shirak Province Weather Statistics view more »

General weather summary in May

62°F - 39°F

Temperature Highs - Lows

Moderately chilly, humid but cool

Feels like

45%

Chance of rain

188.0 millimeters

Amount

9.6 mph

Wind speed

78%

Humidity

14.4

Daylight length

5:47 AM

Sunrise

8:13 PM

Sunset

46%

Cloud cover

Jacket

What to wear

Top things to do (30)

Top destinations in Shirak Province 16

See more 4 destinations »

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Cobweb Art Gallery and Museum (127 reviews)
- The Universe in universe
Saturday: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Art Galleries • Art Museums

Cobweb Art Gallery and Museum presents artist Andranik Avetisyan's (Ado) works which are made of cobweb. He is a founder of these cobweb works and the only artist in the world who creates works of art with the cobwebs. See more..
5.0 Museum Of Illusions Armenia (112 reviews)
- Highly recommend
Saturday: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Science Museums

About 50 exhibits based on physics, mathematics, psychology, ordinary from the first glance, but in fact, "magic" rooms, where you will be surprised and entertained, update, strengthen and acquire new knowledge from different fields. Regardless of what you are looking for in Gyumri, family vacation or city tour, add the first Museum of Illusions in Armenia in the list of "Where to go, what to do in Gyumri?" Take photos and videos in "magic" rooms with exhibits, share your emotions and amaze your friends. See more..
5.0 Harichavank Monastery (10 reviews)
- Harichavank- Heaven on Earth
Spent 1-2 hours Ancient Ruins • Religious Sites

Breathtaking view and panorama. A real spiritual spot in the highlands of Armenia, You will never regret for being there See more..
5.0 Yereruyk Basilica (5 reviews)
- Basilica
Ancient Ruins • Churches & Cathedrals

Ani Antik kentinin girisinde olan ,tarihi eserdir.Müze kartla bu alana giris yapabilirsiniz.Rahat kiyafet giymeniz tavsiye edilir. See more..
5.0 Lake Arpi (5 reviews)
- Wild and beautiful
Spent More than 3 hours Bodies of Water

The area is spectacular but beware. There are no shops, no lodgings and the roads are terrible. I drove through the area to the lake with a standard car which is manageable but you are occasionally scraping the underside of the car. The area is very dosed and there is no tourist infrastructure. You need to bring all gear with you. Scenery and bird watching both excellent. See more..
5.0 Muslim Cemetery (3 reviews)
- One of the coolest things you'll find in Armenia, an old Muslim Cemetery on the banks of Lake Arpi, gorgeous & historic
Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Cemeteries • Religious Sites

You'll find an amazing old Muslim Cemetery on the shores of Lake Arpi. To reach it, take the road to Lake Arpi and to the village of Zorakert on the northeast shore. Between Zorakert and the water, atop a small hill, you will find the cemetery. There are well more than 100 headstones, handcarved, and many painted. Some look like they could have been painted yesterday, but actually are many decades old. Many are painted with symbols of importance to Islamic religion. Some have fallen over, but many, many still stand. The cemetery is an amazing find in Armenia, a country which has long-ago purged nearly every sign of Islamic influence from its lands. There used to be many, many mosques in Armenia -- now there is only 1 functioning mosque -- the Blue Mosque in Yerevan. Speaking of mosques, nestled in the small village of Zorakert you will also find a ruined Mosque, which, although mostly crumbled, still has some stones with Arabic inscriptions. Look for the only building with the top of the window openings being curved/rounded. Some in our group spoke basic Armenian and we were told by villagers they do not know the history of the mosque. It was there when the villagers moved in, "after a war". See more..
5.0 Style Art gallery (3 reviews)
- Highly recommended!
Art Galleries

Amazing gallery with brilliant collection of graphic works of Armenian artist from all over the world. Highly recommended See more..
5.0 Zorakert Mosque (2 reviews)
- 5 stars for uniqueness, 4 stars for preservation. One of the few mosques in Armenia; ruins in fair state of preservation
Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites

In the small town of Zorakert on the northeast edge of Lake Arpi, you will find the remains of Zorakert's Mosque. According to spotty info online, the mosque was open until the Soviet-era, at which time it was closed and converted to a warehouse. We visited in September 2015. What you'll find today is just the four outer walls, with arched windows intact. There are remains of a shrine visible on one inner wall. And you'll find Arabic inscriptions above the shrine and on at least one of the outer corners. The mosque is sort of in someone's back yard. We traversed their yard to find the mosque and the locals came out to greet us. One of us spoke basic Armenian and the villagers told us a basic history -- when they arrived at the village 20 years ago, it was already abandoned. This is a mysterious site, not to be missed if you're in the area. Also be sure to check out the old Muslim Cemetery on the hill across the street towards the lake where you'll find some of the most interesting tombstones I've seen in my life. See more..
5.0 Venus Gifts House (2 reviews)
- What a pleasure!
Antique Shops

Pleasant atmosphere, large selection. The owner was so sweet and helpful. They have a wide range of gifts, many locally made or inspired. There is really something for everyone here. An excellent shop full of historical wonders, antiquities and wide range of gifts for your loved ones. This place is a real joy to discover. See more..
5.0 Minas Avetisyan House Museum (1 review)
- sehr interessantes Museum
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Speciality Museums • Art Museums
In diesem Museum befinden sich einige originale Bilder von Minas Avetisyan, welcher ein berühmter Maler in Armenien war. Ein Großteil seiner Werke sind bei Bränden bzw. bei dem schweren Erdbeben 1988 zerstört worden. Eines seiner bekanntesten Werke ist im Flughafen Zvartnots über dem Eingang zur Passkontrolle in der Eingangshalle ausgestellt. Dieses Museum ist unter Touristen und Kunstliebhabern noch ein Geheimtip und ein MUSS, wenn man sich in der Shirak Province aufhält. Dieses Museum ist sehr leicht zu finden. Es befindet sich direkt an der Hauptstrasse auf der linken Seite, wenn man von der Bundesstrasse herunter und über die kleine Brücke gefahren ist. See more..
5.0 Trchkan Waterfall (1 review)
Spent 1-2 hours Waterfalls

Trchkan Waterfall located on the border between Lori and Shirak regions. With a height of 77 feet (23 m) it rushes down on Chichkhan river which is the beauty of Shirak region. Trchkan Waterfall is the highest waterfall in Armenia. See more..
5.0 Cinema Oktyabr (1 review)
Movie Theaters

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5.0 Tol Chill And Cocktail Bar (1 review)
Saturday: 12:00 AM - 3:00 AM Bars & Clubs

Tol Chill And Cocktail Bar is located in Gyumri. Antique Home, where you can chill and drink to your heart's content. The cinematic atmosphere will tell you more about us. Come and Chill! See more..
5.0 Saint Marine Church of Artik (1 review)
- Церковь интересная, но для специалистов
Ancient Ruins • Churches & Cathedrals
Церковь св. Мариам в Артике датируется 5 веком. Церковь интересная, но для специалистов. Остались руины. Если собираетесь в Артик, можно посетить, но специально для этого не стоит ехать. See more..
5.0 Vardan Mamikonjan (1 review)
- Памятник Вардану Мамиконяну
Spent < 1 hour Monuments & Statues

Конный памятник Вардану Мамиконяну был установлен на площади в 2008 году. В народе он прославился как «Смелый Вардан» или «Красный Вардан».
Вардан Мамиконян стал известен в ходе Аварайрской битвы между армянами и персами. Полководец Вардан погиб именно в этой битве, а в дальнейшем был причислен к лику святых. Рядом с конной статуей полководца расположено ещё несколько скульптур армянских деятелей, возглавлявших армянское войско. В целом, это скульптурная композиция “Вардананц", давшая название площади. See more..
5.0 Orthodox Chapel of the Archangel Michael (1 review)
- Русская часовня и некрополь на «Холме чести». Здесь покоятся 249 убитых и погибших от ран во время Русско-турецкой во
Spent < 1 hour Religious Sites

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5.0 Harichavank Monastery (10 reviews)
- Harichavank- Heaven on Earth
Spent 1-2 hours Ancient Ruins • Religious Sites

Breathtaking view and panorama. A real spiritual spot in the highlands of Armenia, You will never regret for being there See more..
5.0 Lake Arpi (5 reviews)
- Wild and beautiful
Spent More than 3 hours Bodies of Water

The area is spectacular but beware. There are no shops, no lodgings and the roads are terrible. I drove through the area to the lake with a standard car which is manageable but you are occasionally scraping the underside of the car. The area is very dosed and there is no tourist infrastructure. You need to bring all gear with you. Scenery and bird watching both excellent. See more..
4.5 Black Fortress (49 reviews)
- You have to look, it's fantastic
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Castles • Military Bases & Facilities

You have to look, it's fantastic. I must always look, it's fantastic, I always recommend to my friends and guests, it's especially interesting for the burden of rock concerts, you have to go and see. See more..
4.5 The Gallery of Mariam and Eranuhi Aslamazyan Sisters (33 reviews)
- An amazing museum and master class
Spent < 1 hour Art Galleries • Art Museums

It is an amazing place to visit for pol who really likes art and color. I enjoyed a lot. On the territory of the museum you can take a master class on making clay products. I recommend taking a guide to better immerse yourself in the atmosphere. See more..
4.5 Museum of National Architecture and Urban Life (28 reviews)
- A Glimpse into Old Gyumri
Speciality Museums • History Museums

I visited the museum on a full-day individual tour of Gyumri from Yerevan. It's definitely worth a visit! I was given a tour by one of the museum's guides, who was very kind and knowledgeable and spoke flawless English. The museum's exhibits give you a very unique glimpse into the culture of Gyumri and into lives of the Gyumretsis going back centuries. Had I not visited, I would have missed out on a lot of important information. During my visit in June, 2018, a film crew was on site preparing to shoot a clip for a local TV series in the museum. The actors and actresses were all there, sporting early 20th century attire preparing for the shoot. It definitely added to the authenticity of the experience! See more..
4.5 Mher Mkrtchyan Museum (19 reviews)
- Saddest yet the most cheerful Armenian actor...
Spent < 1 hour Art Museums • History Museums

Frunzik... one of the most recognized Armenian actor in Armenia and post-Soviet regions. Enormously talented, very cheerful in movies, but yet so sad in real life. A must visit place in beautiful city of Gyumri! See more..
4.5 Church of the Holy Saviour (17 reviews)
- This picture is not Holy Saviour
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals

The chapel on this picture is the former Russian Saint Nicholas chapel. Now it is the Saint Michael chapel. See more..
4.5 Marmashen Monastery (15 reviews)
- Lovely spot for a picnic
Spent < 1 hour Religious Sites

Great place if you are in Gyumri. Road a little poor to get there, but nice for a picnic by the lake. See more..
4.5 Isahakyan House Museum (9 reviews)
- Amazing atmosphere, highly recommend
Spent 1-2 hours History Museums

If you want to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of how people lived in the 19th century in Gyumri, also study the biography of n amazing and well-known worldwide poet, but you should not miss the opportunity to visit this place! See more..
4.5 Hovhannes Shiraz Home and Museum (8 reviews)
- If you havent been into Shiraz's museum you havent been into Gumri
Speciality Museums • History Museums

It's a must to visit the great Armenian poet Hovannes Shiraz's home museum in Gyumri. you will get to know this great poet up close, and learn interesting facts about his life and career. Don't leave Gyumri without visiting this museum. See more..
4.5 Antique Art Salon (6 reviews)
- Extremely Cool!
Spent < 1 hour Speciality Museums

"Antique" Art Salon is an antique shop and a museum, where more than 50 sciences combine in a beautiful atmosphere where everyone can find something really interesting to see and to learn. In our inventory we have souvenirs, collection items from different countries worldwide and different historic eras. See more..
4.5 Peace Circle Park (5 reviews)
- so many people
Parks
Park itself is nothing special. But the amounth of people on the way from city square to peace circle park is amazing. And all so dressed up... See more..
4.5 Lmbatavank Church (3 reviews)
- kleine interessante Kirche
Ancient Ruins • Churches & Cathedrals

Diese kleine interessante Kirche liegt auf einem Berg, oberhalb der Stadt Artik. Es ist empfehlenswert zu der Kirche zu laufen, da die Straße nicht sehr gut ist. Die Kirche selbst ist ein sehr schönes Bauwerk, welches ein kleines besonderes Merkmal im Inneren aufweist. Wenn man die Kirche betreten hat, sollte man direkt über dem Eingang nach oben schauen. Da ist ein Kreuz angebracht, welches der letzte Stein war und somit den Schlüssel zur Kirche symbolisiert.
Diese kleine interessante Kirche liegt auf einem Berg, oberhalb der Stadt Artik. Es ist empfehlenswert zu der Kirche zu laufen, da die Straße nicht sehr gut ist. Die Kirche selbst ist ein sehr schönes Bauwerk, welches ein kleines besonderes Merkmal im Inneren aufweist. Wenn man die Kirche betreten hat, sollte man direkt über dem Eingang nach oben schauen. Da ist ein Kreuz angebracht, welches der letzte Stein war und somit den Schlüssel zur Kirche symbolisiert. See more..
4.0 Gyumri Main Square (64 reviews)
- Another great tour with Hyur services
Points of Interest & Landmarks

The more a use Hyur services the more i test their professionalism. Today's visit to Gyumri (Urban life museum, Black Fortress, walking through the old streets), and Harichavank was again perfect. Not a glitch the whole day. Samuel our guide and Mays the driver were very attentive, considerate and caring. They made sure that the long trip to be memorable. The whole atmosphere was great. Going back in History was a great and amazing experience. This tour should not be missed. See more..