Sevan

Sevan is a town on the northwestern shore of Lake Sevan, about 65 km from Yerevan. It is the main tourist gateway to the lake, with beach access, fish restaurants, and the famous Sevanavank Monastery on a peninsula jutting into the water. The town is small but sees heavy tourist traffic in summer, with Armenians flocking to the lake for swimming, sunbathing, and grilled fish.

The climate is cool and pleasant in summer (20–25°C) and cold in winter. The lake is at 1,900 metres elevation.

By Plane

Yerevan's Zvartnots International (EVN) is about 80 km southwest.

By Train

There is no train service to Sevan town.

By Car / Road

Sevan is on the M10 highway, 65 km from Yerevan (about 1 hour). The road is good.

By Bus / Minibus

Minibuses run frequently from Yerevan to Sevan. The fare is about 700–1,000 dram.

By Taxi

A taxi from Yerevan costs around 6,000–8,000 dram.

The town and beaches are walkable. For the monastery, it is a 20-minute walk from the centre or a short taxi ride.

• Sevanavank Monastery — a 9th-century monastery on a peninsula, with panoramic views of the lake. Originally built on an island (the water level has since dropped).
• Sevan beaches — public and private beaches along the shore, popular in summer.
• Lake Sevan — the largest lake in the South Caucasus, at 1,900 metres elevation.

Swim at the beaches (June–September), visit the monastery, eat grilled fish at the shore restaurants. The peninsula walk to Sevanavank is scenic.

Grilled fish restaurants line the shore — ishkhan (Sevan trout) and sig (whitefish) are the specialties. Prices are moderate (2,000–5,000 dram).

Beach cafes serve beer, coffee, and tea.

Several hotels and guesthouses in town and along the shore (8,000–20,000 dram in summer). Book ahead on weekends.

Beach vendors sell souvenirs and snacks. No serious shopping.

• Dilijan — 60 km north, the "Armenian Switzerland"
• Yerevan — 65 km southwest
• Noratus — 40 km southeast, the khachkar cemetery