11 parks and natural attractions of Yerevan

Rural Armenia is full of beautiful waterfalls, mountains, lakes and canyons. So what to do if you want nature, but there is no way to get out of the city?

This 80-hectare/200-acre conservation area features a greenhouse, plant collections, and dog-friendly paved and wooded trails. The local triathlon club organizes a monthly free 5K race in the park on the last Saturday of the month. Parking is included in the entrance fee of 500 drams (approximately 1 euro). You can pay in cash or by card.

Located just 20 minutes from Yerevan, this park offers beautiful views of Mount Ararat, no less than 10 kilometers of dog-friendly trails, a majestic street of Lombard poplars and picnic areas. The launch pad of the Armenian Helicopters company is located here! There is no entrance fee to the park, and there is ample parking along the main road.

Walk from the Four Seasons Park in central Yerevan through a (delightfully) creepy pedestrian tunnel to reach the Hrazdan Gorge. Because the road is forested on both sides and not too busy with traffic, it is a popular destination for runners. If you go straight to the river and turn left, you will come to the Children's Railway Park. Walk down the steps and you'll see an old carriage that used to take schoolchildren on short walks along the river. Although it is no longer open, the trail next to the railroad is a cool and popular place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

This is a favorite green space next to the Parliament building and across the street from the American University of Armenia. Take a break here and enjoy a stroll along the gravel paths that meander around the manicured gardens, trees and small pond. As the name suggests, you will see couples spending time together on the benches. Many locals like to work in street cafes in good weather.

Founded in 1940, the 35-hectare Yerevan Zoological Garden is open every day of the week and offers a variety of packages for the whole family. It is home to approximately 2,750 animals, including lions, tigers, elephants and endangered native species such as the Caucasian leopard, red deer and bezoar goats. For adults, the entrance ticket costs 800 drams on weekdays and 1200 drams on weekends. Children can enter for 500 drams on weekdays and 600 drams on weekends.

This is the first public park created in Yerevan (1850), which boasts tall oak trees and a large fountain. This is a paradise with a long history, hidden behind the Italian and French embassies and the Sundukyan Theater. Here you can drink coffee in the open-air theater café, swing in a hammock, visit the planetarium, walk the dog, or simply enjoy the greenery and shade from one of the many benches. There are several reasons why it is called an "English" park, one of which is that from above it resembles a British flag. See if you can find a cool mural of London Bridge!

This fenced park is located near the Yerevan City Hall and includes two cozy cafes, many benches, a network of paved paths and large shady trees . Directly parallel to this space is the new Vardanyan Park, popular among young families and lively in the summer thanks to its colorful dancing fountains.

This architecturally magnificent monument, built in 1980, is one of the most beloved and famous in Yerevan. As you ascend the massive travertine staircase, you will see the perfectly manicured Cafesjian Gardens with many unique statues. If you climb the five terraces (572 steps in total), you will be rewarded with magnificent views of Mount Ararat on a clear day. The sunrise and sunset there are breathtaking. Treat yourself to a cool drink at one of the many restaurants and cafes nearby.

If you continue walking past the Cascade, you will reach an obelisk dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the creation of the Soviet Union in Armenia. Continue forward and cross the street to reach Victory Park. This is a great place to take the kids! Here you will find a cafe, forest paths, a pond with paddle boats and many attractions, including a new Ferris wheel with 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains. Older visitors will enjoy visiting the Soviet-era Mother Armenia statue and the Military History Museum located at its base.

Believe it or not, there is a salt lake on the outskirts of Yerevan. During the summer months you can swim and bathe in this unique body of water, divided into two parts. The larger portion has a salinity of about 15%, while the smaller pond has a higher salinity content of 25%. Many people suffering from pain relax in the smaller pond due to its therapeutic properties. There is also a small refreshing waterfall next to the lake. A short walk away is the lake of Vardavar Park, named after Armenia's favorite water festival.

This spacious park with panoramic views of the Hrazdan Gorge has benches, paved paths, bean bags in a cozy cafe and public toilets. A lot of young people hang out here, since it is actually a continuation of the neighboring TUMO Center for Creative Technologies, an informal educational space for children and teenagers. Sometimes outdoor performances are held here. See if you can find the statue of Anush and Saro, the unfortunate heroes of Tumanyan's famous poem.

So here it is; you don’t have to leave Yerevan to improve your health!