Exploring Lake Sevan: Armenia's Pristine Gem
Lake Sevan stands as one of the country's most breathtaking natural wonders. With its crystal-clear waters, serene beaches, and rich historical significance, this majestic lake offers a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. Here's everything you need to know about visiting Lake Sevan, ensuring an unforgettable experience in one of Armenia's most cherished destinations
Lake Sevan
Lake Sevan, often referred to as the "Pearl of Armenia," is the largest lake in the Caucasus region and one of the largest freshwater high-altitude lakes in the world. Located at an altitude of 1,900 metres above sea level, this stunning lake covers an impressive 1,242 square kilometres. The lake is surrounded by picturesque mountains and is a popular retreat for locals and tourists alike.
Lake Sevan is primarily a destination to visit in the summer, and given its close proximity to Yerevan, many residents will come for vacation or for day trips to enjoy the lake, food and watersports. The ideal time to visit Lake Sevan is from late spring to early autumn when the weather is warm and pleasant. Pack comfortable clothing and a light jacket for the evenings though, as temperatures can drop at night.
What to See and Do
1. Sevanavank Monastery
Perched on a peninsula overlooking the lake, Sevanavank Monastery is one of Armenia's iconic landmarks. Founded in 874 AD by Princess Mariam, this ancient monastery offers stunning views of Lake Sevan and the surrounding landscape. At the time, the peninsula was an island, but over time the water levels of the lake have reduced enough that you can now easily walk across. There is a short walk up some stairs to reach the complex, which consists of two churches, Surb Arakelots and Surb Astvatsatsin, showcasing classic Armenian architecture. You could not get inside the churches, when we went, though there is a small room attached to one of the churches that you can go in and light a candle. Even if you are not a big church fan, doing the walk up to here is worth it for the views. There are benches you can sit on for a picnic and the views here are so nice that they built the Armenian summer presidential residence here - if you walk too far off the beaten track you may find the military stop you.
2. Boat Trip
Take a boat trip out onto the lake. You can also coincide this with the sunset to make the views particularly spectacular. You can book these in advance with a tour company, or find someone on the waterfront for a much cheaper rate. Walking along the coast in Sevan town we had a lot of people approach and offer tours, so you will likely find something quite easily.
3. Noratus Cemetery
A 30min drive south of the Sevan peninsula, along the coast of Lake Sevan, Noratus Cemetery is home to an impressive collection of khachkars (Armenian cross-stones). Dating back to the 9th century, these intricately carved stones provide a fascinating insight into Armenia's medieval history and culture. If you are driving down to the cemetery, I would recommend visiting Hayravank monastery along the way. Similarly to Sevanavank, Hayravank is perched at the top of the hill, with beautiful views over the lake.
4. Relax at the Beach
Lake Sevan's pristine beaches are perfect for sunbathing and picnicking. The most popular beaches include Sevan City Beach and Tsovagyugh Beach, but there are many other public beaches you can visit. Some of the hotels and resorts also have private beaches. The water is quite cold for swimming, even in the summer months, but it’s clear and can be quite refreshing as an escape from the summer heat. Be careful as the sun here is really strong, given the altitude, and can reflect off the lake even if you are in the shade, so make sure to take a strong sun protection!
5. Water Sports
For the more adventurous, Lake Sevan offers a variety of water sports, including jet skiing, windsurfing, and sailing. The favourable wind conditions make it an ideal spot for windsurfing enthusiasts.
The lake is relatively deep at ~27M on average, going down to 80M. There are small caves, stromatolites, and lots of species of fish, crustaceans and snakes, so it can be an interesting scuba dive. Visibility is not great, typically only 3-8M, and the cold water requires a thick wetsuit, or even a dry suit, so don’t expect the tropical diving conditions if that’s what you are used to. However, it is a cool experience to dive at 1900M altitude and there is a well-recommended PADI dive school located on the lake, Altitude 1900 who offer guided dives with full equipment for only 20K AMD.
6. Culinary Delights
No visit to Lake Sevan is complete without indulging in the local cuisine. The region is renowned for its fresh fish, particularly the Sevan trout (Ishkhan). Many lakeside restaurants offer delicious dishes featuring this local speciality and at a very reasonable price. Pair your meal with a glass of Armenian wine for a truly delightful dining experience.
How to get there:
Reaching Lake Sevan is relatively easy. The lake is situated about 70 kilometres north of Yerevan, Armenia's capital. You can hire a car and self-drive, go with a driver (we used GoTrip a lot in Armenia), or take a taxi for a scenic drive that lasts only around an hour. For a more budget-friendly option, regular buses and minibuses operate between Yerevan and Sevan town.
Sevan is also a stop on a few of the group tours in Armenia, if you want a short visit, and it's also a great place to stop on the way to or from Georgia.
Looking to explore a bit further…
There are two other places in the north of Armenia, towards the border with Georgia, that I would recommend to visit whilst seeing Sevan as they are only a short drive away. Notably:
45mins drive to the picturesque town of Dilijan, Armenia’s “Little Switzerland”
Continue 15mins further north from DIlijan and you will get to the Haghartsin Monastery complex
If you are doing the journey to / from Tbilisi, these are pretty much on the way, so would definitely recommend adding a short detour to see them.