Lake Sevan & Sevanavank

Սևանավանք

One of the largest high-altitude lakes in the Caucasus, at about 1,900 metres. A 9th-century monastery of black tuff stands on a lakeside peninsula, contrasting beautifully with the blue water.

Lake Sevan lies about 65 km northeast of Yerevan. Its surface sits at roughly 1,900 metres above sea level and covers about 1,240 square kilometres, making it Armenia's largest lake, known as the 'Pearl of Armenia'. The colour of the water shifts between bright blue and deep blue depending on the weather. In summer, it is a popular place for Armenians to escape the heat and swim. On the northwest shore, the Sevan Peninsula was once an island. During the Soviet era, water was drawn off for irrigation and hydroelectric power, lowering the lake level and connecting the peninsula to the mainland. It is home to Sevanavank, a monastery founded in 874 by Princess Mariam. Two dark tuff chapels survive, the Church of the Holy Apostles and the Church of the Holy Mother of God. The interiors are simple, and they hold finely carved khachkars, or cross-stones. From the car park, climbing the steps to the top of the peninsula takes about 10–15 minutes, and from there you can look down over the lake and the mountains across the water. This is the best spot for photos. There are many restaurants along the lakeshore, and the signature dishes are trout (ishkhan) and whitefish from Lake Sevan, either grilled or fried. You can continue to the nearby Dilijan National Park, known as 'the Little Switzerland of Armenia', or to the Noratus cemetery of khachkars on the south shore. From Yerevan, the drive or a minibus takes about an hour. The lake is at high altitude, so it is cool in the mornings and evenings, and summer UV radiation is strong.

Lake Sevan & Sevanavank

Opening hours

Nearby sights

Places to eat nearby