--- title: "Top 10 Things To Do in Gyumri, Armenia | Wimup" description: "Gyumri in one page: the black tuff streets of Kumayri, Merkurov's death masks, the rebuilt Holy Saviour, Marmashen in its gorge, and where to eat khash and trout." url: https://wimup.com/city/gyumri type: City guide updated: 2026-10-07 publisher: Wimup (https://wimup.com) --- # Top 10 Things To Do in Gyumri Gyumri, Armenia · Europe · By Wimup Editorial, 12 min read Gyumri is Armenia's second city, 112,000 people at 1,509 metres on the Shirak plateau, built in black and red tuff. It was Kumayri, then Alexandropol, then Leninakan, and the 1988 earthquake broke it. Its old town, its museums and its sense of humour came through. ## Quick answer Give it two days. One for the city on foot: Vardanants Square and its two cathedrals, the Kumayri streets, the Dzitoghtsyan house, Merkurov's death masks and the Aslamazyan sisters' gallery, then the Black Fortress at sunset. One for the monasteries of the plateau, Marmashen in its gorge and Harichavank above Artik. Eat trout at Cherkezi Dzor once. ## Quick facts - **Best months:** Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep - **Ideal length:** 2 days - **Budget per day:** $45–90 - **Language:** Armenian - **Getting around:** Walking, taxi and marshrutka - **Tourism board:** [Official site](https://armenia.travel/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) ## The 10 best things to do in Gyumri ### 1. Kumayri historic district Old town · Central Gyumri, around Abovyan Street The 19th century merchant town in black and red tuff, made a protected reserve in 1980 with some 1,400 historic buildings on its books. Start on Abovyan Street, then take the side streets for the carved doorways and courtyards. - **Time:** Half day - **Cost:** Free - **Best at:** Morning - **Tip:** Start on Abovyan Street ### 2. Black Fortress (Sev Berd) Fortress · Western edge of Gyumri, beside the Mother Armenia statue A ring of black stone built by the Russian empire from 1834 to 1847, after the Russo-Turkish war, about 8 km from today's Turkish border. Privately owned since 2012. Climb the hill for the walls and the view back over the city. - **Time:** 1 hr - **Cost:** Check on site - **Best at:** Late afternoon - **Tip:** Pair it with Mother Armenia ### 3. Holy Saviour Church (Surb Amenaprkich) Church · South side of Vardanants Square Built in the 19th century on the model of the cathedral at Ani, shattered in the 1988 earthquake, and reconsecrated on 7 December 2024, the quake's anniversary, after decades of rebuilding. Go inside to see new stone set against old. - **Time:** 30 min - **Cost:** Free - **Best at:** Morning - **Tip:** Cover shoulders Links: [Website](https://www.armenianchurch.org/en/videos/gyumri-s-holy-savior-church-reopens-after-decades-of-construction/5277?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) ### 4. Vardanants Square Square · Vardanants Square, central Gyumri The city's centre: Yot Verk cathedral on the north side, the Holy Saviour on the south, the 1933 City Hall to the east, and a bronze Vardan Mamikonian on horseback since 2008. Every walk through Gyumri crosses it. - **Time:** 30 min - **Cost:** Free - **Best at:** Evening - **Tip:** Start the walk here ### 5. Dzitoghtsyan Museum of Urban Life Museum · 47 Haghtanaki Avenue A merchant family's red tuff mansion of 1872, a museum since 1984, furnished room by room as 19th century Gyumri lived. The best explainer of the old town, so see it before you walk Kumayri. - **Time:** 1 hr - **Cost:** Ticketed - **Best at:** Morning - **Tip:** Go before the old town ### 6. Sergey Merkurov House-Museum Museum · Kumayri historic district The sculptor's family house of 1869, a museum since 1984. Merkurov cast more than 300 death masks and 59 hang here, the only original of Lenin's among them. Macabre and singular, and the museum people remember. - **Time:** 45 min - **Cost:** Ticketed - **Best at:** Any time - **Tip:** Ask about the Lenin mask ### 7. Aslamazyan Sisters Gallery Gallery · 242 Abovyan Street Mariam and Yeranuhi Aslamazyan founded it themselves in 1987, in an 1880 merchant's house, and gave it about 620 paintings, prints and ceramics. The only museum in Armenia devoted to women artists. - **Time:** 1 hr - **Cost:** Ticketed - **Best at:** Afternoon - **Tip:** Both floors, one sister each ### 8. Marmashen Monastery Monastery · Near Marmashen village, 9 km northwest of Gyumri Five churches on a terrace above the Akhuryan river, the main one built between 986 and 1029 by Prince Vahram Pahlavuni. Close enough for a short taxi run, and the gorge setting is half the visit. - **Time:** 1 hr 30 - **Cost:** Free - **Best at:** Morning - **Tip:** Agree a taxi wait ### 9. Harichavank Monastery Monastery · Harich village, 3 km southeast of Artik, about 24 km from Gyumri A monastery founded by the 7th century, rebuilt and walled by the Zakarid princes after they bought Harich in the late 12th. Buses from Gyumri reach it in under an hour; pair it with Lmbatavank above Artik. - **Time:** Half day - **Cost:** Free - **Best at:** Clear weather - **Tip:** Combine with Lmbatavank ### 10. Cherkezi Dzor Restaurant · Cherkezi Dzor ravine, western Gyumri A fish restaurant in a wooded ravine since 1997, raising four kinds of trout and a Siberian sturgeon in its own ponds. You can fish for your dinner yourself. The place is hard to find on foot, so take a taxi. - **Time:** 2 hr - **Cost:** Mid-range - **Best at:** Lunch - **Tip:** Take a taxi there ## Best museums & theatres in Gyumri Four houses that keep the city's writers, actors and stage. 1. **Avetik Isahakyan House-Museum** (1829 · House-museum · Kumayri): The poet's family home, built by his father in 1829, a museum since 1975. 2. **Hovhannes Shiraz House-Museum** (1886 · House-museum · Kumayri): A merchant's red tuff house of 1886, opened as the poet's museum in 2003. 3. **Mher Mkrtchyan House-Museum** (2006 · House-museum · Kumayri): Armenia's best-loved actor over two floors: costumes, props, furniture. 4. **Vardan Ajemian State Drama Theatre** (Theatre · Ticketed · Centre): The city stage, past its 160th season, in Armenian. ## Best churches in Gyumri Three congregations within a short walk of each other. 1. **Yot Verk (Holy Mother of God Cathedral)** (19th century · Free · Vardanants Square): The one church that stayed open through the Soviet years. Named for its Seven Wounds icon. 2. **Cathedral of the Holy Martyrs** (2015 · Free · Centre): The Armenian Catholic cathedral, consecrated in 2015 for the genocide martyrs. 3. **St Michael the Archangel** (1880 · Free · Centre): A small Russian Orthodox church of 1879 to 1880 in black tuff, restored in 2011. ## Best landmarks in Gyumri Three things you pass between the square and the fortress hill. 1. **Mother Armenia** (1975 · Free · West): The 1975 statue on the western hill, beside the Black Fortress. 2. **Central Park** (Park · Free · Centre): Gorky Park to older locals: statues, shade and a view of the fortress hill. 3. **Abovyan Street** (Street · Free · Kumayri): The old town's spine, tuff facades end to end. ## Best restaurants in Gyumri Lamb, trout and family recipes, at Gyumri prices. 1. **Poloz Mukuch** (Armenian · Mid-range · Jivani Street): Named for the city's great humorist, in an 1860s mansion. Order the khurjin. 2. **Gwoog Gastrohouse** (Modern · Mid-range · 11 Tigran Mets): A modern kitchen with proper vegetarian options. 3. **Chichkhan** (Armenian · Mid-range · Centre): National cooking from family recipes, named for the sea buckthorn it serves. ## Best cafes & bakeries in Gyumri Where the city takes its coffee and its doughnuts. 1. **Ponchik Monchik** (Bakery · Budget · 10/2 Bagratunyats): Custard or chocolate doughnuts under powdered sugar. 2. **Aregak** (Cafe · Budget · Abovyan Street): Armenia's first inclusive bakery cafe, staffed by young people with disabilities. 3. **Herbs & Honey** (Teashop · Budget · Centre): Teashop since 2018: over 50 herbal teas, honey and light food. ## Best crafts in Gyumri Forges and kilns you can walk into. 1. **Gyumri's blacksmiths** (Workshops · Free to look · Kumayri): Some forges are on their fifth or sixth generation. UNESCO listed the tradition in 2023. [Website](https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/tradition-of-blacksmithing-in-gyumri-01967?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) 2. **Gagik Martirosyan at Yerankyuni** (Master class · Paid · Gyumri): A master class with Armenia's National Blacksmith of 2015, then a meal. 3. **Family Care ceramics studio** (Studio · Free to look · Kumayri): Watch clay turned into tableware at a studio founded after the 1988 quake. ## Best day trips from Gyumri Three runs out of the city, back the same day. 1. **Lmbatavank** (Near Artik · Artik): A 7th century church above Artik, with a restored fresco of Ezekiel's vision. 2. **Yererouk Basilica** (South, near Ani · Anipemza): One of the oldest Armenian churches, 4th to 6th century, near the Turkish border. 3. **Lake Arpi National Park** (55 km north · Ashotsk): A high lake at 2,025 m, a national park since 2009, for birds. ## Festivals & annual events in Gyumri (2026) - **Armenian Christmas** (6 January): The Armenian Apostolic Christmas, with services in both cathedrals on Vardanants Square. - **Trndez** (13 February): Candlemas: bonfires in churchyards, and couples jump the flames. - **Vardanants Day** (Feb–Mar): The feast of Vardan Mamikonian, the man on horseback in the main square. - **Easter** (Mar–Apr): Moveable, and the biggest weekend in the church year. - **Genocide Remembrance Day** (24 April): A national day of mourning. Expect closures and processions. - **Vardavar** (July): Everyone in the street throws water at everyone else. Dress for it. - **Gyumri Art Week** (August): Contemporary art across the city; the 2024 edition ran 2 to 12 August. - **Earthquake anniversary** (7 December): The city marks the 1988 quake at 11:41, the minute it struck. ## Must-try dishes in Gyumri, Armenia - **Khash**: Cow's foot broth with garlic, eaten in the morning, in winter. - **Khurjin**: Lamb baked sealed inside lavash. Poloz Mukuch is known for it. - **Trout**: Raised in Cherkezi Dzor's own ponds and grilled whole. - **Tolma**: Minced meat and rice rolled in vine leaves. - **Chanakh**: A stew baked in a clay pot, a Gyumri home staple. - **Tatar boraki**: Small dumplings with garlic yoghurt. - **Yaghli**: Layered pastry under powdered sugar, the city's own sweet. - **Ponchik**: A custard or chocolate doughnut. Gyumri is proud of its version. ## Gyumri transport & airports - **Shirak International Airport** (LWN): Armenia's second airport, about 7 km from the centre and run by Armenia International Airports. A handful of flights, mostly to Russia. Taxi in. - **Trains from Yerevan** (RAIL): South Caucasus Railway runs a few trains a day from Yerevan. The fastest take a little over two hours. [Website](https://www.ukzhd.am/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - **Marshrutkas and buses** (BUS): Shared vans run to Yerevan and the Shirak towns, Artik included. Pay in dram, in cash. - **Taxis and ride-hailing** (TAXI): GG and Yandex Go both work in Gyumri and are cheap. The centre itself is walkable. ## Gyumri at a glance - **Country:** Armenia - **Region:** Shirak Province, of which Gyumri is the capital - **Population:** 112,301 (2022 census) - **Founded:** Kumayri in antiquity; Alexandropol from 1837, Leninakan 1924 to 1990, Gyumri since 1992 - **Nickname:** Armenia's capital of humour - **Language:** Armenian, with Russian widely understood - **Currency:** Armenian dram (AMD) - **Time zone:** UTC+4, no daylight saving - **Calling code:** +374 - **Airports:** Shirak International (LWN), about 7 km from the centre - **Power:** 230V, 50Hz, type C and F sockets - **Emergency:** 911 ## Interesting facts - Gyumri has carried four names: Kumayri, Alexandropol, Leninakan and, since 1992, Gyumri. - The 1988 earthquake killed about 25,000 people, between 15,000 and 17,000 of them here. - UNESCO listed Gyumri's blacksmithing tradition as intangible heritage in 2023. - Merkurov's house holds the only original of Lenin's death mask. - Poloz Mukuch, the city's great humorist, died in 1931; mourners left empty bottles in his grave. ## Gyumri travel FAQ ### How many days do you need in Gyumri? Two. One for the city on foot, which covers Vardanants Square, the Kumayri streets, three or four museums and the Black Fortress. One for the monasteries of the plateau, Marmashen and Harichavank. One day works if you skip the monasteries. ### How do you get from Yerevan to Gyumri? By train, marshrutka or car. South Caucasus Railway runs a few trains a day and the fastest take a little over two hours. Marshrutkas are similar on time and leave when full. A taxi is quicker and costs more. ### What is the best time of year to visit Gyumri? June to September. The city sits at 1,509 metres, so summer is mild rather than hot, and winter is long and cold, with snow on the ground from about November into April. ### Is Gyumri worth visiting from Yerevan? Yes. It is the one place in Armenia with a whole 19th century town still standing, and the museums, the food and the humour are its own. A day trip works; a night lets you see the square after dark. ### What happened to Gyumri in 1988? The Spitak earthquake of 7 December 1988 killed about 25,000 people, between 15,000 and 17,000 of them in what was then Leninakan, and destroyed most of its housing. Rebuilding took decades, and the Holy Saviour reopened only in 2024. ## Nearby guides - [Tbilisi](https://wimup.com/city/tbilisi.md): Georgia · 10 picks - [Kutaisi](https://wimup.com/city/kutaisi.md): Georgia · 10 picks - [Batumi](https://wimup.com/city/batumi.md): Georgia · 10 picks - [All of Europe →](https://wimup.com/europe): 105 cities Part of the [Armenia guide](https://wimup.com/country/armenia.md) · [Europe](https://wimup.com/europe.md) ## Sources - [Gyumri tourism board](https://armenia.travel/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Holy Saviour Church (Surb Amenaprkich) (official site)](https://www.armenianchurch.org/en/videos/gyumri-s-holy-savior-church-reopens-after-decades-of-construction/5277?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Gyumri's blacksmiths (official site)](https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/tradition-of-blacksmithing-in-gyumri-01967?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Trains from Yerevan (official site)](https://www.ukzhd.am/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - Rankings are Wimup editorial picks. Prices, durations and budgets are editorial estimates, not live quotes; check the official site before you go.