Dilijan, Armenia - Where Nature Meets Serenity

Hello everyone. During our trip to Armenia we visited Dilijan on the recommendation of some friends. We traveled from Yerevan by public transport, specifically a bus and it only took an hour and a half, with a ticket costing just 2 euros per person. In my opinion that’s very affordable and honestly, the hour and a half passed quite quickly. As we drove along winding roads, I was surprised to see so much corn and sunflower being sold along the way. It seems this region is particularly famous for its corn harvest because everywhere you look, there’s corn. The locals here definitely know their stuff about corn. Even in the center of Dilijan I noticed people walking around with corn cobs. For us, this was a bit unusual and intriguing, especially since my friend loves corn. I like it too and I realized it’s everywhere here. Back in Yerevan, it wasn’t like that.

We stayed in the Dilijan National Park at a hotel called Aurora Luxe. After arriving at the city center we called a taxi to take us to the hotel, which took about five to ten minutes and the fare was only 2 euros. Very convenient and cheap. The protected area begins right here and the complex is nestled at the foot of the mountains. That’s exactly why we came: to experience nature and see beautiful places. It didn’t take long to find our accommodation; we walked down about five meters and entered the hotel grounds. They checked us in immediately. Our room category was called a Villa. When we stepped inside, we were overwhelmed by the sheer size of the space.it was so large that I even forgot where everything was. There was an enormous wardrobe and a full-length mirror reaching up to the ceiling. I wondered how high the ceiling was. Probably three meters, maybe more. The nightly rate for such a room was 150 euros.

Upon entering we were greeted by a spacious kitchen and living area. You can literally cook anything here. There’s tea, coffee, salt, cups, glasses, snack. Even brandy if you want to enjoy a drink, with glasses provided too. In short, everything you need is available. Honestly, we weren’t expecting such a massive room.

First we decided to head to the pool for a quick swim to cool off, as it was quite hot outside. The buildings and villas of the hotel are stylishly designed. Moreover, everywhere you go, you’re surrounded by mountains and forests. The natural scenery is breathtaking. Right next to the villa there’s a green area and a barbecue-grill zone where you can cook meat and enjoy your meals. Tables are specially set up so you don’t have to eat inside, you can dine outdoors surrounded by stunning nature.

The hotel grounds are comfortable, small but not overcrowded, with enough loungers for everyone. After swimming we went shopping at a market in Dilijan because we decided to grill some kebabs. We were getting hungry. We bought a nice piece of meat, about 1.5 kilos along with spices, baguette bread, charcoal and even a local brandy. We also found sugar-free water, which I really appreciated.I hadn’t expected to find sugar-free water here. In total, our shopping cost around 25 euros.

Later we marinated the meat, lit a fire and started cooking. People were grilling kebabs near the waterfall and it felt like we’d arrived just in time. Honestly, this was probably the best kebab we’ve ever made. After enjoying our dinner, we headed back to rest.

The next morning greeted us with sunny skies and fresh air. We began exploring the protected area, eager to discover what interesting spots it had to offer. We visited a beautiful church. As we left the hotel grounds, we were surrounded by mountains and stunning natural views. To be honest, I recommend renting a car or coming with your own vehicle, as there are many places to walk around here. Distances range from 3 to 5 kilometers. Having a car makes everything much easier. Taxis operate in the area, but I’m not sure if they’ll come all the way out here and waiting might take a while. So, we decided to walk anyway. We were welcomed by a charming rural atmosphere, with cows grazing along the road.

After walking for a while we reached an area completely immersed in nature. No hotels or houses in sight, just pure wilderness. We were soaking in the fresh air of Dilijan. A few cars passed by and some kind locals offered us rides. If we had continued on foot, it would have taken at least an hour, but thanks to them, we reached our destination quickly. The main entrance led us to a monastery complex dating back to the 10th century, called Haghartsin, which means Eagle's Game in Armenian, as many eagles live in this region.

Down below we saw a lot of people gathered in the parking lot, as most visitors arrive by car. We hadn’t seen any other tourists on foot. I’m not sure why we planned it this way, but walking seemed like a good idea at first. On the map, the location appeared closer than it actually was, so we made that decision. Thankfully, the locals helped us out, which saved us from walking in the scorching heat.

This complex contains structures from the 10th century, including several cemeteries, a refectory and two chapels. As we walked, the path went up and down and though we didn’t walk far, we still felt a bit tired. While it wasn’t as hot as Yerevan, walking was still challenging. Once inside the complex, we noticed everything was impeccably clean, well-maintained and restored, attracting many visitors.

The first structure we encountered was the oldest church, St. Grigoris Church, built in the 10th century by monks fleeing persecution. Inside, it was naturally dark, but the ambiance was beautiful despite limited visibility. Many visitors lit candles, creating a serene atmosphere. This church contains the tombs of two kings: King Gagik and King Smbat. Without realizing it, we had stumbled upon one of the most popular sites in Armenia, a fact I hadn’t known before.

Next we visited St. Astvatsatsin Church, partially restored while retaining some original elements. Another highlight was St. Katoghike Church, used for liturgical services, followed by St. Stepanos Church, smaller but exquisitely crafted, dating back to 1244. Its interior was fascinating, with parts preserved and restored. As we descended slightly, we noticed numerous tents set up nearby. Fresh, delicious water was available for drinking, a hallmark of Armenia’s pristine water sources. We bought a bottle to quench our thirst during the hike.

Adjacent to the complex lies St. George Park, which we explored briefly. It was very impressive, with lush greenery, towering trees and mountain vistas, an idyllic spot. Here we tried Gata, a traditional Armenian pastry, alongside cheese, tarragon, lingonberry and lemon. The aroma was delightful and the taste reminded me of sweet buns. Everything was incredibly delicious and I think this was the best Gata we’ve ever had. Nearby, there was a cabin perched on the edge of a cliff, selling honey and jams in various sizes (ranging from 5.000 to 10.000 drams). They also offered honey-flavored ice cream (about $1.10) and even honey wine, something I’d never heard of before.

After touring the complex, we decided to venture into the forest toward a waterfall. The trail stretched about 2 kilometers through dense woods. Though we didn’t encounter any animals or snakes, the muddy terrain was somewhat intimidating. Initially we opted to walk, but eventually, we hired a jeep for 20 dollars. It turned into a windy safari-like ride, lasting about an hour according to the driver, though Google Maps suggested it was only an 8-minute walk. Our first stop revealed either a lake or a small stream, with the waterfall further ahead. Finally we reached the waterfall, which was absolutely stunning. The water was crystal clear and the setting was magical.

Returning to the hotel, we decided to end our evening with another barbecue session. We grilled leftover meat from the previous day, paired with local Dilijan beer. Since we had plenty of meat left over, we also picked up some sausages and turned it into a full-blown beer party. As night fell, the lights illuminated the entire complex, providing a cozy ambiance.

Our final evening in Dilijan concluded beautifully, leaving us with unforgettable memories. If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend visiting Dilijan.