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One of the best ways to truly experience Armenia is to leave Yerevan behind and explore the country by car.

Mountains, deep gorges, ancient monasteries, small villages, wine regions, and Lake Sevan are all within comfortable driving distance of the capital. A rental car makes it possible to connect these places into one memorable journey rather than visiting them as separate day trips.

That is exactly how the author of the MiliMundo travel blog recently explored Armenia.

Over seven days, Mili and her travel companion covered around 900 kilometres, climbed Mount Aragats, travelled through southern Armenia, visited Tatev and Khndzoresk, hiked in Dilijan National Park, and completed their route around Lake Sevan and Garni.

But the most interesting part is that the trip almost fell apart before it had even begun.

A Road Trip That Almost Ended Before It Started

Mili arrived in Armenia with her itinerary already planned and a rental car booked in advance.

However, on her first day in Yerevan, the original reservation was cancelled at the last minute.

For an independent road trip, this was a serious problem. The following days had been planned around travelling outside Yerevan, including mountain roads and routes covering hundreds of kilometres.

While searching for an alternative, Mili contacted HomyCars in Yerevan.

Our team was able to quickly provide another vehicle at roughly the same price, allowing the travelers to keep their original itinerary.

In her blog, Mili described her experience with HomyCars as:

“An amazing and professional attitude, highly recommended.”

For us at HomyCars, this is exactly what good car rental service should be about. It is not simply about handing over the keys. Sometimes, it is about helping travelers keep their entire journey on track when something unexpected happens.

[Photo: Mili with Arthur Mkhitaryan from HomyCars]

Before starting the road trip around Armenia with Arthur Mkhitaryan from HomyCars.

The full day-by-day story of the journey can be found in Mili’s original article on the MiliMundo travel blog.

What Can You See in Armenia in Seven Days?

Surprisingly, quite a lot.

One of the biggest advantages of a road trip in Armenia is that the country is relatively compact, yet its scenery and atmosphere can change dramatically from one region to another.

Mili’s route connected central, southern, and northern Armenia:

Yerevan → Byurakan → Mount Aragats → Khor Virap → Areni → Noravank → Goris → Khndzoresk → Tatev → Shaki Waterfall → Lake Sevan → Dilijan → Garni → Yerevan

The total distance was around 900 kilometres.

Rather than simply repeating her itinerary day by day, it is more interesting to look at the key places along the way and consider what other travelers can learn from her experience.

From Yerevan to Mount Aragats

After collecting the rental car in Yerevan, the travelers headed towards Byurakan, a village located on the slopes of Mount Aragats.

The following morning, they drove to Lake Kari, situated at an altitude of around 3,200 metres, and started their climb from there.

Eventually, they reached the southern summit of Mount Aragats at approximately 3,860 metres.

Aragats is the highest mountain in Armenia and one of the most impressive destinations that can be included in a self-drive itinerary from Yerevan.

The drive itself becomes part of the experience. As you gain altitude, the urban landscape gradually disappears and gives way to vast highland scenery.

HomyCars Tip

Even in summer, the weather on Mount Aragats can be very different from the conditions in Yerevan.

Temperatures drop considerably with altitude, and mountain weather can change very quickly.

Always check the forecast before setting off and try not to plan your drive too late in the day.

Khor Virap and the View of Mount Ararat

After Aragats, the route continued south towards Khor Virap.

It is one of Armenia’s most recognizable landmarks.

The monastery stands close to the Turkish border, and when visibility is good, the famous silhouette of Mount Ararat rises behind it.

Mili and her companion arrived closer to sunset, turning the stop into one of the highlights of their journey.

This is one of the great advantages of travelling independently by car: you are not tied to a tour group’s timetable and can plan your stops around the light, weather, and your own pace.

For photographers in particular, early morning and evening often provide the best conditions.

Areni and Noravank: Heading South

The next part of the route took the travelers through Areni and Noravank.

Areni is one of Armenia’s best-known wine regions and a convenient stop on the way towards Vayots Dzor and Syunik.

From Areni, the road to Noravank passes through a narrow gorge surrounded by striking red cliffs.

At the end of the gorge stands Noravank Monastery.

Its location makes Noravank especially memorable. Here, the architecture seems to blend naturally into the surrounding landscape.

Mili described Noravank as one of the most photogenic places she visited in Armenia.

It is also a great example of why travelling by car gives visitors much more flexibility.

The drive from Yerevan to Goris does not have to be simply about getting from point A to point B. Along the way, you can stop at wineries, viewpoints, caves, gorges, and monasteries.

Goris and Old Khndzoresk: When the Road Gets More Adventurous

The journey then continued towards Goris.

This part of Armenia is especially rewarding for travelers who enjoy unusual landscapes and places that feel far removed from the capital.

One of Mili’s most memorable experiences happened in Old Khndzoresk.

The historic settlement is famous for its cave dwellings and long suspension bridge stretching across the gorge.

Getting there was not entirely straightforward.

According to Mili, they had to drive several kilometres along a rough road in their small rental car before continuing on foot.

But the road itself was not what they remembered most.

While exploring the area, they met elderly local residents who had once lived in the caves decades earlier. The travelers were invited to share homemade food, fruit brandy, and stories about the past.

Mili later described this encounter as one of the most authentic moments of the entire journey.

Experiences like this cannot really be planned in advance.

But travelling independently gives you far more opportunities to discover them.

HomyCars Tip

Not every road shown by a navigation app is equally suitable for every type of vehicle.

If your itinerary includes remote villages, mountain roads, or unpaved sections, it is better to mention this when making your booking.

We can help you choose a vehicle category that is better suited to your planned route.

Tatev: Monastery, Mountains, and One of Armenia’s Most Beautiful Drives

From Khndzoresk, the travelers continued towards Tatev.

Even without visiting the monastery itself, the drive through Syunik makes this part of the route spectacular.

The region is mountainous, dramatic, and completely different from the landscapes around Yerevan.

Tatev Monastery stands high above the Vorotan Gorge and is considered one of Armenia’s most important historical landmarks.

While in the area, Mili managed to combine several activities: hiking, visiting the Great Hermitage of Tatev area, exploring Devil’s Bridge, trying a zipline, and taking the Wings of Tatev cable car.

The region is particularly suitable for travelers who prefer active journeys rather than simply moving from one attraction to another.

It is also better not to rush this part of Armenia.

Trying to visit Tatev as part of a very intensive day trip from Yerevan is not the most comfortable option.

Staying overnight in southern Armenia makes the journey much more enjoyable.

From Southern Armenia to Lake Sevan

After Tatev, the route turned north.

On the way, the travelers stopped at Shaki Waterfall before continuing towards Lake Sevan.

This section of the journey perfectly demonstrates how diverse an Armenia road trip can be.

Within just a few days, travelers move from the dry landscapes and deep gorges of the south to the wide-open highlands surrounding one of the largest freshwater lakes in the Caucasus.

Lake Sevan is often called the “Armenian Sea.”

After several days of mountain roads and active sightseeing, the atmosphere here feels completely different.

Mili spent two nights in the area, which gave her enough time to combine Lake Sevan with another important stop: Dilijan.

Dilijan: Forests Instead of Rocky Gorges

From Lake Sevan, the route continued towards Dilijan National Park.

The change in scenery is noticeable almost immediately.

Southern Armenia is associated with rocks, dry mountains, and deep gorges.

Dilijan is green, forested, and considerably more humid.

The travelers spent part of the day hiking in the national park before returning to Lake Sevan to enjoy the evening by the water and watch the sunset near Sevanavank.

For first-time visitors planning a self-drive journey around Armenia, combining Syunik, Lake Sevan, and Dilijan is one of the best ways to appreciate just how geographically diverse the country is.

HomyCars Tip

Do not estimate driving time based only on distance.

A route that looks short on the map may take much longer because of mountain roads, elevation changes, road conditions, and stops along the way.

It is especially important to leave extra time when travelling through southern Armenia.

Garni and the Symphony of Stones

The final stage of the journey brought the travelers back towards Yerevan.

Before returning the rental car, Mili visited Garni Temple and the nearby Symphony of Stones.

Garni is a convenient destination to leave for the final day because it is relatively close to Yerevan while still offering a completely different experience.

The classical Temple of Garni is one of Armenia’s most distinctive historical monuments.

Meanwhile, the basalt columns of the Symphony of Stones create one of the country’s most remarkable natural landscapes.

It was a fitting conclusion to a week that began in Yerevan and included around 900 kilometres of driving across Armenia.

What This Journey Tells Us About Exploring Armenia by Car

Mili’s itinerary is certainly not the only way to explore Armenia in a week.

But it clearly demonstrates how much travelers can realistically experience when they have their own car.

A rental vehicle makes it possible to combine famous landmarks with places that are much more difficult to reach by public transport.

You can stop at a viewpoint simply because you like the view.

You can spend more time in a village that unexpectedly captures your attention.

You can change your plans because of the weather.

You can arrive at a monastery just in time for sunset.

And sometimes, you can discover places that were never part of the original itinerary at all.

That freedom is perhaps the greatest advantage of exploring Armenia by car.

Is Seven Days Enough for an Armenia Road Trip?

Seven days is certainly enough for a great first introduction to Armenia, but not enough to see everything.

A route similar to Mili’s already includes:

• Yerevan;
• Mount Aragats;
• Khor Virap;
• Areni;
• Noravank;
• Goris;
• Khndzoresk;
• Tatev;
• Shaki Waterfall;
• Lake Sevan;
• Dilijan;
• Garni.

It is a fairly intensive itinerary.

Travelers who prefer a slower pace could easily extend the same route to nine or ten days.

Another option is to leave out one region and spend more time hiking, visiting wineries, or exploring smaller villages.

The important thing is not to turn Armenia into a checklist of attractions that need to be ticked off.

The roads between them are part of the journey too.

How to Choose a Rental Car for an Armenia Road Trip

The right vehicle depends primarily on your itinerary.

For driving around Yerevan, Garni, Lake Sevan, and along major highways, a compact or standard passenger car may be perfectly suitable.

If you plan to spend more time in mountain areas, visit remote villages, or drive on roads with poorer surfaces, a crossover or SUV may provide greater comfort.

There are several other factors worth considering.

Number of passengers and luggage.
A vehicle that feels spacious enough for city driving may become less comfortable after several days on the road with suitcases.

Season.
Mountain conditions can be very different in summer and winter.

Route.
A trip focused on Yerevan and major tourist attractions has very different requirements from a journey through rural parts of Syunik.

Driving experience.
Many visitors prefer an automatic transmission, especially when driving on unfamiliar roads for the first time.

That is why it is useful to share at least an approximate itinerary with the rental company when booking rather than choosing a vehicle based only on price.

Planning Your Own Armenia Road Trip?

Mili’s story began with a cancelled car reservation.

Seven days later, she had around 900 kilometres of Armenian roads behind her, had climbed the country’s highest mountain, explored cave settlements and ancient monasteries, travelled through dramatic gorges, and watched sunsets over Lake Sevan.

We are happy that HomyCars could become a small part of that story.

Journeys like this remind us what renting a car is really about.

Not simply getting from point A to point B.

But making everything that happens between those two points possible.

Tell us where you are planning to go, and we will help you choose a vehicle suited to your journey.

Want to explore Armenia at your own pace?

Choose your car with HomyCars and start planning your own road trip.

This article was inspired by a real journey shared by the author of the MiliMundo travel blog. In her original article, “7-Day Armenia Road Trip & My Day-by-Day Itinerary”, you can find the full travel diary along with accommodation details, costs, and personal impressions from the road.