Vanadzor is the largest city in the Lori region and one of the most important cultural and historical centers of the region.
Vanadzor combines elements of Modern architecture, which the city inherited from the USSR. Most of the buildings in Vanadzor are part of the Soviet construction, which shaped the appearance of the city.
The mountain landscape of Vanadzor is «complemented» by unusual buildings of the Soviet period. For example, the abandoned camp «Artek», where children from all over the USSR had been spending their summer vacation. You can also visit the camp «Yeghnik» – a bright example of Soviet constructivism. Don’t forget about the enterprises of Vanadzor, which are popular with fans of industrial tourism. The whole city breathes aesthetics, and it can surprise even the avid travelers!
A tour of Vanadzor is a unique opportunity to escape from the hustle and bustle of large cities in a cozy province and it doesn’t lose the usual attributes of comfortable life. The city infrastructure is very diverse. Most hotels, restaurants and cafes are located within walking distance from the center.
In the co-working space Loft, you will be able to work in a quiet atmosphere, not distracted by the relaxing charm of the city. Later in the evening, you can dine at the restaurant «Maran» and try the famous Lori craft beer. Also, we recommend you visit the bar «Solenoid» to experience the underground culture of the city.
Vanadzor is a place of creative freedom and self-realization. Many artists and musicians from all over Armenia started their activity in Vanadzor. There are many workshops and cultural centers in the city where you can learn the national crafts: the mastery of weaving Armenian carpets or the sculpting from clay. The city remains a magnet for creative people, but there are also projects not directly related to art.
For example, Boo Bike Park is the only cycling park in the region. It’s not just exciting cycling routes, it’s a community of sports enthusiasts that is expanding every year. Vanadzor is an incredibly green city. The jade forests and the mountains surrounding Vanadzor are great for hiking. Extreme transitions combined with scenic views make hiking in Vanadzor a truly exciting experience.
But the main advantage of Vanadzor is people. Locals are very open and hospitable. You can feel it everywhere whether it’s in the eastern bazaar choosing apricots or walking down the main street Tigran Metz. Among the countless treasures of the city, the people are the most precious.
LORI map
LORI map
| Akhtala | Ախթալա | |
| church | ekexeci | եկեղեցի |
| Ախթալա եկեղեցի | եկեղեցի Ախթալա | Akhtala Monastery |
| haghpat | Հաղպատ | |
| Sanahin | Սանահին | |
| Bardzrakash | Բարձրաքաշ Սուրբ Գրիգորի վանք | Բարձրաքաշ |
| Dsegh | Dsex | Դսեղ |
| Debet | Դեբեդ | |
| Lermontov | Լերմոնտովո | |
| Vanadzor | Վանաձոր | |
| Lori Berd | Լոռի բերդ | |
| Odzun | Օձուն | |
| Սուրբ Նիկողայոս եկեղեցի | Surb nikolay ekexeci | Church of Nicholas |
| Stepanavan | Ստեփանավան | |
| Stepanavan dendropark | Ստեփանավանի Դենդրոպարկ | |
| Urasar | Ջրաշուշանների լիճ | Ուրասար |
| Tashir | Տաշիր | |
| Achqasar | Աչքասար | |
| Spitak | Սպիտակ |
Akhtala Church
In the town of Akhtala amidst pristine nature, stands the Akhtala monastery. Its wonderfully preserved frescos with their Byzantine-like color schemes and purely Armenian themes dazzle tourists.
Akhtala
Akhtala (in the middle ages known as Agarak, since 12-13th centuries Pghindzavank, granted with the status of the town since 1995) is located in the Lori Region, along Shamlugh river, in the valley of Debed river and on the slopes of Lalvar mountain.
Sanahin Monastery
Sanahin and Haghpat monastic complexes in Lori region are both included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. A visit there will take you back in history to the 10th century, a period when they once thrived and used to be the most important centers of education and culture.
Haghpat Monastery
Sanahin and Haghpat monastic complexes in Lori region are both included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. A visit there will take you back in history to the 10th century, a period when they once thrived and used to be the most important centers of education and culture.
Alaverdi City
Stepanavan Dendropark ,is in arboretum located near the Gyulagarak village, Lori Province, Armenia. Located around 85 km north of the capital Yerevan, the park was founded in 1931 by Polish engineer-forester Edmund Leonowicz. The arboretum is 35 ha in total of which 17.5 ha consist of natural forest and 15 ha of ornamental trees.
Odzun Church
The temple of Odzun stands out among the numerous monasteries in Lori as having the most extensive history. The current building, a domed basilica, dates back to the 5th century.
Dzoraget Canyon
The river Dzoraget in Lori region is an area of outstanding natural beauty. It originates from the slopes of Javakhk mountain range. At the feet of the city of Stepanavan the river irrupts into 100-120m deep gorges. It is there, on the upper stream of the gorge that Lore fortress stands. This is the perfect place for hiking and relishing the moments amidst the tranquil of Lori’s diverse nature.
Tsover Lake
Nestled right in the middle of magnificent nature, the lake and the area around it provide a haven for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. Visitors with an abundance of enthusiasm and a passion for horse riding and mountain biking are going to love the experience as well.
Dsegh Village
No matter it’s your first adventurous discovery trip or not, no matter you are local in Armenia or just visited to explore it, your time will not be wasted if you visit Dsegh. Here you will enjoy your rest and live unforgettable emotions in rich Armenian nature, you will get acquitted with rich historical-cultural heritage etcetera.
Debet Village
What can inspire learning more than a totally green rural environment? Debed is here, which has hosted one of the most important educational centers of Lori region, COAF since 2018. It is worth once seeing the harmony achieved in Debed between nature and architecture instead of reading lengthy descriptions.
Fioletovo Village
Have you ever wondered about how life was in the Tsarist Russia? Then you should visit the village of Fioletovo and see it. The village is inhabited by Molokans, who were deported during the rule of Tsarist Russia and settled here, originally called Nikitinskoye. For 2 centuries the community has kept its identity and traditions, even its architectural features.
Lermontovo Village
Two unique villages to visit in Armenia and in the Lori region are Lermontovo and Fioletovo, two Molokan villages that were settled in the 1800s by Spiritual Christians coming from Russia.
In the villages, you’ll find different architecture and a culture that is slightly different than Armenian.
Vanadzor City
Vanadzor, a modern city, which meanwhile cherishes the memories of its Soviet past. After touring the city, it is worth having a picnic in the quiet of the Botanical Garden, another Soviet heritage, and then going up to the Artek camp, where children from all the Soviet countries would spend their pioneer vacations.
Dendropark of Stepanavan
Over 500 species of trees from different parts of the world and the fresh air make this a must-visit destination. Among the outstanding specimens of the park are 5 Californian sequoias, which will become huge in a few hundred years.
St. Nikoghayos Church
This is a Russian Orthodox church in the village of Amrakits, Lori region. It was built in 1848 (according to other sources in 1879) for the Russian Orthodox village of Nikolaka (now Amrakits) founded by the Ukrainian Cossacks. It owes its current look to the reconstruction of 1910-1914.
Lori Fortress
Lori Fortress is within a walking distance from Dendropark. The fortress was built by Davit Anhoghin, who made Lori the capital of the Tashir-Dzoraget kingdom. Even though the castle is in ruins, it makes the structure even more spectacular, oozing charm and the history of centuries.
Stepanavan City
Stepananvan currently has around 10,000 residents and is green and a wonderful place if you love the outdoors! It is home to the iconic Stepanavan Dendropark which is a must-visit when there!
Water Lily Lake (Urasar)
The lake is the cradle of one of the most beautiful and rarest flowers in the Armenian highlands – water lilies. Admire? Yes, you can. Touch? No, you can’t. They are registered in Armenia’s Red Data Book. This, however, is not the only lake with water lilies in Lori region. A similar one is Lake Liman, found in Tashir community, Saratovka.
Achkasar Mountain
Achkasar is the highest peak in the region of Lori with a height of 3196m. When in Lori, climbing a mountain holds as much mystery and allure as going down to Lake Achkasar and chilling out. The average walking distance to the lake is 21km.
Trchkan Waterfall
Trchkan waterfall is a standing evidence of environmental activists’ struggle and victory. They succeeded in suspending a project to build a hydroelectric power plant in here years ago. It stands out among the waterfalls in Armenia with its height of 23.5 meters and an average water consumption of about 1.5 tons per second.
Spitak City
The town was completely destroyed during the earthquake and was rebuilt in a slightly different location just after. Today, it is home to just around 11,000 residents and is situated along the Pambak River.
Bardzrakash St. Gregory Monastery
The monastery nestles at the edge of a deep canyon, a spectacular and awe-inspiring site itself. The oldest inscriptions at the site date back to the 8th century. In the complex, you can see the family tomb of one of the most famous ruling families of Armenia, the Mamikonyans, two churches, an oil mill, and remains of khachkars.
Download the map we developed. There you will find all you need as a tourist: sights, museums, food courts, post offices, banks, ATMs, terminals, public toilets, free wi-fi and other places. The offline map has a navigation feature. The map is available regardless of Internet availability.
