Armenia is one of those destinations that charms visitors right off the bat with its mild climate and amazing landscapes wherever you look. But the longer you stay here, the more you get impressed with the country’s rich history, unique culture, and intriguing cuisine. However, before you rush off to experience all of this, here’s what you should know.
Armenia Has Closed Borders With Turkey and Azerbaijan
Arriving in Armenia via air is quite simple. However, getting there by land can be tricky, especially if you are a backpacker. Due to long-standing unfriendly relationships with Turkey and Azerbaijan, Armenia keeps its borders with these countries closed. However, the border with Georgia is open and you won’t have any issues crossing it.
Tourism Infrastructure Isn’t Great
Tourism in Armenia has only started taking off recently. The country is becoming more focused on exploiting its potential, but it still needs to work a lot on its tourism infrastructure. This is why you should manage your expectation and prepare to compromise.
Not Everyone Speaks English
You probably won’t have much trouble finding English speakers in bigger cities. However, this becomes quite a challenge in remote areas. It doesn’t help that the Armenian language and alphabet are somewhat unique, so having some kind of translation app will make your life a lot easier.
You Probably Don’t Need a Visa
Armenia doesn’t require a visa for citizens of more than 40 countries, with the United States being one of them. All you need is a valid passport, which will allow you to stay up to 180 days on Armenian territory in any given year.