What To Buy In Yerevan, Armenia

1. Armenian cognac

Armenian cognac is gaining preference over the fine qualities of cognac found in France. Armenia has been producing wine for over 3000 years now. However, the production of wine and cognac in Armenia started out with the inspiration drawn by several Armenian businessmen, from this Russian trader called Nerses Tairov. Tairov had built a cognac factory in Yerevan and from then on the tradition followed and people started indulging in fine cognac, not only the ones living in Armenia but it started getting exported to places across the world.

Yerevan Brandy Company

Address: Isakov Ave, 2, 2 Admiral Isakov Ave, Yerevan, Armenia

Website: https://en.araratbrandy.com/

Opening Hours: 9am to 6pm

Price: 10,666.47 AMD (21.99 USD)

2. Pomegranate souvenirs

You’ll find a lot of goods made in the frame, shape and the look of the pomegranate fruit. Pomegranate, apparently, in Armenian mythology signifies fertility and well-being, which is why it is of great significance to the Armenian culture and its people. So, you’ll find a lot pomegranate themed items for home decoration, to wear as ornaments, to use as daily wear and also a lot of it in the food that you eat at an Armenian restaurant. These are patent souvenirs that you can carry home with you and also gift someone some.

PreZent Store

Address: 18 Mesrop Mashtots Ave, Yerevan 0002, Armenia, Yerevan 0002, Armenia

Opening Hours: 11am to 8pm

3. Medallion featuring Tigran the Great

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

If you’re someone who finds interest in the historical aspects of the places that you travel to and like to collect to memorials typical to these places then you are going to love this piece. You’ll find these medallions featuring Tigran the Great, who was known to be the greatest king of Armenia. He is said to have expanded the Armenian territory to a great extent and brought prosperity and a lot of strength and weight to the nation during his rule in 95 to 55 BC. So, you can pick up one of these as a memento from your trip.

IrinExArt Souvenir

Address: 3/1, Northern Ave 10, Yerevan 0001, 0001, Armenia

Opening Hours: 10am to 12am

4. Mount Ararat souvenirs

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Just like pomegranate souvenirs, you will also find a lot of items replicating Mt. Ararat in gift shops selling Armenian souvenirs. Mt. Ararat is believed to be the final point of arrival of Noah’s arc, by the Christians living there. This mountain is an element of pride for the people in Armenia not just because of biblical stories it is associated with but also because it is a majestic inert volcano peak, which stands in the East of Turkey - the little Ararat at 12,782 feet (3900 meters) and greater Ararat at 16,945 feet (5165 meters).

Sonsation

Address: 4 Pushkin St, Yerevan 0002, Armenia

Opening Hours: 11:30am to 9pm

Price: 7,760 AMD (16 USD)

5. Antique carpets

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So, carpets also form a major part of the Armenian culture and tradition. These carpets have been in use in Armenia since the fifth century, adorning church walls and the floors and also being used as prayer carpets. Tribute was paid to this artwork by compensating it for the taxes that were to be paid. These carpets are quite attractive and can definitely enhance the beauty of your home. You’ll be able to find the carpets in either one of these antique carpet shops around Yerevan or during the weekend at the Vernissage market. These are quite heavy but if you’re lucky you may also find small ones to carry home.

Postoyan Carpet Armenia

Address: 3/1 Abovyan St, Yerevan 0010, Armenia

Website: http://www.postoyancarpets.com/

Opening Hours: 11am to 8pm

Price: 97,000 AMD (200 USD)

6. Dried fruits

Dried fruits are pretty commonly found in every home in Armenia. The locals here dry apricots, peaches, plums, grapes and several other fruits at home itself and snack on them alone or use them as ingredients while cooking their meals. Armenians have been incorporating dry fruits in their diet since ages ago and drying fruits at home too is an age-old tradition, which is still preserved. Buy dried fruits from any local market or supermarket for home. They are not only pretty good to taste but also quite wholesome and nutritious.

Pnduk - dried fruits and nuts

Address: 24 Mesrop Mashtots Ave, Yerevan 0002, Armenia

Website: https://www.menu.am/en/restaurant/pnduk.html

Opening Hours: 9:30am to 11:30pm

Price: 1000 AMD (2.06 USD)

7. Fruit leather

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Armenia has a varied range of fruits, including grapes, plums, cherries, apples, peaches and more. Just as dry fruits are very popular in Armenia, so is fruit leather. Fruit leather is dried fruits beaten into sheets that can be wrapped around other snacks or eaten alone. These are a specialty in Armenia. You must try them and even consider packing some for home because they will barely take up any space in your luggage.

Yerevan Vernissage

Address: Aram Street, Yerevan, Armenia

Website: http://armvern.com/

Opening Hours: 7am to 6pm

Price: 1000 AMD (2.06 USD)

8. Fruit wine

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Armenia grows great quality grapes along with other fruits. Hence, wine is a specialty here. You’ll find a variety of fruit wines along with wine made out of grapes. You will find pomegranate, cherry, apricot and blackberry wines among others. The most noteworthy brands are Yerevantsi, Getap Vernashen, Vivat Armenia, Hayq and Khoran. You should buy a bottle or two of fruit wine as a souvenir, take it home and let it age well, and when memories of your trip to Armenia come back to you, open one of these bottles and relive your experience there.

365 Wines

Address: 40a Acharyan St, Yerevan, 0075, Armenia

Opening Hours: 9 am to 6pm

Price: 2,500 AMD (5.15 USD)

9. Soviet coins and medallions

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These too like the medallion with the image of ‘Tigran the Great’ will stir the ones who have a knack for history and the historical background of the specific souvenirs of certain places. Soviet coins were minted during a period between 1965 and 1991. Out of around 68 commemorative coins that were minted, 3 coins were dedicated to Armenia. The three coins were Earthquake, Matenadaran and David of Sassoun. The head design features USSR emblem and the other side has the Mt. Ararat in the background with five hands signifying assistance from five different continents, holding a cup with an eternal flame.

U G E A R S - Armenia

Address: 34/3 Arshakunyats Ave., “Yerevan Mall” 1st floor, Yerevan, Armenia

website: http://www.ugears.am/index.php

Opening Hours: 10am to 10pm

Price: 16,952 AMD (34.95 USD)

10. Kachkar - Armenian cross-stone

Kachkar refers to carved stones, which forms a part of the Medieval Christian Armenian art. These stone carvings featuring a cross along with other intricate designs interlaced neatly. UNESCO had acknowledged Kachkar as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. These graceful works of art and craft make for lovely gifts and souvenirs to carry home for oneself and for the loved ones.

Sakura

Address: 36 Moskovyan Street Yerevan AM 375001, 36 Moskovyan Street, Yerevan, Armeni

Opening Hours: 10am to 9pm

Experience the solemnity while making merry

Armenia is a place with a rich historical and cultural past that sets it apart from the very vibrant tourist destinations. While it is a place of immense gravitas, it also offers a lot of fun outlets for interested tourists, including its delicious food, cable car ride, age-old wine and that too for quite cheap compared to other tourist destinations nearby.