atlas•

Before you go to Armenia: what to know

Must know

  • Land borders with Azerbaijan and Turkey are closed to travellers; enter by air or via Georgia or Iran.
  • Cannabis, CBD and THC products are illegal even with a prescription; drug smuggling carries 4–10 years.
  • Do not photograph military bases, equipment or border posts — visitors have been detained.
  • Russian Mir cards work only at VTB Armenia ATMs/terminals; bring cash or a foreign Visa/Mastercard.
  • Use taxi apps (GG, Yandex Go) rather than street taxis to avoid inflated fares.

Entry and visas

Visa-free for up to 180 days per year for EU, UK, US and CIS citizens and several others. Nationals of 111 countries holding a valid US, EU/Schengen or GCC residence permit (valid 6+ months) are temporarily visa-exempt from 1 July 2026 to 1 July 2027. Others use the official e-Visa (evisa.mfa.am).

Online arrival forms and permits

  • Armenia e-Visa ↗ optional
    Before travel, for nationalities that need a visa · Nationalities that are not visa-free

Passport validity: Valid for the whole stay.

At the border you may be asked for

  • Extensions beyond your allowed stay are handled by the Passport and Visa Department (OVIR) in Yerevan.

Customs

  • Declare anything prohibited or dutiable; strict rules apply.
  • Cannabis/CBD products are banned even if legal at home.
  • Carry prescription medicines in original packaging with a prescription.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: mfa.am ↗, mfa.am ↗, gov.uk ↗

Money

Cash and cards are both common. Cards are accepted mainly in cities and tourist areas.

Payment networks: Visa, Mastercard, Mir

Apple Pay — works · Google Pay — works

Where to exchange money

  • Exchange offices and bank branches in central Yerevan (compare rates; spreads are small)
  • Clean USD, EUR or RUB notes

Where not to exchange

  • Airport exchange (small amounts only)
  • Dynamic currency conversion at ATMs and terminals

ATMs: Plenty of ATMs in Yerevan; many local banks charge a fee for foreign cards — check before confirming. Take care at ATMs after dark.

Tipping: Restaurants often add a 10% service charge; if not, ~10% is customary. Round up taxi fares.

  • Mir: only VTB Armenia ATMs and terminals; most shops will not accept it.
  • Cash is needed outside Yerevan and at markets.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: cba.am ↗, avo.cards ↗

Rules and bans

Prohibited

  • Any drugs, including cannabis, CBD and THC products
  • Photographing military sites, equipment or border areas
  • Travel near the Azerbaijan border without checking current advice

Laws visitors break unknowingly

  • UK and many other licences require an International Driving Permit (1968) to drive.
  • Smoking is restricted in many indoor public places.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗

Culture and clothing

Religion: Armenian Apostolic Christian; monasteries and churches are active.

Clothing: Relaxed in Yerevan. In churches and monasteries women are encouraged to cover heads and avoid very short clothing; men remove hats.

Etiquette

  • Hospitality is generous — accepting food or coffee is polite.
  • Avoid praising Turkey or Azerbaijan in political conversations; the genocide and Karabakh are sensitive topics.
  • LGBT+ couples should be discreet in public.
  • Ask before photographing people.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗

Climate

Dry highland continental climate: hot sunny summers in Yerevan (often 35°C+), cold snowy winters, cooler in the mountains (Dilijan, Sevan, Jermuk).

Month by month
  • January: Jan: cold, Yerevan ~-5–2°C; skiing in Tsaghkadzor
  • February: Feb: cold, snow
  • March: Mar: chilly, thawing
  • April: Apr: mild, apricot blossom
  • May: May: warm, green, ideal
  • June: Jun: warm to hot
  • July: Jul: hot and dry in Yerevan; cool at Lake Sevan
  • August: Aug: hottest month, 35°C+ possible
  • September: Sep: warm, harvest season
  • October: Oct: pleasant, autumn colours
  • November: Nov: cool, first snow in mountains
  • December: Dec: cold, snow

Best season: May–June and September–October.

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: en.wikipedia.org ↗

What to pack

  • Sun hat and sunscreen (strong highland sun)
  • Warm layers for mountains and evenings
  • Headscarf for monasteries
  • Comfortable shoes for rocky monastery paths
  • International Driving Permit if renting a car
  • USD/EUR cash

Do not bring / prohibited to import

  • Cannabis, CBD or THC products
  • Drones near military or border areas

Practical

Plugs: Type C/F, 220 V, 50 Hz

Water: Yerevan tap water comes from mountain springs and is generally drinkable; public drinking fountains (pulpulaks) are common.

Traffic: drives on the right

Mobile and eSIM: SIMs from Viva (MTS), Team (Beeline) and Ucom with a passport; eSIMs available; good 4G in cities.

Apps: GG, Yandex Go, Yandex Maps, Google Maps, Rate.am

Internet: No significant restrictions.

Health: No compulsory vaccinations; routine vaccines and hepatitis A advised.

Insurance: Not required for entry; travel medical insurance recommended.

Emergency: 911 or 112 — unified emergency number

Checked October 29, 2026 · Sources: gov.uk ↗, travelhealthpro.org.uk ↗

Entry rules change. Before your trip, check the website of the embassy or immigration service of the country.