Sevan

Sevan is a city in Lake Sevan Region, Armenia, about 3 km from the lake shore. == Understand == Sevan city is barely a tourist destination, as it is not by the shores of the lake, where the string of tired, Soviet-era hotels and amusements can be found. It is a decent spot to load up on groceries however. == Get in == === By marshrutka === Marshrutkas depart from Yerevan's North Bus Station to Sevan several times a day, taking 1 hr. You can also get relatively close to town by taking minibuses towards Vardenis, Dilijan, Ijevan or Noyemberian and getting off part way, but getting to town might be a little complicated with the latter three. Taxis from Yerevan or elsewhere charge 100 dram/km. Tbilisi looks close on the map, but there are no regular connections: take these between Tbilisi and Vanadzor then a taxi over the hills to Sevan. Northern Bus Station (Հյուսիսային ավտոկայան) on the Yerevan Abovyan Highway, 2/14. === By train === Trains from Yerevan to Sevan operate in summer months; see the railways service website for a timetable. 1 Sevan railway station (Սևան կայարան), Sayat-Nova Street, Sevan. Trains leave from the Yerevan railway station. (updated May 2023) == Get around == Walking around the city is easy on foot. Taxis are plentiful if necessary. == See and do == Most sights and activities are spread around the Lake Sevan Region, have a look there to identify your preferences. 1 Sevan Botanical Garden (Սևանի բուսաբանական այգի). (updated May 2023) 2 Sevanavank Monastery. The most visited destination of the lake is the peninsula known as kghzi, meaning island, which it once was before Stalin had much of the water drained from the lake. The monastery is a must, for the great views it affords of the vast lake, most of which visitors never see except from this spot. The monastery is on top of the peninsula hill, and is built of crude black stone on the exterior. The interior has a beautiful old altar used for services by the new seminary down the hill. Steep, rough steps lead up to the monastery. Free. (updated Oct 2018) == Buy == If you live in Yerevan, and are in this area, you can buy fresh fish, crawdads, marinated fish patties that you can take home to barbecue/fry immediately or freeze, and smoked fish. == Eat == Fish!. And of course crayfish/crawdads. These are the main products of the region, and whether you eat the fish barbecued, fried or smoked, it will be delicious. The crawdads with a beer are excellent as well. The Harsnaqar hotel complex near town has some unbelievably good crawdad kebabs, which aren't cheap, but might be worth splurging on. (updated Aug 2019) There are some fast food places in town, and cafes, but most of the good places to eat are on the shores of the lake, a bit north. == Drink == There are no special places to drink here aside from a few cafes, but wherever food is served, alcohol is available. Most places have a limited selection of vodkas, cognac, wine and beer. == Sleep == Although there are some hotel options in the city, your best bet is to find accommodations at one of the lakeside hotels, camp, or stay in Yerevan. Nevertheless, camping opportunities are endless. == Go next == Dilijan — A popular forest resort known as the "Little Switzerland" of Armenia. Shorzha — A village on the eastern shores of Lake Sevan with some very nice views and relaxed, quiet atmosphere. Vardenis — A tucked away city in the southeast corner of the lake. There are a few small monasteries and chapels, mountains and valleys that only those making it this far will have a chance to see.