Vardenis

Vardenis is a city of 12,000 people (2022) in Lake Sevan Region. There are a few small monasteries and chapels, mountains and valleys that only those making it this far will have a chance to see. Visitors also get to experience a town which few foreigners tread, and see some of the genuine hospitality Armenia has to offer. == Understand == Vardenis is tucked away in the southeast corner of the lake, and is not on the shore. Far from the touristy glitz of the northwest shore, and even cut off by terrible roads from the quietly popular eastern shores near Shorjha, visitors to Vardenis are those adventurers trying to see every corner of Armenia. According to historian Ghevond Alishan, prince Gaburn Vasak of the Siunia dynasty founded Vasakashen by establishing a palace on the territory of modern-day Vardenis in the 9th century, which survived until the 17th century. Vardenis is one of the oldest settlements in Armenia. Local monuments include the Makenats monastery, the basilica in Sotk, the chapels of Ayrk and Karchaghbyur, tombs of the 3rd-1st millennia BC, the Cyclopean masonry, and the medieval khachkars (intricately carved stone crosses). In the centre of Vardenis is the Church of Surp Astvatsatsin (Holy Mother of God), built in 1905, where the Armenian historian Hovhannes Tsaretsi worked. The church is surrounded with numerous khachkars from the 14th to 17th centuries. === Climate === The winter lasts for six months, with sub-zero temperatures prevailing. The snow falls in November and melts in mid-April. The summer is short, mild, sunny and humid, with minimal precipitation. The autumn is mild, with the first half being moderately cloudy. The second half is unstable. == Get in == Marshutnis depart from Yerevan a few times a day. Taxis are an alternative, at 100 dram/km. If you are in Southern Armenia wanting to get to Lake Sevan, you should take the shortcut from Yeghegnadzor to Martuni - saving yourself a huge and unnecessary loop via Yerevan. == Get around == In town, walking and taxis are the way to go. == See == There is a nice church in the center of the city. In the hills, there are a couple of chapels and fun khachkars by Ayrk. 1 Makenyats Monastery. A medium-sized monastery by the river in Makenis village, west of Vardenis. 2 Vanevan Monastery. A small monastery that has been restored by the river in a village of the same name, west of Vardenis. There are some small caves above it. == Do == Hike, camp, swim. Janapar Trail. Vardenis was the end of the Janapar, a hiking trail mostly in Karabakh. The status of the trail is uncertain since the Azerbaijani takeover of the region from 2020. (updated Nov 2023) == Buy == == Eat == == Drink == == Sleep == There are small hotels in Vardenis and the surrounding area. Many locals would also welcome you into their homes if you talked to them. 1 Hotel Vardasar, 3 Roman St, ☏ +374 93 235285. (updated Apr 2026) == Connect == == Go next == Vardenis is the last city on this road, so you have the same options of getting back, as you did getting in. Since the Azerbaijani took control of the area in 2020, the mountain road leading to Northern Karabakh has been closed (it was never open to those not holding Armenian passports to begin with).