Picturesque landscapes, crisp mountain air, pure spring water, distinctive cuisine, and a touch of adrenaline — these are the reasons many travelers come to Armenia. Yet beyond the well-known highlights, the country hides extraordinary landmarks that remain largely overlooked.
Tell an Italian that Yerevan is older than Rome, and he will first smile politely, then pause, and once he looks into the historical facts, he will be genuinely astonished. He will then walk away, scratching his head, eager to explore Armenia’s sights for himself.
Tour guides encounter this reaction often. And yes, Armenia attracts visitors from all over the world not only because of the world’s longest cable car in Tatev, the grandeur of the Geghard Monastery, or the uniqueness of Garni Temple.
Surprisingly, many travelers are drawn to places that seem modest at first glance — locations few people have even heard of, let alone visited. Below, we share five lesser-known yet deeply significant and meaningful places in Armenia.
Bjni Fortress is familiar by name to many; some have read about it in textbooks or on Wikipedia. Yet few actually make the journey to see it in person — either due to lack of time or simple hesitation. Tour agencies, for the most part, stick to classic routes that are already well-tested and popular.
“Not everyone makes it to the 10th–11th century Bjni Fortress, even though it is no less fascinating and important to us,” says one of Armenia’s most experienced tour guides, Ashot Levonyan.
He is among the few guides who regularly brings visitors here. Bjni is located about an hour’s drive from Yerevan, but you cannot reach it directly by car — part of the journey must be done on foot.
Levonyan notes that after a long bus ride, this walk is a great way to stretch your legs, and the monument itself becomes far more memorable. One remarkable feature of the fortress is an underground tunnel just ten meters away — the only preserved one of its kind in Armenia. During sieges, monks used this tunnel to descend to the river to fetch water.
Matosavank is a small monastery hidden within the forested mountains of Dilijan National Park in Armenia’s Tavush Province. For reasons unknown, it is often overlooked by both tourists and locals. Levonyan considers it a unique site, captivating even in its semi-ruined state.
“The monastery is located in a hollow. In summer, dense foliage completely conceals it from view — you can barely see it even from ten meters away,” says Levonyan.
The architect’s idea was brilliant: the monastery was designed so that enemies could not find it. It seems to appear out of nowhere, leaving an unforgettable impression on visitors.
Many people come here for meditation, as the site remains peaceful and quiet throughout the year.
Tourists often struggle to pronounce the name Akhtskaberd (the Maiden’s Fortress), yet its story and dramatic setting leave a lasting impression. The fortress lies 16 kilometers from the town of Ijevan in Tavush Province, perched atop a forested mountain peak and surrounded on all sides by steep cliffs.
There are several versions of how the fortress got its name. According to the most popular legend — the one Levonyan tells his guests — a young woman lived here whose father wanted to marry her off to a man she did not love. In despair, she threw herself into the river from a window of the fortress.
Another version involves Tamerlane. According to legend, upon learning that a beautiful girl lived in a Tavush fortress, he ordered his soldiers to bring her to him. Three soldiers kidnapped the girl, but a shepherd tracked them down, killed them, and returned her to the fortress.
Enraged, Tamerlane laid siege to the fortress, cutting off its water supply. Unwilling to fall into the hands of the enemy, the girl leapt into the river and died. The fortress was named Akhtskaberd in her honor.
The small and seemingly unremarkable Kayanberd Fortress is located in Armenia’s Lori Province, between the monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin. It was built in the 13th century by order of Bishop Hovhannes, the head of Haghpat Monastery. Originally called “Haghpat Surb Nshan,” it was later renamed Kayanberd.
Levonyan explains that the fortress was destroyed by the Tatars. Today, visitors can see the ruins of multiple buildings, pools, and clay water pipes. The Dsevank Church of Surb Astvatsatsin still stands within the fortress grounds.
“It’s about a 30-minute walk from Haghpat. The fortress served as a strategic outpost — from here, you could see roads leading to Georgia and Alaverdi,” says Levonyan.
He emphasizes that tourists are usually taken only to Haghpat and Sanahin, missing out on the atmosphere, energy, and character of Kayanberd.
For those seeking adrenaline and adventure, Levonyan often brings travelers to the village of Ashotsk — both in summer and winter.
“There’s an ancient bridge there and a stunning panorama of the Akhuryan River, which is perfect for canoeing,” he says.
According to Levonyan, a winter sports center also operates here. Nearby is a cozy guesthouse run by the Mikayelyan family, a family of skiers, where Levonyan regularly takes his guests. Travelers, he notes, always leave satisfied.
