Lake Sevan
Vast high-altitude lake, beaches and fish restaurants
- Area Gegharkunik
- Type Nature
- Time needed 1h 30m
Lake Sevan is one of the largest high-altitude freshwater lakes in the world, 1,900 metres up and covering roughly a sixth of Armenia's surface. It is the country's summer coast: beaches, fish restaurants and monasteries on the shore.
Open in the planner →Getting there
Just under two hours from Yerevan to the far shore, about 1h30 to the Sevan peninsula at the north-west corner. Regular marshrutkas run from Yerevan's northern bus station to Sevan town, and there is a seasonal train.
What you see
The peninsula with Sevanavank on top of it is the postcard. Beyond that the lake rewards picking a spot: the north-west shore around Sevan town is developed and busy, the eastern shore towards Vardenis is quiet and rough, and the southern end near Martuni has the warmest water. Ishkhan trout and crayfish are the thing to eat.
What to pair it with
Sevanavank and Hayravank on the western shore, Noratus cemetery 20 minutes inland, and Dilijan over the pass for anyone staying two days.
When to go
July and August for swimming — the water reaches about 20°C and no warmer. June and September are pleasant on shore and cold in the water. The lake freezes at the edges in winter and is bleakly beautiful.
What is hard about it
The water is cold even in August, and many visitors who arrive expecting a beach holiday are disappointed. Much of the near shore is built up with Soviet-era holiday blocks in varying states. The lake level has dropped several metres over the past century from irrigation draw-off, which is visible in the exposed shoreline.
Common questions
Can you swim in Lake Sevan?
Yes, from roughly late June to early September. Expect around 18–20°C at the warmest.
How far is Lake Sevan from Yerevan?
About 1h30 by road to the peninsula, just under two hours to the eastern shore.
What is Lake Sevan famous for?
Its altitude, its ishkhan trout, and the Sevanavank monastery on the peninsula.
Nearby
- SevanavankPeninsula monastery above the largest lake in the Caucasus
- HayravankLakeside monastery on a rocky outcrop
- Noratus CemeteryField of nearly a thousand medieval khachkars
- Vanevan Monastery10th-century church near the lake's southern shore
- Makenyats MonasteryMedieval monastery above the village of Makenis
More of the same kind
- Symphony of StonesBasalt columns lining the Garni gorge like organ pipes
- TsaghkadzorMountain resort with a cable car up Mount Teghenis
- Mount AragatsArmenia's highest peak, with Lake Kari below the summits
- Khosrov Forest ReserveAncient royal hunting reserve of rugged canyons