Vernissage Market

Open-air weekend market of crafts, carpets and art

Area Yerevan
Type City landmark
Time needed 1h

Vernissage Market — Photograph: Shaun Dunphy / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Vernissage is the open-air market behind Hanrapetutyan Street where Yerevan sells carpets, woodwork, silver, Soviet cameras and a good deal of junk. It runs at full strength at weekends and shrinks to a handful of stalls midweek.

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Getting there

About a kilometre from Republic Square, a minute by car and a five-minute walk from the museums.

What you see

The market is laid out in rough sections: textiles and carpets at one end, then jewellery and silver, woodwork and backgammon boards, then books, records, medals and old electronics. The handmade work sits alongside imported goods, so looking closely matters. Prices are negotiable and vendors expect it.

What to pair it with

Sits between Republic Square and the Blue Mosque, both a few minutes on foot.

When to go

Saturday and Sunday are the only days it is fully open; mornings are best. Midweek it is largely shut, and winter trading is thin and cold.

What is hard about it

Quality varies enormously and some stalls repeat the same factory-made souvenirs. Carpets and antiques may need an export certificate, which is worth asking about before buying. [VERIFY — confirm current details]

Common questions

Which days is it open?

Weekends are the real market. Some stalls appear on weekdays but much of it will be closed.

Can I bargain?

Yes, and it is expected. Ask politely, expect some movement on the price, and pay in cash.

Can I take an old carpet home?

Older carpets and antiques can require an export permit from the culture ministry. Ask the seller and verify before you commit. [VERIFY — confirm current details]