| Useful information about ArmeniaSecurity – for a lot of reasons we can say that Yerevan is one of the safest cities in the world. Here strolling along streets in the city late at night is much safer than in many European cities during the daytime. It seems like there are no robbers and bandits in Yerevan at all, or they are all in prisons. In fact, the level of crime is very small. Though, somehow we don’t see it. For example, we can leave our car in the street with the doors unlocked and then find it untouched or undamaged. A tourist, like any other common citizen, feels in full security.
Orientation- it is very easy to find one’s way in the city, even though it is your first time here, you don’t have a map or there is nobody to help you. Certainly, this kind of a situation is excluded and you can hardly get lost in Yerevan. The city is not big (excluding city outskirts and far end districts); the city center consists of circular belt roads and streets that intersect. The streets are crowded with means of transport: so-called marshrutkas, buses and taxis. Though, you can get to a place without using the public transport as the distances between the places are not very long and you can get there on foot. In case it happens that you have lost your way, you can stop any passer-by and ask him for the way, and be sure that he will come with you to show the place you need.
Currency- the national currency is the Armenian Dram. In the shops and other commercial centers trade is done in the national currency only. There is no problem with the foreign currency exchange, as almost everywhere and in many shops there are exchange desks where you can exchange any currency without a passport.
In big commercial centers of Armenia you can use credit cards. There are also several banks and ATMs from where you can withdraw money. Credit cards are also accepted in restaurants and cafes.
Tips – there are places where the tips are included in the price and the average one is 5-7 %. In this case it is not necessary to leave a tip. In other cases it is a common thing to leave tips with an average 10% of the price.
Language- Armenian is the state language in Armenia. In Yerevan a lot of people (mainly the youth) know English, French, German and Spanish. Russian is almost spoken freely by most of the population. There can be some difficulties with the language only in some very remote villages, and that is not often. There is no language barrier in Armenia.
Traffic – tourists usually notice one and only disadvantage in Yerevan – street traffic. The city hasn’t been designed for such amount of cars; that is why streets are often overcrowded. Though, traffic jams are seldom here, the abundance of cars isn’t in harmony with comfortable streets of Yerevan. That is why it is better to walk along the streets than take a public bus.
Transportation – marshrutkas move one after another, without a pause. Just raise your hand and stop the needed number, pay 100 Drams and you can go where you want to. Though, it’s better to take a taxi that Yerevan is rich in. To get a taxi is very easy and very cheap.
Food – you can eat almost everywhere. Wherever you are inside the city at every 100 meter you can find a snack bar, a café or a restaurant. If you are in the city center you can find a place to eat at every 10 meter. Here one can find any cuisine: Armenian, Arabic, Georgian, European, and Chinese. Prices can vary. In general, to have a good meal in Yerevan will cost you less as compared with the prices in Europe.
Water – you can buy water in every food shop, all are of Armenian production. You can also open the tap either at a hotel or in a house and drink the running water. It’s absolutely safe for drinking and even tasty. In the streets and yards of Yerevan you can see certain water springs which in colloquial Armenian is called “pulpulak”. A unique and small one-meter-high bubbling jet offers clean and tasty Armenian water. Come closer and drink. It is completely free.
General- you had better buy souvenirs at the open-air fare “Vernisage” which is open on Saturdays and Sundays.
Armenian Cognac is best at Yerevan Brandy factory. The lowest prices and highest quality is guaranteed here. You can get wine in every shop and at the wine factory.
The greatest part of Armenia is in highlands (from 1000 to 2500m above sea level) and that’s why it is advisable to have warm clothes with you. | |
