There are no seas in Armenia but there is Lake Sevan, a freshwater high-altitude (alpine) lake at of 1900 metres above sea level covering 1240sq km, the largest in the whole Caucasus. A lake of amazing beauty, Lake Sevan is surrounded by Pambak Mountain Range and Geghama Mountains. The impression is as if the giant-mountains are guarding the ancient lake. The Sevan is like a pearl in its shell and it’s not in vain that Lake Sevan, the Geghama Beauty, is called “the pearl” of Armenia. Really, in sunny weather the lake shimmers in the sun like pearls of the purest water.&nbsp;&nbsp;
And after all, it’s difficult to say what colour the lake is because its colour fluctuates with the weather and time of the day: from pale turquoise in sunny weather, dark grey in windy or dull weather to silvery on a starry night.
What to see/what to do?
Nature around Lake Sevan is unique: along the entire length of the coast one can see slopes with thick woods and alpine meadows, bare stone cliffs and dense shrubs of sea buckthorn as well as pine thickets. By the way, while approaching Lake Sevan you will come across people selling buckthorn berries or buckthorn juice and oil (Hippophae oleum). Don’t be surprised either if you see people all along the road calling you with arms outstretched. It is the way they are offering you fish and, like true fishermen, are showing you the size of your dream fish. As a matter of fact, their fish is of modest size, yet the Sevan fish is distinguished by its unique taste. To taste the Sevan whitefish or trout (Salmo ischchan), the famous ishkhan, is possible in every restaurant along the whole coast of the lake. “Ishkhan” means “prince” in translation and indeed, thanks to the taste of its delicate pink meat the Sevan trout is considered the main inhabitant of the lake. Unfortunately, the trout is endangered and is listed in the Red Book. On the other hand, there are lots of trout farms in the lake, so there is a chance to taste the Sevan delicacy in any case.
Lake Sevan is breathtaking in all seasons of the year, yet the best time to have a holiday is in summer. The Sevan is an ideal place to escape the heat of Yerevan as it’s never hot here, while the evenings are often chilly. Thus, if you have already decided to reserve a hotel room at Lake Sevan, make sure you have taken warm clothes with you. Surely enough, after the daytime entertainments – swimming, water-skiing, boating or yachting in the lake, it’s an inexplicable pleasure in the evening, with a glass of Armenian brandy, watch the stars reflect in the waters of the Sevan.
Visit the old cemetery of Noratus Village famous for its khachkars (cross-stones), a unique monument of Christian Armenia as well as Ayrivank Monastery which harmoniously fits into the surrounding landscape thanks to its architecture.&nbsp;
And, of course, visit Sevanavank - a 9th century monastery complex on a small hill of the Sevan Peninsula. To get to the monastery you have to overcome 100 steps. After all, the path to God is not easy. The game is worth the candle! Admire Lake Sevan and the rugged beauty all around from above. From time to time Sevan seagulls soaring above your head would cry or laugh, but you seem to have a thousand years’ drift into the past! Time seems to have stopped its run in this very spot.
Armenia is said to have no seas but she has Lake Sevan…

Sevan

There are no seas in Armenia but there is Lake Sevan, a freshwater high-altitude (alpine) lake at of 1900 metres above sea level covering 1240sq km, the largest in the whole Caucasus. A lake of amazing beauty, Lake Sevan is surrounded by Pambak Mountain Range and Geghama Mountains. The impression is as if the giant-mountains are guarding the ancient lake. The Sevan is like a pearl in its shell and it’s not in vain that Lake Sevan, the Geghama Beauty, is called “the pearl” of Armenia. Really, in sunny weather the lake shimmers in the sun like pearls of the purest water.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sevan

Why we love Sevan

Tours and tickets

Bustourma recommends