Armenia : Safety by CityYerevan is the capital of the Republic of Armenia and one of the three hubs of the South Caucasus.
It’s home to over a million people – the largest Armenian community in the world.
It is also home to some large scale Modern and Post-Modern marvels which are mostly the result of Soviet-Armenian architectural megalomania.
In Soviet days Yerevan had already become known as the Pink City as much due to the color of the stone used for building as for the flamboyant spirit of its young population.
Most of the sights in Yerevan are concentrated in the center, which is very walkable.
Spending a few days visiting the major sights should be enough time, and try to get in a trip to Vernissage flea market at the weekend.
Warnings & Dangers in Yerevan
OVERALL RISK: LOW
Yerevan, in general, is safe to travel to, with a low index of crime and even pickpockets not being that much of an issue. However, it is advised that you remain vigilant at all times.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
Public transport is often overcrowded and poorly maintained. Keep an eye on your belongings. Taxi is safe, but be sure you negotiate the price of the trip before you sit in.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
Pickpocketing is an issue here, as in any capital city. Be cautioned with your belongings. Do not flash up with valuable things.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
There is a risk from earthquakes, floods, and landslides, with additional risk from hail and drought. The city located in the high activity Alps-Himalaya seismic zone and has large damages from an earthquake in its history.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
Crime rates are generally not too high and violent crime against tourists is unlikely. Common sense while traveling here is a good idea.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
There haven't been any terrorist attacks in Yerevan's recent history, but in the country, there is an unresolved issue with territorial integrity. So be aware while traveling here.
SCAMS RISK: HIGH
Extortion, cheating with your bill in a restaurant, and credit card fraud are possible. Be careful and attentive with these things in Yerevan.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
The city is generally safe for women traveling solo. Just follow the rules of common sense such as avoiding deserted and poorly lit streets and areas, and you will be fine.
So... How Safe Is Yerevan Really?
Yerevan is generally safer than many western-European cities.
Index of crime is very low here, there no terrorism or violent mugging.
The high level of bribe and corruption is the main trouble here.
There is no street violence on streets, but, as in the most capitals, in crowded places and transport beware of pickpockets.
If you rent cars, traffic may be a problem.
Drivers here are quite rough.
Also, be cautioned on a zebra crossing – not every driver respects your desire to cross the street.
Sometimes a cheat with your restaurant bill may be an issue – if you receive a bill bigger than you ordered, check caution every item. It is spread a scam here.
If in doubt, ask for a specified bill and challenge the extras charged if they don’t make sense.
Beware of extortion in bars and nightclubs, sometimes security guards can cling to you, requiring an additional entrance fee.
Do not get involved in drunken fights and be careful on the streets at night.
Usually, the city is quite safe, but you need to have a regular common sense to avoid trouble.
There is an issue with Nagorno-Karabakh territories, it remains unresolved.
Although a ceasefire has been in place since 1994 the risk of terrorism still exists.
Discover the political situation before your visit.
How Does Yerevan Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Yerevan | 73 |
| La Paz (Bolivia) | 52 |
| Sao Paulo (Brazil) | 45 |
| Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | 43 |
| Sofia (Bulgaria) | 73 |
| Siem Reap (Cambodia) | 63 |
| Phnom Penh (Cambodia) | 61 |
Useful Information
Visas
Many nationals, such as the EU and US nationals do not need an entry visa for Armenia and can usually stay a maximum of 90 days per visit. A valid passport is a must.
Currency
Armenia dram is the official currency in Armenia. It has a sign: ֏ and code: AND. It was historically subdivided into 100 luna.
Weather
The best times to visit Yerevan for ideal weather are from April to mid-June or from September to November. The weather feels cold for about half of the year and otherwise nice with a low chance of precipitation in several months.
Airports
Yerevan has an international airport - Zvartnots International Airport, located in15 km of Yerevan. It acts as the main international airport of Armenia and is Yerevan's main international transport hub. It is the busiest airport in the country.
Travel Insurance
The travel insurance policy is a must when visiting a foreign country. Make sure you got it before starting your journey, the customs officer may ask for it.
Yerevan Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 2 | 5 | 13 | 20 | 25 | 30 | 35 | 34 | 30 | 22 | 13 | 5 |
| Low °C | -5 | -3 | 2 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 9 | 3 | -2 |
| High °F | 36 | 41 | 55 | 68 | 77 | 86 | 95 | 93 | 86 | 72 | 55 | 41 |
| Low °F | 23 | 27 | 36 | 46 | 54 | 61 | 68 | 68 | 59 | 48 | 37 | 28 |
Armenia - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Yerevan | 73 |
Safest and oldest city in the world
It is the only city that I have been to that I feel safe to have my kids walk the streets. Everyone is very friendly and helpful. Only bad thing are the clubs and bars. If you must go, don’t open a tab. Pay for each drink as you order them otherwise they will charge you for drinks you didn’t order. As for taxi always ask how much before boarding. Typically, it costs 100 Dram for 1km. If you are in downtown Yerevan, everything is walking distance and no need for a cab unless you’re traveling outside the city. As for tours, always use legitimate tour companies. The hotels will help you with those. Don’t use the guides on the streets since most of the time they will over charge you and don’t have knowledge of the city. Don’t be afraid to explore the different restaurants. The food is fantastic and the customer service is great. Everything there is very inexpensive. The country is full of rich history specially for Christians. It’s the First Nation to accept Christianity as it’s national religion and has some of the oldest and most amazing churches in the world. Once you visit, you will want to go back again. Enjoy your stay and have fun.
I truly recommend to go there, with a boyfriend I wasn’t scared to walk in the dark, people are the nicest I’ve ever met! We didn’t want to leave, everything was excellent, absolutely safe city.