Armenia is a former Soviet republic located between Asia and Europe.
With a population of 2.7 million, Turkey lies to the west, Georgia to the north, and Azerbaijan to the east.
Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity and is known for its beautiful landscapes, history, cuisine, and culture.
Some of the world’s oldest churches exist in the Armenian countryside.
Visitors to the country can enjoy the world’s longest cable ropeway, which will lead you to the Tarev monastery.
This architectural masterpiece was built in the 9th century.
Then there’s the refreshing Lake Sevan, nicknamed the “Armenian Sea”, which boasts some of the cleanest and freshest lake water on Earth.
The Armenian people also love their extreme sports, including paragliding.
If you’re a tourist, you can walk the ancient streets and tour the open-air markets where you’ll be treated to some of the most delicious fruit you’ve ever had.
Foreigners don’t often hear too much about this country, other than the border conflicts it’s had with neighboring Azerbaijan.
Up until the recent ceasefire and settlement, there was a lot of military action at the border, including gunfire, shelling, and explosions.
This probably gave many people the impression that Armenia is a dangerous country.
While the danger near the border was and continues to be real, the truth is, Armenia is one of the safest countries in the world for tourists.
While residents of the country deal with crimes like drug and human trafficking and domestic violence, visitors are not subject to violence.
In fact, it’s actually offensive to Armenians when someone commits a crime against a visitor.
So they tend to be protective of tourists.
That’s not to say tourists are immune to crime.
However, most are low-level theft, pickpocketing, scams, and the occasional muggings.
So, when you rank the most dangerous cities, it’s according to the levels of mostly petty crime occurrences or the fragile peace that exists near the border of Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Read on for the 10 most dangerous cities in Armenia.
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10 Most Dangerous Cities In Armenia
10. Meghri, Armenia
This small town of 4,500 lies in the southernmost part of Armenia at the Iranian border.
Tourists usually visit this area to walk the neighborhood of Pokr Tagh and visit the many churches and monasteries.
There’s also an interesting abandoned train station and some cool waterfalls.
While violent crime is virtually nonexistent in this small town, the danger lies in the weak border control with Iran.
It’s often a spot where drugs are smuggled through from Afghanistan, which can make it sketchy if you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Getting to Meghri can also be pretty dangerous.
The roads are not the best and are quite steep, making them quite treacherous in bad weather.
9. Vardenis, Armenia
Vardenis rests in the valley of the Madrid River, near the southern shore of Lake Sevan.
It’s the oldest settlement in Armenia, with a record of 568 ancient monuments.
With a small population of 12,700, it’s a great place to visit for some interesting history.
However, visitors should be aware of pickpockets and keep their belongings close to them.
The real danger is the town’s location at the Azerbaijani border.
Sadly, the town suffered a lot of damage during the border conflict, with many farms and homes being destroyed.
Visitors are advised to check for any advisories and warnings before going to this area.
8. Sotk, Armenia
This small village of 824 people should be a quiet retreat for its residents and the occasional visitor.
Surrounded by beautiful mountains, it’s also home to a lucrative gold mine.
Sadly, most of the mine was given to the country of Azerbaijan in the border conflict settlement.
Apparently, they want total control of the mine and have disrupted the ceasefire.
Just recently (April 2023), Azerbaijani forces have once again begun firing upon the small village and dropping mortar fire.
At this time, it would be quite dangerous for any visitors to try and make their way to Sotk.
7. Yerevan, Armenia
Yerevan is the capital and largest city in Armenia.
It runs along the Hrazdah River and has a population of 1.1 million people.
The capital city is the center of business, culture, and industry for the country.
Several universities make their home in Yerevan, along with many museums, a brandy factory, monasteries, and a zip line park.
Though it’s quite safe, like any city of its size, there is some crime.
The overall crime index score is only 23.7, but people do complain about problems with car theft, break-ins, vandalism, and theft.
Visitors should practice the same amount of caution as they would in any other large city.
6. Yeghegbadzor, Armenia
Located just south of the country’s capital, Yeghegbadzor is the largest town and cultural center in the Dzor province.
There are several notable museums, cathedrals, and monasteries worth visiting.
The town also loves its feasts and festivals, hosting several a year.
Other than the petty crime that occurs in the form of vandalism, purse snatching, and rare physical assault, the biggest worry is that the town is close to roads and areas where increased conflicts are occurring over the control of the border.
5. Tavush, Armenia
Located near the Georgia border, Tavush has a small population of 1400 and is surrounded by lush mountains, rocky hillsides, and meadows.
There are several archaeological sites, as well as a fortress and a castle.
Recently, a travel advisory was issued by the US embassy restricting travel to the region for its employees and families, due to shelling and gunfire.
Civil unrest and military action are always good reasons to stay away from areas.
4. Kapan, Armenia
Located in southwestern Armenia, Kapan has a population of 43,100 people.
It’s the administrative and cultural center of the region.
Visitors can tour historic monuments, and an ancient fortress, and climb Mt. Khushup.
In the downtown area, there are several museums, fine art galleries, and a performing arts theater.
The city even has its own premier soccer club.
Violent crime is rare here, but occasionally there are assaults and homicides.
Tourists should be most concerned about theft, car break-ins, and purse snatching.
Use caution when in crowded or tourist areas.
3. Goris, Armenia
Goris is located in southern Armenia near the River Goris.
With a population of 43,000, it’s a cultural and economic center for the province.
While the crime index is relatively low at 20 per 100,000 people, the crime is more varied and there is some violence.
Visitors and residents have stated they are worried about the rise in drug trafficking and street gangs.
There are several cases of car theft, burglaries, assaults, and armed robbery.
Visitors should stay with a group, secure their vehicle, and not flaunt valuables or cash.
2. Ararat, Armenia
Ararat is a small village on the border of Turkey.
For all appearances, it’s a quaint town, with a lot of cultural opportunities, a sports school, and an art academy.
However, for the small population of 7,600 people, there are many incidents of nonviolent crime like theft, vandalism, and burglaries.
There are also a few incidents of violent crime, such as assault and a recent murder of a father by his son.
There is also some underlying conflict between the area and the border country Turkey.
Though it’s nothing like the Azerbaijan conflict.
1. Artsvashen, Armenia
Artsvashen is a small village with a population of 1,100 people.
It’s basically a no-frills area where people farm, fish, and practice the art of carpet weaving.
What makes it dangerous, at least for anyone trying to visit, is that it lies inside the country of Azerbaijan.
That’s right, this tiny 24-mile stretch of land was oddly left out of the conflict settlement and remained in the possession of Armenia.
However, to get there, one must travel to the border, where it’s advised no one to go within 3 miles of it.
Even if you make it to the border, your chances of crossing without conflict are not good.
It’s not somewhere for visitors or tourists.
5 Safety Tips For Traveling To Armenia
- When on the street, use the same common sense and precautions that you would in your home country. Especially near ATMs and public transportation.
- Do not travel within 3 miles of the border. While there is a ceasefire, random outbreaks of violence are still known to happen.
- Leave valuables such as jewelry in a hotel safe.
- Don’t carry your passport, visa, travel tickets, and identification all together in one place.
- WiFi and the internet are often unreliable. Be sure to tell family and friends where you are staying.
Armenia Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Armenia Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a dress code in Armenia?
For the most part, you won’t see people outside the capital wearing shorts, short dresses, or tank tops.
When visiting monasteries, women are expected to wear long dresses and cover their heads.
Can you drink alcohol in Armenia?
Yes.
In fact, Armenia has quite a drinking culture.
One thing that is not tolerated though is driving after you’ve been drinking.
They have a strict 0.0 BAC level.
Is the border between Armenia and Georgia open?
Yes.
The border between these two countries is open and travel is allowed.
