The best day trips and nearby places from Dilijan, including travel times, transport options and how long each trip deserves.
Day trips
Where to go beyond Dilijan
Some of the best experiences may sit outside the destination itself. Compare distance, time and whether each trip deserves a few hours or a full day.
01
Haghartsin and Goshavank
The two major monasteries of the Dilijan area, both in forest settings and both easily combined into one half-day. Haghartsin sits in a wooded side valley north of town; Goshavank stands in the village of Gosh to the east, with the finest khachkar carving in the region.
Getting there: Neither has useful public transport. A taxi from Dilijan covering both with waiting time is the standard approach and usually cheaper than two separate trips. Both are also reachable on foot on national park trails for walkers with a full day.
Distance
About 10 km to Haghartsin; about 20 km to Goshavank
Travel time
20–30 minutes each by road
Allow
Half day for both
Best season
Year-round by road, though the side roads can be difficult after heavy snow. Autumn colour makes the forest settings substantially better.
02
Parz Lake and forest trails
The small forest lake northeast of town, with a restaurant, boats and a zipline, reached either by road or on a waymarked forest trail from Dilijan. The walk is the better version of the trip.
Getting there: Taxi from Dilijan, or walk from the edge of town on the marked trail. Confirm trail conditions at the visitor centre before walking.
Distance
About 14 km by road; a shorter forest route on foot
Travel time
25–30 minutes by road; roughly 3–4 hours walking each way
Allow
Half to full day
Best season
June to October. The trail is muddy in spring and the activity operations reduce outside summer.
03
Lake Sevan
The high-altitude lake south over the Sevan pass, with the Sevanavank monastery on its peninsula. The drive itself is worthwhile: the road climbs out of the forest through a tunnel and the landscape changes completely within a few kilometres.
Getting there: Marshrutkas running between Dilijan and Yerevan pass Sevan, and taxis are straightforward. The two destinations are commonly combined by travellers moving between them rather than as a return trip.
Distance
About 40 km south
Travel time
About 45 minutes each way
Allow
Half to full day
Best season
June to September for the lake at its best. See the Sevan guide for swimming realities.
04
Ijevan and the Tavush valley
The regional capital north of Dilijan, with a carpet-weaving tradition, a wine factory and a sculpture park. It is a working town rather than a visitor destination, and the appeal is seeing everyday Tavush rather than sights.
Getting there: Regular marshrutkas run along this road, which is the main route north. Note that some governments advise against travel on the M16/H26 road between Ijevan and Noyemberyan further north because of border proximity; the Dilijan–Ijevan road itself is the standard national highway.