What to buy in Sevan, where to shop, typical prices, authenticity advice and which souvenirs are genuinely connected to the destination.
Shopping & souvenirs
What is actually worth buying in Sevan
Authentic local products, realistic price expectations, where to look and how to avoid taking home something mass-produced and meaningless.
01
Smoked and dried fish
Smoked sig and dried fish are sold from roadside stalls along the highway and are the most genuinely local thing to buy at the lake. Vacuum packing is sometimes available on request.
Typical price
Sold by weight or by piece
Where to buy
Roadside stalls on the Yerevan–Sevan road
Authenticity
Buy from stalls with visible turnover rather than isolated ones. Ask whether the fish is from the lake or farmed.
Customs: Many countries restrict the import of fish products. Check your destination's rules before buying to carry home.
02
Knitted woollens
Hand-knitted socks, mittens and hats are sold at Noratus and along the shore roads, made locally and genuinely useful given how cold the lake gets.
Typical price
Modest
Where to buy
Noratus cemetery entrance and roadside stalls
Authenticity
These are usually made by the women selling them, which is about as direct as craft buying gets. Irregularity in the knitting is a good sign, not a flaw.
Customs: Nothing restricted.
03
Khachkar carvings
Small carved cross-stones in stone or wood, sold near Noratus and Sevanavank. The connection to the khachkar field makes these more meaningful bought here than in Yerevan.
Typical price
Modest to moderate depending on size and material
Where to buy
Stalls at Noratus and near the peninsula
Authenticity
Hand-carved stone shows tool marks and slight asymmetry; cast resin versions are noticeably lighter and uniform.
Customs: Modern reproductions are unrestricted; genuine antiques require export clearance.
04
Honey and dried fruit
Roadside stalls on the Sevan highway sell honey, dried fruit and nuts from the surrounding regions, generally at better prices than in Yerevan.
Typical price
Sold by jar or weight
Where to buy
Highway stalls
Authenticity
Sample before buying, which vendors expect.
Customs: Honey is restricted by some countries' customs rules; check before buying to carry home.