What to buy in Yerevan, where to shop, typical prices, authenticity advice and which souvenirs are genuinely connected to the destination.
Shopping & souvenirs
What is actually worth buying in Yerevan
Authentic local products, realistic price expectations, where to look and how to avoid taking home something mass-produced and meaningless.
01
Obsidian objects and jewellery
Armenia's volcanic geology has produced obsidian deposits across more than a dozen volcanoes, and the stone was worked into tools here in the Stone Age on an industrial scale. Modern pieces range from polished jewellery to carved objects, in black, smoke-grey and occasionally iridescent forms.
Typical price
Wide range depending on silverwork and size
Where to buy
Vernissage and specialist jewellery shops in the centre
Authenticity
Obsidian is glass and takes a genuine conchoidal fracture and a glassy sheen; moulded resin imitations feel warmer and lighter in the hand. Ask where the piece was made.
Customs: No general restriction, though sharp-edged pieces belong in hold luggage.
02
Carpets and kilims
Armenian weaving traditions include distinct regional styles, with Karabakh designs using heavy pomegranate motifs and Lori weaves in more muted natural tones. Both antique and contemporary pieces are sold, at very different prices.
Typical price
From modest for small new pieces to substantial for antique work
Where to buy
The carpet section at Vernissage; established dealers for higher-value pieces
Authenticity
Machine-made reproductions are common. Check the reverse for knot definition and irregularity, and be sceptical of large 'antique' pieces at low prices. Ask for documentation on anything expensive.
Customs: Genuinely antique textiles may require export clearance. Ask the seller for paperwork before buying anything presented as old.
03
Ceramics
Glazed pottery with traditional patterns, produced by workshops around the country. Quality and originality vary substantially between craft studios and mass-produced stalls.
Typical price
Modest for everyday pieces
Where to buy
Vernissage and craft shops in the centre
Authenticity
Hand-painted work shows brush variation between pieces; identical items across multiple stalls are usually imported or transfer-printed.
Customs: Pack carefully; nothing restricted.
04
Dried fruit and sweet sujukh
Apricots, peaches, figs and plums dried without heavy sweetening, alongside sweet sujukh, which is walnuts strung on thread and repeatedly dipped in thickened grape must until coated. These are the most genuinely local edible souvenirs.
Typical price
Sold by weight
Where to buy
GUM Market
Authenticity
Sample before buying, which vendors expect. Very uniform, bright-orange apricots are usually sulphur-treated; the naturally dried ones are darker and taste more concentrated.
Customs: Dried fruit and nuts are generally permitted into most destinations, but check your own country's rules on plant products before buying in quantity.
05
Brandy and wine
Armenian brandy is the standard gift purchase, and Areni-based wines are an increasingly good alternative. Both are widely available in the city.
Typical price
Wide range by age statement and producer
Where to buy
Established shops, producer outlets and the airport
Authenticity
Counterfeit brandy is a known problem at street stalls and markets. Buy from proper retailers or directly from producers, and treat unusually cheap aged bottles as suspect.
Customs: Check your airline's and destination's alcohol allowances. Buy after security if you are connecting through another airport.
06
Wood carving and miniature khachkars
Khachkars are Armenian cross-stones, an art form inscribed on the UNESCO intangible heritage list. Miniature carved versions in wood and stone are sold widely, alongside chess sets and boxes.
Typical price
Modest to moderate depending on size and detail
Where to buy
Vernissage
Authenticity
Hand-carved pieces show tool marks and slight asymmetry. Cast resin versions are common and noticeably lighter.