Gyumri Activity Guide for Visitors
Choose your Gyumri days by interest. The city is Armenia’s second largest, with about 115,000 residents on a plateau near 1,550 m, and it is known for craftwork, 19th-century stone houses and artists’ museums rather than outdoor sport. All prices are in Armenian dram (AMD) and can change.
If you like handmade things
- The mushurba is a copper, brass or silver cup that bubbles when you drink from it. Coppersmiths from Kars families began making it in the 1800s, and Eduard (Edik) Zhamkochyan is widely named as its only maker today. A visit to his Kumayri workshop is by arrangement.
- Gyumri’s blacksmiths were added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list in December 2023, and a forge visit can be set up through a local guide.
If you like houses and galleries
Five museums have official pages on mus.am with current hours and prices.
| Museum | Street | Foreign adult ticket |
|---|---|---|
| Dzitoghtsyan architecture museum (with the Merkurov house) | 47 Haghtanak Ave | about 1,500 to 2,000 AMD |
| Aslamazyan Sisters Gallery | 242 Abovyan St | 1,000 AMD |
| Mher Mkrtchyan Museum | 30 Rustaveli St | 1,000 AMD |
| Hovhannes Shiraz House-Museum | 101 Varpetats St | 1,000 AMD |
| Avetik Isahakyan House-Museum | 91 Varpetats St | 1,500 AMD |
Guided excursions are sold at each museum, and the Mkrtchyan museum is closed on Sundays.
If you like food
Gyumri is the home of kyalla, a calf head baked slowly in a clay oven and carved at the table for a group. Orders go in several hours before the meal, so arrange it through your restaurant the day before. The city’s beer comes from a brewery founded in 1970; you will find it in local bars and shops.
If you like views
The ridge west of the centre has the Black Fortress, built 1834 to 1847, and the Mother Armenia statue, both about 2.5 km from Vardanants Square. A Russian military base is beside them, and photographing it is not permitted.
What to skip
Gyumri has no beaches, vineyards or rafting. Armenian wine is made in the south, around Areni, so wine tasting belongs to another trip.
Practical notes
- The train from Yerevan takes about three hours; see railway.am for the timetable.
- Winter brings snow and icy cobbles, while summer can pass 30 C.
- Read the latest Armenia advisory on gov.uk and travel.state.gov before you book.
Read more: Sightseeing in Gyumri goes through the churches and fortress, and the 2 day Armenia itinerary shows where Gyumri can fit.
Booking help
Search for guided walks and workshops on GetYourGuide .