What to do and see in Goris, Armenia: The Best Places and Tips

November 18, 2017 Merry Kessler

Goris (Armenian: Գորիս), is a town and the centre of the urban community of Goris, in Syunik Province at the south of Armenia. Located in the valley of river Goris (or Vararak), it is 254 km away from the Armenian capital Yerevan and 67 km from the provincial center Kapan. It is the Goris is second-largest city in Syunik in terms of population. During the 2011 census, it had a population of 20,591, down from 23,261 reported at the 2001 census. However, as per the 2016 official estimate, the population of Goris was 20,300. Goris is the seat of the Diocese of Syunik of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Restaurants in Goris

1. Medieval Goris Cave Dwellings

Goris, Armenia
Excellent
62%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 63 reviews

Medieval Goris Cave Dwellings

Reviewed By Gary I - Beirut, Lebanon

Its about 5 hours drive from Yerevan, on the road to karabakh. a good place to see if your going to tatev or karabakh. you will have the feel about how people used to live years ago. the walking bridge its bit frightening but its safe. hope you visit :)

2. Tatev Monastery

Tatev, Armenia +374 99 480078
Excellent
81%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 415 reviews

Tatev Monastery

Reviewed By Sparkie09 - Goa, India

The Tatev Monastery  existed from prehistoric pagan times...now 9th-century Armenian Apostolic monastery which underwent located on a large basalt plateau near the Tatev village  southeastern Armenia.
So much of history...conquests destructions, earthquakes, educational hub etc
The monastic ensemble stands on the edge of a deep gorge of the Vorotan River.
Nowdays there is a cable car called

 Wings of Tatev, a Cableway from Tatev Mon astery to Halidzor village was opened in October 2010.

3. Wings of Tatev

Halidzor Village, Armenia +374 60 463333
Excellent
83%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 176 reviews

Wings of Tatev

Reviewed By saronic - Zurich, Switzerland

In remote Southern Armenia has been built thanks to wealthy Armenian donors a new entry into the Guinness Book of World Records: the longest non-stop double track cable car. Not surprisingly in charge for this construction has been the Austrian (Vorarlberg)-Swiss company Doppelmayr-Garaventa, the world leaders for this type of transports.
The so-called 'Wings of Tatev' take one from the station of Halidzor (just above the village of that name) to the village Tatev and its famous monastery of the same name. The Cableway covers a distance of 5.7km and goes over the Vorotan River Gorge, 320m below.
There are two cabins, which cross each other, carrying 30 passengers each. Inside there are only 3 seats, the others have to stand. A one-way trip takes about 10 minutes. An employee travels with each cabin. During the trip - in between Armenian folk music - are given informations about this area in Armenian, Russian and English.
The Cableway is open daily from 10-19h, closed on Mondays. A round trip costs 5000 AMD, a single trip 3000 AMD. From the cable car one can see an abandoned monastery, but also the old road, which leads with many bend in 30 minutes from Halidsor to Tatev.

4. Saint Gregory The Illuminator Church of Goris

Mashtots Street | Grigor Tatevatsi St, Goris, Armenia
Excellent
58%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 14 reviews

Saint Gregory The Illuminator Church of Goris

Reviewed By Ashot81 - Yerevan, Armenia

Goris city is very nice small city. Surrounded with high natural rocks, the city is a good overnight option during South exploration. The church is very nice. It is typical Armenian church, located in the city center. Best view both during daytime and by night.

5. Goris Rock Forest

Goris, Armenia
Excellent
73%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 11 reviews

Goris Rock Forest

Reviewed By Starviagera - Los Angeles, California

Armenia needs better tourist guides, they place too much interest in the churches and monasteries, and while they are interesting, the nature is much more interesting. While going on the poor roads and highways, concentrate on the lovely views!

6. Kotrats Caravanserai

Road to Harzhis, Goris, Armenia
Excellent
33%
Good
51%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 6 reviews

Kotrats Caravanserai

Reviewed By Ilzo A

We were informed about Caravansary ( the spelling may vary ) which were places in the Silk Route to stay by night ( and to group for safety reasons ) Inside the place for animals & people in the Silk Route from China to Persia and vice versa . Cold and Dark place and yet necessary to the survive of merchants . Impressive! In the way to Sevan try to get to know this place . We were informed that precious inscriptions in Arab & Persian were destroyed in the 90s for mistaken Armenian soldiers in the times of war against Azerbaijan

7. Old Khndzoresk

Khndzoresk, Near Goris, Armenia
Excellent
89%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 55 reviews

Old Khndzoresk

Reviewed By uligaen - Lucerne, Switzerland

I missed some info about how to get there: there are people who hike the ten or so kilometers from Goris. I took a taxi and combined Old Khndzoresk with a Tatev-trip. I asked around the taxi-guys in the center of Goris and found one who drove me to both places (with a short stop at the Satan's bridge) for 10k. It took some 6-7hours.
Also note that on both side of the gorge there are caves (take the stairs right next to the bridge)

8. Museum of Axel Bakounts

Mesrop Mashtots St. 41, Goris 3201, Armenia +374 2 29 66
Excellent
50%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4 reviews

Museum of Axel Bakounts

Reviewed By Ilzo A

If you are in Goris ( Armenia ) and ONLY in this case you should visit the house of late short stories Armenian writer Axel Bakunts. It is worth because you will see a very simple & elegant house at one time . A gorgeous garden where you may drink from the water that comes from a Fountain. A dedicated staff and curiosities like a photo of an Armenian lady which mouth is hidden . He was a Stalin victim.

9. Khndzoresk Swinging Bridge

M12, Armenia
Excellent
80%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 15 reviews

Khndzoresk Swinging Bridge

Reviewed By HildegunnAR - Boston, Massachusetts

We found the access point to the Swinging Bridge by following a sign on the road to the village of Khndzoresk. Snailing our way along an eroded road, we parked at a picnic area and were guided the last bit of the way by a young lady who had just returned from a year as an exchange student in CA. Finding an English speaker to ask had on many occasions turned out to be a challenge. There is a steep path with stairs leading down to the hanging bridge. The views along the path alone are worth the visit if crossing a swinging footbridge is too scary. There are shaded resting places at several points where you can sit and reflect and enjoy the views. The shade is important in the hot summer of Armenia. At the bottom of the stair you find a smal cafe, which I didn't visit.
The metal bridge, which spans a gorge, is quite long and responds to motion by swinging. I made it a cross by keeping my eyes in the bridge or the mountainside and by moving slowly at a distance from other visitors. This kept the vibrations at a minimum.
The bridge leads to a cave village in the mountainside on the other side of the gorge. There are many caves which have been used as homes until the 1950s. I only had time to visit a few. Some had fronts added on and to expand the living space. There is path along the river that leads to a peaceful chapel where you can find candles and matches and say a prayer. It became an intricate part of our Armenian experience to light a candle in the many old stone chapels and churches we visited.
There is an access road to the caves from the other side of the valley where you are supposed to be able to drive down. We did not find it, and I would personally choose the stairs and Swinging Bridge.
Worth every step.

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