Dilijan

Weather and climate

Winter

-1°

Spring

10°

Summer

23°

Autumn

8°

Surrounded by forests and mountains, Dilijan attracts all connoisseurs of beauty, tranquility , and harmony. It has mountains, lakes, lots of greenery, a pleasant climate and good water (the second best in the whole world, as we remember from the iconic movie "Mimino"). Dilijan is also a place of history, antiquity, and expressive identity. There is absolutely everything you need to relax your body, mind and soul.

In our partner project GoToDili , you can delve deeper into the city and its vibrant life.

The history of Dilijan

Dilijan is often called the most intellectual city in Armenia, because famous Armenian artists, writers, musicians and film directors worked here. It's no secret that picturesque nature is the best muse. The creative spirit is still present in Dilijan: the town remains the favorite of people of art and intellectual work. For younger generations, Dilijan is also a place to get education, as the town also hosts the famous UWC Dilijan College , where students from different parts of the world study.

Dilijan is sprinkled with elegant balustrades, which remind us that the town has the status of a resort. The special properties of local water became known in the early 20th century, which made Dilijan a balneological resort. Currently, some sanatoriums are closed, some have been transformed into hotels, but there are also those that continue to work.

Dilijan today

Today Dilijan is the number one town for those who want to escape from Yerevan’s stifling heat in the summer; enjoy the inspiring beauty of autumn or travel to a real snow fairytale in the winter. Dilijan is not densely populated (about 18,000 people live there), so its main distinguishing features are a harmonious rhythm of life and a desire for calm contemplation.

There are all conditions for a comfortable weekend or a long-term stay: banks, schools, restaurants with delicious food, hotels, authentic and modern cottages. If you want to stay in one of the most popular places in Dilijan, we recommend Toon Armeni, a guest house where you will feel as if you have come to visit your old friend. A long balcony with carved crossbars, a minimalistic interior with ethnic accents, a large collection of Armenian carpets, and a restaurant where you will taste the most delicious national food - this is all about Toon Armeni.

What to see in Dilijan

Old Quarter

The main tourist destination is the preserved part of the old town. Carefully renovated, the narrow street with beautifully carved balconies looks like a backdrop for a period drama and takes you back to the 19th century Dilijan.

Dilijan National Reserve

The pine forest, which spreads over 34,000 hectares, is the main natural value of Dilijan. There is a deer farm on the territory of the reserve, where there are no barriers and fences, so you can get to know these kind and noble animals better.

Lake Parz

Lake Parz (“parz” translates as “clear” from Armenian ) is located 13 kilometers away from the town , but it is close and important enough to be the heart of Dilijan, as well as an inspiration for artists.

Extreme Parks

Near the lake, there is a local rope park, Parz Lich Extreme Park, where you can ride a zipline. However, for fans of outdoor activities in Dilijan has another special place – VereV Rope Park, the longest rope park in Armenia, which has 4 routes and a climbing wall.
All this is only a small part of what a tourist can do in Dilijan.

To learn everything about this green town and to visit the six adjacent villages, look no further than the GoToDili project. You can start exploring the town on the online platform of the project and continue by visiting in person. The city tour guides are local residents, who will welcome guests with traditional Armenian hospitality, and the all-knowing city scouts will assist the guests in all matters. Here, everyone will find something suitable for themselves: hiking, jipping, horse riding, excursions around the city and surroundings, total immersion in rural life, acquaintance with local cuisine and drinks, and master classes. You will discover another Dilijan - the real one, the one you can’t help but love and visit again and again.

Churches in Dilijan

One of the main attractions of Dilijan is the majestic monastery complex of Haghartsin, located on the steep hill of the Ijevan mountain range. Legend tells that on the day of the consecration of the church, an eagle flew up to the monastery and sat on the dome. After that, the monastery was called — Haghartsin, which roughly translates to “playing eagle” (խաղ game + արծին eagle).

Goshavank Monastery is famous for its khachkars. Mkhitar Ghosh, an outstanding scientist and writer of medieval Armenia, participated in the construction of this monastery, so it is named after him as a sign of respect. In the past, this monastery was one of the main medieval universities in Armenia and had a large book depository. The two-storey building of the book depository has been preserved to the present day. There is also a trail connecting the wild Lake Gosh and the Goshavank Monastery.

Matosavank Monastery is not so easy to find. It stands alone and proud in the dense forests of Dilijan.Close to Matosavank stands the Juhtakvank Monastery. A difficult complex and thorny path leads to this monastery. If you like hiking, put on a pair of comfortable shoes, get a map, and arrange a walk to the temples and churches, enjoying the picturesque nature on the way.

Culture in Dilijan

Dilijan is a small town, but there are plenty of good museums there. Firstly, there is the Museum of Folk Art, located in a charming house with a balcony, white columns and a "lace" balustrade. The last dweller of the house was distinguished man of art Hovhannes Sharambeyan. On his initiative, the house became a museum of folk art. There, you can enjoy the works of jewelers, wood and stone carvers, painters, and lace makers, as well as look at ceramic products, sculptures, fabrics and textiles.

The next stop on the cultural route is the Geological Museum, which exhibits artifacts from the archaeological excavations of the 1870s.

And finally, make sure to visit the Dilijan Art Gallery, where you can enjoy the works of iconic artists such as Ivan Aivazovsky, Ivan Shishkin, Martiros Saryan and Minas Avetisyan.

The best places to eat in Dilijan

The love for gastronomy is a distinctive feature of every region of Armenia, and Dilijan is not an exception. National cuisine, home-made drinks, and an abundance of restaurants in Dilijan stand out by r their diversity and hospitality. The gastronomic culture in Dilijan is characterized by leisurely enjoyment of nature and delicious food.

You can have a cup of coffee at the Cafe #2 on the lake shore. It is a bright and cozy place with panoramic windows and minimalistic interior. There is an exceptionally relaxed atmosphere there, it makes you want to slow down and enjoy the moment. By the way, this is one of the projects of the Scholae Mundi Charitable Foundation, aimed at creating new educational initiatives in a creative and friendly atmosphere. The activity of the cafe has an important social significance: young people starting from 14 years old are the employees in Cafe #2. This way, they have the opportunity to learn professional skills in the service and get their first work experience.

What to combine with a trip to Dilijan

Dilijan is located 100 km from Yerevan (1.5 – 2 hours by car), but due to the geographical location of the town , the road to Dilijan does not seem long. The trip can be combined with a visit to the ancient temples of Garni and Geghard and a stop on the way to enjoy the view of Lake Sevan, then you can continue the trip to the picturesque Lori region. In addition, there is an interregional highway in Dilijan, by which you can get to Tbilisi in 4 hours. Isn’t that neat?