Present-day Yerevan is a big and a beautiful city with newly-built residential buildings, business centers, excellent dining options, interesting museums and theaters, lively nightclubs and bars and more. Yerevan is home to more than 40 parks and boulevards with some of them being truly amazing and kid-friendly. There are not many green places in Yerevan, so parks and gardens are mosrt loved and care for in by the locals. In this respect, Yerevan parks and gardens are worth a visit while holidaying in Yerevan.
Victory Park (Haghtanaki Zbosaygi in Armenian) is a big amusement park found at the top of Cascade Complex that has acquired its name to commemorate Soviet Armenia’s participation in World War II. The park is housed in a green forested area and boasts an artificial lake, several cafes, an amusement park, add to this breathtaking views of the central Yerevan. The park is also where visitors will find the one-of-a-kind statue of Mother Armenia ‘Mayr Hayastan,’ with a museum located underneath it. Kid-friendly activities include a Ferris Wheel, а roller-coaster, tennis and other games. Your kids will surely appreciate spending a sunny day in this lively getaway.
Spanning the two city blocks leading to Yerevan’s monumental Cascade, Tamanyan Park is another majestic getaway more resembling an open art gallery. It’s a sculpture garden, giving visitors the chance to enjoy and admire Armenian contemporary arts, including Fernando Batero’s popular ‘Roman Warrior,’ Barry Flanagan’s ‘Hare on Bell’ and Lynn Chadwick’s ‘Sitting Figures’ to name but a few. There are a lot of other original statues there. Don’t miss the Cafesjian Museum next to it in Cascade Complex, featuring works of art by both Armenian and international artists.
Located on the nicely-paved and tree-lined Baghramyan Avenue, adjacent to the National Assembly and the Presidential Residence, the two of the Republic’s most important state structures, Lover’s Park is a year-round open getaway with NO entrance fee. Japanese traditional landscaping has been a major source of inspiration for the park’s design project. Covering a total area of 1.6 hectares, the park holds a small lake with various inlets and formations to enhance the viewing experience. In the middle of this nicely designed park visitors will find the Achajour café, offering delicious sandwiches and desserts. One of the highlights of the park is the stone compositions and sculptures, which feature decorative lighting at night.
Take the colorful minibus ride on the famous Mashtots Avenue near Malibu Café, and you will head to Children’s Railway passing through a small tunnel. The entertainment park will welcome you with various rides your kids will surely appreciate. It also has vendors, a café and a picnic area. The railway ticket will cost 300 Dram.
English park is located on Italy Street, near Italian Embassy and is a wonderful green spot to visit in summer. The park is bordered on the south by the imposing monument to Alexander Miasnikyan and is divided by two streets. On the east of the park visitors will find the small statue of Yerevan Water boy and a large plaza with the enormous monument to Stepan Shahumyan standing in its front. The English Park is a popular getaway for wedding photographs.
Saryan’s Park is a fine place found near the Opera House that attracts locals and tourists alike. On Saturday and Sunday the park turns into Vernisage, where you can see a lot of Armenian artists showing off their paintings or draw one just in front of passers-by. If you want, they will draw your portrait for some price. The park is also famous for its statues, including the Statue of M. Saryan and the statue of ‘Men.’
Komitas Pantheon Park is found in the city’s Shengavit district, on the right side of the main Arshakunyats Avenue. The park is where many remarkable figures of Armenia’s artistic world are buried, including Komitas (1869-1935), one of Armenia’s great composers, who had a tragic life. His work came to an end after 1915 Armenian Genocide; he was disturbed by the Turkish government’s horrific slaughter, that he became insane. The Pantheon is also the site of the graves of composers Aram Khachaturyan and Romanos Melikyan, of poets Avetik Isahakyan and Shushanik Kurghinyan, of writers William Saroyan and Vrtanes Papazyan and prominent figures.
This is one of the most favorite parks of the youth, visited by a large number of students, which is due to the park’s location close to some of Yerevan’s most popular universities, including the famous State University of Yerevan. It’s the longest park of Yerevan, stretching along the territory called “Small Center” The park teems with nice cafes, gorgeous, kid-friendly attractions and rides. Of great interest is the park’s majestic fountain and the artificial lake.
Worth a visit are also Tumanyan Park and Sport Complex’s Park.