Overview
Unique stone pyramids of Old Kores and traditional architecture give this southern city a distinctive face. It is also a necessary transit point for reaching Kapan, Meghri, and onward travel toward Iran.
Architecture · Transit Hub · Food · Nature · History
Did you know?
- Old Khndzoresk has a cave village and swinging bridges.
- Tolma here is wrapped in bean leaves rather than wine leaves.
- Old Kores is known for distinctive stone pyramids.
Why Go
Goris is a city in Southern Armenia known for its unique stone-pyramids of Old Kores and traditional architecture. It serves as the gateway to the south, being the necessary transit point to reach Kapan, Meghri, and Iran. The city was possibly the first built in a grid layout in Armenia, featuring a quaint regional style of stone architecture that distinguishes it from other Armenian destinations.
When to Go
Goris has an alpine climate with mild snowy winters and hot summers. January averages -1.3°C while July reaches +19°C. Annual precipitation is between 500-600mm. The Mulberry Festival takes place around the end of June-beginning of July, offering visitors a chance to participate in mulberry gathering and taste local vodka-making.
Getting In
Buses to Goris depart from Yerevan at two stops on Komitas Street: one between Mashtots St. and Orbelyanner St., and another between Syuniq St. and Movses Khorenatsi St. Goris is the essential transit hub for reaching Kapan, Meghri, and onward to Iran.
Getting Around
Within Goris, it is quite easy to get around on foot. Marshrutkas to nearby villages operate from the market on Syuniki street. For nearby attractions like Old Khndzoresk, buses leave from 14 Mashtots street.
Where to Stay
Goris offers various accommodation options. Budget travelers can camp at Tree House & camping Goris with tents from 3,000 dram or tree houses from 22,000 dram. Aregak B&B offers rooms at 5,000 dram with great breakfasts. Khachik B&B provides home-cooked dinners for 4,000 dram per person. Mirhav Hotel offers rooms at 18-33,000 dram with excellent design and garden.
Food and Drink
Goris is famous for its beans, considered the tastiest in Armenia. Local specialty Goris tolma differs from common Armenian tolma by being wrapped in bean leaves instead of wine leaves, and has a unique meat recipe. The area is particularly famous for its mulberry vodka. Loby Goris family restaurant requires advance reservations.
Things to Do
In town, visit the Aksel Bakunts Museum at 41 Mashtots Str, the Goris Local Lore Museum inside a former church building with over 5,000 ethnographic objects, and St. Grigor Lusavorich Church built in 1897-1904. Nearby, explore Old Khndzoresk Cave Village accessible by bus (300 dram, 30 minutes) with swinging bridges, and Bgheno-Noravank Monastery 16km south of Goris. The Goris Wildlife Sanctuary spans 1,400-2,800m elevation with Caucasian grouse, roe deer, and brown bear.
Go Next
Tatev is on an 850m high cliff above a natural land bridge, accessible by famous cable car. Jermuk is a spa town known for mineral water. Sisian is a good base for visiting Ughtasar mountain and petroglyphs. Yeghegnadzor offers access to Noravank canyon, Smbatabert Fortress, and Selim caravanserai.
Guide text adapted from Wikivoyage contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to start
Sleep
Aregak B&B
Lovely B&B close to the centre of Goris, in a separate apartment to the host. Great breakfasts, tea and coffee. The apartment has two triple rooms and one double, kitchen, TV, and fridge. Host can arrange transport to Tatev and onwards.
Price when recorded: 5,000 dram
Sleep
Khachik B&B
A B&B that's been a fixture for visitors for many years. Friendly owners that brew wine in their own home. You can have pre-ordered meals as well; dinner per person is 4,000 dram. Trying the wine is also extra. The hosts can arrange a taxi to go to the cable car to Tatev and wait at Devil's Bridge while you walk down from the monastery, 8,000 dram round trip (10,000 dram if you want the cab to go all the way to the monastery).
Sleep
Mirhav
Fantastic design/decor, very "Armenian" while still being comfortable and modern. Excellent staff, beautiful garden, good food.
Price when recorded: 18-33,000 dram
Sleep
Tree House & càmping Goris
Lovely camping with a tree House, place for barbecue, separate bathroom and toilet un the garden, place for lunch un garden and beautiful mountain view, wifi free. They do vodka and tradicional wine with own fruits.
Price when recorded: tendv from 3.000/p / tree House from 22.000/p. dram
See
Aksel Bakunts museum
Aksel Bakunts was a famous Armenian writer. The house museum is worthy of a visit regardless whether you are a fan of his writing, as it's an interesting example of what a traditional home would have looked like in his time. The surrounding neighbourhood sports plenty of 19th century houses. The museum also organizes traditional Samovar tea drinking workshops where they show how to use a samovar and tell about its origins and uses.
See
Bgheno-Noravank Monastery
A couple of kilometres off the main highway is the little known and less visited monastery of Bgheno Noravank. Easy to miss the turnoff, and just consisting of a couple of chambers, it's a good spot for a break if you're on a long drive.
See
Goris Local Lore Museum
The museum has an impressive collection of over 5,000 ethnographic and archaeological objects that tell the story of the region's rich cultural heritage, history, and traditions. One of the most prominent pieces is a five-faced idol that dates back to the 2nd millennium BCE.
See
Old Khndzoresk Cave Village
Until the 1950s, people lived in those caves still, and this was an active cave village, so be careful who you call a caveman around here.
Before you go
Culture
Goris is famous for mulberry vodka, local beans, and Goris tolma wrapped in bean leaves rather than wine leaves.
Money
Local currency is Armenian Dram (AMD). Prices range from 3,000 dram for camping to 33,000 dram for hotel rooms.
Transport
Marshrutkas to nearby villages operate from the market on Syuniki street. Buses to Old Khndzoresk leave from 14 Mashtots street at scheduled times.
Weather
Alpine climate with mild snowy winters (January avg -1.3°C) and hot summers (July avg +19°C). Annual precipitation 500-600mm.