Goris

Goris is the heart of Syunik, and anyone who's been there understands why. Cliffs standing right beside the town like a wall, an old neighbourhood literally carved into the mountain, and an atmosphere that doesn't exist anywhere else in Armenia. People who choose a social package in Goris tend to come once — and the next time they stay longer.

It's about three and a half hours from Yerevan. That's a real drive, but the road through Syunik is worth it on its own. Past Tatev, through the Vorotan gorge — by the time you arrive, you've already seen a lot.

Social package deals in Goris cover accommodation and meals. Hotels and guesthouses vary — some are modern, some are set inside old stone buildings. The stone ones are special. Stone walls, wooden ceilings, cliffs visible from the window — that's Goris.

The old quarter of the town, the Goris caves, and nearby Khndzoresk are all worth your time. Khndzoresk especially. An abandoned cave village built directly into the rock face, a suspension bridge crossing the gorge — that alone justifies the journey to Goris.

Tatev monastery is half an hour away. The cable car too. One day isn't enough — if you want to see Tatev and actually experience Goris, two nights is the minimum.

Goris works in every season. In winter, a stone city under snow is the kind of image that stays with you.

When booking a social package in Goris, look for accommodation close to the old quarter. That's where the real character of the city lives.