Sevan

Sevan doesn't need an introduction. Everyone who grew up in Armenia has been here at least once. But people who choose a social package in Sevan discover that knowing Sevan and actually staying on Sevan are completely different things.

It's about an hour from Yerevan. Probably the easiest drive of any resort in Armenia — which is exactly why Sevan is never empty. That's not a problem if you know when and where to go.

Social package deals in Sevan cover accommodation and meals, often including beach access or a pool. There are plenty of hotels and they vary widely — luxury options, budget choices, family guesthouses right at the water's edge. Each has its own appeal depending on what you're looking for.

The lake itself is the largest in Armenia, high-altitude, and the water changes colour depending on the time of day and weather. Blue-grey in the morning, brilliant at midday, golden in the evening. Sevanavank monastery and the peninsula are right there — half an hour and you've seen them, but you'll want to stay longer.

In summer Sevan is full of people — families, groups of friends, everyone near the water. June and September are the best months — not too hot, not too crowded. In autumn Sevan becomes something else entirely — quiet, misty, the water heavy and dark. Some people like this version of Sevan best of all.

The fish is non-negotiable. Sig, carp, crayfish — the lakeside fish places here are their own experience. No restaurant in Yerevan comes close to the same taste.

When booking a social package in Sevan, ask whether the hotel is directly on the water. On Sevan, that changes everything.