We’re all for making travel as stress-free as possible, and news of Armenia making entry a lot more seamless for a lucky group of travellers is welcome news to anyone keen to explore its cities and stunning landscape.
Early last year, the country won the Destination of the Year for Adventure Tourism Award thanks to its craggy Zangezur and Gegham Mountains, and plentiful adventurous activities like paragliding and rock-climbing.
Now, getting the chance to travel the country has become a whole lot easier, thanks to the implementation of a temporary visa exemption, which is in place until July 1, 2026.
Holders of valid residence permits for the USA, the EU, plus Schengen area countries (Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein), the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Oman will be allowed to enter Armenia for up to 180 days without a visa.
Why? Well, the hope is that making entry to Armenia easier will boost tourism and encourage more visitors to consider the destination for spontaneous travel, be that a long and sprawling holiday or just a cheeky city break.
‘This decision is a clear invitation to travellers around the world,’ Lusine Gevorgyan, chairman of the Tourism Committee of Armenia, said in a press release, ‘Armenia is open and welcoming, and we look forward to sharing our culture, landscapes and hospitality with more visitors throughout 2026.’
Why you should travel to Armenia
So, what actually is there to see in Armenia? Well, the aforementioned mountain ranges have brilliant hiking routes woven throughout, but the country is also peppered with several Unesco World Heritage Sites.
The Haghpat and Sanahin monasteries – which date back to between the 10th and 13th centuries – are former religious centres which were also used to teach skills like calligraphy. They are characterised by ancient frescoes and distinct mediaeval architecture.
Echmiadzin Cathedral and Zvartnots Temples are thought to have been founded way back in 303, and the former is the primary place of worship of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Elsewhere, the Geghard Monastery and the Upper Azat Valley is where several crypts of noble dynasties have been carved into the rocks.
Then there’s Yerevan, Armenia’s capital city, which is characterised by fascinating and grand Soviet-era architecture but today brags a plethora of stylish cafes, brilliant wine bars, and loads of interesting museums.
For more information, have a read of Armenia Travel’s official website, and check out our top picks for the best new things to do in the world in 2026.
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