Kentron

Feels:

Central and busy with cafés and bars

Suits:

A first stay in the centre

Best time:

Morning to late evening

Watch out for:

Midday sun in July.

In short:

Republic Square, Vernissage, cafés and the metro are all close.

Yerevan’s centre is Kentron, a ring of streets around Republic Square. North of it runs the Cascade axis with Northern Avenue, and beyond it Mashtots Avenue climbs to the Matenadaran. The Tsitsernakaberd hill is west of the centre across a gorge, and the Erebuni fortress is to the south-east.

This district is highlighted. Shapes follow this guide's walking areas and places, not official boundaries.

How this district's sleep area scores for five kinds of traveler, ranked against the other Yerevan districts that have scores. Scores are this guide's 1–5 judgements.

• First visit

  best of 2

  Republic Square and Vernissage close.

• Families

  best of 2

  Central but busy.

• Light sleepers

  best of 2

  Traffic noise, especially near main roads.

• Night owls

  best of 2

  Cafés and bars a short walk away.

• On a budget

  best of 2

  Guesthouses and hostels.

Opening hours and prices from each place page; (check) means typical hours, not yet verified.

• Republic SquareBook a time

  Cross the square at dusk when the pink tuff buildings glow and the fountains light up; 30 minutes on foot, and pair it with a coffee and the walk to Northern Avenue.

  Entry:

  Free

• Vernissage MarketBook a time

  Go on a weekend morning: an open-air craft and souvenir market beside Republic Square with rugs, carvings, backgammon sets and Soviet curios; 45 minutes, cash, polite bargaining.

What to order and what locals pay, from each eat page. Prices are estimates; check the menu.

• GUM Market

  A covered food market for dried fruit, cheese, lavash and sweets: go before noon, pick up a picnic or gifts and try samples before you buy; 30 minutes, cash.

• Kentron wine bar (confirm venue)

  An evening glass of Armenian wine with cheese and cured meats: try Areni or a local white, ask the staff for a flight, and walk home in the centre.

• Khorovats grill restaurant, Kentron (confirm venue)

  A sit-down dinner of Armenian barbecue: pork, lamb or chicken skewers with grilled vegetables and lavash; book ahead on weekends and share the plates.

• Lahmajun and lavash bakery (confirm venue)

  A quick lunch at a Kentron bakery: lahmajun, thin flatbread with spiced minced meat, rolled with herbs; go at 12:00, order two and eat standing or at a small table.

• Kentron (Republic Square)$$

  First-timers: within 10 minutes of the square and the Cascade; choose a hotel with a 24-hour desk and a street the car can enter, since flights often land at 02:00.

  Rooms: ֏15,000–25,000 (check)

  Skip this if: Central streets are busy and loud on weekend nights.

  4–8 min walk to Republic Square & Kentron · 15–22 min walk to Cascade & Northern Avenue

Lines from the Yerevan drinking guide that name this district.

• Wine bars in Kentron · Wine bar · until LateAsk for local varieties.

Minutes are this guide’s typical walking and ride times (p50–p90); traffic and heat stretch them.

• The square from the gallery steps

  Light: Dusk

  Tuff buildings glow orange.

• Republic Square and Kentronday: oknight: ok

  Pickpockets in crowds; traffic around the square.

• Quiet nights

  Traffic noise, especially near main roads.

• Nightlife

  Cafés and bars a short walk away.

• Late arrival

  Staffed reception in most hotels.

• Northern Avenue and the CascadeWalk north up Northern Avenue, about 15 min
• Mashtots Avenue and the MatenadaranCar north-east, about 8 min
• Tsitsernakaberd hillCar west, about 15 min