Armavir
Introduction
Armavir is a city in Krasnodar Krai, Russia, set on the left bank of the Kuban River. It is the industrial centre of Krasnodar Krai after Krasnodar.
Before you go
Before you go, it helps to know what to call the place. Armavir is the capital of the Marz (state) of the same name, but you may still hear it called more often by its old communist name, Hoktemberyan, given in honor of the October Revolution. The name Armavir itself belongs to the ancient Armenian capital whose ruins lie nearby, so expect the two names to be used side by side.Getting there
Armavir is reached most easily from Yerevan. Vans, known locally as marshutni, run between the capital and Armavir regularly throughout the day, and taxis in Yerevan will generally take you there as well. If you are travelling along the highway between Armavir and Yerevan, you can flag down vans and buses bound for the capital, or even private cars. West of Armavir, however, traffic thins considerably and your options become more limited.
Some companies in Yerevan also run day tours by van, travelling with other tourists and including a guide and sometimes lunch. These typically take in Sardarapat, the most popular destination in the area.
Getting around
Armavir is not a big town, and it is very flat, so walking is a genuinely practical way to get around. The level terrain means no steep climbs, and if you are staying centrally you can cover a good share of your sightseeing on foot. Taxis are the other main local option and the easiest choice when you are carrying luggage or heading somewhere beyond a comfortable walk.
For longer trips, shared vans — known locally as marshrutni — are the regional workhorse. They run regularly throughout the day between Yerevan and Armavir, and along the highway toward Yerevan you can flag down vans and buses bound for the capital, and sometimes private cars will take you as well. West of Armavir, traffic is much lighter, so onward connections in that direction are harder to arrange. Some companies in Yerevan run day tours to the Armavir area by van, travelling with other tourists and including a guide, and sometimes lunch; these typically take in Sardarapat. If you would rather not piece together your own transport, a day tour is a convenient way to see the region's highlights.
Where to stay
Armavir has one large old Soviet hotel that has never been renovated. You can try it if you want an interesting and potentially cheap option, but be aware that it is a period piece rather than a comfortable stay.
Most travellers base themselves in Echmiadzin or Yerevan instead, both of which are close by, and few even venture off the highway into this small town. If you do decide to stay in Armavir, treat the hotel as part of the experience rather than a place to settle in for long.
Food & drink
In Armavir you will find a handful of places to eat, mostly fast food restaurants and cafes, alongside Armenian barbecue, or khorovats. If you are looking for more barbecue, a few additional spots sit along the main highway. Drinking options are offered at the same places as the food, so you can expect to eat and drink in the same establishments.What to see and do
Near Armavir you can visit Sardarapat, the country's most important memorial and museum complex, roughly eleven kilometres southeast of the city. A towering bell structure stands over the border, marking the ground where a hungry, poorly armed force of Armenian refugees defeated a Turkish invasion in 1918 and saved the nation. Beside it, a large ethnographic museum traces how Armenians lived from ancient times to the modern day, and it is regarded as the finest of its kind in Armenia. If you prefer ruins to monuments, several archaeological sites lie within reach. Metsamor is seldom visited and holds excavations of an ancient Armenian city, with many of the finds displayed in a museum on site. About four kilometres east of Sardarapat, by Nor Armavir Village, you can walk among the ruins and excavations of Armavir, once an ancient Armenian capital. Farther out, at the end of a long, poor road near the border, lie the excavations of the ancient city of Yervandashat.Three days in Armavir
Day one: Base yourself in Armavir and get your bearings in the city itself. It sits in Krasnodar Krai, Russia, on the Kuban River, and the river is a good place to start a walk. Armavir has a mix of Soviet-era buildings and older streets, and you can spend the afternoon drifting between them. In the evening, eat where the locals do and try the drinking culture near the river.
Day two: Head out of the city toward the Armenian sites in the area. Echmiadzin is within reach, and Sardarapat is another stop worth making. Nor Armavir Village and Metsamor are also nearby, and taxis can get you between them. Farther out, Yervandashat and the ruins at Vans reward a longer trip. If you have time, continue toward Yerevan, though that is a bigger journey.
Day three: Use the morning for anything you missed in Armavir, then decide whether to push west or stay close. Some travellers use Armavir as a base for the wider region, including the Armenian marz and the legacy of the October Revolution and Hoktemberyan. Before you leave, take one more walk beside the Kuban River and watch the city go about its day.