Goris is a city in Southern Armenia. The city was possibly the first build in a grid layout in Armenia, with a very quaint regional style of stone architecture. Located along a river in a valley surrounded by mountains, Goris is the last major town in Armenia for travelers continuing to Karabakh. It's also quite difficult to get to Kapan or Meghri, and thus Iran without passing through Goris, making this the gateway of the South.

Travel to Goris - Visa Requirements

Minibus/van (marshutni) from Yerevan, or a shared taxi is your public transportation option. Renting a car (with or without driver/guides) or taking a private cab is a more flexible, expensive option. Though Goris or Tatev can be crammed into a day trip from Yerevan, it's much better to spend a few nights in the area, and along the way.

Tours and Getting around Goris

Within Goris, it's quite easy to get around on foot.

Goris tourist attractions and sightseeing

In town there's a church, a market, the Axel Bakunts Museum and some other minor sites. On the edges of town are some great rock formations which are great for photographers, both from near or far.

  • Old Khndzoresk Cave Village(Hin Khndzoresk). A couple villages east of Goris is the village of Khdzoresk, and under it, in a gorge pocked with caves is Old Khndoresk. Until a few decades ago, people lived in those caves still, and this was an active cave village - so be careful who you call a caveman around here! 
  • Tatev Monastery, (30 km southwest of Goris). Not so far from Goris on the map, but a seeming eternity on the bad road is the stunning Monastery of Tatev, on an 850 meter high cliff. All this above a natural land bridge, springs, a cavern in an underground river and you've got yourself an unforgettable place. 
  • Bgheno-Noravank Monastery, (16km south of Goris). A couple of kilometers off the main highway is the little known and less visited monastery of Bgheno Noravank. Easy to miss the turnoff, and just consisting of a couple of chambers, it's a good spot for a break if you're on a long drive. 
  • Tsitsernavank Monastery, (8km north of the Karabakh entry checkpoint - without entering!). A very ancient monastery that's undergone recent renovation. 

Goris city tours

Goris souvenirs and shopping

Goris Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

There are one or two restaurant/cafes in town, and a few barbecue joints on the highway on the edge of town.

Goris nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs

Where there is food, there is drink.

Goris cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels and lodging

  • Mirhav, 100 Mashtots Str., Goris, ☎ (+374 284) 24612, 24612, 24632, (091) 209083, (010) 284402. Loved by everyone, Mirhav is a rustic B&B in Goris, with comfortable rooms, good decor and food. 18-33,000.  
  • Khachik B&B, 13 David Bek Str., Goris, ☎ (+374 284) 21098, (091) 204012, [1]. A well liked B&B that's been a fixture for visitors for many years. 
  • Gagik Petrosyan’s B&B, Tatev village(30km southwest of Goris), ☎ (+374 284) 97448 (094) 004148. If you want a cheap place, and the village experience, try Gagik's house in Tatev Village. The monastery is one of the top 3 on everybody's favorite list and the scenery and area is stunning. The drive in and out of Tatev is a serious pain though, so why not spend the night? Gagik's has 4 bedrooms, 11 beds, running cold water in the common shower room. Garden.3000 AMD per person.  

Contact

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This page was last edited by Peter Fitzgerald. Based on work by Raffi Kojian and Wikitravel user(s) Texugo. - Content on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 1.0 license

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