Gyumri Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
second-largest city in Armenia and capital of Shirak Province in the northwestern part of the country
About Gyumri
Much of the city's historic center dates to the days when Gyumri was Alexandrapol (in honor of the wife of Czar Nicholas I), an outpost of theRussian Empirein the Southern Caucasus, and the architecture reflects that. The buildings, of dark black stone with pink-orange accents, are primarily 1800s Russian in style, with Armenian touches. The aftermath of the 1988Spitakearthquake, which devastated the region, is still felt in the city; the rebuilding efforts are very much ongoing. It is said by the locals that the quake "leveled Leninakan (the name of the city in Soviet times) but left Alexandrapol standing" - the Soviet housing blocks folded on themselves, while the older buildings largely survived. There are also Russian churches and cemeteries, and a large Russian military base still dom
Top Attractions in Gyumri
Explore the best things to see and do in Gyumri:
- ★Black Fortress
- ★Cook traditional Gyumri dishes (chanakh and pokhind) in Chalet Gyumri
- ★Create your own souvenir atOne Thousand and One Shadesceramic workshop in The Gallery of Mariam and Eranuhi Aslamazyan Sister
- ★Explore Gyumri’s architectural history with City Research Center
- ★Hiking and Biking With Mamikon
- ★Learn Armenian pottery traditions and techniques at Gevorgyan Ceramics
- ★Learn how to make a traditional doll and cook traditional favorites at Gyumri Aesthetic Center
- ★Marmashen Monastery
Where to Eat in Gyumri
Must-try local food and restaurants:
- 🍴Cafe-bar destination
- 🍴Cherkezi Dzor
- 🍴Florence Gyumri
- 🍴Herbs and Honey
- 🍴House
- 🍴Ponchik-monchik
Where to Stay in Gyumri
- 🏨Alexandrapol Hotel Palace
- 🏨Araks Hotel
- 🏨Berlin Art Hotel
- 🏨Friendly B&B
- 🏨Grand Hotel Gyumri by Apricot hotels
- 🏨Konjelazia / Tourism & Design
Gyumri Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 10 sections including: