Things to Do in Dilijan: A Local Guide
Dilijan is one of Armenia’s best destinations for nature, hiking, history and outdoor adventures. Surrounded by the forests and mountains of Dilijan National Park, the town is a great base for exploring monasteries, mountain lakes, hiking trails and local experiences.
As a local tour company based in Dilijan, we’ve put together 15 of the best things to do in Dilijan, from famous sights to experiences that take you deeper into the surrounding mountains.
1. Explore Old Dilijan
Start your visit in the historic center of Dilijan. Old Dilijan is known for its traditional architecture, wooden balconies, small workshops and quiet streets.
A guided city tour is a good way to learn more about Dilijan’s history, architecture and local culture while visiting some of the town’s main landmarks.
2. Visit Haghartsin Monastery
Hidden among the forests outside Dilijan, Haghartsin Monastery is one of the most beautiful historical sites in the region.
The medieval monastery complex is surrounded by forested mountains and can easily be combined with Parz Lake or other attractions around Dilijan.
3. Visit Parz Lake
Parz Lake is one of the best-known natural attractions in Dilijan National Park. The small mountain lake is surrounded by dense forest and is especially beautiful during autumn.
You can visit the lake by car, relax beside the water, or use it as the starting point for one of the area’s hiking routes.
4. Hike from Parz Lake to Goshavank
For travelers who want to experience Dilijan on foot, the hike from Parz Lake to Goshavank is an excellent choice.
The approximately 7.2 km trail passes through the forests and mountain landscapes of Dilijan National Park before finishing at historic Goshavank Monastery.
5. Discover Goshavank Monastery
Located in the village of Gosh, Goshavank is one of the region’s most important medieval monastery complexes.
The monastery is closely connected with the Armenian scholar Mkhitar Gosh and is known for its architecture and impressive khachkars.
6. Visit Gosh Lake
Gosh Lake is a peaceful mountain lake hidden in the forests near Gosh village.
You can reach the lake by hiking or take a 4×4 off-road vehicle from Gosh village. It is a good option for travelers looking for a quieter nature experience away from the busiest attractions.
7. Take a 4×4 Adventure to Mount Dimats
One of the most adventurous things to do in Dilijan is an off-road trip to Mount Dimats.
The route takes you through mountain and forest roads in a 4×4 vehicle before reaching panoramic viewpoints in the mountains. On clear days, the scenery is one of the highlights of a trip to Dilijan.
8. Explore Mount Ayrikar by 4×4
Mount Ayrikar is another option for travelers who want to explore the mountains surrounding Dilijan.
The off-road route combines forest roads, mountain landscapes and panoramic viewpoints and is ideal for visitors looking to experience areas that are difficult to reach with a regular car.
9. Go Horseback Riding in the Mountains
Horseback riding is a great way to experience the countryside and mountains around Dilijan.
Routes are available for different experience levels, including beginners, and combine mountain scenery with an outdoor adventure away from the town.
10. Take a Buggy Tour
For a more adventurous experience, explore Dilijan’s mountain trails by buggy.
Buggy tours take you beyond the usual sightseeing routes and offer a combination of off-road driving, mountain scenery and outdoor adventure.
11. Hike to the Hidden Waterfall
The Hidden Waterfall hike is one of the shorter hiking experiences around Dilijan.
The trail takes you through forest scenery to a secluded waterfall and can be combined with a visit to Haghartsin Monastery.
It is a good choice for travelers who want a nature experience without spending the entire day hiking.
12. Hike to Jukhtakvank and Matosavank
Jukhtakvank and Matosavank are two historic monasteries hidden in the forests near Dilijan.
Visiting them on foot combines hiking, history and nature. The forest setting also gives these monasteries a very different atmosphere from some of Armenia’s larger and more frequently visited religious sites.
13. See the Red Deer
Dilijan National Park is home to Armenia’s native red deer.
The Red Deer Park near the Parz Lake area gives visitors an opportunity to see the animals and learn more about their conservation while exploring the natural surroundings of Dilijan.
14. Try Armenian Wine Tasting
After exploring the mountains, spend some time discovering Armenian wine.
Wine-tasting experiences in Dilijan allow visitors to try different Armenian wines while learning more about local winemaking. Different tasting packages are available depending on how many wines and accompanying snacks you would like to try.
15. Experience Local Workshops and Armenian Culture
Dilijan is not only about mountains and monasteries. You can also experience local culture through activities such as cooking, ceramics and woodworking workshops.
These experiences are particularly good for families and travelers who want to take part in something local rather than simply visit attractions.
Plan Your Trip to Dilijan
Dilijan can be explored in many different ways. You can spend a relaxed day visiting monasteries and lakes, hike through Dilijan National Park, ride horses in the mountains or take a 4×4 adventure to some of the region’s most scenic viewpoints.
Visit Dilijan offers private tours and local experiences including hiking, sightseeing tours, horseback riding, off-road adventures, buggy tours, wine tasting and workshops.
Whether you have only one day in Dilijan or several days to explore the region, you can choose and combine experiences according to your interests and available time.