Garni: Hotels and Accommodation

The “Symphony of Stones”, also known as the “Basaltic Organ”, is located in the Garni Gorge: a canyon wall made up of regularly shaped hexagonal basalt prisms. It was formed when lava in the canyon of the Asat River cooled and fractured. For travelers looking for a striking natural landscape, this geological feature is a specific reason to consider Garni.

Nature

The nearby surroundings of Garni include Gora Makhmud-Dag, Mashtots’ Hayrapeti, and Kuys Varvarra. The area around Garni also contains Kamurji Ch’rrik, Geghard, Razvaliny Mangyuz, Bardenut, and Chgnavori.

Local Experiences

Garni offers visitors experiences involving the preparation of lavash in underground tonir ovens; local restaurants offer related workshops. In addition, local ceramics and pottery workshops in Garni provide the opportunity to learn from resident craftspeople.

Geographical Location

The Temple of Garni is located approximately 30 kilometers from Yerevan, making Garni an easy day trip. Beyond the Temple of Garni lies the Geghard Monastery in a deep river valley, partially carved into the mountain. Havuts Tar Monastery stands on the opposite side of the Asat River valley, across from Garni and Goght.

Culture

The Temple of Garni is a classical monument that was probably built in the 1st century AD and dedicated to Mithra, the sun god. It is described as the only pre-Christian Greco-Roman colonnaded structure in Armenia and the wider Eurasian region. The archaeological complex also includes a royal bathhouse with a mosaic floor depicting scenes from Greek mythology.

More location pages: Abovyan, Arzakan, Karashamb, Tsaghkadzor, Meghradzor, Byureghavan, Dzoraghbyur, Kamaris.

Anyone wishing to book a hotel in Garni can continue their accommodation search afterward.

To the overarching travel overview: Kotayk.