Lake Sevan and Sevanavank

Lake Sevan is one of the largest high-altitude freshwater lakes in the world, lying at around 1,900 metres and changing from deep blue to turquoise with the light. Armenians call it their sea, and in summer its beaches fill with families escaping the city heat.

On a peninsula on the north-west shore stands Sevanavank, a monastery founded in the ninth century. Climb the stone steps from the car park to its two small churches for the classic view across the water to the mountains on the far side. Lakeside cafés and stalls sell local snacks and dried fruit.

Sevan is about an hour from Yerevan and noticeably cooler, so bring a jacket. It combines well with the forested resort town of Dilijan for a full day, or as a stop on the road to Georgia.