Kapan

Kapan is a city in Southern Armenia. Surrounded by steep mountains, built along the river, Kapan is full of pink Soviet apartment blocks, some of them creeping up the mountainside in steps. The scenery in this part of Armenia is very nice, and quite different than other parts, though few visitors ever make it down this far.

Small chapel at Vahanavank Monastery

Get in

By bus

Marshutnis from Yerevan (6-7 hr) or Goris if you come from the north. Similar minibuses are serving Meghri and further across international border to Iran from the south.

As of July 2018, marshrutki to Goris leave at 09:00 and 12:00. Marshrutka to Meghri and Agarak at 14:00.

It's possible to catch a local bus heading towards nearby villages such as Shikahogh, Srashen, Tsav or Shishkert.

By car

Hiring a car, or taxi, or renting one is a good option too. A fascinating journey from Yerevan will take around 4 to 5 hours (with stop-over) and will cost approximately 80 USD by taxi or car.

Get around

Except for a small area in the city center, you must have a car to get very far, or a lot of time to bike or walk.

See

The medieval bridge of Kapan

The "Key of Kajaran" monument

Baghaberd Fortress

There isn't a great deal to see in the town itself, just a few spots to look at.

• Statue of Davit Bek, a local hero
• Small fortress of Halidzor on top of a hill on the western edge of town.

Further afield

• 🌍 Baghaberd Fortress (12 km west of Kapan). This is one of Armenia's most picturesque fortresses, especially if photographed from the small hill behind it. A cool fortress with a colorful story. 
• 🌍 Vahanavank Monastery (4 km west of Kapan). This monastery is under renovation. The site alone is worth the visit, but the monastery looked cool even during the reconstruction. 
• Shikahogh State Preserve. Continuing south from Kapan on the new (not old!) highway towards Meghri, you pass through Shikahogh, which includes Mtnadzor Canyon, with one of the most pristine forests in Armenia. 

Do

There is a small amusement park in the center of town, with cheap rides, and lots of locals out enjoying themselves.

Being slightly off the main tourist destinations, Kapan is a tranquil and quite city,

Buy

The shuka and nearby supermarkets are the best places to load up on supplies before travel in the area.

Eat

There are a few places to eat in town, including the Darist Hotel.

Drink

Sleep

• 🌍 Darist Hotel, 1a Aram Manoukyan Str. (Across the river from the statue of Davit Bek, next to the amusement park), ☎ [phone], [phone], [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Great location if you want to walk around and explore town a bit, the rooms can be hit or miss, especially considering the price. The restaurant is a convenient if uninspired place to eat, regardless of whether you sleep there or not. 5,000-50,000 dram. 
• Hotel Lernagorts, 2 K. Demirtchyan Str., ☎ [phone], [phone]. Amenities: hot, cold water in Luxe and de-luxe rooms, in other rooms - cold water only, TV set, radio, no central heating. 3,000-12,000 dram. 

Connect

Go next

• Goris — the last major town in Armenia for travellers continuing to Karabakh and also entering point to Tatev Monastery.
• Jermuk — spa town where much of the country's mineral water comes from.
• Meghri — the crossing point into Iran
• Sisian — good base for visiting Ughtasar mountain and thousands of petroglyphs on top of it.
• Yeghegnadzor — small town close to spectacular canyon and monastery in Noravank, the impressive Smbatabert Fortress/Tsakhats Kar Monastery area and the old silk road caravanserai of Selim.