How to Get to Khor Virap Monastery, Armenia

Updated November 2026, How to Get to Khor Virap Monastery, Armenia was originally published in July 2023

Khor Virap Monastery is arguably one of the most iconic landmarks in Armenia. Sitting on a small hill in the Ararat Valley, with the towering peak of Mount Ararat rising dramatically in the background, it’s a place that deserves a spot on any Armenia itinerary.

Funny enough, I somehow managed to miss Khor Virap on my first trip to Armenia. I don’t even have a particularly good excuse. I simply never made it out there.

On my return visit, I was determined to fix that and finally visit this famous monastery on a day trip from Yerevan.

Getting to Khor Virap from Yerevan is relatively straightforward. You can take a public bus, hire a taxi, rent a car, or join an organized day tour. Each option has its advantages, particularly if you’re hoping to visit other attractions in southern Armenia on the same day.

In this guide, I’ll explain exactly how to get to Khor Virap Monastery from Yerevan, including public transportation directions, taxi options, driving directions, recommended day tours, opening hours, and what to see once you arrive.

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Khor Virap: Quick Information

Location	Ararat Province, Armenia
Distance from Yerevan	Approximately 40 km
Driving time	45-60 minutes
Entrance fee	Free admission
Opening hours	Generally 9 AM-6 PM, longer in summer
Recommended visit	1-1.5 hours
Best time to visit	Early morning
Main attraction	Mount Ararat views
Getting there	Bus 467, taxi, rental car or tour

About Khor Virap Monastery

Khor Virap Monastery is one of Armenia’s most important religious and historical landmarks. Located in the Ararat Valley near the Turkish border, the monastery is particularly famous for its connection to Gregory the Illuminator and its spectacular views of Mount Ararat.

The name Khor Virap translates to “deep pit” or “deep dungeon” in Armenian, referring to the underground prison where Gregory the Illuminator was reportedly held captive for 13 years.

According to Armenian Christian tradition, Gregory was imprisoned by King Tiridates III for refusing to renounce Christianity. After Gregory eventually healed the king from an illness, Tiridates converted to Christianity and declared it the state religion of Armenia in 301 AD. This made Armenia the first country to officially adopt Christianity as its state religion.

Khor Virap subsequently became an important pilgrimage destination for Armenian Christians.

The earliest chapel at the site was constructed in 642 AD under Catholicos Nerses III. The present-day monastery complex, however, largely dates to the 17th century, with the main Church of the Holy Mother of God (Surb Astvatsatsin) constructed in 1662.

Today, visitors can explore the monastery grounds, descend into the underground dungeon associated with Gregory the Illuminator, and enjoy one of the most recognizable views in Armenia: Khor Virap framed by Mount Ararat.

The monastery’s history is particularly significant because it connects Armenia’s early Christian history with a landmark that remains central to Armenian religious and cultural identity.

Khor Virap Opening Hours

Khor Virap Monastery is generally open to visitors daily, with longer visiting hours during the summer months.

The usual reported opening hours are:

• Winter: 9 AM to 6 PM
• Summer: 9 AM to 8 PM

Opening hours can change around religious holidays and special occasions, so it’s worth checking locally before making the journey.

I’d also recommend visiting early in the morning if you want the best chance of seeing Mount Ararat clearly. The mountain can become obscured by clouds and haze later in the day.

What to Wear to Khor Virap Monastery

Khor Virap is an active Armenian Apostolic monastery, so it’s respectful to dress modestly when visiting.

I recommend keeping your shoulders and knees covered, particularly if you plan to enter the churches. Women may want to bring a lightweight scarf to cover their shoulders if wearing a sleeveless top.

Summers in the Ararat Valley can get extremely hot, so loose-fitting trousers, longer skirts, and breathable clothing are good choices. In winter, bring an extra layer, as the open monastery grounds can be quite exposed to the wind.

How to Get to Khor Virap from Yerevan

Khor Virap Monastery is located approximately 40-43 kilometers south of Yerevan, near the village of Pokr Vedi in Armenia’s Ararat Province.

The journey from Yerevan to Khor Virap takes approximately 45-60 minutes by car, depending on traffic. It’s one of the easiest day trips from the Armenian capital and can be reached by public transportation, taxi, rental car, or organized tour.

Here are the main ways to get to Khor Virap from Yerevan:

• Public bus: Bus 467 runs from Yerevan’s Southern Bus Station directly to Khor Virap.
• Taxi: Hire a taxi through GG Taxi or Yandex Go for a convenient journey.
• Rental car: Drive independently from Yerevan to Khor Virap in around an hour.
• Day tour: Join an organized excursion from Yerevan, often combining Khor Virap with Noravank Monastery and the Areni wine region.

If you’re visiting independently, public transportation is the cheapest option, while taking a taxi or renting a car gives you more flexibility to explore the surrounding Ararat Valley.

Taking Bus #467 to Khor Virap

Taking public transportation is the cheapest way to get to Khor Virap from Yerevan, and there’s now a direct bus service that makes the journey easier than it used to be.

Bus 467 operates between Yerevan’s Southern Bus Station and Khor Virap.

To catch the bus, head to the Southern Bus Station, located just next to the Sasuntsi Davit railway and metro stations in Yerevan.

The currently published timetable lists the following departures:

Direction	Departure
Yerevan to Khor Virap	9:00 AM
Yerevan to Khor Virap	2:00 PM
Yerevan to Khor Virap	6:00 PM
Khor Virap to Yerevan	7:00 AM
Khor Virap to Yerevan	10:00 AM
Khor Virap to Yerevan	3:00 PM

The journey is approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes, although actual travel times can vary. Fare is 400 AMD.

Unlike the older route that required taking a minibus to Ararat and walking the remaining distance, bus 467 has a designated stop at Khor Virap itself.

I’d recommend checking the latest timetable on Transport for Armenia before setting off, as public transportation schedules can change.

One important thing to keep in mind is that there are relatively few daily departures. Plan your visit around the return schedule rather than assuming you can simply catch another bus whenever you’re finished exploring.

Taking a Marshrutka to Khor Virap

This is the cheapest, yet most difficult way to visit Khor Virap (don’t worry, it’s not that hard). 

To get the marshrutka to Khor Virap you will need to head to Sasuntsi Davit Train Station, which is located just outside the Sasuntsi Davit Metro Station.

Walk outside and out from the train station and you will see minibuses all around the parking lot. 

You’ll need to look for the marshrutka to Ararat here. Most of the signs in the marshrutkas are written in Armenian and on occasion some will have the name in Russian and even rarer in English. 

Look for the following signage:

• Armenian – Արարատ
• Russian – Арарат
• English – Ararat

Once you’ve located the marshrutka with the correct sign, get on.

The marshrutka takes about an hour on average to reach Khor Virap from Yerevan.

The Yerevan-Khor Virap marshrutka costs about 500 AMD per seat.

Do note that the marshrutka only goes to Ararat, so from there you will need to walk the remaining 1.5 kilometers to the Khor Virap Monastery.

If you don’t want to walk the remainder, you can usually flag down a passing taxi. If you don’t speak Armenian I would recommend having Armenian downloaded for offline use on Google Translate on your phone to convey your desires to the passing taxi driver. 

But for those not wanting to walk and want to get there on the cheap, there is a marshrutka from Ararat to Khor Virap.

Once in Ararat, look for marshrutka number 467, it departs at the same station that you will get dropped off at. 

This Ararat-Khor Virap minibus goes at 11:00, 14:00, and 15:00 based on what the owner of the hostel I was staying at in Yerevan told me, (I didn’t take it myself) and it costs 500 AMD.

To return from Khor Virap to Yerevan you will need to do this same process in reverse. 

There are taxi drivers usually lurking in the Khor Virap Monastery parking lot who will approach you when you’re leaving so finding a ride back to Ararat is not typically a problem, though feel free to say no and walk back to Ararat and catch the marshrutka back to Yerevan from there.

Taking a Taxi to Khor Virap

Taking a taxi is one of the easiest ways to visit Khor Virap from Yerevan, particularly if you’re short on time or don’t want to deal with public transportation schedules.

The drive takes approximately 45-60 minutes, and you can arrange a taxi through one of Armenia’s popular ride-hailing applications.

I’d recommend downloading:

• GG Taxi: A popular Armenian ride-hailing application.
• Yandex Go: Another convenient option for ordering taxis around Yerevan.

Both are useful for getting around the capital, and you can check the estimated fare before confirming your ride.

If you’re planning to visit Khor Virap and return to Yerevan with the same driver, I’d recommend arranging a round trip in advance. This means your driver can wait while you explore the monastery rather than leaving you to find another ride afterward.

You can generally explore the monastery grounds in around an hour, though I’d allow a little longer if you want to climb the hill behind it and spend time photographing Mount Ararat.

If you want to visit other attractions in the Ararat Valley, arranging a private driver for the day can also be worthwhile.

Renting a Car to Visit Khor Virap

If you’re planning to road trip around Armenia, renting a car is another excellent way to visit Khor Virap.

Having your own vehicle gives you the flexibility to stop at viewpoints along the way, spend as much time as you like at the monastery, and continue exploring southern Armenia afterward.

From central Yerevan, head south toward Artashat via the M2 highway. Follow the signs toward Pokr Vedi and Khor Virap, then continue along the local road to the monastery.

The drive takes approximately 45-60 minutes, depending on traffic and your starting point in Yerevan.

One of the biggest advantages of driving yourself is being able to stop in the surrounding agricultural fields for photographs of Khor Virap with Mount Ararat rising behind it. This is one of the most recognizable views in Armenia, and it’s worth allowing a little extra time for photography.

If you’re continuing farther south, you can also combine Khor Virap with Areni, Noravank Monastery, and other attractions in the Vayots Dzor region.

Day Tour to Khor Virap

If you don’t want to organize transportation yourself, joining a day tour is probably the easiest way to visit Khor Virap.

There are numerous tours departing from Yerevan, particularly during the main tourist season between May and October. Many combine Khor Virap with other famous attractions in southern Armenia, making them a good option if you’re short on time.

Most tours are group excursions, although private tours are also available if you’d prefer a more flexible itinerary.

Here are two tours worth considering:

Khor Virap, Areni, & Noravank Monastery Day Trip from Yerevan

$40 per person | 9 hours | Book here

This tour combines three of southern Armenia’s most popular attractions into one full-day excursion from Yerevan.

You’ll begin at Khor Virap Monastery, where you can explore the historic grounds and enjoy views of Mount Ararat before continuing toward the Areni wine region.

Areni is particularly famous for its winemaking traditions and the discovery of an ancient winery at Areni-1 Cave. The archaeological discoveries here provide fascinating evidence of some of the world’s earliest known winemaking.

The tour also visits Hin Areni Winery, where you can sample Armenian wines and enjoy traditional local food.

The final major stop is Noravank Monastery, a beautiful medieval religious complex set among the dramatic red rock cliffs of Gnishik Canyon.

It’s an excellent option if you want to experience several of Armenia’s most recognizable historical and cultural attractions without organizing separate transportation.

Khor Virap, Echmiadzin, & Zvartnots Cathedral Tour from Yerevan

$65 per person | 6 hours | Book here

If you’re interested in Armenia’s Christian heritage, this is another worthwhile excursion.

The tour begins at Khor Virap before continuing to Echmiadzin, widely considered the spiritual center of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Echmiadzin is home to some of Armenia’s most important religious buildings, including its historic cathedral.

On the return journey to Yerevan, you’ll also visit the ruins of Zvartnots Cathedral, a remarkable seventh-century architectural complex that was once one of the most impressive churches in Armenia.

The combination of Khor Virap, Echmiadzin, and Zvartnots makes this a particularly interesting excursion for anyone wanting to learn more about the country’s early Christian history.

Things to do at Khor Virap Monastery

Khor Virap Church

The main church at Khor Virap is the Church of the Holy Mother of God, also known as Surb Astvatsatsin.

The present church dates to 1662 and was constructed over the remains of an earlier chapel built in the seventh century.

The church is relatively modest compared to some of Armenia’s grander religious buildings, but its historical significance makes it an important part of any visit to Khor Virap.

Take some time to walk around the monastery grounds, admire the traditional Armenian architecture, and look at the surrounding fortified walls and bell tower.

The monastery is still an active religious site, so you may encounter worshippers and pilgrims during your visit.

Climb the Hill Behind Khor Virap for Epic Views of Mount Ararat

For me, the real highlight of visiting Khor Virap is the view of Mount Ararat.

The monastery sits in the broad, fertile Ararat Valley, with the imposing twin peaks of Mount Ararat dominating the horizon on clear days.

Although Mount Ararat is located across the border in modern-day Turkey, it remains one of the most important national and cultural symbols of Armenia.

The mountain is deeply intertwined with Armenian history, identity, and religious tradition, making the view from Khor Virap particularly meaningful.

You can get excellent views directly from the monastery courtyard, but I’d recommend taking the short climb up the hill behind the complex.

There’s an Armenian flag at the top, and the elevated viewpoint provides a particularly good perspective of the monastery with Mount Ararat looming in the background.

Photography tip: If you’re driving yourself to Khor Virap, keep an eye out for the agricultural fields along the approach road. Some of the most recognizable photographs of the monastery are taken from these fields, with Mount Ararat rising directly behind it.

If you’re taking the bus, you can walk along the approach road to find a suitable viewpoint, provided you do so safely and leave enough time for your return transportation.

One thing worth remembering is that Mount Ararat isn’t always visible. Clouds, haze, and weather conditions can obscure the peaks, so try to visit early in the morning if getting a clear view is important to you.

Visit the Dungeon Where Gregory the Illuminator was Held

One of the most interesting things to do at Khor Virap is descend into the underground dungeon associated with Gregory the Illuminator.

According to Armenian Christian tradition, Gregory was imprisoned here for 13 years by King Tiridates III after refusing to renounce Christianity.

The dungeon is located inside the chapel dedicated to St. Gevorg. Once inside, make your way toward the altar, where you’ll find a narrow opening and a metal ladder leading down into the underground pit.

The descent is quite steep and the space below is small, so be prepared for a tight squeeze.

The pit is approximately six meters deep, and climbing down gives you a sense of the conditions in which Gregory was reportedly held captive.

It’s a particularly interesting part of the monastery to visit because it connects the physical site with one of the most significant stories in Armenian religious history.

For many Armenian pilgrims, descending into the dungeon is an important part of visiting Khor Virap.

Visiting Khor Virap Monastery

Between its important place in Armenian Christian history, the story of Gregory the Illuminator, and the incredible setting beneath Mount Ararat, it’s easy to understand why Khor Virap is one of the country’s most visited landmarks.

I’m glad I finally made it there on my return trip to Armenia, especially after somehow missing it the first time around.

Whether you take the public bus from Yerevan, hire a taxi, or join a day tour through the Ararat Valley, Khor Virap is an easy and worthwhile addition to your Armenia itinerary.

If you’re exploring beyond Yerevan, I’d also recommend making time for some of Armenia’s lesser-visited monasteries and mountain regions.

Have any questions about visiting Khor Virap?

Ask in the comments section below.

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