Dilijan City

Region

Tavush

Distance from Yerevan

97.7 km

Type

Nature Reserve

Dilijan is one of Armenia’s most famous tourist, resort, and recreational centers, located along the Aghstev River at an altitude of 1,100–1,510 meters above sea level. One of the most iconic spots in Dilijan is Sharambeyan Street, which serves as the historical center of the city. This street is famous for its unique architecture, artisan workshops, art galleries, and museums. Dilijan’s surroundings are home to several major tourist sites, including Parz Lake, Jukhtak Monastery, Haghartsin Monastery, Goshavank Monastery, Gosh Lake, etc. In ancient times, Dilijan was part of the Varazhnunik district of Ayrarat province in Greater Armenia. It is believed that historical Hovk, which served as the summer residence and hunting grounds of the Arshakuni (Arsacid) kings, was located here. Dilijan is home to one of Armenia’s most prestigious international educational institutions, the United World College (UWC) Dilijan. In 2016, UNESCO included Dilijan in its Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC).

Interesting

facts about Dilijan City

Facts

The first recorded mention of Dilijan was made by French traveler Jean Chardin, who traveled through the Caucasus between 1664 and 1670.

Dilijan hosts numerous resorts and health centers, and since 1958, the surrounding forests have been designated as a nature reserve.

A local legend tells of a shepherd who fell in love with a nobleman’s daughter. The nobleman, upon learning of this, ordered his men to lose the shepherd in Dilijan’s dense forests so that he would never be found. The shepherd’s heartbroken mother searched for him day and night, crying out: ""Di-li, jan... Di-li, jan..."" Over time, this lament is said to have given the town its name. Another version suggests that ""Dili jan"" means ""sweet tongue"", referring to the locals' melodic dialect, which inspired the town’s name.

Weather in Tavush

The high season in Armenia lasts for a long time due to the pleasant climate conditions. Warm days in Armenia start in March and last until late autumn; winter is usually snowless and not long. The high precipitation season is variable. The tourist season for Dilijan depends on the weather conditions.

Sights

near Dilijan City

Girl’s fortress

5 km

Samson Monastery

9 km

Matosavank Monastery

10 km

Lake Parz

15 km