Armenia

SAFETY: good
The level of petty crime in the country is very low, but the political situation in the region remains tense and police checks may take place in the border areas. There are minefields along the border with Azerbaijan, so venturing off established roads and tracks is inadvisable. The country has a very high seismic risk.

TRANSPORT SYSTEM: adequate

Reaching Armenia requires at least one intermediate stopover, although in recent years charter flights have been organised for much of the year. The road network is in acceptable condition. Domestic flights are scarce.

Main airports: Yerevan.

ACCOMMODATION: adequate

Although the choice of hotels is not very wide, the standard is generally acceptable.

COUNTRY FACTS: Full name: Republic of Armenia – Location: Asia, southern Caucasus. Borders: Turkey to the west, Georgia to the north, Azerbaijan to the east, Nakhchivan (Azerbaijani exclave) to the south – Time zone: UTC+4, 3 hours ahead of Italy, observes daylight saving time – Area: 30,000 sq km – Capital: Yerevan – Population: 2,972,000 – Religion: 94.7% Armenian Apostolic, 4% other Christian denominations, 1.3% Yazidi – Languages: Armenian, Russian (lingua franca, not used in outlying regions) – Measures: metric system.

CURRENCY: Armenian dram (AMD). Currency may be exported up to a maximum of US$10,000 –  Credit cards: the major cards are accepted in the larger hotels; traveller’s cheques are a rarity in Armenia and their use is not recommended – Exchange: the most widely accepted foreign currencies are the US dollar, the euro and the Russian rouble.

ELECTRICITY: 220 V 50 Hz (as in Italy)– Sockets: two-pin and Schuko types, bring an adaptor.

DOCUMENTS: Passport: required, with remaining validity of no less than the length of stay in Armenia, which may not exceed 180 days. Before travelling, it is advisable to contact the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Italy (http://italy.mfa.am/it/) or your travel agent. Entry visa: since 10 January 2013, citizens of the EU and of non-EU countries belonging to the Schengen area may enter Armenia without a visa for a maximum of 180 days in any twelve-month period. For other types of entry, please contact the competent diplomatic and consular missions. Minors travelling abroad: see the in-depth section “Before you leave - Documents for minors travelling abroad” on the home page of this website. – Driving: international driving permit – Car: local third-party motor insurance.

COMMUNICATIONS AND TELEPHONES: International dialling code: 00374 – GSM: coverage across much of the country, absent in outlying areas. Standard: GSM 900/1800 (as in Italy). Local operators: ArmenTel and K Telecom – Internet: available in the capital – Web domain: .am – Emergency numbers: ambulance 103; fire brigade 101; police 102.

RULES, LAWS AND CONDUCT: drug use and dealing are punishable by 3 to 10 years’ imprisonment. Sentences for sexual abuse and violence against minors range from 3 to 8 years. Homosexuality is legal, although not yet fully accepted socially, so a discreet attitude is advisable.

HEALTH: no compulsory vaccinations are required. There are no endemic diseases, but some cases of TB have been reported. Localised cholera outbreaks are possible in summer. Local health facilities are below Western standards. Medicines are hard to find.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: 1 January, New Year’s Day; 6 January, Orthodox Christmas; 8 March, Women’s Day; from mid-March to the end of April, Good Friday; 7 April,  Motherhood and Beauty Day;  24 April,  Genocide Remembrance Day; 9 May, Victory Day; 28 May, Republic Day; 5 July, Constitution Day; 21 September, Independence Day; 7 December, Remembrance Day for the victims of the 1988 earthquake.

OPENING HOURS: Post offices: Mon-Fri 9.00-12.30 – Banks: Mon-Fri 9.00-12.30 – Shops: Mon-Sat 9.00-18.00.

CLIMATE: continental, with harsh winters and little rainfall. Temperatures are pleasant in spring and autumn; May is the wettest month of the year. Summer is hot and dry, though thunderstorms are possible.

Monthly max/min temperatures (in °C)

Rainy days (at least 1 mm of rain)/monthly rainfall in mm

USEFUL ADDRESSES IN ITALY

Embassy and Consulate of Armenia
Via Colli della Farnesina 174– 00194 Rome– Tel. 06 3296638– Fax 06 3297763– E-mail: embarmit@tin.it

USEFUL ADDRESSES IN ARMENIA

Italian Embassy
Italia Street 5 – 375010 Yerevan – Tel. 00374 10 542335 – Fax 00374 10 542341 – Web: ambjerevan.esteri.it – E-mail: segreteria.jerevan@esteri.it

Honorary Consulate
Hanesoghlyan 11 – Gyumri – Tel. 00374 9406782 – Fax 00374 1545697 – E-mail: montan@arminco.com

Armenian Tourist Board (ATDA)
3 Nalbandyan Street – Tel. 00374 10 542303/6 – Web: www.armeniainfo.am – E-mail: info@armeniainfo.am