Lake Sevan Activity Guide for Visitors
Pick Your Activity
Lake Sevan is a high-altitude lake, about 1,900 m above sea level, and Armenia’s biggest. It is a national park, so the emphasis is on the shore, the water in summer and a handful of historic sites. Choose from the list below.
On the Water
Swimming. Sevan National Park maintains free public beaches with sunshades, showers, changing rooms and children’s playgrounds. Opening is typically around 1 July. Plan on July and August for a swim. Water temperatures sit between roughly 15 and 24 C depending on where you enter, which is cool to cold by most standards. The shores are mostly pebbled. Ministry reports mention a rescue service and water patrol at the official beaches, though you should not count on a lifeguard being at any one spot.
Windsports. Shorzha Beach, renamed Shoghakat in 2017 and on the north-east shore, is the place for windsurfing and waterskiing, and sources also list wakeboarding and kiteboarding. Jet skis are on offer at most public beaches in July to September. Rental details vary, so ask on arrival.
Boat rides. From the docks beside the monastery peninsula, boats go out in summer, including short crossings and longer charters. Ask for the price first. Wind can rise without warning: keep small craft close to the shore and put on a lifejacket.
Diving. A PADI dive centre operates on the lake. Look up its current details before you plan a dive.
On Land
Sevanavank. Two small churches on the peninsula, reached by about 200 stone steps. It is free and open in daylight hours; check locally.
Writers’ House. The Soviet modernist guest house beside the churches is also a small hotel.
Hayravank and Noratus. The shore’s two best-known sites sit on the western and south-western side. Read more: Sightseeing around Sevan .
Food
Menus lean on farmed trout, lake whitefish and crayfish kebab. Wild ishkhan trout is nearly gone and is restricted, and whitefish fishing is regulated, with a winter spawning ban. Try Collette on the M4 Sevan to Dilijan highway, Bohem tea house on Sayat-Nova Street in Sevan, or Tsaghkunk Restaurant and Glkhatun, about 7 km north-west of the town.
Reaching the Lake
Sevan is 65 km from Yerevan, about 1 to 1.5 hours by car. Shared minibuses reach Sevan town in roughly 45 to 75 minutes. Look up times on t-armenia.com . Allow a short taxi ride from town to the peninsula.
Book guided options through GetYourGuide .