Updated: 24 October 2026 · By Offroad Dilijan
Forest monasteries, mountain lakes, the old town and off-road trips to Mount Dimats.
9 things to do in Dilijan
1. Go up Mount Dimats
Mount Dimats rises to about 2,380 m above the surrounding forests and meadows. Summit access depends on the chosen mountain route, vehicle, driver and conditions; clear views and clouds below the summit are never guaranteed. Read the Mount Dimats guide and compare the mapped routes. Confirm whether your proposed 4x4 or buggy trip actually reaches the summit before booking.
2. Haghartsin Monastery
A medieval monastery complex in the forest near Dilijan. A visit here is different from a mountain extension: Haghartsin village and the monastery-road route have separate mapped starts. Haghartsin visiting guide and Dimats connections.
3. Goshavank Monastery
A 12th–13th-century monastery in Gosh village, associated with Mkhitar Gosh and known for its carved khachkars. Allow for the journey to and from the village rather than treating it as a town-centre stop. Goshavank arrival and visiting guide.
4. Jukhtak Vank and Matosavank
Forest monasteries reached on foot near Dilijan. Choose a marked route appropriate to your group, check the forecast and finish in daylight. A cloudy day is not automatically a good hiking day; rain and ground conditions also matter.
5. Lake Parz
Lake Parz (Parz Lich) is a forest lake with recreational facilities and hiking routes. Check seasonal opening, access and any activity charges before visiting. A short lake walk is different from the one-way hike to Goshavank. Lake Parz guide · road access and return transport.
6. Old Dilijan and Sharambeyan Street
Sharambeyan Street offers traditional architecture, craft shops and galleries. Combine a town walk with the city park; check opening hours for any particular shop or museum you want to enter.
7. Shaghot waterfall
Shaghot is a waterfall in the Dimats area. Treat it as a separate stop to discuss when planning a mountain trip: access, walking requirements and whether it can be included must be confirmed. It is not automatically included in a Dimats booking.
8. Lake Sevan on the way
If travelling from Yerevan via Lake Sevan, decide whether to include a Sevan or Sevanavank stop before agreeing the day’s route. That stop uses time from your Dilijan visit and return journey; leave it out if you prefer a slower day.
9. Off-road and buggies
Ask which options are available for your date and group; agree the route, operator, vehicle, price and inclusions before booking. Compare rides and tours in Dilijan and Mount Dimats.
Start with your transport and available time
- Already in Dilijan: choose one main out-of-town visit or hike, and agree local transport and return pickup.
- Coming from Yerevan: check travel time from your actual departure point and leave room for the return. Choose fewer stops if arriving later; a Sevan stop is optional.
- Without a car: keep a town-based plan or arrange a driver. Confirm waiting time, pickup, the complete fare and the last meeting point before leaving.
- With children or limited mobility: check walking surfaces, steps, vehicle suitability and access at each stop. A monastery or lake listing does not mean the whole site is step-free.
Do not schedule every attraction. Travel, meals, weather changes and time on site all need space in the plan. Discuss your route and transport options.
A practical 1-day plan: town plus one main outing
- Begin in Dilijan: walk Sharambeyan Street or the city park, depending on your arrival time.
- Choose Haghartsin or Lake Parz: arrange return transport and use the Haghartsin visiting details or Lake Parz access guide. Do not assume you have time for both.
- Keep the finish flexible: return for a meal or town walk if time and daylight allow. If your priority is Goshavank, substitute the Gosh village visit for the main outing rather than adding it.
A second nearby stop is optional only after the driver confirms the route and you allow enough time at the first. This plan does not include a full forest hike or a summit trip.
A practical 2-day plan: sightseeing, then one outdoor priority
Day 1: town and a monastery
Explore Dilijan and choose Haghartsin or Goshavank as your main excursion. Leave room for transfers and meals. Add Lake Parz only if the route and available time make sense.
Day 2: choose a mountain trip or a hike
- Dimats option: reserve the day’s main activity for Mount Dimats. Confirm access and the route start with the operator. Keep the afternoon uncommitted; return time depends on conditions and stops. Do not automatically append a lake or monastery visit.
- Hiking option: choose a specific Lake Parz–Goshavank track and direction instead of Dimats. Published estimates differ: Armenian Explorer lists Parz → Goshavank at 6.5 km/about 2.5 hours; HIKEArmenia lists Goshavank → Parz at 7.2 km/about 4 hours. These are trail estimates, excluding transfers and extra stops. Read the hiking and return-pickup guidance.
Check weather, daylight and current access before committing. If the mountain trip is unsuitable, agree a town-based alternative or another confirmed outing, along with any cancellation or refund terms.
FAQ
How many days do you need in Dilijan?
For one day, choose the town and one main outing, adjusted to your arrival and return travel. With two days, reserve the second day for either a confirmed Dimats trip or a specific hike; avoid promising every attraction in one schedule.
What are the must-sees in Dilijan?
Popular choices include Sharambeyan Street, Haghartsin, Goshavank, Lake Parz and Mount Dimats. Choose by your interests, transport, available time and current conditions rather than treating them as a single-day checklist.
What active things are there to do in Dilijan?
Options include national-park hikes, forest-monastery walks and arranged off-road trips. Check the chosen track or vehicle route, weather and suitability for your group. Summit access, pickup and any extra activities must be confirmed for the particular trip.
Sources and planning notes
Facts reviewed on 24 October 2026 using the sources below and the linked attraction guides. The itineraries are editorial suggestions, not timed packages, confirmed availability or a same-day road inspection.
- Armenia Travel — Dilijan town sights and surrounding attractions (opens in a new tab)
- Armenian Explorer — Parz to Goshavank hiking estimate (opens in a new tab)
- HIKEArmenia — Goshavank to Parz hiking estimate (opens in a new tab)
Check current access, seasonal facilities and return transport before travelling. Routes and timings depend on direction, start point, conditions and pace.
