Geghard Գեղարդ
Geghard is a monastery and church building located in the Kotayk Province of Armenia. Dating to 1215, the site features Armenian architecture and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is one of the most looked-up sights in Armenia, drawing visitors interested in the cultural heritage of the region.
Planning a visit
The best time to visit Geghard is between June and September. During these months, daily temperatures are at their highest, reaching between 19 °C and 24 °C, with moderate rainfall. Visitors should prepare for cold conditions during the winter months from December to March, when daily lows frequently drop between -5 °C and -12 °C. Spring and early summer, particularly May, can see increased rainfall, with about 15 rainy days. The monastery is located 26 km from Yerevan. The nearest airport is Zvartnots International Airport, situated 36 km from the site. Because of the proximity to the Garni area, visitors often combine a trip to Geghard with the Garni Temple, located 8.2 km away, or the Garni Gorge, which is 8.5 km from the monastery. Other sights in the region include the Yerevan Cascade and the Blue Mosque, both located within 27 km of the site.
Weather by month
The warmest month is July, with an average high of 24 °C. The wettest is April, with about 105 mm of rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | -4 | -2 | 2 | 9 | 14 | 20 | 24 | 23 | 19 | 12 | 4 | -1 |
| Average low, °C | -12 | -11 | -7 | -1 | 3 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 2 | -5 | -10 |
| Rainfall, mm | 53 | 60 | 75 | 105 | 101 | 71 | 48 | 28 | 27 | 64 | 62 | 49 |
| Rainy days | 5 | 5 | 10 | 9 | 15 | 11 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 5 | 6 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for this spot (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
