Armenia is not the most commonly thought of country when tourism is mentioned, but the market for foreigners is increasing as fast as facilities are improving. With sights dating back many thousands of years coupled with a modern caf&eactute;-culture, this is a country that can offer a great experience to all who visit.

The capital Yerevan is the most popular tourist spot in the nation, and the city is one of the oldest in the world, dating back to the days of Babylon nearly 2800 years ago. The side street cafes are an oft-mentioned and popular part of the capital experience, and a number of people will travel to the city simply for the relaxation of sitting and watching the world go by. There are attractions throughout the city, and though there are not as many ancient relics as some would hope – the old city was more or less destroyed in the 1930s for health-related reasons – there are still more than enough sights to see. The National Gallery shows the progression of Armenian art through the ages, the Yerevan Library is home to thousands of texts, some stretching back as far as the ninth century, the Vernisaj flea market is popular with visitors, as is the fortress of Erebuni – a sight that should not be missed.

Elsewhere are numerous other attractions for all to enjoy. The Cathedral of St Gregory the Illuminator in the ancient capital of Echmiadzin is as popular as it is important, with the site home to where Christianity first took hold of Armenia, thousands of years ago. There are countless other monasteries and cathedrals spread through the country and each one has its own distinct style, from the beautifully preserved to the more modern restored buildings. Along with the man made wonders are the countless natural beauties spread through Armenia, including Lake Sevan, once popular with Soviet tourists and now just as popular with others.

Nightlife in the country offers many choices – the cafes, bars and restaurants sometimes open into the wee hours, and with opera, theatre and ballet performances of very high standards (and very low prices!) there should be something to tickle anyone’s fancy. The lack of queues, low prices and quality of attractions show that Armenia is home to a tourist market that should increase dramatically in coming years.