Three million people call Armenia home.
This number may not sound like a lot, in comparison with other European nations, but it’s quite meaningful to them.
A century ago, Armenians were nearly wiped out.
The Ottoman Empire was the cause of the Armenian Genocide.
Almost every citizen was pushed out.
Only 150,000 stayed behind.
It’s taken a long time to rebuild and now Armenia is listed in the top 10 safest countries in the world.
Now, you can go visit and not only help the local economy but also feel safe doing so.
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10 Safest Cities in Armenia
1. Yerevan
In this capital city, almost every category of crime is listed as low or very low.
With a crime rate of 22, it’s the safest city in Armenia.
The biggest worry for locals is corruption.
If you’re visiting Yerevan, it’s important to remember that even though it’s safe, it has some of the same criminal issues other major cities have.
On a positive note, the police force is the biggest here and can be relied upon for assistance.
2. Ashtarak
A small town in the metro area of Yerevan, Ashtarak enjoys a relatively low criminal life.
Located by the Kasagh River, the area has enough going on, or close enough to drive to, to keep residents entertained.
Some of the big issues are related to the roads.
They need work, as does the public transportation system.
Some would-be criminals have taken advantage of this, but it is rare.
3. Hrazdan
Being a short drive from the largest body of water in the region is a great bonus for the citizens of Hrazdan.
Having amenities is one way of keeping out of trouble.
That low inclination to be bad has given the city a 73 on the safety index.
There have been no major crimes committed here in years.
4. Goris
Goris is cutting it close to the border of Azerbaijan, but it is still about 12 miles from the nearest border.
Perhaps being not too far from tension is enough to keep locals from being overly mischievous.
Some credit should also be shared with local officials.
Crime has dropped tremendously due to their efforts to squash it.
5. Vanadzor
The third largest city in Armenia, Vanadzor is located in the middle of the north.
Across all categories, the crime rates are low.
Most who travel through the area are excited about the scenery and are comfortable being there.
The number of reported crimes has been almost none over the past few years.
6. Gyumri
Gyumri is so close to Turkey that you could throw a stone and hit the neighboring country.
If that wasn’t fun enough, the Museum of National Architecture and Urban Life is here.
Along with other culturally significant things to do.
If there was a place to walk at night, this is it.
The only thing citizens worry about here is government officials being bribed.
7. Armavir
Armavir is also quite close to Turkey and a citizen could enjoy a day trip to Iran.
There’s also a stadium and college, so the city is busy.
It also attracts more tourists than many cities in Armenia.
Part of that is because of how low crime is.
Not having to worry is a great way to enjoy any concert.
8. Vagharshapat
If you heard of Ejmiatsin, you know Vagharshapat.
That was the name, and what locals call the city still, for half of the 20th century.
Thanks to the proximity to the capital, Vagharshapat enjoys having plenty of things for tourists to do and stay at.
Visitors also love to hire drivers and there has been no crime involving drivers and foreign passengers.
9. Charentsavan
The fact that there’s not a ton of information about Charentsavan is a good thing.
Having a continuously low crime rate means no one has anything negative to say about the place.
Each crime category is rated as very low.
10. Artik
Located northwest of Turkey, Artik is a small town that has been around for as long as 1000.
What puts this place on the map for travelers is the tufa stones.
In total, 20,000 citizens call Artik home.
For the locals, crime is the least of their worries.
5 Safety Tips for Traveling in Armenia
1. Be Careful with Cars
One of the most common crimes committed in the country is grand theft auto.
Luckily, it’s not necessarily carjacking.
That means you’re less likely to get hurt by a criminal forcing you out of a car to steal.
In this case, cars are broken into and hotwired.
There aren’t injuries, but it is a massive pain to replace a car.
To avoid this, try to find locked garages to park in.
If you’re visiting, try to check with the rental car agency to see if there are cars with extra protection.
Always park in well-lit areas.
2. Leave Valuables at Home
Traveling abroad is exciting and it may propel you to want to have all your favorite items with you.
This is not advisable.
Leave the most valuable items at home.
Use Armenia as your entertainment.
When it comes to other things you might want on you, like jewelry or expensive clothing, consider reducing as much as possible.
There are even cheap replacement rings for just this occasion.
Ask for a safe in the hotel and put any valuables in there.
Don’t be flashy.
3. Empty Your Pockets
This is in the same vein as valuables.
As a traveler, there are certain documents and cards you want to have on you at all times.
Unfortunately, pickpocketing is one of the more common crimes in Armenia.
There are a few things you can do to avoid that.
For one, keep your distance from strangers if they try to get close to you.
They might also work in teams where one person distracts you then the other does the pickpocketing.
Promptly move away from this type of scene.
Another helpful tip is to buy a sealed, waterproof pocket to hang around your neck.
Keep all the money, cards, and documents in there and wear them under your shirt.
4. Stay West
When possible, avoid going anywhere near Azerbaijan and Iran.
Armenia is sandwiched between four countries: Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey, and Georgia.
Two of those countries are not like the others.
Iran shares only a small portion of the southern tip with Armenia, unlike the entire eastern line with Azerbaijan.
That can be a pain because of Lake Sevan, which is close to that border.
If you’re new to the country and aren’t there to see family, Yerevan is the biggest city that is the farthest away.
5. Keep in Touch
Whether you brought the entire family or are experiencing Armenia as a solo traveler, stay connected with friends and family back home.
Sharing your location with someone who will keep track of you is an easy way of taking extra precautions.
Hopefully, no one will need to check in.
However, in the rare event that something negative takes place, it’s good to know there is a person who has information about the last whereabouts.
Armenia Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Armenia Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Armenia safe for tourists?
Currently, the US state department strongly encourages travelers to Armenia to take extra precautions.
Unfortunately, there are times when armed conflict arises, making it a dangerous situation for bystanders.
Generally speaking, Armenia is considered safe.
Before planning or departing for a trip to the country, be sure to check out the local political climate and unrest, to be on the safe side.
Where should I avoid going in Armenia?
While much of the country is awesome to travel through, some places are more likely to cause a problem than others.
For starters, visitors should not go within 10 miles of the Azerbaijan border.
There has been an ongoing conflict in the region.
You can just never be too sure.
Nagorno-Karabakh should also be avoided.
Those are the most obvious places of issue, but it’s always smart to be hyper-aware of the surroundings anywhere you go.
Is Armenia safe at night?
Staying away from the Azerbaijan border is the best way to avoid dangerous nighttime activities.
But another thing you want to avoid throughout the country is emptiness.
By emptiness, we’re referring to spots in the cities that are eerily devoid of life.
If you’re visiting a place with no streetlights, stay inside after dark.
If there are streetlights, avoid places where there aren’t.
These areas have been proven to have more crime associated with them.
Armenia may have a smaller population compared to other European countries, but it’s a country with a rich history and culture. Despite its tumultuous past, it has managed to rebuild and become one of the top 10 safest countries in the world. As a traveler, it’s important to be cautious and aware of potential risks, but also to support the local economy and enjoy the beauty and safety of this country.