Hello everyone. During our trip to Armenia we finally reached the place we had been planning to visit since our first days here. We went to Lake Sevan. The hotel we stayed at was called Comuna Sevan and it was right on the shore, in a prime location. Lake Sevan is also known as Armenia's sea. It's actually really big. I initially thought the lake was small, but when I looked at the map, I realized just how vast it was. The journey took a long time, too. Our taxi kept going and going and we felt like we would never arrive. But finally we made it to our hotel.
This place isn't exactly a hotel. It's more of a glamping site. I could see white domes on the horizon and we decided to stay in one of them. There were also caravans available for accommodation, which were essentially mobile hotel rooms. We debated for a while whether to stay in a caravan or a dome and in the end, we chose the dome.
The journey here was breathtaking with mountains, forests and lush greenery all around us. The scenery was truly stunning. The hotel had a pool, but I was determined to swim in the lake. My friend was a bit hesitant because she was worried there might be catfish in the water. She isn’t a big fan of swimming in lakes or the sea and the cold water was also a factor.
Upon arriving at Comuna Sevan we were greeted by a very interesting reception area. The hotel also had ATVs and bicycles available, most likely for rent. There were hay bales scattered around, adding a nice touch to the atmosphere.
Our dome was number 9. The caravans here were also quite unique. I had seen photos of them and they looked very nice. If we ever return, we might try staying in a caravan next time. We even asked for special permission to check out the inside of one because we were really curious.
It was a full-fledged caravan home. Inside, there was a table, cabinets, a kitchenette, a fridge, cups, plates. Everything you might need. The sleeping area looked quite comfortable as well. We had never stayed in a caravan before, so this was a fascinating experience for us.
Of course, there was also a bathroom. It had a sink, towels and hangers. It was a fully livable space, such a cool concept. Honestly I’d love to stay in a caravan like this.
After that we headed to our own dome. On the way, we saw different areas the hotel offered. For instance, there was a volleyball court. In the evenings they light a campfire where people can gather and relax. Maybe even listen to someone playing the guitar.
The surroundings were absolutely beautiful. Flowers, swings, mountain views… This place instantly lifts your mood. The hotel was well-maintained and organized, with plenty of nice spots to walk, relax and sit.
The area was vast, with many domes spread out. There were also hammocks, so you could sunbathe while enjoying the lake view. Our dome even had sun loungers right outside, making it easy to relax without going far.
Our dome had a lake view. Even though it’s a lake, Armenians call it Armenia’s sea, so I might also refer to it as the sea from time to time.
The way we entered the dome was quite interesting.it had a locking mechanism and stepping inside felt like entering a tent. The cost for a night, including breakfast, was 106 euros. Honestly, the inside of the dome was quite spacious. Compared to the caravans, it felt much roomier. People usually choose the caravan for the unique experience. If you’ve never stayed in one before, it’s a great option. Caravan rooms were also slightly cheaper, around 100 euros per night, including breakfast.
Inside there was a large double bed, blankets and, of course, air conditioning. Since it gets hot in the summer, air conditioning was definitely necessary. The curtains could be completely closed to block out sunlight for a comfortable sleep. There were power outlets and mosquito repellent devices by the bed. The lighting and pipe details in the décor were quite stylish.
There was also a small sitting area where we could enjoy coffee or tea and the view was breathtaking. We had a view of the pool, the lake and the mountains. The location was simply perfect. The beach was just a couple of steps away. The dome next to us was even closer to the water, but just by a few meters,not a big difference.
After settling in we continued exploring the rest of the hotel. The pool was quite large, with stairs for easy entry. There were also life rings available.
This place felt like a full beach resort, with a restaurant, a bar and music playing in the background. As we got closer to the beach, we noticed something unusual flying around. They looked like butterflies but weren’t actually butterflies. They were tiny, purple and fluttering all along the shore. They reminded me a bit of moths.
I was curious about the types of fish in the lake. After my friend’s catfish stories, I started feeling a little uneasy. But at first glance, the water didn’t seem too deep. I slowly waded in.
To be honest the water wasn’t as cold as I expected. But it was still refreshing. I have to say, the water was incredibly clear. I could see the bottom, which meant the lake was very clean. That’s probably why both locals and tourists come here to swim.
I have to admit, getting in slowly was difficult. I wanted to go in up to my neck, but I hesitated. The best option was to do what we always did, count to three and jump in. At first the cold was a shock, but I quickly got used to it. In the heat, the cool water felt absolutely amazing.
The mountain views were breathtaking. Swimming here was an entirely different experience. On one side, there was a forest. On the other, sun loungers and a well-maintained beach area. Everything was thoughtfully arranged.
One thing that surprised me the most was that the locals didn’t really go in the water. A few people approached the lake but only waded in up to their knees before stepping back out. Clearly they found the water too cold.
The hotel had some beautiful swings, where you could sit and enjoy the view of Lake Sevan. I really loved this place. Along with the swings, there were hammocks as well. One could lie in the hammock and spend time enjoying the view of the lake. However, I always feel a bit uneasy when getting into a hammock. It feels like it might tip over or tear. But I think they are quite sturdy. Also, the showers and toilets were right next to the beach.
Next we went to the pool area. There were more people there. You could either find a spot on a sun lounger or lay on a cushioned spot under a hay umbrella.
The pool was beautifully designed. Its depth was about 1.70 meters. There was even a bar inside the pool, so you could swim up to the bar and order your drink. You just press a button and the bartender comes over to take your order.
We were getting hungry, so we went to the restaurant. I wanted to try the Sevan trout, which is native to Lake Sevan. My friend got some pork ribs. The view was amazing. We sat facing Lake Sevan and the mountains. The fish was huge. There were small and large options and I went for the large one. This fish is from the salmon family, but it wasn’t as red as I expected. They served it with a sweet sauce. It’s definitely a must-try here in Sevan.
I really liked the presentation of the food at the restaurant. The dinner cost 23 euros. They brought us a huge fish with ribs on the side. It was served in a skewered, mixed platter style. If you go to Sevan, I highly recommend trying Sevan's fish. This was my first time trying it and I was very pleased. I squeezed some lemon on it and it tasted fantastic. It had a slight smoky flavor from being grilled and it was cooked just right.
I’m so happy we went to Sevan, friends. Ever since we arrived in Armenia, everyone had recommended that we visit this place. But to be honest, I didn’t expect it to be so big. I realized just how massive the lake is. It really felt like the sea. When you look toward the horizon, the shore is nowhere to be seen. Only some mountains are visible, but it truly feels like the sea. Swimming here was a real pleasure. The entry to the shore was very smooth and there were no creatures in the water. At least, none that I encountered. Maybe there are some things swimming here, but I didn’t see them.
We hope we don’t encounter any snakes in Armenia. Someone told me to carry vinegar with me, because if you’re bitten by a snake, you should immediately apply the vinegar. It’s like a life hack. Also, I heard that when hiking in the forest, people carry metal spoons and plates. I think the idea is to start hitting the plate with the spoon and the bear gets scared and runs away. 😄
If you’re planning to visit Armenia but are hesitant because there’s no sea, rest assured that Lake Sevan is a perfect alternative. If you love beach vacations, especially if you stay at a hotel like the one we did, it will be an amazing experience. It’s almost an all-inclusive environment, except for the buffet. They offer a breakfast option and we were told there were two types of breakfast: Armenian and European. We decided to try both.
One of the best things about this region is that it offers a combination of mountain, beach and lake holidays, all in one. Truly it's a three-in-one experience. The evenings get a little cooler. People had started leaving the pool, probably heading to dinner. We had already eaten early, so we were relaxed.
The next morning we were greeted by a beautiful view. We had a wonderful sleep inside the dome. The bed was so comfortable and sleeping was a real joy. Breakfast started at 10 a.m., just the way we like it. We prefer to sleep in and eat afterward since we don’t usually have much appetite in the mornings.
Breakfast was served on the lower level of the restaurant. We ordered our breakfast and it arrived in about 5-7 minutes. The Armenian breakfast consisted of a sausage omelette, some jam, dried fruits, greens and what I think was cheese made with maztun. We also ordered an European-style breakfast: two eggs, olives, mushrooms, corn, plums, pastirma and salad...
The breakfast was quite filling. They also brought Armenian lavash, bread and tea or coffee. One of the biggest highlights was the large amount of fresh fruit they served.
Now it was time to pack up and head back to Yerevan. Honestly, we were really impressed and we would love to come back here. After all this place has a pool, bars, restaurants and a private beach. It’s incredibly convenient. See you again soon.