Sevan. Beauty, coolness, and bony fish.

The first thing that knocks me off my feet is the color. My phone simply gave up on it. The water here is an incredible, rich mix of turquoise, azure, and milky blue. Even when the sun was blazing, just looking at this water made me feel cool. It's mesmerizing. 🔸A little geography and history, which is essential: Sevan is one of the largest high-altitude freshwater lakes in the world (it's located at an altitude of 1900 meters!). It was formed hundreds of thousands of years ago by ancient volcanoes whose lava blocked the valley. Today, 28 rivers flow into it, and only one flows out—the Hrazdan. This is a gigantic reserve of purest fresh water for the entire region. Its dimensions are impressive: about 70 km long, up to 50 km wide. 🔸What to do in Sevan: 1. Admire it from above. Be sure to climb to the 9th-century Sevanavank Monastery on the peninsula. It offers that classic panoramic view of the lake and mountains. 2. Swimming (if the weather is good). We were there on August 10th, and according to the locals, it was the first more or less warm day for swimming! The water is cool, so don't be afraid to enter. The best swimming season is August. 3. Try the local cuisine. There are dozens of cafes along the embankments. Traditional dishes include whitefish and crayfish kebab. Honestly? It was tasty, but not amazing. The whitefish, for example, was very bony. We didn't get to try the legendary Sevan trout (ishkhan)—it wasn't on the menu. Prices: each fish/crayfish dish cost about 1,000 rubles. It's worth a one-time meal, but it's definitely not worth traveling to Armenia for. 4. Find your shore. The coastline is very long. There are lively areas with hotels, guesthouses, and bustling cafes. Or you can travel further afield and find a virtually wild, deserted shoreline for solitude and photography. 🔸Bottom line: Sevan is a must-see in Armenia. Come here for the stunning views, mountain air, and sense of space. It's a place of power and natural beauty. But if you're a foodie, perhaps your greatest culinary discoveries await you elsewhere. Have you been to Sevan? Have you swum? Have you tried trout? Share your experiences! #Sevan #LakeSevan #Armenia #Sevanavank #Travel #NatureofArmenia