According to the Armenian government, more than 110,000 Russians moved to Armenia in 2022. Most of the relocants received residence permit and dropped anchor in Yerevan. This is especially noticeable in the center of the capital, where pure Russian speech can be heard from all corners.
Meeting compatriots is not a difficult task, but we decided to structure the information and tell you where in Yerevan you can feel at home: where to take a steam bath, where to try cabbage soup, where they organize soulful tea parties - in general, where in Armenia the Russian spirit smells.
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Russian bathhouse
The bathhouse in Russia is not just a place for washing, it is a kind of sanctuary for health and soul. Many Russians have long made going to the steam room a tradition, and when moving to another country, their bodies begin to feel sad and ask for a broom. In Armenia, the history of baths goes back centuries; cleanliness of the body is also valued here, so Yerevan is ready to offer a lot of options where you can wash away fatigue and find vigor. Hammams and saunas we will leave it outside the scope of this article. Let's focus on traditional Russian baths.
This bath and health complex offers guests an orthodox Russian bathhouse, where, according to the owners, “everyone can find themselves, come into contact with the inner world, plunge into the depths, reassembling their nature.” Reviews from those who have tried the “heavenly steam room” confirm this statement.
The place invites you to taste the aroma of Altai herbs, feel birch and oak brooms with your shoulder blades, take a leap of faith into a cold plunge pool and drink unlimited tea. There you will be equipped with a robe, towel, slippers and a hat, and if you wish, they will assign you a broad-shouldered steamer who knows no mercy. A group trip for eight people for four hours will cost 300,000 drams. Children - free.
Photo: Avatars.mds.yandex.net
This hotel has one of the best Russian baths in Yerevan. Light, pleasant - ideal for vaping. At one time, it was here that rapper Timati tried to wash off his tattoos, figure skater Evgeni Plushenko warmed up after ice, and poker player Dan Bilzerian calmed his nerves.
The heart of this establishment is not some fancy electronics, but a traditional Russian stove, which maintains a stable temperature in the steam room between 60-80°C. Drops of water on hot stones create a perfect harmony of heat and humidity, make breathing easier, destroy skin bacteria, relieve fatigue and nervous tension. Prices for a bathhouse can be found by calling +374 95 490088.
Photo: Toskana.am
“Tsghotner” is a fairly extensive recreational complex in the very heart of Yerevan. Here you will be served an assortment of oriental, Finnish and two Russian baths - choose any one. There is also a large swimming pool, jacuzzi, dance and billiard rooms, so you can linger for a long time. They also offer massages and spa treatments.
The owners describe their establishment as follows: “When we say “sauna,” we often imagine a hot, stuffy room where it’s hard to breathe and from which you want to escape as quickly as possible. It's really hard to breathe in our complex, but that's because of the stunning quality and choice of services." We can only add that an hour of relaxation in the complex will cost 20,000 drams per person.
Photo: Tsghotner.am
Russian cuisine restaurants
Armenian cuisine captivates and enslaves all guests of this country without exception. But do not confuse tourism with emigration - sooner or later the Russian stomach will want to take a break from kebab, say “no” to dolma and try something native - a saucepan of cabbage soup, a skyscraper of pancakes, a block of herring under a mayonnaise coat. In Yerevan, homesick bellies can easily find refuge. Russians especially praise these places:
This cozy establishment has long been favored by blond, blue-eyed visitors. Here you can eat everything that the Russian soul requires: dumplings with a glass of sour cream, various pickles, jellied meat with horseradish, and as an appetizer they bring out a greasy plate with onions. You can order pepper or mead with it, which is infused right there.
Photo: Facebook.com
The Soviet era left a strong imprint on Russian cuisine and has a special place in the hearts of Russians. In this establishment you will not only try pickled herring with boiled potatoes, pancakes with minced meat or Olivier salad, but also listen to Soviet music in a “red” setting. On Saturdays there are even discos here.
Photo: Yulia Dyagileva
This is an intelligent establishment where there are dumplings, three types of borscht, jellied meat, as well as distillates and tinctures. Plus a little dissident flair from tiled tables and walls, designer posters and lamps that look into the soul. We especially recommend trying the hangover brunch on Sunday for 4,000 drams. Ingredients: rich solyanka, a sandwich with mustard and horseradish and a glass of fresh draft beer. Just what you need after a fun weekend.
Photo: Facebook.com
Russian-speaking community
To avoid eating a hungover brunch alone, it is important to get some friendly company. In Yerevan, this is quite easy to do - the main thing is not to sit as a recluse at home. They wrote about how to adapt to Armenia and not fall into apathy a sweeping article.
As already mentioned, meeting Russians on the street will not be difficult. But if you're not a fan of being the first to start a conversation, then it's worth visiting one of the places where people gather based on their interests. A common topic will help you relax and make new acquaintances.
We recommend checking out these sites. A positive atmosphere is guaranteed here, and events take place several times a week:
Here artists and art lovers meet, drink wine and discuss high things, give lectures and become enlightened. By the way, this is also coworking space;
This is a place for music lovers and those who create it; handicrafts also gather here and make jewelry;
A location for book lovers. Here lectures are held, presentations of new books and letters are discussed. A Move2Armenia Culture conducts folk dance courses in the courtyard here;
This is a co-living space where a wide range of events are organized: concerts, master classes, trainings, film screenings, swaps, yoga classes, group psychotherapy sessions, meditation, etc. Previously, these guys were based only in St. Petersburg and managed to hold more than 1000 events. Now they are operating in Yerevan and are ready to offer a platform for any initiative, except a hunger strike.
If the listed options do not suit you for some reason, you can look for something interesting specifically for yourself in the material where we have collected 140 useful Telegram channels for relocants.
Learning the Armenian language may also be a common interest. Sooner or later, many who decide to stay in Yerevan for a long time think about this. There you will definitely meet active and purposeful compatriots. So come visit us for free express Armenian courses from Move2Armenia Culture.
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