Yerevan markets offer two different kinds of shopping: Vernissage is an open-air market-exhibition for Armenian handmade items, souvenirs and art, while GUM Market is a covered bazaar with food stalls. Visit Vernissage for crafts and browsing; choose GUM Market for dried fruit, spices and other local foods.
- Vernissage is along Hanrapetutyan Street, from near Republic Square Metro station to before the Vardan Mamikonyan monument.
- Visit Yerevan says Vernissage is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00, though it is mostly open on weekends.
- Allow about 2 hours for Vernissage.
- GUM Market is a covered bazaar selling dried fruit, spices, cured meats and sweet sujukh.
Vernissage: crafts and souvenirs
Vernissage is the place to browse Armenian handmade goods, souvenirs and works of art in an open-air market setting. Its stalls include pottery, carvings, paintings, scarves, jewellery, dolls, bags, folk clothing, carpets, antiques and chess or backgammon boards.
The market formed in the 1980s, when artists displayed work near the Opera, and later expanded to include craftspeople and antique sellers. After the 1988 earthquake, it became an important source of income for local artisans. Painters also gather at a separate Painters’ Vernissage near the Martiros Saryan monument.
If you plan to buy souvenirs, bargaining with sellers is customary. Visit Yerevan suggests allowing 2 hours to browse the different types of stalls.
If you’re planning a day around the city, a one-day Yerevan itinerary can help place a market visit alongside other stops.
GUM Market: food and everyday shopping
GUM Market is a covered bazaar where you can look for food rather than handmade souvenirs. Its offerings include dried fruit, spices, cured meats and sweet sujukh.
The food selection makes GUM Market a useful contrast to Vernissage: plan for crafts and art at one, and local market goods at the other. You can use Yerevan’s metro, bus and walking routes to plan how to get around between city stops.
Which Yerevan market suits your plans?
Choose Vernissage for a broad browse through crafts, souvenirs and art, or GUM Market if food is the main reason for your outing. The two markets serve different shopping interests, so your choice can come down to what you want to look through.
At Vernissage, you can compare handmade items such as pottery, carvings, textiles and jewellery alongside antiques and art. At GUM Market, the focus is on food products including dried fruit, spices and cured meats. From a hotel in Yerevan, either market can fit into a city shopping outing.
Opening times, payment and etiquette
Visit Yerevan gives Vernissage’s daily hours as 10:00 to 18:00, while noting it is mostly open on weekends and also operates on other days. The suggested visit is about 2 hours. Bargaining is customary when buying souvenirs.
For timing details, check the Visit Yerevan official site before you go.
FAQs
What can you buy at Vernissage?
Vernissage sells Armenian handmade items, souvenirs and art, including pottery, carvings, jewellery, scarves, dolls, carpets and board games.
Is Vernissage open every day?
Visit Yerevan gives daily hours of 10:00 to 18:00, while noting that the market is mostly open on weekends.
What food is sold at GUM Market?
GUM Market sells dried fruit, spices, cured meats and sweet sujukh.
Can you bargain at Vernissage?
Yes. Bargaining with sellers is customary when buying souvenirs.