When it comes to city breaks the top contenders are well known – from Paris to Milan.
But one budget travel reviewer has tipped a city just outside Europe to become this year’s “hottest new travel destinations.”
Yerevan, in Armenia, says TikToker Em is affordable, safe and packed with affordable things to do.
The city is the country’s capital and one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, with a current population of over just over a million people.
In recent years Yerevan has undergone major transformation – with new retail outlets, restaurants, shops and street cafés – which were rare during its Soviet rule from which it became free of in 1991.
After a recent trip there – which cost her just £30 for flights from Milan – TikToker Em revealed the detailed on her account @emsbudgettravel.
She said: “This is the most underrated place I’ve travelled to recently and one of the cheapest. And I’m predicting the city is going to become one of the hottest new travel destinations in 2024 and 2025.
“Although it’s not in Europe it’s easily accessible from lots of European cities and our flight was just £30. It’s a city with so much history, beautiful architecture, delicious food and friendly people and it’s surrounded on all sides by stunning mountains and valleys.”
The TikToker also revealed some of the bargains available in the city – including Metro fair from 20p a journey, an Airbnb with “huge flat with a balcony” that cost her £12 night and spa hotels in the city centre from £20 per night.
Yerevan has also been awarded a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best award for 2024 – and those who have visited have flocked to the site to give it a big thumbs up.
The site said: “Long fought over by warring empires, the city of Yerevan survived centuries of foreign occupation, finally becoming independent with the fall of the Soviet Union.
“This capital city, a center of Armenian culture, has celebrated its freedom with a flurry of construction and a growing population.”
The most highly rated visitor attraction in the city according to the travel review site is a visit to the Cafesjian Center for the Arts which is dedicated to presenting the best of Armenian culture to the world.
One visitor said: “This is a VERY impressive place to visit with interesting architecture, amazing views, artwork & sculptures both inside and out and generally something to appeal to everyone.”
Another said: “As a local, I can prove that it’s one of the most interesting, artistic, unique, with many cafes and restaurants.”
Other highly rated things to do in the city include a visit to the Republic Square and stopping by the Museum of Ancient Manuscripts.
