Goris (Armenian: Գորիս [ɡɔˈɾis]) is a town and the centre of the Goris Municipality in the Syunik Province in southern Armenia. Located in the valley of the Goris (or Vararak) River, it is 254 kilometres from the Armenian capital Yerevan and 67 kilometres from the provincial capital Kapan. Goris is the second largest city in Syunik in terms of population. As of the 2022 census, it had a population of 17,113, down from the 20,591 reported in the 2011 census. Goris is the seat of the Diocese of Syunik of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Goris is considered one of the most important historical and cultural sites of Armenia. It is often regarded as the cultural center of Syunik. Because of this, it is a favored tourist destination for both local and foreign travelers and has a large number of hotels and inns.
In town there's a church, a market, the Axel Bakunts Museum and some other minor sites. On the edges of town are some great rock formations which are attractive to photographers.
There are a few restaurant/cafes in town, and a few barbecue joints on the highway on the edge of town. There is also Loby Goris family restaurant that at the moment requires to make in advance reservations.
Where there is food, there is drink. Goris area is particularly famous for its mulberry vodka.
Within Goris, it is quite easy to get around on foot.
Marshrutkas to nearby villages operate from the market on Syuniki street.
The city was possibly the first built in a grid layout in Armenia, with a very quaint regional style of stone architecture.
It's quite difficult to get to Kapan or Meghri, and thus Iran without passing through Goris, making this the gateway of the South.
Though Goris or Tatev can be crammed into a day trip from Yerevan, it's much better to spend a few nights in the area, and along the way.
