In 2026, Areni-1 Cave was added to Armenia’s UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in recognition of its exceptional archaeological significance and its importance in the history of early winemaking.
This summer on my way from Yerevan to Jermuk I made a stop at Areni Cave. Hidden in the dramatic landscape of Armenia’s Vayots Dzor region, Areni-1 Cave offers a rare glimpse into a world more than 6,000 years old. For wine lovers, it is an especially fascinating destination: archaeologists discovered here the world’s earliest known winery, dating back to around 4000 BC.
One of the most fascinating moments of the tour was seeing how archaeologists have tried to reconstruct what the people who lived here thousands of years ago may have looked like. Our guide showed us images on a tablet, created using archaeological research and modern digital technologies, offering a possible reconstruction of the appearance of the ancient inhabitants of the cave.
What makes the experience even more remarkable is the connection between past and present: the vineyards surrounding Areni are still cultivated today, making this one of those rare places where an ancient wine tradition remains part of the living landscape.
Getting to the cave is very easy. Any local driver or guide will know where to take you, and there is no need to arrange anything complicated in advance. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance, and I would definitely recommend taking a guided tour. We chose an English-speaking guide, but tours are also available in Armenian and Russian.
Another remarkable discovery at Areni-1 is a remarkably well-preserved leather shoe, dating back to around 3600–3500 BC. Made from a single piece of cowhide and measuring approximately 24.5 cm in length, it was stuffed with grass to help maintain its shape. Thanks to the cave’s exceptionally dry microclimate, the shoe survived for more than 5,000 years and is considered the oldest preserved footwear in Eurasia.
The shoe was discovered during excavations in 2008 and is now preserved and displayed at the History Museum of Armenia in Yerevan, where visitors can see the original artifact. It is perhaps one of the most fascinating reminders that the people who lived here thousands of years ago were not just part of an ancient civilization — they had everyday lives, possessions and stories that feel surprisingly familiar to us today.
Practical Information
Areni-1 Cave, also known as Birds’ Cave, is located in Vayots Dzor Province in southern Armenia, near the village of Areni, on the left bank of the Arpa River. The cave lies within the dramatic gorge of the Arpa River, surrounded by vineyards and orchards.
How far is it from Yerevan?
Areni-1 Cave is approximately 110–120 km from Yerevan, depending on the route and starting point. By car, the journey usually takes around 1.5–2 hours.
The easiest way to visit is by car, and Areni-1 works particularly well as part of a day trip combining the cave, Noravank Monastery and a wine tasting in the Areni wine region.
To complete the experience, I would recommend making a stop at one of the wineries in the Areni region before or after visiting the cave. It is a wonderful way to connect Armenia’s ancient winemaking heritage with its modern wine culture. You can take a tour of the winery, see how Armenian wine is produced today, taste a selection of local wines and, of course, choose a bottle or two to take home with you. After seeing where some of the earliest evidence of winemaking was discovered, tasting a contemporary Armenian wine makes the experience feel especially meaningful.
Our guide also told us that a new museum is planned to open near the cave, where artifacts discovered during recent archaeological excavations will be displayed. This will make a visit to Areni even more interesting, allowing visitors to see some of the discoveries from the site in a dedicated exhibition.
