Spa Industry in Armenia

Wellness and spa centers are a rapidly growing sector of tourism industry. They attract tourists from all over the world. Wellness tourism includes spa, gym, meditation, yoga and many other physical and mental exercises that make us much healthier. The term 'spa' derives from Latin acronym sanitas per aqua which is translated as 'health through water'. And as Armenia abounds in mineral water it is one of the greatest resort countries in the world. 

The geographical location of Armenia, its mineral water, air, nature, and climate is favorable for health industry. There are several recreational areas in Armenia that offer a great deal of health centers where one can be fully relaxed and well treated. These centers offer spa and wellness services, physical fitness activities as well as healthful cuisine. Such areas include Tsaghkadzor, Jermuk, Dilijan, Arzni, Hankavan, Dzoraghbyur, etc. 

Jermuk is known as a town of spa treatment and climate-therapeutic wellness resort. The air is clean and the odor of trees and flowers is spread everywhere. It is known for its mineral water which is exported to other countries as well. It can be used both externally and internally and in both cases it certainly has good influence on our health. Here 'Jermuk Ashkhar' health center complex is situated where one can get a good treatment which includes external and internal use of mineral water; physiotherapy; diet therapy; climate-therapy.

Another resort town is Arzni where 'Health Resort Arzni' is located. The main treatment factors here are mineral water and mountainous climate with low barometric pressure. The water here is very healthy as, for example, it improves the blood circulation and the nutrition of the heart muscle. The health resort here offers baths with mineral water; clay therapy; treatment of spine problems; hydrotherapy: underwater massage, circular, radial, vertical and rain showers; manual therapy: massage, therapeutic exercises, walks in alleys etc.

Hankavan resort area is situated in the picturesque canyon of the river and is surrounded by mountains covered with thick woods. The main curative sources of Hankavan are mountainous climate and mineral water. There are many mineral springs and also places where one can have a bath in mineral water. Here 'Ani Resort' Hankavan holiday house  is situated where wellness services are offered.

Dzoraghbyur, which translates “spring in a canyon”, is also a well known village in Kotayk region, so close to Yerevan and so different in climate.  It is known as resort area, cool and clean air, isolated where one can have great rest and relaxation.  In this small village another spa resort, called Aya Maria Spa Resort Center is located.  Visitors can have different spa services, such as capsule, peeling, wrapping, massages, art therapy and more.

So Armenia provides a wide range of wellness spa centers where one can have healthy rest, fully relax as well as restore good health.


This article has also been published in Artipot.com and Trifter.com

Enjoy your rest in Armenian SPAs

A spa is a place where mineral water, sometimes sea water and other resources are used for the purpose of improving health, beauty and relaxation. Day spa was always required and nowadays it is considered to be one of the most popular businesses. 

There are many modern spas in Armenia, which offer very effective therapies. The grape and wine spa shall give you an opportunity to feel the magic strength of the Ararat valley sweet grape. Sinking  into the wine bath, you will feel the energy of the Armenian sunny grape, which makes you strong and young. 

Armenian famous “Wine and Grape SPA”, situated in Yerevan, offers you grape and wine bath. It has magical effect on the skin. Still in ancient times the queens used masks and cream made of grape and wine. Your body shall acquire beauty and freshness in the grape and wine spas. It is very effective to have grapeseed peeling, grapeseed oil masks and massage after the grape and wine steam bath. 

 Facial steam bath is made of the grape, wine, grape leaves. It shall widen the skin pores, improves the facial skin metabolism, the blood circulation, contributes to the prompt removal of the died cells. 

 Grape masks  have tightening, renewing, wrinkles removing, skin refreshing effects as there are many useful substances in the grape and wine. Of course, for different types of skin are used different types of grape and wine. After that a grapeseed oil facial massage is coming, which has  positive effect on the skin. It removes  nervous tension and improve the blood circulation. It helps to lose the extra weight and has anti-cellulite properties. 

We all  know about healing mineral water of Jermuk. Annually thousands of tourists come to Jermuk for healing purpose.

 Jermuk “Armenia” Health Spa Hotel is situated in the very heart of Jermuk city. This hotel offers treatment of various diseases, such as gastrointestinal tract diseases, diseases of liver, gall-bladder, gynecological illnesses.

Aya Maria Spa center offers steam bath, peelings, wraps and other SPA services.  Traveling made easy by SPA tour organized by Sputnik.

  “Avanta SPA”offers various massages and therapies. Foam massage with bath peeling on a warm marble table and soapy massage stimulate circulation and tones the skin.

Firming wrap, one of the most popular spa treatment, seems to be women’s favorite one. It helps to eliminate the cellulite and fight against excess weight. The high content of salt and algae mineralize and strengthen the issues. 

Indian head massage is an effective form of massage. The main movement of the massage is rubbing by which the specialist affects the scalp, neck and shoulders.

Foot and leg massage can help reduce stress, accelerate blood circulation. It calms the muscles of the feet, reduces pressure on the toes.

Sport massage is another form of massage, it restores the body after intense physical stress. It has intensive effect on the blood vessels and an increase of muscle strength.

Thai massage has thousands years of practice of curative effect on the human body. Thai massage is concentrated on the relief of human senses because its impact on various acupuncture points along the energy lines of the body.

What about famous stone therapy! It is based on the temperature and energy impact of stones combined with elements of reflexotherapy. 54 black hot and 18 white cold stones are used during the procedure. 

I think you agree with me that aroma massage is a great pleasure. Due to aromas and natural essential oils you feel a deep relaxation. It restores your mental clarity, reduces stress, makes skin elastic and beautiful. Relaxing music and fine fragrances, scented candles activate whole body energetic system and create an aura of comfort and harmony. 

Art and Therapy or Utilizing Strength of Human's Creativity

Creating an art is becoming a mean for a therapy, because the process of creating something requires intensive emotions and energy. And it helps naturally reveal inner difficulties and negative reactions that can hurt children, if not cleaned.

Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses art media as its primary mode of communication. Children are asked to freely create a piece of art, and qualified, registered Art Therapists discloses difficulties, disabilities and diagnoses problems, if they exist. These include, for example, emotional, behavioral or mental health problems, learning or physical disabilities, life-limiting conditions, brain-injury or neurological conditions and physical illness.

Art therapy for children can provide kids with an easier way to express themselves since children are more naturally artistic and creative.  Art therapy may be provided for groups, or for individuals, depending on children' needs. It is not a recreational activity or an art lesson, although the sessions can be enjoyable. Children do not need to have any previous experience or expertise in art.

Art therapy for children can be a much more viable solution for communication than simply having a conversation and talking about things. Art therapy can help children relieve stress, increase awareness of self, and develop healthy and effective coping skills. Children of all ages, nationalities, races and cultures can benefit from art therapy. Art therapy programs are developed around a child’s strengths and abilities, so the kid can use the medium even if he or she has never picked up a crayon before.

Even though art therapy is exposed to children it widely used among adults, and they really enjoy it not less than kids. It is the therapeutic use of art making, within a professional relationship, by people who experience illness, trauma, or challenges in living, and by people who seek personal development. Through creating art and reflecting on the art products and processes, people can increase awareness of self and others, cope with symptoms, stress, and traumatic experiences, enhance cognitive abilities  and enjoy the life-affirming pleasures of making art.

Author: Siranush Hakobyan, Art Therapist at  Aya Maria Wellness and SPA Resort
Art therapy in Armenia began to develop since 2010  and  there are only few children's centers that practice art therapy. Aya Maria Wellness and SPA Center opened in 2012, using art therapy as one main activity. The course is run by Siranush Hakobyan, certified Art Therapist.  Aya Maria organizes art therapy for people of different ages.

Jermuk Ropeway: Bridge to the Miracles

Jermuk has always been one of the most popular tourism destinations in Armenia. It is famous for its breathtakingly beautiful nature, healing mineral waters and sanitariums with different kinds of medical treatments and procedures. However, just like many other places in Armenia, Jermuk was also known mainly to Armenians. Few people outside Armenia had ever heard about the miracles of Jermuk.

Fortunately there are people caring for the “well-being” of our natural treasures. In 2007 in the framework of a government-financed project a 1000 meter-long ropeway was constructed in Jermuk town.

The ropeway works all year round. It will take you 2480 meters high, from where you can rent skis or snowboards in winter and enjoy the winter spirit of Jermuk. There are two skiing roads – 1450m and 1550m.

The ropeway meets all international standards and is being checked and upgraded every year. The price of the ropeway ticket is 1000 AMD (about $2.5), you can also buy a 6000 AMD ticket for the whole day.

The ropeway is not the only “driving force” that brings tourists to Jermuk. It just serves as a bridge between the people and the miracles of nature.

Still Thinking of Winter Vacation? Discover some Winter Resorts in Armenia!

Where to spend vacation this winter? Is this still a question?
Throughout this hunt, someone might like to discover a new winter vacation destination in Armenia. Armenia has world-class winter resorts along with great sites and mountains.  Tsaghkadzor and Jermuk are just the two of the numerous fascinating places that winter vacation lovers must consider.
50 km north from the capital - Yerevan, 1750 m above sea level, surrounded with alpine meadows, Tsaghkadzor is known for being a wonderful winter sports center, especially with excellent conditions for cross-country skiing and snowboarding, with lovely forests and ancient monasteries (11-13th centuries).

Jermuk is another fantastic resort-spa town, where much of the country's mineral water comes from. Its 173 km south-west of Yerevan, 1980-2080m above the sea level, surrounded with mountains 2500-3000 meter high and is covered with fresh Alpine vegetation and forests. An ancient fortress, the stones, peculiar to ancient buildings and architectural monuments of this area, remain on the Jermuk territory till these days. The fortress of Jermuk was built during the rule of the Artaxiad Dynasty in 189 B.C., but the settlement was established much earlier.

Both of the resorts have got ropeways meeting international standards, which enable the mountain-skiers to enjoy the professional ski-runs. The ropeway in Tsaghkadzor has five levels and is 6105 m long and the one in Jermuk has one level and is 1000 m long. Tsaghkadzor ropeway is considered to be the best in the Caucasus and it opens a beautiful view of Lake Sevan.

A lot can be shared on these fascinating sites, however, as the saying says, “BETTER SEE IT ONCE THAN HEAR THOUSAND TIMES”!