# Mahkanaberd, Armenia: what it is and when to go

> Mahkanaberd is a castle (Մահկանաբերդ) in Armenia (Ijevan). Interests: History. The best time to visit is April to June and September to October. In June there are 14 h 56 of daylight, and in December, 9 h 04. Here is what it is, where it lies, when to come, how to get there and what else is nearby to turn it into a trip.

- Address: https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/armenia/mahkanaberd/
- Reviewed on: 2026-10-12
- Language: en

## In a nutshell

- **What it is:** Castle · History
- **Local name:** Մահկանաբերդ
- **Where:** Armenia
- **Best time:** April to June and September to October.
- **Nearest airport:** LWN Gyumri, 104 km as the crow flies
- **Coordinates:** 40.9858, 45.05108

## What it is and where

Mahkanaberd is a castle (Մահկանաբերդ) in Armenia (Ijevan).

It is in [Ijevan](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/armenia/ijevan/), where this site lists 64 more places to see, 15 km from the centre.

Its coordinates are 40.9858, 45.05108; the nearest main airport is Shirak International Airport (LWN, Gyumri), 104 km as the crow flies. How to get around Armenia (train, car, bus) is covered in [its country guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/armenia/#moverse).

- [Where it is](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=40.985805%2C45.05108)
- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=40.985805%2C45.05108)

It is one of the [History](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/armenia/historia/) places in Armenia. In [Kokai](https://kokai.app/en/) it is already on your trip map next to the places you save yourself, and it goes into a day's plan with one tap.

## When to go

The best time to visit Mahkanaberd is **April to June and September to October**.

| Mes | Época | Hours of daylight |
| --- | --- | --- |
| January | Better not | 9 h 22 |
| February | Better not | 10 h 25 |
| March | Possible | 11 h 40 |
| April | Best time | 13 h 06 |
| May | Best time | 14 h 18 |
| June | Best time | 14 h 56 |
| July | Possible | 14 h 40 |
| August | Possible | 13 h 38 |
| September | Best time | 12 h 15 |
| October | Best time | 10 h 52 |
| November | Possible | 9 h 40 |
| December | Better not | 9 h 04 |

In June there are 14 h 56 of daylight, and in December, 9 h 04. Daylight hours are calculated from the site's latitude for the 15th of each month; when planning a full day on foot they matter as much as the weather.

When to go to Armenia in general, with its festivals and peak seasons, is in [its country guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/armenia/#cuando-ir).

## Before you go to Armenia

To enter Armenia there are 9 things to sort out before you leave, starting with “The borders with Azerbaijan and Turkey are closed”: they are all, with their deadlines, in [the Armenia checklist](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/armenia/#antes-de-salir). Currency: Armenian dram (AMD); plugs: Type C and F · 230 V · 50 Hz (the same plug as in Spain); emergencies: 911 · 112 · 102 police · 103 ambulance.

In [Kokai](https://kokai.app/en/) you tick off the checklist inside your trip, and each item reminds you when it is time to do it.

## What is nearby

- [Samsonavank Monastery](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/armenia/samsonavank/): Cultural heritage monument of Armenia · 2.1 km
- [Deghdznut Monastery](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/armenia/deghdznuti-monastery/): Cultural heritage monument of Armenia · 2.2 km
- [Arakelots Monastery, Kirants](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/armenia/arakelots-monastery/): Cultural heritage monument of Armenia · 5.5 km
- [Kirants Monastery](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/armenia/kirants-monastery/): Cultural heritage monument of Armenia · 5.9 km
- [Makaravank](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/armenia/makaravank/): Cultural heritage monument of Armenia · 6.5 km

Distances are as the crow flies. Everything else is in [the Armenia guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/armenia/).

## More in Armenia: History

- [Ani](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/armenia/ani/): ruined medieval Armenian city in Kars, Turkey, and UNESCO World Heritage Site
- [Geghard](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/armenia/geghard-monastery/): cultural heritage monument of Armenia
- [Etchmiadzin Cathedral](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/armenia/echmiadzin-cathedral/): cultural heritage monument of Armenia
- [Garni Temple](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/armenia/garni-pagan-temple-garni-temple/): sacred architecture
- [Erebuni Fortress](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/armenia/erebuni-fortress/): Fortress
- [Sanahin Monastery](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/armenia/sanahin-monastery/): cultural heritage monument of Armenia

Every Armenia place under History, each with its season, is on [its page](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/armenia/historia/).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is Mahkanaberd?

It is a castle (Մահկանաբերդ in the local language) in Armenia.

### When is the best time to visit Mahkanaberd?

April to June and September to October. In June there are 14 h 56 of daylight, and in December, 9 h 04.

### How do you get to Mahkanaberd?

The nearest main airport is Shirak International Airport (LWN), 104 km as the crow flies. From there, [directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=40.985805%2C45.05108) opens the route on the map, and how to get around Armenia is explained in [its country guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/armenia/#moverse).

### How do I add it to my trip?

With one tap. In Kokai it is already on the Armenia map, next to the places you save yourself: add it to a day's plan, give it a time and, if you like, get a reminder when you pass nearby.

### What else is around here?

Nearby you have [Samsonavank Monastery](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/armenia/samsonavank/), [Deghdznut Monastery](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/armenia/deghdznuti-monastery/), [Arakelots Monastery, Kirants](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/armenia/arakelots-monastery/). The rest is in [the Armenia guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/asia/armenia/).

Data from [OpenStreetMap](https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/5443776716), licensed under the ODbL, and from [Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q20507872), CC0. More about Mahkanaberd on [Wikipedia](https://hy.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D5%84%D5%A1%D5%B0%D5%AF%D5%A1%D5%B6%D5%A1%D5%A2%D5%A5%D6%80%D5%A4). Daylight hours are calculated from the latitude. More in [credits](https://kokai.app/en/aviso/#creditos).