Dastakert is situated on the foot of the mountain Airy, at the root of the river Dastakert. It is a high-mountainous dwelling. It was also called Dastakern, Dastakyurd. It was included in the province of Tsruk of Syunik State. Dastakert was first mentioned in the history by Stepanos Orbelyan in 12-13th centuries. In ancient times it was a village. According to the tax-list of Tatev Fortress the villagers were paying 10 unit-taxes.

    Dastakert is regarded as a town settlement since 1951 and since then the second period of its history started. In 1952 the copper-molybdenum plant was built in the town. There is a lithographic inscription 2 km north of the settlement on the rock called Vardapet-Stone. There is a tomb in the north-eastern part of the town.

   There is 1 secondary school with 66 students by 2001, 1 cultural center, a musical school and a library. The health care is implemented by the Dastakert polyclinic.