Ardabil

Ardabil is a tourist and historical city in Ardabil (province) in Azerbaijan region of Iran.

Talk

Azerbaijani or Azeri, a Turkic dialect, is the primary language spoken by most Ardabilis, although many people, especially the younger generation, can communicate in Farsi and English up to some level.

Get in

By plane

• 1 Ardabil Airport (ADU  ^IATA) (is located 15 kilometers northeast of the city along Shahid Dadman Hwy.). There is access to the city through international flights from Iraq and Turkey, as well as daily regional flights from Tehran and Mashhad.  

By train

Ardabil is not linked to the national railway network, however a line is under construction. Opening dates have been pushed forward several times, but as of 2022 the official date for opening the line is sometime around 2025.

• 2 Ardabil railway station (ایستگاه راه آهن اردبیل) (8 km west of city centre). Site of the future railway station. (updated Oct 2022)

By bus

Extensive access to local spots are available through the bus station. Main destinations sorted by popularity are Tehran, Tabriz, Rasht, Mashhad as well as closer cities like Khalkhal, Astara, Meshkinshahr, Pars-abad in the bus station. You will find different companies in the main station serving transfer to different cities in the country. The cost does not chang highly between different companies, only you need to check about the timing of the departure. Don't be surprised if you find different buses heading same destination in the same time scheduled by different companies. Buses are in general very comfortable, as there is competition between companies to provide better services. You may be offered different options according to the comfortability of the buses, but don't worry if you are paying more as due to competition prices are fairly low and services are good. 3 Ardabil bus station is located northeast of the city centre.

By car

Unlike many countries you will find several taxi and private cars providing service to transfer passengers to cirties in the region. To explain it easier, it is very much similar to blablacar with no internet. You may find private car proposing ride to cities. They are usually safe as I did not hear any record of crime about that. Some of the providers are professional, if you want faster and more comfortable transfer, you may need to choose this option. Cities such as Tabriz, Astara, Khalkhal, Meshkin-shahr and Pars-Abad are the popular destinations, but you may find services towards Tehran as well. There is no main terminal for this purpose, as they are used to serve from four historical gates of the city (so called Astara gate, Meshkin-shahr gate, Tabriz gate and Khalkhal gate) so you might need to ask locals to find how to get access. Prices may vary according to destination and type of the car/taxi.

Get around

Ardabil is a tourist city visited for several reasons such as its climate, historical significance, its geopolitical situation and its nature. Hence you will find variant spots according to the motivation.

See

• 1 Sheikh Safi al-Din Khānegāh and Shrine Ensemble (مجموعه آرامگاه و خانقاه شیخ صفی الدین). A World Heritage Site, comprising the following components: the mausoleums of Sheikh Safi and Shah Ismail I, Chini khaneh (meaning the house of chinaware), a mosque, Jannat Sara (meaning the house of paradise), Khanaqah (the house of Dervishes), Cheragh Khaneh (the house of lamps), Shahid khaneh (the house of martyrs) and Chelleh Khaneh (the place where devotees shut themselves up during the forty days of Lent). The mausoleum of Sheikh Safi, the dome of which is called "Allah-Allah" has an octagonal interior. (updated Jul 2018)
• 2 Ardabil Bazaar. This beautiful Persian bazaar was built during Safavid period and in addition to main bazaar hall with open vaults has a hammam and a small yet mystifying mosque. (updated Jul 2019)
• 3 Mausoleum of Sheikh Jebrail. (updated Jul 2019)
• 4 Ardabil Anthropology Museum. (updated Jul 2019)

• Masjid Jameh Ruins of once magnificent and unique Mosque.
• Mirza Ali Akbar mosque and school This comlex dates back to Qajar period
• Ardabil bridges Ardabil host numerous historical bridges namely Pol-e Gilandeh, Pol-e Nayer, Pol-e Haft Cheshmeh, Pol-e Panj Cheshmeh and Pol-e She Cheshmeh and Qarah Soo Bridge, most were built during Safavid era.
• Imamzadeh Saleh mausoleum The mausoleum of Imamzadeh Saleh who is a descendant of a Shia Imam was built 250 years ago.
• Saint Mary church This Armenian orthodox church has a beautiful wooden main door and painted dome built in 1876.
• Babadavood anbaran- Friday mosque
• Shorabil lake

Buy

The city is famous to have more hand-crafted products than industrial ones. You will find many artisanal products offered all along the city; different types of carpets, honey, different local sweets, stone jewelry, creme and dairy products famous as souvenirs from Ardabil.

Eat

lots of good food

Sleep

Arta hostel not far from the bazaar is cheap and clean but very simple

Go next

The town Sarein, some 30km from Ardabil, has thermal springs. It is a popular vacation destination for Iranians, a bit crowded as well. There are several public swimming pools, even saunas and steam baths (of course, all gender segregated).

Routes through Ardabil

Urmia ← Tabriz ←

W  E

→ END (Astara)