Ardabil is a haven for eco-tourists or people infatuated with nature. It has beautiful green ranges in its east with big clumps of short trees scattered all around them which please the eyes of every viewer. Many kinds of wild fruit including raspberry, green gage, quince, hazel, walnut, etc. grow in these planes. Ardabil is also famous for its hot springs which are scattered in the foothills of mount Sabalan. These springs, some of them having huge hot water yields are unique in the Middle East. Some modern spas are made on some of these springs but a few of them still have remained in their original form just to keep their natural flavor. Different species of animals also live in the region including swine, bear, wolf, fox, hare, and different varieties of birds.
However, excluding Ardabil’s hot springs, which are world famous, this city is well-known for the world’s cultural heritage site Sheikh-Safi-Adding Ardabili’s Mausoleum. This sanctuary is the resting place of this great Sufi and his household. Some Safavid kings are also buried in this place. The building has exquisite livid tile work with a couple of magnificent dooms under which the Sufi and the kings are laid to rest. There are a lot of priceless embossed tomb boxes and a hall with gilded walls and chambers for keeping gifts dedicated to this place. Ardabil has also a big traditional bazaar with arcades and dooms and several bridges all remnants of Safavid area.

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Fandoqlou Forest
It is the largest hazelnut hub of the country and annually hosts tens of thousands of visitors.

Neor Lake
The slopes of Baghru Heights, which is 35kms to the southeast of Ardabil, have a beautiful lake named Neor.

Neor Lake, which is located 2,500 meters above sea level, has a unique biodiversity.

Shorabil Lake
Shorabil Lake boasts healing minerals and a picturesque landscape. It is a sightseeing site and the main habitat for migratory birds.

Sabalan Heights
Sabalan, with an altitude of 4,811 meters, is the third highest peak in Iran. It is an inactive volcano. There is a small lake on top of the summit. Sablan is also home to Alvares Ski Resort.

Sarein
Sarein is located 25kms from the provincial capital of Ardabil on the slopes of Sabalan Heights. It is considered one of the top ten tourism hubs of Iran. Most of the tourists to Ardabil Province stopover in Sarein.

Andebil Village
Andebil Village is located near the city of Khalkhal. Andebil Ski Resort is located to the northeast Khalkhal. Several winter sports festivals have been held there in recent years.

Ardabil mausoleums

The mausoleums of Sheikh Safieddin Ardabili and Sheikh Kalkhoran are symbols of Islamic-Iranian architecture.
Sheikh Safieddin Mausoleum is located near Ardabil’s Aali-Qapu Square. It also includes a mosque, library and school.
The mausoleum has an Islamic architecture.
Sheikh Kalkhoran Mausoleum belongs to Aminoddin Jebreil, the father of Sheikh Safieddin Es’haq, the ancestor of Safavid kings. It is located in Kalkhoran Village in Ardabil.

Souvenirs
Ardabil is well known for its carpets, honey, sweets, roasted sunflower seeds, felt products, woodworks and earthenware. Its traditional food is ‘Aash-e Doogh’ — a sour yoghurt soup with chickpeas and vegetables.

Ardabil climate
Ardabil province is situated in a mountainous region whose altitude averages 3,000 meters above sea level. It is very cold in winter and mild in summer. The city of Ardabil is usually recorded as one of the coldest cities of the country in winter.

Nature in Ardabil – Iran

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Ardabil province has a common border of 285.5 km. with the Republic of Azarbayjan with two custom houses of Aslandooz and Bilehsavar in Moqan. The Aras and Balha Rivers occupy about 159 km. of this common border. The Nearest access of the province to central Iran is the Ardabil – Astara Road. One of the highest mountains of Iran named Sabalan is located in the Ardabil province. The summit of Sabalan, placed in northwest of the province, is 4,811 m. high.
Climate, Ardabil Province

Most of the Ardabil province is mountainous with an average altitude of 3,000 m. above sea level. The province enjoys geographical and environmental diversity. As a result of which the climate is very cold in winter and mild in summers. Indeed, the city of Ardabil is usually recorded as one of the coldest cities of the country in winters.
History and Culture, Ardabil Province

The history of this province is intertwined with the history of Azarbayjan in general. Some historians estimate the antiquity of Ardabil town back to the 5th century AD, that is the Firuz Sassanide era. In other words, this city is as old as 1500 years. But even earlier, Ardabil was a very important city from the military and political point of view during the Achaemenian period. It was a military base on the northern border of the Persian Empire. As it has been mentioned in the holy book Avesta, Zoroaster, the Iranian Prophet, was born by the river “Daei Yeta” which is now called “Aras” and wrote his holy book in the Sabalan Mountains and came to Ardabil for propagation of his religion.  In the time of the Arab invasion to Iran (about 1400 years ago), Ardabil was the largest city in Azarbayjan.
Up to the time of the Mongol attack, it was the center of government in Azarbayjan. Shah Esmail started his effort for a national government and land integrity of Iran from Ardabil and consequently he announced Tabriz as the capital city of Iran in 906 AH. In the Safavid period, Ardabil was the most important city of Iran both politically and economically. The city of Ardabil located on the trade crossroads between Europe and the East, played a critical role in the safety of the Silk Road.
The province is still strategically important with respect to tourism and trade. The city of Ardabil now is one of the most important cities of the province and Iran for its many historical monuments, specially the Safavid family’s mausoleums and tombs, its location near many thermal springs with therapeutic virtues, and location on the main access road to the Republic of Azarbayjan. These have turned the city to a tourism center, which is visited by thousands of tourists every year.

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