Travel Guide Tabriz, Iran | Things to do in Tabriz

Tabriz – Gateway to the Northwest and Crossroads of Cultures

Tabriz

Tabriz, one of Iran’s largest and most historic cities, is the capital of East Azerbaijan Province and the cultural heart of northwestern Iran. For centuries, it has been a major trading center on the Silk Road, connecting Persia to Anatolia and the Caucasus. Its rich mix of Persian, Azerbaijani, and Armenian influences makes it one of the most fascinating destinations in the country.

Main Sights in Tabriz

🏛 Tabriz Grand Bazaar

The Bazaar of Tabriz is the beating heart of the city and one of the largest covered bazaars in the world — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This immense complex of brick-vaulted corridors, caravanserais, and domed halls stretches for kilometers and has been an active trading hub for over a thousand years. Inside, you’ll find merchants selling carpets, spices, jewelry, and copperware — alongside teahouses where locals gather to talk, trade, and rest.

💠 Masjed-e Kabud (The Blue Mosque)

Built in the 15th century, the Blue Mosque is one of Tabriz’s most iconic monuments. Its stunning turquoise and cobalt tilework, delicate calligraphy, and intricate geometric designs once earned it the title “The Turquoise of Islam.” Though partially ruined by earthquakes, much of its beauty has been carefully restored, and it remains a masterpiece of Timurid architecture.

🌳 Bagh-e Melli (National Garden)

A peaceful retreat in the eastern part of Tabriz, Bagh-e Melli is a beautifully landscaped park with fountains, old trees, and a large pond where locals gather for evening strolls and family picnics. It’s a perfect place to relax and experience everyday life in Tabriz.

✝️ Saint Mary’s Armenian Church

Tabriz has a long Christian heritage, and the Saint Mary’s Church — one of the oldest in Iran — is a symbol of its multicultural history. The church, with its simple stone architecture and calm courtyard, is still active and open to visitors, offering a glimpse into the enduring Armenian presence in the region.

Excursions Around Tabriz

🏔 Kandovan Village

Just 60 km southwest of Tabriz lies Kandovan, a unique troglodyte village where homes are carved directly into volcanic rock cones. The surreal, honeycomb-like landscape resembles Cappadocia in Turkey, but Kandovan is still a living village where people continue to inhabit these ancient dwellings. Visitors can explore its narrow paths, sip tea in rock-hewn cafés, and even spend a night in a cave hotel.

⛪️ Armenian Churches of the North

To the north of Tabriz, in the lush valleys of the Aras River basin, stand several remarkable Armenian monasteries and churches, many of them UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The most notable include the St. Thaddeus Monastery (Qara Kelisa), St. Stepanos Monastery, and the Chapel of Dzordzor — all set against spectacular mountain backdrops. These ancient sanctuaries are among the oldest Christian monuments in the world.