Ardabil Province is a famous tourist destination in Iran with its attractive historical sites and breathtaking landscapes. Its pleasant and cool climate especially in spring and summer is almost always raved about by most visitors and residents.

                             Mountaineering in Sabalan

                                  Fandoghlu

The province covers an area of 18011 square kilometers and borders with the Republic of Azerbaijan in the north, Gilan province in the east, Zanjan province in the south, and the East-Azerbaijan province in the west.

According to the latest administrative divisions of the country it consists of 9 townships:

Ardabil, Bilesavar, Parsabad, Khalkhal, Meshgin Shahr, Moghan, Namin, Neer, and Kosar

(Qiwi).

Sabalan, Baghro (Talish), Salawatdagh, and Khoroshlu are the important mountains of

the region.

                                             Sabalan

 

The beautiful lakes in this province are: Neor Lake, Shorabil, Shorgol, Noshahr,

Aloocheh, Kami Abad, and Molla Ahmad.

 

                                             Neor

 

The most important rivers of the province are: Aras, Qaresoo, Qarehay, Khiyav Chayi, and Namin Chayi.

                                         Aras

 

There are also more than 23 renowned hot mineral water springs mostly in the outskirts of the great Sabalan (see below) and some sophisticated water therapy complexes, as well as beautiful meadows and forests.

                  Iranian Water Therapy complex

 

More than 5,500,000 tourists from different parts of Iran and the world visit the historical monuments and hot springs of Ardabil province every year.

Attractive Historical Monuments and Places for Tourists:

1. The Sheikh Safi-eddin Ardabili Complex (a Mausoleum belonging to Safavid periods) which consists of several historical monuments such as Chinikhaaneh,

Jannatsara Mosque, Khanegah (monastery), Chelleh-Khaaneh, Shahidgaah, Cheragh Khaneh, and Haram-Khaneh.

                          Sheikh Safi Complex

2. The tomb of Sheikh Jabraeil (the ancestor of Esmaeil Safavid) in Kalkhoran.

3. The museum of the Mausoleum of Sheikh-Safi –eddin Ardabili.

4. Jomeh Mosque - from the pre-Islamic period dating back to Saljugis’ reign.

5. The Bazar Complex in Ardabil dating back to the Safavid period.

6. Eleven historical bridges belonging to Safavid period.

                    Ancient Bridge on Balighli Chay in Ardabil

7. Six ancient bathrooms built in the Safavid period.

8. Five ancient houses constructed in the Safavid period.

9. A Complex belonging to IIkhanids times which is situated around the

mausoleum of Sheik Safi-eddin Ardabili.

10. Mirzaa-Aliakbar Mosque.

11. The Ruins of Fire-Temples dating back to the Sasanids periods in Atashgaah.

12. The Tomb of Imam-Zadeh Saleh (a holy Shrine).

13. Sheikh Heidar tomb (Meshkin Shahr).

                 Sheikh Heidar complex (Meshgin Shahr)

Due to its geological position, Ardabil Province is home to many thermal and mineral

springs, which are among the most important and popular ones in Iran and are mostly used

for therapeutic purposes. The most important springs are as follows:

Asad Spring, Sarein, Ardabil

Bilehdareh Spring, Sarein, Ardabil

Bushly Spring, Ardabil

Eilndow Spring, Meshgin Shahr

Gavmish Goly Thermal Spring, Sarein, Ardabil

General Thermal Spring, Sarein, Ardabil

Qaresoo Thermal Spring, Sarein, Ardabil

Qotursoo Spring, Meshgin Shahr

Qaynarjeh Spring, Meshgin Shahr

                                       Qaynarjeh (Meshgin Shahr)

Sarein Mineral Spring, Ardabil

Sardabeh Spring, Ardabil

Sarisoo Thermal Spring, Sarein, Ardabil

There are many other thermal springs with different therapeutic properties which are

less equipped with facilities or even unexplored.

Some of them are: Moyil thermal spring in Meshgin Shahr; Borjloo thermal spring, 4km

from Neer; Garmkhaneh mineral water and thermal spring in Garmkhaneh village

(Khalkhal); Sardabeh spring in Sardabeh village (Ardabil); Yel Suyi, Ab Chashme, Besh

Bajilar springs and Hemmat and Momtaz thermal springs in Ardabil.

Shorabil Lake:

One of the important natural attractions of Ardabil is the beautiful Shorabil Lake. The

lake’s water was used to be salty, but the addition of fresh water has reduced its salinity

and even pisciculture is practiced in the lake now.

                                        Shorabil

Many of recreational, athletic, and cultural facilities are provided around this Lake which

include boating facility, running and cycling tracks, a zoo, hotels and hostels, an amusement

park for children, and a restaurant in the middle of the Lake. UMA is located in the southeast

part of this Lake.