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Ardabil Travel Guide | Ardabil Attractions | Things to Do and see in Ardabil
Ardabil/Savalan/City of honey
Ardabil is an ancient city in Iran that had been registered as "Arta" or "Arteta" in Sumerian clayish tablets. In the past, the city was the passageway of many military and commercial caravans that led to the establishment of caravansaries in that region. Some experts believe that those caravanserais indicate the economic prosperity of all cities of the region in the past.
Ardabil which is also known as the " city of honey" is located between mount Sabalan, mount Bozgush, and Talysh mountains. The city is in the northwest of the Iranian plateau, it has mild Summer and very cold Winter. Ardabil is near the border of the Republic of Azerbaijan and it is one of the coldest cities in Iran. The city is about 40000 years old and it was the first city in Iran that was provided with drinking water plumbing. There are a lot of natural attractions in the city as well as many hot springs with therapeutic properties that attract many tourists.
Where to stay in Ardabil?
You can stay at hotels and apartment hotels in Ardabil. If you like to stay at expensive hotels of high quality, Sabalan hotel in Sheikh Safi street and Darya hotel in Basij square can be good choices for you. But if you prefer to stay at less expensive hotels, we recommend you Sheikh Safi hotel in Shariati square and Shorabil hotel in Daneshgah street.
What to eat? Where to eat?
Eating local foods in different cities is one of the most exciting parts of any trip. Since animal husbandry is common in Ardabil due to its weather, the city has delicious Kebabs that you can eat the best kinds of them in Haj Malek and Haj Biyok restaurants. Pichagh gheyme, Chighirtema, Bastirma Polo, and Halvay-e Siyah ( Dark Halva) are other traditional foods of Ardabil. Ashe Doogh ( Yogurt Soup) is the most popular local food of Ardabil which is known as an international traditional food. You can try all these traditional foods in Haj Ghorban and Sheikh Abbas restaurants.
Beverages ( Soft Drinks)
One of the most delicious souvenirs of Ardabil in Halvay-e Siyah ( Dark Halva) that you should eat with local Doogh. Don't forget to try this amazing combination.
What do we buy from Ardabil?
Souvenir is a part of Iranian culture and it has a special referent in each city. Since Ardabil has a long history in different eras, especially in the Safavid era, it has different kinds of handicrafts like Abgineh, traditional textile, pottery, ceramic, leather, wooden, straw and stone handicrafts, Kilim, Felt, and combined handicraft that you can buy them from old Bazaar of Ardabil located near Sheikh Safi shrine. But it should be mentioned that these handicrafts are very expensive. Kaymak, Unleavened bread, honey, butter, dark halva, sunflower seed, and candy are famous foods of Ardabil that you can buy from stores around Alighapu square. If you want to go to modern shopping centers, Shora entertainment and commercial center and Proma shopping center are good choices.
Where to go and visit Ardabil?
Ardabil is one of the main destinations of tourists due to its great natural and historical attractions. Here we introduce some of these attributions to you:
Heyran road ( Astara to Ardabil road) is known as the most beautiful road in the world and the " heaven of Asia", Shorabil lake is the only natural lake of Iran that is in the city, Qahqaheh castle which was the jail of political prisoners during Safavid era, Sheikh Safi al-Din shrine that is the ancient place of the city, Sabalan lake which is frozen most of a year, Aghazadeh Ardabili mansion, Hur village, Sardabeh waterfall, Sareyn spring, and Sabalan mountainside. We recommend you to go and visit these amazing places and enjoy your time.
