Tabriz
Save28 hand-picked places in 10 lists. Tick the categories you want to see on the map.
Only have a day? See 2 ready-made day plans ↓Show on the map
Tips
9 places on the map
Top 10
- 1
UNESCO-listed covered bazaar, one of the largest in the world
- Tip: Go early
2 tips
- Allow half a day
- Try local sweets and dried fruit
📷 Photos
- 2
15th-century mosque famed for its turquoise tilework
- Tip: Dress code
2 tips
- Small entry fee
- Beautiful in afternoon light
📷 Photos
- 3
Massive brick remains of the Ilkhanid-era Arg of Alishah
- Tip: Sunset
3 tips
- Visible from the outside only
- Great sunset photography
- Near the bazaar
📷 Photos
- 4
Historic house tied to the Persian Constitutional Revolution
3 tips
- Small museum with period photos
- Allow 45 minutes
- Nearby cafes
📷 Photos
- 5
Archaeological museum with Iron Age and Islamic-era artefacts
- Tip: Allow a few hours
2 tips
- Check opening days
- Near the Blue Mosque
📷 Photos
- 6
Early 20th-century city hall with a clock tower
3 tips
- Clock tower is a city symbol
- Photograph from the square
- Near the bazaar
📷 Photos
- 7
Historic congregation mosque with a large prayer hall
- Tip: Go early
- Tip: Dress code
1 tip
- Close to the bazaar
📷 Photos
- 8
Rock-cut troglodyte houses carved into volcanic cones
3 tips
- Hire a taxi for a half-day trip
- Some caves are cafes and guesthouses
- Wear good shoes
📷 Photos
- 9
Mausoleum garden of notable Persian poets
3 tips
- Peaceful and shaded
- Look for the Shahriar tomb
- Allow 45 minutes
📷 Photos
Take this map with you
Opens Google Maps with these places, ready to save to your own list.
Before you go: Tabriz tips
Transportation
- Use the Tabriz Metro: The metro line crosses the city and is a convenient way to avoid traffic between the centre and outer districts.
- Try ride-hailing apps: Iranian apps like Snapp are widely used; you may need a local SIM card and some help from locals to set them up.
- Share taxis like locals: Shared taxis run fixed routes along main roads; ask the driver for your destination and pay a small fare.
Security
- Bring enough cash: International bank cards do not work in Iran, so bring euros or dollars and exchange at official exchange offices.
- Avoid sensitive photos: Do not photograph military sites, police or government buildings, and ask permission before photographing people.
- Check travel advisories: Read your government's latest guidance before travelling and register with your embassy if recommended.
Saving
- Eat at the bazaar: Small eateries in and around the Grand Bazaar serve hearty local dishes at prices far below hotel restaurants.
- Compare exchange offices: Rates vary between exchange offices, so compare a few before changing larger amounts of cash.
- Relax in public parks: El Goli and other parks are free, popular and great spots to people-watch and enjoy the evening air.
Weather/Clothing
- Pack for cold winters: Tabriz sits high in the northwest and winters are cold and often snowy, so bring a warm coat and boots.
- Expect hot dry summers: Summers are warm and dry with cooler nights; light, loose and covering clothing works best.
- Follow the dress code: Women should wear a headscarf and loose clothing covering arms and legs; men should avoid shorts in public.
Cultural
- Explore the historic bazaar: Tabriz's UNESCO-listed bazaar is a vast covered market of carpets, spices and dried fruits, best explored slowly.
- Understand taarof: Iranian politeness often involves refusing offers or payment at first; politely insist to get a real answer.
- Taste Tabrizi food: Try koofteh tabrizi, a giant stuffed meatball, and local sweets; Tabriz residents mostly speak Azerbaijani Turkish.
Local Hacks
- Visit Kandovan: The cave village of Kandovan, carved into volcanic rock cones, makes an excellent day trip from Tabriz.
- Plan around Fridays: Friday is the weekend in Iran and the bazaar and many shops close, so schedule shopping for other days.
- See El Goli at night: The pavilion on the lake at El Goli park is beautifully lit after dark and popular with local families.
1-day itineraries in Tabriz
Only have a day? Each one keeps you in one area, from morning to late afternoon, with lunch nearby.