Attractions of Tabriz
Tabriz Blue Mosque
Built in 1465, Tabriz’s beautiful Blue Mosque was heavily damaged in 1779 by an earthquake. Although not much remained visible from the original building, what’s left shows its old splendor.
Azerbaijan Museum
Tabriz’s Azerbaijan Museum was founded in 1958 and opened in 1962 on Imam Khomeini Avenue, right near the Blue Mosque. It represented a collection of artwork and daily tools. The three-gallery exhibition displays shelves of elaborate knives, ornate pottery, and local-style jewelry and carpets. The museum will take you through Iran’s different periods of history, starting as early as the 5th millennium BC up to modern times, like a time-lapse journey.
Tabriz Grand Bazaar
Listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2010, Tabriz Grand Bazaar is also one of the oldest and largest in the Middle East. A suggestive string of covered domes, brick walls, and endless meandering passageways, Tabriz bazaar sells just about everything you can think of, from a whole selection of nuts, one of the city’s claims to fame, to tightly woven Tabrizi-style carpets. Iran’s oldest city market, the bazaar has been a pivotal commercial hub along the Silk Road, and Tabriz Grand Bazaar is the economic heart of all northwestern cities in Iran.
El Goli Park
El Goli Park (El-Gölü, formerly known as Shah Goli), pool, and palace are worth a stop, be it for lunch, afternoon tea, or just a stroll. The park is a cherished weekend leisure spot for Tabriz residents who love to walk along the water streams or simply chill out at one of the cafes and restaurants lined up along its edge. On the slopes of the park is even possible to spend the night in tents equipped with electricity and comfortable camping beds.
Kandovan
Located less than an hour from Tabriz, Kandovan slightly reminds me of Turkey’s Cappadocia both for its geographical conformation and laid-back vibe, here houses are carved into the mountain, rather than built on it.
