Tabriz is a big but relaxed city, filled with proud people and a UNESCO-listed bazaar to explore. Tabriz is the fifth biggest city in Iran and the capital of one of the most famous provinces of Iran, The Azarbaijan or Aturpatgan. Tabrizians are incredibly warm and hospitable. The climate is continental: hot and dry in summer and severely cold in winter. Tabriz was Iran's capital during the dynesties of Kara Koyunlu, Ak Koyunlu & Safavi (in while it was the first capital of Shia Islam in the world) & was Iran's crown predominantly during Qajarid dynesty. In Iran, Tabriz is known as the city of "The Firsts" because many of inventions and innovations were used in Tabriz for the first time in Iran. The first printery, library, cinema, preschool, school, the deaf and dumb school, modern coin, bill, chamber of commerce, municipality, telephone, power plant, fire department was made in Tabriz.

You should plan enough time (at least 2, ideally 3 days) to discover these areas and oak in the unique atmosphere of this city, quite different from what you will experience further south in the more touristy parts. Tabriz is actually an outstanding gateway to Iran!

East Azerbaijan Province, especially its capital Tabriz, is home to many historical monuments and buildings of this cataclysmic movement.

Tabriz Grand Bazaar

The Bazaar of Tabriz is one of the oldest bazaars of the Middle East and the largest covered bazaar in the world as well as the most important tourism site for tours to Iran and Tabriz. It was inscribed as World Heritage Site by UNESCO in July 2010. The endless, labyrinthine string of alleys, the high domed ceilings, and no less than 24 caravanserais invite you for aimless strolls through the economic heart of the city.                          

Azerbaijan Museum

This museum, located near the Blue Mosque, houses an impressive collection of artifacts, starting as early as the 5^th Millennium 5.000 BC ! This museum ranks second after Tehran National Museum. The priceless Xerxes Tablet is one of the museum’s properties.

Measurement Museum

Salmasi House in Tabriz was turned into Sanjesh (measurement) Museum. It displays a variety of tools and apparatuses used for measuring things; from delicate gold scales to large weighing instruments used in wholesale trade.

Qajar Museum (Amir Nezam House)

A collection of objects of everyday life; legal documents, including a birth certificate, a power of attorney, and marriage contracts; a book; and copies of several letters by Mirza Abu al-Qasim Qa'im Maqam Farahani.

Arg Tabriz (Tabriz Fort)

Tabriz fort, also known as Arg-e Tabriz and Masjid AliShāh, is a remnant of a mosque in the center of Tabriz, Iran, built in the Ilkhanate period. This tall, Qajar era structure has been largely destroyed by earthquakes, but the remaining parts are still worth a visit. The primary structure is one of the best examples of Azeri architecture in all of Iran.

Elgoli Park & Mansion

El-Goli is the name of a park in Tabriz city, East Azerbaijan. Inside this park there is a lake surrounding a mansion built in Safavid era. It was called the Shah Goli, meaning the shah's pool, which changed after the Islamic Revolution to the El Goli, meaning Nation's lake.

Poets Tomb (Maqbaratol Shoara)

Tabriz was a house for numerous Iranian writers, poets. Maqbaratol Shoara or the Mausoleum of Poets belongs to poets, mystics and famous people, located in the Surkhab district of Tabriz.

Jameh Msoque

Hidden at the western end of the bazaar, it is actually easy to overlook this mosque, which construction date is unknown. The highlight of this seemingly unspectacular building is its truly impressive “Shabestan”, a huge hall with arches and domes and brick pillars.

Blue Mosque (Kabod Mosque)

Blue mosque is a noteworthy monument whose construction was commissioned by Jahan Shah. Having survived two severe earthquakes, the mosque looks like an old craggy-faced warrior from the outside.

Visit the building in the end of the afternoon, when the soft light of the setting sun helps revealing the magic of this place.

From the earliest days of Christianity there has been a sizable Armenian community in Tabriz. Nowadays, Tabriz has six churches.

Saint Mary Church was built in the 6 ^th century AH which Marco polo referred to this church on his way to China. It is the largest and oldest Christian church in Tabriz.

Saint Stepanos Monastery is an Armenian monastery about 15 km northwest of Jolfa city, East Azarbaijan Province. It is situated in a deep canyon along the Aras River on the Iranian side of the border between Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and Iran.

Kanodovan:

Kandovan is a village in the Central District of Osku County, East Azerbaijan Province. Kandovan is the third largest rocky village across the world. The two others are located in Turkey(Cappadocia) and the US (Manitou Cliff Dwellings in Colorado), but they are abandoned now. This makes it the only inhabited village in the world. In this unique village, the homes are not just built on the mountain, they are carved into it. this rocky village has a five-star-rock hotel called Laleh Hotel.

Kaleybar: The county is noted for the Arasbaran forests protected area and the Bazz Galasi, the fortress of Babak Khorramdin. Babak Khoramdin Castle is a large citadel and National Symbol of Iranians on the top of a mountain in the Arasbaran forests. For who like trekking this place is amazing as access way to this castle is a mountainous path.

The Tabriz Handicrafts include 80 types of crafts and traditional arts from Azerbaijan Province. East Azerbaijan is one of the great handicraft centers of Iran. Several handicrafts like carpet, Glim, Varni, Shawl, Clay dishes, Ceramic, Leather shoemaking are producing in this province. Tabriz and Isfahan were accredited with the title 'World Crafts City' by the World Crafts Council (WCC).