Urmia, the Iranian volleyball capital, Paris of Iran

Urmia is one the mega cities of Iran and the capital of west Azerbaijan province which is located in the northwest of Iran. Urmia has relatively hot Summer and cold Winter. The city is more than 3000 years old, and it is among the nineteen historical cities of Iran that have been registered in UNESCO. Some historians believe that Urmia is the hometown of Zoroaster. Geographically, the city is located between lake Urmia and the western mountains of the province. 

Where to stay in Urmia?

Urmia has some good hotels that you can choose any of them based on your financial condition. International Park hotel in Imam st. and Jahangardi hotel in Kashkani st. are the luxurious experience hotels of the city. Sahel hotel in Valfajr Blvd. and Aria hotel in the beginning of Taleghani st. are the less expensive hotels in Urmia. 

What to eat? Where to eat? 

Urmia like other cities of Iran has its own traditional food that one of them is Urmia Khoresh. The name of this food is the same as the name of the city since it is very popular among the people of Urmia. The city has other local foods such as Yatimcheh, Kofta, Sarma, Kangar khoresh, Agh Mash khoresh, Gozleme, Ash-e Doogh, Kask, Ayran and Omaj. You can try these foods in traditional restaurants of the city like: Molavi, Haji Baba, Niavaran and Kashkool. We also recommend you to try a delicious breakfast in Ayyub Omlet restaurant. 

Beverages ( Soft Drinks) 

Herbal distillates especially Pussy Willow and Dracocephalum are very famous in Urmia. These distillates have therapeutic properties and also used in order to make Sharbats tasty and fragrant. 

What do we buy from Urmia? 

Different kinds of Pussy Willow Noghls ( Sugar-coated almonds), walnut and carrot Halva are the famous souvenirs of Urmia. Urmia also has famous handicrafts like Kilim, Jajim, carpet, Abgineh, carved wood, Marqueterie, pottery and pictorial carpet that you can buy them from Bazaars in the city. Don't forget to go and  visit Urmia Bazaar which is considered as an international monument. If you like shopping in modern places, Sadr and Pardis shopping centers are good choices. 

Where to go and visit in Urmia? 

All cities in Iran have their own unique historical monuments. Urmia like other cities in the county has a lot of great places that you can go and enjoy, for example: Laks Urmia which is the largest water surface in Iran and the second largest saltwater lake on the Earth, Urmia Bazaar that is the symbol of Safavid architecture, St Mary church that is one of the oldest churches in the world, Kazem dashi castle which is related to World War l, Urmia museum, Segonbad structure, Ashk island, Jame mosque of Urmia, Soleh dokol waterfall and Marmisho lake.