Urmia Travel Guide
The old bazaar, historic places of worship and Lake Urmia
Urmia is the capital of West Azerbaijan Province in northwestern Iran. The city lies west of Lake Urmia, with a historic bazaar, mosques and churches in and around its centre.
Start in the old bazaar and make time for the Grand Mosque nearby. The lake is a separate outing from the city, and the shoreline varies with water levels.
Persian, Azerbaijani Turkish and Kurdish are among the languages you may hear in Urmia.
Contents
Key Facts About Urmia
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Northwestern Iran, in the West Azerbaijan province |
| Language | Azerbaijani Turkish, Kurdish and Persian are among the languages spoken in Urmia. |
| Climate | Continental climate with hot summers and cold winters |
| Best Time to Visit | Spring and early autumn for walking in the city |
| Major Attractions | Urmia Bazaar, Grand Mosque and Lake Urmia |
| Transportation | Airport, railway station and intercity bus terminal |
| Cuisine | Features a variety of Kurdish, Turkish, and Persian dishes. Local specialties include Dolma, Kebabs, and different types of bread. |
| Accommodation Options | City hotels and separate lake-area stays; compare the location as well as the room type. |
Geographical Location of Urmia
Urmia sits on a plain west of the lake. The Turkish frontier lies beyond the mountains to the west, outside the city.
The city is a practical base for visiting the western side of Lake Urmia. Choose a specific lake stop before setting out, since a location marked on the map may be well back from the water.
A Glance at Urmia’s History
Urmia also appears in English as Orumiyeh. Older maps and books may use the Pahlavi-era name Rezaiyeh.
The city’s mosques and churches reflect the different religious communities that have lived in this part of northwestern Iran.
Qara Kelisa is another name for St. Thaddeus Monastery. The UNESCO-listed monastery lies north of Urmia near Chaldoran and requires a separate road trip.
Travel Routes to Urmia
Urmia has an airport, railway station and intercity bus terminal. Choose the option that serves your starting city and travel date.
Air Travel to Urmia
Shahid Bakri Airport serves Urmia. Check available routes for your date before planning a flight connection.
Urmia Airport Introduction and Accessibility
The airport lies north of the city on the road towards Salmas. Allow time for the transfer to your accommodation.
Ground Travel to Urmia
The railway branch links Urmia to Maragheh and the wider rail network. Check whether your itinerary requires a change of train.
Urmia Railway Station
The railway station is outside the centre. Plan the onward ride separately from your train ticket.
Urmia Bus Terminals
Use Urmia’s intercity bus terminal for road travel. Confirm the departure terminal as well as the destination, especially if your starting city has several bus stations.
Public Transportation in Urmia
For the bazaar and Grand Mosque, plan to cover the last stretch on foot. Use a taxi or local transport for stops farther apart.
Best Season to Visit and Urmia’s Climate
Spring and early autumn are good starting points for planning walks in the city. Summer afternoons can be hot, while winter cold can affect outdoor plans.
Discover Urmia’s Top Attractions
Start with the covered lanes of Urmia Bazaar, which connect directly to the Grand Mosque. Save Lake Urmia for a separate outing so you have time for both the city and the lake.
One of the most popular attractions in Urmia is the Sheikh Tappeh Forest Park, spanning 44 hectares and featuring amenities such as fast food, cafes, restaurants, and an amusement park. Additionally, the Khoshako Ski Resort, located 30 kilometers west of Urmia, invites you to a unique celebration in the cold and snow.
Egg-shaped Park, known for its marketplaces and a designated play area for children, attracts many visitors. Student Park or Goller Bagi, with half a million types of flower bushes, is exceptionally beautiful in spring. The Chi Chest Beach Village, located 18 kilometers from Urmia on the road leading to Lake Urmia, offers a variety of recreational activities such as karting, billiards, paragliding sites, rally tracks, and more for the comfort and enjoyment of tourists and travelers. Other attractions in Urmia include Bari Beach Village, Clock Park, Fanus Beach Village, and People’s Garden.
Exploring these destinations can turn your trip to Urmia into an adventure filled with natural beauty, historical sites, and fun activities for all ages.
Urmia’s Historical Attractions
In terms of historical attractions, Do Ghazan Ice House dating back to the Qajar era, and Glassware Exhibition, where you can admire glassblowing, handicrafts, and glass painting by Urmia’s artisans, are must-visits. Nane Maryam Church is one of the ancient churches with Sassanian and Parthian architecture.
At Urmia Grand Mosque, look for the carved stucco around the Ilkhanid mihrab, the prayer niche in the domed sanctuary. Visit Iran’s mosque guide describes two entrances linking the mosque to the bazaar. Ansari House built in the Qajar style, Mar Sergiz Church representing Armenian and Assyrian architecture, and Tam Tam Cave, dating back to the Paleolithic era, located 18 kilometers southwest of Urmia, are also among the city’s historical highlights. Urmia’s museums, including Urmia City Museum and Handicrafts Museum, showcase archaeological and historical artifacts and various handicrafts across different periods.
Distance from Urmia to the Iran-Turkey Border
Van is in Türkiye. A trip there from Urmia involves a road journey and an international border crossing. Verify which crossing accepts your mode of travel and its current hours before booking transport.
Where to Stay in Urmia
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Choose accommodation by location as well as room type. Ana Hotel identifies itself as a five-star hotel on Jam-e Jam Street, off Shahid Beheshti Street (Band Road). The hotel places itself about six kilometres from the city centre, so it is not a walk-out base for the old bazaar. Deniz Hotel is a separate lake-area option: ToIran lists it near Lake Urmia. This is a different setting from staying in central Urmia.
Park Hotel, Aria Hotel, and Jahangardi Guest House, all four-star, offer an attractive stay. Moreover, three-star hotels like Morvarid Hotel, Kara Hotel, and Sahel Urmia Hotel provide excellent services to visitors.
Delicious Local Foods of Urmia
Choosing among Urmia’s best and most appealing foods can be a matter of taste, but rest assured, you won’t regret trying any of them. Dishes such as Kenger stew, Cabbage soup, Urmia Shorja, Urmia Khoresh, Grape Leaves Dolma, Gozleme, Ash Doogh, and Coriander Kebab are among the delicious foods of Urmia served in restaurants.
Additionally, various types of nougats including rose, musk, and saffron, along with sweets like sojouq, oven sweets, Lozank, carrot halva, and walnut halva, are available in all traditional confectioneries in Urmia.
Best Restaurants in Urmia
Don’t miss out on the restaurants and foods of this city during your trip to Urmia. For lovers of traditional cuisine, we recommend Keshkool Sofreh Khaneh, Darchin Sofreh Khaneh, Roozegaran Sofreh Khaneh, Bam Sabz Turk Mall, and Gazmakh Restaurant.
For fast food enthusiasts, Choobin Fast Food, Dr. Zhon Fast Food, Jaguar, Moon Light, and Rooberoo stand out as the best options.
To taste the best Turkish kebabs, visit Flamingo, Diako, Salt Cave, Kababchi, and Molavi restaurants.
Authentic Turkish cuisine is also available at Turk Hoor Restaurant, Eva Food Restaurant, and Rohit Osta Turkish Food.
Discover Urmia’s Edible Souvenirs and Handicrafts
Urmia’s souvenirs are famous and popular, especially in the realm of handicrafts. Delicate handiworks, carpets, sculptures, embroidery, marquetry, kilims, jajims, pottery, wooden items, beadwork, traditional printing, dyeing, and wood carving are among the artistic creations you can bring back as non-edible souvenirs.
Famous Markets and Shopping Centers in Urmia
In Urmia, like other cities, you have the option to shop at both traditional markets and modern shopping centers. Shopping centers such as Reza Shoe and Bag Center, Milad Noor Commercial Complex, Berlin, Turk Mall, Pardis, Brillant, and Jalali Passage are places where you can find everything you need.
Additionally, Urmia’s old bazaar, Ahandoost Urmia Market, and the city’s old market are among the traditional centers for purchasing souvenirs and handicrafts.
Urmia’s Fascinating Ceremonies, Traditions, and Festivals
In Urmia, as in other parts of Iran, you can witness a variety of customs and traditions, some of which are shared across the country. Events such as Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr, and Nowruz are celebrated in a similar fashion throughout Iran. However, due to the diverse ethnic and national groups in Urmia, some ceremonies may be held differently. For instance, Kurds have their unique rituals, and the Armenian and Assyrian communities celebrate their religious holidays in their distinct ways.
The Jalali tribe celebrates Eid al-Adha by sacrificing sheep and cattle and wearing new clothes, though they don’t place as much emphasis on the grand celebration of Nowruz.
The Mameklou tribe considers both Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha highly significant and organizes extensive celebrations and dancing during these holidays.
The Herki tribe prepares elaborate festivities for Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr, and the birthday of Prophet Muhammad.
The Qareh Papaq tribe places more importance on Nowruz than on other holidays, celebrating it with greater fervor.
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How Ceremonies Are Conducted in Urmia
The way ceremonies are conducted and the significance of holidays and festivals among the people of Azerbaijan, due to ethnic and national diversity, is quite distinct. This also applies to wedding and mourning ceremonies. For example, weddings in the province, especially in rural areas, are typically held in autumn. The ceremonies begin with the engagement and continue with performances, games, and staging, all taking place at the bride’s home. Throughout the wedding, numerous songs and poems are recited, and guests engage in music, dance, and revelry.
It’s important to note that due to the ethnic diversity in Azerbaijan, you might encounter unique customs and traditions specific to each tribe, which do not resemble those of other ethnic groups and nations in the region.
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Urmia is predominantly populated by Azerbaijani people and is spoken in Turkish.