With its lush plains, snowy mountains, marshlands, and Hyrcanian forests along the beautiful shores of the Caspian Sea, Mazandaran is one of the most popular provinces in Iran for tourism.
History
Archaeological studies of the Hotu and Kamarband caves in Babol show evidence of human settlement in this region before the birth of Christ. The name "Patisuvarish" is mentioned in the Behistun Inscription as referring to the geographical area of Mazandaran and Gilan. This region was formerly called "Tabaristan" and then renamed Mazandaran in the seventh century AH.
Geography
Iran's tallest mountain, Mount Damavand, is located in Mazandaran Province. It shares borders with the provinces of Golestan, Semnan, and Tehran, and it is bordered by the Caspian Sea to the countries of Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Azerbaijan.
Climate
The mountainous and temperate Caspian climate dominates various regions of Mazandaran. Western cities adjacent to Gilan experience more rainfall and have warm summers and relatively cold winters. The mountainous areas and summer resorts experience moderate summers and snowy, very cold winters.
Cities in Mazandaran Province
Mazandaran includes fifty-eight counties. Below are some of them:
Sari
With an ancient history, Sari was the site of the coronation of Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar. Visitors to this city will see Sari Clock Square, where the chime of the clock is heard every hour. If you venture out of the city, numerous natural attractions await you, some of which are over a two-hour drive from Sari. The stepped springs of Badab-e Surt, the Soleyman Tangeh Dam with skiing and boating opportunities, the historical complex of Farahabad with Safavid-era artifacts, Churat Lake and Miandeh, and the Reskat Tower built in the fifth century AH are some of the attractions around Sari.
Babolsar
Babolsar is a coastal city located in a plain area. The city is divided by the Babol River. A beautiful metal bridge stands over the river, the result of efforts made by German and Iranian engineers during the Pahlavi era. Walking on the upper promenades of the Babol River, the image of pine trees reaching for the sky will remain with you. Watching wildlife in Babolsar Wildlife Park, boating on the Babol River, and finally, walking on Babolsar beach are some of the city's attractions.
Ramsar
Ramsar, formerly known as Sakhtsar, is the westernmost city in Mazandaran bordering Rasht in the Gilan Province. The proximity of its forests to the sea adds to its allure. Ramsar is called the "Bride of Northern Cities" because of its cone-shaped peaks, tea plantations, citrus orchards, beautiful rice paddies, waterfalls, highland areas, caves, springs, and finally, its mineral hot springs. Among the attractions around this beautiful city are the picturesque village of Javaher Deh which, besides its pristine nature, has ancient relics such as the seventh-century-old Adineh Mosque and Zoroastrian graves.
Amol
Amol was the first capital of the Alavid dynasty. The city has allocated the most tourist attractions in the province to itself in terms of historical monuments and ecotourism. Amol is located in the center of Mazandaran in which agriculture is the main occupation people. Citrus fruits, apples, and rice are among Amol's most significant products. The Golden Village Park of Amol, the Darvazeh Cheshmeh Bridge, and the Suspension Bridge are some of the city's attractions.
Behshahr
In the easternmost point of Mazandaran lies a city called Behshahr, which dates back to the Mesolithic era. The Shah's Garden, Hotu Cave, the beautiful Miankaleh Lagoon with wild pomegranate trees, pomegranate and orange trees, Abbasabad Lake, Abbasabad Forest Park, and Emarat Spring are some of the attractions that tourists visit when traveling to this city and its surroundings.
Babol
Babol, the city of orange blossoms, is a university town with many natural and historical attractions. The Royal Palace and Tower, Kija Tekyeh, Ganjineh, Fakhr al-Din Dervish Building, and Mohammad Hassan Khan Bridge are some of the attractions in Babol.
Tonekabon
Located in western Mazandaran, Tonekabon is known for its sounds of seabirds and streets lined with orange and mandarin trees. Deylam, Fayyaz, and Shahsavar have been the old names of this place. Daniel Blue Cave, Se Hezar Valley, Do Hezar Forest, Falakdeh Hot Spring, and the Chaldareh Forest Park are some attractions in this spectacular city and its surroundings.
Chalus
Chalus is one of the most reputed cities in Mazandaran, and much of its fame comes from its astonishing road. The city was previously known as Salus or Shalus. The Chalus Road hosts tourists throughout the year, who may be drawn here by the desire to eat hot soup and enjoy the charm of the route. However, the city itself also embraces natural and historical attractions in summers and busy springs. Many tourists know Chalus for the Namakabrud Forest Park and its cable car, which is one of the most important tourist attractions in this city. Starting from the seaside, the cable car reaches the beautiful summit of Medoben.
Kelardasht
Kelardasht is one of the most famous highland regions in northern Iran, located 48 kilometers away from Chalus. While many people in this area speak Mazandarani, some of its inhabitants also speak Laki and Kurdish. The dreamy beauty of the road from Kelardasht to Abbasabad cannot be forgotten. Mazichal village and its ocean of clouds are among the other attractions of this area.
Noshahr
Formerly known as Tajan, Noshahr was a village that gained attention during the Qajar era and saw significant development with the construction of its port during the Pahlavi period. The people of this city speak Mazandarani with the Kojuri dialect. Sisangan Jungle Park, with its diverse trees and abundant hydrangeas, is one of the oldest parks in Iran.
Noor
Noor Forest Park is equipped with wooden pavilions, restaurants, and sports grounds. The house and tomb of Nima Yushij are located in the village of Yush, one of the villages in this county. Lavij Hot Spring, Abpari Waterfall, Koh Cave, and the village of Baladeh should also not be forgotten.
Accommodations
Bam-e Sabz Hotel in Ramsar and its wooden cottages, located about seven hundred meters above sea level, Salardeh Hotel in Sari, Westa Apartment Hotel in Tonekabon, and Mazandaran Grand Hotel in Ramsar are some examples of hotels in the province. The wooden cabin of Elizeh in Babol, Shura Rural Accommodation in Jannat, Rudbar, Grandmother's House in Behshahr, Jannat Ramsar, Arous Visha in Amol, and Mother Jan's House in Tonekabon are some of the rural and eco-friendly accommodations where tourists can experience local life.
Local Foods
Every province in Iran has its own local foods that introduce new and delightful flavors to travelers, and Mazandaran is no exception. Pomegranate and pomegranate paste play a special role in the province's cuisine. Mazandarani sour chicken, which is different from Gilani sour chicken in which local vegetables and walnuts are used, Ashe Kadu, Kuyi Pla or pumpkin sweet, and rice, which is very popular among Mazandaranis, are some of the local dishes of Mazandaran.
Khoresht-e Sir Anar, a stew made with a combination of ground meat, pomegranate paste, fried onions, potatoes, and tomatoes, is one of the local dishes of Mazandaran. Other local dishes include Alu Mosama with Mazandarani plums, Aghooz Mosama, Baqala va Bij, which is made from ground meat, fried onions, potatoes, and tomatoes, and Kadu Bareh.
Restaurants
Mazandaran is known for its Akbar Joojeh restaurants. The main branch of Akbar Joojeh is located in Galougah, and almost every region of Mazandaran has a branch, ensuring consistent quality across all branches. The old Brothers Restaurant and Keshti Restaurant, known for its grilled fish, in Ramsar, Abadgaran Restaurant near Chalus, Naranjestan in Mahmoudabad, Mizban Recreation Complex in Babolsar with various Iranian and foreign dishes, Tamishun Restaurant on the way from Noshahr to Noor with its famous Fesenjan and Chicken with Plum, Hassan Rashti in Noshahr with its tasty Katteh (boiled rice), are some of the good restaurants in Mazandaran that offer a different experience of traveling to Mazandaran.
Handicrafts
The presence of clay soil has led to the flourishing of pottery and ceramic vessels in Mazandaran. Kilim weaving is also an ancient craft in this province, usually accompanied by geometric patterns. Jajim weaving with Kheshti, pentagonal, quadruple, and other patterns, needlework, felt making, straw weaving, Shamad and quilt, wood carving, traditional painting, ceramics, and many more are other thriving crafts in this lush province.
Souvenirs
Sesame seed Candy or Poshtzik is a tasty snack of this province.
Aghoosnoon and Reshte be Reshteh candy made from a combination of sugar, walnuts, powdered sugar, cardamom, and oil, has many fans. Ghomaq, which falls into the category of sweets but it includes no sugar, is a specialty of the Mazandaran region. Other delicious souvenirs from Mazandaran Province include Berenjak, a special kind of rice, Mountain Bread or Amol Bread, Koloocheh and cookies, Aab-Dandoon, which is mostly cooked in Amol, Qatlameh Bread, which is specific to the month of Ramadan, honey, various jams, pickles, and Lavashak.
Customs and Traditions
Tirgan Festival in Amol, Varfchal Festival, and Lucho Wrestling Festival are some of the customs of various cities in Mazandaran. Kandlus has its own special customs during Nowruz; during the New Year several children or teenagers are chosen - through divination - as a group or "good omen." After the New Year, he enters the house with a tray containing the Quran, sweets, sprouts, and a vessel of water - before everyone else - and pours water in the corners of the rooms to start a blessed year for the household.
