The largest saltwater lake in the Middle East, Lake Urmia is located between East Azerbaijan and West Azerbaijan provinces. Claimed as a haven for birds and bathers, Lake Urmia is registered as a UNESCO reserve as well as protected as a Ramsar site. During its heydays, the lake was the largest of its kind in the Middle East and the sixth-largest in the world. Even though the extreme droughts had shrunk the lake to 10% of its original size until 2017, it is starting to fill up again as of 2019. With over 102 islands, Lake Urmia is guarded by the Iranian Department of Environment as a national park.
Previously known as Lake Rezaiyeh, Lake Urmia is fed by seven different rivers such as Gadar, Shahar Chay, Aji Chay, Zarrinehrud, Zola, Siminehrud and Nazlou rivers. Apart from beautiful landscapes and a spectacular view of the sunset, there is also a historical island, Shahi Island, known to be the largest of all is where one of Genghis Khan’s grandsons was buried. The biodiversity in and around the lake is extensive and includes hundreds of flora and fauna species as well as bacterias, microfungi, phytoplankton, and Mollusca. Every year, different types of migratory birds like gulls, avocets, shelducks, spoonbills, flamingos, and many others choose this rocky island as their stopover. Surprisingly, the lake’s high salinity doesn’t allow for it to sustain any fish species at all. Lake Urmia along with its islands with an area of 462,600 acres is one of 9 biosphere reserves in Iran.
By Car: You can reach Lake Urmia by a car from Tabriz, the capital city of East Azerbaijan Province.
Distance is around 100 kilometres and it will take around 1.5 hours to cover the distance in normal traffic conditions.
By Train: Without a car, another option to reach Lake Urmia is by train. You can take a train from Tabriz Rah Ahan Railway Station to Ajab Shir. Then from Ajab Shir, you have to take another train to reach Lake Urmia.
It will take around 2 hours 25 minutes to reach there including transfers.
By Air: Take a flight to Tabriz International Airport and a cab or taxi from there to reach Urmia Lake.
The road distance is 150.4 kilometre and it will take around 2 hours 9 minutes to cover it.
Sunday: Open 24 hours
Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Waiting Time
No
Entrance Fee
Time you can spend
1 Day
Weather
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