Major city · Iran
Maku
Maku is a 1-night stop on the overland route from Turkey to Tabriz: see the palace and cliff fortress, then move on.
Maku is the first Iranian town after the Gürbulak/Bazergan border crossing from Turkey. Its main draw is the Baqcheh Jooq Palace, a Qajar-era mansion set in an 11-hectare garden, and the ruins of a fortress wedged into the cliff above town. Most travellers spend one night here before continuing to Tabriz or Urmia.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IRR
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot), Dec–Feb (cold, snow possible)
- Airports
- Tabriz (TBZ) · Urmia (OMH) · Bazargan/Gürbulak land border (BGN)
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5Security advice in this region can change within a dayCheck your own government travel advice for Iran before a…
- Middle East ↗Security advice in this region can change within a day; re-read your government's page before departure and again before any border or regional flight.
- Middle East ↗Public drunkenness, public displays of affection and offensive gestures or online posts can lead to arrest in the Gulf states and Iran; dress modestly outside beaches and hotels.
- Iran ↗Check your own government travel advice for Iran before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Iran ↗Entry rules, visa type and nationality restrictions differ sharply by passport and change quickly.
- Iran ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to Iran before you rely on it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Maku110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Maku, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Foreign cards and ATMs do not work in Iran: see Insurance & payments above.Iran-wide
- SafetyMaku is generally safe for tourists, but the border area is sensitive: carry your passport at all times and avoid photography near military…
- Emergency numbers110 police · 115 ambulance · 125 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckTBZ Tabriz International Airport (About 2 h by road from Maku; the nearest airport with scheduled flights (check).).
- Getting aroundMaku is compact; walking covers the centre.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealKebab plate at a local restaurantIRR 200,000–500,000
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi ride within townAgree fare first.IRR 100,000–300,000
- Museum or sight ticketBaqcheh Jooq Palace entryIRR 150,000–300,000 (check)
- Budget bedDorm bed in guesthouse, a night, per personIRR 500,000
- Mid-range bedPrivate room in guesthouse, a night, per roomIRR 2,500,000
- High-end bedPrivate room in guesthouse, a night, per roomIRR 5,000,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget IRR 1,500,000 · Mid IRR 4,000,000 · High IRR 8,000,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TBZ Tabriz International Airport (About 2 h by road from Maku; the nearest airport with scheduled flights (check).) · OMH Urmia Airport (About 2.5 h by road; domestic flights (check).) · BGN Bazargan/Gürbulak land border (Not an airport: the road crossing from Doğubayazıt, Turkey, the usual arrival point for Maku (check).)
Map of Maku
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
- Maku
- Basic guide
Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps
Guides nearby
- Doğubayazıt · 43 km straight line
- Artashat · 74 km straight line
- Areni · 79 km straight line
- Nakhchivan · 83 km straight line
- Yeghegnadzor · 93 km straight line
- Garni · 95 km straight line
- Armavir · 97 km straight line
- Echmiadzin · 98 km straight line
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Feb
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Dec
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C) low), wettest May (13 rain days), driest Aug (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Maku: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
7 rd
Feb
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
8 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
10 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
12 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
13 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
3 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
7 rd
Nov
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
7 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Maku is compact; walking covers the centre. For the palace (7 km northwest) you need a taxi or private car. Taxis are unmetered: agree the fare before getting in.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Tabriz
goDoor to door: About 2 h
Car or bus via road 32, about 2 h
Largest city in Iranian Azerbaijan; bazaar, museums, and the Blue Mosque.
Urmia
goDoor to door: About 2.5 h
Car via road 21, about 2.5 h
Lake Urmia and the historic bazaar.
Door to door: About 1.5 h
Car via road 32 and local roads, about 1.5 h
Babak Castle and hiking in the Arasbaran forests.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre
A few basic hotels and guesthouses near the main square; walkable to the palace and bazaar.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- IRR 1,500,000–3,000,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- IRR 3,000,000–6,000,000 excl. bed
- High
- IRR 6,000,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Private room in guesthouse1 × 1 night × IRR 2,500,000 | IRR 2,500,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × IRR 4,000,000 | IRR 4,000,000 |
| Taxi from border to town centre1 × IRR 500,000 · check | IRR 500,000 |
| Taxi to Baqcheh Jooq Palace (return)1 × IRR 300,000 · check | IRR 300,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | IRR 730,000 |
| Trip total≈ IRR 8,030,000 per person per day, bed included | IRR 8,030,000 |
2026 estimate in Iranian rials; prices often quoted in tomans (divide by 10). Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Bread (sangak or lavash) | IRR 10,000–30,000 |
| Kebab plate at a local restaurant | IRR 200,000–500,000 |
| Tea in a teahouse | IRR 30,000–80,000 |
| Taxi ride within townAgree fare first. | IRR 100,000–300,000 |
| Baqcheh Jooq Palace entry | IRR 150,000–300,000 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The border crossing from Turkey can be slow: allow 1–2 hours for passport control on both sides.
- Hiking near the border: stay within sight of the town to avoid accidentally crossing into Turkey.
- Prices are often quoted in tomans (1 toman = 10 rials); confirm the currency before paying.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Ambulance
- 115
- Fire
- 125
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
MakuMaku
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
به این آدرس لطفاًTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Ambulance115
- Fire125
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi from border to town centre: about IRR 500,000 (check)
- Taxi to Baqcheh Jooq Palace (return): about IRR 300,000 (check)
Say or show
- سلام — Hello (salaam)
- مرسی — Thank you (mersi)
- چنده؟ — How much? (chandeh?)
- بله / نه — Yes / No (baleh / na)
- نمیفهمم — I don't understand (nemifahmam)
Prices are often quoted in tomans (1 toman = 10 rials). When someone says '5 tomans', they mean 50,000 rials.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Maku. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (hot), Dec–Feb (cold, snow possible)
- 3 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Maku
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