Major city · Iran
Maragheh
Half a day is enough for Maragheh's Ilkhanid sights: the observatory ruins and two 13th-century domed tombs. Use it as a stop between Tabriz and Tehran, not a base.
Maragheh, once the capital of the Ilkhanid Dynasty, holds the remains of the 13th-century Maragheh Observatory and two brick domed tombs from the same period. The city is small, the sights are within a few kilometres of each other, and most travellers pass through on the train between Tabriz and Tehran. A half-day visit covers the main monuments; there is little else to hold you longer.
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)
- Airport
- ACP
- Nights
- 0
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 Maragheh110 ▾
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 Maragheh, 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
- SafetyMaragheh is generally safe for travellers.
- Emergency numbers110 police · 115 ambulance · 125 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckACP Sahand Airport (Weekly flights from Tehran; 15 km (9.3 mi) west of the city, taxi about 30 min (check)).ACP Sahand Airport (Weekly flights from Tehran; 9.3 mi (15 km) west of the city, taxi about 30 min (check)).
- Getting aroundThe observatory is 2 km (1.2 mi) west of the centre, the domed tombs are within the city.The observatory is 1.2 mi (2 km) west of the centre, the domed tombs are within the city.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealKebab with rice (chelo kebab)300,000–600,000 IRR
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi ride within the city (up to 5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi ride within the city (up to 3.1 mi (5 km))check100,000–200,000 IRR
- Budget bedDorm bed in a basic guesthouse, a night, per personIRR 500,000
- Mid-range bedPrivate room in a mid-range hotel, a night, per roomIRR 2,500,000
- High-end bedPrivate room in a mid-range hotel, a night, per roomIRR 4,000,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget IRR 1,500,000 · Mid IRR 3,000,000 · High IRR 5,000,000
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
- ACP Sahand Airport (Weekly flights from Tehran; 15 km (9.3 mi) west of the city, taxi about 30 min (check))ACP Sahand Airport (Weekly flights from Tehran; 9.3 mi (15 km) west of the city, taxi about 30 min (check))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Feb
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Apr
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Dec
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C) low), wettest Apr (11 rain days), driest Jul (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Maragheh: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
8 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
8 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
2 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
6 rd
Nov
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
7 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
8 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
The observatory is 2 km west of the centre, the domed tombs are within the city. Taxis cost about 100,000–200,000 IRR per ride (check). Walking covers the centre.
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
Train or bus, about 1.5–2 h
Tabriz has the bazaar, the Blue Mosque and the Azerbaijan Museum; a full day.
Urmia
cautionDoor to door: About 3.5 h
Bus via Tabriz, about 3 h
Lake Urmia and the city; a long day trip, better as an overnight.
Door to door: About 2.5 h
Taxi or bus, about 2 h
Babak Castle fortress on a mountain; a full day hike.
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.
City centre (around Imam Khomeini Square)
Closest to the domed tombs and a few basic hotels; walkable to most sights.
Near the railway station
Convenient for arriving/departing by train; fewer eating options.
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
- 1,500,000–2,500,000 IRR excl. bed
- Mid
- 2,500,000–4,500,000 IRR excl. bed
- High
- 4,500,000+ IRR excl. bed
Trip budget
| Private room in a mid-range hotel1 × 1 night × IRR 2,500,000 | IRR 2,500,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × IRR 3,000,000 | IRR 3,000,000 |
| Taxi from Sahand Airport to city centre1 × IRR 500,000 · check | IRR 500,000 |
| Local bus or shared taxi within city1 × IRR 50,000 | IRR 50,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | IRR 610,000 |
| Trip total≈ IRR 6,660,000 per person per day, bed included | IRR 6,660,000 |
2026 estimate in Iranian rials; flights and long-distance bus excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Tea at a local teahouse | 50,000–100,000 IRR |
| Kebab with rice (chelo kebab) | 300,000–600,000 IRR |
| Taxi ride within the city (up to 5 km)check | 100,000–200,000 IRR |
| Train ticket Tabriz–Maragheh (ordinary class)check | 200,000–400,000 IRR |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The observatory is a ruin on a hill: no shelter, bring water and sun protection.
- Domed tombs may be locked outside prayer times; ask a caretaker or local shopkeeper.
- Credit cards are rarely accepted; carry enough cash (Iranian rials).
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Ambulance
- 115
- Fire
- 125
Pocket card
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MaraghehMaragheh
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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به این آدرس، لطفاًTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Ambulance115
- Fire125
Embassy
Most embassies are in Tehran; the nearest consulate for many countries is in Tabriz (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Sahand Airport → city centre: about 500,000 IRR, 30 min (check)
- Taxi city centre → Maragheh Observatory: about 150,000 IRR, 10 min
- Train Maragheh → Tabriz: about 300,000 IRR ordinary class, 1.5–2 h (check)
Say or show
- سلام — Hello (salaam)
- مرسی — Thank you (mersi)
- چنده؟ — How much? (chande?)
- دستشویی کجاست؟ — Where is the toilet? (dastshooyi kojast?)
- نمیفهمم — I don't understand (nemifahmam)
Prices are in Iranian rials; many locals quote prices in tomans (1 toman = 10 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 Maragheh. 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)
- 1 airport and 2 areas 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
- Place pages with verified opening hours for the observatory and domed tombs.
- Eat pages with last orders and typical prices.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures for the railway station and Sahand Airport.
Sources
Ask about Maragheh
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