Bandar Anzali is one of the largest cities in Gilan province and has the first and largest Iranian port on the Caspian coast.
Bandar Anzali is one of the most touristy cities in northern Iran. The city is located west of Gilan province. The port has long been of commercial importance as well as tourism. Bandar Anzali has humid weather and is one of the rainiest cities in Iran. This city gets the title of the Lotus city and the gateway to Iran and Europe. The Bay of Anzali has long been a safe port for large ships. The city has always been the name of Anzali throughout history and was only called Pahlavi Port during the Pahlavi dynasty. Anzali Port is one of the densest cities in Iran. Most people in the city are Shia Muslims, but a significant number of Christians have long lived with Muslims in the port of Anzali. The original language of the people is Anzali Gilaki Port. Fishing, rice planting, and farming are the most common occupations of the people of Bandar Anzali.
- Souvenirs
Bandar Anzali has a variety of souvenirs. This city's main souvenirs are its fish. Other edible souvenirs such as olives, garlic, sweets like kaka, Halva honey, and local pickle and vegetables can be bought as souvenirs of this city. You can also buy handicrafts and wooden furniture as souvenirs.
- Foods
Popular foods in Anzali Port include Baghali ghatogh, Torshe Tareh, Mirza Ghassemi, Aloo Mosama, and Sir Qaliye, so be sure to try them on your trip to Anzali.
- Surrounding attractions
Bandar Anzali Attractions can be divided into three parts: historical, natural, and recreational.
- Anzali lagoon: Its most important natural attractions are the coast and the Anzali Lagoon. The coast of Bandar Anzali is a great place to relax, swim, and enjoy the beauty of the sea. The Anzali International Lagoon, the largest lagoon in the world, is a beautiful lagoon that is full of reeds and lotus flowers with a spectacular view. Anzali Lagoon reaches its beauty peak from late June to September. Because in these months, the lotus flowers are everywhere in the lagoon and make a very eye-catching landscape.
- Anzali Menareh or Clock Tower: Anzali Clock Tower is one of the oldest buildings in Anzali and still displaying the clock correctly. This tower was built by the order of Khosrow Khan Gorji (one of the rulers of Anzali during Nasser al-Din Shah).
- Anzali bridge or Ghazian bridge: Ghazian Historical Bridge is one of the two major bridges of Anzali. The construction of the bridge dates back to the Pahlavi era. It is interesting to know that this bridge was a drawbridge, but today it is not open.
- Anzali Palace Museum: This palace is located in a wide area between the Anzali Bridge and the Ghazian Bridge. The construction of the palace began on the orders of Reza Shah and by Iranian engineers in the year 1929 and ended after two years. Nowadays, the Anzali Palace has become a military museum, and a variety of weapons have been kept from the Safavid era.
- Polish Cemetery: The Polish Cemetery is one of the old tombs in the port of Anzali, where Polish immigrants are buried. They fled to Iran during the Nazi invasion in 1941. There are 639 Polish immigrants buried in this province. It is the second-largest Polish cemetery in Iran.
You can also visit other tourist attractions in this city, such as the tomb of Mohamad Najafi, Bibi Huriye tomb, city park, and so on.
- What is the best time to go?
The climate of Anzali Port is warm and humid and mild in winter. If you like to see the beautiful nature of the Anzali lagoon, we suggest coming to this city from late June to late September. Before traveling to this port, be sure to search the weather to check the heat of this city.
- Getting there?
To travel to Anzali Port, you can go by car or by plane. If your origin is Tehran, Port Anzali is about 4 hours distance. The best way to reach this port is a Tehran-Rasht road. If your origin is Rasht, you drive only an hour. If you plan to travel by plane, you should know that the Bandar Anzali does not have an airport and the closest airport to this port is the Sardar e Jangal International Airport.