Kandovan

Kandovan (کندوان) is a remarkable troglodyte village in Āz̄ārbāyjān-e Shārqī Province, about 60 km south of Tabriz near Osku. The village features cone-shaped rock formations that have been hand-carved into homes, stables, and storage rooms over centuries — similar to Cappadocia in Turkey. Some of these rock houses are still inhabited and others have been converted into hotels, shops, and teahouses.

Kandovan sits at about 2,200 m elevation on the slopes of Mount Sahand. Summers are cool and pleasant; winters are very cold with heavy snow.

By Plane

Tabriz International Airport (TBZ) is about 70 km north.

By Car / Road

Kandovan is 20 km south of Osku, about 60 km from Tabriz (1 hour). Taxis from Tabriz cost about 500,000–800,000 rials. Minibuses from Tabriz to Osku, then local taxi.

The village is pedestrian-only. Everything is accessed by footpaths between the rock cones.

• Kandovan Rock Houses — The entire village: hundreds of cone-shaped rock dwellings, some multi-storey with modern interiors.
• River and waterfall — A stream runs through the village with a small waterfall.
• Sheepfold caves — Traditional livestock shelters in the rock.

Explore the cave houses. Stay overnight in a rock-carved hotel. Walk up the hillside for panoramic photos. Buy handmade crafts from local artisans.

Traditional Azerbaijani dishes served at the rock-carved restaurants.

Kandovan herbal tea — local mountain herbs brewed at the village teahouses.

• Mid-range: Kandovan Rocky Hotel and Laleh Kandovan Hotel — Unique rock-carved rooms from 1,000,000 rials.
• Booking is essential in summer.

Kandovan handicrafts (feltwork, pottery), local honey, and dried fruits.

• Osku (20 km, 25 minutes) — Apple orchards.
• Tabriz (60 km, 1 hour) — Historic capital with the Grand Bazaar.
• Sahand Ski Resort (30 km, 45 minutes) — Winter sports.
• Azarshahr (40 km, 45 minutes) — Lake Urmia area.