Caspian Sea (Khazar region)
Rasht
Capital of the Gilan province, Rasht is a major city in the Caspian Sea region. It is a distribution center of agricultural products from fertile lands in the north of the country, and a main transportation hub between the Caucasus, Russia and Iran; thus, a major trading center.
A lively and active life style is apparent in the trade activities all over the city in the daytime, and in the busy restaurants, movie theatres, and crowded streets in the city center at night.
Rasht is known for its unique cuisine, particularly its seafood and its traditional rustic life style. This can be best observed during the day in its open air bazaar, with its many small food stores and vendors from surrounding villages offering fresh produce, eggs, live chickens and ducks, olives, fish... and shoppers busy bargaining in the packed alleys in the baazar and adjacent streets.
The city of Rasht is located in the center of the Gilan province, surrounded by forests and diverse agricultural regions. In the south, it borders the olive groves of Rudbar, known as the olive capital of the country; in the east, Kuchesfehan and Lasht-e Nesha are two of the major rice growing regions of the province, and in the west, the Fuman area cultivates rice as well as tea. In the north, Anzaly is Iran's largest seaport on the Caspian Sea
Lahijan-Langerud
Lahijan - This attractive city is surrounded by rice paddies and gentle mountains blanketed with tea plantations. It is known for its tea leaves and its Kolucheh (pastry filled with walnut-paste).
Langerud - A township east of Lahijan built on the slopes of the Alborz mountains and irrigated by the Langerud river. The river flows into the Caspian Sea 8 km from Langerud at the site of the popular beach resort of Chamkhaleh.
Babolsar and Sari
Babolsar - This leading seaside resort city, 268 km from Tehran, is a popular vacation destination for visitors from Tehran. The city is divided by the Babol river into eastern and western sections and has a beautiful fishing port and recreational areas on the banks of the river.
Sari - Capital of the northern province of Mazandaran, this ancient city has been destroyed and rebuilt several times in the course of history. Its major landmark is a clock tower built on Clock Square in the city center.
Sisangan Forest Park
Sisangan National Forest Park is one of the region's major tourist destinations. 31 km east of the city of Noshahr, the forest stretches on a narrow strip from the shores of the Caspian Sea to the Alborz mountains peaks and it offers many recreational activities including horseback riding in the forest, and picnic areas with facilities.
Noshahr and Chalous
Noshahr - Seaport closest to Tehran and one of the two cities in the province with an airport, Noshahar is a major transit point between the littoral states on the Caspian Sea. Its mild climate, beaches and proximity to the Sisangan Forest Park make it a popular vacation destination.
Chalous - In addition to linking the capital city to the northern provinces of the country, Chalous is located in the center of many popular seaside and mountain resorts, only 200 km from Tehran. This ideal location makes it one of the most visited cities of the province.
Ramsar
On the west coast of the Mazandaran province, surrounded by orange orchards, Ramsar is a seaside resort built on a narrow land strip. The town extends from the shore to the slopes of the forested Alborz mountains. It is by far the most scenic and prestigious resort town on the Caspian Sea shore, known for its natural hot spring baths and pebble beaches. It has been host to many international conferences and dignitaries.
