Sarein

Sarein, Ardabil Province, Iran

Location: Sarein, Ardabil Province, Iran
Water type: bicarbonate
Temperature: 38 °C
pH: 8

Water profile

Thermicity

Neutral

38 °C

LowHigh

Soothing — neither hot nor cold, perfect balance.

Mineralisation

Restorative

LowHigh

Loaded with major ions — the essential minerals (Ca, Mg).

Buoyancy

Standard buoyancy

LowHigh

Soft water — natural, classic buoyancy.

BicarbonatesSodiumCalcium

Sarein in Ardabil province of northwestern Iran, in the volcanic highlands of Azarbaijan near the Azerbaijan border, is Iran's most visited thermal resort, drawing on over 50 natural hot springs that emerge from the geothermal system associated with the volcanic massif of Sabalan — one of Iran's highest and most geologically active volcanoes at 4,811 metres. The sulphurous springs range in temperature from pleasantly warm to scalding, and the town has developed extensive private and hotel spa facilities that attract millions of Iranian visitors annually, particularly from Tehran and Tabriz. The high-altitude location at around 2,000 metres and the cold northern climate make the warm sulphurous pools particularly appealing in cooler months. Ardabil province's extraordinary cultural heritage, centred on the UNESCO World Heritage Sheikh Safi al-Din shrine complex in the provincial capital, enriches any visit to Sarein with remarkable Persian architectural and spiritual history.

Insider tip — Sarein is Iran's premier thermal resort town, clustered around dozens of hotels fed by bicarbonate-sodium springs that rise through volcanic Sabalan mountain flanks at over 2,000 m elevation. The springs emerge at temperatures ranging from 30 to 80 °C; hotel pool water is typically cooled to 37–40 °C. Friday visits should be avoided as the town becomes extremely crowded with Tabriz and Tehran tourists; midweek in spring offers the best combination of comfortable temperatures and light crowds.

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