Travel Guide to Ardakan

The word Ardakan means a sacred land (it is a compound word, Ard meaning sacred and Kan meaning the land). The city of Ardakan with an area of 24 thousand kilometers is considered the largest city in Yazd province. This historic city with a large number of wonders and beauties is located in the heart of the central desert of Iran (Yazd). In addition, Ardakan is one of the best tourist destinations in Yazd province. 
The ancient city of Ardakan still retains its historical texture active. Having hundreds of monuments such as mosques, shrines, hosseiniyehs, bazaars, public hammams, water reservoirs, narrow alleys, sidewalks and one-way wind towers has created the capability to be a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Paradise-like houses tangled in maze of darbands, alleys and adobe Sabats that blend the sweet smell of the clay and human memories and display World of peace to any visitor who passes by.
Ardakan has the most number of Zoroastrian shrines which symbolizes the peaceful coexistence of Muslims and Zoroastrians in this great city. It also has the world's widest badgirs ( wind towers ), dozens of flowing qanats and Asian cheetah habitats.

The Best Time to Travel to Ardakan

As it was mentioned earlier, Ardakan has the most number of and the most important Zoroastrian shrines. On the 30th of December, Azaregan celebration, one of the important Zoroastrian celebration, will be held in many Zoroastrian shrines and fire temples in Ardakan. To see and experience this magnificent must-see celebration, many tourists travel to Ardakan on this day.

How to Get to Ardakan

Ardakan is the bordering point of Yazd province and neighboring provinces on north and west of this province such as Tehran, Isfahan. This has made Ardakan an important point connecting Yazd Province to other parts of the country. 

Ardakan Road Network

One of the main roads of the country is Ardakan, Aqda and Nain, which leads to Ardestan, Kashan, Qom and Tehran. Another road is Ardakan, Chupanan and Semnan, which connects Yazd province to Semnan, Mazandaran, and northern provinces. You can easily get to Ardakan by the bus departing from Tehran, Isfahan, or other cities to Yazd.  

Ardakan Railway

Ardakan has a special importance in terms of railway. It is located on Tehran-Bandar Abbas railway as well as on Kerman- Isfahan. So you can get to Ardakan on train, too, if you are departing from these cities.

Ardakan Air Network

It must be mentioned that Ardakan has no airport, but you can fly to Yazd and then hire a car to take you to Ardakan.

Accommodation in Ardakan

Ardakan is a city of history and historical structures and it takes a few days to visit them all. The city has many traditional hotels and residences very suitable for staying. These traditional hotels are not merely acommodations for travelers, but they are also considered tourist attractions that attract many visitors from different parts of the country and the world. Some of these residences include the traditional Khaloo Mirza Hotel, Farvardin Ecolodge, Mahbibi Traditional House, Shabestan Hotel in Ardakan, etc. 
To book a hotel in Ardakan, click here. 

Attractions in Ardakan

The historical city of Ardakan includes many historical sites and tourist attractions, the most important and popular of which are the Chak Chak Shrine, Kharanaq Village, Elites’ Museum, Ardakan Museum of Anthropology, Ardakan Water Mill, Siakuh National Park, Rige Zarrin Eco Camp. 
To read more about attractions in Ardakan, click here. 

A Trip to Aqda, Home of Pomegranate 

 Locals know Aqda as the land of adobe and pomegranate. Aqda is one of the largest and oldest villages in Ardakan, which is located on the road of Tehran- Bandar Abbas. Although the village has almost complete amenities, its history dates back to the pre-Islamic era. Just like Ardakan, Aqda has a maze of narrow streets and alleys with beautiful adobe vaulted ceilings, beautiful cobblestoned streets, porch houses, lofty badgirs ( wind towers ), and burry, date and pomegranate trees. The tasty pomegranates of Aqda are very famous and pleasant and are highly popular among the locals and whoever tasted them.
Some of the well-known historical monuments and tourist attractions of Aqda include Pars Banoo, Sameh Castle, Chapar Khaneh (pony express), Haj Abolghasem Rashti Caravanserai, Khaloo Mirza Hotel, Aqda Jame Mosque, Aqda Gate, and some traditional houses with specific traditional architecture. 
The ancient Zoroastrian celebrations as well as Islamic festivals, mourning days and Ramadan ceremonies etc. are held in this village. Each of these ceremonies having its own customs and tradition is so interesting and spectacular.

Nakhl Bardai in Aqda 

Every year, Nakhl Bardari is held in two districts of Aqda on Arbaeen Day (fortieth day after Ashura). This ceremony has been held since a long time ago in Aqda and some surrounding villages. The ceremony is interestingly famous and attended by almost every local and many visitors from other cities and even other countries. 

Kharanaq, the Birthplace of the Sun in Iran

The Kharanaq is located in 85 km east of Ardakan. Kharanaq has a moderate weather and also a seasonal river. There is an inscription on a stone at the Mashadak building near the cemetery which dates back to 595 AD narrating that Imam Reza had passed this site in Kharanaq. 
The most important monument in Kharanaq is its Monar Jonban (shaking minaret) which is a rival for the one in Isfahan; however, they are somehow alike. 

Ardakan Local Foods

Ardakan has a wide variety of local cuisines and food, most of them are made off grains, vegetables, crops and meat. Some of these local dishes can be mentioned as Khagineh (a special dish of egg), Yatimche (a dish of Zucchini), Qalyieh Kadoo (a dish of pumpkin and fried meat), Gashniz Gori (a dish of coriander), Goje Bademjun (a dish of eggplant and tomato), shoorba (a kind of broth) and so on.

Ardakan Souvenir

Halva Ardeh is one of the most famous souvenirs in Ardakan that is still made of natural substances, without any chemicals, in a completely traditional way, and somewhat hand-crafted. Halva Ardeh is a sesame roduct mainly used as breakfast and it comes in various delicious flavors which are very pleasant and popular. Ardeh, Komaj (a speial bread), Pistachio, Termeh and copper products are other souvenirs in Ardakan that have a lot of fans among the locals and visitors.
To explore the historic city of Ardakan, you can attend Ardakan Sightseeing Tour and have a journey to the heart of history.