Sari

• Population: 568,214 (2006 estimate)
• Elevation: 50 m
• Area: 5089 km²
• Religion: Islam, Zoroastrianism, Christian
• Language: Mazandarani (Tabarian), Persian, and some Turkmen.

The spreading of the city makes taxis available almost everywhere.

There is a wide choice of taxi systems including ceremony taxis, wireless telecommunication taxis, airport or rail station taxis, telephony taxis and shared taxis.

You may call 133 from everywhere of the city and county to ask for a ride anywhere in Sari in less than five minutes or taking you from approximately 20 km far distances (requires registration) and even to serving you getting any destination around Iran. So if you would like to stay more than a week in Sari, registration with this office is recommended.

Notable are famous houses such as Kolbadi House and Amir Divan House (Ramedani House) , Archaeological sites including Hutto Cave (70th millennium BC), Kamarband Cave (70th-millennium BC); also the Resket Tower from the Qaran era and the Farahabad Complex Place from the Safavid era.

• The restored 125-year-old Khaneh Kolbadi is reminiscent of an 18th-century khan’s palace. Thick walls kept the lower floor warm in winter while the light, bright upper floor could be opened to through drafts for hot summers. Its orosi windows (wood-framed puzzles of multicoloured glass) supposedly disorientated mosquitoes. The building is slated to become a museum incorporating the historic Vasir-e Hamam (bathhouse) behind.
• Haaj Mostafa Khan Mosque
• The unusual Jameh Mosque has traditional Mazandarani tiled roofs, but from outside looks more like a medieval Italian prison.
• Tomb of Yaha
• Tomb of Zeinol Aabedain
• Tomb of Abbas
• The Clock Tower: at the center of the city. The Clock Tower is known as a symbol of Sari.

• Badab-e Surt The travertine terraces which are similar to the ones in Pamukkale, Turkey, are 100 km south of Sari. The location is marked in OpenStreetMap (Location: 36.3537126, 53.8566692). There is a 2-km trail to reach to the terraces from a parking lot which is reachable by a bumpy road. Also expensive pickup rides (from US$20) can be hired for the steep 2-km hike. Easiest way to reach is a private car via Kiasar, however also a few public buses run to the nearby Orost Village, 5 km, from Kiasar (around 12:00) or the junction at the bus station. Scenic hiking is possible from the Sari - Damghan junction towards Orost and Badab-e Surt. It's more than 20 km, there are no hotels around as it's a very rural area, but in Orost village you might get hosted by a friendly Iranian family. There is also a local hammam spa available with alternating opening days for men and women. From the junction, there is a dry river bed that leads through the valley which spectacular view on the mountain range which leads to the rewarding travertine terrace views from its top. You can bathe in the water upstream but bathing in the travertine pools is banned in order to protect the geological formations.

There are many places to go in Sari. Here are just a few:

• Farah Abad Coast
• Gohar Baran Coast
• Derya Kenar Coast
• Khezer Shahr Coast
• Dehkadeh Aramesh Tourist Village
• Tajan River Park
• Zare' Forest Park (east of Sari, near Behshar road)
• Salardareh Forest Park
• Dasht-E-Naaz National Park
• Pol-e-Gardan hiking trail
• Nemashoun Lake
• Lak-Dasht Lake
• Soleyman-Tangeh Lake
• Bam-e-Shahr Hill (offers a great panoramic view of the city)
• Qor-Maraz (natural spa, Neka)

Sari is one of the most cultural cities in Iran. It hosts several universities:

• University of Agriculture
• Mazandaran University of Medical Science (MazUMS)
• University of Natural Science
• Sarian University of Art & Architecture
• Payam-e-Noor University
• University of Tech & Engineering
• University of Tarbiyat-e Modaress
• Sama Technology Faculty of Azad University

Local Sari food that can be bought as souvenirs include special cakes, rice, yogurt and fruits. The Sari Wood and Paper Company is famous throughout the Middle East.

There are several places in Sari for Shopping. These include:

• The Grand bazaar of Imam Reza (near the eastern entrance)
• Nargesiyeh Marketplace (near the city center)
• The fish sellers' bazaar
• Mehr Commercial complex
• Enqelab commercial complex

There are a lot of malls and shopping centers in Qaran street near the city center such as Elahiyeh mall.

If you are in Sari, fish is the best way to go. If you're not really interested in fish, Kebab shops are scattered all over the city. Don't forget a meal in this city would not be complete without salads and Naan bread (Iranian bread).

The favourite drink of Sari in winter is Caspian Tea (Chay), it is available almost everywhere around the city, especially in winter. In summer when it is hot and humid, Doogh a traditional yoghurt drink is also available. The local cola (ZamZam) is also available.

• Salardarreh Hotel, at Km.17 of Kiyasar Rd. (South), in the heart of forests with exclusive views of forests and surrounding hills and valleys. Many Norwegians, Germans, and Swedish people are residents of this hotel most of the times, English is guaranteed to be spoken, has a local church for religious practices. The fare is reasonable since it is semi private hotel.
• Narenj Hotel, at Km. 5 of Darya Rd. (North). Good for Spring especially April and May months, since you can open the windows of its rooms and sleep by the balmy and Yasmin distributed air.
• Badeleh, at Km. 10 of Neka Rd. (East) Most of the suites are reserved and tourists rarely find the chance to using this hotel.
• Mazandaran Hotel Associate, in 21st Alley, Ferdowsi St. It is not preferred however has cheap fares for one night accommodation.
• Mazraeh, at Km. 7th of Qaemshahr Rd. (West) offers villa structured rooms.
• Sarooyah Apartments, in Taleghani Blvd. has cheap and comfortable Guestrooms, Getting twin sleeping service room with Air conditioner, refrigerator and private bath room must not reach more than USD10. Forigen residents who speak English usually rent this hotel but there is no guarantee that secretary speaks English.
• Sari Residential Complex, in Peivandi Alley, Farhang St. A reasonable hospitality center, with clean and hospitable employees.
• Asram Hotel, next to Tajan Bridge. Very expensive hotel with lack of some services and hospitality. German is also spoken along with English. Especially it is guaranteed during summers.

Along with hotels there are many guest rooms (Mehman Pazir) are available specially in the Nader Street (Jomhuri-ye Eslami Street) in the city center and next to the Tajan bridge.

There are many Internet cafés and chat rooms scattered all over the city, the Internet speeds ranges from acceptable to fast.

To find high speed internet providers, look that if it has server or not. Foreigners usually use the cafes around the Time Square.

Sari is relatively a very safe city, even in the middle of the night, so don't let this worry or bother you at all during your stay in Sari. If you are in trouble you can ask for help by calling police at 110 or Emergency medical services at 115 or Fire department at 125.

You might want to have plastic money to prevent having your money stolen. Bank-e Melli-ye Iran (National Bank of Iran) which is a government-owned bank in Iran, provides an ATM debit card service (plastic magnetic card) for tourists who visit Iran. Tourists just need to head the nearest branch of this bank. Information on this service can be found here. Another way to prevent having your money stolen, is going to the nearest bank and getting a gift card. They are exactly like ordinary ATM debit cards, but once they get empty, they cannot be recharged. Sepah Bank or Bank -e- Sepah is a governmental bank that has a current account service for foreigners which provides ATM debit card and cheque writing option. A list of permitted Iranian banks can be found here

If you don't know Mazandarani or Persian, don't let this bother you or make you worried, there are many foreigners and Iranians there who speak English in the city.

Also it is recommended to appreciate the native people who are not able to talk to you in English with these Mazandarani sentences: Tie Fieda or Tie ri Bielaarremi, but please extend your voice like singing since people can better understood while they extend their voice.