Kandovan village, located approximately 60 kilometers southwest of Tabriz in East Azarbaijan province, has emerged as a prominent tourist destination, especially during the recent Nowruz and Eid al-Fitr holidays, according to local cultural authorities. The village gained international recognition after being included on the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s tentative list of best tourism villages, a status credited with boosting both domestic and international visitor numbers since mid-2023.

Ahmad Hamzehzadeh, director-general of the East Azarbaijan Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Organization, identified Kandovan as the fifth most visited village in Iran, following Sohili in Qeshm, Javaherdeh in Ramsar, Palangan in Kurdistan, and Altappeh in Behshahr. He emphasized the village’s unique landscape and historic architecture as key factors driving its growing appeal. The area is characterized by homes carved into volcanic rock formations, which date back an estimated 6,000 to 7,000 years, making Kandovan one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited rocky villages.

During the Eid al-Fitr holidays, the province recorded a 30% increase in tourist arrivals, with nearly 1.93 million visitors entering East Azarbaijan. Of these, approximately 692,817 individuals explored various local attractions, marking an 11% increase from the previous year. Museum visits also rose by 13%, reaching over 44,000, a trend associated with expanded cultural and artistic programming across the region’s museums and historic sites.

Hamzehzadeh attributed part of the tourism growth to the global recognition of three caravanserais within the province, as well as Kandovan's listing among the world’s best tourist villages. Notably, authorities also reported a 17% reduction in road accidents over the recent holiday period, reflecting effective safety measures amid increased travel.

Kandovan’s architectural style is distinctive for its hand-carved stone dwellings shaped from volcanic rock around the Sahand Mountain Range. These conical structures, some reaching heights of 40 meters, are naturally insulated, maintaining cool interiors during summer and warmth in winter. The multi-level homes, known as “karans,” feature carved rooms including kitchens, living spaces, and storage areas, often decorated with colored glass windows.

The village’s environment, situated on mountain slopes with lush greenery and fertile plains, supports local agriculture and beekeeping. Residents primarily engage in farming and livestock rearing, with honey recognized as a popular regional product. Other traditional goods include apricots, sour cherries, dried fruits, rugs, and jajim textiles.

Spring and summer are considered optimal seasons for visiting Kandovan, with typical excursions lasting from a few hours to a full day. Cultural officials continue to promote the village as a heritage and tourism hub, fostering both preservation efforts and sustainable economic growth in the region.