Plizio Visual Lab

Lake Urmia

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Lake

Weather…

Lake Urmia is located in northwestern Iran and was once the largest lake in the Middle East, as well as the sixth largest saltwater lake on the planet. At its peak, the water mass covered an area of approximately 5200 square kilometers, with a maximum depth reaching 16 meters. The lake basin is divided between West Azerbaijan and East Azerbaijan provinces. In recent decades, prolonged droughts and intensive agricultural water use have drastically reduced the water volume. The high salt content, which can reach up to 340 grams per liter, makes survival impossible for fish but provides a handy habitat for brine shrimp. These crustaceans serve as a primary food source for thousands of migratory birds, including flamingos and pelicans.

Location: Iran
Nearby: Urmia Lake (12 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	0	3	8	13	19	24	28	27	23	16	7	2
Rain mm	26	25	38	48	29	8	4	3	4	25	34	26

📋 Practical info

🧭

Getting there

Access to the lakeshore is usually through the nearby major cities of Tabriz or Urmia. From there, roads lead to the vicinity of the remaining water surfaces or the vast salt flats.

📅

Best season

Spring is often the best time as precipitation can temporarily raise water levels and the climate is mild. During the summer, the basin dries out significantly and becomes exceedingly hot.

⛰️

Terrain & paths

Due to the dramatic shrinkage, the shoreline today largely consists of extremely bright, reflective salt crusts. These flats can be solid during dry spells but slippery after any rain.

🎒

What to bring

High-quality sunglasses are absolutely recommended due to the strong reflection from the salt flats. Sun protection and closed-toe shoes are advisable for walking on the salt crusts safely.

🅿️

Parking

Vehicles can typically be parked at designated stopping points along the main access roads. Tabriz and Urmia provide the most comprehensive tourist infrastructure in the surrounding region.

⚠️

Safety

Navigation on the vast, blindingly white salt flats can be difficult without local knowledge. It is strongly advised not to drive cars too far out onto the potentially unstable lake bed.

⏱️

Time needed

A visit to the salt flats or the remaining water surfaces generally takes around one to three hours. Many visitors plan the excursion as a half-day trip from one of the nearby major cities.

Geography

Coordinates

37.70000, 45.30000

Facts

Historically covered a total surface area of approximately 5200 square kilometers.
The water salinity can reach an extreme level of 340 grams per liter.
It was historically considered the sixth largest saltwater lake on Earth.
Exactly 102 small islands are located within the lake basin.
The maximum water depth reached 16 meters during wetter years.
Serves as a crucial resting place for thousands of rosy flamingos and pelicans.
Kabudan Island is the largest landmass within the lake area.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Urmia Lake12 km · NExplore →

Urmia27 km · SWExplore →

Cheekha Dar84 km · SWExplore →

Halgurd Mountain90 km · SWExplore →

Qandil Mountains96 km · SWExplore →

Halgurd98 km · SWExplore →

Kandovan106 km · NExplore →

Maragheh107 km · NExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Start Destination Via (optional)

Overnight stops

Vehicle

Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Can you swim in Lake Urmia?

Yes, the extremely high salt content allows swimmers to float on the surface, similar to the Dead Sea.

Why does the lake sometimes turn red?

Certain algae and bacteria cause a reddish tint when evaporation is high and salt concentration increases.

Are there parking spaces for visitors?

Along the causeway crossing the lake, there are stopping points and simple parking areas for tourists.

When is the water level highest?

Usually in spring after the snowmelt in the surrounding mountains, around April and May.

Are there toilets or restaurants on-site?

Near the main access points there are small kiosks, but the overall infrastructure is quite limited.

Lake Urmia: where is it located?

Lake Urmia is located in Iran.

Lake Urmia: when is the best time to visit?

The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.

Lake Urmia: why is it worth visiting?

Lake Urmia is located in northwestern Iran and was once the largest lake in the Middle East, as well as the sixth largest saltwater lake on the planet.

View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →