Istisu Sanatorium
East of Lankaran city is the hot springs istisu sanatorium that is situated in a natural area with oak and iron-wood trees and a small stream.
Hirkan National Park
The area of this national park is 15,000 hectares. It has 150 kinds of trees and bushes in the park area and 36 of them are endemic. The fauna in the national park is not so rich, but one can meet interesting rare species there. We can meet boars, wild boars, spot antlers, jackals, and Asian leopards in the park. As for birds, woodpeckers, Hirkan tits, and stone sparrows can be noted. Hirkan tits are endemic here. The woods in the territory of the park are two and three stories tall. There are mainly chestnut leaf oak, iron-wood, the Caucasus persimmon, false nut, and Lankaran acacia trees in the lower part of the park. The iron-wood tree demir agaj is unique in its density that it sinks in water. It is almost indestructible by pests and is only native to a narrowly restricted area in the Talish hills around Lankaran.
Iran Border
Just west of Artupa village in Astara is the southern part of Hirkan National Park. The road to the park runs along the Iran border where a long stretch of barbed wire fencing and a guarded iron bridge in Iran are plainly visible. The guard will sometimes wave back to gawking tourists. At the end of the road are natural hot springs that merge with the river. Here you can alternately dip in the hot springs and the cold river.
Yanar Bulag
This area contains a water spring that burns constantly as if it were a gas lit flame. This is located just outside of Lankaran on the highway to Astara towards the beautiful range of mountains to the west just before the Electric Station.
Beaches
South of town, the beaches are cleaner and isolated. There is a beach access by the Kanarmesha area where there are some restaurants.
Khazar Caspian Lankaran Football Stadium (http://www.lankaranfc.com/en/)
There is a football stadium outside the city center where professional football is played. The team owner is a wealthy Lankaran native. The team is the 2007 national champion.
Heydar Aliyev Park
At the city center is a sprawling park where the people congregrate. It's a great place to people-watch and here you can also see a museum, monuments, and water fountains with accompanying lights/music. Plans are ongoing to expand the park all the way to the sea.
Zirva Physical Fitness Center 80, Nizami Street
This is a new heath center located in a 10 minute walk from the town center. This center has a massage room, sauna, steam bath, weight lifting area, mini soccer, boxing, martial arts, swimming, barber shop, and entertainment area. Call 0171-4-53-53 for an appointment.
Xanbulan Lake
This lake is located southeast of the city of Lankaran. It is a wooded reservoir in the lower foothills, which is wonderful for a picnic lunch and a relaxing nature hike.
Aurora Tea Factory
Near Xanbulan Lake, tourists can go to one of Lankaranâs famous tea factories and sample the widely known tea in a rose garden of the Aurora Tea Factory. At this factory, people can also tour and see the tea-making process. Call 994 0171 570-72 for an appointment.
Ballabur Castle
East of the city of Lankaran near a small hill by the Ballabur village is a place claimed to be the site of the ancient Bazz Castle. It was here, where the Khuramid chief, Babek, defended the castle against the Arab invasion. After the execution of Babek at the hands of the Arabs, the occupiers demolished the castle, but remnants of the castle can still be seen.
Gizil Agaj State National Reserve
The area of the State Reservation is 88,360 hectares. As a result of scientific research in this State Reservation 23 sorts of mammals, about 270 sorts of birds, 12 sorts of reptiles and 47 sorts of fish have been observed. Every year, a lot of birds come to Gizilagaj State Reservation to make nest from the East countries such as yellow and wild heron swans, flamingo, wild ducks beside it flamingo, river ducks, and swans are inhabited in this State Reservation. Fishes such as sazan, herring, seal, omul, grey mullet, pike, salmon and mammals such as swine, hares, jackals, foxes, badgers, beavers wild boars, and water squirrels can be found in this reserve.
