population: 1.1 million

extension: 121.8 square kilometers

Museums

If you are in Qazvin and interested in visiting museums, I recommend checking out the Sa'd al-Saltaneh Caravanserai Museum, which showcases traditional Iranian architecture and provides insights into the culture of caravanserais. Another museum to check out is the Qazvin Anthropology Museum, which has exhibits on the history, culture, and traditions of the region. If you enjoy visiting museums, you may also want to consider exploring the Tehran National Museum (located in Tehran, about 150km away from Qazvin), which houses a vast collection of artifacts from Iran's ancient history.

Food

Some of the most recommended, popular and typical dishes to eat in Qazvin, according to local people include:

1. Baghali Polo: a delicious rice dish made with dill and fava beans, often served with tender lamb.

2. Mirza Ghasemi: a smoky eggplant and tomato dip that is usually served as an appetizer or side dish.

3. Gheymeh: a hearty stew made with lentils, tomatoes, and chunks of tender beef or lamb.

4. Kabab-e Torsh: succulent lamb kebabs marinated in pomegranate juice and spices, served with grilled vegetables.

5. Kookoo Sabzi: an herb omelet made with parsley, cilantro, fenugreek, and other fresh herbs.

6. Abgoosht: a traditional Iranian soup/stew made with lamb, chickpeas, potatoes, onions, and tomatoes.

7. Fesenjan: a sweet and sour chicken or duck stew made with pomegranate molasses and ground walnuts.

8. Halim Bademjan: a rich and creamy eggplant and meat stew, often topped with crispy fried onions.

These are just a few examples of the many delicious dishes you can try in Qazvin, so be sure to explore the local cuisine and find your favorites!

Activities

Here are some fun activities that local people enjoy in Qazvin:

1. Visit the Chehel Sotoun Park: This large park is a popular spot for picnics, sports, and relaxation. It also features a beautiful palace with 20 wooden columns (Chehel Sotoun means "forty columns").

2. Explore the Bazaar of Qazvin: This traditional marketplace has been around since the Safavid era (17th century) and is a great place to shop for souvenirs, spices, and handicrafts.

3. Take a walking tour of the Old Town: The historic center of Qazvin has many beautiful old buildings, mosques, and cultural sites, and exploring it on foot is a great way to experience the local culture.

4. Try local cuisine: Qazvin is known for its delicious food, including dishes like kebabs, ash-e reshteh (a type of soup), and fesenjan (a stew made with pomegranate and walnuts).

5. Visit the Alamut Castle: If you have more time, consider taking a day trip to the nearby Alamut Valley, where you can explore the ruins of the famous Alamut Castle, which was once the stronghold of a medieval Islamic sect.