tehran travel

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Hugging the lower slopes of the magnificent, snowcapped Alborz Mountains, Tehran is Iran’s most secular and liberal city. Spend time here – as you should – and you'll soon realise that the city is so much more than a chaotic jumble of concrete and crazy traffic blanketed by a miasma of air pollution. This is the nation's dynamic beating heart and the place to get a handle on modern Iran and what its future will likely be.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Golestan Palace

The glories and excesses of the Qajar rulers are played out across this complex of grand buildings decorated with beautifully painted tiles and set around…

Sa’d Abad Museum Complex

Sprawling across the foothills of Darband, this estate was a summer home to royals since the Qajar dynasty, although it was the Pahlavis who expanded it…

Grand Bazaar

The maze of bustling alleys and the bazaris (shopkeepers) that fill them make this a fascinating, if somewhat daunting, place to explore. Despite being…

Treasury of National Jewels

Owned by the Central Bank and accessed through its front doors, the cavernous vault that houses what is commonly known as the ‘Jewels Museum’ is not to be…

Niyavaran Cultural-Historic Complex

In the Alborz foothills is the palace where Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and his family spent most of the last 10 years of royal rule. It’s set in 5…

Iran Holy Defense Museum

This epic-scale museum, on a landscaped site of 21 hectares, is dedicated to the Iran–Iraq War, a bloody eight-year conflict that claimed a million lives…

Azadi Tower (Borj-e Azadi)

The inverted-Y-shaped Azadi Tower, built in 1971 to commemorate the 2500th anniversary of the first Persian empire, is one of Tehran's visual icons…

Islamic Museum

Next door to the National Museum, and part of the same complex, this museum offers a stunning collection of arts and antiquities from throughout the…

Latest stories from Tehran

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Two Day Tehran Itinerary + 13 Things To Do In Tehran

Updated February 2024, Two Day Tehran Itinerary + 13 Things To Do In Tehran was originally published in May 2020

Tehran in many ways feels like a capital city in all the right ways. The juxtaposition of the chaotic traffic and bustle on the streets against the laid back Persian chaikhana culture, done up women with their headscarves teetering on the very back of their head passing a woman in a black chador, clutching the fabric tightly below her chin, brilliant museums and art galleries versus the propaganda art pieces painted on the streets.

Tehran is a pretty modern city, when compared to the remainder of Iran, but in many ways it still has an old-meets-new feel to it as tradition and 21st century seem to collide here.

The small handful of independent travelers I met gave Tehran a pass, just using it as a place to catch a night of sleep after flying and then continuing on to Central Iran’s historical gems.

I, personally have a thing for these not-so-loved capitals. Tashkent , Dushanbe , Bishkek , Cairo – give me weeks in them and I still rustle up plenty of things to keep myself entertained and occupied, though I know most of you are on limited time off and are trying to make the most of those precious days on your trip.

I knew as soon as I had arrived in Iran I would be back again and again, so getting to Tehran and running out of energy wasn’t the end for me, I know there will be more opportunities.

I did Iran backward. Most people seem to enter the country via Tehran and start their adventure from there. I had a different trajectory, wrapping up a tour I co-lead to Afghanistan and crossing the border from Herat to Mashhad.

With that said, by the time I made it to Tehran I was running out of time on my visa, and I was running out of steam. In the last few years, I haven’t really been traveling to new countries, and being that Iran was the first new place I really delved into more recently, I was like a kid in a candy shop.

Needless to say, I still saw a lot in Tehran but with that said, I only had two days to dedicate to it and I didn’t want to rush myself too much. So based on my two day Iran itinerary, here are the best things to do in Iran in two days. For further planning of your trip to Iran, I recommend grabbing a copy of Bradt’s Iran guidebook .

Planning your trip to Iran? Check out my  Iran itinerary for 1-4 weeks

Day 2: Revolution, Propaganda & History

A two day tehran itinerary, day 1: palaces, mosques & bazaars, golestan palace.

Golestan Palace is one of the oldest attractions in Tehran, dating back to the Qajar era. It served as the royal complex consisting of numerous intricately tiled buildings set around a garden.

Note that there are entrance fees to the different areas of the palace. I opted to only visit the main halls, which include the Hall of Mirrors and the Negar Khana (Iranian Art Gallery). There are 9 other museums to visit aside from the main halls, which cost 300,0000 IRR | 20,000 IRR (foreigner|Iranian) each to enter.

Golestan Palace Admission + Main Halls:  500,000 IRR for foreigners | 250,000 IRR for Iranians

Metro Stop:  Panjdah e Khordad

Check out my city guides to  Kashan ,  Esfahan , &  Shiraz  to plan your trip to Iran

The Grand Bazaar

I have a habit of turning up to places that are almost never closed, on a day they’re closed. This was the case when I went across the street from Golestan Palace into the Tehran Grand Bazaar, everything was shut.

I never tracked down why exactly it was shut (it wasn’t a holiday or anything from what I’m aware), but I did get to peek in at a section on my way to Imam Khomeini Mosque, and I’d say it’s definitely worth a whirl around.

Imam Mosque & Zeid Shrine

In the northern corner of the Tehran Grand Bazaar is Imam Mosque and Imamzadeh Zeid.

Imam Mosque was called Shah mosque until the 1979 Revolution, and you may still hear it referred to as such. Imamzadeh Zeid is a shrine to a descendant of the Prophet Mohammed.

Don’t know where to start with the visa process? Check out my  guide to getting an Iranian visa

Talaghani Park

Talaghani Park is the perfect place to head around lunchtime. The park includes the beautifully sculpted Tabiat Bridge, the Holy Defense Museum, and a large food court aside from its greenery and walk through a small forest on a hill.

Metro Stop:  Shahid Haghani

Holy Defense Museum

The Holy Defense Museum is dedicated to the 8 year long Iran-Iraq War, as well as the Iranian Revolution. The museum does a great job of explaining the conflict in detail.

Entrance:  200,000 IRR for foreigners | 30,000 IRR for Iranians

Heading northwest after Tehran? Check out my  Tabriz Travel Guide

Khorramshahr Mosque

This is a replica of the Khorramshahr Central Mosque in the inland port city of Khorramshahr. The city was besieged during the war, seeing parts of its mosque become dilapidated due to the fighting.

The replica is quite beautiful, located just outside the Shahid Haghani Metro Station.

Wanna see Iran’s otherworldly landscapes? Check out my guides to the  rainbow island of Hormuz  and to  Shiraz’s pink salt Maharloo Lake

Tabiat Bridge

This double-decker bridge designed by Leila Araghian connects Talaghani Park and Abo-Atesh Park on opposite sides of Modarres Expressway, with epic views of the Alborz Mountains to the north of Tehran.

Azadi Tower

In a clash of tradition meets modern- Azadi Tower gleams over Azadi Square in an opulent manner.

Built in 1971 to commemorate the 2,500th anniversary of the Persian Empire, 8000 pieces of white marble adorn the 45 meter high tower, incorporating an iwan-style arch.

For me anyways, Azadi Tower had always been a symbol I associated with Iran after learning about the 1979 Revolution that resulted in the overthrow of the Pahlavi Dynasty and takeover by the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in my world history class in high school (that was the same year of the 9/11 attacks which spurred our instructor to teach the history of Central Asia and the Middle East in hopes for us to better understand the history of the regions and how that shaped the strained relations between them and the US, rather than teaching the typical European-Centric Britishified version of world history that was typically taught for that class). I remember seeing the Azadi Tower in the distance of several images of protests.

The trickiest part about visiting the Azadi Tower is walking across the busy roundabout around it. The metro and bus station are outside of the roundabout, so you’ll need to cross several lanes of traffic in order to reach it.

Iranian traffic can be bonkers, so use caution when crossing. If you’re new to Iran, look for locals crossing and cross with them- they usually know what they’re doing. You can enter the tower for a fee and climb or take the elevator to the top. Inside are a gallery and a cafe.

Metro Stop:  Maydon e Azadi

Plan an  epic two day trip to Yazd

US Den Of Espionage

At the height of the 1979 Revolution, students stormed the US Embassy, holding 52 diplomats hostage for 444 days. The site of the former embassy now serves as an anti-America museum highlighting the spying that went on at the embassy.

The front of the former embassy grounds houses a large garden now called the  Museum Garden of Anti Arrogance , which was used as a training center for the Revolutionary Guard.

Several anti-America murals decorate the walls around the garden that were commissioned by the Iranian government. In the summer of 2019, the original murals were painted over and with new ones.

I personally found the museum fascinating as well as the murals, both old and new.

Metro Stop:  Talaghani

Propaganda Murals

The outside walls of the former US Embassy, as well as many of the brick walls that line Talaghani Street feature anti-America and anti-Israel propaganda.

I did read that in November 2019 (7 months are my visit) that the government commissioned new murals to be painted over some of the original ones. These murals still depict anti-American sentiments but point toward a weaker America riddled by its own problems, different to the portrayal of the US in the old murals.  Click here  to read an article and see images of the new murals.

The one mural I knew most well prior to my visit to Tehran was the Stars & Stripes Mural, painted on a building on Karim Khan Boulevard, a few blocks up from the former US Embassy. The mural is one of the most photographed propaganda pieces in Tehran, featuring an American flag with skulls in liu of the stars, stars of red fading into bombs, and the statement “Down with the USA” printed across it.

Metro Stop:  Shohada ye Haftom e Tir

National Jewels Museum

Truth be told, I didn’t visit the Treasury of National Jewels myself, but after hearing people back at my hostel talking about it, I really wished I had, so I added it to the list anyway. Rulers from the Safavid, Qajar, and Pahlavi wore heaps of jewels and decorated much of their belongings in the. The Jewel Museum houses several of these pieces.

Metro Stop:  Sa’di

Heading to the northwest next? Check out my  quick guide to Kandovan

National Museum Of Iran

Iran has a long and fascinating history, so if you want to get down on some Iranian history, the National Museum of Iran is the place to visit.

Entrance:  500,000 IRR for foreigners | 50,000 IRR for Iranians

Metro Stop:  Imam Khomeini

Tajrish Bazaar & Saleh Shrine

I don’t know how they compare as the Tehran Grand Bazaar was closed when I visited, but I quite liked the Tajrish Bazaar, located on the northern fringes of Tehran.

You can find just about anything wandering the maze-like alleys of the bazaar. Don’t miss the Saleh Shrine located within Tajrush Bazaar too.

Metro Stop:  Tajrish

Where To Stay In Tehran

I personally stayed at the  Tehran Heritage Hostel  and definitely recommend it for those sticking to a smaller budget. The rooms are clean and nice, the staff is extremely helpful, and the included breakfast is phenomenal. It’s centrally located, and just a few minutes walk from Baharestan Metro Station.

Tehran Heritage Hostel

HI Tehran Hostel

Tehran Grand Hotel

Ferdowsi International Grand Hotel

Hanna Boutique Hotel

So, how much does it cost to backpack across Iran? Find out  here

Getting Around In Tehran

Metro:  Getting around in Tehran was quite easy in my opinion. I entirely got around the city by metro. A metro ticket costs 12,000 IRR for a single trip, or you can purchase an electronic card for 50,000 IRR and load credit on to them at machines using cash (these work for public buses too).

There are currently five metro lines in Tehran, so getting around using it is quite efficient. Metro trains run from 5:30 am to 11:00 pm.

Note that there are ‘women only’ cars on the train, so if you’re a solo female you may feel more comfortable here. The women-only cars are clearly marked.

Snapp:  Snapp is essentially Iran’s version of Uber. Unfortunately due to my iPhone being registered in the US, when I downloaded the app it would not open and give me message saying that due to sanctions I couldn’t use it.

I did find it easy enough to just ask someone to order me a Snapp and then pay cash to the driver at the end of the ride.

Taxi:  There are heaps of taxis in Tehran as well, which can be easily hailed off the street, or you can have your accommodation or restaurant call one for you. Taxis in Iran don’t have meters, so you’ll need to negotiate a price. In general in my travels in Iran, I found that drivers generally quoted very close, if not the same prices that locals had told me or were in my guidebook.

Going at it alone? Check out my  Solo Female Guide to Iran

Getting In & Out of Tehran

Getting in and out of Tehran is a breeze with buses connecting just about everywhere in the country. There are also two international airports serving Tehran. Imam Khomeini International Airport about 35 kilometers south of the city, and Mehrabad International Airport on the western outskirts of Tehran.

If you are planning to fly between destinations in Iran,  click here to book your tickets . You can easily purchase bus tickets once you arrive in Iran to most destinations, but if you like the peace of mind of having tickets purchased and settled in advance,  click here to order your bus tickets in Iran .

Have Any Questions About This Two Day Tehran Itinerary?

Ask your Itan travel questions in the comments section below.

Need Travel Insurance For Iran?

Start shopping plans over at  1stQuest  as most other travel insurance providers will not cover travel in Iran .

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Tehran Travel Guide

Welcome to Tehran , the modern capital of Iran.   Here is an ultimate Tehran travel guide where you can find all essential information about how to travel to Tehran and what to do in this must-see Iran destination.

Tehran at a Glance

Tehran Parts

Can be divided into two parts: luxurious and modern north; poorer south

Capital of Iran

The capital of Iran situated in north-central Iran, at the foothills of the Alborz mountain range

Tehran Population

The largest city in Iran and the home to over 14 million inhabitants

Shopping Malls

Famous for its old and modern shopping centres

Clogged with traffic

Ski Resorts

Houses several international ski resorts

Famous for its numerous museums and palaces

Tehran Altitude

With the altitude of about 1200m above sea level

Tehran Antiquity

Its first settlement dates back to over 7,000 years ago

Where is Tehran?

Tehran is Iran Capital as well as Tehran Province Capital that is located in north-central Iran and the vicinity of Damavand, the highest mountain of Iran. It is noteworthy that the land distance between Tehran and Chaloos at the Caspian Sea coast is about 155 km.

Tehran History

Getting information about the destination’s history, especially a historic destination like Iran, is essential for every tourist. Hence, in this Tehran Travel Guide, we present a brief introduction to Tehran History.

Evidence from excavations indicates that the first settlement of Tehran dates back to over 7,000 years ago. The present-day Tehran was built on the remains of the prominent Median city of Rhages (Rey). Afterward, in 1778, Agha Mohammed Khan, the Qajar King, chose Tehran as the capital of Iran, and the growth of this city was started. As a result, Tehran houses many historical monuments and modern attractions and hosts many tourists from all over the world.

Interestingly, Tehran’s sister cities include Manila in the Philippines, Seoul in South Korea, and Minsk in Belarus.

Where to Stay in Tehran?

How to get to tehran.

As Tehran is the capital of Iran, there are several ways to get to Tehran. Hence, in this Tehran Travel Guide, we introduce you to different ways to travel to Tehran.

You can enter Tehran through Imam Khomeini International Airport. This airport covers several international flights from different countries and foreign cities such as Turkey, Dubai, Doha, Baghdad, Kuwait, Baku, Georgia, Malaysia, Al Najaf, several cities in Europe, and more. Moreover, the foreign airlines which have flights to Tehran International Airport are Qatar Airways, Turkish Airline, Emirates, Air Arabia, Austrian Airline, Fly Dubai, Azerbaijan Airline, Atlas Global, Oman Air, etc. Please mention that with these airlines, you can have connection flights from Tehran to all over the world and vice versa.

Note that Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport, located about 50 km south of Tehran, provides convenient access to the city’s important parts and downtown. Accordingly, you can use the metro or a taxi to reach the airport. Also, there are buses between Imam Khomeini International Airport and Mehrabad domestic airport.

On the other hand, Mehrabad Airport, the Tehran domestic airport, is located about  52 km from Imam Khomeini International Airport. There are many domestic flights between Tehran and other cities in Iran every day. Among these flight paths, the routes from Tehran to Isfahan, Mashhad, Shiraz, Tabriz, Kerman, Qeshm Island, Kish Island, Bandar Abbas, Ahvaz, and Rasht are highly demanded by tourists.

Finally, as Mehrabad Airport is located in Tehran, near Azadi  Tower, which provides convenient access to all parts of the city.

Travel to Tehran by Plane

The most economical way to travel to Tehran is using a bus. You can get to Tehran from anywhere in Iran on a bus. However, although riding a train is the safest option, many passengers choose the bus because it is faster, and there are plenty of VIP buses from different parts of Iran to Tehran.

Accordingly, there are several bus terminals in Tehran include  Beihaqi Bus Terminal, South Bus Terminal (Terminal-e Jonoob), East Bus Terminal (Terminal-e Shargh),  and West Bus Terminal (Terminal-e Gharb). There are plenty of buses that arrive in/depart these bus terminals from/to different cities of Iran from early in the morning until midnight. 

Moreover, West Bus Terminal (Terminal-e Gharb), along with domestic destinations, covers foreign destinations such as Istanbul, Ankara, Baku, Yerevan, Batumi, and more.

Travel toTehran by Bus

You can travel to Tehran from numerous Iran cities by train in different classes from the standard class to a 5-star one. The Tehran train also covers the routes to Qom, Mashhad, Isfahan, Shiraz, Yazd, Tabriz, Ahvaz, etc.

Finally, Tehran railway station is located at the southernmost point of the city and under the best possible conditions, you can reach the city center in about 30 minutes by taxi.

Travel to Tehran By Train

Main motorways and highways connect Tehran to all parts of Iran. So, many passengers choose to travel in a private car as its schedule is flexible and is faster and more convenient than bus and train.

Travel to Tehran By Car

What do you know about tehran attractions, how to move around tehran.

Although most Tehran points of interest are in the city old district, the information about transportation in Tehran is essential for every tourist. Hence, in this Tehran Travel Guide, we introduce you to different ways to move around Tehran. In any case, you can rent a private car with a driver, use taxis or public transports such as buses or the metro.

Get around Tehran in Taxi

You can use an internet Taxi called Snapp and TAPSI. These kinds of Taxis work like Uber. You can download the application on your phone and easily take an internet taxi within a few minutes wherever you are. Also, you can pay the taxi fee in cash (Rials). On the other hand, another option is to get a taxi through a “telephone taxi agency.” These taxis will get you to the destination and also wait for you whenever you want. To get this kind of taxi, you can ask your hotel reception or your Iranian friend to do it for you.

Get around Tehran in Metro

There are also metro lines in Tehran, which take you to most parts of the city and Imam Khomeini International Airport.

Get around Tehran in Bus

Although the bus system covers all parts of Tehran, the bus stations are sometimes confusing for a foreign traveler. However, you can get complete information about your destination station and the bus that you should get from the locals and use this kind of transportation. Also, you can use the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRT) in most parts of Tehran. Notably, there are separate men’s and ladies’ sections on each bus.

Get around Tehran in Private Car with Driver

Although renting a private car with a driver is the most expensive option to get around Tehran, it is the fastest and most convenient choice. Besides, you can rent a car with a driver for one day to go to the tourist attractions that are located around Tehran. Finally, the expense of renting a private sedan car with a driver per day starts about 3000000 rials.

What to Eat in Tehran?

Where to eat in tehran best restaurants in tehran.

In recent years, visiting restaurants and tasting different foods have become one of the most attractive activities during a trip. It is interesting to know that this issue has been taken very seriously in Iran and you can find excellent and even international restaurants in the cities of this country. However, you are in Iran for a short time, and it is better to go for the best options in this limited time.

Accordingly, selecting a good restaurant in Tehran, where there are restaurants on every corner, is very difficult. So, if you want to taste delicious and quality food in the best restaurants in Tehran during your trip, join us in this Tehran travel guide.

Kubaba Restaurant

Kubaba Restaurant, located on Jordan Street in Tehran, offers various dishes in a very stylish space. You can even try Lebanese and Afghan dishes at this restaurant. Among the dishes, we offer Falafel, Samosas, Alexander Effendi, Afghan pulao, eggplant moussaka, and eggplant stew (Khoresht-e Bademjan).

Moslem Restaurant

One of the most famous restaurants in Tehran is Moslem Restaurant, located in Tehran Grand Bazaar. In this restaurant, traditional Iranian food is served in an intimate atmosphere. Other good restaurants in Tehran Grand Bazaar include Shamshiri Restaurant and Sharaf Al-Islami Restaurant.

Khooneh Restaurant

Khooneh Restaurant, located at Jahan Koodak crossroads, is on the list of the most famous restaurants in Tehran. There is a warm atmosphere in this restaurant that you feel at home while eating there. ََAlso, They throw carpets on the floor, set a lovely table and serve the traditional food in the old plates

Morshed Restaurant

Morshed Restaurant in Tajrish is another famous restaurant in Tehran that serves delicious kebabs. If you like restaurants with a traditional atmosphere and the best quality Iranian food, Morshed Restaurant can be your best choice.

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Things to Do in Tehran, Iran - Tehran Attractions

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25 Unmissable Things To Do In Tehran: Iran’s Chaotic Capital

Posted on Last updated: December 15, 2023

Categories Iran

Expert travel storyteller Jordan Adkins, founder of InspiredByMaps.com, brings a decade of adventures across 101 countries and 450+ UNESCO sites into rich, off-the-beaten-path narratives, melding ecological expertise with genuine, seasoned travel insights. His full bio can be found here.

Crazy, chaotic, surprising at every turn – Tehran, the smoggy capital of Iran, is more than just an eternal traffic jam.

The political, cultural, and economic heart of the Islamic Republic, one can not truly experience this dynamic country without spending at least a few days here…And don’t worry, there is no shortage of things to do in Tehran!

While many travelers make the mistake of rushing past Tehran in a race to the more historical cities of Iran, there is so much more here than meets the eye. With 14 million inhabitants, Tehran is one of the most dynamic and interesting cities in the world.

With glorious museums, huge bazaars, captivating people, and yes – even the notorious former US embassy, that was the focal point of the Iranian hostage crisis.

Thankfully today, Tehran is the most liberal and secular place in Iran, a city whose inhabitants are constantly pushing up against authority, whether it’s at one of Tehran’s many universities, in a contemporary coffee-shop or a modern art museum.

Through Tehran, you can get an idea of what the future of Iran might look like if many of the regimes more progressive elements get their way.

Throw in a spectacular mountain range, a few architectural gems, delicious food, and some of the friendliest people in the world, and you begin to see why Tehran is one destination in Iran you absolutely cannot miss!

25 Unmissable Things To Do In Tehran: Iran’s Chaotic Capital 🇮🇷

Page Contents

1. Tehran Grand Bazaar

2. tabi’at bridge / nature bridge tehran, 3. azadi tower, 4. golestan palace unesco world heritage site, 5. hi tehran hostel, 6. us den of espionage / embassy of the united states in tehran, 7. museum of the qasr prison, 8. tochal telecabin tehran, 9. skiing in iran, 10. tehran metro art, 11. wander tehran, 12. tehran museum of contemporary art (tmoca), 13. sa’d abad museum complex, 14. park e shahr / tehran city park, 15. museum of ancient iran, 16. museum of the islamic era, 17. islamic revolution & holy defense museum, 18. imamzadeh saleh / tajrish mosque, 19. tehran shopping malls, 20. saint sarkis cathedral, 21. sharaf al-eslami restaurant, 22. cinema museum of iran, 23. snapp / iranian uber, 24. tehran coffeeshops, 25. tehran street food, how to get to tehran iran, where to go after tehran when you visit iran.

Characterized as an old historical bazaar, but the Tehran Grand Bazaar is so much more than that, still to this day acting as a vital economic center of Tehran where everyone comes to buy anything.

You name it; you can find it here if you wander for long enough through its seemingly endless labyrinths of covered alleys. Make sure you have a map on your phone and then get as lost as you can, safe in the knowledge you will somehow find your way back!

Incredibly photogenic, be sure to visit the Tehran Grand Bazaar in the morning before all the stock gets refilled in the afternoon by scary fast-moving haulage equipment, which somewhat distracts from the experience.

Iranian carpet sellers will undoubtedly try to befriend you. They can make an interesting guide if you don’t mind the hard sell at the end (although in our experience they knew Westerners generally couldn’t afford their outrageous prices and were just happy to chat!)

A 270-meter three-level bridge connecting two parks in Tehran, the Tabi’at Bridge is probably the most beautiful piece of urban architecture built since the revolution.

Opened in 2014, the Tabi’at Bridge (also known as the Nature Bridge in Tehran) is a popular hang out for Iranian’s who come to enjoy a variety of dining options, views, and relaxation areas. Even more incredibly- the Tabi’at Bridge was the brainchild of an Iranian architecture student, Leila Araghian, who was only 26 at the time.

Winning design competitions all over the world – the Tabi’at Bridge should not be missed, and we can’t wait to see what Leila Araghian comes up with next!

An icon of Iran known around the world, the Azadi Tower – known as the Shah’s Memorial Tower before the revolution – marking the west entrance to Tehran and is part of the Azadi Cultural Complex.

There is a museum underground which is included in your ticket are you can either walk or take two elevators up the 45-meter tall structure. And yes, the entire thing is clad in cut marble so you can imagine how incredible it looks at sunset (though the views at the top are pretty incredible too!).

The Azadi Tower was built to mark the 2,500th anniversary of the foundation of the Imperial State of Iran by architect Hossein Amanat who based the design upon classical Iranian architecture. The entire grand design was financed by the huge wealth generated by Iran as a major oil-producing nation before the revolution; however, as a member of the persecuted Bahá’í Faith, Amanat fled Iran to Israel during the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

He went on to design the equally famous Bahá’í Arc buildings in Haifa, Israel, and weirdly enough – the House of Worship in Samoa.

The incredibly lavish Golestan Palace is widely regarded as a defining work of the Qajar era thanks to the marriage of Persian craft architecture with Western influences.

That is why it was rewarded UNESCO World Heritage Status , and quite rightly, I think!

The Palace is one of the oldest buildings in Tehran, and when the Qajar family came into power here in 1779, they made this remarkable the capital of Iran – where it has stayed ever since. Glorious and outrageously excessive, the Golestan Palace is one thing to do in Tehran you absolutely cannot skip.

However, be aware that with a total-ticket price of 850 000 rials (app. 25USD), it is tied with the far less-worthy Sa’d Abad Museum Complex for the most expensive museum in Iran.

Information about Iran can be hard to come by outside the country, so it pays to have a super-reliable place to connect with travelers with helpful locals on hand when you arrive.

This is why I loved staying at HI Tehran Hostel , a full-renovated hostel in a quiet street just minutes from many of Tehran’s top tourist attractions and a Tehran Metro Station. While the modern facilities, spacious dorms, and private food and free breakfast were excellent, what I loved most was the atmosphere as the staff would always be chatting at the communal breakfast table and answering everyone’s questions.

It’s also a great place to meet other travelers, either beginning or ending their trip to exchange money, find companions, get ideas, or just to swaps stories! I stayed here both at the beginning and end of my journey and would return to HI Tehran Hostel in a heart-beat!

Oh, and another nice bonus: HI Tehran Hostel provide an invitation via email needed to get the Iran visa on arrival at Tehran Airport, and the immigration staff seems to be so familiar with the hostel they didn’t even bother calling to confirm.

This meant I was out of the airport while other travelers were waiting for their hostel to answer the phone in the middle of the night (though I later called the hostel at 3 AM when I was lost, and they responded in a few seconds – they really are 24/7)

The famous former US embassy in Tehran, where 52 diplomats were taken hostage for 444 days by students during the 1979 revolution!

Even today, the massive compound is still controlled by the Student Basij Organisation, who are tasked with defending the revolution and have turned the building into a museum. Be sure to take the free tour to make the most of the colorful propaganda both visually and spoken.

It is also absolutely fascinating to see the once-secret rooms used for spying now embarrassingly on full display – and to get a real sense of the work undertaken in the US embassy before the revolution.

Truly like walking back in time and straight onto a movie set, you can’t miss the opportunity to visit the historic US Den of Espionage.

Newly opened, the Museum of the Qasr Prison in Tehran is a dark look into the Pahlavi-era prison complex, renowned for psychological and physical torture.

Former prisoners still guide here somedays and will share memories of their torture, including broken teeth and amputated limbs. The former Qasr Prison gardens have been turned into a beautiful park, and while the main historic prison building may be the focus (with stunning brickwork none the less) don’t miss the much darker and newer concrete building at the back of the complex where recordings still play the screams of torture.

Here you get an intensely real look into what life was like in this prison just before and during the revolution here, but it is not for the faint-of-heart.

If the inevitable smog of Tehran gets a bit too much for you – why not head to the mountains with the Tochal Telecabin / Sky Lift! Located in the north of Tehran.

You can make a 45 minutes trip straight up and then couples with a short scramble you can easily summit Mt Tochal (3933m). As you would expect, the views are out of this world – both of the mountains and back down over the chaos that is Tehran – and if you’re feeling fit, there is plenty of hiking opportunities at the different stations along the way!

Super popular with local Tehranis during the weekend, but don’t make the same mistake as us and try to visit the Tochal Telecabin during the week – We were told it is closed for the first three days after the weekend, every week?! So that means the Tochal Telecabin opening hours are supposably Wednesday – Saturday, but best to call ahead before making the trip out there (best reached by taxi) and to go early as the last car back down is apparently 3 PM…

Like many things in Iran, it’s better not to question it!

Even though the majority of Iran is pretty much a desert, there is still some great skiing in Iran – and some of the cheapest skiing in the world!

While global warming seems to be shortening the season for skiing in Iran, you can get some pretty good powder for skiing in Tehran from January. The Tochal Ski resort is located at the end of the above cable car and makes a great day-trip, but if you are really serious, you are going to want to head to the nearby Dizin Ski Resort or Shemshak Ski Resort from Tehran. Not what you were expecting to do in Iran, right!

Just make sure you have everything you need for your first time skiing as you won’t be able to buy in Iran.

Continually expanding, the Tehran Metro is the lifeline of Tehran and carries over 3 million passengers a day while the streets above are in near-constant grid-lock.

Cheap and easy-to-use, there is also a bonus for tourists – if you pay attention, the Tehran Metro is the best place to see propaganda in Iran!

Constantly changing, pay special attention to the platforms, or the long entrance corridors to see cartoons and artwork depicting everything from the morals taught in the Quran and daily life in Iran to rather harsh and graphic anti-US and anti-Israel pieces. It doesn’t have as much artistic merit as the Stockholm Metro Art or Msheireb station in nearby Doha, Qatar … but it arguably more interesting!

While these Tehran metro cartoons make a great picture to share with friends back home, be discrete when taking photos and remember that the views expressed are directly from a government department and by-and-large not reflective of Iranian society at large (or at least many of the more liberal Tehranis)…

While each time crossing the road might be a near-death experience, there is no better way to get to experience the social fabric and stumble upon hidden gems in Tehran than to simply wander.

Instead of taking a taxi or heading a few stops on the Tehran Metro, why not get your walk on and see what you come across! Small parks, street food, intriguing shops, and hidden bazaars, there really is no telling! Expect a great many people to stop, and thank you for visiting Iran — and question you on your experiences in Iran so far.

Besides, if you ever are lost these people are great to help you find the nearest Metro, coffee-shop, museum or restaurant!

While Iran might not be a world leader in contemporary art today, you should still visit the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art to see the stunning collection of 19th and 20th century’s world-class European and American pieces.

Opened by Empress Farah Pahlavi in 1977 – just two years before the Revolution – TMoCA is said to hold the most valuable collections of modern Western masterpieces outside Europe and North America . However, most were hidden away until recently when they have again been put on display.

Possibly even more intriguing, however, is the liberal Tehranis that are drawn to the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art. Inside you’ll find many people rebelliously removing their hijabs, and you could easily imagine yourself in an art gallery in Western Europe or the US!

A sprawling 300-hectare complex built by the Qajar and Pahlavi monarchs in a similar pattern to the oil-rich rulers of Saudi and the Gulf States today…

Now open to the public, the Sa’ dabad Complex, while expensive by Iranian standards, is a beautiful place to wander and admire the natural forest, qanats, and buildings. Each museum is individually chargeable and, in our opinion — not at all worth it. Except, perhaps, for the famous Green House (with its outlandish hall of mirrors) —  which is currently under renovation.

There is also a collection of royal cars if you have a passion for vintage sports cars, but you can see them in only a few minutes. Look out for the President of Iran who has taken up residence in a private section of the Sa’ dabad Complex.

Don’t worry; there are plenty of armed guards to stop you accidentally wandering in!

A sprawling park in central Tehran near to all the major museums in the district. Take a wander through and admire the bizarre bird park, aquarium, and library.

The Tehran Peace Museum is also located here with strange opening hours – take a peek in if it is open. You can also find plenty of cats roaming around and can join in a game of ping-pong with the locals who gather here to relax and unwind.

The Park-e Shahr is probably the only place big enough to escape the constant traffic and honking in Central Tehran!

Housing historical objects from Iran’s pre-Islam, you would expect the Museum of Ancient Iran to be one of the most glorious in the country – but sadly, it is entirely underwhelming and a wasted opportunity.

Housing objects from the Shah era, the museum was opened after the revolution, and you get the feeling that the government did not want to venerate any part of Iran’s past before Islam. Still, if you’re interested in ancient history, you should still take a wander through.

Islam’s post-Islamic history is displayed next door and charged separately (and weirdly enough, the Museum of Ancient Iran is almost twice the price but nowhere near as good…)

Next door to the above Museum of Ancient Iran and far better, the Museum of the Islamic Era is one of the top museums in Tehran.

Recently reopened after a nine-year renovation, this three-story building displays over 1500 items and relics from the early Islamic period as well as Seljuk, Ilkhanid, Teymurid, Safavid, and Qajar eras. Beautifully done, you won’t want to rush through as you take in all the details of the ancient rugs, painting, plates, pots, and more.

There is also a temporary exhibition space on the ground floor changing every six months.

An outsized experiment in glorification with more than a hint of propaganda, the Iran Holy Defense Museum is easily one of the things to do in Tehran.

Focussing on the bloody Iran-Iraq war, which left over a million lives lost, there are over seven halls here going into minute details of every imaginable aspect of the conflict – though mostly through displays, walk-through models, visual effects and more. This is a very high-tech museum – if a little surreal – after which you might have a better idea of this harrowing episode in modern Iranian history.

The bridge of the martyrs here is especially fascinating —  and there are huge tanks, rockets, and planes outside.

Visit the beautiful Tajrish Mosque officially known as the Imamzadeh Saleh to see the entombed remains of Saleh, a son of the Twelver Shia Imam, Musa al-Kadhim.

One of the most famous shrines in Tehran, the interior is particularly spectacular and was our favorite mosque in Tehran. Make sure not to visit during prayer as it is far too busy, and you are likely not to be let in – but during other times, we found foreigners were welcomed, and someone is likely to take an interest in you and offer you a tour!

So as a tourist, you’re probably not going to Tehran for the shopping – and especially not given that you need to bring cash for everything you buy!

But a visit to the Tehran Shopping Malls is not just about shopping!

With giant food courts, arcades, and plenty of Iranian / independent stores, they are a socializing space for Tehran rising middle-and-upper class and a great place to meet young, educated Iranians.

While most Tehran Shopping Malls are mega-monstrosities and impressive to wander around for a bit, the best is the Palladium shopping center (with the largest toy store in the Middle East ), the Arg Commercial Complex (with its luxury stores and beautiful outdoor interactive facade)and the Sam Commercial Complex.

The largest church in Tehran, the Saint Sarkis Cathedral of the Armenian Apostolic, was completed in 1970.

While a Cathedral might not be top of your list of things to do in Tehran, you should not miss the opportunity to see Christian life play out in the Islamic Republic – complete with imposing giant walls, barbed wire, and strict security, though as a foreigner you will be welcomed in.

Forbidden from practicing their faith in public, the spires of the church are barely visible outside the compound. The surrounding area is intensely covered in pro-Islam murals and billboards.

This historic restaurant is hidden away in the Tehran Central Bazaar, but you can find Sharaf El Islam by following the throng of people until you see a line heading into a crowded basement.

Here you can try some of the best traditional food in Tehran in a crowded and frantic setting. The service is rushed, and people will hover to get a table — and  it all adds to the atmosphere! If you make it here, you’ll really be in the know, and 99% of the time, you’ll only be joined by locals.

Located in the north of Tehran is a stunning Qajar-era mansion complex with historic garden, the Cinema Museum of Iran is a curious mix of equipment, posters, and photos from the Iranian movie industry dating back over the last century – and all in English!

There is even a beautiful working cinema with ornate molding showing new and classic Iranian films – though without subtitles, but still intriguing.

So not really a thing to do, but everyone traveling to Tehran should have Snapp downloaded on their phone as it halves the price of taxi’s – and lets you get where you need to go without language barriers.

While it might be blocked on the Apple App store, you can still download Snapp for iPhone with this handy workaround. Basically, Uber in Iran, Snapp let you explore the more remote attractions of Tehran that are not easily reached via Subway, and is helpful if you’re a larger group – though prices are set and very low!

Though you will get a first-hand experience of the insane driving in Tehran.

I recommend sitting in the back-seat and potentially blindfolding yourself as some things are better not seen!

A hotbed of liberalism in Iran since the removal of sanctions — a café culture has exploded across Tehran as many more wealthy Iranians got a taste of Western culture and cosmopolitanism.

With some pretty decent views, coffee shops in Tehran are also a great place to meet young Iranians, engage in open discussion, or just to watch the unique culture that takes place here. A few years ago, many were raided as women were known not to wear hijabs inside.

Still, the authorities seem to be looking the other way again – but the morality police crackdown of 2013 makes for an exciting read. Lamiz Coffee is the Starbucks of Tehran with multiple locations (yet annoyingly no WiFi), but you should also stop by the historic Gol Rezaieh Café or the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art Café.

To be honest, so many have opened up over the past year it’s hard to keep track of the best – so just ask your hostel in Tehran for their recommendation nearby, or better yet just stop someone young and trendy on the streets!

While all over Tehran you will find plenty of traditional street food – and you should try as much as you can (check here for Iranian street food to watch out for) – we are specifically talking about the street food of 30th Tir Steet outside the National Museum of Iran. Trendy and oh-so-cool, swing by here in the afternoon or evening for a lively atmosphere, intriguing food trucks + carts, and some nice outdoor seating.

You will surely be joined quickly by locals who will be quick to recommend their favorite spots, to help you with a translation and let you know all their favorite things to do in Tehran!

The undeniable hub and main entry point of Iran getting to Tehran is easy via bus, train, and flight.

There are direct flights to Tehran daily from all over the Middle East, Europe, and even with Air Asia to Kuala Lumpur if you’re coming from that direction. You can also find direct flights to most major cities in Iran at least a few times of the week, multiple times daily for major cities.

You can also get overnight sleeper trains to and from almost every major city in Iran. As a major transport hub in Iran and the greater region, you should have no problem getting in and out of Tehran.

Are you planning on exploring more than just one city in Iran? Here are some excellent other guides and cities to continue on your trip around Iran – or you can just check out these top things to do in Iran.

And if you want even more adventure – and to get out into nature while exploring off-the-beaten-track in Iran – why not consider hiring a rental car in Iran ? What could be better, right!

Bam – A UNESCO World Heritage Listed Fortress in South Iran. This famous desert castle was devastated by an earthquake in 2003, but after a 15-year renovation is now back and open for business. Find out more in this Arg-e Bam Travel Guide 2018: Now The Most Quake-Proof City in Iran

Kerman – A rather dull city, surrounded by some of the best desert landscapes in Iran. Get off-the-beaten-track and see Iran without the tourists with these 10 Things To See And Do In Kerman Iran.

Isfahan – The most beautiful and grand city in Iran, with 3 UNESCO sites and stunning architecture – This is one city you just cannot miss. On Iran’s Golden Triangle, read the ultimate guide to Isfahan.

Shiraz – Often referred to as the cradle of Persian civilization, explore multiple ancient ruins, beautiful mosques, delicious food, and surreal natural landscapes. Intrigued? See these 12 unmissable things to do in Shiraz, Iran.

Shushtar – A hidden gem if ever there was one, Shushtar is really in the proverbial backwood. If you make the effort, however, you will be rewarded by some of the friendliest people in Iran, incredible ancient structures, and delicious food! Find out everything you need to visit Shushtar in Iran.

Tabriz – The largest city in Northern Iran with unique Azari culture, the most beautiful bazaar in Iran, and with a spectacular mountain backdrop. Read these 12 Epic Things to do in Tabriz, the 2018 Tourism Capital City of Islamic Countries

Yazd – An ancient city that appears miraculous out of a desert plateau. Yazd is one of Iran’s biggest highlights and one of the most unique cities on Earth. Check out these ten amazing things to do in Yazd, Iran.

• 1 Understand
• 2.1 By plane
• 2.2 By train
• 3.2 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
• 3.3 By metro
• 3.4 By taxi
• 4.1 Monuments
• 4.2 Historic sites
• 4.3 Museums
• 4.5 Gardens
• 5.1 Parks and recreation
• 5.2 Theater
• 8.1 Money exchange
• 8.2 Bazaars and shopping malls
• 8.3 Computer software
• 8.4 Jewellery & gold
• 8.5 Bags & shoes
• 9.2 Mid-range
• 9.3 Splurge
• 9.4 Confectionaries
• 10.1 Coffee shops
• 10.2 Tea houses
• 10.3 Juice bars
• 11.1 Budget
• 11.2 Mid-range
• 11.3 Splurge
• 12.1 Internet cafés
• 12.3 Wireless portable internet connection
• 13.1 Emergency services phone numbers
• 14.1 Embassies

Tehran (also spelled Teheran) ( Persian : تهران), is the capital city of Iran . A bustling metropolis of 14 million people, it sits at the foot of the towering Alborz mountain range. Tehran is a cosmopolitan city, with great museums, parks, restaurants, and warm friendly people. It deserves at least a few days of your Iranian itinerary.

The city can be roughly divided into two parts - north and south. The northern districts of Tehran are more prosperous, modern, cosmopolitan and expensive while southern parts are less attractive but cheaper.

At the time of the Zand dynasty, it was a little town that was significant from a strategic point of view. The first of the Qajar kings, Agha Mohammed Khan, named Tehran as the country's capital in 1778, and most of its growth started during the reign of a subsequent Qajar monarch, Fath-Ali Shah. The castle which Agha Mohammed Khan had built was to contain the new majestic buildings.

At the same time, the city's population doubled. Due to the increasing significance of the city, gates, squares and mosques were built and it was at the time of Nassereddin Shah that the city's master sketch was prepared and modern streets were constructed. Later, huge central squares like Toopkhaneh square (now Imam Khomeini) and quite a few military buildings were built. Even though the Qajar dynasty was in a period of decline, Tehran soon took the shape of a modern city. The structure of large government buildings, new streets, recreation centres, urban service organizations, and academic and methodical centres were started, even as most of the old gates and buildings were destroyed and the city's old architectural fabric replaced by a contemporary one.

Tehran has also earned itself an unenviable reputation as a smog-filled, traffic-clogged and featureless sprawl of concrete bursting at the seams with 14 million residents. But you can also find an endless number of nice and cosy places in and around the city - if you know where to look. Tehran is a city of more than 800 parks, all well-kept. The city is nearly a mile high above sea level and as a result is cooler than other cities in the Middle East. Still, summer temperatures are very hot, averaging 33°C (91°F) in July and frequently exceeding 38°C (100°F). The air tends to be very dry.

A combination of factors make Tehran a pleasant place to visit: the dry climate which is cool in the evenings, the proximity of the mountains, the parks and gardens where flowers blossom all through the year, the alleys of trees in the avenues or even smaller streets, and even the water that runs down from the upper city along deep and wide gutters which look like small rivers during spring. The Alborz range on the north of Tehran, which hosts the highest peak in Iran, provides fantastic conditions for ski lovers in the winter. In winter, the mountain hotels and ski clubs at Shemshak, and Dizine are very busy. There is some world-class skiing to be done in the resorts just north of Tehran.

For information on Iranian visas please refer the Iran#visas page.

Getting there and away :

• By metro – The easiest way to reach city center. Line number 8 connects Airport Terminal A with Metro Line 1 (red line) (75,000 rials, that can be used for the full network, Mar 2019). Runs irregularly: 06:50, 08:10, 09:30, 10:50, 12:10, 13:30, 14:50, 16:10, 17:30, 18:50, 20:10. For Metro Line 1 (red) there is a metro from IKA to Tehran durin daytime—the trains run hourly (Sep 2017).
• By bus – To and from the city (e.g. Haram Metro station) every 30-60 min 07:00-23:00. They leave right in front of the main exit and cost 20,000-30,000 rial. There are unconfirmed reports of a shuttle bus operating between IKIA and Mehrabad Airport every 4–5 hours.
• By taxi – They cost a fixed rate of 800,000 rials (or US$25 or €20 as of Oct 2017), ask at the taxi counter. The drive to/from the city center takes 45 minutes without traffic, but can take upwards of 90 minutes with traffic. There is a booth organizing taxis right outside the arrivals hall. You can also bargain with taxis dropping off passengers at the arrivals hall because otherwise they would have to go back to Tehran empty. Taxis to the nearest metro station (Haram-e-Motahhar) cost 500,000 rials.
• Shuttle taxis and green minibuses operate between the airport and Shahed Station on the red line of the metro. This can be a convenient option going to the airport from town, but finding the shuttle taxis at the airport will be difficult as many don't stop there. At 7,000 rials for a metro ticket and 40,000 rials for a shuttle taxi (they will try to rip you off or charge for bringing in luggage even if there is space, so make sure to only occupy one seat if you don't want to pay extra), it is probably the cheapest option from town that doesn't require waiting a long time for the bus (shuttle taxis leave when full). At Shahed station, get out to the parking area (there is only one exit and you can't miss it) and on the very left you will see green minibuses. It takes about 30-40 min from there to the airport. Last one departs around 21:30.

Despite the warnings in some travel guides, there is no exit fee for foreign travellers, neither in Mehrabad nor in Imam Khomeini Airport. The exit fee applies to foreign travellers only when leaving Iran on land or by sea.

There is at least one train per day (some overnight) from the Iranian cities such as Mashhad , Isfahan , Tabriz , Kerman , Yazd , Sari , Gorgan , Ahvaz and Bandar Abbas . Domestic tickets can be bought at any station, from travel agencies or online from various train operator websites, such as Raja [dead link] , Fadak , BonRail [dead link] , Joopar , and Behtarinsafar. You could also use one of Iranian OTAs to buy your tickets online.

An international train from Ankara , the Transasia Express , runs twice per week. There is an additional international train from Van via Tabriz as well.

Traffic is very congested but has improved with the completion of several new tunnels and highways (referred to as autobahns by the locals) across the city. You can drive in from Turkey and the southern parts of Iran fairly easily. Although Iran has always had a reputation for a high number of driving accidents, the police have cracked down on accidents and driving is now safer than before. It is possible to rent a car at IKA airport, Mehrabad and in the city.

If you are going to use roads and ground transportation, there's a website maintained by the government's Ministry of Transportation and Urban Development available here [dead link] or here that publishes roads' statuses. You might need to use Google Translate to understand the text when navigating through the pages.

Almost every city and far-flung village in Iran has bus services to Tehran-- hundreds of buses that pour in and out of the capital each day. Most buses arrive at one of four major bus terminals:

Getting around traffic-clogged, sprawling Tehran is a true test of patience. While taxis are your best bet, they are pricier here than the rest of the country. A large local bus network will also take you almost anywhere you need to go, as long you can make sense of the routes and Persian line numbers. The true star of Tehran's transport system, however, is the metro.

Tehran has an inexpensive but confusing bus network. Some require prepaid contactless card (min 5,000 rials), which can be bought from booths beside the bus stops and metro stations used when you get off the bus, and some should be paid by cash (ranging from 1,000-4,000 rials). The buses are partitioned in two sections, men-only (the front section) and women-only (the back section).

In the BRT lines, the women-only section is at the front. Also, the fee is paid on the station, using the prepaid contactless card (shared with Metro), or paying to the guard.

Since bus numbers, route descriptions and other information are in Persian, your best bet is to look confused at a bus terminal; a local will surely stop to help. Each bus line has a certain and almost invariable path but only people know exactly which bus stations exist for a certain road. You shouldn't expect a map or guides even in Persian showing the bus network or bus stations. Even asking the bus driver wouldn't be a great help for you to find your way either. If you get in a bus and looking for a certain station to alight, ask one to help you - you will find many people wish to help you to find your way, most of the time.

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)

The BRT buses are colored in red. BRTs has special lines and travels very quickly from Azadi square (west of Tehran) directly to the East (Terminal-e-Shargh). Railway square (south of Tehran) directly to the north (Tajrish square). Azadi square to free university (northwest). Azadi Square to South Terminal and parkway bridge (north of Tehran) to jomhuri square. Costs 1,000-3,000 rials. In high-traffic hours (07:00-09:00 & 16:00-20:00), it is the best way to traveling. BRT has many stations near main streets. Although you may not find an empty seat on the bus because of the crowds, people give their place to you if they know you are a tourist. The women's and men's seats and queues are separate.

Tehran's metro system [dead link] has seven lines that will whisk you quickly from one end of the city to the other without having to deal with the noise, pollution and chaos of Tehrani traffic. However, many residents have decided to leave their cars and commute by metro, so expect huge crowds during rush hours.

There are seven lines but the two most useful are lines 1 (north to south- from Tajrish Station to Haram-e-Motahar Station) and 2 (east to west) which connect at the central Imam Khomeini station. All stations have signs in Persian and English. Trains run every 10 minutes or less on rush hours (15 minutes on Fridays and holidays) from around 05:30 to 23:00 every day.

Line 6 (the pink line) was opened in Apr 2019 from Shohada Square on line 4 to Dowlat Abad. One intermediate station is open. The rest of the line and its stations are still under construction. Tickets are valid for 1 or 2 trips (including change of lines) and cost 10,000 rials for a single (Mar 2019). There are ticket booths at every station. You can also buy a contactless fare card which is the best option if you are going to use metro a lot, or want to have less hassle by paying 50,000 rials for a card and use it on metro and some city buses (if you use this card, you usually pay less than any other tickets, since they charge for the longest trip on the network). There are two dedicated women-only carriages at each end of the train. Women can anyway choose to travel aboard the other carriages but rarely do.

There are a few apps for Android and iOS devices to assist passengers on using the metro. You can try downloading the Tehran Metro app which is made for foreign travellers. First you can find yourself on a Google map (with stations marked on it) and your destination to decide which station you can get in and to which you want to arrive. After that you can select them on the stations map to get a textual explanation on taking directions and line changes along with a travel time estimation.

As with the rest of the country private and shared taxis are abound in Tehran, although you may find flagging down a shared taxi more difficult amid the traffic and chaos, while private taxis are more expensive than in the smaller cities. See the Get Around information on Iran for details on flagging a taxi. If you want to get around by shared taxi, your best bet is to hop from square to square, as drivers will be reluctant to pick you up if your shouted destination deviates too far from their route. In each square you will find certain places where the private taxis are lined up in a queue and drivers call for passengers to a destination. (mostly happening during the times when the number of waiting taxis exceeds the number of passengers). In this case, they would wait until the car gets full of passengers (mostly one person at front and 3 people at back, excluding the driver). Otherwise the people have to line up in a queue waiting for the taxis to come. This is the case during rush hours (approximately 07:00-08:00 and 17:00-20:00). All these depend upon finding their regular station in the square. You can also ask them to alight sooner than your destination wherever you like but you have to pay their total fee up to destination. The cost of such a ride from Azadi Square to Vanak Square is around 10,000 rials for each person. Most drivers are very poor at English though.

Snapp is the Iranian version of Uber in Tehran. It is fairly cheap and the price is calculated in advance. You need to have a local SIM and to install an app, available in English and French. Although the drivers may not be good English speakers, the support line speaks English well and can handle the communication problems between you and the driver.

Motorcycle taxis are common. You'll see plenty of these drivers standing at the side of the road calling "motor" at all who pass by. Motor taxi operators can seem even more suicidal than the average Tehran driver. Agree on a price before you take off and expect to pay slightly less than with a private taxi.

Historic sites

• Hoze Khaneh ( Spring hall (Pond house) کاخ شهوند ). The Hoze Khaneh was used as a summer chamber during the Qajar ear. A special cooling system pumped water form a subterranean system of streams (qanats) into small ponds inside the chambers. This system is no longer in use. European paints housed here.  
• Negar Khaneh ( the Gallery ). Here are the paintings of the royal court, with the European paints housed in the Hose Khaneh and the works of Iranian painters housed in the Negar Khaneh (the Gallery). Meant to show the evolution of painting in Iran during the Qajar era, the works of Iranian painters are exhibited in two sections. Housed in the southern part of the Negar Khaneh are the works of early Qajar masters such as Mirza Baba, Mehr Ali Afshar, Ali Akbar Khan Mozaien-ol-Douleh, Aboul Hassan Sani (Sanie-ol-Molk) who was Kamal-ol-Molk’s uncle.  
• Talar Berelian ( Hall of Brilliance ). The Hall was built by Nasser-ol-Din Shah build to replace another hall called Talar Bolour (Crystal Hall). Built by Fath Ali Shah the Bolour Hall had been laid waste by the damp. The Berelian Hall is famous for its mirror work and chandeliers.  

• Green Palace . Built in 1922-1928. Main parts of it: Waiting room, Reza Shah working room, Ceremonies Hall, Reza shah Dinning room, Corridor, Reza Shah Bedroom, Ceremony Hall.  
• National Arts Museum ( موزه هنرهای زیبا ?, Africa Museum ) ( in Baharestan district ). Part of Saadabad Palace; gifts to the Shahs from Chinese, Indian and African delegations.  
• 35.708 51.424 10 Den of Espionage ( Taleghani metro station ). Closes at 18:30 . The former US embassy that was stormed by revolutionary students in 1979 is now a museum. Anti-American propaganda paintings decorate the walls of the compound. Despite the official hostility, Iranians in the streets around the former embassy are friendly towards Americans and other foreigners. 200,000 rials (Mar 2019) . ( updated Jan 2021 )
• 35.69967 51.33759 11 Azadi Museum , Azadi Square (Persian: میدانِ آزادی) ( M: Azadi Square Subway Station ), ☏ +98 21 602 3951 , fax : +98 21 600 8168 . The Azadi Museum is located under the Azadi Tower.  
• 35.70876 51.41958 14 Safir Office Machines Museum ( Persian: موزه ماشین‌های اداری سفیر, Ambassador Museum, موزه سفیر ), No. 232, Kalantari? Cross, North Iranshahr street?, (خیابان ایرانشهر) ( From M Ferdosi North? ), ☏ +98 21 8832 0320 , fax : +98 21 8831 8804 , [email protected] . F 11:00-16:00, Sa-W 09:00-19:00, Th 09:00-18:00 . It was founded in 2008 by Frashad Kamalkhani, the museum owner. It includes a collection of early office machines.  
• 35.81287 51.42297 15 Saad Abad Fine Arts Museum ( Persian: کاخ سعدآباد, Kakhe malakeye madar, White Palace ), Darband, Zafaraniyeh, Tajrish, Valiasr St ( from M: Tajrish 1.5 km NW ). Built in Neoclassical style, in 1920.  
• 35.686944 51.418611 24 Former Towhid Prison, now the Edification Museum (Ebrat Museum) , 11, Martyr Yarjani St, - Kushk Mesri St. ( Ferdousi Ave., Imam Khomeini Sq.(ميدان امام خميني) - from Metro 'Imam Khomeini' 300m NW ). Tours daily 10:00 & 14:00 . Persian:بازداشتگاه توحید . The prison of Shah ages. It was an unofficial detention centre in Tehran, used against opponents of the Islamic Republic of Iran until its closure in 2000.  
• 35.70632 51.44094 25 13 (Martyrs?) Aban Museum ( شهدا ), Imam (Sepah) Sq. ( from M 'Emam Hossein' NW 0.7 km ), ☏ +98-21 670-1915 . Sa-Th 09:00-20:00 . Paintings, sculptures of people, kings, artists and scientists. Masterpieces of "Seyed Ali Akbar Sanati".  
• 35.70021 51.29216 26 Air Force Museum , Karaj Highway (جاده مخصوص کرج) ( Ekbatan Metro Station 1 km south ), ☏ +98 21 600 9318 , fax : +98 21 600 8168 .  
• 35.71783 51.43188 27 Akskhaneh Shahr ( Photography Museum ), Bahar-e-Shiraz Ave ( From Haft-e-Tir Subway Station 0.8 km east ), ☏ +98-21 884-8993 . Ancient photos, tools and equipment.  
• Ethnological Museum , 15 Khordad Sq ( Sa’ d-Abad Palace? ), ☏ +21 311 0653 , +98 21 311 3335 .  
• 35.69685 51.33102 30 Geology Museum , Meraj Blvd?., Azadi Ave , ☏ +98-21 600-7537 , +98-21 607-1981 (to 1990) , fax : +98-21 600-9338 . Daily 09:00-12:00, restricted to schoolchildren .  
• Haft-Chenar Wildlife Museum , ☏ +21 573 8745 , fax : +98 21 573 8747 . Sa-Th 09:00-18:00 . Persian: تنوع زیستی حیات وحش  
• History Museum , Afrouz St., Pirouzi Ave., Shohada Square , ☏ +98 21 878 8680 , +98 21 878 8681 , fax : +98 21 877 4744 . Displays 500 works of art on the 200-year history of Tehran.  
• 35.7635 51.4147 32 History Museum , Qobadian St., Vali Asr Ave ( From Metro Haghani NW 0.5 km ), ☏ +98 21 878 8683 . Su-F 09:00-13:00; 14:00-20:00 .  
• National Arts Museum ( Kamal-ol-molk St, Baharestan Sq ), ☏ +98 21 311 6329 . It was part of Golestan Palace, but now it is located inside a government building. It is a small museum but with some good furniture and paintings.  
• 35.72181 51.42066 34 Natural History Museum , 9 9 Qaem Maqam-e-Farahani Ave ( M Mofateh 1 km east ), ☏ +98 21 884 3498 , +98 21 882 4513 , fax : +98 21 883 1297 . Sa-W 07:00-12:00; 13:00-15:00 . Natural specimens pertaining to geology, zoology, botany, fossils of plants and animals on four level.  
• Tehran University Science Museum ( Tehran University ), ☏ +98 21 611 2629 , +98 21 611 2701 .  
• Zoological Museum ( تنوع زیستی ) ( Agriculture Faculty of Tehran University ).  

A1one (aka Alonewriter, tanha) graffiti and street art works are a feature of Tehran's urban space. A famous local graffiti artist is at the centre of controversy about whether his work is art or vandalism, and you can see his early works on the Tehran-Karaj Expressway, on the southern side walls UP in Ekbatan and Apadana districts. A more recent work of stencil art is found at the entrance of the Saba Art Institute. - Kolahstudio-an Art Basement , Iranian Underground Arts.

Parks and recreation

• 35.8568 51.4008 1 Tochal Mountain ( تله‌کابین توچال ), end of Velenjak St, Zafaraniyeh ( Metro line 1 to Tajrish station, then minibus (15,000 rials) or a taxi to the telecabin entry gate. From the entry gate a minibus service (10,000 rials) can take you to the 1st station ), ☏ +98 21 22404001-4 . Th F 06:30 till sundown, Sa Su Tu W 08:30 - 14:30 . A recreation area on Mount Tochal that offers hiking trails, a ski resort, gym and other activities. It's also a great place to get some scenic views over Tehran and enjoy a little peace and quiet in contrast to the bustling city. Usually people get to the top using cable car. Embarkation point of which is at the 35.8202 51.4063 2 gondola lifts' 1st station . However, if you're energetic (or strapped for money), you can simply hike all the way up. You can also start walking and hop on one of the telecabins at the next station when you get tired. If going to the top, bring a jacket, even in summer, as the summit is 4,000 m above sea level so it can be chilly. There are lots of restaurants and cafes near the 1st station and entrance gate, and only one canteen upper on the mountain - at the 5th station. Besides, there is an alpin coaster at the base of the gondola lifts that offers a scenic ride for 200,000 rials. Tickets range from 100,000-380,000 rials depending on how far up the mountain you want to go. Skiing 650,000 rials which also has a side bonus of priority boarding the cabins . ( updated Mar 2017 )
• 35.8294 51.4265 3 Darband , Darband ( taxis to Darband go from Tajrish metro station ). This is the alternative way to climb Tochal mountain. The walk goes across a canyon to Tochtal (مسیر کوهپیمایی به توچال از طریق دربند). Short-ride chair lift is also available here and leads to the upper platform, operates only during weekend Th–F 07:00–18:00.  
• 35.8096 51.3825 4 Darake ( دركه ), Darakeh ( the easiest way to get there is to take a taxi or minibus from Tajrish Square ). This is another entry point into nearby mountains. Like Darband, Darake hiking trail begins with tens of open-air restaurants alongside a stream.  

• 35.82634 51.46528 5 Jamshidieh Park , Niavaran district, Omidvar ( from M: Tajrish 3 km NE or from Aghdasiyeh Subway Station 2.5 km NW ). It is one of the most picturesque and beautiful parks in Tehran. It is at the base of the Kolakchal Mountain. Mellat Park in Valiasr street is one of the largest recreation areas in the Middle-East. Niavaran Park is one of Tehran's famous and most pleasant public city parks. It is in the Niavaran district and is immediately south of the Niavaran Palace Complex. Additionally there are some large parks called "park-e-jangali" (literally "forest park") around (and some inside) the city which are very popular among the locals for picnic. The most famous one is Chitgar in the west of the city and is accessible via Karaj road.  
• 35.7541 51.4188 6 Ab-o-Atesh Park and the Tabiat Bridge ( پارک آب و آتش و پل طبیعت ) ( the closest metro station is Shahid Haghani (line 1); the park is also a 15-minute walk away from Vanak Sq ). Opened in 2009, the Ab-o-Atesh ( lit. "Water and Fire") Park is one of Tehran's newest and most impressive. The highlight of the park is the Pol-e Tabiat or Nature Bridge, which offers spectacular views of north Tehran and the Alborz mountain range. Populated by the well-to-do urban middle classes of Tehran, this friendly park offers a plethora of cafes and restaurants, most of which can be found along the Rah-e Joobi or Wooden Road Food Court (رستوران‌های راه چوبی) in the southern section of the park (nearly all of the restaurants there are open only after 20:00 as it is customary for Iranians to eat dinner late in the evening). The park and its surroundings also offer other services, such as a skate park. ( updated Jun 2016 )

• 35.8017 51.42078 8 Paradise Garden, Baq-e Ferdous Park? ( باغ فردو س ), Delbar ( From Metro 'Tajrish' West 1.1 km ).  
• 35.700078 51.405619 9 Tehran City Theater ( Tehran Theater of the Performing Arts, Te'atr e Shahr, Persian: مجموعه فرهنگی و هنری تئاترشهر ), Enghelab és Vali Cross Street (تقاطع خیابان انقلاب و ولی‌عصر) ( From M Enqelab-Eslami 0.5 km east ), ☏ +98 21 66460592 , fax : +98 21 66460594 . Architect Ali Sardar Afkhami designed the main building in the 1960s, later (1972) expanded.  

• Loghatnameh Dehkhoda Institute & International Center for Persian Studies [dead link] is the only school which offers Persian courses and can arrange student visas for foreigners. Consult the timetable at their website and apply at least 3 months before. People with tourist visas are not allowed to attend classes.

It is easy to find work in Tehran, but you must have a university diploma to be applicable for good jobs. Although there is some inflation, many of the people in Tehran have good and well paying jobs. Like every other big developing world city, there's a big difference between poor and rich.

Money exchange

For information on Iranian currency see Iran#Buy .

You can exchange your currency in most banks after filling out between two and five forms, but the exchange rate in exchange offices (sarraafis) is always better than what is offered by banks. It is much advisable to go to one of these 35.6958 51.4202 1 money exchange offices at Ferdosi Ave (close to Jewels Museum). Such offices can also be found in other parts of the city, but are far more scattered. Ask them to show you a copy of their license, issued by the Central Bank of the country and/or the local guild. A list of licensed sarraafis of the whole country, in Persian (Farsi) , can be found here [dead link] . This list includes phone numbers and addresses as well as license numbers and dates.

Also, most exchange offices in Tehran don't exchange before 09:00, when the daily rate gets fixed.

Do not exchange your money with one of the many individuals offering to exchange along Ferdosi St. It is much riskier and illegal. They might be criminals offering counterfeit money.

As for March 2019, exchange offices in Tehran were not exchanging, and they announced lower rate than at the airport. The best rate was (surprisingly) at the airport, and higher than stated at XE Currency Exchange. Accommodation can be paid in euros, so you do not need to exchange all the money for the trip. In March 2019, they were changing 151,000-153,000 rials for €1; 170,000-173,000 rials for £1; 139,000 rials for US$1 (dollar rate as of 26 Apr 2019) - at the airport, first floor (departures).

Bazaars and shopping malls

Visit the Bazaar , very appropriate for shopping. It ranges from cheap things to very expensive luxury things. You can find almost anything in the Bazaar, from clothing to carpets, kitchen accessories, decorations, jewellery....

There are also numerous shopping malls in the city. Valiasr Street and Tajrish Square (also includes a traditional bazaar) are two of the many locations full of shopping centres in Tehran.

• 35.7531 51.3634 3 Milad-e-Noor Mall , 2nd St/Farahzadi St ( north 0.5 km from Pardisan Park - ).  
• 35.7132 51.4128 4 Behjat Abad Market ( Bazar Roze Behjat Abad ), Aban Street (خیابان آبان) Karimkhan St ( from Shahid Nejatolahi Subway Station SW 0.7 km - east from Behjat Abad Park ). For those interested in cooking, Behjat Abad Market offers a good variety of fresh ingredients all year round.  
• 35.79773 51.4128 5 Palladium Mall , Moqadas Ardabili St ( BRT Line 7, Homayooni stop (همایونی) ). The confectionery shop next to the supermarket is perfect for shopping souvenir sweets. Though on the pricey side by Iranian standards, the quality of the sweets is also high. Look out for the Tehranis who are wearing traditional black chadoors ; they are a distinct minority among the well-to-do clientele of this ultra-modern mall.  

Computer software

Due to Iran's refusal to sign the Berne Convention, the sale of pirated software is legal in the country. However, bringing the software home is likely to be illegal and may carry large fines or jail sentences if caught. The software might also not include the correct ID keys and therefore might not work on your computer. Buyer beware!

Places where pirated software is for sale include the bazaar at the corner of Vali-e-Asr Avenue and Enghelab Avenue, Bazar-e-Reza, Bazar-e-Iran, and the "Paytakht Computer Complex", a modern complex of seven storeys filled with computer equipment at the intersection of Vali-e-Asr and Mirdamad. The prices at the "Bazaar Reza" (at Charrah-e-Vali-e-Asr) are usually cheaper. Some of the computer equipment that is sold in Iran are cheap knockoffs.

• 35.7628 51.4109 6 Paytakht Computer Complex , At intersection of Vali-e-Asr and Mirdamad ( from M 'Haghani' west 1.7 km ).  

Jewellery & gold

Jewellery & gold boutiques in Geisha, Milade Noor, Karim Khaan St. Golds, gems, and diamonds.

Bags & shoes

Designer bags and shoes such as Gucci, Versace, Dior, Armani in Golestan shopping centre & Milade noor.

Prices quoted on the menu may exclude an 8% tax, a 10-15% service charge, and a 10% tip. Be prepared to add as much as 1/3 to the prices quoted on the menu.

You'll find cheap & good enough abgoosht stew in any of the places they call ghahvekhuneh (قهوه‌خانه) which you can find in any non-strictly-residential area. Just ask for a ghahvekhuneh or get this قهوه‌خانه printed and show it. Nice traditional working class ambience as a rule.

You can find several food courts around Tehran with a variety of cuisines from Thailand, India, Italy, China and Turkey.

• Delsin Sandwiches , Jordan Blvd, in Golfam St . Kebab and sandwich joints are found everywhere. This one has interesting salad, and humus (Lebanese mezeh). They have roast beef, chicken, turkey sandwiches that comes with fresh vegetables, like mint and basil. andwiches priced between US$2-4 .  
• Dizi Sara , Jordan Blvd . A hangout of the rich and famous. Abgosht (meat stew) 400,000 rials . ( updated Nov 2016 )
• Falafel Stalls , 15 Khordad Ave ( across the road from the bazaar ). 10,000-25,000 rials .  
• Food Court at Jaam-e-Jam Mini Mall , Corner of Vali Asr Ave & Taheri Street . A sight to see - not for the food. This is the closest thing in Iran to a pick up bar. Teenagers push the limits on acceptable clothing. Has western import products in several stores underneath. There is also a decent bakery here with western type bread.  
• Iranian Traditional Restaurant , 28 Keshavarz Blvd ( near Agha Bozorg Mosque, underground, down a staircase east of the Canon/Konica shop ). Young Iranians flirting, smoking flavored water pipe, and eating. The dizi is recommended. Dizi: 55,000 rials .  
• Super Star Fried Chicken (SFC) . The Iranian version of KFC. Serves very good chicken burgers.  
• 35.715084 51.419255 1 Traditional Restaurant Karimkhan , Karim Khan Bridge/Blvd . A cozy place serving fantastic Dizi among other traditional dishes. Cute little canaries are flying around. Dizi: 170,000 rials . ( updated Nov 2016 )
• 35.677579 51.419572 2 Restaurant Moslem , Bazar, District 12 ( North West corner of Sabzeh Meydan Square ), ☏ +98 21 5560 2275 . Huge (very huge!) portions that are hard to finish. That is why most of the locals pack about half the portion for take-away (free). The canteen-like place is super crowded at lunchtime and the people form a long queue. Get an ordering number at the entrance first. Upstairs you can watch the bustling square while enjoying your meal. ( updated Nov 2016 )
• Sharafol-eslam is a restaurant in the Bazaar. It is famous for its kebabs and chicken. It gets really crowded though, which requires some patience.
• Barbod Restaurant , 87 Seoul St.; Vanak Square .  
• Coffee Shop & Veggie Restaurant at Iranian Artists' Forum , Baghe Honarmandan, Moosavie Str, Taleghani Ave. ( just behind the Den of Espionage (former US Embassy) inside the Iranian Artists' Forum building. There are two restaurants at Artists Forum, the vegetarian one is reached from inside the building (turn right as you go in) and has a terrace overlooking the park ), ☏ +98 21 88310462 . Fantastic place to stock up on those much needed vegetables. The menu is pure veg and very, very good. Also, great coffees and desserts at very reasonable prices. Serves pizza, sandwiches, and salads  
• Dizi , near Karimkhane-e Zand St. downtown . A beautiful Dizisara . With many Miniature paintings on walls and a nice meal of Abgusht (traditional Iranian soup-like food, but way heavier than normal soups), it is worth a visit for lunch. Not open for dinner.  
• Farid , 39 Shahid Sereni St ( 5-minute walk from Vali Asr Street ). Speciality is the steamed blue fish.  
• Hani , Corner of Vali Asr Street & Motahari Street . Delicious Iranian food served buffet style.  
• Iran Tak , 431 Vali Asr Street ( Just north of the metro station. Look for the unmarked ornate blue tile entrance and a staircase down to the basement ). Ambient cellar restaurant with ornate chandelier and fountain. Popular with young people since water pipe smoking is allowed for both men and women. Try the lamb leg dishes. Complete meal with drink: 250,000 rials .  
• Khayyam Restaurant ( 200m south of the Khayyam metro station, opposite the mosque ). Beautifully decorated, originally part of the mosque. 300-year-old building restored in 2002. Typical Iranian food.  
• SPU Restaurant , Darakeh Square , ☏ +98 21 224 19494 . Iranian food. Ranked as one of the best outdoor restaurants in Tehran.  
• Alborz Restaurant , Nikoo Ghadam Alley & North Sohrevardi Avenue . Many locals regard this as a fairly good chelo kababi in Tehran.  
• Bistango @ Raamtin Hotel , 2153 Vali Asr Street . European décor and cuisine. Serves high-end dishes such as filet mignon, caviar, prawns.  
• Divan , Fayazi Blvd (Fereshteh) ( SAM Shopping Center - 8th Floor ), ☏ +98 21-22653853 . Fusion Persian food in a luxurious setting. Consistently ranked as one of the best restaurants in Tehran.  
• Monsoon , 8 Gandhi Street ( Shahid Ghandi Shopping Center ). The best Asian restaurant in Tehran, serving good Thai curries and decent sushi. European décor and music.  
• Nayeb , 2220 Vali Asr Street ( Across the street from the Raamtin Hotel ). Traditional Iranian food served in style.  

Confectionaries

• Bahar Confectionary , Sarcheshmeh Crossroad ( Beside Keshavarzi Bank ). The oldest Confectionary of Iran founded 1938. birthplace of paderazi and sugar bread. Best Known for traditional Paderazi and Shekari cookies. Quality is guaranteed. Diverse range of cookies and pastries are available.  

For information on popular drinks in Iran, see Iran#Drink . Alcoholic beverages are illegal in Iran, other than some allowances for ritual use by Jews and Christians.

Coffee shops

Coffee shops are a great place for people watching as well as drinking.

• There is a string of coffee shops on the south side of Jomhuriyeh Eslami Ave, a couple of hundred metres west of Ferdosi St. You can stock up on coffee beans and related paraphernalia, or even sample a cup for 4,000 rials.
• Cafe Naderi - serves coffee, tea and pastries to a mix of Tehran's intelligentsia and bohemian elite. It's a great place to sit and watch hip young guys eyeing gossiping girls while old men reminisce about the "good ol' days" under the Shah.
• Gramophone Cafe , Charrahe Vali-e Asr ( Vali-e Asr St. - In front of Theatre building ). If you want talk to your friends, you can go to Gramophone coffee shop, listen to nice music, and have a nice coffee. Some of people who work there can speak English. Ask for Beiruz.  
• Crystal Coffeeshop (at the top of the Borj-e Sefid Hotel) along Pasdaran Ave, Definitely worth a visit if in the area for the relaxing drink and view.
• Azari Traditional Tea House - Just north of the train station. A bit far from the center but worth the trek. The atmosphere here is unique, from the moment you enter from the beaded doorway. This is a popular hangout for people of all ages. Features an eclectic collection of water pipes and tea pots.
• Chai bar ( Anjoman Khoshnevisan ), 145 North Salimi Blvd ( Farmanieh ), ☏ +98 21 22210310 . In a beautiful historic garden in Tehran. It is an ideal place to spend late afternoons/evenings. It offers great selection of teas and coffees as well as sandwiches.  
• Gandhi Shopping centre . For trendy cafes filled with liberal Iranians. You will find about ten coffeeshops as well as a few very good restaurants, including Monsoon.
• In many places you can find fresh sickly-sweet carrot juice - as well as some other juices - for just 30,000 rials a cup.
• By most main bazaar in Tehran you can get a drink of blended honeydew melon with ice and sugar. It's delicious and extremely refreshing on a hot day. In the summer, you can try Khakshir a locally made amazing drink which is refreshing.

The old-styled Mosaferkhanehs and budget hotels are often low quality and overpriced. The reason is that Iran has had very limited exposure to the outside world. In many low budget places there are no European toilets or even no toilet paper and staff can be rather unfriendly with no English-speaking ability. However, a couple of modern hostels have opened in Tehran.

• 35.691702 51.431485 1 Tehran Heritage Hostel , No. 22, Kamal-ol-Molk, Baharestan Square ( Walk 100 meters to the west in Kamal-ol-Molk Street from Baharestan Square Metro Station. ), ☏ +982133988739 . 24 hr . Check-in: 14:00 , check-out: 12:00 . The newly renovated Tehran Heritage Hostel sitting in a 100-year-old-building opened in January 2018. The location is very central and Baharestan metro station is just around the corner. Dormitories have beautifully designed bunk beds with private curtains, individual lockers, sockets and light on each bed and private rooms are en-suite, beautifully decorated with stunning bed linen. Useful and friendly staff, they can book your bus or train tickets for you. Dorms from €5; yurts from €15; private rooms from €25, accepts payment in euros. Payment with card for a fee . ( updated Mar 2019 )
• Firouzeh Hotel , Dolat Abadi Alley, Amir Kabir St , ☏ +98 21 33113508 , +98 91 24361974 (Cell) , [email protected] . Check-out: 14:00 . Good hotel with very friendly receptionist, Mr Mousavi, is a good source for information, especially regarding embassies and visas. Great place for breakfast, tea and meeting other travellers. Internet and wifi available. Single: US$28 (870 000 rials, Sep 2016); double: US$30 . ( updated Sep 2016 )
• Hotel Hafez , Bank Alley, off Ferdowsi Street , ☏ +98 21 66709093 , [email protected] . Location quite good, 5-min walking to National Jewelry Treasure and Turkish Consulate, with nearby currency exchange places. The duty manager (an old gentlemen) is very nice and speaks good English. Rooms are good and clean, bathroom water is hot. Can help you book train/bus/flight tickets, car/van or even visa renewal. Breakfast included. Free Wi-Fi, but signal is not good in the room. Double: US$74 .  
• 35.712455 51.422152 2 See You in Iran Hostel in Tehran , No. 2, Vahdati-Manesh (3rd) Dead End, South Kheradmand St., KarimKhan Ave , ☏ +98 21 88832266 , [email protected] . Accommodation for cultural exchange. It features eight private rooms, two dorm rooms, an event-based café, a spacious outdoor garden and is run by a multilingual team. ( updated Feb 2019 )
• Mashhad Hostel , #388 Amir Kabir Street, Opposite Seraj Mosque , ☏ +98 21 33113062 , [email protected] . One of the cheapest accommodation in Tehran. Nothing fancy and not exactly very nice but the obvious choice for those on a budget. Has a small kitchen with possibility to boil water and a dial up Internet connection. They do laundry for a reasonable price of 30,000 rials. Dorm beds, single or double. Price for double Dec 2016 500 000 rials .  
• 35.69488 51.41624 3 Hotel Naderi , 520, Jomhouri Ave , ☏ +98 21 21 6670 8610 , [email protected] . One of the cheapest hotels outside the grubby Amir Kabir Street. Still in central Tehran but Jomhuri Ave. has more restaurants than Amir Kabir St. Hotel Naderi is an old famous hotel where writers and intellectuals still meet in the downstairs Cafe Naderi. Some bathrooms are very old and somewhat dirty but the beds are reasonably clean. Ask for a room in the back to avoid the noise. Not to be confused with Hotel New Naderi. 300,000 rials for a single .  
• Hotel Saadi , 375 Laleh Zarno St ( get off Metro at Saadi Station. Walk down Jomhouri, it's very close from the metro, the intersection is Laleh Zar to the left and Laleh Zarno to the right. Go right and then the hotel is on right side of street about 200-300 m. ), ☏ +98 21 33117653 . Small hotel with free Wi-Fi for guests. Single: 850,000 rials; double: 1,240,000 rials .  
• 35.697962 51.396477 4 7 Hostel ( Seven Hostel ), No 5, Dideh Baan Alley, Fakhr-e-Razi St, Enghelab St, Enghelab Sq ( http://sevenhostels.com/addresses-and-directions ), ☏ +98 21 88 68 15 16 , [email protected] . In a villa not too far away from the center; it offers a veranda, kitchen and patient help for your time in Tehran. Dorm US$10; single/double starting from US$40; includes bread, butter, cheese, and jam breakfast . ( updated Feb 2017 )
• 35.708293 51.427651 5 Tehran Hostel , Malekoshoara bahar St. Gohar Alley . N.2 ( Close to Taleghani Metro Station ), ☏ +98 912 725 7703 , [email protected] . Check-out: noon . Nice little hostel in a residential neighbourhood. Mori the manager is very nice and helpful. Clean dorm and bathrooms (only two (?) for the dorm). It's a good place to meet other travellers: those who just arrived and those who are about to leave. Free Wi-Fi and breakfast: Mr. Mori gets fresh bread every morning and you are free to use the guest kitchen to fry some (free) eggs, boil water for tea and use the fridge. It takes some time to get to the sights but the location is nicer than most of the central hotels. Double €35, dorm €12.50 . ( updated Nov 2016 )
• HI Tehran Hostel I (Bahar St. Branch , #2, Corner of Firooz Abadi Dead End., Tabatabaei Alley, Bahar Shomali Street ( Take off from the Haft-e-Tir Metro station on the red line(Line 1). Leave at Mofateh Street exit. Go straight down until you see Shimi Alley (کوچه شیمی), turn left into Shimi alley and follow it until you get to Bahar-Shomali Street. Cross the street. Tabatabei alley on the other side of street is right in front of you. We are #2 on your left-hand side in Tabatabei alley. ), ☏ +98-912-053-0663 , [email protected] . Check-in: 14:00 , check-out: 12:00 . Private rooms, mixed dorms and female dorms €13 per bed per night. This place is clean with a super friendly staff, with a large variety of dorms and private rooms. Beautifully designed and noticeably clean private & dormitory rooms, working space, study & working room, kitchen & serving space, a green front garden which is a place to meet locals & get to know the local culture while relaxing and enjoying a traditional drink or meal, 24/7 reception, secured lockers, CCTV protection for common spaces, free Persian-style breakfast. €11-100 . ( updated Jul 2018 )
• Hi Tehran Hostel II (Enghelab St. Branch) , #854, beside Abiverd Alley, Between college crossroad and Ferdowsi square, Enghelab St. ( get off at Ferdowsi station(Line 4) from south Ferdowsi Exit; walk for 3 minutes toward west; after Abiverd Alley you will reach the hostel which is No. 854 ), ☏ +989120530663 , [email protected] . Check-in: 14:00 , check-out: 12:00 . Hi Tehran Hostel II (Enghelab St. Branch) is in the most famous historical/political street of Tehran, full of cafes, restaurants & art centers. 150 meters from Ferdowsi St and its metro station & exchange shops. The newer of the two Tehran Hostels, it is in a renovated historical building which dates back to first Pahlavi period. Beautifully designed with clean private & dormitory rooms and other amenities as in its sister hostel. 24/7 reception, secured lockers, CCTV protection for common spaces, free Persian-style breakfast. £9-100 . ( updated Jul 2018 )
• 35.702724 51.423166 6 Bibi Hostel , No. 13 Ramsar Street, Ferdowsi Square ( near Darvaze Dowlat Metro station and BRT (bus rapid transit) station ), ☏ +98 912 378 0600 , [email protected] . Check-in: 14:00 , check-out: 12:00 . It's near various cafes and Iranian restaurants popular with tourists and locals. ( updated Jan 2019 )
• Amir Hotel , 325 Taleghani Ave. Between Iranshahr and Forsat , ☏ +98 21 8830 4066 , +98 21 8830 4069 , fax : +98 21 8882 4505 , [email protected] . 70 nice rooms with a great location. Popular with business travelers. Double: US$83 .  
• Atlas Hotel , #206 Taleghaani Ave ( 7 minutes walk west of Taleqani metro station ), ☏ +98 21 88907475 , +98 21 88906058 , +98 21 88900286 , +98 21 88900288 , fax : +98 21 88800407 , [email protected] . Check-in: 14:00 . Two-star hotel in convenient location and good rooms. Insist on a room in the rear building as rooms in the front building face the very noisy Taleghaani Avenue. Must pay in USD or euros. Breakfast included. Single: $48; double:$76; triple: $97 .  
• Ferdowsi International Grand Hotel , No. 20, Kooshk e Mesri street, Ferdowsi Ave ( Along Ferdosi Street North of Imam Khomeini Metro Station ), ☏ +98 21 66727026 , +98 21 66727031 , fax : +98 21 66711449 . Very nice and posh rooms and fantastic breakfast buffet. Centrally location. Highly recommended. Single US$99; double $140 .  
• Ideal Apartment Hotel ( هتل آپارتمان ایده آل ), Fatemi Sq Kamran Alley, No. 10 ( in a small quiet street just off the busy Fatemi/Vali Asr intersection ), ☏ +98 21 88920841 , +98 21 88920850 , fax : +98 21 88920839 . Offers apartments with kitchens and separate sleeping rooms. While not palaces, they are good for self-caterers or people who face a longer stay in Tehran. Staff is motivated and speaks English. US$80 including buffet breakfast .  
• Iranshahr Hotel , No 81, South Iranshahr Street , ☏ +98 21 88846650 , +98 21 88820518 , [email protected] . Opened in 1953; renovated in 1981. Nice rooms and good service. Single US$70; double $98 .  
• Hotel Mashad , 190 Mofatteh St, near Talequani ave. , [email protected] . Rooms are renovated but small. Some rooms have a view into the former US embassy complex. Single US$59; double $84 .  
• Hotel New Naderi , off Jomhuri-ye Eslami Ave #53, Gohar Shad Alley , ☏ +98 21 66709530 , +98 21 66703761 , +98 21 66701356 , +98 21 66709531 , fax : +98 21 66709532 , [email protected] . By 'new', they mean 1970s. Clean rooms. Single US$44; double $63 .  
• Parasto Hotel (Parastoo Hotel) , Mohammad Buyk Alley, off Jomhuri-ye Eslami Ave ( Near the British Embassy, a bit of a hike from Ferdosi Metro ), [email protected] . Basic hotel popular with tour groups. Rooms can be smoky or dirty. Single US$25; double $39 .  
• Espinas Persian Gulf Hotel , 126 Keshavarz Blvd . Opened in 2010, it is one of the nicest hotels in Tehran. 224 rooms, gym, sauna, pool. Single US$168; double $224 .  
• Esteghlal Hotel , Crossroads of Dr. Chamran Experessway & Valie-Asr Ave. ( near Elahieh and the International Expo Center ), ☏ +98 21 2266 0011 , +98 21 2266 0025 , [email protected] . Formerly a Hilton hotel. 15 floors, 550 rooms, built in 1962.  
• Homa Hotel Tehran , #51, Shahid Khodami St., Vali-e-Asr Ave., Vanak Square , [email protected] . Double: 3,700,000 rials .  
• Raamtin Residence Hotel , 2153 Valiasr Ave ( directly across from the gas station ), ☏ +98 21 8872 2786 , +98 21 8872 2788 , [email protected] . 50 spacious rooms with leather couches. Single 3,200,000 rials; double 3,900,000 rials .  
• Simorgh Hotel , 1069 Vali Asr . Nice location on cosmopolitan upmarket section of Valiasr St. Saei Park is almost next door and a beautiful green/concrete oasis in a deep valley. Hotel was once the Miami Hotel, and on the top floor is still the Miami Restaurant. Fairly good food - try the estrogen (sturgeon) fish kebabs, and the chicken cordon bleu. Good coffee in ground floor cafe. Rooms are comfortable and well equipped although rather dark. Business centre with fast internet and wifi in most rooms. Terrific indoor pool with separate bathing times for men and women. The hotel cars are in very poor condition, better to take a taxi from the street. Single US$168; double $205 .  

For information on mobile phone operators and using the internet in Iran, see Iran#Connect

You need to use a proxy server, VPN or a software like Freegate or Psiphon to access Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and some websites; otherwise, you might see this page [dead link] which shows that the site you want to access is filtered and blocked by the judiciary system. You also need to use Freegate to check your bank account balance; otherwise, your account might get blocked due to the sanctions against Iran.

Internet cafés

• Ferdosi Coffee Net - Enghelab Ave, ( a few doors east of Ferdosi Square ) is hard to find (look for the small sign plastered to a building) has two banks of computers.
• Pars Net - one of south Tehran's hottest coffee nets, dishing up reasonable speed. It is on the eastern side of Ferdosi St, between Jomhuiyeh Eslami Ave and Enghelab Ave, across from the British embassy. They also provide fax and long-distance phone services.
• Coffee Net Firouzeh - In Tehran's south in the nice and very friendly Firouzeh Hotel
• Iranian Trade Centre - around Valiasr Square offers several Internet cafes (coffee nets).

In addition to the above cafes, there are many others in all parts of the city.

3G and 4G internet connections

With a copy of the information page of your passport and a copy of the page with Iranian entrance seal and also, your visa, you can buy SIM cards and access the internet with GPRS, EDGE, 3G and 4G technologies. SIM cards are available in places like post and government e-services offices (Persian: singular: Daftar-e Pishkhan-e Khadamat-e Dowlat دفتر پیشخوان خدمات دولت; plural: Dafater-e Pishkhan-e Khadamat-e Dowlat دفاتر پیشخوان خدمات دولت), in big shops and at the Imam Khomeini airport. At least some shops refuse to sell SIM cards to British nationals.

Mobile Communications of Iran (IR-MCI) or Hamrahe Avval همراه اول is a cellular phone company that provides SIM cards with 3G technology. You need to activate special packages to access the internet with less cost. This company has the largest cellular phones network subscribers and its numbers begin with 091. IR-MCI SIM cards have better signal coverage on roads. Irancell [dead link] is another company that provides 3G service along with the other cellular phone services. Its SIM card numbers begin with 093 and 090. RighTel (رایتل) is anothe company providing reliable 3G internet connections.

Irancel [dead link] , Rightel , MCI all have 4G coverage in big cities.

Wireless portable internet connection

Irancell Wimax [dead link] is one of the wireless internet networks available. MobinNet ISP Company [dead link] is another service provider which provides wireless portable internet connection.

Considering that the population of Tehran is around 15 million, it is still one of the safer cities to visit in global terms. Violent crime is rare and exercising common sense and taking the usual precautions against pickpockets in crowded areas should ensure a hassle-free visit. Most areas are safe even late at night, although it is not advisable to take a private taxi at 02:00 for example (but the lack of public nightlife means that few tourists would be out at that time in the first place). South Tehran (or the areas south of the Tehran Bazaar) is the only area that should really be avoided after dark, as some of the more deprived neighborhoods are there.

Traffic in Tehran is very dangerous and should be considered to be among the worst in the world. Even though crossing the street might at first seem impossible, drivers usually do a very good job avoiding pedestrians. Still, try to cross the street when the locals do as there is safety in numbers. The rate of traffic accidents is disturbingly high, so faith should not be put on drivers' skills alone.

The fake police that have traditionally targeted tourists in Esfahan have also found their way to Tehran. These are usually uniformed men in unmarked cars flashing fake IDs and requesting to see your passport or to search through your luggage. You should ignore such requests and head to the nearest police station (" kalantari ") if you feel unsafe. However, it can be somewhat hard for the untrained eye to tell these apart from real police.

If you decide to smoke the qalyan (waterpipe or hubble-bubble), make sure that you are not unintentionally smoking opium or any other kind of drug. Although drugs and alcohol are illegal in Iran , it is not impossible to get them, especially in Tehran. Obviously, you should not try to obtain or consume either, as the consequences can be very dire should you get caught. The government has banned smoking qalyan and cigarettes in public places , so finding a good place to smoke can be a challenge. If you really want to try the qalyan , do it only at a qahvekhane recommended by a Western guidebook or travel website.

Emergency services phone numbers

• Police: 110 (has English-speaking operators)
• Fire department: 125
• Road EMS: 115 or 112
• Road Status Information: 141

The traffic in Tehran is horrendous. To get a break from it, head to the parks in the north of the city.

• If the hustle and bustle of Tehran becomes too much, it's possible to go to the Caspian Sea for a day or two. The holiday town of Ramsar is about five hours away, and the drive across the Alborz Mountains is spectacular. A taxi round-trip for a day shouldn't set you back more than 500,000 rials (ask for taxis near Azadi Square).
• 36.6774 51.3093 4 Namakabrud ( Shahrak-e Namak Abrud, Persian: شهرک نمک ابرود,Shahrak-e Namak Ābrūd; Namak Abrood, Namak Ābrūd, Namak Ābrūd Sar, Namakrūd Sar ), Chalus County, Mazandaran Province ( 190 km North.-about 4.5 hours away ). Villa city and gondola lift in beautiful green coasts of Caspian Sea. - Violet and box-tree parks  
• Qom — about 2 hours away southwest of Tehran by bus and one hour by car (120 km) is the most religious city of Iran followed by Mashhad
• 36.016667 51.5 5 Shemshak ski resort ( پیست اسکی شمشک ), Rudbar-e Qasran District, Shemiranat County, Tehran Province ( 1–2 hours north-east of Tehran in the Alborz Mountains ). Its steep slopes are considered appropriate for expert skiers and boarders. The slopes lie at an altitude of 2550m to 3050m above sea level.  
• 36.049167 51.417222 6 Dizin ski resort ( دیزین ), Tehran Province ( 70 km north of Tehran ). This is a larger ski resort with more facilities and is considered better for beginners and intermediates. The resorts generate some rivalry amongst the locals, with some 'Shemshakis' looking upon those who ski in Dizin as 'kids in the park' and see Shemshak as the place for 'true skiers'. The ski season: from December to May.  
• 35.638333 51.579444 7 Sorkheh Hesar National Park ( پارک ملی سرخه‌حصار ), Rey County, Tehran Province ( 17 km East from Tehran - Near by Ray - Tehran 20th District - By car from Khojir Road 14 km (8.7 mi) to Khojir, branches off in Zereshki Fork ). Perfect birdwatching place at an altitude of 1,547 m.  

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Things to do in Tehran in 2 days – Ultimate guide

By Joan Torres 12 Comments Last updated on April 1, 2024

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From Iranian hipsters and rastafaris to women in their black chadors, pretty girls wearing the headscarf at the edge of their heads, both traditional bazaars and 21st century fashion malls, amazing art galleries and just traffic and chaos everywhere, Tehran is a real metropolis which truly deserves the title of capital, as this is the clearest example of what modern Iran is like and one of the very few Middle Eastern cities where you can actually see urban sub-cultures, only behind Beirut and, of course, Israeli cities. 

However, most travelers tend to skip Tehran in favor of majestic Esfahan, historical Shiraz or the perfectly shaped old city of Yazd.

The reason is that Tehran doesn’t possess their majesty or their long history.

Nevertheless, with an excellent backpacker’s hostel recently opened ( Heritage Hostel ), beautiful mountains which can almost be reached by metro and plenty of unique sites such as the former U.S. Embassy, today a museum which holds plenty of anti-American propaganda, Tehran may keep you busy for weeks. 

Most travelers, however, at most, spare just 1 or 2 days for Tehran. I actually visited Tehran for 4 days but, in this article, I will show you a list of things to do in Tehran in only two days .

In this Tehran travel guide you will find:

Table of Contents

• Places to visit in 2 days
• Where to stay
• How to get from and to the airport
• How to move around
• Getting out of the city
• Where to eat
• More information

How to book hotels, flights and tours in Iran

Because of the sanctions, foreign cards or popular sites such as booking.com can’t be used in Iran, but now you can thanks to 1stQuest .

1stQuest is a local company that offers services such as visa LOI, hotel booking, tours, domestic flights, and travel insurance for Iran.

5% discount on ALL bookings with voucher code:

Things to do in Tehran in 2 days

It’s mandatory to have a travel insurance to get your visa on arrival in Iran. Because of the sanctions, most insurance companies don’t provide coverage for Iran, but IATI Insurance does. Get your exclusive 5% discount if purchasing via this link .

Tehran is an absolutely vast city, with plenty of places to visit.

In two days, though, you will get to visit the highlights of the city, no problem. 

By the way, Tehran is socially divided into north and south. South Tehran is where the traditional families live, which tend to be poorer and regime supporters, hence more religious. The north belongs to the modern society of Iran.

If you want to visit Tehran with a professional guide, 1stQuest also offers a wide arrange of experiences, from walking tours around the Gran Bazaar to a private tour in Golestan Palace.

You can get a 5% discount in ALL your tours.

With voucher code: ATC-QST

Places to visit in Tehran in 2 days – Map

What to do in Tehran – Day 1

Tehran grand bazaar.

From carpet salesmen to spices and colorful fabrics, this is the hugest bazaar I have ever been to, at least that I can recall. A real labyrinth of thousands of shops, the best you can do is to stroll down its bustling alleys, while getting invited by carpet sellers to check their products and drink some chai.

There are endless picture opportunities and most locals will be happy and proud to pose in front of their shop.

The Tehran bazaar is one of the most popular things to do in Tehran. 

Try to be there in the morning because, after lunch, it gets extremely busy. 

You can get a 5% discount on ALL your tours.

Use my promotional code: ATC-QST

Golestan Palace

The Golestan Palace is located right next to the bazaar, so that would be your next stop on day 1.

This complex is where the Qajar dynasty used to live, a royal family which ruled the Persian Empire from 1785 to 1925. The Palace is composed of beautiful gardens and buildings that hold several museums.

The entrance to the garden and complex costs 150,000IR (3.60USD) and then, you have to buy an extra ticket for each museum or building you visit, which range from 50,000 to 150,000IR each.

To be honest, those museums are not really worth the money and the most enjoyable part is checking the buildings from outside. I sat in the café-terrace of the complex and enjoyed the atmosphere over a cup of chai and my notebook.

Former U.S. Embassy

After lunch, you should head to the former U.S. Embassy.

If you watched the movie Hollywood movie, Argo , you will know that, in 1979, during the Iranian Revolution, a big group of students held tens of American diplomats as hostages in the embassy for 444 days.

The reason is that the Americans had been the center of support for the previous Shah, the ruler that was overthrown during the revolution, and whose objective was the secularization and westernization of Iran. 

After the Revolution, the embassy was permanently closed and, today, it has become the U.S. Den of Espionage, which is used by the Sepah militia, a pro-revolution Iranian armed group.

It also became a museum which holds plenty of anti-American propaganda. The entrance costs 200,000IR (6USD).

The outside walls of the embassy are also filled with anti-American and Israeli propaganda, including the famous skulled Statue of Liberty. You can take pictures of the graffiti without any problem.

Read:  80 Tips for traveling to Iran

Tabi’at Bridge

At sunset, you should head to the Tabi’at bridge.

Meaning Nature Bridge and overlooking the Tehran skyline with its mountain in the background, this is the perfect place to end your day.

However, you should know that the sky of Tehran tends to be foggy, especially in summer, so consider yourself extremely lucky if you get a clear day.

One curious fact is that the architect was a 25-year old Iranian woman.

What to do in Tehran – Day 2

Holy defense museum.

This is the most interesting museum in Tehran and, perhaps, in the whole of Iran.

The Holy Defense Museum is dedicated to the Iran-Iraq war, an 8-year conflict that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.

From real tanks and rockets to a very detailed, intriguing history of what actually happened there, the museum portrays the bloody massacre fought between Iran and Sadam Hussein’s regime in a very sobering way.

The museum is very close to Tabi’at Bridge so, if you had time (which is unlikely), you could visit it on day 1 but, in any case, it is on the way to the next tourist attraction. 

Located at the bottom of Mount Tochal, when you get to Darband, you will forget that you are actually in one of the most chaotic cities ever. Darband is a place filled with rivers, waterfalls and mountain trails.

Many restaurant’s tables are placed onto the river itself and they serve some of the best kebabs in the city.

Moreover, there are plenty of dried fruit stalls, as well as many other local products. You can also go hiking, a very popular trek being the Mount Tochal peak, which is a 6-hour hike (one-way) and you can return by cable car.

For more information, read: Darband – Escaping from Tehran chaos

Where to stay in Tehran

You can get a 5% discount in ALL your hotels bookings.

Budget Hostel (Top Choice) – Heritage Hostel – This is, by far, the best hostel in Iran. The owner Omid, a good friend of mine, is an Iranian guy who has been backpacking across the world for many years.

Budget Hotel –   Khayyam Hotel  – A cheap option, but very good, option near the Grand Bazaar of Tehran, so this is a great choice for budget travelers that don’t want to stay in a hostel.

A bit nicer –   Hejab Hotel  – A good option for mid-range travelers.

For more options, check: Best areas to stay in Tehran .

How to get to Tehran from the airport

The International airport of Tehran is almost 70 kilometers from the city center. These are the different ways to get to the city:

The local price for a taxi is something between 10 and 15USD. If they see you are a tourist, they will definitely try to rip you off. I actually met a girl who paid 25USD.

Try to bargain and, if they tell you a higher price, look for another driver. Alternatively, if you go the departures terminal, you can find some taxis which are going back to the city empty and may be willing to offer you a cheaper price.

Snapp is the Iranian Uber and a cheaper way to get to the center of Tehran. Get an Iranian Cell SIM Card at the airport and order a taxi. The app is available for both iPhone and Android. 

There’s a metro connecting the airport with the city center. However, the journey is pretty long, around 1 hour and 30 minutes. A single ticket costs as little as 10,000IR (24¢). 

Transportation – How to move around Tehran

The metro in Iran is extremely effective, as it runs very frequently, it’s super cheap and it goes absolutely everywhere, including all the touristic sites. Each metro ride costs 10,000IR (24¢).

Nevertheless, if you are planning to stay in Tehran for a few days, you should get a Metro Card, which is free of charge but you need to buy at least 5 trips. Here you can find the Tehran Metro Map . 

You can get regular taxis, of course, but, if you want to avoid bargaining, get Snapp App, the Iranian Uber I mentioned previously. I took a 20 minutes taxi and just paid 100,000IR (2.40USD). 

There are several bus lines moving around the city but, to be very honest, I didn’t need to take any. With metro and taxi, you will be more than fine.

Because of the sanctions, in Iran, most booking sites don’t accept international foreign cards. Before you could book them via 1stQuest but they are not offering this particular service anymore. However, you may still use 1stQuest for visa services, hotels, flights, travel insurance and tours. 

How to get out of Tehran

From Tehran, you can travel to pretty much everywhere in the country and most buses leave from Freedom Square.

Train connects with many cities across the country and the main station is at the metro stop called Metro Rail Station.

If you are short in time, consider taking a domestic flight to whatever destination you wish to go to. Many travelers choose to fly to Shiraz and then come back to Tehran slowly by bus. 

You can check flight schedules and book your tickets through 1stQuest, and you can get a 5% discount on ALL flights:

Where to eat in Tehran

Budget local restaurants.

There are local eateries all across the city, serving really cheap and tasty meals. If you are staying at Heritage Hostel, go to Adeel, a very popular local restaurant serving all kinds of home-made food for just a couple of dollars. In these restaurants, you will pay a maximum of 150,000IR (3.60USD) for a complete meal. 

Fancy local restaurants

Divan restaurant – There are several fancy Persian restaurants found all across the city but this is the one I recommend. 

Street food

Go to 30 Tir Street – If you fancy some good street food along with the modern hip of Iran, this street has several stalls serving all kinds of food, from fresh pasta to falafel, kebabs and other fast food Iranian dishes. It’s a few kilometers from the Golestan Palace and Tehran bazaar.

If you don’t know what to do in Tehran during evening time, come to 30 Tir Street to taste the best street food in town. Location:  35.689835, 51.414296 .

More information for when you visit Tehran

Get a sim card.

To get a SIM Card, you should go to an IranCell branch and the easiest place would be at Emam Khomeni metro station, right in the city center. The shop is located in the station itself and, to buy a SIM Card, you will just need your passport.

You can also get your SIM Card at the airport but I am not sure how much does it cost.

Access blocked sites

Remember that many popular websites are blocked in Iran.

Read: How to get a VPN and access blocked sites in Iran

Exchanging money in Tehran

The rate at the airport was not that bad, so get some local currency there to survive the first few days. In the city, exchanging in the black market is quite popular and you will always have people approaching you with this purpose.

However, sometimes they tried to rip me off, so I prefer to go to an exchange office. At Emam Khomeni Metro Station, there are several offices just one or two blocks away, right here: 35.693607, 51.419224 .

Is Tehran safe?

From a crime perspective, Tehran is really safe, like the rest of Iran. The only danger you may encounter is when crossing the streets. In Iran, cars have absolutely no respect for pedestrians and crossing the streets is extremely dangerous, especially in Tehran, as there is more traffic than anywhere else. For more information, read: Is it safe to travel to Iran

More information for visiting Tehran

📢 In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more.

All guides and articles for traveling in Iran destination

• Iran itinerary
• Best Books about Iran
• Travel insurance for Iran
• VPN for Iran
• Solo Female Travel Guide to Iran
• Iran Travel Guide
• Qeshm Island Travel Guide
• Travel Guide to Shiraz
• A trip to the desert of the Kaluts
• Trekking Guide to Zagros Mountains
• Meeting the Qashqai People
• Fars Province Travel Guide
• Visa Guide for Iran
• Masouleh Travel Guide
• Travel Guide to Golestan Province
• Iran-Iraq border crossing
• Is Iran Safe?
• Darband Travel Guide
• Best Hotels in Tehran

Check more city guides

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• Asmara Travel Guide
• Travel Guide to Riyadh
• Muscat Travel Guide
• Travel Guide to Dubai
• Beirut Travel Guide
• Erbil Travel Guide
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This was my list of Things to do in Tehran in only 2 days. If you have any other recommendation, kindly let me know on the comments section

12 comments

So cool to see the progressive nature of Tehran Joan. Very neat. Most Middle Eastern cities, even if open to some progress, aren’t nearly as advanced in this area. Way cool. Fascinating Skull of Liberty too 🙂 Thanks for sharing 🙂

and the problem is that barely anybody is aware of that, the fact that Iran is a super advanced country, compared to all the difficulties the country has been through

Awesome and useful post! When I visited Tehran, I was kidnapped (in a friendly way) by a super hospitable local family who insisted I check out of my hotel and stay with them. So I ended up not seeing any of the main sights in the city, but having a cool local experience and going to an Iranian wedding!

haha, good one! Very lucky of you, I have never had the chance to attend an Iranian wedding! How was it?

Very, very…different. No booze (of course), and there was a totally separate party for men and women. I didn’t even see the women. I asked if I could have special permission to photograph the bride, but they put a blanket over her head before I could see here. Later, the “men’s” side turned into a wild dance party (still no booze), and the DJ asked me to show off my “Western dancing” for one entire song in front of everybody, to some kind of bad techno music, which was really embarrassing.

wow, then it is not much different than a traditional Sunni wedding from the Arab Gulf, at least. I thought it would be slightly more liberal, as Iranian Shia women are always so cool and laidback, even with foreigners. Hope you enjoyed. I’d like to attend one someday. Cheers!

Haha . you visited a traditional wedding. in Tehran people tend to have their wedding outside of the city in Gardens. those are the ones that have a mixed party and they definitely serve booze. but this largely depends on the cultural situation of the families. for example, our family is not religious, so we are throwing a separate party.

Amir, that’s very interesting. Next time I hope I can join this kind of wedding party 🙂

Hey, just to let you know that Im in Iran right now, not using VPN, and can absolutely read your blog and see your pics 😉 It seems the regime have been nice to you!!

really? that’s good to know that they unblocked it 🙂 thanks!

My name is Barry and a licensed tour guide both in Canada and Iran. I have lived in the US and Canada for long time and graduated from those countries.

Currently, I am residing in Iran and handling domestic and international tours.

I would like to establish a joint commission based collateral relationship with you to have better market reach for both of us. I would like to recommend my clients to you and you do the same when foreign visitors look for a very proffessional licsenced tour guide and director in Iran.

I would like to get your email and whatsapp number to send my credentials and references.

Hi joan. I plan to go tehran and istanbul next year. How many days i should stay at tehran. Can you tell me how to go shiraz from tehran and the price too. Tq

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Tehran, the Capital of Iran, is located on the south hillside of the Alborz mountain range with the height of 900 to 1800 m above the sea level.

Tehran climate is greatly defined by its geographical location surrounded by the mountains in the north and by desert in the south. Accordingly, the north of Tehran enjoys a cold and arid weather but the south is largely warm and arid..

Tehran consists of three parts as “Kan“ , ”Markazi“, and “Aftab“; three cities named “Tehran“, “Bomehen“, ”Pardis”; and four rural districts. Demonstrating the traditional and modern architecture, Azadi square symbolized Tehran in the past and Milad tower plays this role, at present. As the capital of Iran, Tehran is a populous city and one of the most significant urban centers in the world experienced the modernity before the other cities of Iran.

Placed in a large area, Tehran is one of the biggest, most significant metropolitans in the world. In other word, it is the center of all affairs, government, politics, economy, culture, work, commerce, history, science, industry and production and it is why people are mostly inclined to immigrate to here and the population is continuously increased.

Locating on the hillside of Alborz mountain chain and near Damavand, the highest volcanic peak of Iran, Tehran embraces the unique attraction and landscapes where one of the most important historical attractions is placed. Tehran residents speak in Persian standard language. Different religious groups live together in Tehran.

Sightseeing

Azadi Tower (Persian: برج آزادی‎, Borj-e Azadi) is one of the tourist attractions in Tehran, Iran. Due to...

The early building of Saadabad was constructed by Qajar kings and it was just 8000m2 in area in...

Given to the antiquity of carpet weaving in Iran which dates back to the Acheamenid dynasty the necessity...

The monument of Hazrat Imam Mousa Kazem’s son, Imamzade Saleh (peace be upon him), is located in the...

Golestan palace is one of the exclusive historical complexes of Iran established in different times and for different...

Fashafuyeh Lake Complex is located eighteen kilometers of Tehran Freeway. The water sports are available only during the...

Firstly, the Abdol Azim holy shrine like all the other major shrines was just the central building contain...

Milad tower, a great complex including various parts of technical and cultural varied structures is one of the...

Niavaran Historical Garden Endowed with a fantastic natural and historical beauty, the Cultural-Historic Complex of Niavaran with an area...

The Tajrish historical bazaar is one of the most beautiful attractions in the Tajrish district, with a pleasant climate.

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Tehran Travel Guide

Time to read:  , last updated: , general facts .

Tehran, the city that never sleeps, is the energetic, electric capital of Iran. Sitting at the foot of the towering snow-capped Alborz Mountains, Tehran is the nation’s most dynamic and liberal city. It has a bustling population of 13 million and growing. Tehran is included nearly on all Iran travel itineraries and deserves about two or three days in your plans. There are a plethora of things to do in Tehran that you wouldn’t want to miss. And that is precisely why there are so many Tehran travel guides on the internet.

Many visitors have expressed that Tehran is similar to European capitals, young and lively. Just like other big capitals all around the world, Tehran is a mish-mash of everything; and it’s beautiful. People are diverse, different, and even weird at times. Young boys and girls hang out in popular spots of the city, like Tehran’s Bam (roof). Tehran is the epitome of modern and secular Iran.

Population in Tehran:

Here you can find the most diverse population in the whole country. Since Tehran is the administrative center, as well as the most prominent job market in Iran, a large number of people from all over the country have moved to Tehran. So, you can easily find various ethnic minorities of Iran: Turks, Kurds, Baluchis, Turkmen, Lurs, and Arabs. Young people from all over the country migrated to Tehran in search of jobs, so it has become very diverse. About 60 percent of the population are migrants. Crazy, huh?

With 13 million people during the day and 8.5 million during the night, the capital embraces commuters and workers mostly from Karaj but also other parts of Iran as well. Tehran, like a god-mother, accepts everybody. Different types of people live harmoniously alongside each other: the religious and the secular, the young and the old, the conservative, and the hippie.

When I decided to go to Tehran in a business trip, I was not comfortable because of the negative publicity about that country. To my surprise, I had the most successful business trip ever. Moreover, I enjoyed my stay in Tehran to the most.

Tehran is a modern city…as it is the capital… so a lot of traffic jams same as New York, Dubai, Tokyo…but the road network is excellent…. a lot of remarkable buildings, parks, and tourist attractions. The beautiful nature of the city with the mountains topped with the snow make you think of getting skiing lessons…. five stars hotels and exquisite classy traditional, Indian and European restaurants.

–       Nahla62, from Egypt, on TripAdvisor

Since Tehran is a large city and located at the foothills of the Alborz Mountains, the weather can be different in various parts of the city. There are about 600 meters of difference in altitude between the northern and southern neighborhoods, 30 km away from each other. 

Similar to many other parts of Iran, Tehran has a generally dry climate. However, it does enjoy four distinct seasons throughout the year. Summer is its most extended season. Springs and autumns are fair and delightful, while during winter, it gets chilly, and at times, frosty. 

What is crazy about Tehran’s weather is that, because it’s a vast city, there can be different weather at the same time in Tehran. You may be walking in Tehran’s roof (Bam), and it may be snowy. But take the BRT (the Bus Rapid Transit) and go 20 km south, you might see that it’s perfectly sunny out. 

When to visit Tehran

Forget what your Tehran travel guide says! Best time to visit Tehran? Easy! Any time of the year you travel to Tehran, it has something to offer. However, climate-wise, summers a tad hot and winters a tad cold. Springs and autumns, on the other hand, are lovely here in Tehran. 

History of Tehran:

If you had a time machine and went back 300 hundred years in Valiasr street, you will find a small agricultural village. No sign of skyscrapers, modern buildings, or high-tech companies. You may come across a few villagers tending to their lands and animals. Even in the early 19th century, the then-capital Tehran had no more than 80,000 habitants. 

Tehran first became the capital of Iran in 1786. A Qajar king chose the then-humble Tehran as the city to hold his throne. It has been the political center of Iran ever since. Tehran, a big name today, follows even more prominent names in history, as the capital of Persia. Ecbatana, Persepolis, Susa, Isfahan, Tabriz, and Qazvin, to name a few. Now, Tehran resembles a young and hopeful persona, bearing the weight of a 2500-year-old civilization of Cyrus the Great, trying to be as grand as them. 

Heart of the city: Valiasr Street

The leading Tehran attraction center (which can be considered not “the heart of the city,” but rather its vein) is Valiasr St. It covers 18 KMs of Tehran and is the longest street in the Middle East. If you wanted to explore the whole street, you must start at the railway station in the south of Tehran and finish at Tajrish square in the north. Merits of this street are usually missed on most Tehran travel guides. But don’t forget to put Valiasr in your Tehran day plans.

In a way, Valiasr embodies Tehran. Railway station at the beginning of Valiasr filled with passengers and visitors from all over Iran starts this street. You must then continue to Imam Khomeini street, which is close to Tehran’s famous bazaar. Here, you can see the traditional side of this modern capital. Golestan Palace and the different unique places to visit in Tehran bazaar show authentic traditionality amid all these modernities of Tehran. Heading north, you will come across Enghelab street in downtown. Now, here we find the young soul of Tehran. Since Enghelab and the neighboring streets are filled with universities (such as the prestigious University of Tehran), many young students from all over the country live and spend their time here. Art, engineering, literature, architecture, management, physics, philosophy (and many more) students take out to the streets in the evenings after their classes. They find each other in cafes, cinemas, and bookstores to spend time together. Enghelab truly is the young soul of Tehran.

However, when you go further north, you reach Vanak Square. Here is the center for offices and companies. Tehran’s more business and administrative side shows up. At the northern end of Valiasr, we reach Tajrish Square. Crowds of people are in Tajrish almost any time of the day and even night. They’re busy shopping, eating, and sitting at cafes, hanging out. The neighborhood for more affluent parts of Tehran, Tajrish, also has a traditional bazaar as well as a religious shrine. 

Valiasr, beautifully, covers most aspects of the Tehrani lifestyle and the different economic and social classes. The whole 18 kilometers of Valiasr is the best Tehran travel guide you can find.

I have just returned from Tehran and cannot wait to go back in March next year. Iran is a very beautiful country the people are lovely and the food is to die for. In Tehran you have so much to do there’s beautiful Damavand mountain which has restaurants that are very cheap to eat from as Iran is very family orientated you will find many families eating and walking in the mountains Tehran has the most amazing parks were again families will go in the evening and have picnics. Tehran is also very good for shopping and you must go to the bazar in down town Tehran

–       June64, from the UK, on TripAdvisor

When you walk in Tehran’s street, you might be surprised at the abundance of different types of companies and businesses. And it is true. Tehran is the economic center of Iran. It is, by far, the most significant and largest job market in the country. All sorts of businesses have thrived in this colossal capital: high-tech start-ups, traditional bazaars, international companies, freelancers, and many more. Most of the successful Iranian start-ups have come out of Tehran’s business atmosphere.

If you live in Tehran, as a foreigner, you probably will be confused at the end of your first year, for example. Tehran’s culture cannot be defined so easily. Your Tehran travel guide might miss out on many essential things. And this is because of Tehran’s diversity.

Tehran is Iran’s most secular and liberal city, with a booming young population whose lifestyles might remind you of the lifestyles of the citizens of a European city. Tehran might be a unique city throughout Iran, in this sense. Hijab is taken less seriously than the rest of the country, and few percents of the population wear Chador, Iran’s most traditional and religion piece of clothing for women.

Real-Life Fact

The hijab law is compulsory in all over Iran. That’s a fact. All women, Muslim or not, are required to wear loose-fitting clothes and headscarves in public. Ok, but is that all? Nope. Some cities are more religious than others. For example, you might see more women wearing the chador in places like Yazd or Kashan. But in Tehran, things are a bit more liberal. As a female, you have more freedom in choosing what to wear, how to wear it, and how short/tight/etc. is should be. 

Its people are known for:

Tehranis love to enjoy their lives. Streets of Tehran on the weekends are quiet since the majority of the people either stay at home for a private party or hit the Chalous road to go to the north.  Locally called “shomal,” the northern parts of Iran are Tehrani’s gateway to a pleasurable weekend. Tehranis also know how to have a good time inside the city as well. During off days, families, young couples or groups of friends head to the capital’s parks like Mellat, Chitgar, or Saee to have a picnic and enjoy each other’s company. In general, the vigorous young population of Tehran is super friendly, open-minded, and want to have a good time.  

What you might not find in your typical Tehran travel guides is that Tehranis are also known for being more politically active than the rest of the country. With so many political groups as well as vibrant student communities, Tehran is usually at the frontline political events in the country.

Art and architecture:

Let’s put aside the plethora of ancient archeological sites all over Iran, as well as Tehran, for a moment. And now, let’s talk about the modern and contemporary art scene in Iran. Although Iran is typically known as the center of traditional Persian art, the country has become a contender in the international contemporary art scene. Art galleries and museums pop up all over the city and attract many interested locals. Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art in Iran’s most extensive gallery and is home to some big names in art. Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet, Pollock, and many more artists have some work displayed in the museum.

The heart of modern art in Iran, Tehran, is a great place to explore art and architecture. Whether it’s Qajar and Pahlavi palaces (like Golestan or Sa’ad Abad) or the weekend art galleries spread all over the city, or grand Tehran Symphony Orchestra, the Iranian capital has a lot to offer to those who seek to see Persian art and architecture.

What is interesting about Tehran is the fact that if you’re an aspiring artist and want to make a name for yourself, you do have the chance! You can go on and open your own art gallery show! With the most prominent artist community in the country, Tehran offers a lot of opportunities young and aspiring artists

Atmosphere:

When you enter the city from the west Terminal – that’s where the immigrants came in – the first thing that catches your eye is the epic Azadi tower. White with marble, Azadi shows off an austere atmosphere, standing not too high and neither too low, with real dignity. It emits an aura of welcomeness to all. And it is true. Tehran is a city that accepts everybody. And we mean everybody. And that is precisely why Tehran’s atmosphere is not so simple to define; It really is a gigantic city. There is a myriad of things to do in Tehran.

What differs Tehran from the rest of the country is the ever-growing sense of individualism in the capital. All sorts of people live in Tehran, harmoniously alongside each other. Hippies drink café at Tajrish square, Islamists say their Friday prayers in the University of Tehran while, maybe a hundred meters away on a bench, a philosophy student reads Nietzsche’s famous statement: “God is Dead.”

Because of Tehran’s extreme diversity, there are many different groups alive and active in the capital. The art scene is big: theater, film, painting, music, and many more activities for anyone interested. There is also an intellectual community with a strong voice on popular culture and the political frontlines in Tehran. As well as many other groups such as the religious, the students, and last but not least, the average man who is working his 9- 5 job to provide for his family, and loves growing old in Tehran.

Tehrani Foods:

Tehran is home to some of the best restaurants in Iran , local and international. Whether it’s the traditional Kebab or a dish at a Lebanese restaurant, Tehran will cater to all needs. You can live in Tehran for one week, and not eat one same dish twice during that time. The diversity is absurd. The immigrants’ cuisine and the culture they bring to Tehran adds to this as well. People go out during the weekends to eat out at different restaurants in Tehran. Even though there’s no McDonalds in Iran, but still some of the best fast-food chains in the Middle East are in Tehran.

Hospitality:

Walking down a street, Tehranis will probably approach you to strike a conversation, have a cup of coffee, and even invite you to their homes for lunch or dinner. This is Iranian culture at its finest. And the good thing is that young people know English pretty well and are interested in European and western culture. Feel free to enjoy Iranian hospitality while in Tehran.

Festivals of Tehran:

Generally, holidays and celebrations tend to center around the Islamic and the Persian calendar. ChaharShanbe Suri , Yalda , Nowruz , Ashura, to name a few. And they are all respectfully held in Tehran. But what Tehran offers that the other cities of Iran can’t, is its various international festivals. From Tehran International Puppet Theater held every two years, or the International Fajr Film festival, to the Theater and Music festivals, Tehran has an abundance of fairs.

Every year, at specific times, there are national and local fairs held in Tehran as well. Different ethnicities from various parts of the country come to Tehran to showcase their culture, their handicrafts, and their art. These kind of fairs are so big – because Iran is so big – that to fully explore them, you must set aside a whole day in your Tehran day plans.

Do you want snow-capped mountains? Head to the north and to explore Alborz and Tochal mountain ranges! Wondering what some things to do in Tehran are? Want safari and desert exploration? Head south, and you will reach Kavir National Park to see the best of deserts in the world. Do you wish to trail on lush green hills of Iran? No problem, take the famous Chalous road to reach Shomal and travel in the Hyrcanian forests. Care for a climb on the highest volcano in Asia? Damavand mountain is only a two-hour drive. Tehran, indeed, is the city for everybody. You just have to decide for yourself: what to see in Tehran.

In Tehran and bored? Impossible! Get out there, and there are a millions of things to do in Tehran, waiting for you! Whatever your wish may be, in Tehran, it can come true! Want to have an exciting dinner with your loved one at an exotic place? Try Milad Tower’s rotating restaurant at 400-meters-and-some height, overlooking all of the capital. Want to get a touch of Iranian art firsthand? Visit Honarmandan (Artists) park in central Tehran to explore modern art galleries as well as meeting the artists’ community, which is one of Tehran’s Attractions. Or you don’t want to have these so-called exciting activities, but you rather enjoy a peaceful and serene afternoon? Well, then head to Mellat Park and experience its green and calm atmosphere while mulling over your life and past decisions.

You may have already read this in your Iran or Tehran travel guides: that unlike western culture, nightlife in Iran is not intertwined with alcohol. But that doesn’t mean Iranians can’t have fun. Compared to other cities in Iran, Tehran has more vigorous nightlife . There are shopping malls like Palladium in the north of the town as well as urban parks such as Mellat, where you can spend your night with your loved one or the lovely locals. Tehran’s roof (called Baam in Farsi) at the foot of the Tochal Mount offers a great view of Tehran. Many young people head to Baam in the evenings to enjoy eating out with a fantastic view of the glittering Tehran.

Tehran is a city for beautiful cafes. Spread all over the capital, small and quaint cafes provide shelter for the young, the in-love, and the different. Cafes are one of Tehran’s attractions. Students linger on cafes in Enghelab square, where they can spend hours together. 

Usually, Tehrani is going out until late in the evening. You may run into traffic even at 10 o’clock at night since there are so many people out. You can enjoy the myriad of things to do in Tehran during the night. Cinemas are open, restaurants offer a variety of delicious foods, and big shopping malls provide so many opportunities to hang out with your loved ones.

These are not enough for you? Want to see more of Tehran attractions later at midnight? Well, then head Paknezhad street, in the north-western part of Tehran. Caravans of street food and street cafes stand at the side of the street, serving to the sleepless and the night owl of Tehran. Even if you’re a morning person, this can be one of your Tehran sightseeing plans!

Main areas for eating, shopping, hanging out:

Of course, there are so many places to eat out, shop, and hang out in gigantic Tehran. Palladium, Mega Mall, Saee Park at Valiasr street to name just a few of Tehran attractions. Care for a traditional lunch? Head to the bazaar in central Tehran and enjoy a Persian dish. Want to enjoy the ever-famous Kebab? Just visit Sattarkhan street and choose from the myriad of options. Want to have coffee with pastry? Head to Enghelab to have a plethora of cafés, available to you.

But at the end of the day, the best option is to ask the locals for each region. They always know better than your Tehran travel guide!

How to find a partner in Tehran? Well, there are many ways: some more creative than others. In the evenings, when the sun is going down, some young people get into their cars and start driving around, in some specific streets like Andarzgoo and Iranzamin, to find someone they like, in another car. So, for example, a group of three men finds another group of three girls in another car. Now, all the love story begins. In Farsi, this activity is called dowr-dowr; literally, it means turn-turn. So, they turn and turn and turn in the streets of Tehran, hoping to find another suitable car. Maybe, this is what causes traffic in Tehran! Who knows! 

Transportation

How to reach Tehran? Here’s the center of all forms of transportation in Iran.

Tehran’s two major airports, Imam Khomeini (IKA) and Mehrabad, are responsible for international and domestic flights, respectively. Tehran connects to the world through IKA. Abu Dhabi, Athens, Zurich, Frankfurt, Vienna, Kyiv, Kuala Lumpur, and Rome are just some of the cities to which Tehran is connected. Passengers also fly to Istanbul, on a daily basis. Mehrabad airport also unites Tehran with the rest of the homeland. Nearly all major cities throughout the country enjoy daily flights from and to Tehran.

Heart of Iran’s extended railway system is Tehran’s Rah Ahan Station in the south of the capital. It connects Tehran to Tabriz in the northwest, Khuzestan in the southwest, Bandar Abbas in the south, Zahedan in the southeast, and Mashhad in the northwest. Practically all Iran, right?  

Tehran, the heart of Iran, welcomes everyone from all sides of Iran. The South and the West Terminals are two of the major ones, granting access to all. The North and the East terminals are also available for those who are heading that way. Now, the more down-to-earth way to get around in Iran, and to reach Tehran, is using its extensive bus system. Nearly all cities in Iran, whether major or not, connect to Tehran via some route. 

How to get around in Tehran: 

Senior Tehrani citizens have become comfortable with Tehran’s extensive transportation system. Tehran’s efficient and comprehensive metro system, its Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), local buses, shared taxis, and online taxi apps like Snapp, Tap30, and Maxim are just some of the way Tehranis get around in the city. Uber or Lyft may not work in Tehran, but don’t worry. Local taxi start-ups have got you covered. 

However, Tehran’s streets and highway are usually congested. Tehranis sometimes stay in traffic for up to one hour. But wait! There’s a solution for the more adventurous! Motorbikes are kings during congestion. Need to get to the city center but don’t want to wait out the traffic? No problem! Get yourself a bike ride, and you’ll fly in Tehran – heading north to south!

You can also rent a bicycle from an amazing bike-renting start-up called Bdood (meaning “without smoke” in Farsi) in all over the capital.

One of Tehran’s most iconic traffic congestions happens on Hemmat highway, on the evening of every weekday. Hemmat is the major highway that connects Tehran to Karaj, a neighboring commuter city, located west of the capital. Now, each evening, when Karaj residents want to go back to their homes, they have to take the Hemmat highway. And that’s when crazy traffic creates. However, consider taking the high from west to east (from Karaj to Tehran); it’s nearly empty since few people take leave from Karaj to Tehran in the evenings.

Top places to visit in Tehran 

1- palaces (golestan, sa’ad abad, and niavaran complexes).

Being the capital for monarchies before the revolution, names Qajar and Pahlavi, Tehran has a myriad of worth-the-visit palaces. Whether it’s is the UNESCO-registered Golestan Palace where Reza Shah, self-coroneted himself in a Napoleonian style or the fairer and greener mansions like Saad Abad and Niavaran Complexes, these Tehran attractions will take you back in history. And live the lives of Tehranis before the Islamic revolution.

2- Parks (Mellat, Ab o Atash, Chitgar, Saee)

Imagine you’re a Tehrani young person, and you’ve recently met a lovely potential partner. You want to take them on a date, right? Tehran’s parks, like Mellat, Ab o Atash (literally meaning Water and Fire), and Saee, offer some of the best places for dating couples. Green scenery, beautiful flower work, and the pleasant romantic atmosphere of these parks add to the romanticism of Tehran’s afternoons. Put parks in your Tehran day plans and Tehran sightseeing, and you won’t regret it!

The architect and design is absolutely amazing. You see the beautiful Tehran. I was there around 6 pm, so saw the daylight and nigh time few, and it was spectacular.

–       Sasamph, from California, on TripAdvisor

3- Shopping malls (Palladium, Iran mall, Mega Mall) 

Huge and modern shopping malls abound in the northern part of Tehran. These Tehran attractions, like Palladium in Velenjak, Iran Mall and Mega Mall provide suitable places to visit in Tehran for the upper-class to buy their favorite western brand or enjoy an exotic foreign meal with their families in their food court.

4- Towers (Milad and Azadi towers) 

Confused about what to see in Tehran? Imagine standing on Milad Tower, west of the capital, 435 meters high in the sky, in an evening. One will think of how enormous and never-ending Tehran is. Lights flickering from all sides humbly remind you of How Iran’s heartbeat looks like. But hey, let’s get down from that gigantic tower and go to the more down-to-earth Azadi tower. Now, the symbol of Tehran stands dignified and forgiving, close to the west bus terminal. It is so inspiring to watch.

5- Bazaar (Tajrish and main bazaar)

Bazaars are Tehran’s inner cities. Believe it or not, Tehran’s grand bazaar is 10 km long. With so many corridors and a couple of entrances, the southern bazaar in the more traditional parts of Tehran is a city within a city. Walking in the bazaar is a beautiful experience: the ceiling beautifully lets in a ray of sun, barely touching your skin, while the smell of spices from all parts of the world, take you to foreign lands. Tajrish bazaar, however, is a bit different from your typical bazaar all around Iran. Bazaars are usually the heart of a traditional part of town, while Tajrish bazaar is located in the north of the city, where the more affluent families of Tehran live. Usually part of Tehran sightseeing plans, Tajrish Bazaar is a great place to spend an evening while also visiting the neighboring holy shrine, when the devoted come to pray.

6- Museums (National, Jewelry, and Contemporary Art Museums) 

What Tehran doesn’t lack is museums. Here’s the capital of Persia, bearing the weight of world-conquering dynasties. The pre-Islamic part of Iran’s National Museum, located in 30 Tir street, showcases some of Iran’s most identifiable artifacts. In the same street, you can find a myriad of other museums as well.

But one of the best museums in Tehran is its Jewelry museum, located within the Central Bank of Iran in Ferdowsi Street. Open only in limited hours because of security issues; Jewelry museum houses Qajar and Pahlavi precious gems.  

However, if watching valuable metals doesn’t interest you, and you want to see more ‘real’ art, then don’t worry, Tehran has got you covered! There are a plethora of artistic things to do in Tehran! Head to Park Laleh, and visit Tehran’s museums of Contemporary Art. Gorgeous both from outside and inside, TMoCA is a lovely modern change in the more traditional Iran. Brought in by Queen Farah Diba before the revolution, a collection of precious artworks from contemporary artists such as Picasso, Monet, and Pollock are in its basement.

7- Mountains (Damavand and Tochal) 

Towering mountains surround Tehran. Many travelers from all over the world visit Tehran to climb the highest, potentially active volcano in Asia and the highest peak in the Middle East, Damavand. It is only 30 kilometers away from Tehran, and on a clear day, it is even visible from the Azadi tower. But the more accessible mountain range, that doesn’t need a ride out of town is the Tochal mountains, north of the capital. Towering at 4000 meters and more, Tochal mount stands over Tehran, majestic and grand, inviting climbers and nature-lovers alike. You can never run out of things to do in Tehran.

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Tehran Travel Guide

The history of Tehran which is the vibrant capital city of Iran, dates back over 6,000 years. Located in the north-central part Iran, Tehran location played a key role in shaping its rich heritage.

The earliest settlement can be traced back to the Bronze Age. However, it was during the 9th century AD that Tehran began to gain prominence, emerging as a significant village along the Silk Road.

In the early 20th century, during the Pahlavi dynasty, Iran underwent substantial socio-political changes under the rule of Shah Reza Pahlavi and later his son, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. The modernization efforts accelerated, and Tehran became the center of Iran’s rapid development.

Today, Tehran stands as a bustling metropolis with a population over 10 million, showcasing a blend of historical sites, skyscrapers, and vibrant cultural scenes. It remains the heart of Iran’s political, economic, and cultural life, attracting people from all walks of life to experience its unique past and dynamic present.

Tehran offers a diverse range of attractions that cater to history enthusiasts, culture lovers, and nature seekers alike. Here are some must-visit attractions in Tehran:

Must visit attractions

Golestan palace.

This UNESCO World Heritage site is a masterpiece of Qajar-era architecture. The complex provides a glimpse into Iran’s royal history with its stunning palaces, gardens, and vibrant tilework.

National museum of Iran

Dive into Iran’s ancient history at this gallery, which houses a broad assortment of artifacts, including stoneware, gems, models, and authentic relics from various times of Iran’s set of experiences.

Sa’dabad Complex

Previously an imperial summer home, this immense complex currently fills in as an exhibition hall highlighting different castles and gardens. It gives an amazing chance to explore the rich way of life of Iran’s past rulers.

Milad Tower

Perhaps one of the tallest towers on the planet, Milad tower offers all encompassing perspectives on Tehran from its perception decks. It has shops, a gallery, and a spinning restaurant at the top.

Grand Bazaar

Immerse yourself in the bustling atmosphere of Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world. Wander through labyrinthine alleys filled with shops selling everything from spices and textiles to handicrafts and traditional Persian rugs.

Azadi Tower

The Azadi Tower is a striking monument that combines Islamic and Sassanian architectural styles and is an iconic Tehran landmark. It remembers the 2,500th commemoration of the Persian Empire.

Situated at the lower regions of the Alborz Mountains, Darband is a famous sporting spot for local people and travelers. Take part in a climb, relish traditional Persian cooking at restaurants along the climbing trail, and absorb the picturesque excellence.

Tabiat Bridge

This award-winning modern architectural marvel connects two parks and provides a pleasant pedestrian walkway with lovely views of the surrounding greenery and the cityscape.

Cultural Experiences

Tehran offers a plenty of cultural experiences that give guests a profound knowledge into the rich and different legacy of Iran.

In Tehran, you should not miss the following cultural experiences, which range from the arts and music to the culinary delights and traditional practices:

Art Galleries and Exhibitions

There are a lot of contemporary art galleries and exhibitions in Tehran that show the work of both established and upcoming Iranian artists. Exploring the city’s imaginative side and witness the combination of customary and current fine arts.

Calligraphy in Persian

Explore the exquisite art of Persian calligraphy, a centuries-old Iranian writing style held in high esteem. Go to studios to get familiar with the perplexing strokes and imagery behind this customary workmanship.

Traditional Tea Houses

Step into one of Tehran’s atmospheric traditional tea houses, where local people assemble to loosen up, mingle, and take part in profound discussions over cups of fragrant Persian tea. An authentic taste of Iranian hospitality can be experienced in the setting and atmosphere.

Iranian Food

Set out on a culinary experience and enjoy the luscious kinds of Iranian food. That is a delightful combination of tastes and textures, from succulent kebabs to aromatic stews like Ghormeh Sabzi and Fesenjan.

Carpet Shopping

Persian carpets are one of Iran’s most prized possessions. Go to Tehran’s bustling bazaars and rug shops to appreciate and buy these perplexing works of art, which reflect hundreds of years of high-quality craftsmanship.

Religious Sites

Tehran houses numerous historical mosques and shrines that provide insights into the country’s religious traditions and architectural marvels. The stunning beauty and serenity of these sacred places offer a glimpse into the spiritual side of Iran.

Nowruz Festivities

If you visit Tehran during the Persian New Year ( Nowruz ), you’ll be blessed to receive a dynamic celebration loaded up with customs, music, moving, and the Haft-Seen table — an emblematic presentation of seven things starting with the Persian letter “S” that address the new year’s blessings.

Social Celebrations

Tehran hosts a number of cultural festivals throughout the year that honor cinema, literature, music, and art. It is possible to engage with Iran’s contemporary cultural expressions by attending these festivals.

Embracing these cultural experiences in Tehran provides an opportunity for guests to associate with the city’s spirit and value the persevering through customs that have molded Iran’s character over centuries.

Tehran’s food is a superb impression of Iran’s different culinary legacy, portrayed by a rich tapestry of flavors, fragrances, and traditional recipes that have been gone down through ages. From good stews to delicious kebabs and delectable treats, here are a few features of the food in Tehran:

In Tehran, you can find a variety of meat skewers that are succulent and juicy, making Iranian kebabs a culinary art form. Popular varieties include Chelo Kabab (saffron-injected rice presented with barbecued meat), Barg (marinated filet mignon), and Koobideh (minced meat kebabs). Typically, grilled tomatoes and rice with saffron are served with them.

Ghormeh Sabzi

This famous Persian stew is a must-attempt in Tehran. Made with a mix of sautéed spices, including parsley, coriander, fenugreek, and leeks, joined with delicate lumps of meat (usually lamb or beef) and kidney beans, it is a delightful and sweet-smelling dish frequently presented with white rice.

Dizi (Abgoosht)

Dizi is a hearty traditional Iranian dish made with tomatoes, chickpeas, potatoes, and slow-cooked lamb or beef. The fixings are at first filled in as a stock and afterward pounded together to make a rich and fulfilling meal.

An exceptional and brilliant dish, Fesenjan is a thick stew made with ground pecans, pomegranate glue, and either chicken or duck. It typically goes well with rice because of the harmonious combination of sweet and tangy flavors.

Ash Reshteh

It is a popular Persian noodle soup made with thick noodles, beans, herbs, and vegetables. It is often served with crispy fried onions and a dollop of tangy yogurt on top.

A heavenly rice dish, Tahchin is made by layering fragrant saffron-injected rice with prepared chicken or meat and afterward baking it to make a fresh brilliant outside on the base.

Shirazi Salad

A reviving side dish, Shirazi Salad joins finely cleaved cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and new spices like mint and parsley, dressed with a lemon and olive oil vinaigrette.

Iranian pastries

Tehran has a wide selection of delicious Persian sweets. Sohan, a saffron brittle, Baklava, and Gaz, a nougat confection made with pistachios and rosewater, are all delicious treats to try.

Try Doogh, a traditional Iranian drink made with yogurt, water, mint, and sometimes dried rose petals, to wash down your meal. It’s a refreshing drink, especially in the summertime.

Chai Tea is ingrained in Iranian culture, and tea houses can be found all over Tehran. Iranians frequently enjoy their tea with sugar solid shapes and at times a touch of saffron, making a charming and sweet-smelling taste.

Exploring Iran’s cuisine in Tehran is a once-in-a-lifetime journey into the heart of the country’s culinary traditions, providing a delightful fusion of flavors and an appreciation for Iran’s culinary heritage.

Tehran’s strategic location in the foothills of the Alborz Mountains opens up a universe of opportunities for exciting day trips to nearby destinations. Here are some fantastic day trips from Tehran for those who are interested in exploring culture, history, or the natural world:

Kashan is a city with a long history and is about two hours away from Tehran. Explore the delightful design of customary houses like the Tabatabaei and Borujerdi Houses, visit the historic Fin Garden (a UNESCO World Heritage site), and drench yourself in the old marketplace.

Visit the charming village of Masuleh for a breathtaking mountain escape. The village, nestled on the slopes of the Alborz Mountains and features stepped architecture, lush landscapes, and a cool climate, provide a refreshing retreat from the bustling city.

Abyaneh is a picturesque village with a long history that is well-known for its red clay houses and customary attire. Explore the ancient Zoroastrian fire temple, stroll its narrow alleys, and feel the warmth of the local culture.

Chalus Road

Take a picturesque drive along the Chalus Street, which twists through the Alborz Mountains, offering stunning perspectives on lush valleys, dense forests, and mountain peaks. This route leads to the Caspian Sea, providing access to various coastal towns and villages.

Ramsar, a popular Caspian Sea resort, has a pleasant climate and stunning coastal landscapes. Enjoy a relaxing day by the sea, visit the Ramsar Palace, and explore the city’s lush parks and gardens.

Saturated with history, Qazvin is known for its historical monuments, including the Qajar-time Sa’d al-Saltaneh Caravanserai, the atmospheric Al-Nabi Mosque, and the stunning dome of the Chehel Sotoun Mosque.

With a variety of day trip options available, Tehran serves as an excellent starting point for exploring the diverse beauty and cultural heritage of the surrounding regions in Iran.

Public Transport

The city’s public transport system included various modes of transportation, each serving different purposes and catering to the diverse commuting needs of its residents. Here are some of the main types of public transport in Tehran:

Tehran’s metro framework is one of the main methods of public transport in the city. It started working in the last part of the 1990s and has since extended fundamentally. The metro network comprises of numerous lines that cover different pieces of the city and its rural areas. The trains are fast, cooled, and give a moderately effective and quick method for exploring through Tehran’s traffic-blocked roads.

Bus Rapid Transit, or BRT

In comparison to regular buses, Tehran’s Bus Rapid Transit system provides faster and more dependable transportation along dedicated bus lanes. BRT transports are big, cooled, and run on fixed plans. Numerous residents benefit from the system’s cost-effective public transportation option and its contribution to easing traffic congestion.

Additionally, Tehran has a comprehensive network of city buses that connect various non-metropolitan areas and neighborhoods. Even though traffic conditions may cause these buses to move at a slower pace, many citizens still rely on them for transportation.

In Tehran, taxis are a common mode of transportation. You can track down both authority metered taxis and casual shared taxis, known as “Darbast.” The last option follows explicit courses and conveys various travelers immediately, making them a less expensive choice yet can be less happy with during times of heavy traffic.

Safety consideration

Traveling to Tehran requires some safety considerations to guarantee a smooth and pleasant excursion. Although Tehran is generally regarded as safe for tourists, it is essential to be aware of the following in order to have a trouble-free trip:

Respect Local Laws and Customs

Iran has strict laws and customs, especially when it comes to how to dress, taking pictures, and be in public. Dress humbly, particularly in open regions and strict destinations, and be deferential of nearby traditions to keep away from any accidental offenses.

Carry proof of identity

Always bring a copy of your passport and visa, as well as any permits that are required. It’s fundamental to have appropriate ID, as you might be approached to show it at different designated spots.

Be Aware of Photography

Before taking a picture of someone, especially a woman, make sure to get their permission first. Also, don’t take a picture of sensitive places like military bases or government buildings.

Use Reputable Transportation

Choose respectable and authorized transportation administrations in Tehran. For your city travels, choose official taxis or ride-hailing apps.

Be careful with your money

Petty theft is relatively uncommon in Tehran, yet it’s as shrewd to keep your possessions secure and try not to show a lot of money in broad daylight.

Stay away from Political Gatherings

Tehran, being the capital, may witness occasional protests or demonstrations. Try not to take part in that frame of mind close to any political social events, as they can become flighty and possibly dangerous.

Respect the Ways of Religion

As an overwhelmingly Muslim country, Iran has a few strict practices and customs. When you go to mosques or other religious sites, treat them with respect and follow the rules in your area.

Learn Basic Phrases

Dive more deeply into a few essential Persian expressions and good tidings. Local people feel a debt of gratitude when guests really try to communicate in the local language.

Buy Travel Insurance

Purchase comprehensive travel insurance that covers your stay in Tehran in the event of a medical emergency, a trip cancellation, or any other unforeseen circumstance.

Overall, Tehran is a vibrant and welcoming city with a rich cultural heritage. By respecting local customs, exercising caution, and using common sense, you can have a safe and memorable experience in this dynamic capital of Iran. As with any international travel, staying informed and being prepared is key to a successful trip.

Souvenir of Tehran

While visiting Tehran, you’ll track down various extraordinary souvenirs that catch the quintessence of Iran’s rich social legacy. These souvenirs make for significant remembrances or gifts for loved ones. The following are some of Tehran’s most well-liked souvenirs:

Persian Carpets

Iran is renowned for its exquisite handwoven Persian carpets and rugs. These works of art come in various sizes, colors, and intricate designs, showcasing the craftsmanship of local weavers.

Persian Miniatures

With these miniature paintings, you can take home a piece of Iranian art. These complicated craftsmanships include definite portrayals of authentic occasions, stories, and verse, frequently painted on sensitive materials like paper or camel bone.

Spices from Persia

Iran produces some of the best saffron in the world, a spice that is prized for its flavor and vibrant color. Sumac and dried herbs are two additional traditional Persian spices.

Handicrafts

Tehran’s bazaars are filled with an array of handicrafts, including intricate metalwork, pottery, ceramics, and copper items. Each piece reflects the unique regional artistry of Iran.

With a calligraphy piece, you can take home a piece of Persian culture. On bookmarks, paintings, and other decorative items, calligraphic writing in the Persian script known as Farsi is frequently found.

Traditional Clothing

Embrace the way of life by buying conventional Iranian apparel like scarves, turbans, or customary men’s caps.

Rosewater and Essential Oils

Rosewater is a common cosmetic and culinary ingredient in Iran. You can also find various herbal essences and oils made from natural ingredients.

Enjoy a wide selection of Iranian sweets, including Gaz, Sohan, and Noghl. These sweets are frequently made with nuts, honey, and rosewater.

Pottery and ceramics made by hand

Plates, bowls, and tiles with intricate patterns and designs are among the beautiful ceramic and pottery items available at Tehran’s markets.

When purchasing souvenirs in Tehran, consider supporting local artisans and buying from reputable shops. It’s also important to be aware of any restrictions on exporting certain items, such as antiques or historical artifacts. With its rich cultural heritage, Tehran offers an array of souvenirs that can serve as cherished reminders of your time in this vibrant city and the beauty of Iran’s traditions.

Tehran Weather

The climate in Tehran is continental, with distinct seasons and a wide range of weather patterns throughout the year. Here is a short outline of the various seasons in Tehran:

Spring (Walk to May)

Spring is one of the most amazing times to visit Tehran, as the city wakes up with blooming blossoms and green scenes. The climate during spring is charming, with gentle temperatures going from 10°C to 25°C (50°F to 77°F). However, it does occasionally rain, especially in March and April.

Summer (June to August)

Tehran’s summers can be dry and hot, reaching 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher. The stickiness is by and large low, making the intensity more decent. During the hottest months, July and August, it’s best to stay hydrated and seek shade in the afternoon.

Fall (September to November)

Pre-winter is one more wonderful opportunity to visit Tehran. The weather conditions is gentle and agreeable, with temperatures going from 10°C to 25°C (50°F to 77°F) in September and slowly chilling off in November. The foliage of the city takes on lovely reddish and gold tones, resulting in picturesque scenery.

Winter (December to February)

Winters in Tehran can be chilly, particularly in the nights, with temperatures going from – 5°C to 10°C (23°F to 50°F). The city every so often encounters snowfall, especially in the encompassing rugged regions. It’s vital for pack comfortable apparel and be ready for cold circumstances.

Tehran’s climate is influenced by its location at the foothills of the Alborz Mountains. The nearby mountains frequently receive more precipitation, creating a lovely contrast between the city’s urban landscape and the greenery.

It is essential to pack according to the time of year you will be there due to the seasonal temperature differences. Most people think that the best times to visit Tehran are in the spring and fall because of the mild weather and the ease with which you can enjoy the city’s outdoor activities and cultural attractions.

Be that as it may, assuming you incline toward milder climate, consider visiting during the shoulder seasons, when the groups are more modest, and the temperatures are more moderate.

Tehran Accommodation

Tehran, being the capital and largest city of Iran, offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit various budgets and preferences. Whether you’re looking for luxury hotels with modern amenities or cozy guesthouses that provide a glimpse into local life, Tehran has something for everyone.

Here are a few sorts of convenience you can track down in Tehran:

Espinas Palace Hotel

Situated in the center of Tehran, Espinas Palace is eminent for its extravagance and greatness. The hotel has a design that is timeless and elegant, and the rooms and suites are big and have modern amenities. In addition, the hotel’s fine dining restaurants, spa, and cutting-edge conference facilities make it a popular choice for business and leisure travelers alike.

Parsian Azadi Hotel

The Parsian Azadi, frequently called as the “Azadi Hotel,” is a notable five-star property arranged close to the Azadi square. The hotel has incredible views of the city and the mountains that surround it. With its momentous design and first class offices, the Parsian Azadi has been a well known decision among sightseers and tourists visiting Tehran.

Hotel Esteghlal (Tehran International)

The Esteghlal hotel is a monstrous five-star hotel located in the northern area of the city. It has two towers, the “East Tower” and the “West Tower,” and a wide variety of rooms and suites to meet the needs of different guests.

The hotel also has few cafés, meeting lobbies, and sports gyms, making it perfect for huge occasions and social events.

Novotel Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport

Located near the Imam Khomeini International airport, Novotel Tehran is a cutting edge and beautiful hotel that provides rooms essentially to travelers and those on short stays. The hotel’s contemporary plan and very much designated rooms settle on it a helpful decision for travellers showing up or leaving from the air terminal.

Grand Tehran Hotel

Situated in the center of the city, Grand Tehran Hotel is a notable 4-star hotel that has been working for quite some time. The hotel is a good option for business and leisure travelers because it has comfortable rooms, decent dining options, and a fitness center and conference rooms.

Howeyzeh Hotel

Howeyzeh hotel is a deeply grounded 4-star hotel situated close to Tehran’s primary attractions and business locale. The hotels are outfitted with every one of the fundamental conveniences, and the property offers feasting choices, meeting offices, and an fitness center for visitors’ benefit.

Hally Hotel

Hally hotel is a comfortable 3-star hotel situated in the heart of Tehran. The hotel offers basic yet agreeable rooms, and its good location gives simple admittance to significant attractions, retail outlets, and restaurants in the city.

Simorgh Hotel

Simorgh hotel is a mid-range hotel that offers a wonderful stay for economical explorers. The hotel offers standard services and amenities, such as comfortable rooms and an Iranian-themed restaurant. It provides guests with a tranquil setting because it is in a relatively quiet part of Tehran.

Markazi Hotel

Markazi hotel is a budget-friendly 3-star hotel situated in the downtown area of Tehran. Travelers on a budget who still want to stay in a central location will find that the hotel provides standard accommodations and services.

Tehran Shopping Centers

Tehran is a bustling city full of shopping malls, bazaars  that cater to a wide range of tastes and budgets. It has something for everyone, whether you’re looking for high-end luxury brands or traditional handicrafts. The following are some well-known shopping malls in the city:

Grand Bazaar of Tehran

One of the most established and most notorious markets on the planet, the Tehran Grand Bazaar is a must-visit for any traveler. Carpets, spices, textiles, jewelry, handicrafts, and much more can be found in this sprawling market, which spans a large area. It is a great place to experience Tehran’s lively atmosphere and bargain for unique souvenirs.

Tajrish Market

Situated in the northern piece of Tehran, Tajrish bazaar is another clamoring market that draws in the two local people and sightseers. Fresh produce, spices, traditional Iranian sweets, clothing, and household goods are all available here. The neighboring Imamzadeh Saleh mosque adds to the appeal of this energetic shopping objective.

Palladium Mall

This top of the line shopping center takes special care of extravagance customers, lodging global architect brands, upscale stores, and connoisseur cafés. It is a wonderful location to indulge in high-end shopping and have an elegant shopping experience.

Known as the biggest shopping center on the planet by total area, Iran Shopping center is a huge complex that offers a broad determination of shops, restaurants, a cinema, a snow-themed park, and, surprisingly, a luxurious hotel. It’s a one-stop place for all your shopping and entertainment needs.

Milad Tower Center for Shopping

Situated inside the Milad tower, this mall gives guests a blend of retail outlets, including clothing stores, and gadgets shops. The fact that the Milad Tower’s observation decks offer panoramic views of Tehran is a bonus.

These are only a couple of the many malls and markets that Tehran brings to the table. In the bustling capital of Iran, visitors can enjoy a diverse and satisfying shopping experience at each shopping destination, each of which has its own charm and specialty.

Restaurants

Tehran’s culinary scene is different and offers many restaurants that take special care of various preferences and inclinations. From customary Persian food to worldwide dishes, here are a few popular restaurants in Tehran:

Known for its delicious Persian kebabs, Shandiz Restaurant is a popular dining spot for both locals and tourists. The restaurant offers a variety of grilled meat dishes, including succulent lamb and chicken kebabs, served with saffron-infused rice and grilled vegetables.

Restaurant of Moslem

Located in the heart of the Tehran Grand Bazaar, Moslem Restaurant is famous for its mouthwatering traditional Iranian breakfast dishes, especially its Tahchin (a saffron-infused rice cake with chicken) and Dizi (a hearty lamb and chickpea stew).

Another renowned restaurant for Dizi lovers is Dizi Sara. Here, you can enjoy this traditional Iranian dish served in individual clay pots, accompanied by freshly baked bread and a side of herbs.

Darband Restaurants

Located in the Darband neighborhood at the lower regions of the Alborz Mountains, those restaurants offers an extraordinary food experience with its outdoors seating and all encompassing perspectives on Tehran. The menu includes different Persian dishes and barbecued kebabs.

Restaurant Nayeb

For a true taste of Iranian food, Nayeb is a famous decision. It has a selection of traditional stews like Ghormeh Sabzi, Fesenjan, and Gheimeh with high-quality ingredients and have rich flavors.

Divan Steakhouse

On the off chance that you’re in the mind-set for a steak, Divan Steakhouse is a very much respected choice in Tehran. A wide selection of high-quality steaks and delectable sides and sauces are available at this restaurant.

This restaurant provides a cozy and elegant setting to enjoy traditional Iranian dishes. From Ash Reshteh to Abgoosht, the menu offers a variety of classic Iranian comfort foods.

Please note that restaurant availability and popularity may change over time, so it’s always a good idea to check reviews and recommendations from recent visitors before making dining choices. Additionally, some restaurants in Tehran may require reservations, especially during peak hours or busy seasons.

Tehran is a charming and enthralling city for travelers because of its novel mix of history, culture, and innovation.

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TEHRAN TRAVEL GUIDE | ⭐TOP TRAVELERS CHOICE TO DO+ SEE+ EAT (MAP)

• Tehran Travel Guide

Tehran things to DO and SEE

Museums of tehran, tehran recreational attractions, where to stay in tehran, what to eat in tehran.

• Transportation in Tehran

Tehran is the bustling heart of Iran; its flourishing core, its vibrant soul, its lively essence! The capital is filled with surprisingly beautiful scenes, historical sites, friendly locals, diverse and flavorful cuisine, distinctive architecture, innovative art venues, museums, gardens, tea houses, and many many more highlights and attractions. Allow yourself a chance to visit the marvels of capital we will go through on Tehran travel guide.

Tehran is a city of two faces. One shines brightly with glistening city lights, urbanized streets, and modern culture; while the other’s golden glint radiances from dated squares, aged market places, and old royal palaces. Tall towers and looming skyscrapers are beautifully in contrast with the lower old-town streets and traditional bazaars, and this on its own, is one of the reasons why Tehran city stands out among all  Iran destinations .

Winter / Summer Temperature

–5°C to 12°C / 28 °C to 38 °C

Tourist Attractions

Golestan Palace-Sa’adabad Complex Azadi Tower – Tabiat Bridge Treasury of National Jewels National Museum of Iran Miald Tower – Carpet museum Jewelry musuem

World UNESCO site

Golestan palace

Airports/ Public Transportation

Mehrabad Airport ( Domestic) Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKIA)

Bus – Subway(7 lines) – Rapid Bus(BRT) Taxi – Snapp( Iranian Uber)

Niavaran Palace in Tehran

Nivaran complex is one of the few gorgeous royal palaces of Tehran. This popular touristic spot is located in northern Tehran and has signs of post-Islamic architectural elements as well as symbolic and fanciful designs of Persian architecture during the Qajar dynasty. This important palace of Tehran is in the middle of a lush garden, and served as the Royal family’s summer home. The two-story building of Ahmad Shahi Pavilion, and the gorgeous building of Sahebqaraniyeh Palace are two of the important buildings in the Niavaran complex.

The Golestan palace

Tehran is also home to several imperial lands, former royal palaces, and splendid gardens. The Golestan palace gloriously represents Iran’s sublime architecture and rich cultural background. This palace is the only UNESCO cultural heritage site in Tehran, and its trove of art and prized adornments have turned this royal land into a favored tourist attraction.

Saadabad Palace

Saadabad Palace, the former residence of the royal family, is a magnificent structure containing 18 other chambers within itself. These estates and halls have been turned into museums so that visitors can delight in these national treasures and architectural marvels without disturbing the history that lies in this land.

Grand Bazaar of Tehran

The Grand Bazaar of Tehran is one of the oldest and biggest Bazaars in all Iran. Travelers can find just about anything in this grand bazaar. This Bazaar’s traditional architecture and market venues age back to the Safavid era, and it is famous for its high-quality local restaurants and its numerous shops selling lock, stock and barrel.

Tehran is home to a great number of museums, many of which are of international importance and value and worthy of being listed in the Tehran travel guide. Iran’s museum of National Treasury of Jewels, for instance, has put on show the world’s largest display of jewelry collection. Countless plates, swords, crowns, and tiaras all made from precious alloys and metals and adorned with priceless gems and jewelry are exhibited in this museum.

Iran national museum

Formerly known as Museum of Ancient Iran, aging more than 70 years is not only the most prominent museum of Iran but also one of the most prestijous museums around the world in regard to grand volume, diversity and quality of its huge monuments. This museum is located on the corner of 30-Tir and Imam Khomeini street.

National museum is Iran’s mother museum aiming at preserving relics of the past to hand down to the next generations. There are plenty of valuable gems from different eras of the history . Ceramics dating from the 4th millennium BCE, zoomorphic vessels from the 1000 BCE and also capitals and statues of the Achaemenid period (6th—4th century BCE) and even the Salt Man found in a mine in Zanjan from the 3rd or 4th century AD  and many more pieces of the history in shape of objects.

Islamic art museum

Islamic art museum as another section of national museum is house to a precious collection of Qurans as well as other manuscripts showing calligraphic styles and paintings in surrounding cases.

Tehran Carpet Museum

This is another great example of a timeless and priceless display of cultural wealth among all attractions in Tehran travel guide. Iranian carpets are woven by the skillful hands of nomadic tribes and royal carpet weavers alike and so, each carpet tells a tale from Iran’s history and people. The carpet museum of Tehran hosts carpets illustrating traditional Iranian architecture from Isfahan, carpets depicting tails of history and kings from Kerman, carpets of Tabriz filled with poetry and calligraphy, and Mashhad carpets brimming with details and subtleties.

Like to read more about traveling to Iran?

Time Museum of Tehran

This is another great example of a timeless and priceless display of cultural wealth. Iranian carpets are woven by the skillful hands of nomadic tribes and royal carpet weavers alike and so, each carpet tells a tail from Iran’s history and people. The carpet museum of Tehran hosts carpets illustrating traditional Iranian architecture from Isfahan, carpets depicting tails of history and kings from Kerman, carpets of Tabriz filled with poetry and calligraphy, and Mashhad carpets brimming with details and subtleties.

Moqadam museum house

This house is filled with national and international treasures from Mohsen Moqadam and Salma Koyomjian’s (Moqadam’s wife) years of life. This house is now the most valuable in all world thanks to this couple’s expeditions and the valuable articles they bought, found, or saved from being destroyed or smuggled using their inherited wealth. If we are going to shorten the list of Trahran travel guide to only 3 places to visit, the Moghdam museum would fit it the best. 

Iran national jewelry museum

housed in central bank of Iran, located in center of Tehran is one of the most magnificent antiques’ collection of unique jewelries all around the globe.This treasury is one of the best in its kind.Iran national jewelry museum working hours make us visit this place in the afternoon between 2 to 5 p.m. 

After some security checks and disciplines of visiting treasuries, going down some stairs you are welcomed by peacock throne (takht-e tavoos), a throne decorated with colorful gems.Walking through the hall you will see priceless pieces of the jewelries of Persian kings and royals. Rating items of the collections by their beauty and value is no easy job, but there are some of the pieces you must not miss.

Darband and Darakeh

On this long list of places to visit on Tehran travel guide, there are some resorts to give you a chance to relax and Darband and Darakeh are two of Tehran’s touristic spots’ visited by travelers and locals alike all year round. Darband is located just at the beginning of a favored hiking trail to Mount Tochal, and Darakeh is in the foothills of Tehran’s northern heights. Naturally, these two sites are blessed with amazingly crisp air. Darband and Darakeh are known for their extremely tasty snacks and munchies on the way to the top of the trails they are located on. Some of Tehran’s best traditional tea houses and restaurants are also there. These traditional restaurants and tea houses also offer hookah lounges in open areas and the true experience of traditional Persian hookah sessions next to water fountains and refreshing gardens.   

Foods & Restaurants

Iranian dish has always been popular and well-loved by tourists and locals. The truth is listing only a couple of foods on the Tehran travel guide is the most challenging job. Each region of Iran has special foods and tastes to offer, but Tehran has it all. You can find traditional Iranian food places to try Dizi, Kebab, or Baqali polo on many corners of the city.

Try Iranian homemade meals (the most famous ones are Qeime, Qorme Sabzi, and Fesenjoon) by ordering your desired dish from a local kitchen, or taste Tehran’s famous street foods (from Falafel and Aush to different types of bread) in 30 Tir street.

Persian vegetarian and vegan dishes are also made available by skillful cooks in restaurants specialized for people of this preference. It may interest you to know that many traditional Iranian foods like Kookoo Sabzi, Aush, and Mirza Qassemi are vegetarian-friendly, and can be found in most Iranian restaurants.

High-quality and unique (yet delicious) Pizza chains, Sushi places, Steak houses, and Burger bars are also on the must-try cuisine list for travelers who would rather stick to the familiar grounds. International restaurants (Chinese restaurants, Italian restaurants, Turkish restaurants, etc.) are found all around the city as well.

Accommodation in Tehran comes in different forms. The most popular ones are hotels and hostels. From regular 3 starred places to luxurious 5-star hotels, you can find rooms that best suit your needs and expectations. Listing all the hotels on this Tehran travel guide might be boring, so you may find out more about hotel reservations in our services.

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  Transportation in Tehran

• Get your own private vehicle and sit back as you are guided to different landmarks and attractions of Tehran.
• Ride a VIP bus intended for  group tours and enjoy a different and unique experience of touring the city and its highlights.
• Use the international-friendly applications (Tap30, Snapp) designed for private transportation, and easily choose your destination as you relax in the backseat.

You can also get your own public transportation digital ticket and take a trip using the capital’s undergrounds or public buses. The widespread network of Tehran’s subway system allows travelers to get around the city with ease, and navigation Apps (google maps, Waze) will help you find the nearest station to the sites you wish to visit. Tehran’s public transportation is safe, affordable, and efficient, but very crowded in rush hours.

What to Buy in Tehran

Tehran, Iran’s capital, is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is also home to a plethora of theaters, cafes, gardens, and other fascinating attractions. If you’re planning a trip to Tehran, we’ve done our best to bring forward a list of the greatest souvenirs to buy on our Tehran travel guide.

Tehran Souvenirs

Traditional persian teaware.

Isn’t it true that “teacups and saucers maketh the tea” as Shakespeare put it? No? Then perhaps he never had the pure satisfaction of drinking the finest loose leaf teas from the most gorgeous, carefully crafted teacups and saucers.

He would have never known of traditional Persian tea ware either, which was a tragedy at the very least.

Traditional Persian Teacups and saucers are the foundation of every delightful tea-drinking experience – along with the tea, of course! – from daily workstation tea to an afternoon tea party. Copper, ceramic, crystal, and don’t forget Persian Samovar (kettles)!

Abali Doogh

Abali, a city in Tehran’s Rudehen district of Damavand county, is famous for its salty native Doughs (Persian yogurt drink). Doogh Abali is a popular sour tasty beverage, simply described, a yogurt fizzy mint-flavored beverage. This Persian drink is best served with kebab and oily dishes like Dizi!

Doogh Abali is a traditional Tehran souvenir from this region that is helpful for digestion, has a delicious taste, and is one of the region’s oldest products. Abali Doogh can be purchased in Abali city and local stores on Haraz Road.

Damavand Apple

Damavand’s red apple is among Tehran’s most well-known souvenir. If you are wondering about what to buy in Tehran, you should definitely consider these juicy apples as it would be a pity to leave Damavand city without buying these apples.

Purchasing these red delectable fruits are especially recommended if you want to spend the summer or fall in Tehran. This tasty Tehran souvenir also has different varieties in different seasons. Some of the most famous apples in summer are identified by a variety of nicknames, including Shafiabad, Gulab, Ayegh Almasi, and Ghandak, each juicy and delicious.

Tehran Culture

Any curious traveler can find signs of Tehran culture in the Tehran travel guide, by reading between the lines of the many tourist attractions of this city. Tehran has been an important city in Iran for centuries. Tehran has witnessed the rise and fall of some of the most important rules in Persian history and has memories of each of them in different places.

Tehran was originally referenced in a text by the Greek Theodosius, who listed Tehran as a district of Rey around 2000 years B.C. The earliest Persian source on Tehran, however, suggests that the city existed before the third century AH.

An author named “Abu Sa’d Sam’ani” mentions a guy who lived in Tehran and Rey and died in around 261 AH or 874 AD. In 331 AH, he wrote of Tehran, saying, “Tehran is located north of Shahr-e Rey and holds numerous gardens and unique fruits.”

Tehran Travel Guide: FAQ

What are tehran city's attraction.

Tehran, the capital of Iran, has numerous tourist attractions but the most popular of which are Golestan palace, Niavaran palace, national jewelry museum, Saadabad palace, national carpet museum, and Tabiat bridge.

What is Tehran city famous for?

Tehran is famous for hosting different cultures from fashion to food, everything can be found in Iran’s capital! nothing is too bizarre for Tehran streets, and its night life is only one of its famous points. Teahran also puts both traditional side and modern side of Persian living style on show.

What should I buy from Tehran?

Abali Dough, Damavand apple, Persian handcrafted goods, and a traditional teaware set are among the best souvenirs you can buy from Tehran.

How long should I stay in Tehran?

It is suggested that you spend around 3 days in Tehran if you have a flexible itinerary to get to see all the beautiful parts of Iran’s capital, from its aged streets to its modern side.

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Home » Middle East » Iran » Tehran

21 EPIC Things To Do in Tehran – Activities, Itineraries & Day Trips

At first glance, Iran’s capital city of Tehran can feel like one big smoggy traffic jam. Indeed, it is a far cry from the classic Persian Jewels of Shiraz and Esfahan and many travellers don’t hang around for too long. However, Tehran actually has a lot to say for itself with attractions ranging from ancient palaces, massive bazaars and relics from the Iranian revolution. The abundant coffee shops also provide the ideal meeting place for you to get to know Iran’s youth.

Our ‘Things To Do in Tehran’ guide has been compiled over multiple visits to Iran and takes contributions from a number of our writers. We have also taken time to seek out the more Unusual Things To Do in Tehran, as well as some things to do with children, and some romantic things to do in Tehran.

So, without further ado, grab yourself a strong, sweet tea (Persian style of course) and let’s get started with this what to do in Tehran rundown!

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Top Things To Do in Tehran

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Most Iran backpacking trips do start and finish in Tehran. Underneath its modern exterior, Tehran does have a few classical treasures which you cannot miss as well as some top class, National museums. Let’s start with looking at the top things to do in Tehran.

1. Explore Golestan Palace

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The poster boy of Tehrani tourism has to be the 500-year-old, Golestan Palace complex. Once the seat of the ruling royal dynasty, the palace was originally built in the 16th century and has been added to and revised ever since. It now contains several collections of royal treasures as well as a number of royal, and classic Iranian artifacts.

There are a number of buildings in the complex so be sure to purchase a ticket that allows you access to them all – with the current exchange rate, it is great value believe us. Highlights are the Marble Throne, the mirrored rooms and the murals painted in the courtyards.

Guided tours are available and will provide a lot more context. The exchange rate also makes them very reasonably priced.

2. Haggle In The Grand Bazaar

There are quite a few big ass bazaars in Tehran but this is the king amongst them. The Grand Bazaar is centrally located and is within walking distance from Golestan Palace. The oldest parts of the Tehran Grand Bazaar date back to the 17th century although there are several, obviously, modern additions too.

It spans over 10km on several floors and has over 180 different shopping centres and countless individual stores. It sells everything, modern clothes, bleach, spices to antiquities. One of the most popular sections is the carpet Bazaar where you can pick yourself up a genuine Persian rug.

This is the definitive Shopping in Tehran experience. Haggling is a part of Iranian culture and is very much expected. As a rule, offer half of what they ask for and go from there. There is also a great Falafel store located by the Northern entrance as well as a number of cafe’s and restaurants.

District 12

Located at the centre of the capital is District 12. One of the oldest districts in the city, District 12 is packed with tourist attractions and historic landmarks, as well as cafes, restaurants, shops and museums.

• Admire the architecture and design of stunning Masoudieh Palace
• See an incredible collection of precious stones at the National Jewelry Museum
• Take a stroll through Park e Shahr, a beautiful urban green space

For more Places to Stay, check out our full Tehran Neighborhood Guide!

3. Delight Your Taste Buds at Khoshbin

Little Khoshbin is a Tehrani eating institution and is an endlessly popular lunch spot amongst locals. It specializes in Gilaki food (from the Gilan region) served very fast for working people. The fried fish (served whole) is delicious and vegetarians delight as there is mashed eggplant and olives in Pomegranate molasses.

It’s a no frills, utterly authentic, delightfully cheap delicious dining experience.

4. Count The Stones at National Jewellery Treasury

Situated inside the Central Bank of Iran bang in the city centre, the National Jewellery Treasury is basically where the Iranian Crown Jewels are stored. This truly is an impressive collection of gemstones to rival even the British Crown Jewels although yes, they are just as heavily guarded!

The collections date back through Iran’s imperial history and now belong to the people of Iran. The display is open Saturday – Tuesday between 14:00 – 17:00, although the ticket counter shuts at 16:30.

I am not sure whether photographs are permitted at this time for security reasons but nevertheless, this is one of the best things to do in Tehran.

5. Learn All About Iran at National Museum

Firstly, the building itself is one of the most impressive in Tehran. Although it only dates back to the 20th century, although it was made to recall the much older, Sassanian Vaults. The museum consists of 2 complexes – the Museum of Ancient Iran and then the Museum of the Islamic era.

As one would expect, the museum tells the story of the history of Iran featuring all manner of pieces from across the ages stretching back into antiquity. Exhibits include a dog statue from Persepolis, a statue of Darius I and some excellent 18th-century water colours.

Iran is a fascinating, complex, ancient civilisation and this is the perfect introduction to it. Not to be missed.

Once you have admired Golestan Palace and got totally, utterly lost in the bazaar, you will probably be wondering what’s next? For something a bit left field and out of the ordinary, check out these unusual things to do in Tehran.

6. Shout ‘Death To The West!’ At The Former American Embassy!

As you may know, the American’s were formally expelled from Iran following the 1979 Revolution and have not been invited back since. Immediately following the revolution, some rather zealous students kidnapped 52 diplomats and held them hostage inside the embassy building. The hostage crisis lasted for 444 days until 1981 when they were eventually released.

These days, the former embassy is now a museum dedicated to showing the world how the US uses espionage to interfere with the affairs of Iran and other sovereign nations. Whether you believe the exhibits to be genuinely insightful or pure propaganda, you can’t deny the fact that this quirky museum is one of the more unusual things to do in Tehran.

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7. Be Politicised By The Metro Propaganda Art

For me, one of the more striking things in Tehran was the unusual anti-American, political, cartoon propaganda art which lines the cities metro stations. From caricatures of Donald Trump to cartoon depictions of New York on fire, this is both a very amusing and alarming into the Iranian regime’s efforts to politicise its populace as they go about their day to day lives.

If you use the metro, you are certain to come across the Metro Art making it a great free thing to do in Tehran. Unfortunately, none of it seems to be for sale.

Note that the Metro is a great way to get around once you get your head around it. It does get severely crowded though so avoid rush hours whenever you can.

8. See Iran’s Dark Side at Museum of the Qasr Prison

Originally built as an 18th-century palace, Qasr shot to Iranian infamy in the 1930’s when it was re-purposed as a political prison, where critics of the ruling regime were detained, interrogated, tortured and sometimes murdered.

The prison was used by the last Shah, Mohammad Reza Shah and a number of his enemies were executed here by lethal injection including the Iranian poet, Mohammad Farrokhi Yazdi . Following the revolution in 1979 the prison was stormed and 1000 women were liberated.

It has now been opened as a museum by the revolutionary government to show the corruption and brutality of the Shah’s regime. Sadly though, all evidence suggests that the revolutionary regime is not exactly above the occasional detention and torture of its own political opponents.

Safety in Tehran

Despite its’ reputation in the West as a hotbed of terrorism, corruption, and uranium enrichment, Iran is in fact incredibly safe for travelers. A very strict policy regime ensures that crime is minimal. Furthermore, as well as been petrified of the police, most Iranian’s are very polite, helpful and welcoming to foreigners.

There are of course some issues to look out for including occasional pick-pocket and bag snatchers in crowded places such as the metro.

Female travelers can expect a lot of attention which may feel uncomfortable – Iranian men can be very direct and persistent. Be firm and be ready to make a scene if anybody crosses any lines of acceptability. Saying you are married may also help.

Take care when changing money and always count your change. You may end up with a lot of bank notes and the Rial/Toman system can be confusing for newcomers to the country.

There are a few horror stories of foreign nationals been arrested by the authorities and used as political bargaining chips. These instances are rare and the full circumstances around them are not clear, However, avoid all political demonstrations, keep a lid on your personal opinions, and do not criticize the regime on social media whilst in the country.

If you are offered drugs or alcohol, do consider that the penalties for consumption range from flogging to imprisonment. Have a look at the  Iran Safety Guide  before you fly and always get travel insurance. Check out our roundup of  the best travel insurance .

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Whilst there are no bars or booze, that doesn’t mean that there is no fun to be had at night. In fact, it’s quite the opposite and you will soon see that Iranians are quite a nocturnal bunch. Get ready to see for yourself just how much fun can be had without the assistance of alcohol!

9. Walk-Up The Darband

Formerly an independent village close to Tarjish, Darband has now been absorbed into Tehran’s greedy sprawl although the mountainside retreat very much retains its air of tranquility and charm.

Darband translates as “door of the mountain” and is a trail peppered with cafe’s, restaurants and viewing platforms. It is popular with locals coming up for breakfast, ice-cream or in the evening to take in the views and smoke Hookah pipes.

When you have Darbands hookah, ice cream and coffee shops, who needs pubs?! Iranian’s are very sociable people even without booze so don’t be afraid to get chatting.

10. Spend The Evening Coffee Shopping

You presumably know that alcohol, bars and nightclubs are banned in Iran and have been since the revolution in 1979. Therefore, the socialising is done partially right on the street but increasingly in the many, high-quality coffee shops which are dotted across the city.

Iranians will sit sipping cappuccinos and macchiatos into the night and you are more than welcome to join them for a chat, or for a round of backgammon which is insanely popular across the country.

Iran’s youth are educated and offer an interesting world perspective. Come here to meet and hang with them – it is one of the highlights of Tehran, hands down. If like me, you can’t drink coffee near bedtime, there are plenty of herbal teas.

Iran is a conservative Islamic society and public displays of affection are not encouraged. However, the mingling of the sexes is very common and you will see many an Iranian out on a date or trying to pick up one. We have listed the best romantic things to do in Tehran.

11. Snatch Some Privacy up at Darakeh

What is Darakeh? Darakeh Valley is a popular hiking trail north of Tehran near to Evin and Velenjak. It is very popular for young couples wanting a bit of privacy – there are afterall, plenty of wooded, secluded spots for holding hands and plenty of places to discreetly park up ones car so you can both admire the air freshener together.

The most romantic time to visit is before sunset when the birds are singing and the light changing. There are plenty of cafes and hookah joints to unwind in as well.

12. Swipe Yourself a Tour Guide On Tinder

Whilst Tinder is technically illegal in Iran this needn’t stop anybody. With the strategic deployment of a VPN you can get around the firewall and this is exactly what the plucky youths of Tehran do to find themselves a cyber date.

Even if you don’t meet a future wife, you should have no problem finding yourself a personal tour guide who will show you an insider’s perspective on this multifaceted city.

13. Take an Evening Stroll on Tabiat Bridge

Tabiat Bridge is an assortment of winding, raised pathways purposefully designed for pedestrians to “get lost” upon. It is a bold and progressive example of civic planning which is actually typical for Iran.

The bridges don’t really lead anywhere in particular. It is simply a great place to wander on either alone, with your headphones or with your significant other holding hands and whispering sweet nothings.

In some ways, Tabiat Bridge feels like Iran’s response to not having bars and nightclubs – outdoor, civic spaces designed for simply hanging out in. If you don’t have a significant other, this is therefore possibly a good place to come meet one.

14. Accept The Inevitable With an Iranian Kebab

Kebab isn’t exactly the most inspired food in Iran but it is pretty much everywhere. At some point, you will have to try it, most probably when you the language barrier gets too much and you just point at the skewers in the shop window.

To be fair, Iranian kebabs are made from fresh meat and are pretty tasty. They are also served with a mountain of saffron rice and endless helpings of bread. I suggest you wash it down with Dugh, a delicious milky yoghurt drink.

Because of the exchange rate and black market for delicious Euros, Iran is a pretty cheap country to backpack. That said, if your budget is $0, we have you covered with our list of the best free things to do in Iran.

15. Climb The Azadi Tower

The Azadi Tower (formerly the Shahyad Tower) is one of the most iconic landmarks in Tehran. It is simultaneously beautiful and garish, a  modern yet classical example of architecture built to commemorate the 2500th year or royal Iran. Cut entirely from marble, the tower was commissioned by the last ever Shah before the revolution forced him into exile.

There is an (OK) museum on the ground floor. The statue reaches 45 metres high and you can climb the Azadi Tower to take in some awesome views. Note that entering the museum and climbing the tower is not free. However, the Tower itself is pretty photogenic and makes for some class Instagram fodder so climbing is not essential in my opinion.

16. Get Lost in Tehran’s Backstreets

At first, Tehran can feel crowded, traffic jammed and ugly. One way to peel behind this facade though is to quite literally go behind the facade and get lost in the city backstreets. This is where you will find crumbling old buildings, traditional crafts workshops and see the Tehran which most locals don’t even ever get to see.

There isn’t a particular backstreet to follow, simply follow your instinct here and see where it takes you. Do not do this after dark and listen to your guy if you feel you are straying somewhere you shouldn’t; Tehran is a safe city but still use some common sense.

Books to Read in Tehran

Backpacking Iran can be a much more enlightening experience if you know a little bit about the countries history and customs, I strongly recommend throwing a couple of the below books into your backpack before travelling in Iran.

A History of Iran: Empire of the Mind  – An in-depth look at how the country was formed, encompassing historical, cultural, social and religious factors.

Lonely Planet Iran (Travel Guide)  – I rarely travel with a guide book, I was however impressed with the Lonely Planet for Iran; it’s well worth picking up a copy before you go backpacking across Iran.

Understanding Iran: Everything You Need to Know  – An overview of regional history and involvement with the west from past to present and into the future.

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Iranians are family oriented people and they absolutely love kids. Wherever you go in Iran, you will find your children are more than welcome. We have set out some of the best things to do in Tehran with kids.

17. Play At Park-e Jamshidieh

Jamshidieh is a large park in the foothills of the Alborz Mountains located in the most northerly reaches of the city.

Fresh mountain air and lush greens are enough to merit a trip to this out-of-the-way spot. However, is is the outstanding views of the city below are what makes it a must-see and the views only improve the higher up you get.

If you can’t be bothered hiking up then there are plenty of spots for tea and picnics. The best time of year to visit is perhaps early in winter when the first snows have arrived. If you need to tire your over energized kids out, then this is the place to bring them!

18. Saadabad Palace

The 300 hectare Sa’dabad Palace Complex was built by the Qajar and Pahlavi monarchs and formerly used as a summer residence. It is located in Shemiran, Greater Tehran near the Darband.

Today, the official residence of the President of Iran (not the Ayatollah) is located adjacent to the complex.

The grounds are extensive mixing green spaces and some museums. There are loads of museums here including the Military Museum, the Royal Kitchen Museum, the Fine Arts Museum, Green Palace Museum and the Water Museum. I would set aside at least an afternoon for this.

Looking for a specific place to stay? Wondering what the top hostels in Tehran are? These are our highest recommendations for places to stay in Tehran.

Hi Tehran Hostel

Hi Tehran is not just a hostel but a Tehrani tourism institution. This is the place to be for international travellers in Iran. The dorm rooms are spacious and comfortable and there are even privates available. This epic Iran hostel has a common area is frequented by locals who come to mingle with foreigners, there is free tea and a decent breakfast included.

See You in Iran Hostel

See you in Iran is well located, has good Wi-Fi, free breakfasts and helpful staff. They have a rooftop terrace, free laundry and you can book trains and busses from the desk. They can even help you get a Sim Card.

Airbnb in Iran

Note that Because of Financial Sanctions, there are no Airbnbs in Iran at this time.

Booking.com in Iran

As above, because of Financial Sanctions there are no Tehran properties featured on booking.com at this time.

Need more stuff to do in Tehran? Well the city does have layers to it and so we are not out of cool shit yet. This is the list that just keeps on giving! Here are some other, unmissable things to do in Tehran.

19. Seek a Treasure at The Jomeh Bazaar

Located on Ferdousi Street, this Friday only antiques market is as much a stroll through a living museum as it is a shopping experience. It is basically a multi story carpark which is taken over by traders from across Iran, Central Asia and the occasional local clearing out their grannies house.

You will find all kinds of stuff here. Tribal clothing, jewellery, coins. Iranian pop records and hand bags. If you have a good eye, then you may even find yourself a real treasure.

Again, haggling is essential. My recommendation is to try to pick up some cassette tapes or vinyl records of Iranian music – this kind of thing is becoming quite valuable.

20. Fill Your Pickle Tray at an Iranian Falafel Joint

Falafel is the ubiquitous food of the middle east and is found all across the region, They all claim they invented it and they all claim theirs is the best.  What makes Iranian falafel unique is 2 things. Firstly, it is generally served in a baguette or torpedo role. Secondly, you get a to fill a plastic tray from the salad/pickle counter with whatever you want.

Iranian falafel is a delicious, filling and very well priced meal guaranteed to keep you going all day long.

21. Tajrish Mosque

We couldn’t write an Iran post and not recommend a Mosque now could we?! Tajrish Mosque is the final resting place of Saleh, a holy figure in Shi’ Islam. Built in the classical Persian style, the Mosque is a beautiful mix of blue mosaics and minarets. It is perhaps not as impressive as the shrines at Esfehan, Shiraz and Yazd, but then again what is?

This is a oasis of classic Islamic architecture in an otherwise modern metropolis.

Whilst there is quite a lot going on in Tehran itself, the real magic of Iran lies outside of the capital. From old villages to snow capped mountains, there are amazing day trips from Tehran for everybody.

Spend The Day Driving To Chaloos

The town of Chaloos (Chalus) is situated in Mazandaran Province. It is a smallish town which is very popular with Iranian holidaymakers owing to its pleasant climate and natural charms.

Historically, Chalus was renowned for rebellions and silk production (not at the same time) but these days is known as a spot to chill for a few days, get some fresh air and hike in the meadows.

The road to Chalus winds up and round the mountain and is perhaps not for the faint hearted. However, if you are looking for a great Iranian road trip and some seriously epic panoramic travel snaps, then a Chalus day-trip is exactly what you are looking for.

Hit The Piste up at Tochal Ski Resort

Most people think of Iran as a giant sandbox and would never guess that there is actually some first rate skiing to be bad. But there is, and just a short distance from Tehran too!

The ski resort of Tochal in the Alborz mountain range is buzzing all winter long with Iranians getting some winter sports in. The highest point is 3,964 metres and there is some first rate ski-ing to be had here.

There is accommodation up at Tochal or you can do it as a day-trip. Take a taxi or bus from Velenjak.

Get Pious at Qom Holy City

There are quite a few Holy City and Holy Shines across Iran for devotees of Islam, Ba’thism and Zoroastianism. The city of Qom is considered sacred as it houses the shrine of Fatimah Musa, sister of one of Shia Islam’s major patrons.

Qom is situated just 89 miles south of Tehran, meaning it can be done in a day trip. The bus takes around 3 hours each way and costs about 5 Euro return. Or you can commandeer a driver for the day for around 20 – 30 euro which will speed things up a bit.

Qom is the largest seat of Shi’a Islam Scholarship in the world and is the where the clerics and Ayatollahs come to study. It is also popular for pilgrims. Qom is significantly more conservative than Tehran and you will notice the women tend to wear black, chaudors rather than the funky hijab’s of Tehran.

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If you have 3 days in Tehran, then that is plenty of time to see what the city has to offer. In order to make things easier for you, we have taken the liberty of preparing a handy Tehran itinerary for you.

After filling up on the free hostel breakfast, take the metro towards Golestan Palace admiring the propaganda art as you do. Spend an hour or so taking in the treasures before exiting. Next up is the Grand Bazaar for some hardcore bartering. Try not to get too lost. If you are feeling peckish by now, then either grab a falafel and find a bench or dive into one of the tea houses or cafes at the side of the Bazaar.

If you have the energy amble through the high-streets and backstreets for an hour before taking the metro towards Azadi Tower. Get your pictures and make the climb if you wish.

Afterwards, go home, get changed and find a coffee shop or two to while away your evening.

Today is all about the museums as we re going to the National Museum of Iran, the former American Embassy and the Qasr prison. The quickest way to get between them is by using cabs but the metro is the cheaper option. Plan your route and order of museums depending on where you are staying.

For lunch, get yourself to Khoshbin before making your way to Qasr prison. As evening begins to fall, it’s time to hike up Darband for some delicious food, hookah and chit chatting with locals. Grab a taxi from the foot of the trail to get home.

If you fancy a change of scenery then head for Qom for a long but rewarding day trip to one of Iran’s holiest cities.

If you want to stay in Tehran, then great! If it’s Friday, hit the antique market at Jameh Bazaar and then make your way to see the stone collection at the Treasury. If it isn’t, then go to Sabadaad Palace to see the Presidential house and a couple of museums.

When evening comes, we’re going to grab a Kebab from pretty much anywhere and then stroll on Tabiat Bridge until our legs are tired.

Iran is currently a theocracy ruled by a Fundamentalist Shi’ Islam regime. It also has a  fraught relationship with the rest of the world. Because of these factors, there are some things you need to know before you visit Iran.

Islamic Law in Iran

Because of Islamic Law, Iranians and all visitors must adhere to the “modest” Islamic dress code. For men, it means no shorts and no vests. For women, it means covering their hair with a hijab at all times. Women must also wear long, loose-fitting pants and sleeves.

Alcohol is illegal in Iran. Do not bring it with you or try to find it. Also note that blasphemy is punishable by death – do not get into theological discussions with anybody.

Finally, pre-marital sex is also forbidden. If you are travelling with a partner, say you are married but keep a lid on public displays of affection.

Money in Iran

Iran is currently subjected to what are perhaps the harshest financial sanctions in world history. This means that none of your bank cards will work in Iran. Therefore, you need to bring cash with you from home and then change it when you arrive. There is a booming black market for Euros and Dollars so bring these with you and then find a black market changer.

You will need to change some cash in the airport but try to keep it to a minimum – say $20.

Visa For Iran

If you are flying into Tehran, then many nationalities can now get a Visa on arrival. In order to obtain this you need Travel Insurance along with proof, and will probably have to show your wad of cash to somebody to prove you can survive.

Note that citizens of the USA, Canada and UK cannot get an Iranian visa unless they book an organised Iran tour with an authorised provider. If you have an Israeli stamp on your passport you will not be allowed into Iran. Note that an Egyptian or Jordanian exit stamp may also mean you cannot enter if the authorities suspect you entered Israel.

Iranians are very kind, generous and hospitable towards foreigners. However, there is a quaint custom engrained into Iranian society known as “Taarof” whereby sometimes people will offer one another things they can’t really afford, or don’t really want to give. For example, if somebody offers to pay your coffee, they may be sincere or it may be “Taarof” – acting more generous than they actually are. This can be bit sticky for foreigners as it’s confusing as hell.

The trick is to refuse the offer a few times – if they are genuine, they will persist. Another way is to simply say “No Taarof?”. If you are offered a ride, it is probably genuine. If on the other hand, a stranger offers to pay for your whole meal, it may well be Taarof.

Don’t forget your travel insurance for Tehran

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Here are some quick answers to common questions about what to do and see in Tehran.

What are some good things to do in Tehran at night?

Since alcohol and nightclubs are banned in Iran, the local way to spend the evening is to go coffee shop hopping instead. It’s a great way to meet and socialise with Iranians and have a chat or play backgammon.

What are the most fun things to do in Tehran?

The best and most fun way to explore the city, head out and get lost in Tehran’s backstreets. Discover old buildings, local shops and unique experiences.

What are the coolest things to do in Tehran?

Head out of the city and into the snowy Alborz Mountains for a memorable day at Park-e Jamshidieh. With great views over the city and plenty of hikes and snow sports, it’s literally the coolest thing to do!

Is Tehran worth visiting?

It sure is! Iran’s capital is bursting at the seams with authentic and fascinating culture around every corner. Bazaars, mosques, incredible food, friendly locals and incredible architecture. You’ll love it!

So that’s it! Tehran is a very lively, busy and layered city which makes a great introduction to Iran. After 3 days here, you will be ready to explore the rest of the country and see what else this amazing and misunderstood land has to offer. Whether you are going to Estefan, Shiraz or Tabriz, you are sure to have an awesome time in Iran.

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there are a lot of misleading in this. why tf would you want to shout ‘down with the west’? the locals don’t believe in this shit and by doing so you’re basically supporting the dictatorship people hate!

Anyway…

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Tehran Travel Guide

• heliya erfani
• 8 months ago

Tehran travel guide, the beating heart of Iran

Tehran, as the capital of Iran, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. There are various reasons why people choose this city for their travels. Some visit for its historical and cultural attractions, some for buying and selling various goods and conducting business transactions, some to visit family, friends, and acquaintances, some to participate in work and educational events, and others travel to Tehran for educational and research purposes.

No matter what reason or motivation you have for traveling to Tehran, our goal is to help you have the best experience of your trip to this city by providing a “Complete Tehran travel guide.”

If you are traveling to Tehran for the first time or have visited this city before but need more information about it, this guide includes comprehensive information that will help you in planning your trip to Tehran. It includes tips such as the best sightseeing places in Tehran, favorite spots, top restaurants, shopping and entertainment, as well as guidance for using public transportation and other urban services.

Therefore, by studying this guide, you can make the best plans for your trip to Tehran, and with complete planning, proceed to buy Tehran airplane tickets and travel to Tehran. Stay tuned with the Sepehran blog.

What you read in the travel guide to Tehran:

• Where is Tehran
• History of Tehran
• Necessary items for traveling to Tehran

How much does it cost to travel to Tehran?

• Travel methods to Tehran
• Travel guide to Tehran with tour
• Guide to travel to Tehran by train / rail travel to Tehran
• Guide to travel to Tehran by private car / land trip to Tehran
• Travel guide to Tehran by plane
• Three-day trip to Tehran

Where should we go on a trip to Tehran?

• trip to Tehran for Pilgrimage
• The best time to travel to Tehran
• Travel to Tehran in Nowruz
• The best hotels in Tehran for accommodation
• Eco tours of Tehran
• Tourist attractions of Tehran
• Tourism heritage registered in Tehran

Handicrafts of Tehran

The best shopping centers in tehran.

• Souvenirs of Tehran
• The best restaurants in Tehran
• Tehran meal
• Cinemas in Tehran
• Tehran hospitals

Transportation in Tehran

• Tehran’s subway
• Tehran Mehrabad Airport
• Tehran city on the map (from ancient times to now)

List of essential telephone numbers in Tehran

• Electronic file of travel guide to Tehran

Where is Tehran located?

Tehran Province, with Tehran city as its center, has an area of about 13,640 square kilometers and a population exceeding 13,267,637 people. It is bordered by Mazandaran province to the north, Qom province to the south, Arak(Markazi) province to the southwest, Alborz province to the west, and Semnan province to the east.

Tehran province has three climatic regions: the northern heights, the foothill areas, and the dry and semi-dry areas, like the Qazvin plain and the Qom desert and dry areas of Semnan province, which are adjacent to Tehran province and are negative factors affecting the climate of Tehran province, causing heat and dryness, accompanied by dust and sand.

 History of Tehran

The name Tehran was mentioned for the first time in the late second century BC as one of the dependencies of Rey, and the oldest existing Persian document indicates that Tehran existed before the third century AH.

Archaeological excavations in the village of Darus, Shemiran, and the Qeytarieh heights show that civilized people lived in this area in the second millennium BC and three thousand years ago.

Also, in the excavations of the railway area, remnants of the life of ancient humans have been found. Tehran, before and after Islam, was subordinate to Rey. So, rey was one of the large and reputable cities of the East and has always been a religious area, and the people of the Dolab village, Tehran, Ahal-e Vanak, and Farahzad were Shia Muslims.

 Essential Items for Traveling to Tehran:

It is better to have the following items with you when traveling to Tehran:

• Identification documents: National card, passport, and airplane or train ticket.
• Cash and bank card: It is better to have some cash for hotel expenses, shopping, and transportation in Tehran.
• Mobile phone and charger: Make sure to bring your charger and USB cable.
• Camera: It is better to have a camera with you to capture the scenery and happy moments of your trip to Tehran.
• Appropriate clothing: It is better to have clothing appropriate for the season.
• Suitable shoes: Due to the long distances and busy metros in Tehran, it is better to have suitable shoes for walking.
• Tehran city guide: A Tehran city guide and maps related to the metro and city buses will help you in choosing from one point to another in the city.

Ways to travel to Tehran

There are different ways to travel to Tehran as follows:

• Travel to Tehran with a travel tour
• Travel to Tehran by private car
• Travel to Tehran by bus

Travel to Tehran by plane

• Travel to Tehran by train

In the following, we will describe these methods.

Traveling to Tehran with a Tourist Tour

Traveling to Tehran with a tourist tour is a popular option for those looking for a great travel experience with proper planning. In this way, you can travel to Tehran by selecting your desired tourist tour. Tourist packages for traveling to Tehran include tickets (plane, train, bus), hotel accommodation, airport transfer, and various sightseeing tours.

Travel tours to Tehran may include various programs such as visiting historical and tourist attractions, experiencing local culture and customs, or including recreational programs and shopping in local markets.

In addition, travel tours allow you to experience traveling with a group of other people; traveling in a group with a tour guide will help you to visit Tehran’s historical and tourist sites more quickly and comfortably and have a mental background of the history of the visited sites. Also, in group tours, you can benefit from hotel services, transfers, and daily breakfasts.

Travel Guide to Tehran by Private Car

Traveling to Tehran by private car is one of the most comfortable and easiest ways to travel to Tehran. With a private car, you can benefit from different roads and less traffic compared to the busy traffic of public transportation.

If you intend to travel to Tehran from the western cities of the country, you should first get yourself to Hamedan and then go to the capital via the Hamedan-Saveh and then Saveh-Tehran freeways.

Freeway No. 2 is one of the most famous routes to access Tehran from northwestern cities of Iran such as Rasht, Zanjan, Tabriz, and Urmia. The end of this freeway leads to the Tehran-Karaj highway, and you can access the Tehran-Azadegan highway. The Azadegan highway is one of the main access routes of Tehran, which has been stretched from the north to the south of the city and provides access to different parts of this city.

Access to Tehran from the East and North

The Tehran-Pardis freeway is another route to access Tehran. This freeway leads to Shahid Babaei Highway located in the east of Tehran. Through this highway, you can access the Pardis-Roudehen route and northern cities of the country such as Mazandaran and parts of Northern Khorasan.

If you intend to travel to Tehran from the northern cities, you can take the Firuzkuh road to reach the east of the capital. However, the Haraz road is the shortest route from the north of the country to Tehran.

If the beauty of the route is also important to you, you can choose the Chalous road for this purpose. Freeway number seven also provides access to Tehran from the southern cities. This freeway is one of the most important land routes of the country and passes through cities such as Qom and Isfahan. The most famous part of this route is the Persian Gulf freeway, which is considered the connecting bridge from Tehran to Qom.

The cost of traveling to Tehran by private car varies and depends on the distance, the number of passengers, the cost of gasoline, and the condition of the vehicle. Also, expenses such as value-added tax, import tax, and insurance must be considered.

Travel to Tehran by Bus

Traveling to Tehran by bus is one of the economical and comfortable ways to travel to the capital. Buses pass through Tehran from different cities of Iran. Some of the advantages of traveling by bus to Tehran include the following:

• Lower cost compared to other means of transportation
• The existence of different stations in various cities, which can be used to travel to Tehran
• Comfort and convenience during the journey due to comfortable vehicles and available welfare facilities in the bus

Our recommendation is to check the seat distribution, return conditions, and travel duration before buying a ticket from any transportation company. Also, it is better to check your ticket information at least one day before departure and go to the related station for bus travel to Tehran. Initially, you must purchase your ticket from one of the bus transportation companies. There are different companies that offer bus tickets for travel to Tehran. You can visit the website to buy bus tickets online.

The terminals that are suitable for traveling to Tehran are:

1. South Terminal (Star and Tawan companies) This terminal is located in the south of Tehran and is used for traveling to the southern cities of Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, Yazd and Bandar Abbas. You can also use this terminal to travel to Kerman, Hormozgan and Khorasan Razavi.

2. West Terminal (Tehran and Shahab bus companies) This terminal is located in the west of Tehran on Ayatollah Kashani Street and is suitable for traveling to the western cities of Tehran, Khorramabad, Ilam, Kermanshah, Hamadan and other western cities of Iran.

3. East Terminal This terminal is located in the north of Tehran and is suitable for traveling to the northern cities of Tehran, Rasht, Amol, Babol, Sari, Nowshahr and other northern cities of the country.

Azadi Terminal is also used in the center of Tehran and for traveling to different cities.

Traveling to Tehran by plane is one of the fastest and easiest ways to travel to this city. Mehrabad Airport is located in the center of Tehran and is one of the busiest airports in Iran. This airport is for domestic flights and all flights from different cities of Iran to Tehran land in this city. Mehrabad Airport has six active terminals and due to its convenient location, you can reach it by metro. Due to the existence of this airport, the Tehran air route is considered one of the most popular routes among domestic trips. In any city you are in, you can easily book a plane ticket to Tehran and easily travel to this city by plane.

•  Address of Mehrabad Airport: Meraj Street, Azadi Square, Mehrabad Airport, Tehran
•  Distance to the city center: the airport is located near Azadi square
• Terminal 1 flight information phone number: 02161023183
• Terminal 2 flight information phone number: 02161023189
• Terminal 3 flight information phone number: disabled
• Terminal Four flight information phone number: 02161023187
• Terminal Five Flight Information Phone Number: Disabled
• Terminal Six flight information phone number: 02161023196
• Imam airport taxi number: 09000000000

To fly to Tehran, you can use domestic and international airlines, although these companies offer different services and facilities in their flights.

Tehran Travel Guide by Train

Traveling to Tehran by train is one of the popular options for traveling to this province. Various trains depart from different provinces and cities to Tehran. To travel to Tehran by train, you can use the website of the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways or purchase a ticket through your train book.

Some of the famous trains going to Tehran are:

• Express Train: This train goes directly from other cities to Tehran and has a high speed.
• Pardis Train: This train also goes directly to Tehran and stops at different stations such as Karaj, Qazvin, Zanjan, etc.

The departure time of different trains varies depending on the route and type of train. For example, the express train between different cities and Tehran departs at different times, but the Pardis train has at least one departure time per day.

Our recommendation is to visit the official website of Iran Railways for ticket purchase and information on prices and departure times of different trains.

Three-day Trip to Tehran

If you don’t have much time and want to tour Tehran in a short period, we suggest a three-day trip to Tehran. You can plan your three-day trip as follows:

First Day of Travel to Tehran

If you are interested in historical attractions, Tehran is a suitable city for you. You can visit a large part of the historical attractions of this city by visiting the Grand Bazaar of Tehran. In this area, in addition to access to Tehran Bazaar and its wide variety of goods, you can also access Golestan Palace.

So, golestan Palace is one of the most beautiful palaces in Tehran that can fascinate you with its attractive architecture and design. To fully visit this palace, you need about 5 to 6 hours, and you can visit places such as Marble Throne Veranda, Karim Khani Nook, Picture House, Special Museum, Main Hall, Mirror Hall, Brilliant Hall, Shams-Al-Emareh, Wind Tower Building, etc.

Haj Ali Darvish’s coffee shop, known as the smallest coffee shop in the world, has the tastiest and most fragrant teas. After the coffee shop, with a 5-6 minute walk, you will reach Marvi Bazaar, which is the stock market for cosmetics and sanitary ware. Marvi’s falafel is also one of the oldest and most famous falafel shops in Tehran, located in this alley, which can provide a pleasant lunch experience for you. After lunch, you can head to Naser Khosrow and visit Darolfonoon School and Roshan Saray.

Day Two of Trip to Tehran

Start the second day with a stroll in Tajrish. This place is one of the old neighborhoods of Tehran, and its market is also a suitable place for shopping. The presence of Imamzadeh Saleh Tehran in this area has made it more popular among the people.

In addition, the Iranian Art Garden Museum, Bagh Ferdows Cinema Museum, and Time Museum are also located in this area. If you are interested in visiting historical palaces, you can visit Saadabad and Niavaran palaces located in this area. These two palaces also have various attractions that will take about a day to visit all. For lunch, you can also visit one of the famous restaurants in the area, such as Shemroon Kebab House or Ruhi.

Day Three of Trip to Tehran

You can dedicate the last day of your trip to Tehran to nature. There are large parks in Tehran that are unique in their kind. Taleghani Park, one of the largest parks in Tehran, was opened in 1982. This park is connected to the Water and Fire Park via the Nature Bridge, and its various restaurants and cafes are a good place for a delicious meal. Melat Park is another famous and old park in Tehran that can provide a pleasant experience with its extraordinary space. Also, on the third day, you can visit Milad Tower.

Of course, Tehran tourism is not limited to the above areas and Tehran city has different scenic areas, each of which can be an amazing experience for you. Some of the sights of Tehran are as follows:

• Tayet Bridge: Modares Highway
• Ferdous Garden: Valiasr St., near Tajrish, Bakhshaish Alley
• Book Garden: Tehran, Vanak Square, Haqqani Highway West to East, after Modares Intersection, exit of the
• National Library, Tehran Book Garden
• shian Forest Park: Hengam Highway, after Esteghlal Crossroads
• Rostam Bagh: 2nd floor, Tehranpars, jashnvareh St., No. 1
• Nagaristan Garden: Baharestan Square, Daneshsara St., Shariatmadari St
• Botanical garden: Tehran-Karaj highway, Pikanshahr exit, Azadshahr, 20 meters away from Sarv Azad, National Botanical Garden of Iran Blvd.
• Saadabad Palace: Valiasr St., Shahid Falahi St., at the end of Shahid Kamal Taheri St
• Niavaran Palace: Shahid Bahonar Square (Niavaran), historical cultural complex of Niavaran

Other places in Tehran that you should never miss:

• Tehran Sled: Darband St., Gulab Dare St., Elfat St., Pendar St., Shakibaei St
• Bam Land: Shahid Hemet Highway, Kashan Blvd., Moj Square, Moj St., Sadaf Blvd., Bam Land entertainment business center.
• Museum of Time: Vali Asr St., at the beginning of Sarlashgar Falahi St. (Zafraniyeh), corner of Parzin Baghdadi Crossroad, No. 12
• Simin and Jalal House Museum: Tajrish, Dezashib, Shahid Ramezani St., Kocheh Derehi, Pasandideh Alley, No. 1, Arz Dead End, No.
• Graphic Museum: Shahid Babaei Highway, Oshtorak St., Esteghlal Blvd., Tawheed St., North Park Place
• Moghadam Museum House: Imam Khomeini Street, after Sheikh Hadi Street, next to Mellat Bank, No. 251
• Eram Park: the beginning of Tehran-Karaj highway.
• Fars Gulf Lake: Hemet Gharb, Shahid Kharazi, the exit of the Persian Gulf Martyrs Lake.
• Tajrish Bazaar: southwest side of Tajrish Square, next to Tajrish Square BRT station.
• Iran Mall: Shahid Kharazi Highway

Other attractions of Tehran

• Azadi Tower: Azadi Square
• Darband: Tajrish square, Darband street
• Bird garden: Shahid Babaei Sharq highway, after Hengam exit, Shahrek Omid, Kohestan street
• Tochal ski resort: Shahid Chamran Highway, Yemen St., end of Volenjek St., Bam Tehran
• Bam Tehran: Shahid Chamran Highway, Yemen St., at the end of Valenjak St
• Abali ski resort: 45 km from Tehran, Heraz road
• Dizin ski resort: Karaj, Gajreh region
• Lavizan Forest Park: Zeinuddin Sharq Highway, Hengam Blvd., shian Forest Park.
• Golestan Palace: Panzdahe Khordad Street, Arg Square
• Milad Tower: Between Hakim Gharb Highway, after Chamran Highway, exclusive entrance of the tower

Pilgrimage Trip to Tehran

If you plan to choose Tehran as a pilgrimage destination, there are several pilgrimage attractions in the city. Places like Imamzadeh Saleh, Zein Ali and Ein Ali, Shah Abdul Azim shrine, Holy Sarkis Church, etc., are part of the city’s pilgrimage attractions.

Imamzadeh Saleh is located in the north of Tehran, in the Tajrish area. This Imamzadeh is one of the famous and old pilgrimage sites in Tehran, and according to statistics, 30,000 people visit this Imamzadeh daily for pilgrimage. Imamzadeh Saleh is one of the children of Imam Musa Kazim and is counted as a brother of Imam Reza. According to the inscriptions, the initial structure of this Imamzadeh was built in 700 AH.

Shah Abdul Azim shrine is located in the south of Tehran and the ancient city of Rey. Shah Abdul Azim is a descendant of Imam Hasan (AS), and the shrine’s building has been expanded during the Ilkhanid, Safavid, and Qajar periods. This building, with its large central courtyard and beautiful golden dome, attracts the attention of every tourist and pilgrim.

Best Time to Travel to Tehran

Many travelers believe that autumn and spring are the best seasons to travel to Tehran. However, if you don’t like crowds, the best time to travel to Tehran is during Nowruz. During this time, traffic is at its lowest, and you can enjoy the blue sky of the city to the fullest. During these days, you can enjoy the tourist attractions of this city without wasting time.

Tehran Touring During Nowruz

Tehran, always alive, even at night, always has busy and traffic-filled streets. However, during Nowruz, the situation is entirely different, and a significant part of the city’s population goes on a trip. Many go to their hometowns, and some choose other cities. This situation causes the city’s streets to be empty of traffic, and there is no severe pollution.

During Nowruz, there is no traffic plan, and you can go to any part of the city without traffic and restrictions. During Nowruz, you can easily take yourself from the easternmost point of Tehran to the westernmost point in 15 minutes and enjoy driving on its empty streets.

Best Hotels in Tehran for Stay

Whether you are traveling to Tehran for business or leisure, choosing the right hotel can be a memorable and crucial experience for you. There is a wide range of options available for staying in Tehran. If you are looking for luxury and opulence, 5-star hotels in Tehran are a suitable option for accommodation. For travelers who are looking for a mix of traditional and modern space and are looking for a more intimate and unique experience, boutique hotels in Tehran are another suitable option that have reasonable costs for accommodation.

Tehran Ecotourism

If you are looking for a unique accommodation experience during your trip, it is better to visit the best ecotourism destinations in Tehran. These accommodations are located outside the city and in nature. By staying in these places, embrace nature, create lasting memories, and enjoy the beauty at the same time. Staying in Tehran’s ecotourism accommodations offers a refreshing perspective on the trip and allows you to connect with nature and experience traditional life in the modern age.

Tehran Tourist Attractions

In Tehran, you will have a wide range of tourist attractions to choose from, each of which is enjoyable to visit. If you are interested in visiting historical sights, you can visit the best museums in Tehran , palaces, and gardens. If you are interested in nature and camping, Tehran is also a suitable option for travel.

So, if you are interested in watching football, you can watch your favorite game in the largest stadium in the country. You can also visit luxury shopping centers, water parks, and cinemas.

Tehran Heritage (UNESCO + National)

Tehran’s religious places include buildings registered in UNESCO (World Heritage) along with countless historical and natural sites. In the following, we will introduce some of them separately.

Tehran is recognized as a center for many artistic activities and ancient handicrafts due to its historical, economic, and social position.

Some of the most famous Iranian handicrafts include:

• Traditional rugs like: Gilim, Zilu, Gabbeh, Carpet
• Wooden crafts: Wood carving, Lattice work, Marquetry
• Metal crafts: Metal engraving and silver, Filigree work
• Tile work: Glazed and unglazed pottery
• Glass work: Handmade glasses and gold-embroidered Persian miniatures
• Export items: Traditional jewelry, Pottery and ceramics, Wooden and copper handicrafts

Tehran, the bustling metropolis of Iran, is not only a city rich in culture and history, but also a shopper’s paradise. If you are a shopping enthusiast and want to experience buying any kind of goods in Tehran, Tehran’s modern and lively shopping centers are waiting for you.

Tehran Souvenirs

We have already identified tourist attractions, handicrafts, and shopping centers in Tehran, but we have not mentioned Tehran souvenirs. It is better to know that Tehran has souvenirs that are not found in other cities of Iran, some of which are edible and some are handicrafts.

Edible souvenirs of Tehran : Sohan of Rey, ShahriYar raisins, Aluche and Lavashak of Darband, Abali yogurt, Damavand apple, etc.

Handicrafts of Tehran : Carpet weaving, Firoozkooh Jajims, glassblowing and glass carving, precious rugs, etc.

Best restaurants in Tehran + (fast foods)

If you are a fan of eating and belly wandering in Tehran and want to have a pleasant and unique experience in this field, luxury and high-energy restaurants in Tehran are the best choice for you. In this section, we will provide you with a list of the best restaurants in Tehran so that you can enjoy the experience of eating in the capital of Iran with any taste. A place where you can enjoy quality and varied foods.

Tehran foods

Tehran, the capital of Iran, with its varied and delicious foods, is one of the best destinations for lovers of local foods. If you are interested in experiencing the tastes and foods of this region, we will introduce you to a list of the most delicious local and traditional foods.

Dampokhtak Sparrow meatball Firoozkoohi Tah Chin Wheat bulgur steam Ghormeh Sabzi stew And…..

Tehran cinemas

Tehran is a lively and high-energy city that attracts art lovers. From historical cinemas to modern theaters, the presence of cinema towns as film locations has created this attraction for film enthusiasts to choose Tehran as a cinematic destination. In this blog post, we will go to the best cinemas in Tehran to introduce you to the best cinemas in the city.

The public transportation system in Tehran is divided into two categories: intra-city and inter-city.

This system includes various types of vehicles that allow people to travel within the city or between cities.

In the intra-city area, metro, buses, city taxis, and online taxis are among the most important and frequently used means of transportation. The metro provides fast and efficient services, enabling passengers to move around the city. Buses also have an extensive network that passes through different parts of the city, allowing people to go to different destinations at a lower cost. City taxis and online taxis offer more comfort and convenience to passengers who can go to their desired destinations.

In the inter-city area, train, airplane, and bus are offered as public transportation means for passengers traveling to other cities and countries. The train, as a fast and economical means, provides the opportunity for passengers to travel to other cities. The airplane, as one of the fastest means of transportation, is used for traveling to other countries. Inter-city buses are also a suitable option for passengers who prefer to travel by land.

Tehran Metro

The Tehran Metro is one of the most complex and vital public transportation networks in the city of Tehran. This modern and fast transportation system currently has seven main lines covering all parts of the city and is operated by the Tehran Metro Company, which is recognized as a symbol in Tehran, concurrent with urban growth and the country’s development role.

The operating hours of all Tehran Metro lines are as follows:

• Start time: 5:30 AM
• End time: 10:00 PM
• Start time: 8:15 AM
• End time: 7:20 PM
• Mehrabad Airport branch line:
• Operating hours are similar to the main lines; from 5:30 AM to 10:00 PM
• Start time: 5:10 AM
• End time: 2:15 PM

Please note that these hours may change in the future, so it is better to check updated information through the Tehran Metro Guide or official sources before traveling.

Tehran Airport

As you know, Tehran has two airports: the old airport called Mehrabad, which has six terminals and mainly operates domestic flights from this airport to other destinations in the country, and Imam Khomeini Airport, which handles international flights to other countries.

In terms of facilities, both airports are equipped with the most advanced facilities in the aviation industry and connect Iran via air routes with other parts of the country and other countries. Learn more about Tehran Mehrabad Airport .

In this guide, we tried to provide you with all the necessary information for traveling to this city, although briefly. There is much to say about Tehran, many places were not mentioned and were overlooked. We will definitely refer to them in future articles. We hope this guide will help you plan your trip to Tehran and enjoy its recreations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the popular tourist attractions in Tehran?

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• Iran City Guide

Tehran Travel Guide

As a cosmopolitan city, with great museums, parks, restaurants and warm friendly people,  Tehran has earned itself the rather unenviable reputation as a smog-filled, traffic-clogged and featureless sprawl of concrete bursting at the seams with 15 million residents. But meanwhile, this metropolis is a heaven for museum lovers and keen travelers. It’s the city of monuments, museums, palaces and interesting sights, so much that some of its major tourist spots may be hidden or lost in the hustle and bustle of its streets. But most of visitors do not know that how their Tehran visit can be interesting if one know the highlights and the Tehran Facts. It deserves at least a few days of your Iran itinerary.

History of Tehran

Back in ancient times, the village of  Tehran  was overshadowed by the city of  Rey  – the capitals of the Seljuk dynasty. In 1220 the  Mongols  invaded Rey as they swept across Persia, executing thousands in the process. Most who escaped fled to Tehran and the future capital’s first population explosion turned the village into a prosperous trading center.

In the mid-16th century Tehran’s natural landscape, lush gardens, clear rivers and good hunting areas brought it to the attention of the early Safavid king,  Tahmasp I . Under his patronage, gardens were planted, some  famous caravansaries  were built and the town fortified by a wall with 114 towers. As Tehran continued to grow under later Safavid kings, European visitors wrote of the town’s many enchanting vineyards and gardens.

During  Zand  dynasty, Tehran was a little town that was significant from a strategic point of view. The first of the Qajar kings,  Agha Mohammed Khan , chose Tehran as the country’s capital in 1778, and most of its growth started during the reign of a subsequent Qajar monarch,  Fath-Ali Shah . The castle built by Agha Mohammed Khan was to contain the new majestic buildings. During reign of  Nasser Al-Din Shah  the city’s master sketch was prepared and modern streets were constructed. Later, huge central squares like  Toopkhaneh square  (now Imam Khomeini) and quite a few military buildings were built. Although Qajar dynasty was in a period of decline, Tehran soon took the shape of a modern city. The structure of large government buildings, new streets, urban service organizations, and academic and methodical centers were started, even as most of the old gates and buildings were destroyed and the city’s old architectural fabric replaced by a contemporary one.

Top places to see in Tehran

Tehran is a city of parks and possesses more than 800 of them, all well-kept. The city is nearly a mile high above the sea level and as a result is cooler than other cities in the middle east. Summer temperatures are around 32°C or about 90-95°F. The air tends to be very dry. A combination of factors make Tehran a pleasant place to visit: The dry climate which is constantly cool (at least in the evenings), the proximity of the mountains, the parks and gardens where flowers blossom all through the year, the alleys of trees in the avenues or even smaller streets, and even the water that runs down from the upper city along deep and wide gutters which look like small rivers during spring.

The  Alborz mountain range on the north of Tehran, which hosts  Mount Damavand -the highest peak in Iran- provides fantastic conditions for ski lovers in the winter. In winter, the mountain hotels and ski resorts at Shemshak, and Dizin are full several days a week. Some specialist skiers consider the snow value in northern Tehran to be one of the most excellent in the world. The main feature of Tehran tourist centers are its interesting museums such as  Iran National Museum   which is known as the first Iranian archaeological museum, divided into two sections based on different periods of Iranian history: Pre Islamic and Islamic periods, the  Iran Carpet Museum  comprises of two halls displaying some finest  Persian carpets  from different regions and  Glassware Museum (ABGINEH)  which is a beautiful Qajar building full of interesting objects. During  your stay you can also enjoy visiting Tehran palaces such as the 410 hectares  Sa’ad Abad Complex  which was the residential palaces of  Mohammad Reza Shah , his father and some members of the former Iranian royal family ,  Niavaran palace  complex in north east Tehran and the famous  Golestan palace dating back to Qajar era.

Guide to visit Tehran

Here is a list of Tehran must sees:

Golestan Palace 

The  Golestan Palace  is a complex of palaces and buildings remaining from the historic citadel of Tehran, the residence of the Qajar dynasty and is considered one of the most beautiful and oldest buildings in Iran’s 200-year-old capital. The Golestan palace, originally dating back some 442 years, represents a unique and magnificent document of the Safavid ,  Qajar  and  Pahlavi  era’s architecture and decorative arts, which peaked under  Nasser al-Din Shah . This is the first example of a combination of European and Persian style, which later became one of the hallmarks of the Iranian art and architecture in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The glories of the  Qajar Era  are played out across this complex of palaces ornamented with mirrors, paintings, glazed tiles. Set around an elegant garden, there are several buildings with 17 different visitable sections including  the  Salam Hall , the spectacular  Mirror Hall ,  Ivory Hall ,  Negar Khaneh  (Iranian Painting Gallery),  Antropology museum ,  Marble Throne  terrace,  Karim Khani Nook ,  Shams ol-Emareh  edifice,  Aks Khaneh  (Qajar photography museum),  Almas Hall ,  Abyaz Hall  and  Badgir Hall. 

Please note: You need to buy separated tickets for the above sections at the gate.

Although there was an original  Safavid Empire era small citadel on this site,  Nasser al-Din Shah  Qajar  (r 1848–96), impressed by what he’d seen of European palaces, ordered to add new buildings to his Golestan (Palace of Flowers).  Originally, Golestan complex was bigger than what you see today, but most government sections and the  Harem  were demolished due to urban projects under the  Pahlavi dynasty .

Read – The ultimate guide to Golestan Palace 

National Museum of Iran 

Considered as the main museum of Tehran,  Iran National Museum  is the first choice for travelers who are interested in archeology and history. The visitors of the museum can follow up the whole history of Iran from the Paleolithic Era to the Qajar period (early 20 th  century). Due to its location at the heart of Tehran, it is easy to include the museum to a day tour of Tehran.

The National Museum of Iran is the most important museum in the country in terms of preservation, display and research of Iranian archaeological collections. Currently, the National Museum exhibits about 300,000 objects that reflect the richness of Iranian culture and civilization, art, economic growth, and technological achievements.

National Museum of Iran consists of two buildings, built one after each other. The construction of the main building began in 1935 under supervision of André Godard , French architect and archaeologist. It is decorated with red bricks in the form of a horizontal rectangle lying on the ground, consisting of three separate parts that are interconnected. The impressive arch-shaped entrance is an inspiration from Sassanian  architecture. This old building exhibits the prehistoric and pre-Islamic objects and is called the  Museum of Ancient Iran . On the other side of this old building, you will find a relatively new building that hosts the  Museum of the Islamic Period . It is a three-story building with a ground floor dedicated to temporary exhibitions and a meeting hall. The first floor is dedicated to objects from the  Timurid ,  Safavid  and  Qajar  periods, and in the second floor you will see works from the early Islamic period, the  Seljuks  and the  Ilkhanids .

Read – Full guide to the National Museum of Iran

Niavaran Palace Complex

Niavaran region is located in north Tehran, near the Alborz mountain range. In 19th century, it was chosen as a summer residence for Iranian kings during the Qajar era. In the past, the Niavaran complex in Tehran was much smaller than today and was located outside the city. Due to the proximity to the mountains and the excellent climate in this region, Fath Ali Shah – the second king of Qajars- ordered to build a garden and a mansion as his summer residence.

Years later, during the Pahlavi era -the last royal dynasty of Iran- Niavaran Palace was first chosen as a place to receive foreign guests, and then it became the residence of the king Mohamad Reza Pahlavi and his wife, Farah Diba , and their children.

Read – Full guide to Niavaran Palace Complex 

Sa’adabad Palace Complex

The Saadabad palace complex (also Sa’ad Abad) is located in north Tehran. This site was originally the summer residence of the Qajar king Ahmad Shah in the 19th century and later was converted into the main residential complex of the Pahlavi family in 20th century. Saadabad complex was built in a large garden with a total area of about 300 hectares.

After the Islamic revolution, it was turned into a public museum. Saadabad garden with its tall trees, orchards and beautiful nature alone is a great attraction for visitors in different seasons of the year. In this article, we are going to introduce some of the most important parts of this complex to you.

Read – Full guide to Sa’ad Abad Palace Complex 

Vali Asr Street

The most important street in Tehran and one of the most beautiful streets in the world, Vali Asr street is about 18 kilometers long and has been in the list of Tehran’s highlights in various periods of Tehran’s history. According to some documents from 19th century, north of Vali Asr Avenue was the promenade of the Qajar family and their summer palaces were located there. This street connects the northern and southern parts of Tehran. Railway Square is the starting point and Tajrish Square is the last destination of Valiasr Street. This street can be considered the center of Tehran’s art cafes

Enjoying the beauty of Valiasr Street is not limited to walking on Valiasr Street under its tall and old plane trees. There are some popular and important public parks on this street which are worth a visit.  Mellat Park  is the largest on Valiasr Street. This old park is one of the most important sights of Tehran at the intersection of Nayyeh and Valiasr highways. The park is decorated with urban elements and various sculptures; therefore it is perfect for photography, especially in the fall.  Melat Cinema Complex is also located in this park.

Cinema Museum of Iran (Ferdows Garden) 

At Valiasr Ave and not far from Tajrish Square, there is an old and beautiful garden at the end of which is a historic mansion.  Ferdows Garden is one of Tehran’s most famous gardens and today it has been transformed into a cinema museum with its mansion and one of the most spectacular places in Tehran. Don’t miss this autumn walk!

Tajrish Baazar

Tajrish Traditional Market , on one side to Tajrish Square, on the other side to shrine of  Imamzadeh Saleh  and the surrounding streets, has been one of North Tehran’s oldest shopping centers and still retains its old atmosphere. Although the construction of a modern market in new style alongside the completely traditional form of the market has influenced it, the old and famous market shops have not lost their identity. The old roofed Bazaar of Tajrish is a small example of Tehran Grand Bazaar.

In the Tajrish market, which consists of small “Souks”, there is an indoor fruit and vegetable section, which is a very attractive and beautiful place. Of course, this square is originally the location of Tajrish “Mourning Square” which is used in occasion of Muharram Rituals and after tenth Muharram is leased to the fruit market. The Tajrish market, like other traditional markets, has a mosque and a Hussainiyah.

Tajrish Bazaar History

There is a lot of speculation about the history and construction date of this market. According to some sources, the date of construction goes back to 70 years ago. However, the market’s old businessmen believe that Tajrish Bazaar is much older and about 150 years old. Of course, some of the structures that exist in this place are about 200 years old such as Tajrish Tekyeh, which is said to have existed there for 220 years.

Tajrish Bazaar was quite open at the beginning of its formation. This caused trouble for shopkeepers and shoppers in the fall and winter seasons, so in 1973 the corridors got covered with wood and tin plates and replaced over time with a monolithic iron roof. A few years later, the market obtained its new magnificent appearance with the renovation performed by Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization.

Tajrish Bazaar (Tehran) opening hours

Everyday from 09:00 AM to 08:00 PM

Read – Best Bazaars in Iran 

Azadi Tower 

Azadi square  is one of the largest squares of Tehran where the Azadi Tower with forty-eight meters height is standing in the middle as the symbol of Tehran. The Azadi Tower (meaning freedom) formerly known as “Shahyad” was built as a symbol for the capital during the reign of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi.

The Azadi Cultural Complex, consisting of several sections, is located on the lower floor of the Tower and includes a museum, library, audiovisual unit, exhibition hall, meeting hall, concert & conference hall.

History of Azadi Tower

Azadi Tower  was built in 1970 by Iranian architect  Hussain Amanat , who is now a Canadian citizen. At that time, Amanat was a 26 year old student on a mission to design a square in the capital to mark “the symbol of modern Iran” and “the Gateway of the great civilization”

Earlier, In 1966, an architectural design that could symbolize Iran was put on the competition among Iranian architects, and eventually Mr. Amanat’s design was selected by the University of Tehran to be constructed. Operation of Azadi Tower started in November 1969, and ended in September 1970 and was inaugurated on January 5th, under the name of Shahyad Tower.

On the opening day, the Shah and his wife were present at Shahyad Square, and the Cyrus Cylinder, the world’s first human rights charter, was unveiled for the first time. This cuneiform tablet was inscribed about 2550 years ago by Cyrus and is now kept at the British Museum in London.

The total area of the square is about 78,000 square meters and the tower is built in shape of a gate which connects ancient Persia to Modern Iran.

“This is based on the past of Iranian history,” says Hussein Amanat, architect of Azadi Tower. “I wanted to show the ones coming from abroad or even the Iranian people that where and what culture this work belongs to.”

Read: Azadi Tower – Theran’s Iconic Landmark 

Milad Tower

Milad Tower  is a multipurpose telecommunication tower located in northwest of Tehran, on top of a hill of approximately 14 hectares in the south of Shahrak-e Gharb district. With 435 meters height (315 meters high for concrete shaft and 120 meters high for tower antenna), Milad Tower is the tallest tower in Iran, and the sixth tallest telecommunication tower in the world. With 13,000 meters of built up area, Milad is the first of all world’s telecommunication towers in terms of grandeur of tower’s 12 storey top structure. Due to its great height and different appearance, this structure is visible almost everywhere in Tehran and is therefore one of the symbols of the Iranian capital.

✔ What to do at Milad Tower?

According to the global statistics, Milad tower is the sixth-tallest of its kind and the 24th tallest freestanding structure in the world. Entrance tickets are cheap by international standards, and the elevator is rather exciting as you can see the view with the glass panels surrounding you.

Open Observation Deck

On the upper open observation deck, depending on how clean is the air, you can often see for miles around, making it a perfect spot for view photographers. The megacity of Tehran is breathtaking from the open observation deck.

The Waxwork Museum

Celebrity museum of Iran is located on the fifth floor of the Top building, at a height of 271 meters. This beautiful Madam Tussauds-like museum is a collection of statues of Iranian celebrities made by Dr. Alireza Khaghani. This museum is the first museum where the statues of Iran’s famous celebrities are exhibited.

Milad Tower Revolving Restaurant

This restaurant is the most fascinating part of the restaurant tour in Milad Tower. The restaurant is 276 meters high and has two moving and fixed sections. The revolving part rotates 360 degrees every hour. A variety of Iranian and international cuisine can be enjoyed at this unique Milad Tower buffet restaurant. Watching the sunset and eat with friends here will easily make one of your most memorable nights.

Milad Tower Dolphinarium

There is only one place in Tehran where you can see dolphins. The Milad Tower Dolphinarium is the only dolphinarium in the Middle East. With a total area of 3200 M2 Milad Dolphinarium has a capacity of 1200 spectators. Ocean simulation technology has provided life for dolphins and sea lions to delight you in performing beautiful acrobatic moves.

Iran Museum of Contemporary Art

Tehran’s  Museum of Contemporary Art  is one of Iran’s most famous art museums, which houses the largest treasures of modern art outside Europe and North America. The museum owns one of the five major collections of modern art in the world and consists of 9 galleries: 3 permanent Exhibitions containing more than 4,000 works by Iranian and world artists museum treasury, and 7 galleries dedicated to temporary and seasonal exhibitions. The Museum of Contemporary Art is one of the sights in Tehran that art lovers occasionally have to make their way to. Just remember this museum is not open on weekends and make sure it is open before leaving.

Tehran Grand Bazaar

Tehran Bazaar  is one of the oldest, largest and at the same time, the most vibrant Tehran public places, always packed by locals and tourists. The primary construction of the market is from 17th century but the present structure is mostly dating back to 19th century – Qajar Era. The old parts of Tehran Grand Bazaar are constructed with ceilings in the form of vault and domes and enjoy a unique and sophisticated architecture. winding corridors, arches and traditional vents are the architectural beauties of Tehran Bazaar. But this beauty and complexity didn’t exist at the beginning of the market. Over time, the market expanded; for example, parts of it got roofed due to the summer heat. These developments also took place in service areas, with cafes, tea houses, Bastani sport Zurkhanehs , baths, mosques, etc. In each department, new corridors were created that were particularly for the sale of special goods, each of which was a big market itself. The Tehran Bazaar complex is still regarded as one of the most active economic hubs in Tehran. If you want a cheap and affordable purchase, do not forget about the Tehran market. Just remember the market is not open on holidays.

Golestan Palace: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Golestan Palace is a stunning complex that showcases the rich history and architecture of Iran. It features beautiful gardens, royal buildings, and intricate tilework.

Grand Bazaar: Tehran’s Grand Bazaar is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. Here, you can wander through a labyrinth of shops selling spices, textiles, carpets, handicrafts, and more. It’s a vibrant place to experience the local culture and indulge in some shopping.

Click on the map to enlarge

National Jewelry Museum of Iran

The current treasury of the  National Iranian jewelry Museum  or  Iran Crown Jewels  is one of the most fascinating places in the world! The museum displays royal jewels from the  Safavid ,  Afshar ,  Qajar , and Pahlavi periods; famous jewelry such as the Diamond of  “Darya-i-Nur” , the Nadir’s  Jegheh , the Crown of  Farah Pahlavi , “ Kiani Crown ” of  Qajar  kings. , “Jewel Globe”, “ Peacock Throne “, “ Naderi Throne ” and thousands of objects are waiting for you in this museum. These were collected during the Qajar period and were originally kept in the treasury of Golestan palace – part of it was mounted on crowns, thrones and other decorative objects of the palace. With the reign of Reza Shah Pahlavi, the royal jewels were moved to the basement of the Marble Palace in the year 1937, and after the National Bank building was completed, most of them were transferred to the National Bank Museum and today they are in the possession of the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran. This treasury makes up 70 percent of the country’s currency support. A new central bank treasury is under construction in the hills of Abbasabad, Tehran.

Read – Exclusive guide to Iran National Jewels museum 

Iranian Crown Jewels Value

There is much to be said about this extraordinary collection, but one question cannot be answered definitively: How much is the value? No one knows the answer to this question, because it contains gems that have no equal in the world. Iran’s national jewelry collection is artistic, historical, and unique in a situation that even the world’s most elite experts and evaluators have not been able to calculate real or approximate value.

The old village of  Darband in north Tehran is one of the most spectacular places in the city. Due to its cool summers, Darband is one of the most visited attractions in Tehran. The Darband River runs through this village which is the beginning of the climbing route to the Tochal Mountains overlooking the city of Tehran. For those who are not interested in hiking, a chair lift is intended. The beginning of the route is full of small cafes and restaurants. These restaurants have a great reputation and are usually always busy, especially at night. If you are looking for an opportunity to escape the bustle and pollution of Tehran and relax in the heart of nature on traditional benches in a restaurant, Darband is a good choice.

✔ How to get to Darband

The closest metro station to Darband is Tajrish Station. You have to get a taxi from the station to Darband.

Tehran Fast Facts

• Tehran is the political and economic center and the capital of Iran
• Tehran is situated 112 km south of the  Caspian Sea and on the foot of Alborz mountain range
• As of the latest statistics of 2016, the population of Tehran (Main Zone) is about 9 million
• The population in the larger metropolitan area of Tehran is about 15 million people
• It is the most populous city in Western Asia
• It is the 24th largest metropolitan area in the world and the 2nd largest metropolitan area in the Middle East (after Cairo)
• The city covers a total area of 730 Km2 – 27th largest city in the world.
• The average altitude is 1189 m above the sea level

Where to stay in Tehran

Tehran has many good hotels, but for many travelers, hotels located in the center of Tehran are more ideal, because they are close to most places of interest. Most of these hotels are also reasonably priced hotels in Tehran and offer guests facilities commensurate with their services. Here is a list of best  hotels in Tehran

Parsian Esteghlal Hotel

Parsian Azadi Hotel

Espinas Palace Hotel

Eskan Forsat Hotel

Iransafar Tours

Comments (2).

Reply to : AI ALLINGTON Yes, most parts of Tehran and almost all hotels are disability-friendly

Al Allington: Is Tehran handicap friendly and the sidewalks and hotels accessible for those using wheelchairs? I can walk a little or use a walker briefly. I have watched videos of Tehran and it look quite accessible

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Security Alert May 17, 2024

Worldwide caution, update may 10, 2024, information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

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Iran Travel Advisory

Travel advisory january 11, 2024, iran - level 4: do not travel.

Updated to add the Terrorism Risk Indicator and risk of surrogacy tourism.

Do not travel to Iran due to the risk of terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping and the arbitrary arrest of U.S. citizens . Exercise increased caution due to wrongful detentions .  

Country Summary: U.S. citizens should not travel to Iran for any reason. U.S. citizens visiting or residing in Iran have been kidnapped, arrested, and detained on spurious charges.

Iranian authorities continue to unjustly detain and imprison U.S. nationals, particularly dual national U.S.-Iranian nationals--including students, journalists, business travelers, and academics--on charges including espionage and posing a threat to national security. Iranian authorities routinely delay consular access to detained U.S. nationals and consistently deny consular access to dual U.S.-Iranian nationals.

Violent extremist groups, including U.S. government-designated terrorist organizations, operate in Iran. ISIS and affiliated groups have claimed responsibility for bombings and other attacks in Iran. The threat of terrorist activity persists, as does the risk of death or injury to bystanders.

The U.S. government does not have diplomatic or consular relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran. The U.S. government is unable to provide routine or emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Iran.

Companies offering surrogacy services in Iran are misrepresenting the security situation in Iran and the risks of the unregulated surrogacy tourism industry. Private companies that arrange such visits and services put U.S. citizens in danger.  

Due to the risks of operating civilian aircraft within or in the vicinity of Iran, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) and/or a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR). For more information U.S. citizens should consult the  Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions and Notices .

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Iran.

If you are currently in Iran:   

• Consider the risks involved in possessing dual  U.S. Iranian nationality .
• Review your personal security plan and visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .
• Draft a will and designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries and/or power of attorney.
• Discuss a plan with loved ones regarding care/custody of children, pets, property, belongings, non-liquid assets (collections, artwork, etc.), funeral wishes, etc.
• Establish your own personal security plan in coordination with your employer or host organization or consider consulting with a professional security organization.
• Leave DNA samples with your medical provider.
• Have a plan for departing Iran that does not rely on U.S. government assistance.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter/X .
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

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Warnings and insurance

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice .

FCDO  advises against all travel to Iran

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice. Consular support is also severely limited where FCDO advises against travel.

If you’re a British national already in Iran, either resident or visitor, carefully consider your presence there and the risks you take by staying.

FCDO advises against all travel to Iran. British and British-Iranian dual nationals are at significant risk of arbitrary arrest, questioning or detention in Iran. Holding a British passport can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to question you. If you are detained in Iran, you could face months or years in prison.

Find out more about  why FCDO advises against travel .

Risks to British nationals in Iran 

Consular support is extremely limited in Iran. If you need consular assistance you should contact the British Embassy in Tehran . 

FCDO  advises against all travel to Iran. British and British-Iranian dual nationals are at significant risk of arbitrary arrest, questioning or detention in Iran. Holding a British passport can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to question you. If you are detained in Iran, you could face months or years in prison. 

Find out more about  why FCDO advises against travel

Dual nationals 

The Iranian authorities do not recognise dual nationality. If you are a British-Iranian dual national and you are detained in Iran, the authorities will not tell FCDO  or grant FCDO access to see you. If you are detained, your case will be in the hands of the Iranian authorities, who have shown a pattern of hostility towards the UK and British citizens.

Before you travel 

FCDO  advises against all travel to Iran.

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide as well as support for British nationals abroad which includes: 

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• Sun June 9, 2024

Iran’s inbound tourism thrives by 36%

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism sector has witnessed a 36% surge in terms of overseas arrivals in the course of the very first two months of the current Persian year (started on March 20).

During a Tourism and Related Businesses Commission, held on Wednesday, an official in charge of tourism development brought to light that since the beginning of this [Iranian] year, foreign tourist arrivals have experienced a 36% rise, in comparison to the corresponding time a year earlier.

Moslem Shojaei stressed the necessity of identifying the primary tourism priorities, noting that the selected development capacities in each province must be competitive with other provinces in attracting foreign tourists.

“To achieve this, leveraging the capabilities of major travel agencies, foreign journalists based in Iran,” he further elaborated. “And familiarization tours can be helpful.”

Moreover, the official emphasized that the tourism sector cannot advance without private sector participation.

In his final remarks, Shojaei pinpointed that the Marketing and Tourism Development Headquarters of the Ministry is ready to provide media content produced in various provinces to foreign tourists.

As mentioned by Iran’s tourism ministry, more than six million foreign tourists arrived by air, road, and sea in Iran during the past Iranian calendar year, which came to an end on March 19.

Last year, Iran set the stage for the unilateral abolition of visa requirements for citizens of 32 countries, which took effect on February 4. The scheme was part of an initiative aimed at promoting tourism and easing travel restrictions for visitors from selected nations, according to Alireza Bigdeli, the deputy foreign minister for Consular, Parliamentary, and Iranian Expatriates Affairs.

The visa-waiver program was approved for India, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Indonesia, Brunei, Japan, Singapore, Cambodia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brazil, Peru, Cuba, Mexico, Bolivia, Venezuela, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia, Belarus, Lebanon, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Mauritania, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, and Seychelles.

Besides, the Islamic Republic has previously had visited cancelations with some countries like Turkey, the Republic of Azerbaijan, Oman, China, Armenia, Lebanon, and Syria, in various forms - unilateral, bilateral, and group visa cancelations, including airport visas, which were implemented in some cases.   The privilege has been granted to tourist groups from Russia based on a mutual agreement inked between Tehran and Moscow.

The Islamic Republic expects to reap a bonanza from its numerous tourist spots such as bazaars, museums, mosques, bridges, bathhouses, madrasas, mausoleums, churches, towers, and mansions, of which 27 are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

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• Iran's tourist arrivals

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Latest News

Iea declines invitation to regional meeting on afghanistan in tehran.

Zakir Jalaly, Director of the Third Political Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, said on Saturday that the Islamic Emirate declined an invitation to a regional meeting that is scheduled to take place in Tehran.

Tehran has announced that it will host the meeting of the regional contact group for Afghanistan today (Saturday). Representatives of Russia, China, Pakistan and Iran are expected to attend the meeting.

Jalaly said on X that the Afghan government declined the invitation to the meeting. He said that the Afghan government expects that meetings on Afghanistan should be held through the existing mechanisms, not new ones.

He added that the Afghan government is engaged in discussions with relevant sides about the upcoming third Doha meeting.

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The second meeting of the Regional Contact Group for Afghanistan, known as the Moscow Format, was held on Saturday in Tehran, the capital of Iran.  

Iranian media reported that the representatives of Iran, Russia, China and Pakistan attended the meeting.

At the meeting, the Director-General of the South Asia Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran Seyyed Rasoul Mousavi said that the countries of the region play a constructive role in ensuring the peace, stability, and development of Afghanistan.

Mousavi added that in regional meetings, in addition to recalling the problems, solutions and ways to get out of these issues should also be considered.

Despite the invitation, the Islamic Emirate did not participate in the meeting.

Zakir Jalaly, Director of the Third Political Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, said that the IEA declined the invitation to a regional meeting.

Jalaly said in a post on X that the Afghan government declined the invitation to the meeting. He said that the Afghan government expects that meetings on Afghanistan should be held through the existing mechanisms, not new ones.

Meanwhile, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, the spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in a press conference in Islamabad that the second meeting of the contact group hosted by Iran is important to ensure peace, security and stability in the region.

Zahra Baloch added that Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Asif Ali Khan Durrani participated in this meeting.

“Pakistan believes that the role of the regional contact group is very important for Afghanistan and provides an opportunity to strengthen regional cooperation. Consultations at the regional contact group level ensure that Afghanistan does not become a center for terrorist activities, and at the same time, the neighboring countries support Afghanistan’s efforts for the welfare and economic improvement of their people,” she said.

Earlier, Russia’s special envoy for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov said that the agenda of the third Doha meeting will also be discussed at the meeting of the contact group in Tehran.

The Moscow Format meeting is being held in Tehran while the representatives of twenty-five countries and some envoys of international organizations and institutions are scheduled to meet in Doha on June 30 and July 1 to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.

US President Joe Biden has emphasized that American forces “remain postured” outside Afghanistan to address terrorist threats.

Biden said this in a letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and President pro tempore of the Senate.

“United States military personnel remain postured outside Afghanistan to address threats to the United States homeland and United States interests that may arise from inside Afghanistan,” according to the letter released by the White House on Friday.

US completed its military withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021.

Some members of the House of Representatives and the US Senate have criticized Biden’s decision to withdraw the American troops from Afghanistan.

Pakistan’s foreign ministry has said that the quadrilateral meeting of regional countries on Afghanistan, hosted by Tehran, is important for security and stability in the region.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, spokesperson of Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in a press conference on Friday that Asif Durrani, the country’s special representative for Afghanistan, will participate in the Tehran meeting.

She said that it is important for the regional countries, especially the neighbours of Afghanistan, to “consult and work together for ensuring peace, stability and security in Afghanistan, to ensure that Afghanistan is not a source of terrorism in the region and to support Afghanistan’s efforts for the economic well-being of its people.”

Regarding the attack on Chinese citizens in Bisham, Baloch said that despite handing over the evidence to the Afghan government, Islamabad has not yet received any positive response to cooperate in this regard.

The government of Pakistan has claimed that the attack on Chinese citizens had been planned in Afghanistan, and the perpetrator was an Afghan.

However, the Islamic Emirate has denied this claim.

The meeting of the regional contact group for Afghanistan with the participation of representatives of Russia, China, Pakistan and Iran is held today (Saturday) in Tehran.

He said that the Afghan government expects that meetings on Afghanistan should be held through the existing mechanisms, not new ones.

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Breaking news, attacks on businesses linked to us brands rattle baghdad as anger over the war in gaza surges.

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A dozen masked men jump out of two SUVs and a white pickup and storm a KFC in Baghdad, smashing everything in sight before fleeing the scene.

A few days earlier, similar violence played out at Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken and Chili House — all American brands popular in the Iraqi capital.

Though no one was seriously hurt, the recent attacks — apparently orchestrated by supporters of Iran-backed, anti-American militias in Iraq — reflect surging anger against the United States, Israel’s top ally, over the war in Gaza.

Iraqi governments have for years walked a delicate line between Washington and Tehran, but the eight-month war in Gaza has critically upped the stakes.

The conflict erupted after the Hamas terror group stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 people — mostly civilians — and taking 250 hostage.

Israel’s subsequent offensives in Gaza have killed more than 36,000 Palestinians in the territory, according to the Health Ministry there.

Days after the war broke out, a coalition of Iran-backed militias dubbed the Islamic Resistance in Iraq launched dozens of attacks on bases housing US troops in Iraq and eastern Syria.

Those attacks stopped in February — but only after a series of retaliatory US strikes following a drone hit on a base in Jordan that killed three American soldiers.

The attacks on US-linked businesses and brands in Iraq in late May and earlier this week represent a change in tactics intended to maximize anti-US sentiment over Washington’s support for Israel.

The KFC attack unfolded like a robbery — except the attackers weren’t after the money.

Security camera footage shows the masked men bursting into the fast food restaurant as horrified workers and customers escape through a back exit.

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The men then proceed to smash windows and LED screens, break chairs, tables, kitchen appliances — and whatever else they could find.

Minutes later, security forces arrive at the scene and fire warning shots as perpetrators run back into their cars and speed away.

In other incidents, a sound bomb was hurled outside the Caterpillar company store, rattling the neighborhood and leaving a small pothole in the street.

Some of the displays of anti-US sentiment have been less volatile.

Protesters carrying Palestinian and Iraqi flags last week marched up to the PepsiCo offices in Baghdad, chanting “No to agents” and “No to Israel.”

Another protest took place outside the offices of Procter & Gamble.

Iraqi forces armed with assault rifles and backed by armored vehicles with mounted machine guns now guard the targeted premises and franchises.

Two officials from Iran-backed militias in Iraq confirmed to The Associated Press that the attackers were their supporters, and that their goal is to promote a boycott of American brands and deter their presence in the country.

It’s also an attempt to bolster the militias’ image, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with their groups’ regulations.

Abu Ali al-Askari, spokesperson for the powerful Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah paramilitary group, on Monday urged supporters to get rid of Israel’s “espionage affiliates covered in civilian garb” — a reference to businesses and organizations perceived as linked to the US and Israel.

Essa Ahmad, who organized over 30 protests in support of Gaza, said during a recent Baghdad rally that he and other youth activists want Iraqis to boycott products “that support Israel,” though he says they don’t condone violence.

Firebrand Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr — a rival of the Iran-backed factions who, though retired from politics, is still widely popular among many Iraqi Shiites — has called for Iraq to expel the US ambassador.

Political analyst Ihsan al-Shammari sees the targeting of US and Western brands as playing into the decades-old rivalry between Tehran and Washington.

“These attacks have political goals,” he said. They send a message “that any investment or presence of Western companies in Iraq cannot survive.”

Renad Mansour, a senior research fellow at the Chatham House in London, says Iraq has been a “playground” for both Washington and Tehran, leaving Baghdad’s governments with little sovereignty and agency.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who came to power with the backing of a pro-Iran coalition, has tried to appease his anti-US allies without stoking tensions with Washington or jeopardizing foreign investments in Iraq.

Iraq and the US in recent months began formal talks to draw down some 2,000 US troops stationed in Iraq under an agreement with Baghdad, mainly to counter the Islamic State group.

“The prime minister of Iraq … has pushed this idea that Iraq is out of war and is focusing on reinitiating the relationship with the US and looking at the relationship with Iran and pushing for Iraq’s sovereignty,” Mansour told the AP. “Of course, the war on Gaza has impacted this.”

The Interior Ministry said it arrested some suspects in the rioting and was searching for others.

But the two militia figures claimed the government doesn’t dare go after the rioters despite being aware of who they are, fearing an escalation.

They warned of more attacks on US interests, should the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq stall further.

US Ambassador to Iraq Alina Romanowski condemned the targeting of American and international franchises in a post on the social media platform X, saying they could impact foreign investment in Iraq’s economy.

US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the attacks on “what are essentially franchises of US companies harm Iraqi workers, Iraqi patrons, sometimes Iraqi capital that is being employed there.”

“So they are attacks eventually against the Iraqi people,” Miller said. “We think the Iraqi government ought to take appropriate measures to respond to those attacks and hold people accountable.”

Iraq’s security spokesperson Maj. Gen. Tahseen al-Khafaji told the AP that the rioters will be pursued — as will anyone who threatens the country’s security and economic well-being.

“We are making significant efforts to safeguard investments and the progress achieved by the current government,” al-Khafaji said. “It is essential to protect these accomplishments and create a safe environment for investors.”

Still, al-Askari warned security officials not to stand in the way of efforts to “take out” American interests in Iraq.

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Iran helicopter crash shows tehran's reliance on an aging fleet as well as its challenges at home.

Jon Gambrell

Associated Press

FILE - The helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi takes off at the Iranian border with Azerbaijan after President Raisi and his Azeri counterpart Ilham Aliyev inaugurated dam of Qiz Qalasi, or Castel of Girl in Azeri, Iran, on May 19, 2024. While the cause of the May 19 crash remains unknown, the sudden death of the hard-line protg of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei exposed the contradictions and challenges facing the country's Shiite theocracy. (Ali Hamed Haghdoust, IRNA via AP, File)

DUBAI – By the time Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi boarded his window seat on a helicopter ferrying him, the foreign minister and six others, thick clouds already had begun forming around the mountaintops along the Azerbaijan-Iran border. Despite the worsening weather, the helicopter lifted off for a trip about 145 kilometers (90 miles) southwest to a new oil pipeline near Tabriz.

Within an hour, the Bell 212 helicopter had crashed into a cloud-covered mountainside.

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While the cause of the May 19 crash remains unknown, the sudden death of the hard-line protégé of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei exposed the contradictions and challenges facing the country's Shiite theocracy.

The Iranian military investigators probing the crash have previously faced international criticism over their report on troops shooting down a Ukrainian airliner in 2020. The hourslong desperate rescue attempt after the helicopter crash saw Tehran even reach out to the United States for help, just weeks after launching an unprecedented attack on Israel and as it enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels. Even the type of helicopter that crashed links back to Iranian history, both before and after the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution.

“Iran is a culture of dualities,” said Farzin Nadimi, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near-East Policy who studies Iran's military. “Some aspects, they seem so good and well-managed, well-oiled and very capable. ... In many levels, it's quite lacking.”

Iranian military investigators have released two statements on the crash, largely ruling out possibilities rather than offering a suspected cause. They've rejected the possibility of an onboard “explosion caused by sabotage" or a “cyberattack” targeting the Bell 212, a two-blade, twin-engine helicopter more widely known as the Huey for its use by the U.S. military in the Vietnam War.

“The recorded conversations between the flight crew show that the last contact with the pilots up to the time of the incident and when they stopped responding lasted 69 seconds,” the investigators said, according to the state-run IRNA news agency. “No emergency declaration was recorded during that time.”

In conspiracy-minded Iran , some officials still insist foul play could have caused the crash. However, some other officials have begun to ask why the helicopter took off from the site of the new Giz Galasi Dam when the weather had started to turn.

Mostafa Mirsalim, a member of the country's Expediency Council, wrote on the social platform X that he had asked prosecutors to “address the mistakes that led to the loss of the president and his delegation,” without elaborating.

Abbas Abdi, a prominent journalist, also wrote on X that the flight path taken by Raisi's helicopter suggested the pilot didn't follow a standard Iranian practice of shadowing main roads in rural areas. That can both help navigation and provide a safe landing area in an emergency. Former Iranian Presidents Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Abolhassan Banisadr both survived helicopter crashes while in office.

The helicopter involved in the crash, nearly 30 years old, came directly from a Bell manufacturing plant in Montreal, Canada, to the Iranian air force, according to data from the firm Cirium. It counts 12 Bell 212 aircraft registered in Iran that are still in service.

Bell Textron Inc., based in Fort Worth, Texas, said it "does not conduct any business in Iran or support their helicopter fleet, and we do not have knowledge about the active state of the helicopter involved in this accident.”

But despite being decades old, the Bell 212 and its military counterpart the Huey still are flown around the world. In the United States, Hueys still fly as part of America's nuclear forces to support its silos and for some VIP missions, said Roger D. Connor, an aeronautics curator at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington. Over 440 still fly worldwide, according to Cirium.

“It’s a simple aircraft to fly by medium helicopter standards. It doesn’t typically have much automation which can have both positive and negative implications for operators,” Connor said. “More automation means more opportunities for pilot confusion in certain circumstances, but also better capabilities in low-visibility conditions.”

Iran's use of the Bell 212 remains pervasive, in part due to the late Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who struck deals to purchase hundreds of the helicopters and had plans to build a local variant, Nadimi said. Those already in the country at the time of the Islamic Revolution ended up being a key component of Iran's bloody war against Iraq in the 1980s.

But as Western sanctions dried up the supply of parts, fewer of the aircraft were airworthy, despite efforts to locally overhaul them. That saw Iran engage in covert means to secure parts, sparking several U.S. criminal cases for those involved, who sought everything from safety equipment to full engines and night-vision goggles for the aircraft.

Former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif sought to blame sanctions for the crash. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller responded by saying America was “not going to apologize for our sanctions regime at all” as Iran has used aircraft to “transport equipment to support terrorism.”

“Ultimately, it’s the Iranian government that is responsible for the decision to fly a ... helicopter in what was described as poor weather conditions, not any other actor,” Miller said.

Meanwhile, questions remain over why Iran couldn't find the helicopter for hours, even though one of the victims reportedly talked by cellphone with officials. Such calls, in theory, can be triangulated by security services. Also, it remains unclear if the helicopter had any emergency tracker, which are common on aircraft.

While the investigation continues, Nadimi said he believed that the Bell 212 that flew Raisi did not have advanced avionics that could have been useful for low-visibility flight. However, he stressed that the major issue in the crash likely involves who allowed the flight to take off as the weather turned poor and whether the pilot faced pressure from his VIP passengers to make the journey no matter what.

“Pilot error, human error might be to blame, but there was a chain of events that caused this crash, not just pilot error," Nadimi said. “That helicopter should have been able to clear that terrain and fly safely to its destination. They should not have been dispatched for flying.”

Associated Press writer Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report.

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Gaza hostage rescue latest: 210 killed in IDF operation, Hamas says - as it claims some hostages were also killed

Israel announces it has rescued four hostages on Saturday in an operation that took place in Gaza. The Hamas-run health ministry says 210 people have been killed by Israeli operations in the area of the rescue.

Saturday 8 June 2024 22:14, UK

• Israel-Hamas war

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• Four hostages rescued by Israeli forces - what you need to know
• Number of Palestinians killed during operation rises to 210
• Some hostages during rescue mission - Hamas
• Israel confirms soldier died during rescue
• Hamas suggests it could take more prisoners
• Who are the rescued hostages?
• Analysis:  Hostages rescue will be cathartic for Israelis - but Netanyahu is under pressure and infuriating the US
• Live reporting by Jess Sharp  and (earlier)  Josephine Franks  

Al Aqsa hospital is dealing with "back-to-back mass casualties", Doctors Without Borders has said. 

The international organisation, which is also known as MSF, has been helping medical staff in Gaza throughout the conflict with Israel. 

In a series of posts on X, it said there had been "intense bombings by Israeli forces" this morning, leaving the hospital in central Gaza treating an "overwhelming number of severely injured patients".

"It's a nightmare at al Aqsa. There have been back-to-back mass casualties as densely populated areas are bombed," said Samuel Johann, the organisation's coordinator in Gaza.

"It's way beyond what anyone could deal with in a functional hospital, let alone with the scarce resources we have here."

Another member of staff, Chris Hook, said doctors were dealing with patients suffering from multiple major open fractures and several unconscious children. 

As news broke that four Israeli hostages had been rescued from Hamas captivity, an Israel Defence Forces spokesman released a video statement, detailing how they were retrieved. 

Noa Argamani, 25, Almog Meir Jan, 21, Andrey Kozlov, 27, and Shlomi Ziv, 40, spent a total of 246 days trapped in Gaza. 

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said they were found alive and well as a result of a "his risk, complex mission". 

"This is what we do in Israel - we risk our lives to save the lives of our hostages," he added. 

You can watch his address below... 

At al Aqsa Martyrs hospital in central Gaza has been dealing with waves of injured Palestinians. 

Many have filtered in following strikes carried out by Israel earlier today. 

The Hamas-led government has said at least 210 people were killed during Israel's rescue operation, which saved four hostages from captivity. 

This figure was later confirmed by Dr Khalil Al-Dakran, the spokesman for al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.

An Israeli minister has hit back at European Union official Josep Borrell for condemning Israel's rescue operation as a "massacre of civilians". 

Eli Cohen told the EU's high representative for foreign policy that he should be condemning Hamas. 

"Shame on you," he said.

Mr Borrell had earlier posted on X saying: "Reports from Gaza of another massacre of civilians are appalling.

"We condemn this in the strongest terms. The bloodbath must end immediately." 

He also suggested the path to peace was in a three stage plan put forward by US President Joe Biden. 

Under the idea, the first phase would consist of a six-week ceasefire, a withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza and the release of a number of hostage in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

The second phase would see the release of all remaining living hostages and a withdrawal from Gaza by Israeli forces. 

The third phase calls for the start of a major reconstruction of the devastated enclave. 

This is the moment two of the four freed hostages arrived back in Israel. 

Almog Meir Jan can be briefly seen on the right and Andrey Kozlov is on the left. 

The pair touched down in a helicopter after being rescued from Hamas captivity in Nuseirat earlier today. 

Iran appears to have blamed the 200 reported deaths of Palestinians after an Israeli operation to free four hostages on "inaction" by world governments and the United Nations.

According to Reuters, it was not immediately clear whether the hostage rescues and an Israeli air assault were part of the same operation.

Both took place in central Gaza's al-Nuseirat, a densely built-up area.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said: "These horrific and shocking crimes are the result of the inaction of governments and responsible international bodies, including the United Nations Security Council, in the face of eight months of war crimes and violations by the Zionist regime (Israel)."

The number of Palestinians killed was 210, according to Dr Khalil Al-Dakran, spokesman for Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir Al-Balah.

A further 400 people have been wounded, the doctor added.

The foreign secretary has echoed the prime minister (see previous post) in saying that the rescue of Israeli hostages will be a "huge relief to their families".

In a statement on X, Lord Cameron has called for a ceasefire agreement to "secure the release of all hostages and end the fighting".

He added: "My thoughts [are] also with [the] families of those still captive, and all the innocent lives affected by the conflict." 

Rishi Sunak has said it is a "huge relief" that four Israeli hostages have been freed.

The prime minister said they had been through an "unimaginable ordeal" and it was "heart-warming to see the pictures of them reunited with their families".

He added on X: "We will continue to strive towards an end to the fighting as well as safety and security for all."

The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah says it has fired Falaq 2 rockets at a military command centre in northern Israel.

A security source said it was the first time the group had used that type of rocket after firing the Falaq 1 on dozens of previous occasions, Reuters reported.

Hezbollah said it was acting in retaliation.

Lebanon's state news agency, NNA, said two people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the outskirts of the southern Lebanese town of Aitaroun. 

The Israeli military said its soldiers identified a Hezbollah militant in the Aitaroun area.

An Israeli aircraft conducted an airstrike that hit the individual, it added.

Thousands of people have gathered in London for a pro-Palestinian protest today. 

Those who marched from Russell Square to Parliament included children, parents, elderly and the disabled.

One speaker on stage estimated at least 150,000 people were there.

Marching outside Downing Street, protesters waved flags and placards and chanted slogans including "free, free Palestine" and "in our thousands, in our millions, we are all Palestinians".

Various speakers, including the Palestinian ambassador to the UK, Husam Zomlot, gave speeches from a stage outside parliament.

"I am running out of words not only to describe the horror we are witnessing every single day, I am running out of words to help me understand how world leaders, how mainstream media cannot see, cannot report, cannot act," he said. 

"I have questions. How do they sleep when they see the pictures of skeletal children shaking with fear?"

Protesters could be heard chanting and clapping in agreement.

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