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15 Best Places to Visit in Iran

Iran might not seem like your usual tourist destination, and it’s certainly true that theocratic juntas, a fervor for all things nuclear, and tales of autocratic shahs from decades gone by don’t make for the most enticing of travel cocktails. But Iran isn’t like most Middle Eastern countries.

Millennia of rising and falling civilizations – the Persians, the Parthians, the Safavids – have all gone before the modern nation, and their glory and richness have done something to instill today’s country with a pride and stability that’s the envy of many neighbors (even if they won’t admit it). Today, that means Iran is hurtling headlong into the future whilst still clinging steadfastly to its dazzling past – it’s a curious dichotomy that really informs the whole place.

You can flit between boho coffee shops and avant-garde art galleries in Tehran, or seek out majestic madrassahs in cities like Esfahan and Yazd. You can carve the pistes at Dizin or trace the footsteps of Xerxes and Darius at Persepolis.

Lets explore the best places to visit in Iran :

Gilded with the riches of more kings and sultans and Muslim caliphs than you can shake a cobalt-blue ceramic pot from a Zagros Mountain village at, the glorious city of Esfahan is unquestionably one of the most beautiful in all of Iran.

Its heart is dominated by the colossal Naqsh-e Jahan Square; a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s ringed by ceramic-fronted mosques and gorgeous Safavid palaces.

Elsewhere and babbling fountains give way to tree-dotted avenues, legendary madrassahs pop up on the streets, and arabesque souks burst with multi-coloured stacks of spices and tassel-fringed carpets from the east.

In short: Esfahan is the Iran you really have to see.

Eulogized and eulogized over and over again by romantic poets and travelers, and revered as the birthplace of the great Persian wordsmiths Hafez and Sa’di, Shiraz is a city steeped in heritage and culture.

Visitors will be able to spot the great tombs of those writers nestled between the palm-dotted, flower-sprouting gardens of Afif abad and Eram, along with the intricate arabesque interiors of the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque and the 1,000-year-old Qor’an Gate.

Rather surprisingly, the town also lends its name to a popular strain of wine, and, despite the cascading vineyards of the Fars Province long since having dried up, it’s thought that some of the world’s earliest white tipples were produced here nearly seven millennia ago!

One’s thing’s for sure: Tehran certainly isn’t a looker like Shiraz or Esfahan.

Apart from the rugged wall of snow-tipped Alborz Mountains that rise like a phalanx on the northern edge of town, the place is largely dominated by concrete and packed with smog-creating traffic jams aplenty.

However, like it or loathe it, this sprawling metropolis is the epicentre of the country’s politics and economy, and that surely counts for something, right? Well, a lot actually.

Great monuments like the Azadi Tower have been raised here, while the glimmering wonders of the Treasury of the National Jewels and the mummified princes of the National Museum of Iran are just some of the awesome relics to see.

Add to that a clutch of stylish teahouses and coffee shops, frantic bazaars and youthful student energy, and Tehran really isn’t all that bad!

Perched nearly 3,000 meters up in the snowy heights of the Alborz Mountains, where the European Caucuses crash into the Asian ranges, the small hill station of Dizin has firmly established itself as one of Iran’s top winter sports destinations.

With a clutch of good groomed pistes ranging from moderate difficulty to challenging runs, and a selection of cableways and chairlifts that were first installed in the 1960s, the soaring resort is one of the top places to don the skis and salopettes here.

There are also some alpine-style hotels, and awesome views of the cone of massive Mount Damavand in the distance.

The adobe warren of the Yazd old town is like something out of Arabian Nights.

Here and there, turrets gilded in intricate geometric designs loft above the mosque domes; the scents of incense and mint tea twist and turn from the cafes.

Meanwhile, the middle of the city is dominated by mysterious Zoroastrian fire temples and the spiked minarets of the Shia hussainia that is the Amir Chakhmakh complex.

And then there are the souks, where dust devils twirl between the cotton and silk emporiums, and shisha pipes puff in the background.

Yep, it’s precisely the sort of place you’d expect to trace the footsteps of one Marco Polo!

6. Persepolis

Great kings by the name of Cyrus, Darius and Xerxes all set foot between the sun-scorched streets of Persepolis once upon a time, for it was here, amidst the arid erstwhile vineyards of Shiraz and the babbling Pulvar River, that the mighty Persian Empire made its home from the 5th century to the 3rd century BC. Today, only traces of this once feared power in the east remain, with a clutch of looming marble columns and a couple of stele all that’s left to mark the great compound out amongst the rising hills of Rahmet Mountain.

Travelers can immerse themselves in the history, and even see the tomb of the revered king Darius I.

With a history of more than 4,500 years, there’s evidence to show that Tabriz is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the entire world.

That deep past now reveals itself in the layers of architectural majesty the place is known for, at spots like the colossal Blue Mosque of 1465, which comes gutted with shimmering ceramics of a deep cobalt blue.

Another real must see is the sprawling Bazaar of Tabriz, which is known as one of the great trading outposts of the old Silk Road.

Today, the vaulted ceilings and alcoves of this ancient merchant centre still burst with shimmering gold jewellery and blood-red carpets, sweet-smelling Turkic pastries and oodles of spice from the east.

Mashhad is hallowed ground for many Iranians. It houses the revered tomb of the eighth Imam of Shia Islam: Ali al-Ridha (or Imam Reza). It’s a seriously holy place, and is appropriately marked by the colossal Imam Reza shrine, which sprawls over nearly 600,000 square meters in the middle of the city; a glimmering mass of gold-clad minarets that go over 30 meters into the ski and great domes inlayed with precious metal (it’s definitely one of the country’s most breath-taking pieces of architecture).

Away from that must-see and Mashhad also has clean streets and curious sculpture art, not to mention some saffron-infused curries that are sure to set the taste buds a-tingling!

For Iranians, Rasht represents the gateway to the Shomal – a region of verdant hills and high rainfall that’s really unlike anywhere else in the country.

The unique climactic conditions of the high ridges that surround the town are made possible by its enviable location on the edge of the Caspian Sea, which also happens to imbue it was an array of other curious attractions.

We’re talking about the USSR-themed relics relating to the Soviet sympathiser Mirza Kouchak, and the leafy European-style facades of the Shahrdari in the center.

However, it’s trips out to see the gorgeous Golestan National Park, where the misty forests house Persian leopards, that usually come up trumps!

Encompassed by the sweeping deserts of the Iranian south, the old trading outpost of Kerman still clings to the bustling mercantile character it has had since the days when major trading routes between Arabia and India passed this way.

Check out the sprawling bazaar in the heart of the city, where five spice mixes with chilli and coriander powder between the vaulted emporiums.

There are also earthy Turkic hamams to bathe in, and a warren of mud-brick streets to wander.

And once the city’s done and dusted, be sure to strap on the boots and go intrepid into the ochre-hued hills of greater Kerman Province.

Kashan sprouts from the deserts of northern Iran midway between Esfahan and the capital at Tehran.

An oasis town, it’s packed with blooming pockets of date palms and green gardens that are fed with babbling irrigation streams.

The buildings are distinctly adobe and brown though, except – of course – for the elegant mansions of the Tabatabaie Residence, the Ameri House and the domes of Aqabozorg.

These are remnants of the Qajari royals, who came here and raised magnificent residential structures in the 18th and 19th centuries.

There’s also a throbbing bazaar and beautiful views of the mountains on the horizon.

Just 19 kilometres south of Iran’s coast, in the sparkling waters of the Persian Gulf, more than one million people discover the island of Kish each year.

They come to wallow in a place that’s quite unlike its mother country in many ways; a place where huge casinos converge on the palm-dotted gardens of opulent resort hotels.

However, there are two other attractions that ensure a steady stream of visitors on Kish: shopping and beaches.

The first of these comes with the duty-free malls that ring the main town, and the latter comes in the form of sparkling white sands, coral reefs, and awesome SCUBA diving to boot.

13. Hamadan

Forged by the Medes and the Assyrians, the Persians and the Parthians, this once great city might not be the legendary metropolis it was in antiquity, but it still comes steeped in all the culture you’d expect of a place with so many thousands of years of history behind it.

It’s perhaps most famed as the home of the Tomb of Avicenna, which chronicles and honors the life of arguably the most totemic scientific thinker in the Islamic world.

And there are other awesome sights to see too, like the Ali Sadr Cave, which is the largest in-cave lake on the planet, and the inscriptions of the Ganjnameh, made by the ancient Persian kings Darius and Xerxes.

Qom is considered one of Iran’s most holy cities.

It’s packed with soaring minaret spires and the turquoise-hued domes of totemic mosques (don’t miss the uber-handsome Ahlulbayt Mosque). One of the country’s cultural and religious centers, it’s also got some acclaimed madrassahs and draws massive crowds of pilgrims throughout the year.

Most come to wonder at the filigrees and pay their respects at the Shrine of Fatima-al-Massumeh, which is the resting place of the sister of the eighth Imam of Shia Islam.

Ramsar sits neatly sandwiched between the rugged rises of the Alborz Mountains and the lapping waters of the Caspian Sea.

It’s a truly enviable location; one that imbues this town of neo-classical hotel fronts and palm-peppered avenues with a wealth of good beaches and some seriously jaw-dropping panoramas of the hills that rise to form the Caucasian chains of Azerbaijan to the north.

The place has long been one of the top seaside retreats for Iranian luminaries, and continues to draw with its bubbling hot springs and fabled healing waters.

15 Best Places to Visit in Iran:

Must-see attractions in Iran

Masjed-e Shah

This elegant mosque, with its iconic blue-tiled mosaics and its perfect proportions, forms a visually stunning monument at the head of Esfahan's main…

Masjed-e Jameh

The Jameh complex is a veritable museum of Islamic architecture while still functioning as a busy place of worship. Showcasing the best that nine…

Naqsh-e Jahan (Imam) Square

Hemmed on four sides by architectural gems and embracing the formal fountains and gardens at its centre, this wondrous space is a spectacle in its own…

Bagh-e Naranjestan

Named after the bitter oranges that line the central courtyard, this is Shiraz’s smallest but most lovely garden. Enclosing the delightful Naranjestan-e…

Apadana Staircase

The stairs, which are guarded by stone soldiers, are decorated by an exceptionally finely crafted frieze in three panels. Each panel is divided into…

Bazar-e Bozorg

One of Iran’s most historic and fascinating bazaars, this sprawling covered market links Naqsh-e Jahan (Imam) Sq with the Masjed-e Jameh. At its busiest…

Masjed-e Nasir Al Molk

One of the most elegant and most photographed pieces of architecture in southern Iran, the Pink Mosque was built at the end of the 19th century and its…

Xerxes’ Gateway

The bronze trumpets that once heralded the arrival of important foreign delegations (a fragment of which is on display in the museum) may now be silent,…

In its heyday Persepolis was one of four key cities at the heart of an empire that spread from the Indus River to Ethiopia. Its original name was Parsa…

Pars Museum

The tiny but beautiful pavilion housing this museum is as much of an attraction as the fine collection showcased therein.

Naranjestan-e Ghavam Pavilion

Set within an exquisite garden, Bagh-e Naranjestan, this pavilion was built for the wealthy and powerful Mohammad Ali Khan Qavam al-Molk between 1879 and…

Bagh-e Nazar

This formal garden encompasses an octagonal pavilion, which is now home to the Pars Museum. Karim Khan once received foreign dignitaries in the pavilion,…

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…

Choqa Zanbil Ziggurat

Choqa Zanbil’s magnificent, Unesco-listed brick ziggurat is the world's best surviving example of Elamite architecture. Even if you’re not a fan of…

Naqsh-e Rostam

The spectacular rock tombs at Naqsh-e Rostam are a must-see. Hewn out of a cliff high above the ground, the four tombs are believed to be those of Darius…

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…

Qareh Kalisa

Sitting photogenically aloof on a barren knoll, 8km off the lonely Shot–Chaldoran road in the middle of nowhere, behind the low-rise village of the same…

Hazrat-e Masumeh

The physical and spiritual centre of Qom, this magnificent shrine is the burial place of Imam Reza’s sister Fatemeh, who died here in the 9th century…

Qal’eh Babak

Straight from Lord of the Rings, the ruined ramparts of the Babak fortress loom above a desperately sheer chasm as you edge through a narrow cleft to the…

Bazar-e Sartasari

Southeastern Iran

Kerman’s magnificent 'Sartasari' ('end-to-end') Bazaar is one of the oldest and most memorable trading centres in Iran. Its main thoroughfare stretches…

Statue of Shapur I

High above the gorge, around 6km from Bishapur, a series of natural caves riddles the upper strata of the surrounding cliffs. In one of these caves lies…

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…

Qal'eh Rudkhan

The incredible Seljuk-era walled fortress of Qal'eh Rudkhan defends a steep, wooded spur of the Alborz mountains some 50km south of Rasht and makes a…

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…

Nazhvan Cultural & Recreational Resort

This huge park on the outskirts of Esfahan encompasses a large complex of attractions that makes a pleasant contrast to Esfahan's intense city experience…

With lush date-palm groves, domed mud-brick houses, carpet-saddled camels and a distant backdrop of arid mountain ridges, it's hard to imagine a more…

Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System

Listed by Unesco as a 'masterpiece of creative genius', the Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System has been diverting water for irrigation from the Karun…

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…

Sheikh Safi-od-Din Mausoleum

Western Iran’s most dazzling Safavid monument, and a World Heritage Site, the Sheikh Safi-od-Din Mausoleum is relatively compact. The patriarch is buried…

Qeshm Island

This fishing village on the northern coast of Qeshm Island is the best place in Iran to encounter the fast-disappearing traditional culture of the Persian…

Arg-e Rayen

One of Iran's most impressive fortress-citadels, the Arg's vast adobe walls top a gentle slope directly south of central Rayen. Inside is a castle within…

Kish Island

This splendid archaeological site comprises the remains of a large house with private qanat (underground water channel), a public hammam and a…

A Unesco site, this troglodyte village is a series of over 400 cave-houses with a total of more than 2500 kiche rooms burrowed into the gently sloping…

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…

Tabiat Bridge

It's easy to see why this multilevel, sculptural pedestrian bridge, designed by Iranian architect Leila Araghian, has won awards and been a huge hit with…

Tomb of Cyrus

Proud and alone on the Morghab Plain, the Tomb of Cyrus is the first of the monuments encountered on entering the site of Pasargadae. The tomb consists of…

Apadana Palace

Constructed on a stone terrace by Xerxes I, the Apadana Palace lies largely in ruins. It's thought that this is where foreign delegations would have been…

Sa'd-al Saltaneh Caravanserai

This huge, beautifully restored Qajar-era caravanserai is now the design centre of Qazvin. The long, vaulted passages house independent artists showcasing…

More destinations you need to see

14 Beautiful and Historic Places to Visit in Iran

Written By: The Planet D

Updated On: January 18, 2021

Iranian travel blogging couple of Travestyle Matin and Parsa share their favorite places to visit in Iran.

There is no dearth of historic places to visit in Iran . Whether you’re traveling along the classic route or going off the beaten track, Iran’s history is bound to make an appearance on your journey.

Table of Contents

Places to Visit in Iran

The history of Iran goes as far as 4000 BC and some of the most famous places in Iran are its historic structures.

Most first-time visitors to Iran, plan their trip to Iran along the central route – covering the cities of Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, Yazd and sometimes Kerman.

Historic places to visit in Iran in 10 days

It’s safe to say that Iran’s top tourist attractions are mostly located along this trail. But if you have some extra time, Khuzestan province in south-west Iran is where you’ll find some of the oldest settlements of Persia.

To guide you through a historic journey along Iran’s most famous cities, we’ve made of a list of must-visit historical attractions you should visit.  

1. Persepolis

Persepolis is easily on top of the list of places to visit in Iran. It’s probably the most famous attraction in Iran that’s known around the world. And it’s also the reason many come to Iran in the first place.

Located around 60km from Shiraz, and dating back to 520 BC, Persepolis was once the glorious ceremonial capital of the Persian empire.

Persepolis was built and ruled by various Achaemenian kings during 150 years. But it’s most thriving period was at the time of Darius the Great. Although sacked and set on fire by Alexandre, you’d be surprised to see how well Persepolis has been preserved.

Today you need a good 2 hours at least to discover the sight. We’d highly suggest getting there early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

2. Naqsh-e Jahan Square

There’s a reason they call this place a pattern of the world. European travelers such as Chardin have praised Esfahan and Naqsh-e Jahan Square in all sorts of ways.

When the Safavid court chose Esfahan as its capital in the 15 th -16 th century, Naqsh-e Jahan was planned to be the centerpiece. Surrounded by two mosques, a palace, and the bazaar, the second largest square in the world is home to the jewels of the Safavid empire.

Go to the square on a summer evening and you’ll witness how it has become a popular picnic spot for local Esfahanis. Grab yourself a saffron ice cream and join the crowds.

3. Yazd old town

The old town of Yazd is surely the most famous place in Iran to go for a stroll. Give yourself a break from guide books and get lost in the finest adobe town of Iran. 

There are mud-brick buildings with stunning courtyards, cozy rooftop cafes, roofed alleyways, and ancient wooden doors to be discovered.

4. Golestan Palace in Tehran

Golestan palace in central Tehran is the best example of Qajar architecture in Iran. When the first Qajar king finally named Tehran as his capital in the 18 th century, the construction of a residential palace took place.

The architecture of Golestan palace was very much inspired by the travels of Qajar kings to Europe, specifically Naser-o-Din Shah. The Shams-Al Emarat palace was considered Iran’s tallest building at the time.

Today the palace is a combination of different monuments and tickets are sold separately for each. The colorful tile work in the garden and the stunning mirror work of the Hall of mirrors are a top highlight.

5. Imam mosque of Esfahan

Shah Abbas I, gathered the finest architects and calligraphers to build this stunning royal mosque during his 25 years of reign. However, he never lived long enough to see it complete.

The Imam Mosque of Esfahan is the finest example of Safavid architecture. The exquisite tile work of its entrance draw visitors inside and then I promise it’s hard to leave.

6. Jameh Mosque of Yazd

Located right in the heart of the oldtown of Yazd, the tall blue and turquoise minarets of the Jameh Mosque are almost visible from every rooftop.

The Jameh Mosque of Yazd is home to the tallest minarets of all of the country and its tile work is one of the most famous in Iran.

7. Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse

Bathhouses in Iran were not only a place for one to clean his/her body but very much a social gathering. Men and women would spend hours in separate bathhouses interacting with one another.

Today many of these old bathhouses in Iran have been turned into museums or restaurants.

While the Ganj Ali Khan bathhouse of Kerman is the most complete form of an Iranian bathhouse, we find the Sultan Amir Ahmaad bathhouse in Kashan to be the most beautiful. Make sure you head up to the roof for a great view of Kashan after your visit.

8. Necropolis or Naqsh-e Rostam, Shiraz

On your way to Persepolis, it’s a must to make a stop at Naqsh-e Rostam to see the Sassanid relief cuts and the huge tombs of 4 Achaemenian kings.

Carved into the rock are 4 chambers that are believed to be the tombs of Darius I, Darius II, Xerxes I and Artaxerxes I.

9. Sheikh Lotfollah mosque, Esfahan

Located in Naqsh-e Jahan square and in front of Ali Qapoo palace is Sheikh Lotfollah mosque. This mosque was designed for the women of Shah Abbas’s Harem and was not accessible to the public.

Today the interior of its double-shelled golden dome is one of the most photographed attractions of Iran. Interestingly, the mosque does not come with any minarets.

10. Nasir-ol Molk Mosque (Pink Mosque), Shiraz

This is the most intagrammable place in Iran without a doubt. Head over to the mosque early in the morning and you’ll witness the colorful morning light dancing on the Persian carpets.

The mosque is well known for its striking pink dominant tile work, hence why it’s also called the Pink Mosque. Make sure you check out the fine example of Muqqarnas in the outer portal.

11. Tower of Silence, Yazd

Yazd is home to the biggest population of Zoroastrians in Iran and you’re ought to add at least one Zoroastrian attraction to your list of places to visit in Iran.

Soil is considered sacred according to Zoroastrian beliefs. So it was not to be contaminated with dead bodies. Ancient Zoroastrians took dead bodies to mountain tops where they would be exposed to the sun and scavenging birds.

Today the practice is forgotten but you can witness its location on the Tower of Silence in Yazd. The tower also gives a great view of the city.

12. Shazdeh Garden of Kerman

The true meaning of an oasis resembles in the Shazdeh garden of Kerman. Located right in the middle of a barren desert is this beautiful garden with fountains and flowing qanat water.

Many locals come here for a picnic but the garden and its small Qajar palace are well worth a visit.

13. Khajoo Bridge, Esfahan

Among Esfahan’s top attractions are a few bridges. The Khajoo bridge built in about 1650 is the finest of them all.

Apart from the gorgeous architecture, the bridge is a gathering point for many of the locals. It’s common to find old men singing underneath the bridge around sunset.

Unfortunately, it’s been years since water has been flowing under the bridge all throughout the year. Due to the drought, a dam was built and the water of the river is collected for drinking. If you get lucky, you might see it flowing around springtime.

14. Tabatabai House, Kashan

Built around 1860, the historic house of Tabatabai is one of the most beautiful mansions in Kashan.

This 5,000 square meters house well known for its stone reliefs, stucco designs, and stained window glasses.

Author Bio:

Matin and Parsa, are an Iranian travel blogging couple behind Travestyle . They provide photo-heavy destination guides with a special focus on Iran.

They live in Tehran and offer travel consulting and guiding services for those interested in visiting Iran. You can follow their blog on Facebook , Pinterest , Youtube , and Twitter .

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6 thoughts on “14 Beautiful and Historic Places to Visit in Iran”

Hi, I’m going to travel to Iran in April, How can I book my hotels and get my Iran visa? what do you recommend?

Fantastic post, thanks for sharing. Iran looks incredible – it’s been on my bucket list a long time and I’m glad I found this article with lots of new places I can add to my Iran itinerary.

Best Wishes,

Iran is a beautiful place to visit with lots of historical attractions. Nice article. Thank you for sharing.

What great info! We plan to visit Iran next time. Loved your blog.

I love your style!!!! So fashinable!!!

Superb reading and all these tips are great,! I did not visit Iran but looks like a great place to visit soon. There are lots of old building and places. Not a bad place to making memories.

Places to Visit in Iran, Top 20: Unforgettable Journey through Persia

Table of Contents

Iran is a country waiting to be explored, far different from what you might have heard. It’s a place where history, friendly people, and stunning buildings come together to create something truly special. This guide will show you the places to visit in Iran – a land of breathtaking scenery, intricate architecture, welcoming locals, and timeless traditions.

Iran is a mix of history and hospitality. Its ancient mosques and palaces tell stories, while its people greet you with open arms. As you journey through Iran, you’ll discover not just beautiful buildings, but also the kindness of its people. It’s a unique experience that goes beyond what you’ve seen in the news. Let’s have a review of the top 20 places to visit in Iran:

1. Golestan Palace, Tehran

One of the great royal palaces of Tehran is Golestan Palace which is massive, and it’s easy to feel a bit overwhelmed when you arrive. Here are some must-see spots to start with: The Karim Khani Nook, once the home of the Zand dynasty’s founder from 1751 to 1779, and the stunning Mirror Hall, where royal weddings and coronations took place.

Don’t forget to check out the Edifice of the Sun, which used to give Shahs a panoramic view of the city, and the Brilliant Hall, famous for its incredible mirror work by Iranian artists. It’ll take about 2 to 3 hours to explore the whole palace. After all that walking, take a break by the peaceful pond in the main garden. Right next door, you’ll find the other bustling places to visit in Iran like Tehran Grand Bazaar, a great spot to see how locals live their lives.

2. Azadi Tower, Tehran

When you’re in the Metropolitan of Tehran , don’t miss the Azadi Tower (meaning Liberty Tower) – it’s one of the most famous places to visit in Iran. Built in 1971 to celebrate 2,500 years of the Persian Empire, this tower is pretty unique.

Azadi Tower blends old Persian style with a modern touch. Look at its big arch covered in 8,000 pieces of white marble – that’s something special. The tower sits in Azadi Square, which has seen its share of history. People protested there during the 1979 Islamic Revolution, and they still gather there for demonstrations today.

Milad Tower | A Beacon of Modernity in Tehran

You can get a great view of the city from the top of Azadi Tower, whether you take the elevator or climb the stairs. And if you want a break and experience other places to visit in Iran, there are galleries and a café at the base of the tower to check out. It’s not just a landmark; it’s a cool place to explore.

3. Imamzadeh Saleh, Tehran

If you find yourself with extra time in Tehran, consider a visit to the beautiful Imamzadeh Saleh, also known as the Tajrish Mosque. It is one of the top religious destinations in Iran where Saleh, the son of Musa al-Kadhim (the seventh Shia Imam), is laid to rest.

Once you step inside, you can’t miss the stunning tile decorations on the mosque’s tall structures and dome. Inside, the walls dazzle with intricate mirror designs, a common sight in Iranian shrines. While you’re in the area, take a walk to Tajrish Bazaar , one of the top traditional Iran bazaars . You’ll find unique souvenirs and get a taste of local life bustling with activity.

4. Shah Cheragh Shrine, Shiraz

Not far from Nasir Ol Molk Mosque, you’ll come across one of the special places to visit in Iran, Shiraz – the revered Shah Cheragh Shrine , which translates to “King of the Light.”

Here’s an intriguing story: around 900 AD, a traveler noticed a mysterious light in the distance. Following it, he stumbled upon a grave that emitted a remarkable glow. Inside, they found the remains of an important Muslim figure, and as a tribute, they built a tomb.

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Over time, this site grew and became one of the significant places to visit in Iran for Shia Muslims. Today, after several renovations, the Shah Cheragh Shrine stands as a wonder that draws tourists from around the world. The inside is even more impressive than the outside. When you step in, you’ll be amazed by the intricate mirror art that covers the walls and ceilings, shining and sparkling like priceless jewels. It’s truly a sight to behold.

5. Eram Garden, Shiraz

Shiraz has more than just beautiful mosques and shrines. It’s also home to one of Iran’s most wonderful gardens, Eram Garden , a UNESCO World Heritage Site . In the Quran, ‘Eram’ means a heavenly place, and as you walk through this garden, you’ll feel like you’re in paradise.

Eram Garden is filled with over 45 types of plants, 200 kinds of roses, and lots of fruit trees, including a famous 3,000-year-old cypress tree. With birds singing and the scent of flowers all around, it’s a peaceful and enchanting place.

Nobody knows exactly when Eram Garden was built, but they think it started in the 13th century during the Seljuk dynasty. It changed hands and got fixed up many times over the years before the University of Shiraz took over. The big palace by the pool even has poems by the famous Persian poet Hafez written on its tiles, making it one of the more special places to visit in Iran.

6. Vakil Mosque, Shiraz

Right by the western entrance of the historic Vakil Bazaar , where you’ll find charming courtyards, old shops, and traditional bathhouses, lies one of the most remarkable places to visit in Iran, the Vakil Mosque.

This mosque, considered one of Iran’s seven wonders, was built back in the 18th century by the Zand dynasty and later fixed up by the Qajar dynasty in the 19th century. What makes it special? Well, take a look at its 48 pillars; they’re carved in spirals and adorned with these fancy acanthus leaves. It’s these unique details that make Vakil Mosque one of the true architectural places to visit in Iran.

7. Tomb of Hafez, Shiraz

Found within the peaceful Musalla Gardens in northern Shiraz, you’ll discover the serene Tomb of Hafez, one of the best places to visit in Iran, cherished by the locals and brimming with poetic inspiration.

Born in Shiraz in 1315 and passing away in 1390, Hafez is adored as one of Iran’s greatest and most beloved poets. He’s like Iran’s version of Shakespeare—a national hero and a guiding light for Iranians. His verses, collected in the famous Dīvān, resonate widely among people of all ages in Iran, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a home without a copy of his book.

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Today, Hafez’s Tomb lies beneath an open pavilion adorned with a beautiful dome adorned in intricate mosaic tiles. The garden surrounding it creates the perfect ambiance to reflect on the significance of this place, and if you’re in the mood, to enjoy some of Hafez’s heartfelt poems. You’ll also see locals gathering around the tomb to pay their respects to this literary giant, especially on October 12th, celebrated as the National Day of Hafez. Keep in mind Tomb of Hafez is definitely one of the best places to visit in Iran.

8. Persepolis, Shiraz

Situated approximately 60 kilometers (37 miles) northeast of Shiraz lies one of the most significant historical places to visit in Iran: Persepolis , a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the magnificent ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire (550 – 330 BC), a source of immense pride for the people of Iran.

Venturing on a day trip to explore the ancient remnants of this city is one of the foremost experiences in Iran. As you stroll amidst the pillars, archways, and vestiges of what were once majestic palaces, you’re bound to feel a profound sense of awe and humility in the face of ancient Persia’s vast history.

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Persepolis is believed to have been commissioned by Darius I around 518 BC, with construction spanning approximately 120 years. Darius I was an unusual king of his time, renowned for his kindness towards the workers; he regularly paid and treated them well. Yet, the primary purpose of Persepolis remains shrouded in mystery, though it’s conjectured to have functioned as a grand ceremonial complex, likely occupied only seasonally.

Tragically, in 330 BC, Alexander the Great invaded Achaemenid Persia and, in a fit of drunken revenge, laid waste to Persepolis. The city was set ablaze, and he carried away an astonishing trove of gold and silver using thousands of camels and mules. It wasn’t until the 1930s that a French archaeologist, in a quest to unveil its secrets, embarked on the excavation of Persepolis.

9. Naqsh-e Rostam, Shiraz

A mere 10-minute drive from Persepolis lies Naqsh-e Rostam, the regal necropolis of the Achaemenid Empire. Given its proximity to Persepolis, your taxi driver or tour guide often includes this site in your day trip itinerary, and it’s unquestionably worth a visit to marvel at the four magnificent rock-cut tombs of ancient Persian kings.

Historians still debate the identities of the kings interred within these tombs. They are certain about one, the builder of Persepolis, Darius I, but the other three are believed to be Darius II, Artaxerxes I, and Xerxes I. Carved into the cliff faces above each tomb are depictions of the kings as god-like figures.

Among these carvings, you’ll also find representations of victorious battles of the Achaemenid Empire. But perhaps the most intriguing of them all is an exceptionally ancient carving that hints at this site’s use even before the emergence of Achaemenid Persia. All in all, don’t miss Naqsh-e Rostam; it is one of the unforgettable places to visit in Iran.

10. Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Isfahan

Naqsh-e Jahan Square , one of the distinguished places to visit in Iran, unfolds as a captivating and immense gathering place nestled in the heart of Isfahan. It easily claims its spot among the most stunning destinations in Iran.

This square is not just any ordinary space; it houses the enchanting Grand Bazaar, a colossal labyrinth that has stood since the 11th century. Inside, you’ll get lost in a world of vibrant handicrafts, intricate carpets, rich textiles, fragrant spices, and so much more.

Furthermore, within this mesmerizing square, you’ll encounter other fabulous places to visit in Iran, Isfahan including the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, the Ali Qapu Palace, the Shah Mosque, and the Qeysarie Gate. The Qeysarie Gate, in particular, stands as the primary gateway to Isfahan’s bustling bazaar. As you wander through this treasure trove of Persian culture and history, take your time to soak in the sheer beauty that surrounds you.

11. Ali Qapu Palace, Isfahan

The Ali Qapu Palace , found in Isfahan, is one of the significant places to visit in Iran, built during the time of the Safavid Dynasty.

This beautiful palace is proudly listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Back in the day, it served as the home of Safavid kings and the place where they held important royal meetings.

One of the most amazing parts of this palace is the terrace on the fourth floor, which gives you an incredible view of Naqsh-e Jahan Square and two of Iran’s most stunning mosques: the Sheikh Lotofollah and the Shah Mosque.

What really caught my eye was that each floor had its own special decorations. From the colorful tilework on the stairs to the detailed floral patterns and delicate stucco designs, each level had its unique and beautiful decorations to admire.

12. Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Isfahan

The Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque , found in the famous Naqsh-e Jahan Square, is one of the architectural places to visit in Iran from the 17th century, built during the Safavid dynasty. It’s considered the most beautiful and stunning building in Isfahan.

Originally, this mosque was made for Shah Abbas as his private royal place of worship. Because it was only meant for the king and the ladies in his inner circle, it’s smaller than other mosques and lacks a minaret. However, what truly stands out is the incredibly detailed tilework, which is even more impressive than that of the other mosques in Naqsh-e Jahan Square.

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To maintain privacy, Shah Abbas constructed a secret tunnel connecting the Ali Qapu Palace to his private mosque. This allowed him and the ladies in his court to move between the two places without being seen by the public. Don’t miss Jame Mosque of Isfahan as well; it is one of the best places in Iran.

13. Khaju Bridge, Isfahan

Khaju Bridge, gracing the Zayenderud River in Isfahan, is one of the stunning historical places to visit in Iran. This bridge spans one of Iran’s largest rivers, even though in dry seasons, the river may run nearly dry, with only a trickle of water. It’s during a brief period in the winter that the river comes to life.

This architectural gem, with its unique design, was constructed in the late 17th century during the Safavid era under the reign of Shah Abbas II. Adorned with delightful tilework and paintings, the bridge itself is a work of art. Its centerpiece is a magnificent octagonal pavilion, showcasing some of the bridge’s most exquisite tile designs.

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The real magic happens at night when Khaju Bridge is bathed in light, casting a captivating glow in the darkness. During this time, you’ll encounter scores of young people and families gathered around, socializing by the bridge.

In the summertime, locals often gather beneath the bridge to sing traditional songs and dance, creating a vibrant atmosphere. It’s a surefire way to make new friends and create lasting memories during your visit to Iran.

14. Chehel Sotoun, Isfahan

Chehel Sotoun Palace is not just any old building; it’s one of the special places to visit in Iran recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, and it’s a part of Iran’s historical legacy. This fancy Persian palace was built in a lovely park, right at the end of a long pool, back in the 17th century by a king named Shah Abbas II during the Safavid dynasty. He used it for all sorts of things like parties, ceremonies, and welcoming important visitors from other countries.

Now, what makes this palace so interesting? Well, both the outside and the inside are pretty amazing. People like to call it the “Palace of Forty Columns” because of the cool trick it plays. The front porch has 20 wooden columns, and when you look at them in the reflection of the pool in front, it seems like there are actually 40 columns holding up the palace.

But the real magic happens inside. The walls are covered in beautiful paintings that show important moments from the history of the Safavid Empire, with brave warriors and all. Plus, the ceilings and the spaces between the paintings have intricate designs of flowers and animals, making the inside of the palace a true work of art. Do not miss Chehel Sotun, one of the unforgettable places to visit in Iran!

15. Vank Cathedral, Isfahan

In Isfahan’s Armenian neighborhood known as New Julfa, you’ll discover the Vank Church, also called The Holy Savior Cathedral, a remarkable Armenian church that ranks among Iran’s seven wonders.

This church was built in the early 17th century during the Safavid era, alongside 12 other churches, as part of a unique history. Armenian immigrants, who were forced to relocate to Isfahan by Shah Abbas I during the Ottoman War of 1603-1618, were the builders.

What makes the Vank Cathedral special is its blend of Armenian and Persian architectural styles. Step inside, and you’ll be captivated by colorful frescoes depicting stories from the Bible, ornate gilded carvings, and rich Persian-style tilework.

This place isn’t just a beautiful church; it also houses a museum and library with biblical manuscripts and historical documents. These documents mainly tell the story of the Armenian community in Isfahan and the tragic Armenian Genocide, a dark period when the Ottoman Empire systematically persecuted nearly one million Armenians. As a result, the Vank Cathedral is globally recognized as a significant Armenian center.

16. Abyaneh Village, Isfahan

Abyaneh , one of Iran’s most ancient places to visit in Iran, has a history dating back a staggering 2,500 years. It’s famously known as the ‘Red Village’ due to its charming collection of red clay buildings.

This village is a UNESCO treasure, celebrated for its remarkably preserved local culture, language, architecture, and traditional attire, which have endured through centuries and dynasties. In fact, the villagers here speak a distinctive dialect of Farsi, unique to Abyaneh, with some words dating back to the 3rd century BC!

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One of the top experiences in Abyaneh is simply wandering through its winding alleyways. This is where you’ll uncover hidden gems, and nearly every corner is a photo opportunity. Some of the red houses even have rooftops accessible by stairs, offering breathtaking views of the Karkas Mountains.

Strolling through Abyaneh, you’ll soak in an authentic ambiance. Locals go about their daily lives with few tourists around, and you’ll often spot local women wearing traditional floral headscarves. If you’re eager to immerse yourself in Iranian culture, Abyaneh is an absolute must-visit, offering a unique glimpse into the past and present. Do not miss Abyane Village, one of the most unparalleled ancient places to visit in Iran.

17. Agha Bozorg Mosque, Kashan

When it comes to one of the famous places to visit in Iran, the Agha Bozorg Mosque from the 18th century is refreshingly different. It may not have the grandeur of the Shah Mosque in Isfahan or the vivid colors of the Pink Mosque in Shiraz, but that’s what makes it stand out.

Personally, this mosque is one of my favorite places to visit in Iran. Its unpretentious exterior, well-balanced design, and peaceful atmosphere create a sense of calm. What made it even more special was the fewer tourists compared to other popular mosques in Iran, allowing for a more intimate experience.

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Inside, you’ll find a school alongside the mosque, with student rooms surrounding a lovely sunken courtyard. It’s a spot where local families often come, adding to the relaxed and lively atmosphere that enhances the mosque’s unique charm.

18. Fin Garden, Kashan

Dating back to the 16th century, Fin Garden, one of the famous places in Iran, proudly holds the title of Iran’s oldest Persian garden . Among the nine Persian gardens designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Fin Garden stands as a cherished gem.

Here, you’ll encounter one of the most beautiful places to visit in Iran which is adorned with architectural wonders, intricate fountains, serene pools, lush trees, and vibrant flowers. These elements serve as a testament to the fusion of architectural styles from renowned Persian dynasties, including the Safavid, Zand, and Qajar dynasties.

19. The Historical Houses of Kashan

In Kashan , you’ll discover grand traditional houses with magnificent gardens and courtyards, all hailing from the 18th and 19th centuries. These are essentially some of the ancient places to visit in Iran where affluent families once dwelled, now revered as historical landmarks.

Among the most famous places in Iran are renowned historical houses of Kashan including the Tabatabaei House, Borujerdi House, Mahinestan Rahib House, Ameri House, Manuchehri House, and Abbasi House.

Each of these traditional places in Iran stands as a splendid testament to Persian architecture. Both inside and out, these houses are adorned with intricate decorations. Particularly captivating are the vibrant stained-glass windows, remarkable mirrors, and breathtaking frescoes that grace these architectural gems.

20. Lut Desert, Kerman

Deep in the Kerman province lies Lut Desert , a UNESCO salt desert home to mesmerizing clay-rock formations called Kaluts. To truly embrace one of the magical places to visit in Iran, I highly recommend camping overnight, especially if you enjoy gazing at the stars.

The best way to do this is by hiring a tour agency, which provides a 4×4 vehicle, a must for desert exploration. Your journey can include a visit to Rayen Castle, about a three-hour drive from the desert. Arriving in time for a night’s stay allows you to witness a breathtaking sunrise among the Kaluts.

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These unique Kaluts, with their stunning and unusual shapes, were shaped by the forces of nature – strong winds and water erosion. Some of these rocky structures are easy to climb, offering a fantastic view of the desert below. Lut Desert, considering all, is undoubtedly one of the most amazing places to visit in Iran.

FAQs about Places to Visit in Iran, Top 20

Q1: what are the amazing places in iran.

A1: Some remarkable places to visit in Iran are Azadi Tower, Golestan Palace, Azadi Tower, Imamzadeh Saleh, Shah Cheragh Shrine, Persepolis, and Lut Desert.

Q2: Where do people like to travel to in Iran?

A2: Most travelers opt for cultural tours in Iran, visiting renowned destinations like Shiraz, Isfahan, Yazd, and Tehran. The more adventurous ones decide to enhance their cultural experience by combining it with an Iran desert tour, where they can explore the desert areas near Kashan and Isfahan.

Q3: What Iran is famous for?

A3: Iran is renowned for its abundant cultural heritage, encompassing diverse art forms like literature and architecture, among others. The country boasts impressive architectural wonders, including royal palaces, ancient mosques, and historical museums.

Q4: Is Iran a cheap country to visit?

A4: Iran is known for its affordability, making it one of the most budget-friendly destinations. Adequate financial preparation is necessary for the trip, which is why a detailed breakdown of expenses from the visit and guidance on managing currency in Iran will be provided.

Q5: Which city of Iran is beautiful?

A5: Shiraz is often described as a charming city of gardens and poetry. When you inquire with travelers about their experiences in Iran, many will praise Shiraz as the most beautiful city they’ve explored. Situated in the southern part of Iran, in the Fars region, it’s one the most essential places to visit in Iran.

Experience the Best Places to Visit in Iran with Customized Tours

When planning a trip to explore the best places to visit in Iran, and of course other places, it’s a great idea to consider a customized tour. Iran tourist spots are fascinating destinations with a lot to offer, but it can be overwhelming to figure out where to go and what to see on your own. Opting for a customized tour, like the ones offered by To Iran Tour, can make your journey more enjoyable and tailored to your preferences.

At To Iran Tour, our team of experienced professionals is dedicated to organizing unforgettable journeys to experience the most captivating Iran tourist spots. Whether you dream of exploring the ancient city of Persepolis, admiring Isfahan’s beautiful architecture, or savoring the delicious Iranian cuisine, we’ve got you covered. Contact To Iran Tour today, and let us create the perfect itinerary to make your Iran adventure truly special.

Explore the Amazing places of Iran with To Iran Tour

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20 Best Places to Visit in Iran

by Admin · July 27, 2021

What Are Iran's Top Tourist Attractions

Today, tourists and travel experts have agreed that Iran is an exceptional destination, so much so that the country has gained ground in the tourism industry. Famous for its rich history, incredible food, highly regarded culture, beautiful villages, and equally picturesque sceneries, it’s safe to say Iran’s offerings are diverse and unmatched.

Hence, we have rounded up the 20 best places to visit in Iran with their prominent features to help you decide exactly where to go. Interestingly some of these tourist attractions are valuable UNESCO sites.

Plan your trip with our list of the best places to visit in Iran, and for more advice in this regard, do not hesitate to contact us .

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Palaces in Tehran

Tehran is famous for its magnificent palaces belong to Qajar and Pahlavi dynasties. These luxurious palaces of Tehran represent the culture, art, and civilization of contemporary Iran. The most spectacular palaces in Tehran that are among the best places to visit in Iran are listed below.

Golestan Palace

The most beautiful palace in Tehran is Golestan Palace, a collection of palace-museums belonging to the Safavid dynasty and the later periods. The complex that is a UNESCO site is located in a gorgeous garden.

Notably, Shams-ol-Emareh is the most beautiful palace of the Golestan Complex. It is a 35-meter high building with five floors which was the tallest building in Tehran at the time of its construction.

Address: Panzdah-e-Khordad St, District 12, Tehran, Tehran Province

Saadabad Palace

Saadabad is another complex of beautiful palaces in Iran located in the northern part of Tehran in the Darband district. Saadabad Palace complex includes 18 museums and palaces of Qajar and Pahlavi Imperial families in an area of about 110 hectares. The White Palace, The Green Museum Palace, and Ahmad Shah Palace are the most important buildings of this monument.

Address: Taheri St., District 1, Tehran, Tehran Province

Niavaran Palace

Niavaran Palace is a Qajari palace located in the Niavaran district. The complex includes Niavaran Private Palace, Sahebgharanieh Palace, Ahmad Shahi Palace, Jahan Nama Museum, The Museum of Private Cars, etc.

Address: Darband St., Tehran, Tehran Province

Every international tourist believes that Persepils is one of the best places to visit in Iran; It is known as a symbol of Persian civilization worldwide.

This magnificent monument, located near Marvdasht, Shiraz in Fars province, shows the architectural glory of the Persian kings of about 25 centuries ago. Persepolis, one of the UNESCO sites in Iran, belongs to all the world’s people.

Columns, inscriptions, bas reliefs, palaces, and gates left in the Persepolis area are among the world’s most famous civilization works.

Address: 60 km northwest of Shiraz

Opening Hours: Every Day 8:30 to 19:30 in spring and summer, 7:30 to 17:30 in fall and winter

Nasir Al-Molk Mosque (Pink Mosque)

Nasir Al-Molk Mosque is a masterpiece belonging to the Qajar period and is one of the best tourist attractions to visit in Iran based on the tourists’ reviews. 

Early in the morning, its colorful mosaic windows catch the light and make a picturesque combination of colors on the walls, floors, and ceiling. You must have seen the incredibly colorful photos of this mosque in the posters of Iran.

Besides, Nasir Al-Molk Mosque is famous for its beautiful decoration, including stained glass, colorful tiles, and delicate Muqarnas . Due to the extensive use of pink tiles in its decoration, which is unique in its kind, Nasir Al-Molk Mosque is also known as the Pink Mosque.

Address: Lotf Ali Khan Zand Street, Shiraz, Fars Province

Opening Hours: Every day 8:00 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 19:30 in spring and summer, 8:00 to 11:30 and 15:00 to 16:30 in fall and winter

Naqsh-E Jahan Square (Meidan Emam)

Naqsh-e Jahan Square, also known as the Grand Plaza of Isfahan, is a historical complex belonging to the Safavid era (1501-1736).

With about 90000 square meters of area, Naghsh-e Jahan Square is wider than Moscow Red Square and is the second-largest rectangular square after Tiananmen Square in Beijing .

Moreover, the Naqsh-e Jahan complex consists of the square surrounded by significant historical monuments, including Imam Mosque, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Ali Qapu Palace, and Isfahan Grand Bazaar. Notably, the whole complex is an Iran UNESCO site.

Address: Isfahan, Isfahan Province

Opening Hours: Every Day, 24 hours (Its surrounded monument have different opening hours)

The National Museum of Iran

The National Museum of Iran, located in the old context of Tehran, is the country’s most significant archeological and historical museum. Consequently, this museum is the reference or mother museum for all museums in Iran. It is noteworthy that there are about 300,000 objects from different periods (Paleolithic to contemporary) in this museum. There, you can also find the oldest signs of human presence on the plateau of Iran, with about 600,000 antiquity.

So, if you are interested in ancient history, this museum is one of the best places to visit in Iran for you.

Address: 30 th Tir St., Tehran, Tehran Province

Opening Hours: Every day 9.00 to 19.00 in spring and summer, 9:00 to 17:00 in fall and winter

National Jewelry Treasury (National Jewelry Museum)

If you are interested in glamorous jewelry and antiques, the Jewelry Museum is one of the best tourist attractions you can visit in Iran. This museum is located in the basement of the Central Bank of Iran in Tehran’s city center. In this museum, you will see the best and most valuable antique jewelry of Iran and even the world. It is worth mentioning that the most beautiful and precious jewel of the National Jewelry Treasury is Darya-ye Noor Diamond, the largest pink diamond in the world, weighing 182 carats.

Please note that photography is prohibited in the museum, and children under 12 years old can not visit this place. Also, this museum hosts visitors for only 2 hours every day from Saturday to Tuesday.

Address: Central Bank of Iran, Ferdowsi Ave., Tehran, Tehran Province

Opening Hours: Saturday till Tuesday 14:00 to 16:30

Historic City of Yazd

One of the places you must visit in Iran is Yazd, the third most attractive city after Shiraz and Isfahan. Yazd is the first adobe city worldwide and the second historical city after Venice, Italy.

Some of the features of Yazd Historic City include the adobe houses that are located near each other, narrow and covered alleys, and tall windcatchers.

Moreover, Yazd Old Town is an Iran UNESCO site, which houses many valuable monuments such as the Amir Chakhmagh Complex, the Jame Mosque of Yazd, ancient water reservoir, Alexander Prison, etc.

Address: Yazd, Yazd Province

Opening Hours: Every Day, 24 hours

Dasht-e Lut (Lut Desert)

Without douth deserts are among the best places to visit in Iran. Accordingly, the Dasht-e Lut or Lut Desert, located in Kerman Province, is the first Iran UNESCO natural site, covering about 10% of Iran’s territory. Lut Plain is a collection of extraordinary natural appearances and geographic features. Accordingly, the most magnificent ones are Kaluts, the high hills carved from the bedrock by sandy winds.

Moreover, Nebka park (the natural flower pots), Star-Shaped Dunes, Gandom Beryan (the hottest spot on the planet), Rood-e Shoor (the Salty River), etc., are other attractions of this UNESCO desert. Moreover, you can enjoy trekking, safari, camel riding, camping, and star observing in the Lut Desert.

Address: Kerman, South Khorasan, and Sistan and Baluchestan provinces, Iran

Tomb of Hafez (Hafezieh)

Hafez is one of the most well-known Persian poets of the 15th century, whose poems are about love and spirituality. Interestingly, Goethe and Nietzsche have been inspired by his poems.

Now, Hafeziyeh is the burial place of Hafez in the gorgeous Golgasht-e Mosalla Garden in Shiraz. And Hafez’s tomb is a marvelous octagonal pavilion that is known as a symbol of Shiraz.

Moreover, the pleasant atmosphere of this attraction can bring you peace and create happy hours for you. In addition to Hafez, other famous poets and mystics have been buried in this garden.

Address: Chehel Magham St., Shiraz, Fars Province

Opening Hours: Every day, 8:30 to 23:30 in spring and summer, 7:30 to 22:00 in fall and winter

Kashan Historic Houses

Kashan is the city of traditional architectural wonders which has maintained its classic appearance. So, the top attractions to visit in Kashan are its historic houses. Here are the most remarkable Kashan Historic Houses.

Tabatabai House

It is a historic house museum, famous as “The Bride of Iran,” which represents the lifestyle of Kashan royal families during the 19th century. Its luxurious decorations, including delicate plastering and colored glassworks, make the Tabatabai house one of the best places to visit in Iran.

Address: Alavi Street, Kashan, Isfahan Province

Borujerdi House

Borujerdi House is a historic Qajarid building located in the heart of the Kashan historical context. In terms of architecture, the building has both interior and exterior segments with fantastic decorations; Its exterior design resembles the buildings designed by Gaudi in Barcelona.

Abbasi House (Abbasian Historical House)

This house is an outstanding example of Persian-Islamic architecture built on over 5000 square meters consisting of 5 floors and 5 yards. Mosaic windows, stucco reliefs, and carvings are the features of its stunning decorations.

Hyrcanian Caspian Mixed Forest

In the south of the Caspian Sea, from the seashore to the mountains, the valuable Hyrcanian mixed forests are located with an antiquity of more than 40 million years. These forests are 55,000 square kilometers, of which two million hectares are located in Iran.

These forests are like a green ribbon at the Caspian Sea border, stretching from Mazandaran to Gilan, Gorgan, and Arasbaran.

Besides its wonderful sceneries, the Hyrcanian forest provides clean air and water storage and is home to various fauna and flora.

Address: The southern border of the Caspian Sea (in Mazandaran, Gilan, and Golestan Provinces)

Opening Hours: Every day, 24 hours

Jameh Mosque of Isfahan (Atigh Mosque)

Historical mosques are among the best places to visit in Iran. Jame Mosque of Isfahan is the oldest monument of Isfahan and the UNESCO registered site located near the Isfahan Grand Bazaar.

This historical site was constructed and renovated during twelve centuries ( from the 8th century to the end of the 20th century). Hence, each part of the mosque shows the evolution of Persian architecture in different periods.

Furthermore, you can see the most beautiful plastered altar of the Patriarchal period, valuable inscriptions, delicate Muqarnas decorations, and tilework in this mosque.

Address: Majlesi St, Isfahan, Isfahan Province

Opening Hours: Every day 9:00 to 18:00 in spring and summer, 9:00 to 16:30 in fall and winter Break for praying from 12:00 to 14:00

Jolfa Neighborhood (Armenian Quarter of Isfahan)

Jolfa Neighborhood, located near the Zayandeh Rood river in Isfahan, is one of the most exciting tourist attractions in Iran.

In this old quarter, you can see cobbled streets reminiscent of the historic neighborhoods of European cities. Moreover, tall clocks, churches, Western-style cafes, ponds, statues, and everything present the significant difference between this area and other old contexts in Iran.

Besides, there are 11 historic churches in the Jolfa Quarter of Isfahan, the most important of which is the Vank Church. You can also visit Isfahan Music Museum in this neighborhood.

Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex

Old bazaars are among the best places to visit in Iran, where you can buy colorful souvenirs. In this regard, Tabriz Bazaar is one of the world’s oldest markets on the ancient Silk Road and the largest covered old bazaar globally. Moreover, this marketplace is a vibrant bazaar and a UNESCO-registered site.

Besides, walking in its long corridors under the tall arches and Muqarnas domes is like reviewing a thousand years of life.

Finally, if you travel to Tabriz, we suggest visiting this grand market and buying handmade Persian carpets, leather products, local sweets, nuts, spices, etc.

Address: Old Bazaar, Tabriz, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran

Opening Hours: Every Day 10:00 to 17:00, Most of the Shops are Closed on Friday

Shazdeh Garden

Persian Gardens are among the best tourist attractions to visit in Iran. Accordingly, nine Persian Gardens are on the Iran UNESCO sites list, that the biggest one is Mahan Shazdeh Garden near Kerman. This gorgeous garden is like an emerald in the heart of the Lut desert. Notably, the irrigation system and the architecture of this garden reflect Iranian architects’ intelligence.

There is a long stairway with the water flow on it and trees on both sides in the middle of the garden. This stairway goes directly to the marvelous palace at the end of the garden.

Address: Mahan, 38 km south of Kerman, Kerman Province

Opening Hours: Every day 9:00 to 21:00

Abyaneh Red Village

On the Iran classic route, between Kashan and Tehran, lies Abyaneh, the Red Village of Iran. Abyaneh village, with more than 1500 years old, is one of the highest residential areas in Iran with a stepped structure. In this ancient village, the houses are made of red clay and brick, and the doors are decorated with wooden windows.

The residents of Abyaneh have preserved their customs, traditions, language, and traditional clothing; Women wear beautiful white floral scarves and colorful skirts.

Moreover, in Abyaneh, you can enjoy sightseeing, photography, tasting delicious food, buying local handicrafts, cycling, etc.

Address: 90 km south of Kashan, Isfahan Province

Hormoz Island (Rainbow Island)

Hormoz Island, in the south of Iran, with red, silver, gold, white, and orange soil, is known as the rainbow island that doesn’t have any counterpart in the world. The contrast of the colorful soil with the azure blue of the Persian Gulf has made this island one of the best places to visit in Iran.

You can enjoy its unique and pristine scenery, such as red beaches, glowing beaches, rainbow caves, salt mountains, and hidden beaches on Hormuz Island.

Besides enjoying its scenic sceneries, you can do various water sports such as diving on this island. On the other hand, you can get acquainted with southern Iran’s cultures, customs, and local food.

Address: 30 km southwest of Bandar Abbas, Hormozgan Province

Kandovan Rocky Village

60 kilometers from Tabriz city in northwestern Iran lies Kandovan Village, the Cappadocia of Iran. With about 800-year antiquity, this rocky settlement stands at 2200 meters above sea level and is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Iran.

This rocky village is famous for its beehive-formed houses that have been dug in the heart of the cliffs.  In Kandovan, you can get involved with rural life, enjoy sightseeing, stay in an extraordinary rocky room, and buy colorful and delicious souvenirs.

Address: 55 km south of Tabriz, East Azerbaijan Province

Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System

One of the best places to visit in Iran that most tourists miss because it is out of the Iran classic route is Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System.

This hydraulic system includes water mills, dams, water distribution systems, castles, waterfalls, and bridges on the Karun River, located in southwestern Iran. This historical complex is one of the most impressive ancient engineering structures globally, which dates back to the Sassanid era and has been registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Address: Taleghani Street, Shooshtar, Khuzestan Province

Opening Hours: Every day, 8:00 to 20:00 in spring and summer, 8:00 to 17:30 in fall and winter

Holy Shrine of Imam Reza

The shrine of Imam Reza (the eighth Shiite Imam) in Mashhad is a magnificent sacred place for Muslims. In this regard, this complex receives millions of pilgrims annually.

However, the importance of this shrine is not limited to its religious aspect; it is one of the largest mosques in the world with impressive architectural features. Different entrances, courtyards, mosques, porches, museums, libraries, etc., are different parts of this stunning complex. Notably, its museums include the Astan Quds Razavi Central Museum, the Quran Museum, the Carpet Museum, the Anthropology Museum, the Coin Museum, etc. It is noteworthy that this magnificent collection is on the list of the national heritages of Iran.

Address: Mashhad, Razavi Khorasan Province

Best Places to Visit in Iran at a Glance

In the table below, you can find useful information about the 20 best places to visit in Iran that we have introduced in the sections above.

If you have any other information about the top tourist attractions to visit in Iran or have any questions, please leave your comments.

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Most Touristic Places in Iran

Iran, a land of ancient civilizations and breathtaking landscapes, boasts a wealth of captivating tourist destinations that beckon travelers with their historical significance, cultural richness, and natural beauty. From the majestic ruins of Persepolis to the ornate architecture of Isfahan, the tranquil gardens of Shiraz to the desert oasis of Yazd, and the bustling streets of Tehran to the pristine shores of Qeshm Island, Iran offers a diverse tapestry of experiences that cater to every traveler’s interests.

Steeped in history and tradition, Iran’s most touristic places glimpse its storied past while inviting visitors to explore its vibrant present. Whether drawn by the grandeur of ancient empires, the charm of traditional bazaars, or the allure of untouched natural wonders, Iran’s allure as a destination is boundless, promising an enriching journey that transcends time and culture.

From a tourist’s perspective, Iran offers a plethora of captivating destinations that showcase its rich history, culture, and natural beauty. Here are some of the most sought-after tourist spots in Iran:

Isfahan City: Architectural Masterpieces and Cultural Splendor

Isfahan City

Isfahan, often called “Half of the World,” is a city in Iran renowned for its stunning architecture, historic sites, and cultural significance. Some of Isfahan City ‘s most iconic tourist attractions include:

• the UNESCO-listed Naghsh-e Jahan Square ,
• a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which features the majestic Imam Mosque,
• the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque,
• the Ali Qapu Palace,
• and the Qeysarie Gate.

These intricate patterns and tilework showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage. Other notable attractions in Isfahan include the Chehel Sotoun Palace with its mirrored hall, the historic Jameh Mosque, the Vank Cathedral in the Armenian Quarter, and the historic Si-o-se-pol and Khaju bridges that span the Zayandeh River. These landmarks, bustling bazaars, and vibrant street life make Isfahan an enchanting destination that captures the essence of Iran’s cultural and architectural legacy and makes Isfahan City one of the most touristic places in Iran.

Persepolis: Ancient Splendor and Royal Ruins

Persepolis, located in the southwestern region of Iran, is a testament to the grandeur of ancient Persian civilization. This archaeological marvel was once the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire, founded by King Darius I in the 6th century BCE. Persepolis, which translates to “City of Persians,” was meticulously constructed over several decades and symbolized power, culture, and unity for the empire.

The site’s monumental ruins showcase an array of magnificent structures, including imposing staircases, grand gateways, audience halls, and intricately carved reliefs that depict scenes of imperial processions, cultural diversity, and mythological narratives. The Apadana Palace, with its 72 stone columns and the grand Gate of All Nations, are among the most iconic features, illustrating the impressive architectural and artistic achievements of the time.

While the city faced destruction during the conquest of Alexander the Great in 330 BCE, its remains continue to evoke a sense of awe and wonder. Today, Persepolis is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. It draws visitors worldwide to explore its ancient history and marvel at the intricate details that tell the story of a once-mighty empire. Visiting Persepolis offers a unique opportunity to step back and gain insights into ancient Persia’s rich cultural heritage and achievements.

Shiraz City: Cultural Gem and Poetry Capital

Shiraz City

Shiraz, often referred to as the heart of Iran, is a city that captivates visitors with its rich history, poetic charm, and vibrant cultural scene. Located in the southwest of Iran, Shiraz is renowned for its lush gardens, intricate architecture, and warm hospitality. As the capital of Fars Province, it boasts a blend of ancient heritage and modern allure, making it a must-visit destination for travelers.

Shiraz City ‘s most famous attractions:

• Nasir al-Mulk Mosque (Pink Mosque)
• Eram Garden
• Tomb of Hafez
• Tomb of Saadi
• Vakil Bazaar
• Shah Cheragh Mausoleum
• Qavam House (Narenjestan Garden)
• Karim Khan Citadel
• Arg-e Karimkhan
• Afif-Abad Garden
• Qalat Village
• Zinat al-Molk House
• Delgosha Garden
• Jahan Nama Garden
• Atigh Jame Mosque
• Vakil Mosque
• Nasirolmolk Bathhouse
• Pars Museum

These attractions offer a glimpse into Shiraz’s rich cultural heritage, architectural wonders, and natural beauty.

Beyond its historical and literary treasures, Shiraz boasts the picturesque Qavam House, showcasing traditional Persian architecture, and the bustling Vakil Bazaar, where visitors can immerse themselves in local culture and craftsmanship. The nearby ruins of Persepolis and Pasargadae, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, provide glimpses into the grandeur of ancient Persian civilizations.

Shiraz’s reputation as the “City of Roses and Nightingales” comes alive during the annual Golab (Rose Water) Festival, where the intoxicating scent of roses fills the air, and the Hafez International Poetry Festival draws poets from around the globe to celebrate the art of verse. With its cultural treasures, picturesque landscapes, and hospitable locals, Shiraz is a destination that leaves an indelible impression on every traveler who walks its streets.

Yazd City: Desert Oasis and Architectural Marvels

Yazd, often called the “City of Windcatchers” and “City of Zoroastrians,” is a captivating destination in central Iran and one of the most touristic places in Iran that exudes historical charm and architectural beauty.

Nestled amidst the desert landscape, Yazd boasts a rich history that dates back to ancient times. Its labyrinthine alleyways, mud-brick buildings, and traditional windcatchers create a mesmerizing atmosphere that transports visitors to another era. One of the most iconic features of Yazd is its intricate network of windcatchers, traditional architectural structures designed to harness and channel the wind, providing natural ventilation and cooling in the hot desert climate.

These distinctive structures have earned Yazd a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation, making the city a living example of sustainable architectural practices.

Yazd’s allure extends beyond its architectural marvels. The city is renowned for its vibrant Zoroastrian community, one of the oldest monotheistic religions. The Zoroastrian Fire Temple houses a sacred flame that has been burning for centuries, making it a significant spiritual site.

Additionally, the Jameh Mosque of Yazd, with its grand portal and stunning tilework, is a testament to the city’s Islamic heritage. Visitors can explore the narrow alleys of the historic Fahadan neighborhood, lined with traditional houses, colorful bazaars, and charming courtyards.

The juxtaposition of ancient traditions and modern life, along with the warmth of its people, adds to the unique appeal of Yazd. Whether wandering through its old streets or admiring its architectural wonders, Yazd offers an unforgettable journey into the heart of Persian history and culture.

The prominent tourist attractions in Yazd City :

• Jameh Mosque of Yazd
• Amir Chakhmaq Complex
• Yazd Varahan Fire Temple (Zoroastrian Fire Temple)
• Dolat-Abad Garden
• Dowlat Abad Windcatcher
• Yazd Water Museum
• Alexander’s Prison
• Zoroastrian Towers of Silence
• Saheb A Zaman Zurkhaneh
• Khan Bazaar
• Yazd Art House
• Yazd Clock Tower
• Shish Badgiri Ab Anbar (Historic Water Reservoir)
• Ziaiyeh School
• Lariha House
• Yazd Central Prison (Historical Site)
• Haj Khalife Ali Rahbar Confectionery
• Chak Chak (Zoroastrian Pilgrimage Site)
• Dowlat Abad Ice House
• Yazd Jame Mosque Portal

These attractions showcase the unique architecture, historical sites, and cultural heritage of Yazd, making it a captivating destination for travelers.

Tehran City: Cosmopolitan Hub and Modern Marvels

Tehran City

Tehran, the bustling capital of Iran, is a vibrant metropolis that encapsulates the country’s dynamic blend of tradition and modernity. Within the Alborz mountain range, Tehran is a sprawling city that serves as Iran’s political, economic, and cultural hub. With a history of over 200 years, Tehran has evolved from a small village into a cosmopolitan urban center that offers a unique tapestry of experiences.

The city boasts many attractions catering to a diverse range of interests. Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcases intricate Persian architecture and beautifully landscaped gardens.

The National Museum of Iran provides a captivating journey through the nation’s history, displaying artifacts from ancient civilizations that have shaped Iran’s identity. Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, a bustling maze of lanes and stalls, offers a sensory overload of sights, sounds, and aromas, immersing visitors in the vibrant local culture.

The Milad Tower is an iconic modern landmark, offering panoramic views of the city’s sprawling landscape. Tehran is also a cultural hub, featuring a variety of theaters, galleries, and music venues that showcase Iran’s artistic talents. With its lively streets, diverse neighborhoods, and a blend of traditional teahouses and modern cafes, Tehran offers an intriguing mix of past and present that captures the essence of Iran’s multifaceted identity.

The popular tourist attractions in Tehran City :

• Golestan Palace
• National Museum of Iran
• Grand Bazaar
• Milad Tower
• Sa’dabad Complex
• Niavaran Palace Complex
• Azadi Tower
• Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art
• Treasury of National Jewels
• Carpet Museum of Iran
• Tabiat Bridge
• Imam Khomeini Shrine
• Tehran’s Nature Bridge (Pol-e Tabiat)
• Reza Abbasi Museum
• Tochal Complex and Ski Resort
• Tehran’s Grand Mosque
• Tehran’s Museum of Glass and Ceramics
• Tehran’s Birds Garden
• Cinema Museum of Iran ( Ferdows Garden )

These are just a few of the many attractions Tehran offers for travelers and visitors.

Kashan City: Historical Charm and Serene Gardens

Kashan City

Kashan, one of the most touristic cities in Iran, is located in the Isfahan Province. This city is a captivating blend of rich history, exquisite architecture, and scenic beauty. The city’s allure lies in its well-preserved traditional houses, enchanting gardens, and its pivotal role in the country’s cultural heritage. Walking through the narrow alleys of Kashan’s old neighborhoods, visitors are transported back in time as they explore stunning examples of Iranian architecture like the Tabatabaei and Borujerdi Houses.

These masterpieces boast intricate tilework, delicate stucco, and traditional windcatchers, offering a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of the past. The city’s centuries-old bazaar is a bustling hub of commerce and culture, where vibrant textiles, spices, and handicrafts create a sensory feast for visitors.

Kashan’s natural beauty is also a draw, with the mesmerizing Fin Garden capturing the essence of Persian garden design. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fin Garden features flowing water, symmetrical layouts, and fragrant flowers, making it a serene oasis amidst the desert landscape.

Additionally, Kashan’s proximity to historical sites like Abyaneh village and the Maranjab Desert makes it an ideal base for exploring the region’s diverse attractions. From its architectural wonders to its serene gardens and intriguing history, Kashan offers an immersive experience that leaves a lasting impression on travelers seeking a deeper understanding of Iran’s cultural heritage.

The popular tourist attractions in Kashan City :

• Tabatabaei House
• Borujerdi House
• Agha Bozorg Mosque
• Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse (Hamam-e Khan)
• Abyaneh Village (near Kashan)
• Maranjab Desert (near Kashan)
• Bazaar-e Kashan
• Ameri House
• Abbasian Historical House

Golestan Province: Nature’s Haven and Cultural Diversity

Golestan Nature

Golestan Province, located in northeastern Iran, has diverse landscapes and cultural richness. Its name translates to “Garden of Rosettes,” which reflects this province’s lush greenery and natural beauty. Golestan’s proximity to the Caspian Sea offers a unique blend of coastal attractions, forested mountains, and historical sites.

This province boasts a harmonious blend of various ethnic groups, contributing to a rich tapestry of traditions and customs. Golestan’s capital, Gorgan, serves as the gateway to this captivating region, offering visitors a chance to explore a combination of history, nature, and cultural diversity.

Tourist Attractions of Golestan Province:

• Golestan National Park: A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve known for its diverse flora and fauna.
• Gonbad-e Qabus Tower: A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s tallest brick tower.
• Naharkhoran Forest: A pristine forest known for its biodiversity and natural beauty.
• Turkmen Sahra: A unique Turkmen cultural region with distinct traditions and customs.
• Aliabad Katoul: A charming town famous for its traditional architecture and handicrafts.
• Azadi Park: A beautiful park in Gorgan, ideal for relaxation and leisure activities.
• Incheh Borun Bridge: A historical bridge dating back to the Sassanian period.
• Alangdarreh Wildlife Refuge: A protected area home to various wildlife species.
• Ramsar Wetland: A Ramsar site with diverse ecosystems and birdwatching opportunities.
• Gorgan Grand Bazaar: A bustling market showcasing local products and craftsmanship.

Mashhad City: Spiritual Center and Modern Oasis

Mashhad city

Mashhad, the capital of Razavi Khorasan Province in northeastern Iran, is significant in religious and cultural contexts. As the holiest city in Iran, it is home to the Imam Reza Shrine, the eighth Shia Imam’s mausoleum, attracting millions of pilgrims annually. Beyond its religious significance, Mashhad offers a blend of history, modernity, and hospitality.

The city’s vibrant bazaars, ornate mosques, and historical sites showcase its rich heritage, while its modern infrastructure caters to diverse visitors. Mashhad’s warm atmosphere and religious importance make it a captivating destination that uniquely marries spirituality and cultural exploration.

• Holy Shrine of Imam Reza
• Goharshad Mosque
• Nader Shah Mausoleum
• Ferdowsi Park and Tomb
• Koohsangi Park
• Mellat Park
• Vakil Abad Park
• Tomb of Khajeh Rabi’
• Tus Ancient Hills
• Torghabeh Recreation Complex
• Darougheh Historical House
• Mashhad Bazaar
• Qasemabad Village
• Mellat Garden
• Mashhad Water Waves Land
• Koohestan Park
• Mashhad Zoo
• Chalidreh Dam

Tabriz City: Cultural Crossroads and Ancient Bazaar

Tabriz City

Tabriz, situated in the northwestern region of Iran, is a city that boasts a rich history and vibrant culture. Known as the “City of Firsts,” Tabriz has a significant role in Iran’s economic, cultural, and historical landscape. It has been a hub of commerce, trade, and craftsmanship for centuries, exemplified by its historical bazaar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the oldest and largest covered markets globally.

The city is adorned with various architectural gems, such as the stunning Blue Mosque, which showcases intricate blue tilework and intricate designs, and the impressive Tabriz Historic House, reflecting the grandeur of a bygone era. Beyond its historical significance, Tabriz is a melting pot of ethnic and cultural diversity, celebrated through its festivals, traditional crafts, and renowned cuisine.

The tourist attractions in Tabriz City :

• Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
• Tabriz Blue Mosque (Jameh Mosque)
• Tabriz Historic House
• El Goli Park and Lake
• Tabriz Constitution House
• Eil Goli Pavilion
• Qajar Museum
• Iron Age Museum
• Azerbaijan Museum
• Tabriz Municipality Palace
• Maqbaratoshoara (Tomb of Poets)
• Tabriz Citadel (Arg-e Tabriz)
• Kaboud Mosque
• Saat Tower (Tabriz Clock Tower)
• Azerbaijan Museum of Tabriz
• Shahriar Park
• Tabriz Amusement Park
• Tabriz Carpet Museum
• Kandovan Village (Near Tabriz)
• Mashrouteh House

These attractions offer visitors a glimpse into Tabriz’s rich history, architecture, and cultural heritage.

Qeshm Island: Geological Wonders and Coastal Beauty

Laft Village Qeshm Iran

Qeshm Island, located in the Persian Gulf near the southern coast of Iran, is the largest island in the country and offers a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and vibrant traditions. Known for its stunning landscapes, Qeshm Island boasts diverse attractions that captivate travelers worldwide.

The island’s dramatic geological formations, including the renowned Chahkooh Canyon, showcase layers of colorful rocks sculpted by wind and water over millions of years. Qeshm’s expansive beaches, such as the dazzling Hengam Beach, provide a tranquil retreat for sun-seekers and water sports enthusiasts. The Hara Forest, a UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve, is another remarkable natural site on the island, home to rare plant and animal species.

Qeshm’s cultural heritage is equally compelling, with historical sites like the Portuguese Castle and Tangeh Chahkook showcasing the island’s strategic importance throughout history. The island’s traditional villages, like Laft and Shib Deraz, offer a glimpse into local life and showcase traditional architecture, handicrafts, and the unique lifestyle of its inhabitants.

As a free trade zone, Qeshm also offers modern infrastructure, hotels, and recreational facilities, making it an inviting destination for leisure and business travelers. Whether exploring the wonders of its geology, immersing in its cultural heritage, or enjoying its sandy shores, Qeshm Island promises an unforgettable and diverse experience highlighting Iran’s southern coastline’s natural and cultural richness.

The important tourist attractions on Qeshm Island :

• Chahkooh Canyon: A stunning geological formation with colorful layers of rocks carved by wind and water, creating a mesmerizing landscape.
• Hengam Island: A nearby island known for its beautiful beaches, clear waters, and opportunities for dolphin-watching.
• Hara Forest: A UNESCO biosphere reserve featuring a unique mangrove ecosystem with diverse plant and animal species.
• Portuguese Castle: A historical fortress built during the Portuguese colonial period, offering panoramic views of the surrounding area.
• Tangeh Chahkook: A historic canyon with ancient aqueducts and water channels reflecting the island’s rich history.
• Stars Valley: A unique valley with strange rock formations resembling stars created by natural erosion.
• Naz Island: A small island known for its pristine beaches and coral reefs, perfect for snorkeling and diving.
• Laft Traditional Village: A village showcasing traditional architecture, wind-catchers, and local crafts, providing insight into local culture.
• Shib Deraz Village: Another traditional village famous for its unique architecture and vibrant cultural heritage.
• Khorbas Cave: A captivating cave system with stunning stalactite and stalagmite formations.
• Mangrove Forest of Shib Deraz: A scenic mangrove forest offering boat tours through its intricate waterways.
• Dolphin Park: An opportunity to interact with dolphins naturally, providing an educational and entertaining experience.

These attractions highlight the diverse natural beauty, historical significance, and cultural richness of Qeshm Island, making it a truly memorable destination for travelers.

Abyaneh Village: Living History and Vibrant Traditions

Abyaneh Village

Abyaneh village , nestled within the picturesque mountains of Iran, is a captivating destination that enchants tourists with its timeless charm. Known for its distinct red mud-brick houses, narrow winding alleys, and vibrant traditional clothing, Abyaneh offers visitors a unique journey into Iran’s rich cultural heritage.

The village’s well-preserved architecture reflects centuries of history, providing an authentic glimpse into the past. Travelers can explore its historic mosque, marvel at the intricate patterns adorning its buildings, and interact with friendly locals who proudly uphold their traditional way of life.

Abyaneh’s scenic surroundings offer opportunities for leisurely walks, where travelers can admire the stunning landscape and learn about the region’s customs and traditions. With its warm hospitality and fascinating cultural experience, Abyaneh village continues to captivate tourists seeking an authentic glimpse into Iran’s captivating history and traditions.

Kerman City: Historical Treasures and Desert Charms

Kerman City , a city with a rich historical tapestry woven into the heart of Iran, beckons travelers with its diverse attractions. This vibrant city serves as a gateway to the desert and boasts a blend of ancient and modern elements.

Kerman’s historical sites include the Ganjali Khan Complex, a stunning architectural ensemble with a bazaar, bathhouse, mosque, and caravanserai. The city also houses the Jameh Mosque of Kerman, a testament to Islamic architecture. Beyond the urban landscape, Kerman’s surrounding areas offer natural wonders such as the Lut Desert, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its mesmerizing dunes.

The Rayen Citadel and Mahan’s Shazdeh Garden are also among Kerman’s cultural gems. Visitors can explore the city’s rich heritage, savor its renowned pistachios, and immerse themselves in its warm local hospitality. Kerman presents an intriguing blend of history, culture, and natural beauty that captures the essence of Iran’s diverse landscape.

Bandar Abbas: Coastal Gateway and Trade Hub

Bandar Abbas

Bandar Abbas, a bustling port city on the southern coast of Iran, offers a unique blend of maritime charm and cultural richness. The city’s vibrant bazaars, such as the Vakil Bazaar, lure visitors with many goods, spices, and handicrafts.

Bandar Abbas City is a gateway to the mesmerizing Hormuz Island, known for its colorful soil and pristine beaches, making it a paradise for nature enthusiasts.

The Qeshm Island, nearby, with its geological wonders and intriguing culture, is also easily accessible from Bandar Abbas. The city’s historic sites provide insights into its maritime past, including the Portuguese-built Fort of Our Lady of the Conception and the 18th-century Hormozgan Museum.

With its bustling markets, access to enchanting islands, and historical landmarks, Bandar Abbas offers a multifaceted experience that captivates travelers exploring the southern regions of Iran.

Hamedan City: Ancient Heritage and Natural Beauty

Hamedan City

Hamedan City , often called the ancient city of Ecbatana, is a historical and cultural treasure in western Iran. This city boasts a rich history dating back to ancient times, making it a haven for history enthusiasts.

One of its prominent attractions is the tomb of Avicenna, the renowned Persian polymath and philosopher. The city’s iconic Hegmataneh Archaeological Park reveals the layers of its ancient past through archaeological excavations.

The Ali Sadr Cave near Hamedan is a captivating natural wonder with its underground lakes and stunning formations. Hamedan’s vibrant bazaars and traditional architecture provide a glimpse into the local way of life. The city’s unique blend of historical landmarks, natural beauty, and cultural heritage makes it an enticing destination for those seeking to explore Iran’s multifaceted history and captivating landscapes.

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25 Things to Know Before You Visit Iran

• Last Updated: February 6, 2024

We’ve been all around the world, spent a lot of time in a lot of different countries, and if there’s one thing we can honestly tell you it’s that we’ve never felt as welcomed, fascinated and humbled as we did when we visited Iran.

Iran is such an incredible country to travel. The architecture will amaze you, the friendliness of the people will leave you speechless, the culture is fascinating and the landscapes are out of this world.

Iran is also very misunderstood, with many people believing whatever propaganda they hear on the media about how dangerous or difficult it is to travel there.

Table of Contents

Iran is Safe!

There’s a lot of customs to follow, you need a visa for iran, have a head scarf in your carry-on luggage before arrival, bring a phrase book or have google translate on your phone, bring a lot of cash, the currency has two names, bring comfortable footwear, research the food and don’t just eat kebabs, bring a backpack rather than a suitcase, draw up an itinerary, but keep it flexible, let your guard down and talk to locals, always ask the price before buying, book domestic flights with your accommodation or travel agent, team up with other travellers and share tours, be on time for your appointments, the traffic is horrible, you need a vpn to access some social media platforms, there is wifi, but be patient with it, pick up a local sim card, iran has its own uber called snapp, you can drink the tap water, good coffee is hard to find, there’s a female-only carriage on the metros, what to know before you visit iran.

The truth is travelling in Iran definitely has its quirks, and being an Islamic country means there’s a few things you need to know about the religion and culture before you go so you can show absolute respect.

Luckily these are easy enough to know before you go if you do a bit of research. We spent one month travelling around Iran and learnt so much during our time there.

To help put your mind at ease about travelling in this incredible country, here’s our list of the most important things to know before you visit Iran.

All of the mainstream media outlets portray Iran as an unsafe country, somewhere that you’ll be at risk if you visit.

The mainstream media is wrong.

We did not feel unsafe once through the whole 4 weeks of us backpacking independently in Iran.

We weren’t with a tour group, had no tour guides, don’t speak the local language, took public transport and taxis, wandered the streets on our own – basically everything you shouldn’t do if you’re in a dangerous country.

And guess what? Nothing bad happened to us at all!

The Iranian people are so friendly and helpful. They want you to have a great time and tell your friends so more people will come and visit.

We were walking around one morning on a quiet street when a car passed us and turned around. A group of young people stopped the car, came up to us, and asked if we were ok or if we needed help.

Once we told them we were just looking for a coffee they pulled out their phones and started showing us where the cafes were on a map.

They even offered us a ride, and said if the cafes were closed they had coffee at their home and would love to make us some.

This is just one example of dozens of interactions that happened to us when we were in Iran. Iranians love that tourists are coming to their country and travelling around.

The locals know what the media says about them and what a lot of the world thinks of their country, and the people just want to show that they are nice, generous people.

Theft against tourists is very rare and even the Religion Police (secret police) tend to leave tourists alone.

Just be careful around the bazaars and crowed places for pickpocketing. We didn’t have any issue and didn’t hear of any other travellers having problems, but this is common sense in any busy place in the world.

With all that being said, there is a large military and police presence in Iran. Do not photograph any military areas or government buildings, and stay away from any protests if you see them.

Obviously there are some areas of Iran that are no-go zones, such as the borders of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq, so do your research and talk to locals if you’re thinking about going anywhere near them.

When you travel somewhere you want to take in everything about the country and its people, and that includes the culture and customs.

Iran has quite a few local customs that may take some getting used to, so it’s important to learn about them before you go so you don’t accidentally offend or disrespect anyone.

Some of the most common ones that throw tourists off are:

• Women must wear hijabs (headscarves) at all times in public. They must also wear loose-fitting clothes that don’t show their figure.
• Giving a thumbs-up sign is considered rude, similar to giving the middle finger in Western society.
• Men can wear short-sleeved shirts, but long pants must be worn at all times.
• Men and women who aren’t related shouldn’t touch either. That means no shaking hands or hugging someone of the opposite sex.
• If you are travelling with your significant other, avoid any public displays of affection.
• Always bring a gift if you are invited to someone’s house. Candy, pastries or flowers are fine.

Now we want to give a special mention to ta’arof – This is a hospitality trait where it’s customary for someone to refuse payment for a service, and is probably the most confusing thing for any tourist to get their head around.

Basically what happens is if you make a purchase (a souvenir, taxi ride, etc), the person may refuse your payment out of politeness. It is then up to you to insist despite their refusals that you want to pay. After two or three times they’ll then accept your money.

If they still keep refusing then perhaps you have just experienced some amazing Iranian hospitality! But chances are they’ll accept the payment once the process has been completed. Don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of it.

The locals are so lovely, that if you do something wrong someone will approach you and nicely let you know. For example, if you are a lady and your headscarf falls off without you knowing, a local will kindly let you know.

Don’t stress about getting your outfits beforehand as shopping in Iran is cheap. Just bring one headscarf and set of loose-fitting clothes, and buy more once you get there.

The culture is the best thing about visiting Iran, and after a few days, you’ll start to understand and fall in love with it just like we did.

In order to visit Iran, you’re going to need to get a tourist visa. This used to be a very difficult process, but luckily things have gotten easier with the introduction of visa on arrivals in 2016

On the 14th February 2016, the Ministry of Iran announced that citizens of 180 countries can now apply for VOA of 30-days at most international airports, including Tehran, Shiraz, Mashad, Tabriz and Isfahan.

There’s an exception to this rule though, and if you are from Canada, the UK or the USA, we have some bad news for you…You can only visit Iran if you join a guided tour, so no chance of getting a VOA and travelling independently.

Your tour company will help organise your visa for you.

Check out our article on how to apply for a  Visa On Arrival in Iran.

You Need to Dress Appropriately

This follows on from the customs section above, but in a bit more detail.

Iran is an Islamic country, and as such you need to follow the Islamic dress code. Here are some things to keep in mind.

Women need to cover their arms, legs and head. This including a Hijab, loose long length shirt with long sleeves and pants.

Leggings or tight jeans are ok as long as your top is long and covers your bottom. When wearing pants, you need to be covered down to your ankles.

The most common way to cover your head is with a scarf. The local women wear bright colours and are very stylish with their clothing, so don’t think you need to wear all black.

Black is still worn a lot but not so much among the younger generation.

You can wear sandals. Some guesthouses and hostels will allow you to take your headscarf off on their premises but do check first.

Men aren’t allowed to wear shorts in public, so bring long, lightweight pants as the best option. T-shirts are fine to wear in public. Men can wear sandals too.

If you do wear inappropriate clothing it’s not the end of the world, and besides some angry looks from some of the older generation, you’ll probably just end up having a friendly local let you know what’s best to wear.

In Tehran, the locals push the limits in terms of what they wear in public. At the end of 2017, an uprising occurred and supposedly women were no longer required to wear the Hijab in public in Tehran, but wait until you are in the country to find out for certain.

When you land at the airport, it is respectful to put a scarf straight on your head ladies. This will cause no trouble for you by locals or the officials at the airport.

Once you’re in the air on an international flight you’ll see most young ladies take their hijab as soon as the plane leaves the ground. Just follow what the locals do.

We were quite surprised to discover that a lot of Iranians could speak a little bit of English, but that wasn’t always the case, so do yourself a favour and bring along something that can help translate English to Persian.

We always travel with Google Translate and offline languages saved on our phones, but at times having a phrasebook is the best (and most social) way to interact with people who don’t speak any English.

Remember, you are in a country that doesn’t have English as an official language, so don’t be that rude tourist that gets upset if people aren’t understanding you.

Persian (Farsi) is difficult, and no locals expect you to learn much beyond hello and thank you while you are there, but do your best anyway as a few extra words will go a long way in showing respect.

Also don’t be surprised if you are constantly invited out for tea with people so they can practice their English. If the opportunity comes up, make time for it, as it’s an amazing experience for both the local and yourself.

Don’t forget your cash when visiting Iran, as none of the ATMs in the country accepts foreign credit or debit cards thanks to the embargo. So if you forget to bring all of your cash for your entire trip, you’re out of luck.

Figure out what your usual budget is for a trip ($50 a day, $100 a day, etc), then bring a bit extra just in case. USD is best for all around the country but Euros and British Pounds are also accepted in Tehran.

There’s two exchange rates in the country – official rate and black market rate – and the black market rate is of course much better.

We actually found an exchange booth at Tehran airport that gave pretty close to the black market rate, so we traded some cash there.

As a tip don’t exchange all of your foreign cash into Rials at once, because you’ll either get ripped off on the exchange rate back if you have any left over, or you’ll be unable to trade it outside of the country.

Also don’t be too concerned about travelling around with thousands of dollars in your backpacks. As we mentioned earlier theft is rare. Do keep your money stashed in different spots though just in case.

UPDATE: If you’d prefer not to carry all your cash with you, can actually pre-order a local Iranian debit card from the company, Mah Card . It works just like a normal debit card in your home country.

You order it on their website and they’ll deliver it to your hotel in Tehran when you arrive. They have an online system too where you can top up the funds if you’re running low.

Use the code ‘ NOMADASAURUS ‘ at check-out to get a 40% discount on the card when ordering. Instead of a 19 Euro issue fee, our code brings it down to 11 Euro.

“Toman or Rial?” Get used to asking that question, because if you don’t it could end up being a costly mistake.

The currency in Iran is officially known as the Rial, and is valued at roughly 30’000 IRL to USD$1. That’s a lot of zeros, so what the locals have started doing is dropping a zero and calling the new value a Toman.

1 Toman = 10 Rial

When you hear prices quoted in Tomans you need to add a zero on the end and pay the amount in Rials. It sounds confusing, but you’ll pick it up pretty quickly.

That’s why it’s important to always ask Toman or Rial, so you don’t accidentally pay too much on an item. Most vendors quote in Tomans anyway, so chances are if the price seems too good to be true, you need to multiply it by 10.

Rumour has it that Iran will officially introduce Toman as a currency in the coming years, but that hasn’t come into effect yet.

You are going to do a lot of walking in Iran, so bring comfortable footwear. The towns here are so amazing that you’ll probably end up walking at least 10km every day, so look after your feet.

These don’t necessarily have to be hiking boots (unless you’re planning on doing some treks). Just make sure you have some flat shoes that you can wear all day without a problem.

Don’t bring heels. You don’t need them, and you won’t wear them. We had a pair of hiking shoes each and a pair of sandals. That was perfect.

Persian food is varied and delicious, and there’s plenty of different styles to try, so be adventurous!

Most people travelling on a budget will end up eating falafel sandwiches when they’re in Iran because they are cheap ($1 !), filling and delicious, but there’s plenty more to Iranian cuisine then just kebabs.

We don’t consider ourselves to be foodies, but luckily we were travelling with our good friends Dan and John and they are all about culinary travel, so they had a huge list of food they wanted to try. And boy were we thankful they did!

They had looked up the different types of food they wanted to try, so we basically followed their advice and tried it all. Of course, it was super delicious too.

One particular dish we all loved was dizi. It’s quite confusing how to eat the first time, so we had the restaurant owner show us how to mix and grind all the ingredients. If she didn’t show us, we wouldn’t have a clue how to eat it.

If you are a vegetarian, there are food options but they can be limited. There is a lot of eggplant, lentil and chickpea dishes. There are simple salads and rice also.

Try to get away from the popular tourist areas as well, as the prices are going to be a lot higher than the average place.

Move away and you will be surprised how much the price drops, and the portions are larger. If you are passing a local restaurant and it is packed with locals, that is going to be a winner.

We always recommend people travel with a backpack rather than a suitcase, but this is especially useful when you visit Iran.

The road and paths are uneven, and wheeling a suitcase would be a nightmare. A lot of hotels don’t have lifts, so unless you’re feeling strong it’s going to be hard to carry your suitcase up a lot of flights of stairs.

Always choose a lightweight backpack that fits you perfectly for the best support.

There are also hybrid backpacks, that have harnesses and wheels on the bottom for the times where you just don’t want to carry it.

Unless you are on a whirlwind 7-day trip of the country we recommend you design an itinerary of what you want to see and do, but don’t book anything until you are in the country.

Iran is one of those countries that is best to research beforehand so you can make the most of your time and you don’t miss anything, but don’t be surprised if some places you end up liking more than others.

Be willing to change your plans if you get somewhere that you want to stay an extra day, or if you meet a backpacker that raves about one town you hadn’t considered before.

Don’t stress about booking buses, flights or trains before you arrive. Everything can be booked in-country, for a much cheaper price than you’ll find online.

By not locking in your travel plans, you can change and swap your itinerary easy enough.

Disclaimer:  The one time that you may need to book everything ahead of time is during Nowruz, which is the Persian New Year. If you’re planning on travelling to Iran during this time (it happens around the spring equinox in March) you’ll find things are extremely busy with millions of locals travelling around the country to spend time with their families too.

Looking for somewhere else to check out when you visit Iran? Don’t miss our article on the best  things to do in Shiraz!

One of the best experiences you will have in Iran is spending time with all the friendly locals. And trust us, you’ll get plenty of opportunities if you are open to it.

The city squares are usually where locals will approach you to welcome you to their country, have a chat and practice their English.

Don’t shy away from this, even if you are a solo traveller. We found out so much information about Iran and how the locals live simply by chatting away.

Most people asked us questions about where we are from and were very happy to answer our questions. It was a true insight to Iran and we made some beautiful friends from it (many of whom we still keep in contact with).

Don’t be surprised if you get a lot of invitations to people’s homes as well, and this may be one of the few countries where we’d say hanging out with strangers is highly encouraged. The Couchsurfing scene is huge here too if you’re into that.

Do be wary of some people who will take you to an expensive tea house though. They are nice people, you will have great conversations, but they can be a little cheeky.

Also always look at the menu before you start ordering to make sure they haven’t taken you somewhere that has crazy prices.

Some will invite you out and try to sell carpets to you. If you are not interested just be firm and move on with the conversation.

We only had this happen to us once out of more than a dozen great experiences, and once we made it clear we weren’t buying a carpet we still had a great chat with him.

There is only one thing with all this – Expect to be stopped every few minutes by people wanting to chat! Make sure you’re mentally prepared when you go out around town to have a million friendly conversations.

You shouldn’t just do this in Iran, you should do this everywhere you travel, but it’s important to keep in mind.

In some countries, there are tourist prices and local prices. To be honest, we almost never felt ripped off here, but it did happen occasionally.

Before you buy anything, whether it’s a souvenir, a meal, a pot of tea, a tour, a taxi ride or whatever, ask to see the menu or how much it will cost to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Get out of the tourist squares too. Chances are if you walk a couple of blocks outside of those popular areas, the prices will drop dramatically.

When buying survivors, ask the price at a few places, get the vibe from the person/place and then buy. Try your bartering skills, but don’t be offensive.

We always try to settle in the middle so both parties are happy. This is their business and they need the money more than you do.

If you are flying domestic, book through an agent or your local guesthouse in the country. All the local airline pages are in Persian, and these are where the best deals are.

Online booking agencies like Skyscanner and Momondo will not bring up these flights. We were in the west near the Iraqi border and wanted to fly to Tehran. Our local guesthouse helped us out and we booked it for $50 USD including snack and bags.

They were charging $200 USD on one of those online booking agencies above. We never were questioned at the airport about the local price and everything went smoothly.

If you’re not travelling in a group of four, ask at your guesthouse or talk to other travellers to see if you can share the cost of a driver with them.

Sometimes hiring a driver between towns as private transport would work out to be the same price as 4 bus tickets. You get there faster and can stop when you like along the way.

This will save you money and you might even make some awesome friends out of it.

Iranians are very punctual. If you plan to leave for a tour at 8am be in reception at 7:45am, and the driver will most likely already be there.

Buses and trains also won’t wait for you if you aren’t there. The last thing you want to do is miss your tour because you slept in or hadn’t packed yet.

If you’re heading to the airport, bus or train station make sure you leave plenty of time in case of bad traffic.

When we say horrible, we’re being polite. The traffic in Iran is actually insane.

If you’re exploring Tehran don’t be surprised if you have plenty of “Holy s**t!” moments as you go to cross the street or you get around in taxi.

It’s not that Iranians are bad drivers…they just don’t have a concept of space when driving around. In one way it’s almost as entertaining as it is scary.

No one is actively trying to run pedestrians down, but if you do try to run the gauntlet of crossing a busy road it’s best to wait for a local to join them on their hell-bent journey to the other side.

Some social media platforms are banned in Iran and you cannot access them without a VPN (Virtual Private Network).

You cannot access Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Twitter, YouTube or Pinterest. You can access Instagram , but the rest only with a VPN.

We used ExpressVPN and had no issues. Here is a link to get your first 30 days for free .

Make sure you download your VPN before you arrive in Iran, because a lot of the VPN sites are blocked by the government.

If you can, we also recommend having access to a few different VPNs, because every now and then one might be blocked in Iran.

ExpressVPN worked for us during our trip, but some people have reported that it didn’t work during their own trip. Last we heard it’s back up and running properly now though.

Most of the guesthouses we stayed at had free wifi, but don’t expect it to be fast.

Some hotels had wifi available in the rooms, while others were only in the reception area or dining rooms. It all depends on how upmarket your place is. In popular cities, tea and coffee houses had wifi also.

One thing to keep in mind though is that just because there is wifi at your hotel, be respectful on how much you use it.

There are no unlimited data plans in Iran, so the hotels have to pre-purchase data in small packets.

Please don’t be that person that streams Netflix or tries to download the new season of Game of Thrones, because all that will happen is you’ll end up using all the net for everybody else in the hotel, and cost the owner more money.

Yep, we met a guy that did just that in Varzaneh, and because it was a weekend it meant nobody in the hostel could get internet until Monday. Thanks, mate.

Despite what you may have been told, you can buy a local sim card in Iran as a foreigner, and it’s a great idea to do so.

This way you can call hotels to make bookings use WhatsApp and Snap (more on that below) on the go, and keep in touch with friends and family back home.

We bought up a sim card with the telecommunications company IranCel through our hostel in Tehran, however, they marked the price up by double.

We found out later that you can buy sim cards at the airport or at any store, so our suggestion is to do this yourself.

When going into the phone store bring your phrasebook or a local friend. You will not need to show any ID, just pay in cash, but it helps to have your passport with you just in case.

You can top up at little general stores that display the IranCel sign. They will do it all on your phone and charge a small fee for their time. Please don’t argue with that, it’s maybe 25c USD.

We were getting 5GB of data for about $10 USD.

There is an app in Iran called Snapp, and it is similar to Uber. It’s a rideshare app where drivers register and customers can order cars to get around town.

This was a lifesaver for us!

What makes Snapp so great is that a price is determined by the app and you pay in cash once you get to your destination. There’s no metre, so the driver will take the most direct way possible.

When you book it you’ll get the driver’s name, their car model and their registration number, so you know you’re getting in the right vehicle.

Yo drop a pin on a map for where you want to go, so there’s no need to try and explain it to the driver in case he doesn’t speak English (or your pronunciation is crap).

The other added benefit is you can rate the drivers afterwards, so they are more likely to be honest rather than a taxi driver.

The only thing is you cannot easily download it onto an iPhone, as Apple is an American company and does not support Iran. It doesn’t show up in the App Store.

If you go to the Snapp website  you can download it to your Apple phone through a special link there. Downloading it on an Android phone is easy with no issues.

This one was a big surprise to us, but you can drink the tap water just about everywhere in Iran.

It’s totally safe to drink, even if you’re new to the country, so don’t worry about buying plastic water bottles everywhere you go.

Bring a reusable water bottle instead and simply fill up as you go.

Don’t drink river water tough if you are out hiking.

Iran is a nation of tea drinkers, so it’s no surprise that you’ll get delicious fresh tea for cheap (or free) just about everywhere.

But what about us coffee drinkers??

The bad news is that getting good coffee is very hard in Iran. Despite their close proximity to places like Turkey, the coffee culture phased out years ago and so now the best you’ll find is usually those horrible instant packets.

There is a silver lining though, and some entrepreneurial locals have discovered that coffee is basically the second greatest thing on earth (after a delicious IPA, which you also can’t get in Iran), and some Western-style coffee shops are popping up in major towns.

They’re not cheap, but when you need that caffeine hit in the morning it’s totally worth it.

When you catch the metro around Tehran or Esfahan, there are carriages designated just for women, which is great if you’re a solo female traveller.

These are basically sections that males aren’t allowed in to stop accidental touching of non-related mixed genders, but it also adds a sense of security for women taking public transport.

Occasionally if the mixed carriages are full you’ll see one or two men in the female ones, but they tend to stand next to the door away from everyone.

[box] Those were just some of the things you need to know before you visit Iran. Has the article helped you? Do you have anything else to add? Leave a comment below and let us know![/box]

Alesha and Jarryd

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

We’ve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planet’s best destinations and adventures.

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Hello friends, I read your comments and I wish I could say that I am happy that you think so naively about the Iranian regime, but the truth of Iran and its people is not what these friends say, and unfortunately the bitter truth is that all those media that They present this regime and the leaders of the Islamic Republic as terrorists and a bunch of dishonorable and inhuman people, they are telling the truth and only the oppressed people of Iran understand this! you can ask them. But for you tourist friends, yes, this country can be a paradise because your money is worth many times more than ours, and not you tourist friends, but the unfortunate people of this cursed country feel the pressure. Our only wish was to have normal rights and a normal life like you, but this regime stole that life from the people of Iran and blackened the lives of the people of this country. Hoping for a day when this terrorist regime, which has made the Middle East and the whole world insecure, will be destroyed and we Iranian people have good and sincere relations with the people of other countries of the world . That day we will have at least a normal life and the world will not recognize this country as a criminal terrorist country. Written by a 27 young Iranian.

hi I want to just say now ( 2023-15-11 ) that the US dollar is 510000 Rials and here is heaven for people of countries where the currency is the dollar and Iran just is Hell for local people thanks to the Iran government for this situation!!!!!!

Hi dear Alisha and Jerry My name is Raziyeh. As an Iranian, I wanted to express my sincere gratitude for your kind words and appreciation of our beautiful country. Contrary to media propaganda, Iran is safe, and Contrary to media statements, we are hospitable and genial people who do everything to ensure you have a fun time in Iran. Please do not believe the lies that social media tells about our country. We’ll be happy to see tourists and give information to them. I hope you revisit our country. Best regards, Raziyeh.

Hi everyone I’m from Iran. I’m happy that you liked your trip to Iran. Iran has a lot of museums and attractive places if you’ll come you should visit them. And we’ll be happy to see tourists and give informations to them.

Iran is an extremely lovely place to travel. Thank you for the trip advice. I adore your article.

For foreigners especially Westerners Iran is a very dangerous country. There is a high risk of being arrested on fake charges. Atleast 50 foreigners have been arrested recently and sentenced without a fair trail. The “friendly” citizens of Iran will not help you out unless you pay them witg Euro or Dollars…..

Well! I accidentally found this while surfing the net, and it’s a bit sad that each dollar is 450000 Rials… People are still friendly to tourists though, no matter how hard our lives are. I hope you visit our country again, after all these sad events, of course.

22 days later and its 510000. when will these evil leaders leave us alone

We are glad that you were satisfied with your trip.You pointed out great points like someone who has lived inside for years… Our people believed, but the government has crushed the people so much under the economic pressure that they have become a little unfair to each other. Be sure to use SNAP inside Iran.. Be sure to check the price before buying.. Our common currency is Toman and Rial is nominal. For example, now every 1 dollar is equivalent to 33000 Tomans.. To eat a pizza, you need 6 or 7 dollars.3 cents are required for 1.5 liter of taqriya water.. If you have an acquaintance in Iran, you can be much easier.. Don’t pay too much attention to the capital because it has very beautiful cities with a very old history. Thank you for choosing which country for your trip. Good luck

Thank you for the excellent information and for taking an interest in the lovely country. really nice tips for visiting Iran.

I’m glad you liked Iran. Unfortunately, due to the difficulty in managing economic affairs, the Iranian people suffer from the high cost of goods. Now each dollar is equivalent to 277,000 rials, which is really terrible, of course for our people! Of course, Iran is still full of beautiful places and amazing places! I hope you have good trips …❤

Hi guys I am Ava. I am from Iran/ Isfahan. If you want to come to Iran I would be happy to help you. I have a beautiful Iranian old house.

Can you please write about traveling in Iran at the moment. I would be traveling on a New Zealand passport. Thank you. Evan.

Iran holds many surprises for visitors; like the climate which can fluctuate greatly, depending on the area and time of year, dispelling the long-held myth that Iran is nothing more than a vast, sweltering desert. But Iran is a historical place and i like to visit this type of places that is why few days ago i read this type of article on another site it contain huge information. While some surprises are nice when travelling, it’s important to be as well prepared as possible.

Is $1000 for 7 days visiting 5 cities everything included except airline tickets a reasonable price? Please let me know what you think! Cities included are Tehran, Yazd, Esfahan, Shiraz, and the desert side with Caspian sea. Thanks,

Definitely if you stay at budget accommodation, take public buses as transport and not eat at fancy restaurants. Have a good trip

it’s very good

Indeed it is 🙂

I am Iranian. You described Iran very well. I am glad that you visited Iran

Thank you for your comment Masoud. We really enjoyed travelling around Iran. 🙂

Hi Thank you for your essay about Iran. As an Iranian I do hope you have good memories generally from Iran. No country is perfectly free of any trouble but please do not believe propaganda against Iran unless you travel to Iran and live with Iranian for a couple of weeks (at least) and then judge.

Hi there! I’m an Iranian, and i’m REALLY happy that you loved our country! I hope other tourists enjoy their travel to Iran, and I wanted to say, that Pinterest doesn’t need VPN! 🙂 And also about hijab, if you’re thinking that it’s gonna make you struggle, well, it definitely isn’t. I mean, it’s not such a big deal, and you’ll get used to it and continue enjoying! Anyways, hope you like our country

Reasons for a Group Visit to Iran Experienced travelers may want to look away. Guided tours can really be the best option for some travelers going abroad. Of course, they limit you a little and lose a little freedom. You will not have enough time to fall in love with a place and you will not have enough time to stay there, and other companions may not be with you. But no matter what the veterans might say, there are good reasons to tour for those who want to.

Salaam All, I’ve travelled extensively in the Middle East (Egypt, Palestine, Lybia, Qatar, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Iran and India. My wife, daughter and myself went on holiday to Iran in 2012 and 2015 (for my 60th birthday). An Iranian couple came to sing happy bithday to me in farsi. It was an inexplicable experience, no crime on the street, no fighting, very, very safe, people very friendly and warm, food and confectionary very good, not expensive to shop but hotel accommodation could be expensive, public transport (bus and metro rail) very good and effecient, metro stations very clean and very easy for foreigners to use. Although we were based in Northern Tehran (Eliheyah), we once drove by luxury coach to Ishfahan to spend one week there (2012), the other trip we flew to Shiraz to spend one week there (2015). I fell in love with this country, it’s absolutely beautiful. In Tehran, we even went in the cable cars on the Azborg mountains. O, I just cannot stop raving about IRAN. I’ll visit there anytime. Please don’t believe the media with their negative reports, go see for yourself and discover this amazing country. Salaam from Riedwaan Salie (Cape Town, South Africa.

That is so nice. What a great birthday trip. We are so glad you had a wonderful time with you family. We found the country very welcoming and friendly also. Thank you for your comment. 🙂

Your itinerary was perfect! I hope you come back again very soon! I heard now you should ask for visa only from agencies. Also now for your money matters you can use a local debit card like Daricpay to charge and transfer money online

We hope to visit again one day. Take care

Hi Im am an iranian person and your information was totally correct about iran I am very glad to see you were anjoyed traveling to iran If you come to iran again you can visit other cities like shiraz,Tabriz,Isfahan,Hamedan they are as beautiful as Tehran

Thank you so much for your comment. 🙂

Hi all, I have been 2 weeks in Iran the last month, my friends and I were travelling the west part of this huge country touring the famous cities and recommended places over the countryside. I could never thought how beautiful were every little point that we stopped by: landscapes, restaurants, seacoast, food… persian landmarks will remind forever in my mind. As we were travelling by car we trusted (company removed, you can message below if interested), a notorious iranian company which offers a wide variety of car for rent. The service was excelent and they provided us whatever we need in order to make our trip easer. I would definetely recommend this company If you are thinking about renting a car to shuttle from a place to another, they are serious and reliable. Thanks persian people and the company for making our dreamt trip happen!!

We love Iran!!!!

Sounds like you had a great trip. We are so glad so had a great time.

Hi Alesha and Jarryd, Thank you for the useful info and your interest in my beautiful country. I’m Zahra Mazaheri an English – Farsi translator. I would be more than happy to help the tourist to Iran in having a pleasant journey.

Glad you liked our article. All the best

Iran is a wonderful country for all nations to visit. Whether you’re interested in going to cultural and historical places, try local food, shopping, or visiting new people, the country is one of the best places for all of these.

Thank you for your comment. It is a magnificent country

thanks so much for your tips, and i want to add this there is something that we call it “Taarof” This is a polite exchange that takes place in all aspects of life in Iran, in shops, in streets, in businesses, at homes. Simply stated, it is a form of one person making an offering and the other, refusing it. This ritual may repeat itself several times before the individuals finally determine whether the offer and refusal are real or simply polite. Be very careful how and with whom you taarof so that it does not interfere with your stay. Use common sense as to when to do it and when not to.

Thank you so much for this. After travelling the country for 3 weeks, we only experienced this once in Tehran on the outskirts of the city, We ate locally, bought locally, stayed locally, bought a lot of items on the street but only experienced it once. We were shocked. We had read about it and was waiting every time but it never came. Maybe if you are a foreigner they don’t do it as much. Thank you the explanation.

I really appreciate for your thoughts on this topic. Thanks for sharing this information with us.

Hi Alesha and Jarryd, this was so helpful. We’re off to Iran in a couple of weeks and great to get some tips re luggage, local currency cards and communication options. thanks david

Hi David, We are so happy the article was helpful. You will have a great time in Iran. Do not over pack. Woman have to be covered. Loose clothing is a must and a long top/dress is best as it covers the figure. Her arms and legs have to be covered. Sandels can be wore. A hijab is a must so bring scarfs. For the men, your arms do not have to be covered. Do bring pants as you need it for mosques. Our advice is to bring zip off pants. They are great. We did not use local currency cards. We bought all our cash in euros and exchanged it in Tehran on day 1. We did it with our guesthouse. They gave us a great rate. As for communication, do download Farsi offline before you go so communication can be easier. Surprisingly a lot of people do speak broken English. have a great trip.

Hi guys. Im so glad you had a good time over here. I believe Iran is the most misunderstood nation (thanks to media!) and articles like this may help people see Iran for what it is. One thing i need to point out is the currency exchange rate. the rate of 30,000 to 1 USD is no longer valid. 1 USD would be exchanged to about 110,000 rials now (11,000 Toman). Hope to see you back here soon! cheers

i promise to passengers ( our guess ❤) that we can make nice memory for you , and hope you enjoy that

Hi guys, great article! Just wanted to suggest that you include information about the Pocket WiFi and Travel Debit card services offered by MahCard (www.mahcard.com) as well… We travelled from Amsterdam to Iran during January this year and we used both services from MahCard and they really made our trip much easier…

Thank you for your tip Lotte. We have never heard of these guy. Definitely would be helpful. We strongly encourage travellers to do their on research on companies and make their own judgements. All the best

Hello! Very useful info about Iran. I am preparing a trip with car from UAE to ROMANI so it will be Bandar Abbas to Turkey Border. Any info and advices are welcomme! Thx

Hi Als, not too sure about that border. We flew in to Tehran. All the best.

Hello Dear Guys, I’m really glad to find your blog. It’s really interesting to me. I should say thank you to you for giving this good information about my country to people. It would be our honor to be host in your next travels to Iran.

I have been to a lot countries. I have been to super cold areas like Norway and have lived in the snowy Switzerland, and have also been to warm countries such as Bali, Sri Lanka, etc… What I love about Iran is that whenever and in whatever season you go, there are always 4 seasons. The southern part (Persian Gulf) is known for its golden beaches and hot climates, other areas such as Shemshak, Darbandsar, etc… are known for their snow and mountains. I recommend going to ski resorts in winter, and as a person who has lived in Switzerland I can tell that they are better. At the same time where you find snow in Iran, you can also travel to the other side where there are hot deserts. I recommend you go to these desert areas with a local tour called RONATURE, which is an ecofriendly tour and provides vegan and vegetarian food, furthermore supports locals and the environment. The Persian Gulf is unimaginably beautiful. Qeshm island in the south is probably the most beautiful place in the world, unfortunately there are not many photos of this island online because not many people know about it yet, but I do recommend taking diving courses there. The water park in Kish island is the best I’ve ever seen, much better than the ones in Dubai. I could go on for forever but you go to Iran once and experience all the four seasons. You get snowy mountains and sunny beaches. You go skiing and after a short flight you are tanning on the beach. This is a miracle and not something other countries dont have to offer. I can say nothing more but to recommend this marvellous country. Do not listen to the media, Iran is safer than Europe and Im not even slightly exaggerating.

Thank you for helping people to travel to Iran, I believe everyone should visit Iran beyond the media portrayal.

We totally agree with you Vahid. Never listen to the media about a destination, we don’t. We really enjoyed our time in Iran and encourage people to experience this country for themselves. 🙂

Sorry, I won’t support Iran. The government is evil. They imprison and torture their own citizens and they execute gay people. How can you support a government like that? Oh, and if you have an Israeli stamp on your passport, they won’t let you in. That’s ok with you?

We don’t support the government, we support the people of the country, who are among the friendliest, most genuine and hospitable people we have ever encountered. If we were to boycott countries with corrupt and evil governments, we’d start with the US.

I recently moved to Iran, as I am Iranian-American (well, now mainly just Iranian). I really appreciate all of the sweet and insightful comments and your wonderful website. Since the last time I lived here I was a child and have only visited every few years, when I arrived I was definitely feeling like a Persian that came back from a lost time warp of sorts, and had to learn the deeper levels of what you all already thoughtfully mentioned like tarof and the culture. Iran is a BEAUTIFUL & AMAZING country and I am lucky to be here. Just to let people know, everything I read here is true and helpful. 🙂 Even riding a bus from Iran into Armenia (to access my american bank for my final paycheck), I started out feeling slightly awkward as the 99% Persian only passenger peers around me were playing cute little games with each other laughing, with LOTS of incredible Persian music… I started getting many happy flashbacks of American-Iranian dance parties… but this was the REAL thing! Within minutes I joined in after being invited to clap my hands and a few girls were doing little hand dances in their seats… within about 10 minutes half the people on the bus were all SINGING together, it was precious. I felt like I was home, with my (native) Iranian people, and I got little happy tears in my eyes. YOU CANNOT FIND THESE MOMENTS IN AMERICA or EUROPE where nearly everyone around you surrounds you with welcoming bright eyes all at the same time. It’s like they are making you part of their family. I recommend visiting Iran for ANYONE… You will see that Iranians are good hearted and loving, even with all the sanctions. Give them a genuine smile, and you will get 100 smiles back, with tea and poetry. 😀

What a beautiful moment. That is great you are going back to your roots. We hear you. Iranians are good hearted and so generous. It is a beautiful country. Have a great time and hope you settle in quickly. All the best

Thanks for visiting my country. Hope tourism breaks all the wall of this global village.

We hope so too. It is a beautiful country with many beautiful people. We loved our time there

Thank you so much for this amazing article! I am going to visit Iran, but just for one week, so I need to take everything that I can from this short trip. I didn’t know that I need a VPN, that is a surprise! I have Surfshark subscription. Maybe you know how it works in Iran?

Not too sure if it will work or not. We used VPN Express and had no issues. There are free VPNs if you get suck and find yours does not work. Have a great trip.

So disappointing to learn that Canada is not one of the countries included on the Visa on Arrival program…I really want to spend a week in Tehran but it looks as though that won’t be possible. That’s really too bad 🙁

I know. It is a little more of a hassle but worth it. I know Canadians, UK and USA citizens have to go on a tour but there are many great tours within the country. If you want a tour that is not a tour, check out Yomadic. He’s tours are informative but relaxed and have great reviews. All the best.

I was 10 days in Iran (Teerah, Esfahan, Yazd and Siraz) and … is a great country, good food, culture and fantastic people. Thank you Iran!

Glad you had a wonderful time Vitor. 🙂

hi im ghazal from kermanshah iran! a offer all to come here and feel how friendly people are

Yourwellcom

I’m sorry for this government rule.

Your welcome. I hope you back soon in my country.

hello,im shahzad from iran. thank you so much for your excelent content about Iran. all of the sentences are true about my country and u knew it very well.im so happy that you had good times here. As the other iranian people said,now 1 USD is equal with 141,000 Rials :).so Iran is a very cheap country for tourists,too:). come to my country and enjoy,it would be your best trip with no debt:)

Hi Shahzad, We had a wonderful time there. Thank you for the update with the exchange rate. We recommend all travellers to visit Iran. 🙂

Thanks for this guys! I am super excited leaving for Tehran on Monday I booked a small tour as I felt anxious about travelling independently first time ever in Iran. If I like it -and I am sure I will – I shall go back. I was advised to take a day travel backpack and a medium sized wheely which I hope to fill up with things bought locally. Of course I shall take essentials. Is a long skirt allowed? It might be cooler than trousers. What do you think?

Hi Alex, I hope you are having a wonderful trip, That great you booked a small tour. Sometimes it is the best way to see the country and learn about the people and culture. There is so many great souvenirs to buy. Unfortunately my bag wasn’t big enough. 🙂 Absolutely a long shirt is allowed but not a tight body fitting one. Long sleeve and maxi dresses are perfect. Trousers are great just make sure you top is loose and long past your bottom. Have a great trip.

Wow, Thanks for this. I’am glad, that I found your page. I’ll travel in october alone to isfahan. I’m already so excited

That’s amazing. You will have a great time. The Iranians are so friendly and welcoming. There is so much to do there. Here is a video we made about Isfahan if you want to check it out. https://youtu.be/XDYJ44CutT4

Great points!

Regarding bringing a load of cash though, I found a solution. In my last trip to Iran, I got a DaricPay card. It made everything easier!

Thank you for your suggestion and information. Glad that worked for you. We still recommend visitors to take cash as not everywhere will accept cards.

Hello everyone. This is Ali, an Iranian. This page is a good guidance; LIKE ! Iran is a country of different climates and has very beautiful historical monuments and natural areas. Contrary to propaganda, Iran is safe and a good choice for travel. Come to Iran and have nice time here.

Thank you Ali. 🙂

This is great ! Thank you! I’m preparing to go there in June and your article answered a lot of questions! I will come back to it just to remember everything. Thanks again.

Glad the article could help. Have a wonderful trip Joanna.

Great i read your experiences you had great fun in Iran. Everyone should need to aware about your guidelines before visit.

Hi Eric, thank you. We had a great time in Iran. Definitely everyone should read up on the guidelines, not just what we have written but from other also. It is important to do your research before travelling to a country. 🙂

Hey, great article on Iran tourism. What should I plan in terms of budget, if I want to plan a 7-day trip to Iran and cover major tourist/historical destination.

How would you rate food for just vegetarians. Thanks!

We budgeted $80 USD a day for a couple. We came home with a little bit of money but we rather have more than less as there is no ATMs that work for foreigners. As for vegetarian food, there are many options.

This is awesome article, I’ve read a ton of articles online these past couple of months as I’m traveling to Iran in May. I’ve already bought a NordVPN subscription regarding the social media access, I hope it will work fine too, saw some recommendations for it too. Other than that I really cannot wait for the trip, so I keep reading about it. Thanks 🙂

Awesome Steve. Have a great time. The people there are so friendly. It is an amazing country.

hi steve, i recommend, first travel to iran then try free vpn then buy subscription.because some vpn in iran dose not work. instagram and what up don’t need vpn.have a nice trip!

Hi I am very pleased to be pleased with your trip to Iran I hope that one day we will be able to travel to other countries as well These days, people in my country are very sad.

Hi Mostafa, thank you for your message. We did enjoy visiting your country but did hear this from many locals. We hope that one day it all changes and travel will be a lot easier for Iranians. We saw nothing but friendly and welcoming people. The most friendliest country we have visited. We hope happiness comes soon.

Glad to hear that you had good trip in Iran guys. However things get worse and now 110,000 rials = 1 USD which is good for tourists. Lol.

Thanks for that Mohammad. Not good for the locals. We thought it was cheap when we visited last year. Sorry to hear that

I glad to read this site My country has very beautiful natural scenery and tourism, as well as very caring and kind people… I hope to see you in my city, Isfahan, the city of culture and art, and we can spend good times together^_^ I hope that there will always be in all countries, including my country

Hello I am Iranian I am very pleased that you have been satisfied with traveling to Iran I wish you success

Thank you for stopping by. We loved travelling Iran. The people were so welcoming and we had a lot of great chats with many. We are looking forward to returning one day.

You were ok travelling without a guide? Is it easy to travel around without one? And is it possible to hire guides to specific places, such as Persefone of some mosque? My wife and I are planning to visit Iran on April or October? What’d say? Thanks a lot.

Absolutely. We met so many local people and had so much fun. It is an easy country to get around in. Their transport system within the cities were easy and great. Their bus system across the country was comfortable and faster than the train. You can hire guides at main attractions as you go. The hotels can help with that also. Have a great trip.

If you are from the USA, Canada or UK you need to go on a tour.

Hi We are older Australians and are wanting to go to Iran. We usually plan our holiday booking accommodation and transport before we go so are a little hesitate going without anything booked. We have not been on a tour before and they don’t appeal to us.

Thank you so much for this valuable information. My mother and I are trying to book an organized trip with Intrepid Travel. They told us that we were not allowed to be out and about without the accompaniment of a male. Which they say we would have to stay in our hotel during our free time unless we go with a male. Have you heard of this before?

I am Mehdi and I am from, Shiraz Iran. I welcome your arrival to Iran in advance. Staying you in your hotel during your free time in Iran is not right. You can go out without a male. I can help you if you have any question. please don’t hesitate to ask me. you can contact me at [email protected] . I hope you have a nice trip in Iran. Regards; Mehdi

Hi Cathy, that is so strange they would tell you this. That is wrong on Intrepid Travel to tell you this and if they are concerned about this for their guests they should provide tours for you free of charge as staying in the hotel room is not a very good experience at all. I hope you wrote to them to express your disappointment with this.

As Mehdi said above, that is not right. When we were travelling throughout Iran there were many woman travelling on their own that out and about by them selves. We did not hear of any issues. Obviously have your wits about yourself. The people of Iran are so friendly. The friendliest we have come across in our travels. I hope you got to experience this and see a lot of the beautiful country.

Hi Cathy, I’m an Iranian person, this is not right, you can go out without a male. Iran is full of friendly people and I’m sure you will enjoy your time and this would be one of the most unforgettable trips.

Hello kathy I’m very surprised by your talk I am from Iran and I assure you that it is not

Hey guys! This is one of the *very* few articles about Iran that I completely agree with. Oh, apart from one sentence: “Iranians are very punctual”… I actually laughed out loud. You must have got lucky. In any case, I’m glad you enjoyed your time, and hope we cross paths one day.

(also, feel free to edit this out: the photo of Alesha at Friday mosque in Yazd is actually Friday mosque in Esfahan)

Thanks so much Nate! Glad the piece got the seal of approval from the Iran expert himself! And I guess we did get super lucky with the locals being punctual. For the whole month we were there we were never left waiting. Will count our lucky stars, and make a note that perhaps it’s not always the case.

And thanks for the correction on the Friday mosque! Have amended it now. Happy travels mate.

Hi dears! I’m an iranian girl & I love my country… Actually my father is a tour guide & I’ve heared such lovely words from so many tourists… they mostly say they had heard many bad things about iran and they have experienced the bests when they came here… I’m so glad to here such nice words by many travelers and i really appreciate you cause you ‘re telling the truth about my amazing country!!!! I love you all dears!!

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• Middle East
• 20 Must Visit Attractions In...

Must-Visit Attractions in Iran

Steeped in history, culture, and nature, Iran is home to a wealth of attractions and things to do and see . It might be difficult to figure out which places should be your priority, but here’s a list of Culture Trip’s favorite attractions that you can’t miss on your trip to this exciting country. Did you know you can now travel with Culture Trip? Book now and join one of our premium small-group tours to discover the world like never before.

Once the capital of the first Persian Empire and birthplace of Persian civilization, it’s vital that you visit Persepolis . In fact, you haven’t seen Iran unless you’ve walked in the footsteps of the ancient kings.

Valley of the Stars

Qeshm offers pristine nature and a world of mystery , but if there’s one attraction not to miss, it’s the Valley of the Stars. Marl and sandstone make up the other-worldly rock formations, and with a little imagination, you can see animals, faces, and hands among other things.

Chogha Zanbil

The first Iranian site registered with UNESCO, Chogha Zanbil is a 13th-century BC ziggurat in the Khuzestan province. Baked bricks with cuneiform inscriptions are layered in the structure, and a centuries-old footprint of a child in the stone is roped off towards the back.

Babak Castle

A bit of athleticism and no fear are required to reach Babak Castle. Once the stronghold of a Khurramite leader who fought the Abbasid Caliphate, this citadel, surrounded by deep gorges, sits at the height of 2,300–2,600 meters (7,546–8,530 feet). Those with a strong case of acrophobia might choose to admire it from afar.

Nasir ol-Molk Mosque

Walking inside Nasir ol-Molk is like walking inside a kaleidoscope. Nicknamed “the Pink Mosque” for its rosy-hued tiles, you’ll love discovering the hidden nooks of arguably Iran’s most beautiful mosque.

Anzali Lagoon

Located in the northern port city of Bandar Anzali, a boat ride on Anzali Lagoon is a must to witness the houses built on stilts, various bird species, and, of course, the water lotuses emerging to blossom through the dark waters.

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Chalus Road

Are you traveling to the north? Then definitely take the famous Chalus Road. Steep roads snaking down the mountainside, tunnels carved in solid rock, and natural springs and bodies of water make this one of the most scenic routes in Iran.

Naqsh-e Jahan Square

Once a royal polo field, Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Esfahan holds Ali Qapu Palace, Imam Mosque, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, and the Imperial Bazaar. You’ll need the better portion of a day to see it all properly.

Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System

A feat of engineering, the Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System , an ancient irrigation system dating back to the 5th century BCE, is sure to leave you awe-struck. Climb the hill behind it to marvel at the view from above before exploring the details of the mechanism and the many bird species living here.

Bridges of Esfahan

Whether it’s Si-o-seh Pol, the Khaju, or one of the other nine bridges, a romantic stroll along the marvelous architecture of Esfahan’s bridges on the Zayandeh River is a must. The Persian poetry often recited in these locales echo through the arched chambers and will seem like Scheherazade’s 1001 Nights .

Kashan’s historical homes

Exquisite ceilings, magnificent frescoes, and grand courtyards filled with pomegranate trees are what you’ll get in one of the breathtaking historical homes in the desert city of Kashan. This city is best seen in the spring before it’s too hot and while you can catch the rosewater festival .

Sheikh Safi al-din Khanegah and Shrine

Located in Ardabil, this shrine is the tomb of Sufi mystic leader Sheikh Safi al-din. Different areas such as a library, mosque, school, and mausoleum make up this site, and the architecture is in keeping with the principles of Sufi mysticism.

Pigeon Towers

While people usually see pigeons as mere nuisances, especially for city dwellers, they were quite valuable in Iran about five centuries ago, namely for their droppings. These towers were built as pigeon homes, each holding as many as 14,000, where the droppings could be collected and used as fertilizer.

Literally “drip-drip,” Chak Chak is a Zoroastrian temple located just outside of Yazd. The most important Zoroastrian pilgrimage site in Iran, many Zoroastrians visit the temple every year. Once you’ve seen the similar sites in Yazd, a visit here gives further insight into this religion. Find directions here .

Rudkhan Castle

This military complex was initially built on two mounts during the Sassanid era and rebuilt a few centuries later. Known as the “castle of a thousand steps” because that’s how many you have to climb to get to the top, Rudkhan Castle is worth the effort.

Katalekhor Cave

Discovered less than a century ago, the formations in Katalekhor Cave are said to date back to the Jurassic period. This cave sits outside of Zanjan, and though it is less visited than Ali Sadr Cave , the two are thought to be connected.

If you’re going to visit one Persian poet, it must be Hafez. Stroll around the garden and tomb in the evening as tourists and locals come to pay their respects and recite a few lines of his poems. You can even have your fortune read to see what the great poet predicts for you.

Hormoz Island

For such a small island, Hormoz is brimming with dreamy nature and tranquility. Shades of red, yellow, and orange color the land area, which contrasts beautifully with the Persian Gulf’s blue water. A dream for geology and nature enthusiasts, this island is also home to deer and other fauna.

Iran’s first natural UNESCO site and hottest place on earth for seven years, the barren Lut Desert offers an unusual tranquility. The sand ridges, known as yardangs, continuously change their shape, so if you visit the same spot at a later time, it might look completely different!

Bisotun and Taq-e Bostan

Bisotun and Taq-e Bostan are two historical sites located near each other in the Kermanshah Province. Rock reliefs and the statue of Hercules are fascinating remnants of Bisotun, as is the prehistoric “hunter’s cave” said to have been inhabited 40,000 years ago. Rock reliefs are also under the archway of Taq-e Bostan, the most notable image of which depicts the last king of the Sassanid Empire with Ahura Mazda (the creator in Zoroastrianism) and Anahita (a Zoroastrian diety).

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Top Iran Tourist Places: Best Places to Visit in Iran (Attractions in Iran)

Best places to visit in iran, must-see iran attractions & tourist places.

Iran is a country of over seven thousand years of history, an incredibly diverse nature, and a remarkably rich culture. From the northwest to the southeast, genius ancient relics, intricate Islamic architectural masterpieces, the wisdom of Zoroastrianism , deep-rooted festivals , and many other Iran attractions make the country a real charmer. What makes Iran even more attractive is finger-licking dishes, spirituality-laden literature and music, and a people that surprise you with their warmth and hospitality. But if you’re looking for best places to visit in Iran , the cities of Shiraz , Isfahan , Yazd , Kashan and Tehran must be on your visit list.

• 1 Must-See Iran Attractions & Tourist Places
• 2 Visit Iran Tourist Places With IranOnTour
• 3 Iran Attractions Types
• 4 Top Destinations & Places to Visit in Iran
• 5 Tailor-Made Iran Attractions Tours

Visit Iran Tourist Places With IranOnTour

Iran is so diverse and rich that even a month time could be short for exploring Iran tourist attractions. But joining one of carefully crafted tours will take you to the most visited places and most fascinating secrets. Adapting your travel itinerary to your unique taste, interests, style, timing and budget is also our special offer to you. Find some of our popular packages below:

7-Day Iran Tour: The Must-See Attractions

9-Day Iran Tour: From Tabriz to World Heritage Highlights

10-Day Tour of Iran: On the Tourist Radar

12-Day Iran Tour: History, Culture & Sand

13-Day Iran Tour: On & Off the Beaten Path

16-Day Tour of Iran: Deep into the Heart of Persia

Iran attractions types.

The depth of Iranian culture and history, the breadth of its geography, and the diversity of its nature have blessed the country with a variety of tourist attractions that can be categorized so:

Ancient Attractions in Iran

Over seven thousand years of history and civilizations makes Iran one of the world’s most ancient places. Isn’t it just mind-blowing that remains of urban settlements and historical artifacts that date back to 7000 BC have been discovered in Iran?! One of the world’s best kept ziggurats, the 3200-year-old Chogha Zanbil ( UNESCO ), and the impressive mementos of Achaemenid empire like Persepolis (UNESCO) and Naqsh-e Rostom Necropolis are of the best ancient places to visit in Iran.

Over seven thousand years of history and civilizations makes Iran one of the world’s most ancient places. Isn’t it just mind-blowing that remains of urban settlements and historical artifacts that date back to 7000 BC have been discovered in Iran?! One of the world’s best kept ziggurats, the 3200-year-old Chogha Zanbil ( UNESCO ), and the impressive mementos of Achaemenid empire like Persepolis (UNESCO) and Naqsh-e Rostom Necropolis are of the best ancient attractions of Iran.

Islamic Attractions in Iran

After the Arab Conquest of Persia and the fall of Sassanid Dynasty, Iran became an Islamic country. This new religion gradually interweaved with the thousands of years of civilization that already existed and gave birth to architectural, artistic, literary and spiritual beauties that have made Iran even more precious. Isfahan ’s acclaimed Naqsh-e Jahan Square is probably one of the best examples of Iran’s Islamic architecture and top tourism places in Iran.

Zoroastrian Attractions in Iran

A man named Zarathustra was born over 4000 years ago, changed Iran, and gave birth to one of the world’s most ancient and inspiring faiths. This spiritual leader who had a deep respect for nature and a belief in a benevolent God became the prophet of greatest Persian empires: Median, Achaemenid, and Sassanid. From the religion he created, Zoroastrianism , deep-rooted ceremonies, unique traditions, and ancient buildings have remained in Iran. Yazd , as the present symbol of Zoroastrianism features Iran attractions that introduce you to this ancient belief.

A man named Zarathustra was born over 4000 years ago and changed Iran and gave birth to one of the world’s most ancient and inspiring faiths. This spiritual leader who had a deep respect for nature and a belief in a benevolent God became the prophet of greatest Persian empires: Median, Achaemenid, and Sassanid. From the religion he created, Zoroastrianism , deep-rooted ceremonies, unique traditions, and ancient buildings have remained in Iran. Yazd , as the present symbol of Zoroastrianism features Iran attractions that introduce you to this ancient belief.

Intangible Cultural Attractions in Iran

Literature, arts , music , traditions and festivals that are tied with love, spirituality, philosophy and wisdom are of the most beautiful mysteries and charms of Iran. Rural, local and nomadic lifestyle are also another rare treats. Discovering these intangible Iranian heritages beside stops by Iran’s tourist attractions will enrich your trip and make it hard to forget. Festivals like Nowruz (UNESCO) and Yalda , instruments like Tanbur that enchant you with their mystical ring, and small traditions you can discover by spending time with people are some of Iran’s cultural attractions.

Modern Attractions in Iran

You can find nice traces of modernity in Iran’s top cities . Though tradition is still prominent, modern life has penetrated lifestyle and architecture. Of the most admirable of Iran’s modern attractions can be discovered in the capital, Tehran . The Museum of Modern Arts , Tabiat Bridge , and the iconic symbols of the city, Azadi Tower and Milad Tower , are the must-see modern places to visit in Iran.

You can find nice traces of modernity in Iran’s top cities . Though tradition is still prominent, modern life has penetrated lifestyle and architecture. Of the most admirable of Iran’s modern attractions can be discovered in the capital, Tehran . The Museum of Modern Arts , Tabiat Bridge , and the iconic symbols of the city, Azadi Tower and Milad Tower , are the must-see modern attractions of Iran.

Natural Attractions in Iran

What makes Iran’s nature special and among the top Iran attractions is its surprising diversity. In Iran, you can go skiing in cold snowy mountains, experience off-roading to the depth of hot sandy deserts , take a walk along sunny islands , go hiking through dense jungles, and find unique spectacles like mangroves, salt domes and other geological wonders.

Top Destinations & Places to Visit in Iran

Shiraz Tourist Attractions

Shiraz , the city of poets, lovely garden mansions, historical complexes and world-known ancient sites nearby is one of the most visited places in Iran. The city also enjoys an uplifting aura and hospitable carefree people!

Best Places to Visit in Shiraz

Isfahan Tourist Attractions

The intricacy of Isfahan ’s masterpieces of Islamic architecture has made the city one of the best places to visit in Iran. As home to a gallery of popular Iran attractions, the historical city of Isfahan has been a part of the golden triangle of Iran.

Best Places to Visit in Isfahan

Tehran Tourist Attractions

Tehran is the hub of Iran’s top museums , museum palaces, galleries and cafes. Reflecting both the historical roots of the Iranian nation and modern Iranian life, Tehran is also one of the must-see Iran tourist places.

Best Places to Visit in Tehran

Yazd Tourist Attractions

Amazing desert architecture and the precious relics of the ancient Persian religion, Zoroastrianism , put the historical city of Yazd ( UNESCO ) on the list of top Iran attraction. With adorable winding alleyways, attractive wind catchers, and earthen desert architecture, Yazd is an unmissable Place to visit in Iran.

Best Places to Visit in Yazd

Kashan Tourist Attractions

This fascinating town near Isfahan , also showcases the elegant elements of Persian architecture in Iran’s most impressive historical mansions. Iran’s most picturesque traditional houses and admirable architectural masterpieces make Kashan an unmissable point on Iran’s map!

Best Places to Visit in Kashan

Tailor-Made Iran Attractions Tours

We have done our best to consider both your various tastes and Iran’s immense potentials to craft the best possible Iran Attractions tour packages for you. If you’d like your trip to Iran to be a certain way or in any  corner of Iran, we will be more than happy to help you create it.

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Which Iranian city is best to visit?

Dear Kevin, all Iranian cities are lovely. Shiraz, Tehran, Isfahan, Yazd, Kashan, Tabriz, Kerman, and Qeshm are highly recommended. I personally like Shiraz the most.

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Iran Destinations

Introduction to the most important must-see places in Iran, Iran top travel destinations & top tourist attractions in Iran

Iran is a vast country full of glorious historical attractions and breathtaking natural sights. The diversity of attractions in Iran makes it an amazing travel destination for travelers with any taste; however, it also makes it difficult to plan an ideal Iran trip.

Although even a month of traveling through Iran may not be enough to see all there is to see, it’s possible to plan a fulfilling Iran trip that covers the best Iran destinations, the most significant Iran attractions, and most enjoyable things to do in Iran based on your preferences.

By gaining enough information about Iran, you’ll be able to get the most out of your time, visit attractions that are most compatible with your taste and have unique experiences in addition to authentic ones.

• The most Budget-friendly travel destinations in the world (The World Economic Forum, 2019 Report )
• 9th country in the world with most cultural heritage sites ( UNESCO )
• 11th travel destination in the world based on countries with most heritage sites ( UNESCO )
• More travel-related safety and security than Russia, Egypt, India, Turkey, Brazil & Thailand, etc. (The World Economic Forum, 2019 Report )

Kashan Travel Guide

Tehran Travel Guide

Shiraz Travel Guide

Yazd Travel Guide

Isfahan Travel Guide

Kerman Travel Guide

Tabriz Travel Guide

Rasht Travel Guide

Ardabil Travel Guide

Qazvin Travel Guide

Qeshm Travel Guide

Bandar Abbas Travel Guide

Iran UNESCO world heritage sites

Cultural sites :

Armenian Monastic Ensembles of Iran, Azarbaijan

Bam and its cultural landscape, kerman, bisotun, kermanshah, cultural landscape of maymand, kerman, golestan palace, tehran, gonbad-e qābus, golestan.

• Historic City of Yazd, Yazd
• Masjed-e Jāmé of Isfahan, Isfahan
• Meidan Emam, Isfahan

Pasargadae, Shiraz

Persepolis, shiraz, sassanid archaeological landscape of fars region, shiraz, shahr-i sokhta, sistan, sheikh safi al-din khānegāh and shrine ensemble in ardabil, shushtar historical hydraulic system, khuzestan, soltaniyeh, zanjan, susa, khuzestan.

• Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex, Tabriz

Takht-e Soleyman, Azarbaijan

Tchogha zanbil, khuzestan.

• The Persian Garden, Many Provinces
• The Persian Qanat, Many Provinces

Hyrcanian Forests, North of Iran

Lut desert, kerman.

Naghsh-e Jahan Square (aka Emam or Imam squar), Isfahan

Masjed-e Jāmé of Isfahan

Historic City of Yazd

Historic Bazaar Complex, Tabriz

The Arg-e Bam is the largest adobe building in the world

The Persian Qanat

Ghavam Garden: One of The Persian Gardens

Gallery of UNESCO world heritage sites in Iran

Click for Full List & More Description

Iran also lists more than 50 properties on the UNESCO world heritage tentative list [ Source ].

Iran Desert: Dasht-e Lut, which includes the hottest spot on earth & the tallest sand pyramids in the world with some being almost 480 meters

Iran Desert Dasht-e Kavir or the central desert of Iran, 300km long and 400 km wide, is the largest desert located in the Iranian plateau.

Read more about Iran Deserts

Damavand Mountain (5610m), The Highest Volcano in Asia

Damavand Tour     |    Mount Damavand Guide

Alamkuh, AKA The Alps of Iran

Read more about Alam-kuh

Mount Sabalan (4811m), 3rd most prominent peak in Iran

Read more about Sabalan

Tourist Attractions in Iran

Iran is a country with ancient history, diverse culture and amazing nature. This vast country is full of outstanding tourist attractions that travelers can visit during their Iran tour.

Depending on the Iran travel destinations you choose, there will be plenty of different natural and historical attractions to choose from based on your preferences. Iran has stunning natural tourist attractions to have a great journey in, ranging from tall mountains and mesmerizing forests to unique geological sites and vast deserts.

There are also many cultural/historical attractions in Iran including palaces, historical villages, mosques and gardens. In addition, Iran has 24 UNESCO world heritage sites that you can’t miss.

The majority of travelers choose Iran cultural tours and visit the most famous Iran destinations such as Shiraz , Isfahan , Yazd and Tehran . Those who are more adventurous choose to combine their Iran cultural tour with an Iran desert tour and explore the deserts near Kashan and Isfahan as well.

On the other hand, many others travel to Iran with the purpose of trekking in Alborz Mountain Range and climb Mount Damavand (5610m), the most prominent peak in the Middle East.

It’s possible to combine different Iran tours to get a taste of various Iran tourist attractions and spend some time in nature in addition to learning about the culture and history of Iran.

Things to do in Iran

In Iran, no traveler will be bored. Whether you prefer visiting sumptuous palaces and historical mosques, spending time with locals, or having some adventure in deserts and mountains, there are a lot of new and amazing things you can experience in Iran.

Those who enjoy history, arts and architecture shouldn’t miss significant historical attractions in Iran such as Persepolis and Pink Mosque (Nasir Ol Molk Mosque) in Shiraz and its nearby area, Fahadan neighborhood in Yazd , Naqsh-e Jahan Square and its surrounding monuments in Isfahan and Golestan and Sa’dabad Palaces in Tehran .

These cultural attractions are concrete history books and also introduce travelers to the Persian art of decoration and architectural style.

Those seeking to learn about the Iranian culture and lifestyle and spend time with locals can wander through the corridors of traditional bazaars or visit popular hangout places in each city such as Si-O-Se Pol in Isfahan , Bam-E Tehran and Tabiat Bridge in Tehran , Tomb of Hafez in Shiraz and Amir Chakhmaq square in Yazd .

Places such as Tomb of Hafez and Sa’adi in Shiraz give visitors a great insight into the literature of Iran while Zoorkhaneh is a great place to learn about an ancient Iranian sport.

Iran also has a lot to offer to those who enjoy being in nature and seek adventurous things to do. Mountain climbers can experience climbing the highest volcano in Asia and the most prominent peak in the Middle East, which is Mount Damavand (5610m) , without technical trekking experience. They can also enjoy trekking in Iran by conquering multiple peaks above 4000 m high in Alborz Mountain Range.

These mountains have also provided the opportunity of skiing both in modern Iran ski resorts and off-piste. Another amazing way to have adventure and spend time in nature in Iran is off-roading at Iran deserts , where adventurers can admire the beauty of salt lakes and sand dunes, visit the famous Shahdad Kalouts (Yardangs) and also visit the hottest spot on earth at Gandom Beryan Region.

Lastly, you can mix adventure with geology and explore the unique geological sites on Gheshm and Hormoz Islands . Some of the most notable geological sites in Iran are Harra Sea Forest , The Red Beach on Hormoz Island , The Rainbow Valley and the Valley of Stars .

You can learn more about things to do in Iran by reading about Iran destinations on this page.

Best Cities in Iran

Picking the best cities in a country to visit often requires a lot of research and it gets even more difficult when it comes to a country as diverse as Iran.

There is a lot to do and see in each of the Iran cities. Therefore, one of the factors that should be considered when choosing the best cities in Iran is personal preferences for different categories of Iran attractions. 

Each part of the country has its particular beauties and is known for a certain type of attractions. For instance, the northern cities such as Rasht , Bandar-e Anzali and Ardabil are famous for their stunning natural attractions including the Anzali Lagoon and Gardane Heyran .

However, the southern cities and Islands are the best choice for exploring unique geological phenomena such as Harra Sea Forest and the Valley of Stars on Gheshm Island and the Rainbow Valley on Hormoz Island. 

Moreover, former capitals such as Isfahan, Shiraz and Tabriz and some other cities such as Kashan and Yazd often attract the travelers’ attention for their remarkable cultural/ historical attractions and UNESCO world heritage sites such as the Persian Garden , Persepolis and the ancient city of Yazd .

Kashan, Yazd, Isfahan and Kerman are also close to deserts . On the other hand, Tehran gives travelers the opportunity to experience the modern, dynamic lifestyle of the Iranians living in this grand metropolis and is the best place to learn about the last 250 years of the history of Iran.

Tehran is also close to the best ski resorts in Iran and Mount Damavand and Alam Kuh, the highest and second-highest peaks in Iran, making it also a good destination for trekking and skiing in Iran .

Furthermore, Iran is a country with four seasons, meaning it’s possible to experience moderate weather in some parts of the country at all times. For this reason, the weather and time of travel is another important factor to consider when choosing a suitable Iran destination.

All this being said, although each traveler may have a different opinion on the best cities in Iran, the travel route that covers Tehran, Kashan, Isfahan, Yazd and Shiraz remains the most popular.

T hese cities are often considered the best Iran destinations due to the possibility of enjoying both cultural and adventurous activities in them and the fact that they include a large number of significant cultural attractions.

Cultural attractions in Iran

Iran is best known for its ancient history and interesting culture. It is full of outstanding historical attractions some of which date back to more than 5000 years ago .

The amazing cultural attractions in Iran have always fascinated travelers and 22 of them are registered as UNESCO world heritage sites.

Some of the oldest historical sites in Iran are Persepolis located near Shiraz , Bam Citadel  located near Kerman and Kharanaq village near Yazd and are more than 3000 years old .

Persepolis, the remains of the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid emperors, is the most famous UNESCO world heritage site in Iran and is a must-see attraction in the country. Historical mosques are also among significant cultural attractions in Iran.

They are known for their notable decorations especially the tilework and are each from a specific era of the history of Iran.

A few of the magnificent mosques in Iran are Pink mosque ( Nasir-ol Molk mosque) in Shiraz , Jameh mosque of Isfahan and Sheikh Lotfollah mosque also in Isfahan .

Each of these historical attractions has unique architecture and tile work. Palaces and traditional houses also comprise a large part of the most interesting historical attractions in Iran. These glorious attractions belonged to kings, noblemen and merchants from 200-500 years ago and are most famous for their grandeur and stunning embellishments.

Among them, Golestan Palace , and Sa’dabad Complex in Tehran , Ali Qapu Palace in Isfahan and Tabatabai traditional house in Kashan are the most admired.

Furthermore, the Persian Garden is another impressive cultural attraction in Iran and a UNESCO world heritage site. They often include a mansion that is architecturally significant on its own. Naranjestan Garden in Shiraz and Fin Garden in Kashan are two of the most remarkable Persian Gardens among the 9 Persian Gardens registered as a UNESCO world heritage site.

There are many other spectacular historical and cultural attractions in Iran such as traditional bazaars, ancient citadels such as Rayen Citadel , unique villages such as Abiyaneh , bridges such as Si-o-Se Pol and many others to visit in Iran. You can find more information about cultural attractions in Iran on this page (scroll to see the introduction to each city & its attractions).

What to know before you visit Iran

25 things you need to know before travelling to Iran

Is Iran Safe to Travel?

Iran Safety for visit

Visit Iran Top Destinations

In this section you’ll read about the best cities in Iran, the most fascinating natural attractions and the most remarkable historical ones and all 24 UNESCO world heritage sites. You’ll also find interesting things to do in Iran and places to have local experiences.

• Tehran : The capital and the dynamic beating heart of Iran, Read more
• Kashan : The jewel of Dasht-e Kavir, and one of the most architecturally beautiful cities in Iran, Read more
• Yazd : Located between Dasht-e Kavir desert and Dasht-e Lut desert, Yazd amazes every traveler with its beauty.  Read more
• Isfahan : Known as Nesf-e Jahan (meaning half of the world) by locals, Isfahan is the cultural capital of Iran, Read more
• Shiraz : One of the most ancient cities in Iran and is located near Persepolis the capital of ancient Persia. Shiraz is known as the city of poetry and wine, Read more
• Kerman : Kerman province includes the largest number of UNESCO world heritage sites in the country, Read more
• Tabriz : One of the most historically and economically significant cities in Iran, Read more
• Rasht : Rasht is named one of the UNESCO creative cities for its delicious and various local foods, Read more
• Ardabil : Ardabil means holy town. Ardabil province is known for its delightful lakes and heavenly jungles. Read more
• Qazvin : known as the city of calligraphy and satirical literature and one of the oldest cities in Iran. Read more
• Qeshm Island : Qeshm Island is known for its unique natural attractions and stunning landscapes This magnificent Island is also a valuable Geopark. Read more
• Bandar Abbas : The people of Bandar Abbas are famous for their unmatched kindness and hospitality. Read more

Visiting the capital of any country is a must when travelling. Tehran, the dynamic beating heart of Iran is no exception. The population of Tehran is almost 15 million people which is more than the population of most European countries.

The grandeur and crowdedness of this metropolis may overwhelm you at first but once you  get around you’ll see it’s much more than traffic jams and tall buildings. This city gives you the opportunity to get a taste of diverse cultures and lifestyles of the people in Iran alongside visiting historic palaces and museums.

The cozy cafes of the capital are great for relaxing in the evenings and enjoying a cup of coffee whilst learning about  the lifestyle of young Iranians.

Tehran is the doorway to learning about the last 250 years of history of Iran.  Dating back to more than 200 years ago, Golestan Palace and Sa’d Abad complex fascinate every visitor with their grandeur and beauty.

Inspired by grand palaces in Saint Petersburg and Paris Golestan palace was the official residence of Qajar rulers and  the summer home of Pahlavi kings. Sa’d Abad complex, located in the north of Tehran, was the official residence of Pahlavi rulers. This impressive complex satisfies every traveler with its ever-green trees, interesting museums and beautiful palaces.

Tehran also has several museums such as Treasury of the National Jewels in which the dazzling Daria-i Noor diamond is kept. Tehran has so many other museums and monuments worth visiting.

Furthermore, this city, embraced by mountains in the Alborz mountain range, offers travelers the chance to spice up their vacation with a little taste of adventure such as skiing in the highest ski resort in the Middle East, conquering the high Tochal summit or enjoying the beautiful scenery whilst sitting in a cable car. 

Tabiat( nature) bridge , a pedestrian bridge connecting two parks , is a great place to spend the night and enjoy the dazzling scenery that the lights create.

Bam-e Tehran is a recreational complex located at the foothills of Mount Tochal and at the end of Velenjak Street in Tehran and is one of the locals’ favorite places to spend their evenings. This complex offers activities like Archery, Tennis, Zip line, Bungee jumping etc. 

You can also enjoy the night by taking a walk , looking at the amazing scenery of Tehran at night and having dinner or snacks at the restaurants located in Bam-e Tehran. 

Tehran Activities and Attractions

Read more about Tehran Things to Do

Tehran Grand Bazaar

Tabatabai House, Kashan

Kashan, the jewel of Dasht-e Kavir , is one of the most architecturally beautiful cities in Iran. Many travelers choose to visit Kashan on their way to Isfahan. This oasis city is surrounded by Maranjab,Abouzeidabad,Matinabad and other deserts.

Many caravanserais were built in the deserts near Kashan for the travelers and merchants to rest. Kashan is known as the city of roses for its famous rose water. Kashan is also a popular holiday destination between Iranians due to its closeness to Tehran.

Many citizens of Tehran choose to spend their weekend exploring Abiyaneh village, the deserts around Kashan and the city itself.

Being the favorite holiday destination of nobleman and merchants in the past, this city has lavish traditional houses with stunning architecture that take your breath away. A

mong these traditional houses, Tabatabai house (Khane-e Tabatabaei) and Abbasi house ( Khane-e Abbasi) are the most impressive . Although the outside facade might not seem special, the interior is emblazoned with fine arts such as the famous stucco work of Kashan.

I t’s possible to experience staying at a similar magnificent house by spending a night at one of the boutique hotels available . Sialk hills are another significant historical attraction of this city. These 7000-year-old historical hills can be very interesting for those interested in archeology.

In addition to the unique architecture, Kashan has ever-green gardens with great atmosphere such as Fin garden . Built in an oasis city, these gardens have become the visitors’ favorite place in the hot mornings.

Fin garden is one of the most famous destinations in Iran. The Hammam inside is a great example of traditional Iranian Hammams and the figures inside portray different roles in a Hammam.

Kashan Activities and Attractions

Read more about Kashan Things to Do

Isfahan is the first city that comes to mind when speaking of Iran. Isfahan is the third largest city in Iran after Tehran and Mashhad and will give you a taste of modern life and the history of the country. Known as Nesf-e Jahan (meaning half of the world) by locals, Isfahan is the cultural capital of Iran.

Isfahan is the birthplace of many Iranian artworks and handicrafts as well. This city is surrounded by deserts such as Mesr desert and Varzaneh desert. The various types of activities available in Isfahan have made it one of the most popular destinations in Iran and many tourists’ favorite city.

This former capital now houses many historical attractions dating back to the Safavid era. Isfahan is the city of beautiful handicrafts and spectacular monuments. The main square of the city Naqsh-e Jahan (Imam) square is surrounded by magnificent monuments.

The so called name of Isfahan, Nesf e Jahan (meaning half of the world) refers to the wonders of the buildings in this city. The unique architecture style of these monuments catches every eye and the history behind them interests every visitor.

The meticulously designed acoustic room in the Ali Qapu palace , the unique design of the Sheikh Lotfollah mosque and the beautiful tile work in the Shah mosque will imprint an unforgettable memory on your mind. 

Chehel Sotoun pavilion (Kakh-e Chehel Sotun) is another must-see monument in Isfahan. This pavilion is known for the beautiful reflection of its pillars in the pool in front of it and the beautiful frescos on the wall telling tales of wars.

Isfahan is one of the best cities in Iran to witness the peaceful co-existence of different religions. For instance, Jolfa quarter is the Armenian/Christian neighborhood of Isfahan and is one of the oldest neighborhoods of the city.

Vank Cathedral is one of the 13 remaining cathedrals in Isfahan and is open to public. The combination of Christian frescos and Islamic tile work in this cathedral make it one of the unique attractions of this city.

Come the night, you can visit Khaju and si- o-se pol bridges. Dating back to more than 300 years ago, these bridges over Zayandeh River are the best place to experience the nightlife of Isfahan.

Sitting on the first floor of Khaju Bridge , you also get the chance to listen to people playing traditional instruments such as Tonbak, Tar, Oud and Santoor and singing. The sound of music is amplified due to the special arcades of the bridge.

Isfahan Activities and Attractions

Read more about Isfahan Things to Do

Imam (Shah) Mosque, Naghsh-e Jahan Square, Isfahan

Amir Chakhmaq Complex Square, Yazd

Located between Dasht-e Kavir desert and Dasht-e Lut desert , Yazd amazes every traveler with its beauty. Yazd is one of the most religious cities in Iran where Islamic ceremonies such as Muharram Mourning Ceremony are celebrated in the best way possible.

Yazd is also the birthplace of the Zoroastrian religion therefore it’s very famous for its fire temples. This city is known as the city of wind towers and Qanats and is the epitome of brilliant architecture in the middle of the desert. With its kind people and atmospheric alleyways and cafes, Yazd will steal your heart from the start. 

This UNESCO world heritage site fascinates every visitor interested in history. Jame mosque of Yazd is one of the oldest and most beautiful mosques in Iran, built during over 100 years. This magnificent mosque has some of the highest minarets in the world with almost 53 meters of height.

The stunning blue tile work of this mosque adds up to its beauty. Walking around the Jame mosque you reach Fahadan neighborhood. This labyrinth-like ancient neighborhood with its narrow alleys, cool atmosphere and cob-made houses is the best place to wander around and get to know the historic city of Yazd.

In addition to Yazd itself, Kharanq village is another historic spot worth visiting. This 4000 year old village is still home to 140 families, most of whom are Zoroastrian.

Despite being built in the middle of the desert, Yazd has amazing gardens with cool atmosphere due to the wind towers. The most famous one is the Dowlat Abad garden (Bagh-e Dolat Abad). This garden includes the tallest wind tower in the world.

The cool atmosphere, the running water and the pomegranate trees have created a great resting place in this sunny city.

Yazd is also the birthplace of one of the ancient Iranian sports. You can witness the amazing Pahlevani ritual in one of the Zoorkhanehs located in Yazd. The origin of this sport goes way back in the history of Iran.

Yazd Activities and Attractions

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Shiraz is one of the most ancient cities in Iran and is located near Persepolis the capital of ancient Persia.  Shiraz is known as the city of poetry and wine .

This beautiful city will satisfy every traveler with its amazing gardens, historical attractions and the friendly atmosphere of its people. Many choose Shiraz as the most memorable city they’ve visited in Iran.

Perhaps the first name that comes to mind when hearing of Iran is Persepolis ( Takht- e Jamshid) . The ruins of Persepolis located near Shiraz are the remains of the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid dynasty.

For those interested in history, there is no better place than this 3000 years old site to get to know this ancient civilization. Persepolis enchants every traveler with its grandeur, magnificent capitals, symbols and meaningful epigraphs. Visiting Pasargadae and the tomb of Cyrus the Great is a must for getting to know the history of Iran. The tomb of this great ruler is visited by many Iranians daily.

Getting into the city you can visit the stunning Zand complex, including Arg of Karim Khan (Arg-e Karim Khan) and the Vakil complex .

Home to Karim Khan , the founder of the Zand Dynasty , Arg of Karim Khan is an impressive citadel near the Vakil complex. This amazing citadel was built for Karim Khan and his family and served as a prison during Pahlavi dynasty.

The Vakil complex, built for people by the order of Karim Khan consists of a traditional Iranian Hammam, a mosque and a Bazaar where souvenirs and local products can be found . Not far from Vakil complex shines the stunning Nasir ol Molk mosque (Masjed-e Nasir Al Molk) or better known as Pink mosque .

The spectacular scenery that the sun shining on the colorful windows of the praying room creates has turned this mosque into one of the most popular destinations of Shiraz. Nasir ol Molk mosque is the travelers’ favorite spot for photography .

Shiraz is the origin of the delightful Persian Garden. Among the Persian Gardens located in Shiraz Eram Garden and Naranjestan Garden ( Bagh-e Naranjestan) are the most famous. Naranjestan Garden is one of the 9 gardens considered a world heritage site by UNESCO.

This gorgeous garden with its delightful atmosphere and the great smell of the orange trees in the air is one of the favorite destinations in Shiraz. The magnificent pavilion at the end of the garden belonged to the Ghavam family and is embellished with seven Iranian arts.

Shiraz, the city of poets, was the hometown of two of the most famous Iranian poets, Saadi and Hafez . Saadi is known as the master of speech for his poems talking about humanity and Hafez is known as the master of love for his unique romantic poems.

The tombs of these beloved poets are filled with people at night and are great for experiencing the nightlife of Shiraz.

Shiraz Activities and Attractions

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Naranjestan Ghavam, Shiraz

Shazdeh Garden, Kerman

Located in the south-eastern part of Iran Kerman province is the largest province in the country. This vast province includes a major part of Lut desert ( Dasht-e Lut) and the hottest known spot in the world. The largest city and capital city of this province is also named Kerman.

Kerman province includes the largest number of UNESCO world heritage sites in the country . This historical province also has amazing nature such as the beautiful Lut desert and Jupar mountain range.

The people of Kerman are the most warm-hearted, hospitable and ambitious people in Iran and will make your trip more memorable.

Kerman includes a large number of historical attractions with some dating back to thousands of years ago . Shahzadeh Mahan garden and Fath abad garden introduce the visitors to the world famous Persian gardens and make a memorable day for them with their delightful atmosphere.

It’s also possible to rent a room in the hotels located inside these gardens. Much like other cities in central Iran Kerman also includes a pedestrian square surrounded by several historical monuments that once was the most important part of the city. The bazaar, traditional bathhouse, the mosque surrounding Ganjali Khan square all have historical significance and are a great example of the Safavid architecture style.

Going a little further back into history, attractions such as Bam and Rayan citadels and Maymand village are the most significant monuments in Kerman with more than 5000 years of history . Bam and Rayan citadels are the first and second largest mudbrick structures in the world.

After years of protecting rulers and keeping invaders out, today these impressive citadels are open to public and among the must-see Kerman attractions. The fascination Maymand village is one of the two hand-carved villages that are still residential.

This ancient village is one of the most unique villages in Iran.

In addition to the impressive historical monuments, Kerman also has multiple natural attractions that can add a sense of adventure to your trip. Covering 11000 square meters of the Lut desert , the famous Kalouts near Shahdad village are the most popular natural Kerman attraction.

These naturally shaped gigantic bumps on the surface of the earth are one of the most stunning phenomena in the world. It’s also recommended to do other adventurous activities such as camel riding, ATV riding and safari whilst spending time in the desert.

Kerman province also offers several options for mountain climbing enthusiasts. A variety of activities such as skiing and mountain climbing can be done in Jupar mountain range and Mount Hezar(4501m), the highest peak in Central Iran).

Furthermore, there are several options available for those looking to spend some time in local popular spots. Strolling around in Ganjali khan square and the grand bazaar of Kerman gives travelers a chance to get to know the culture of Kerman whilst shopping.

The traditional Vakil bathhouse now serving as a teahouse is another favorite hangout place to spend the evening .

In addition, San’ati museum, the second largest museum of contemporary arts in Iran, is a great choice for art enthusiasts and the best place to observe some of the beautiful artworks in Iran.

Kerman Activities and Attractions

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Tabriz is the capital city of the East Azerbaijan Province and the third largest city in Iran. This city has been the capital of Iran in different eras and was the 5 th largest city in the world during the Safavid era.

Tabriz is one of the most historically and economically significant cities in Iran and is the second industrial city of the country. This magnificent city is known for its friendly atmosphere and cleanliness. Tabriz is also called the city of firsts as it has been the pioneer in the emergence   of many technologies and facilities.

This city is one of the top travel destinations in Iran and was named the tourism capital of Islamic countries in 2018. People of Tabriz speak Azerbaijani Turkish. They have their own unique culture, traditions, arts, etc. that make this city a must-visit in Iran.

Tabriz has been a significant city in many eras, from being the capital in Safavid era to the residence of the heir to the throne. This city has many impressive historical attractions belonging to different eras.

Blue mosque.,Arg of Tabriz and Tabriz bazaar are some of the most important historical structures of the city. Built during Kara Koyunlu monarchy, Blue mosque is one of the most unique mosques in Iran.

This magnificent mosque is one of the four blue mosques in the world and was named the Turquoise of Islam due to its stunning blue tiles. Other decorations such as golden patterns  have added to the beauty of this mosque. Tabriz bazaar is another significant monument in this city.

This grand bazaar is the largest roofed bazaar in the world including 29 mosques, 24 caravanserais and several bathhouses, schools and other structures in addition to the shops. Tabriz bazaar was built in the 10 th century and has long been an important trade center in Iran and Asia.

During its years of glory, this UNESCO world heritage site was on the Silk Road and was considered one of the main trade centers in the world. Today this magnificent bazaar is a great place for buying souvenirs. 

Tabriz also has 17 museums all of which are interesting in its own way. Among them Qajar museum, Azerbaijan museum and constitutional house are the most visited. Visiting these museums takes travelers back into the history of Iran and introduces them to the culture of this country and Azerbaijan province in particular.

Counting the best of Tabriz attractions, it’s impossible to exclude the mausoleum of poets. Tabriz has been home to many Iranian poets through history, many of whom have passed away in this city. Therefore, a mausoleum was built in Sorkhab graveyard to honor their memory.

The mausoleum of poets is the eternal home of more than 300 poets such as the famous Khaqani and Shahryar.

Including spectacular mountains and forests, Azerbaijan province is one of the most beautiful provinces in Iran. It’s possible to have an adventure and appreciate the beautiful nature by getting a little further away from Tabriz.

Arasbaran is a protected region located at the northern part of Azerbaijan Province. It is one of the most beautiful Hyrcanian forests in Iran. Arasbaran forest is considered a UNESCO world heritage site due to its amazing wildlife.

Tabriz is also close to many beautiful mountains, attracting mountain climbing enthusiast yearly.Sahand mountain range is the most popular among them. Sahand mountain range is known as the pearl of the mountains in Iran for its green foothills.

This mountain range is located south of Tabriz and includes 17 summits with more than 3000 meters of altitude.  While spending time in the Sahand mountain range it’s recommended to visit Kandovan village,located nearby. Kandovan village is one of the most unique historical villages in Iran.

This 3000 year old village is famous for the houses carved into rocks formed by solidified magma and shaped by nature. Kandovan is one of the two hand-carved villages in the world that are still residential. The uniqueness of the lifestyle of the inhabitants and the stunning houses of this village amaze every visitor.

Getting back into the city, there are several recreational spots available for those who wish to spend some time among the locals. Shahryar Street is a pedestrian street full of shops, restaurants and cafes .

This so called Champs-Élysées of Tabriz is a popular hangout place among the locals. Furthermore, Elgoli Park and Mount Eynali are two other popular recreational spots in Tabriz.

They offer locals and travelers a chance to enjoy activities such as  going to the amusement park, boat riding, cable car riding and playing mini golf besides spending quality time in nature. 

Tabriz Activities and Attractions

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Elgoli Park, Tabriz

Shahrdari Square, Rasht

Rasht is the capital city of Gilan province and the largest and most populated city located on the coast of Caspian Sea.

Known as the city of silver rain, this city is one of the most important rice and vegetables producers in the country due to its humid and rainy climate. Similar to rest of Gilan province, Rasht has a lush and beautiful nature.

Rasht is named one of the UNESCO creative cities for its delicious and various local foods . The people of Rasht are among the most energetic and kind people in Iran and their language is Gilaki. Rasht welcomes between 12 and 15 million visitors every year and is one of the most popular holiday destinations among Iranians.

Despite being underrated , Rasht has plenty of historical sites worth visiting. This city was expanded and modernized during Safavid and Qajar dynasties thus; today includes many historical monuments dating back to these eras. Shahrdari square is one of the most famous Rasht attractions and perhaps the most popular one.

Shahrdari square is known for the historic city hall in it which is the first one in Iran. The architecture of this grand square is inspired by Saint Petersburg .Shahrdari square is still considered the main square of Rasht and is an ideal spot for taking a walk and spending the evening.

Going through the history of Rasht and Gilan it’s impossible not to hear about Mirza Kuchuk Khan, the famous activist of the Iranian constitutional revolution that occured during the Qajar dynasty. Today his home and mausoleum are open to the public, especially those willing to learn about the history and culture of Rasht.

In addition to the historical attractions located inside Rasht there are a few others near the city that have recently become popular. The most famous one is Rudkhan Castle ( Qal’eh Rukhan).This impressive castle is one  of the most visited attractions on the coast of Caspian Sea. Visiting Rudkhan castle can turn into a great day of adventure as it is located inside a beautiful jungle and on top of the mountain.

Further exploring the rest of Gilan province, Masuleh village is another famous attraction found near Rasht. Masuleh village is one of the unique villages in Iran. This village is famous for the special structure of its houses with the roof of each house being the yard of the one above it. The spectacular scenery, created by the waterfalls and the verdurous mountain, adds to the charm of this village. 

 Rasht is located near the Caspian Sea , the largest lake in the world. The coast of the Caspian Sea has always been a popular destination among travelers, especially those living in Tehran. Visiting the Caspian Sea and spending some time on the beach is a must when travelling to Rasht.

The major part of Gilan Province is covered by beautiful forests due to its humid weather. In addition to these lush jungles other options such as multiple lakes and lagoons are available for those looking to spend a while in nature rather than staying in the city, Anzali lagoon is one of the most famous lagoons in Iran. 

It is well-known for its unique Indian lotuses that can be seen during spring. The fascinating Anzali lagoon is also the natural habitat of many bird species and fish .Furthermore, Eynak lagoon, Saqalaksar lake and the forests near Talesh can be suitable options for spending a delightful day absorbing the natural beauties of Gilan Province.  

Many consider visiting the popular hangout places in a city and spending time among the locals to be an important part of a trip. Saravan forest park is one of the best locations to fulfill that purpose. This vast forest park offers visitors great recreational options such as paintball and boat riding.

It also includes Gilan rural heritage museum where you can learn about the culture of people living in Gilan. Each part of this interesting museum is organized like a separate village with rural houses, mosques, schools and other structures preserved in their original form. Moreover, roaming around in Rasht grand bazaar is another popular thing to do in this city.

T his traditional bazaar is one of the few open-air traditional bazaars in Iran and is the best place to buy souvenirs and special local food products. It’s also possible to stop by Golsar or Takhti streets afterwards to have coffee or a delicious meal.

Rasht Activities and Attractions

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Ardabil is the capital city of Ardabil province located in the northwestern part of Iran. The name Ardabil means holy town .

Ardabil province is known for its delightful lakes and heavenly jungles . Many travelers plan to come back to Ardabil after their first trip as they believe visiting it once wasn’t enough to absorb all of its beauty.

Ardabil also has a rich culture. This magnificent city is the origin of the Safavid dynasty thus; 26th of July was named the national Ardabil day. The people of Ardabil are among the most hospitable races in Iran and their language is Azeri Turkish or Azerbaijani. Ardabil is one of the top Iran destinations in summer due to its endless natural beauties and moderate weather.

Ardabil is best known for its beautiful nature, however; this city has several historical monuments as it is the birthplace of Safavid dynasty. Sheikh Safi-al Din Khanegah and Shrine Ensemble (Sheikh Safi-od Din Mausoleum) is the most important monument in Ardabil .

This complex belonged to Sheikh Safi-al Din, the eponym of the Safavid dynasty and a mystic and later became his shrine. This world heritage site amazes the visitors with its magnificent decorations and architecture.

Ghandil khane and Chini khane are two of the most stunning rooms in this complex. Similar to other Jameh mosques in Iran, Jameh mosque of Ardabil is considered one of the significant monuments of this city. Although only a few parts of this ancient mosque are still remaining, it’s still a must-see in Ardabil. In addition to the aforementioned Ardabil attractions, Ardabil bazaar is another famous monument in this city.

This historic bazaar was one of the most important trade centers in Iran during the 12th and 13th centuries as it was on the Silk Road. Today Ardabil bazaar is a great choice for buying souvenirs, handicrafts and local products.

Ardabil province is one of the most beautiful provinces in Iran. The spectacular forests and tall mountains of Ardabil attract many travelers yearly. Neor Lake is one of the famous natural attractions around Ardabil.

This amazing lake and the beautiful surrounding area can be a great spot for camping, picnics, bird watching and other activities Neor lake is also the starting point of the magnificent road leading to Subatan village. Furthermore, the Fandoqlu forest is another fascinating natural destination in Ardabil province.

Fandoqlu forest is one of the most beautiful forests in Iran and one of the top Iran attractions. This magnificent forest is famous for its unique chamomile fields, attracting many visitors in spring.

In addition to enjoying the beautiful scenery and the delightful atmosphere of the forest it’s possible to go grass skiing on the equipped field available or relax in the hot spring located in the heart of the forest. It’s also possible to see this forest while riding in a cable car.

The cable car line begins near Gardane Heyran, a beautiful road between Gilan and Ardabil provinces where lush mountains can be seen on one side and the Hyrcanian forest in Azerbaijan on the other. This dreamy road is another famous Ardabil attraction. Ardabil also includes Mount Sabalan (4811 m) the third most prominent peak in Iran and an active volcano.

In addition to the endless natural beauties of Ardabil province, this mountainous province is also very famous for the hot springs in Sarein. These natural hot springs are a great choice for relaxing after a long day and also have medical benefits.

For those looking for things to do inside Ardabil city, Shorabil Lake can be a great choice. The complex offers many options such as renting boats and jet skis, biking, carting, and zip line riding and includes an amusement park as well.

Ardabil Activities and Attractions

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Gardaneh Heyran, Ardabil

Aminiha Hosseiniyeh, Qazvin

Qazvin is the capital city of a province of the same name. It is located in the northern part of Iran and at the foothills of Alborz mountain range. Qazvin has long been one of the important cities in Iran and is currently one of the industrial cities in the country.

Being the hometown of many artists, Qazvin is known as the city of calligraphy and satirical literature . This city is also famous for its clean air among other major cities in Iran. People of Qazvin are kind and hospitable and speak Persian with Qazvini accent.

Qazvin welcomes many visitors every year for its multiple historical attractions and is a popular destination between citizens of Tehran due to its closeness to the capital.

Qazvin is one of the oldest cities in Iran and has been significant during different eras. Qazvin was the capital of Iran for 57 years during Safavid dynasty and thus includes many amazing historical attractions such as the first street built in Iran.

This city includes 21 percent of the national heritage sites in Iran making it the first in the country. From beautiful mosques to interesting museums, historical houses and grand citadels Qazvin has a wide range of historical monuments.

Chehel Sotun palace is one of the significant Qazvin monuments. This magnificent pavilion used to be the official residence of king Tahmasp I. The interior is decorated with Persian arts such as frescos and mirror work. Today Chehel Sotun serves as a calligraphy museum.

Qazvin also has two historically significant mosques, Jameh mosque, and Nabi mosque. Jameh mosque of Qazvin is the oldest Jameh mosque in Iran. This grand mosque attracts many visitors as it is a unique combination of architectural elements from different eras.

Nabi mosque is another beautiful mosque in Qazvin and an important Qazvin attraction. The amazing tile work used in this mosque is only one of the reasons for its beauty. Museums are other important attractions in Qazvin. Qazvin museum and Anthropology museum are the most popular among several interesting museums in this city.

The anthropology museum is located inside one of the oldest and largest traditional baths in Qazvin, giving the visitors a chance to visit the bathhouse whilst learning about the culture and traditions of Iranians. Imamzadeh-ye Hossein is another must-see monument in Qazvin. Similar to other shrines in Iran, this shrine is decorated in the best way possible.

The dazzling interior of this shrine makes it one of the most remarkable Qazvin monuments. Furthermore, on impressive attractions in Qazvin, Caravanserai of Sa’d al-Saltaneh ( Sa’d-al Saltaneh Caravanserai) is undoubtedly one of the unique ones.

This vast caravanserai is also one of the most interesting structures in Qazvin due to its unique brick structure and the tile work on its dome. It’s recommended to take a walk in the rest of the historic Qazvin bazaar, the best place for buying souvenirs and local products.

Located not far away from Qazvin is Alamut Castle, the most famous monument in Qazvin. Alamut is one of the most ancient and mysterious castles in Iran. Although the major part of Alamut castle is destroyed, it’s still one of the must-see Iran monuments.

Qazvin also has several offers for those looking to spend some time in nature in addition to visiting historical monuments. Located near the famous Alamut Castle, Ovan Lake is one of the popular natural Qazvin destinations.

This amazing natural lake is a great spot for camping, bird watching, boat riding etc.The road leading up to Ovan Lake is also very beautiful. Barajin forest park is another popular natural Qazin attraction. This vast park is located only 2 km from the city and offers several recreational options such as a biking trail and an amusement park.

Qazvin Activities and Attractions

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Qeshm Island is the largest island in the Persian Gulf. This Island is larger than 20 countries in the world and is full of wonders and beauties. Qeshm Island is known for its unique natural attractions and stunning landscapes This magnificent Island is also a valuable Geopark.

In addition, Qeshm is an important trade center in the area, thus includes many shopping centers. The interesting geological sites, the breathtaking sceneries, various aquatic activities available alongside the opportunity to get a sense of the culture of the Southern part of Iran, has made this heavenly Island a popular holiday destination. 

Qeshm Island attracts many travelers yearly, whether they’re looking for adventure or just want to relax. Traveling to Qehsm and its nearby Islands gives travelers the opportunity to relax as well as having adventures and seeing unique attractions and makes their trip and unforgettable experience 

Qehsm Island attracts many travelers yearly by its unique natural attractions. The beautiful and pristine forests, caves, beaches, and valleys on this Island and the nearby Hormoz and Hengam Islands can’t be seen in another part of Iran.

Harra sea forest is one of the most famous of these attractions. This forest of gray mangroves is a natural water purifier, preparing it for other plants to use. These magnificent plants are one of the few species able to grow in saltwater.

Naz Island is another one of the famous Qeshm attractions. This rocky island is connected to Qeshm by a route available at the time of low tide. The sea level going down allows the travelers to stroll in the ankle-deep water and get to Naz Island. Furthermore, Qeshm Island has several interesting geological sites. A few of these sites are the valley of stars and Chahkooh Canyon.

These stunning geological sites are known for the amazing and wondrous shapes of the rocks. These phenomena are a result of erosion. Moreover, Qeshm Island also includes several caves with Namakdan cave being the most visited. The spectacular stalactites in this cave were formed during 57 million years. 

The nearby Hormoz Island is another unique Island in the Persian Gulf. It is well-known for its fascinating colorful soil and beautiful shore. The unique soil found in the Rainbow valley is consisted of almost 70 different minerals.

Hormoz Island also includes several beaches all of which are unique in their own way. The turtles’ beach is one of the few places in Iran where you can witness baby turtles crawling towards the sea in spring. The red beach is another famous beach on this Island. The red soil of this beach is edible and is an important resource. 

In addition to the breathtaking sights and amazing beaches, the Islands in the Persian Gulf are great locations for resting and enjoying aquatic activities. The clean beaches, warm and invigorating water, and the variable activities available such as diving, swimming, etc.

have made these Islands popular vacation destinations. These shores are also suitable for camping and spending a few nights relaxing and sleeping under the stars.

Qeshm Activities and Attractions

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Rainbow Valley, Qeshm

Bandar Abbas Bazaar

BANDAR ABBAS

Located on the coast of the Persian Gulf, Bandar Abbas is the second-largest city in the southern part of Iran and the capital city of Hormozgan province. It is one of the most important port cities in Iran and an important trade center in Asia.

The strategic location of Bandar Abbas has made it an important city through the history of Iran. The people of Bandar Abbas are famous for their unmatched kindness and hospitality. They speak Persian with their own special accent and their interesting culture and traditions are unique in the country.

Bandar Abbas is the best place to learn about the unique culture of the southern part of Iran.

Bandar Abbas Activities and Attractions

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Cheetah-Adventures is an Iran tour operator & Iran travel agency aiming to provide services for travelers from around the globe who aim to visit Iran. Cheetah-Adventures is named after the Iranian Cheetah, a critically endangered cheetah subspecies surviving today only in Iran.

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10 Must-See Tourist Attractions in Iran, A Practicable Checklist

While planning your visit to Iran, you can have a great variety of sites in your visiting list. It’s an opportunity that a culturally rich country provides you. Such an incredible variety can be challenging to some extent and cause you a little confusion in planning your trip. So, in order not to miss anything, especially the prominent historical sites in Iran, here’s a list of top 10 tourist attractions in Iran for your visit.

1. Museums of Various Objects

They’re categorized as museums of history and archaeology, anthropology, science and natural history as well as house museums, park museums, local and regional museums, etc.

2. Temples of Different Religions

If you’re interested to know more about some other religions you can find some religious sites. These are mainly the shrines and mosques of Muslims, churches of Christians, synagogues of Jews, and Zoroastrian fire temples.

This temple is the a must-see in our top 10 tourist attractions as far as Zoroastrian sites are concerned.

3. Tombs of Famous People

During the history of this country, there have been some famous people whose tombs are now highly visited. These burial places belong to historical figures, poets, and artists.

4. Persian Gardens

They can be incredibly amazing to you when you think of Iran as a dry land. Some of these gardens are recorded by UNESCO.

A visit to Iran without checking out its Persian gardens is like ignoring the entire top 10 tourist attractions of this country.

5. UNESCO Sites

These are several historical sites in Iran. Some of them date back to pre-Islam Iran and some to post-Islam Iran. You can find a complete list of UNESCO sites of Iran here !

6. Palaces of Previous Rulers in Iran

Most of them are regarded as historical monuments. In some cases, you can also visit some parts of these palaces as museums.

7. Various Natural Landscapes

It just depends on your taste and interest. The variety in natural landscapes are so great that meets almost all expectations. Drive through these fascinating landscapes as Part of the top 10 tourist attractions in Iran and be sure that they’ll give you a brand new impression of the country.

8. Villages & Neighborhoods

Apart from so many breath-taking attractions in cities, villages can also look fascinating to you. An exceptionally relaxing atmosphere, scenic beauty, and local handicrafts are just part of the enjoyment you can experience there.

9. Local Bazaars in Different Cities

They are tempting enough to persuade you to buy something. Sometimes, the goods and products available in these bazaars are specific to the cities in which they are located. So, some of these bazaars are unique in souvenirs they offer. In addition to shopping, the architecture can be also attractive to you in some occasions because they’re also categorized as historical sites in Iran.

We know that historical sites don’t make the top 10 tourist attractions world travelers are loooking for. So, we highly recommend such places where local people are going on with their everyday lives.

10. Handicrafts & Arts in Workshops & Art Galleries

They give you a very good chance to learn more details about cultural issues. You can enjoy a specific wonderful variety in each city or region.

This checklist helps you to make up your mind more easily about where and what you want to visit. So, if you want your trip to be more organized and enjoyable, try to save and keep this list of top 10 tourist attractions in Iran for yourselves.

You can also check out some of the top tour packages of Iran here !

This is a very helpful way to organize visitors’ thinking when planning a trip to Iran. I am interested in visiting but have been over-whelmed by the options!

It’s a pleasure that you’ve found it helpful Kay. So, take it easy and start planning your trip. And if you need more tips to get your mind sorted about a perfect itinerary, feel free to contact us at info[at]destinationiran[dot]com.

Hope to see you soon in Iran!

What a beautiful country! It’s sad that the rich history and beauty of Iran are overshadowed by the troubles in the Middle East. Friends visited Iran in the last couple of years and they were enchanted.

Fortunately, in recent months, more and more people are visiting Iran. The tourism authorities are planning to build up the infrastructure for improving this industry in Iran. We distribute such news on our “Weekly Newsletter”: https://www.destinationiran.com/iran-travel-newsletter

enjoyed to see

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Iran Tourist Attractions

Iran destinations are as vibrant as the seasons. You can explore a whole array of vivacious colors, majestic sights and unfeigned traditions in each location. The deeper you dive, the richer the culture ( Iran tour ).

Enjoy off-roading along the martian-like Kalouts, take a deep dive into everliving-cultures dating back to the Iron-age, and even enjoy snowboarding along the peaks of the mighty Alborz. Take a break and go on a camping adventure into the lush forests surrounding the Caspian Sea, or take a trip down south to the Persian Gulf and visit the rainbow-islands. Unbelievable architectural wonders spanning thousands of years, dense forests mixed with towering sand dunes, and local delicacies & treats are awaiting your arrival.

In Iran hospitality is a vital part of everyday life. The best way to see the country is through the people, so get ready to socialize, because you’ll be greeted with wondrous delight everywhere you go. If you wish to get a guided, and more detailed experience, check out our Destination Iran Tours .

From free walking tours to all-inclusive packages, you can customize exactly how you want to spend every hour of your vacation.

If you’re coming to Iran, you are a seeker of local cultures, traditions and people. Whether you have a week or a whole month, we’ll tell you how to get the most out of your time in Iran.

Tehran, the capital of Iran, is the largest and the most populous city in the country. A city that has been the capital for more than 200 years. And it is where the most important administrative, executive and political decisions are made. With an area of ​​730 square kilometers, Tehran is the beating heart of Iran. It is the capital of many economic, cultural, scientific, and political aspects of the country. Usually, the Capital of each tourist country is a top destination to check out. So let’s dig deeper into Tehran tourism in the New York of Iran! Read about each of the places in more detail on our Tehran Attractions page.

Important Streets and Squares of Tehran

• Valiasr Street
• Imam Khomeini Square
• Hassan Abad Square
• Tajrish Square
• Fereshteh Street

Historical Places to Visit in Tehran

• Golestan Palace and Museum Complex
• Niavaran Palace Complex
• Saadabad Palace and Museum Complex
• Tehran Grand Bazaar
• The Gate of the National Garden
• Tajrish Bazaar

Urban Attractions in Tehran 

• Azadi (Freedom ) Tower
• Milad Tower
• Nature Bridge
• Book Garden
• Gonbad-e-Mina Planetarium

Parks and Gardens to Visit in Tehran

• Mellat Park
• Ab-o Atash (Water and Fire) Park
• Lavizan Forest Park
• National Botanical Garden

Museums to Visit in Tehran

• National Museum of Iran
• National Jewelry Museum
• Miniature Garden Museum
• Moghadam House Museum
• Omidvar Brothers Museum
• National Museum of the Islamic Revolution & Holy Defense
• Iran Wildlife and Nature Museum

Tehran Entertainment Complexes

• Chitgar Forest Park Complex
• Eram Amusement Complex
• Bam-e Tehran (Tehran Roof) Recreation Complex
• Darband Nature and Recreation Complex
• Ghazzali Cinema Town

Religious and Pilgrimage Places in Tehran

• Shah Abdol-Azim Shrine
• Imamzadeh Saleh
• Sepahsalar Mosque
• Saint Sarkis Cathedral
• Adrian Fire Temple or Tehran Fire Temple
• Haim Synagogue

Natural sights of Tehran

• Tochal Peak
• Cheshmeh Ali (Ali Spring) in Rey City

Sights around Tehran

• Dizin Ski Resort
• Shemshak Ski Resort
• The Beginning of Chalous Road
• Ahar Village
• Shahrestanak Village
• Firoozkooh Tang-e Vashi

Shopping in Tehran

1.Home appliances and electronics market: Jomhouri and Hafez streets

• Book and cultural goods market: Enghelab Street
• Handicraft Market: Villa Street
• Household tableware market: Shush Square
• Fabric and curtain market: Zartosht, Molavi, and Abdolabad streets
• Bags and shoe market: Sepahsalar street and Baharestan square
• Second-hand goods, handmade art supplies, and antiques: Parvaneh Friday Bazar on Jomhouri Avenue

Places to Eat in Tehran

• Street Food
• Restaurants
• Food Courts

In Persian, we say: “Isfahan, Nesf-e Jahan” meaning Isfahan is half of the world. Meaning the one who has seen Isfahan has seen half of the world. 😀 Isfahan is one of the most popular touristic cities not only among the locals but among foreigners.

By traveling to Isfahan, you can have a memorable trip to one of the most important periods in the history of Persia, the Safavid period. This era of Persia’s history has left us with many historical contexts and famous attractions to explore and wonder about.

In fact, a trip to Isfahan would be a trip to the capital of Iranian handicrafts, as well.

So let’s see the top Iran tourist attractions  in this stunning city, together.

Read about each of the places in more detail on our Isfahan Attractions page.

Historical Attractions to Visit in Isfahan

• Naghsh-e Jahan Square
• Chehel Sotoun Palace
• Hasht Behesht Palace
• Khajoo Bridge
• Si-O Se Pol Bridge
• Isfahan Bazaar
• Manar Jonban
• Atiq Grand Mosque
• Imam Ali Square
• Vank Church
• Vank Church Museum
• Isfahan Music Museum
• Isfahan Aquarium
• Chaharbagh Street
• Takht-e-Foolad Historical Cemetery
• Jolfa Neighborhood

Natural Attractions to Visit in Isfahan

• Flowers Garden
• Birds Garden
• Sofeh Mountain
• Nazhvan Forest Park
• Fadak Garden

Attractions around Isfahan

• Mesr Desert
• Varzaneh Desert
• Imamzadeh Agha Seyed Ali Abbas Shrine
• Matin Abad Desert Camp
• Niasar Waterfall

Before we start our tour in Kashan to check out its top attractions, let’s see why Kashan is a great option to include in your itinerary. Kashan is the cradle of traditional Iranian civilization and culture. The city is about 7,000 years old, so it has a significant role in Iran sightseeing .

Some historians believe that Kashan is the original first city in not only in ancient Persia, but the whole world. It is also the carpet capital of the country.

Now, it’s time to take a look at the top Iran tourist attractions in this breathtaking town.

Read about each of the places in more detail on our Kashan Attractions page.

Historical Attractions to Visit in Kashan

• Finn Garden
• Tabatabai HouseTabatabai House – Kashan – Iran
• Abbasid House
• Boroujerdi House
• Kashan Grand Mosque
• Kashan Bazaar
• Agha Bozorg Mosque
• Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse
• Sialk Archeological Hills

Attractions Around Kashan

• Abyaneh Village
• Noshabad Underground City
• Marnjab Desert
• Abuzeydabad Desert

Tabriz is the third-largest city in Iran. This city has a special place in the history, background, and economy of our country. There are lots of monuments to see in this historic city. Tabriz is located in a province with many natural attractions, as well. The kind people of Tabriz speak Turkic. They have lots of awesome traditions and a very pretty dance style.

If you are keen to visit Iran, apply for an Iranian visa  and choose your favorite Iran tour .

Read about each of the places in more detail on our Tabriz Attractions page.

Historical and Cultural Attractions to Visit in Tabriz

• Tabriz Historical Bazaar
• Tabriz Blue Mosque
• Arg-e-Alishah
• Sa’at (Clock) Square
• Maqbarat-o-sho’ara or Tomb of the Poets

Museums to Visit in Tabriz

• Tabriz Municipality Museum Palace
• Azerbaijan Museum
• Qajar Museum

The Best Recreational Attractions in Tabriz

• Shahgoli or El Goli
• Eynali Mountain
• Shahriar Paved Pass
• Baghlar Baghi Amusement Park
• Laleh Park; Tabriz Commercial and Entertainment Complex

Food in Tabriz

• Bonab Kebab
• Kufteh Tabrizi
• Ash-e doogh

Important Attractions around Tabriz

• Sahand Mountain
• Payam Ski Resort in Marand
• Kandovan Rocky Village
• Zonuzaq Village
• Ushtabin Village
• Saint Stepanos Monastery
• Zahhak Castle

Shiraz is a city of gardens, flowers, and nightingales. It’s the city of poets, the land of lovers, the city of orange blossoms, and the city of love. And eventually, it is the city of sacred secrets, the city of Persian poetry and literature. Shiraz is one of those cities in Iran where there is a very happy atmosphere. Visiting this city brings you beyond-imagination peace and joy.

And as you might know, some of the best and most worldwide known ancient attractions of Iran are in Shiraz. Let’s see what is awaiting us in Shiraz. We’ll take a quick look at the Iran tourism place in this excellent city.

Read about each of the places in more detail on our Shiraz Attractions page.

Historical Attractions to Visit in Shiraz

• Zandieh Complex
• Nasir Al-Molk Mosque
• Atiq Mosque
•  Quran Gate
• Tomb of Hafez
•  Tomb of Saadi
• Shah Cheragh
• Saraye Moshir
• Kuchebagh-e Qasr Al-Dasht
• Khan School

Spectacular Gardens to Visit in Shiraz

• Eram Garden
• Narenjestan Ghavam Garden
• Delgosha Garden
• Jannat (Paradise) Garden
• Afif Abad Garden
• Jahan Nama Garden

Museums to Visit in Shiraz

• Pars Museum
• Persepolis Museum
• Shiraz Museum of Visual Arts or Contemporary Arts
• Museum of Celebrities  Or Zinat Al-Molk Historical House
• Shah Cheragh Museum
• Narenjestan Ghavam Museum
• Shiraz Water Museum
• Haft Tanan Stone Museum
• Museum of Natural History and Technology
• Shapouri House

Parks to Visit in Shiraz

• Derak Mountain Park
• Kuhpayeh Park
• Luna Amusement Park
• Chamran Boulevard Park
• Iran Land Indoor Amusement Park
• Bamou National Park

Attractions around Shiraz

• Persepolis Complex
•  Pasargad Complex and the Tomb of Cyrus
• Naqsh-e Rostam
• Naqsh-e Rajab

Natural Attractions Around Shiraz

• Dasht-e Arjan or Arjan Plain
• Maharlou Lake
• Tang-e-Bostanak, Bostanak Canyon
• Margoon Waterfall
• Raghez Canyon

In the southeastern part of Iran, there is the largest province in the country, Kerman. It’s the province between the provinces of Yazd, South Khorasan, Sistan and Baluchestan, Hormozgan, and Fars. Kerman city is the capital of Kerman Province. This city has many historical attractions and for this reason, is one of the 5 historical cities of Iran.

Read about each of the places in more detail on our Kerman Attractions page.

Top Attractions to Visit in Kerman

• Fath Abad Garden
• Ganj Ali Khan Complex
• Kerman Grand Bazaar
• Jabaliyeh Historical Dome
• Kerman Zoroastrian Fire Temple
• Vakil Hammam (Bath)
• Yakhdan-e Moayedi or Moayedi Icehouse
• Takht-e Dargah Gholi Beyg
• Malek Mosque
• Pardisan Park
• Qal’eh Dokhtar or Anahita Fire Temple
• Kerman Grand Mosque or Mozaffari Grand Mosque
• Kerman National Library
• Moshtaghieh Dome or the Three Domes

Museums to Visit in Kerman

• Holy Defence Garden Museum
• Coin Museum
• Harandi Garden Museum
• Kerman Sanati Contemporary Art Museum

Top Attractions around Kerman

• Tomb of Shah Nematullah Vali Mahan
• Shahzadeh Mahan Historical Garden
• Arg-e Rayen or Rayen Citadel
• Arg-e Bam or Bam Citadel
• Darvish Khan Stone Garden
• Kalut Shahdad Desert
• Simak Waterfalls
• Sirch Ski Resort
• Meymand Rocky Village
• Rageh Canyon

Yazd is the city of qanats and windcatchers. It’s the world’s first raw clay city. And the second living historical city in the world after Venice, Italy. The locals are famous for being calm, dignified, and hard-working people. These genius people had made it possible to live in the heart of the desert with their architectural skills. I’m talking about qanats and windcatchers. The first fulfilled their need for water and the latter cooled down their houses.

Read about each of the places in more detail on our Yazd Attractions page.

Top Attractions to Visit in Yazd

In every corner of Yazd, an attraction is waiting to surprise you. And it will be very difficult to make one of them superior to the other; But the most significant of them are:

• Yazd Grand Mosque
• Fahadan Neighborhood
• Amir Chakhmaq Complex
• Saheb Al-Zaman Zurkhaneh
• Dowlat Abad Garden
• Yazd Fire Temple
• Khan Complex
• Rostam Giv Ab Anbar
• Shesh Badgir Ab Anbar
• Alexander’s Prison
• Yazd Clock Square
• Yazd Old Town
• Davazdah Imam Tomb
• Naaji Garden and Mansion
• Malek-ol-Tojjar Historical House

Top Museums to Visit in Yazd

• Museum of Mirrors and Lighting
• Lariha House Museum
• Yazd Water Museum
• Tehraniha House Museum
• Markar Museum
• Yazd Car Museum
• Stone Museum

Natural Attractions to Visit in Yazd

• Haft-e Tir Park
• Haftsang Desert Camp
• Quran Gate Desert
• Abarkooh Ancient Cypress Tree
• Shir Kuh Mountain
• Nasrabad’s Nabati Cave
• Bafgh Desert

Top Iran Tourism Places Around Yazd

• Dakhmeh Zartoshtian or the Tower of Silence
• Kharānaq Village
• Ashkezar Water Mill
• Gonbad Aali or Aali Dome
• Kharānaq Manar Jonban
• Zarach Qanat

Qeshm Island is the beautiful jewel of the Persian Gulf. It is home to a collection of rocky, sandy, and muddy beaches. There are extensive historical, cultural, and archeological monuments here. Along with valuable geological heritage, ‌ that has made this island the only geopark in Iran and the Middle East.

Read about each of the places in more detail on our Qeshm Attractions page.

Top Natural Attractions to Visit In Qeshm

• Chahkooh Canyon
• Laft Historical Village
• Hengam Island
• The Valley of Stars
• Hara Forest or Mangrove Forest
• Naz Islands
• Kharbas Cave
• Silver Beach
• The Sacred Fig Tree
• Qeshm Salt Cave
• Shib Deraz Village
• The Roof of Qeshm
• Kaseh Salakh Area

Top Historical Attractions to Visit In Qeshm

• Portuguese Fort
• Bibi Water Reservoir
• Historical Cemeteries in Qeshm
• Tala Water Wells
• Bibi Maryam’s Tomb
• Qeshm Noopak Crocodile Park
• Qeshm Shipbuilding and Repair Company
• Zeytoon (Olive) Park
• Qeshm Global Geopark Museum
• Qeshm Island Aquarium
• Negin Sahel Diving and Marine Recreational Center
• Hamoon Recreation and Tourism Complex
• Khalo Saleh Museum
• Nakhoda (Captain) Ali Museum
• Direstan Anthropology Museum
• Qeshm Traditional Bazaar
• The Dargahan Old Market
• Qeshm City Center Mall

Qazvin is one of the largest cities in Iran and the capital of Qazvin province. This city was the capital of the country for 57 years during the Safavid era. For this reason, it has many historical buildings and museums. This city is the great capital of Iranian calligraphy, as well. Qazvin is located at the crossroads of the northern and western provinces of the country. Although many tourists may have passed through the city on their way, most of them miss its tourist attractions and sights.

Read about each of the places in more detail on our Qazvin Attractions page.

Historical Places to Visit in Qazvin

• Qazvin Bazaar
• Al-Nabi Mosque
• Rafi Church
• Russian Church
• Qazvin Jameh Mosque, Qazvin Grand Mosque
• Sardar Bozorg Water Reservoir
• Aminiha Hosseiniyeh
• Sa’d al-Saltaneh Caravanserai
• Alamut Castle
• Imamzadeh Hossein
• The Entrance of Aali Qapo
• Darb Kushk Gate
• Sepah Street
• Kharraqan Towers
• Sardar Mosque and School Complex
• Hamdallah Mustawfi Shrine
• The Safavid Garden Complex

Museums to Visit in Qazvin

• Chehel Sotoun Palace Museum
• Sepahdar Garden Mansion
• Qazvin Municipality Mansion
• Qazvin Museum

Natural and Cultural Attractions in and around Qazvin

• Traditional Gardens of Qazvin
• Zargar Village
• Barajin Forest Park
• Garmagalou Canyon
• Varchor Waterfall
• Sialan Mountain

Rasht City is a combination of sea and forest with rich history and civilization of Iran. A city that was the birthplace of great people like Mirza Kuchak Khan Jangali. This city is the destination of millions of tourists, annually. Rasht, the capital of the evergreen province of Gilan, is located near the Caspian Sea. Meanwhile, its dense forests will blow your mind away.

Rasht Traditional Bazaar is a must-see. And Gilak people are full of joy and hospitality! The reputation of this city has gone beyond the borders. And UNESCO has introduced Rasht as the most creative city in terms of food and taste.

Read about each of the places in more detail on our Rasht Attractions page.

Historical Iran Tourism Places in Rasht

• Rasht Municipality Square
• Municipality Palace
• Rasht National Library
• Post Office Mansion
• Rasht Grand Bazaar
• Kolah Farangi Mansion
• Emamzadeh Hashem
• Tomb of Mirza Kuchak Khan
• The Tomb of Dana-ye Ali
• Mosalla Square
• Abrishami Traditional House
• Mirza Kuchak Khan Jangali’s House
• Alam al-Hoda Street
• Lat Caravanserai
• Qadiri Traditional House
• Shahpour High School

Museums to Visit in Rasht

• Gilan Rural Heritage Museum
• Rasht Museum

Parks and Gardens to Visit in Rasht

• Mohtasham Garden
• Sabzeh Meydan Park

Natural Attractions to Visit in and around Rasht

• Saqalaksar Lake
• Saravan Lake and Forest Park
• Eynak (Glasses) Lagoon
• Saravan-Fooman Road
• Anzali Lagoon
• Masouleh Historical City
• Qaleh Roudkhan Castle
• Asalem-Khalkhal Road
• Gisum Forest Park

1. Mohtasham Garden

2. Mellat Park

3. Sabzeh Meydan Park

1. Saqalaksar Lake

2. Saravan Lake and Forest Park

3. Eynak (Glasses) Lagoon

4. Saravan-Fooman Road

5. Anzali Lagoon

Semnan is one of the desert cities of Iran, which is located in the south of the Alborz mountain range. If you plan to travel to Mashhad from Tehran, you will pass through this quiet city. In addition to the tourist attractions of the Lut desert in the south of Semnan, you can enjoy the lush nature and its pleasant climate in the north and northeast of the province. Also, due to the historical nature of this city, it has many spectacular ancient monuments that indicate the antiquity of Semnan.

Read about each of the places in more detail on our Semnan Attractions page.

Historical Tourism Places to Visit in Semnan

• Semnan Grand Mosque
• Arg Gate Square
• Semnan Traditional Bazaar
• Soltani Mosque or Immam Mosque
• Taheri’s House
• Torabi Historic House
• Ali Ibn-e Jafar Shrine
• Kalantar (Sherief) House
• Sheikh Ala Al-Dawlah Bazaar
• Naghsh-e Jahan Serai
• Sookan Forest Park

Museums to Visit in Semnan

• Natural History Museum
• Koumesh Coin Museum
• Amir Garden and Mansion
• Hazrat Bath

Iran Tourism Places around Semnan

• Shahmirzad Town
• Saroo Castles
• Abbasi Lasjerd Caravanserai
• Mirak Delazian Hills
• Monastery of Ala Al-Dawlah Semnani
• Zavaghan Jameh Mosque
• Qasr-e Bahram Caravanserai
• Shah Abbasi Carevanserai Complex
• Ahovan Caravanserai
• Salt Mine Of Garmsar
• Mojen Waterfall
• Abr (Cloud) Forest
• Opert Ridge
• Qalebālā Village
• Rig-e Jenn Desert
• Parvar Protected Area

Ilam province is one of the western provinces of the country. Mountains, rivers, waterfalls, protected mountainous areas and vast and fertile plains, have made this province a destination for nature tourists.

The province hosts many historical monuments, as well. Clearly, this fact indicates the existence of the center of human societies in this region. Now, let’s get to know some of Iran’s top tourist attractions in this outstanding province.

Read about each of the places in more detail on our Ilam Attractions page.

Top Natural Tourist Attractions to Visit in Ilam

• Tang-e Kāfarī
• Siah Gav (Black Cow) Twin Lakes
• Chakar Lagoon
• Arghavan Valley
• Bahram Choobin Canyon
• Sheshdar Natural Forest Park
• Chagha Sabz Forest Park
• Seimare River
• Dehloran Hot Water Springs
• Abtaf Waterfall
• Boiling Tar Springs
• Koulak Protected Area
• Telesm Ivan Cave
• Ilam Dam Lake
• Strait of Razianeh
• Qaleh Qīrān
• Zamzam Lagoon
• Cham Aw Waterfall
• Barreh Zard Cave
• Ţūlāv Mountain
• Tajrian Promenade

Top Historical Tourist Attractions to Visit in Ilam

• Posht Ghale
• Hezarani Castle
• Julian Fortress
• Hezar Darb (One Thousand Door) Castle
• Chenar Cemetery
• Gulgul Malekshahi Inscription
• Ismail khan Castle
• Armu Cemetery
• Se-Kasan Castle
• Chartaqi Fire Temple
• Seymareh Ancient City (Madakto)
• Pour Ashraf Castle
• Ali Kosh Hill
• Moshakan Fire Temple
• Gavmishan Bridge
• Mir Gholam Hashemi Castle
• Konjan Cham Castle
• Konjan Cham Dam
• Vali Castle
• Siahgel Fire Temple
• The Arch of Shirin and Farhad
• Falahati Palace
• Sirvan Ancient City
• Natural History Museum Of Ilam

Kermanshah province is one of the most attractive regions of Iran. Because there are about 4,000 attractions in this province. The city of Kermanshah is the capital of this province and also the most populous and largest Kurdish city in Iran. If you have a diverse travel taste, a trip to Kermanshah will be enjoyable and varied for you. Since you can visit the ancient and historical monuments in the corridors of Iranian history. Plus, its nature, the pristine and boundless beauty, will touch your soul.

Read about each of the places in more detail on our Kermanshah Attractions page.

Historical Tourism Places to Visit in Kermanshah

• Taq-e Bostan
• Mount Behistun
• Tekiye Moaven Al Molk
• The Statue of Hercules
• Goor-Dakhmeh Sahneh
• Sacred Heart of Jesus Church
• Behistun Safavid Caravanserai
• Haj Shahbaz Khan Bath
• Kermanshah Traditional Bazaar
• Nan Berenji Bazaar
• Emad o dolah Mosque
• Shafei Jameh Mosque
• Goor-Dakhmeh Saan-Rostam
• Dolatshah Mosque
• Khosrow Bridge

Museums and Gardens to Visit in Kermanshah

• Zagros Paleolithic Museum
• Jewelry and Clothing Museum
• Anthropology Museum
• Tekyeh Biglarbeygi
• Stamp Museum
• Taq-e Bostan Stone Museum
• Kermanshah Flowers Garden
• Sadaf Birds Garden
• Kermanshah Museum of Natural History
• Kermanshah Calligraphy Museum

Natural Attractions to Visit in Kermanshah

• Sarab Niloofar Lake
• Hashilan Wetland
• Taq-e Bostan Forest Park
• Do-Ashkaft Cave
• Varvasi Cave
• Gharasoo River
• Tafeh Waterfall
• Mar-Div Cave
• Asangaran Cave

Lorestan is one of the most beautiful provinces of Iran. this place is where there are lots of extraordinary natural hot spots to visit. That’s why, they call this province, the bride of nature. Lorestan is also known as one of the first human settlements and has a lot of historical value. As a result, in Lorestan, you will see the majesty of waterfalls and overturned tulip plains; You will also be able to visit old castles and forts.

Read about each of the places in more detail on our Lorestan Attractions page.

Natural Iran Tourism Places to Visit in Lorestan

• Khazineh Canyon
• Bisheh Waterfall
• Keeyow (Q) Lake
• Helt Canyon
• Fritillary Plain in Aligudarz
• Lili Strait
• Shirz Canyon
• Berenjeh Waterfall
• Afrineh Waterfall
• Kalmakareh Cave
• Nozhian Waterfall
• Ab Sefid Waterfall
• Azna Snow Tunnel
• Makhmal Kuh Park
• Garmeh Waterfall
• Varak Waterfall or Wark (Vark) Waterfall
• Oshtorankuh Mount
• Bam-e Lorestan
• Gerit Waterfall
• Karkheh River
• Kapargeh Valley
• Chekan Waterfall
• Azgan Lagoon
• Doosheh Cave
• Bam-e Borujerd
• Sarab Kartol Spring
• Neygah Valley
• Botkhaneh Cave
• Aali Abad Cave
• Silakhor Plain

Historical Iran Tourism Places to Visit In Lorestan

• Falakol Aflak Castle
• Brick Minaret
• Soltani Mosque of Borujerd
• Gerdab Sangi
• Borujerd Jame Mosque
• Tappeh Qoroq
• Shapouri Bridge
• Rock Carvings of Homiyan and Mirmalas
• Manijeh Castle
• Zagheh Castle
• Sorkh Dom Laki Site
• Chalan Cholan Bridge

In fact, Mashhad is the spiritual capital of Iran and the most important religious place in the country. The shrine of the eighth Imam of the Shiites (AS) is located in this city. In addition to the religious and pilgrimage aspects, this city has also made significant progress in the aspects of tourism and has various historical, recreational, and cultural complexes. That’s why it can be an interesting city for tourists.

Read about each of the places in more detail on our Mashhad Attractions page.

Historical Attractions to Visit in Mashhad

• Imam Reza Holy Shrine
• Tomb of Sheikh Bahai
• Abbas Qoli Khan Seminary
• Tomb of Pir-e Palandouz
• Tomb of Ferdowsi
• Haftad-o-do Tan Mosque
• Goharshad Mosque
• Saint Mesrop Armenian Church
• Bazaar Reza
• Bazeh Hoor Chahartaqi
• Radkan Tower
• Khajeh Abasalt Shrine
• Akhangan Rod
• Tomb of Khajeh Rabie
• Golestan Dam

Historic Houses to Visit in Mashhad

• Malek Historical House
• Tavakoli Historical House
• Daroogheh Historical House

Museums to Visit in Mashhad

• Tomb of Nader Shah or Naderi Garden Museum
• Mehdi Gholi Beyg’s Hamam Musuem
• Mashhad Botanical Garden
• Bread Museum
• Astan Quds Razavi Museums
• Shah Lafata Zoorkhaneh and Museum
• Anthropology Museum of Mashhad
• Earth Science Museum Park
• Great Museum of Khorasan
• Vakil Abad Zoo
• Mashhad Miniature Park

Natural Attractions and Parks to Visit in Mashhad

• Chalidarreh Tourist Complex
• Kooh Sangi Park
• Melli Garden or National Garden
• Vakilabad Garden
• Haft Hoz Park
• Professor Bazima Scientific Park
• Indoor Water Parks
• Jangal-e Jigh or Scream Forest
• Akhlamad Waterfall
• Almas Inverted House
• Kalat Waterfall
• Moghan Cave
• Garaab Spring
• Gilas (Cherry) Spring
• Shirbad Ski Resort
• Hat Houz Park

Attractions to visit around Mashhad

• Mausoleum of Omar Khayyam
• Mausoleum of Attar Neyshaburi
• Kamal-ol-Molk’s Tomb

Mazandaran province, thanks to the Caspian coast, lush forests, waterfalls, rivers, etc., has become one of the most popular provinces in the north of the country, which hosts millions of tourists every year. This province, in addition to a multitude of unique natural attractions, also has dozens of historical and religious monuments that you should not miss. Many tourists know only a few of the summer areas of this province and are unaware of many of the other sights of this part of heaven.

Read about each of the places in more detail on our Mazandaran Attractions page.

Natural and Recreational Attractions to Visit in Mazandaran

• Badab Soort Spring
• Noshahr Eco-biology and Botanical Garden
• Mount Damavand
• Soleyman Tangeh Dam
• Valasht Lake
• Sari Melal Park
• Komishan Cave
• Raash (Beech) Forest
• Ramsar Telecabin Complex
• Namakabroud Beach Resort
• Churat Lake
• Ab Pari Waterfall
• Do-Hezar and Se-Hezar Road
• Elimalat Lake
• Naz Protected Area
• The Lake of Ghosts
• Hasal Lagoon
• Dalkhani Jungle
• Gazou Waterfall
• Si Sangan Forest Park
• Harijan Waterfall
• Miankaleh Lagoon
• Chaldarreh Forest Park
• Danial Cave
• Taraz Waterfalls
• Tirkan Seven Waterfalls
• Mirza Kuchak Khan Forest Park
• Niloufar Abi (Water Lily) Park
• Khanikan Forest Park
• Savasare WaterfallSavasare Waterfall – Mazandaran – Iran
• Nashtarud Lagoon
• Babol Roud River
• Sange-No Waterfall
• Khezrabad Beach
• Falakdeh Spa
• Nowshahr Local Bazaar

Summer Villages to Visit in Mazandaran

• Javaher Deh
• Jennat Rudbar
• Garasma Sar

Historical Attractions to Visit in Mazandaran

• Behshahr Mellat Park
• Sari Clock Square
• Abbas Abad Historical Garden
• Veresk Bridge
• Lajim Tower
• Moallem Boulevard in Ramsar
• Vaziri Bath
• Babol Jameh Mosque
• Sorkh Abad Church
• Markuh Castle
• Sefid Chaah Cemetery
• Safi Abad Palace
• Resket Tower
• Mohammad Hasan Khan Bridge
• Soltan Zayn al-Abidin Tower
• Sar Tappeh Railway Bridge
• Gadouk Caravanserai

Museums to Visit in Mazandaran

• Sari Museum
• Amol History Museum
• Babol Ganjineh Museum
• Ramsar Palace Museum
• Khoshkeh-Daran Natural History Museum
• Kandelous Museum
• Nima Yushij House Museum
• Ramsar Museum of Anthropology
• Mokarrameh Ghanbari House Museum
• Gohar Tepe Museum Site

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Sat, Sep 28, 2024 page5

Analysis: iran treads carefully to avoid being dragged into war.

• AFP, TEHRAN

As violence between Israel and Hezbollah escalates, Iran is walking a tightrope by supporting Hezbollah without being dragged into a full-blown conflict and playing into its enemy’s hands.

With a focus on easing its isolation and reviving its battered economy, Iran is aware that war could complicate efforts to secure relief from crippling sanctions.

Cross-border fire between Israel and Hezbollah, sparked by Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7 last year, has intensified, especially after last week’s sabotage on Hezbollah’s communications that killed 39 people.

Israeli soldiers with their tanks gather at an undisclosed location in northern Israel yesterday.

Photo: EPA-EFE

Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon followed, killing hundreds. Hezbollah retaliated with rocket barrages.

Despite the surge in hostilities, Iran appears determined to avoid direct military confrontation.

“Iran is not going to be pulled into war,” said Hamid Gholamzadeh, an Iran-based political expert.

Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group said Iran’s strategy was to project power, without directly engaging, especially as escalation could benefit Israel and impact the US election.

“Iran does not want to play into its arch-enemy’s hands,” Vaez said, adding that Iran’s priority was securing sanctions relief and some economic stability.

Even during its first-ever direct attack on Israel in April — retaliation for an airstrike Tehran’s embassy annex in Damascus — most missiles were intercepted by Israel’s defenses or allied forces.

In New York, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused Israel of warmongering while positioning the Islamic republic as restrained.

He suggested Iran had held back retaliation after the killing of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July, fearing it could derail US efforts for a Gaza ceasefire.

“We tried to not respond. They kept telling us we were within reach of peace, perhaps in a week or so,” he said.

“But we never reached that elusive peace. Every day Israel is committing more atrocities,” he added.

This measured approach echoes Iran’s response earlier this year during heightened tensions with Israel. Iran fired hundreds of missiles and drones after the Damascus strike, but most were intercepted.

Analysts say Iran is flexing its muscles amid the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, without provoking a US response. Iran continues to face Western sanctions, especially since the US, under then-president Donald Trump, withdrew from a nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers in 2018.

European nations have also slapped sanctions on Iran, accusing it of supplying ballistic missiles to Russia for the Ukraine war.

Iran denied the accusations, with Pezeshkian saying in New York that Iran was “willing to sit down with the Europeans and the Americans to have a dialogue and negotiations.”

Vaez said any Iranian escalation could strengthen Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and even possibly help Trump return to power.

This “would be highly detrimental for Iranian interests,” he said.

Despite its restraint, Iran continues to back Hezbollah.

Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Abbas Araghchi said Tehran would “not remain indifferent” to Israeli attacks.

Iran also urged the UN Security Council to take immediate action, warning of “dangerous consequences” for Israel.

Israel has targeted senior Hezbollah commanders since the Gaza war began.

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei this week lamented the loss of Hezbollah’s fighters, but said it would not bring the group “to its knees.”

Afifeh Abedi, a political researcher, said Iran was evaluating its support for Hezbollah, but noted the group’s “significant human resources.”

Gholamzadeh added that Hezbollah’s resources ensure it would not be easily defeated.

“Hezbollah needs to be supported, but this support does not mean that they might be defeated if there is no support,” he said.

Vaez said last week’s attack on Hezbollah’s communications might have weakened the group, but it would not be completely “paralyzed even if the first two tiers of its leadership were ... eliminated.”

This vulnerability could be one of the reasons for Iran and Hezbollah’s “reluctance to enter a full-fledged war,” he said.

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US actions could end war: Zelenskiy

‘CLOSER TO THE END’: The Ukrainian leader said in an interview that only from a ‘strong position’ can Ukraine push Russian President Vladimir Putin ‘to stop the war’ Decisive actions by the US now could hasten the end of the Russian war against Ukraine next year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday after telling ABC News that his nation was “closer to the end of the war.” “Now, at the end of the year, we have a real opportunity to strengthen cooperation between Ukraine and the United States,” Zelenskiy said in a post on Telegram after meeting with a bipartisan delegation from the US Congress. “Decisive action now could hasten the just end of Russian aggression against Ukraine next year,” he wrote. Zelenskiy is in the US for the UN