Qazvin Travel Guide

Qazvin sits at the foot of the Alborz Mountains, northwest of Tehran. Shah Tahmasp moved the Safavid capital here in the mid-16th century. The court later moved to Isfahan under Shah Abbas I, but Qazvin remained an important stop on overland trade routes.

Start with Qazvin’s Chehel Sotoun Pavilion and the bazaar. The pavilion recalls the Safavid court, while the covered lanes lead to the Qajar caravanserai of Sa’d al-Saltaneh. Save Alamut for a separate day.

For lunch, look for gheymeh nesar, rice with meat and slivers of pistachio and almond. Qazvin’s baklava and nan-e chay, a local tea biscuit, are good places to start at a confectioner.

Best Time to Visit Qazvin

Choose the season around the outing you want. FAO’s account of Qazvin’s traditional gardens describes a semi-arid landscape adapted to frost and summer heat, with floodwater irrigation in winter and spring. A walk through the old city, a visit to working orchards and a trip into Alamut need different plans.

For Alamut, use the forecast for the mountains rather than the city. The weather can change along the drive, and a dry day in Qazvin does not tell you how exposed the route will be.

How to Go to Qazvin

For a road trip from Tehran, follow the freeway via Karaj. Allow extra time if crossing Tehran or Karaj at a busy hour. Check Iran’s road information service for conditions, especially if you are continuing into Alamut.

Qazvin by Train

Search for Tehran to Qazvin using your actual travel date. If a westbound service continues beyond Qazvin, make sure Qazvin is listed as a passenger stop for the train you choose.

Plan the return before buying an outward ticket. If you cannot find a suitable return train, look at bus departures or stay overnight instead of counting on a late connection.

The railway station is separate from the main cluster of sights. Allow time for the ride into the old centre before setting a meeting or departure time.

By Bus

Compare bus departures with trains for the date you need. Use the terminal pin below when arranging a pickup, and allow time to reach it from the old centre.

View Qazvin Terminal on Google Maps

Best Hotels in Qazvin

For a short visit on foot, start by looking near the bazaar. For an onward road trip, prioritise the approach road and parking. The listings below cover several parts of the city and nearby towns.

Iranian Hotel

Iranian Hotel is in Haft Sangan on the eastern approach from Tehran, rather than in the old centre. Its own site lists rooms and suites, including triple and four-bed rooms. This location suits travellers arriving by road who can arrange a separate ride to the bazaar and palace.

• Address: Haft Sangan, Ostad Mohasses Boulevard
• View Iranian Hotel on Google Maps

Baghdadi Hotel

Baghdadi Hotel is in Takestan, outside Qazvin city. Consider it if your onward route heads west and you have transport.

• Address: Takistan Road
• View Baghdadi Hotel on Google Maps

Marmar Hotel

Marmar Hotel is near Valiasr Square. Compare the location with the old centre if you plan to walk most of the day.

• Address: Valiasr Square, next to the mosque
• View Marmar Hotel on Google Maps

Sina Apartment Hotel

Sina is an apartment hotel on the Ansari Street side of the centre. Ask about bed layouts if you are travelling with children.

• Address: West Shahid Ansari Street, beginning of Tabriz Street
• View Sina Apartment Hotel on Google Maps

Atlas Apartment Hotel

Atlas is an apartment hotel in the Noroozian area, north of the historic sights. Ask the property whether the room you are booking has a kitchen.

• Address: Noroozian, Shahid Soleymani Boulevard, at the end of Hekmat 48, between Danesh 11 and 12 Streets
• View Atlas Hotel on Google Maps

Minoo Hotel

Minoo is listed near Valiasr. If you are comparing it with Marmar, use the individual property pin when arranging a ride.

• Address: Valiasr Intersection, next to the mosque
• View Minoo Hotel on Google Maps

Alborz Hotel

Alborz is on Taleghani Street. Check the approach on the map if you are arriving by car.

• Address: Taleghani Street, Khayam Three-way
• View Alborz Hotel on Google Maps

Kourosh Hotel

Kourosh is another city option. Use the map pin to compare the route to the bazaar with the address supplied by the property.

• Address: Imam Street, after the bazaar intersection, next to Haji Mosque
• View Kourosh Hotel on Google Maps

Argavan Traditional Hotel

Argavan is a traditional property in the Salehieh area. Ask about stairs, bathrooms and courtyard access when choosing a room in a historic house.

• Address: Shahid Ansari Street, Salehieh Alley
• View Argavan Traditional Hotel on Google Maps

Qazvin Must-Visit Attractions

Masjed al-Nabi (Prophet’s Mosque) in Qazvin

Masjed al-Nabi is the Qajar mosque in the bazaar district, also known as the Shah Mosque. Iran’s tourism authority attributes construction to Agha Mohammad Khan and later work to Fath Ali Shah.

Look for the four vaulted halls opening onto the courtyard and the tiled dome behind the south hall. Leave space for worshippers and follow the instructions at the entrance.

Sa’d al-Saltaneh Caravanserai, Qazvin

Sa’d al-Saltaneh was commissioned by Qazvin’s governor late in the Qajar reign of Naser al-Din Shah. The caravanserai, identified as component 1668-054 of The Persian Caravanserai, is the part of the bazaar district included in that World Heritage property.

Enter from Imam Khomeini Street and look for the tiled dome where two vaulted lanes meet. Then step into one of the courtyards to see how the enclosed lanes and open spaces fit together.

Allow time to continue into the market lanes. The shops and the religious sites have separate entrances and may keep different hours.

Garmaglou Valley, Qazvin

Garmaglou Valley lies near Gazarkhan, in the Alamut area rather than in Qazvin city.

Pair the area with Alamut Castle if you have a separate day for the mountains. Gazarkhan is the village to use when arranging a ride to the castle area.

The valley is a narrow landscape of red rock and a watercourse. Treat it as a separate outing from the castle if the approach on foot is unfamiliar.

Keep time for the drive back. Ask about the path and water crossings locally if you plan to walk beyond the village.

Traditional Orchard of Qazvin

Qazvin’s Baghestan is a belt of working orchards around the city. In 2023 the FAO recognised its traditional gardens as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System.

The orchards use banks and channels to spread seasonal floodwater across the plots, where it soaks into the ground. Grapes, almonds and pistachios are among the crops that connect the orchards to local sweets and other foods.

These are working plots. Use public lanes and ask permission before entering a garden.

Cantor Church In Qazvin

Cantor Church is a small Russian Orthodox church from the period of Russian activity in Qazvin.

Its red-brick walls and bell tower distinguish it from the city’s larger religious buildings.

Atiq Jameh Mosque of Qazvin

The Jameh Mosque of Qazvin, also called the Atiq Mosque, is separate from Masjed al-Nabi. Its buildings reflect several periods. Leave time to compare the courtyard and the different parts of the mosque.

Aminiha Hosseiniyeh

Aminiha Hosseiniyeh occupies part of a Qajar house on Molavi Street. It was endowed for religious gatherings after serving as a residence.

The three parallel halls are divided by orosi, wooden sash windows with coloured glass. Look for the contrast between the coloured light and the mirrorwork in the halls.

The house was built for Haj Mohammad Reza Amini in 1858, according to Iran’s tourism authority. Access to the halls can depend on how the building is being used.

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