Top 10 Most Visited Museums in Iran
Explore Rich History, Art, and Culture
With the rich history and culture of Iran, you can explore some of the country’s largest and most important museums. These include the National Museum of Iran, Malek National Museum, National Jewelry Museum, Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Azerbaijan Museum.
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Famous Museums in Iran
Iran’s famous museums hold invaluable treasures that showcase the country’s history and culture. For those with a deep interest in history, museums are the top attractions. Iran’s rich civilization has led to the establishment of many diverse museums. In this article on SURFIRAN, we introduce the largest museums in Iran; join us on this museum tour.
1. National Museum of Iran
Visiting Hours: Saturday to Wednesday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Thursday and Friday 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Phone Number: +98 21 66702061-6
Address: Tehran, Imam Khomeini Street, beginning of Si-e Tir Street, Professor Roland Street, No. 1 (view on map)
The National Museum of Iran, opened in 1937, is the oldest and largest museum in Iran. It has two sections: the Museum of Ancient Iran and the Museum of Archaeology and Islamic Art of Iran, housed in separate buildings. This museum contains artifacts from scientific and archaeological excavations, showcasing Iran’s prehistoric era and various historical and Islamic periods. It is one of the main attractions on Si-e Tir Street.
2. Malek National Museum
Library and Museum Hours: Saturday to Thursday 8:30 AM – 4:20 PM
Phone Numbers: +98 21 66726613, +98 21 66726653
Address: Tehran, Imam Khomeini Square, Sar-e Dar Bagh Melli, United Nations Street or Mashq Square (view on map)
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Malek National Museum, the largest endowment museum in Iran, was endowed by Haj Hossein Agha Malek to the Astan Quds Razavi. It moved to its current location in Tehran’s Bagh Melli in 1996. The museum displays various collections from different cultural periods of Iran, including manuscripts, stamps, coins, textiles, metals, paintings, lacquer works, carpets, glass, stones, calligraphy, woodwork, miniatures, ceramics, china, photographs, albums, documents, and publications. The library houses one of the largest collections of manuscripts in Iran.
3. National Jewelry Museum
Visiting Hours: Saturday to Tuesday 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Address: Tehran, Imam Khomeini Square, Ferdowsi Street, near Istanbul Crossroad, Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran Building (view on map)
The National Jewelry Museum, or the Treasury of National Jewels, contains one of the world’s most valuable collections of jewels. Established in 1955 and opened in 1960, it is under the supervision of the Central Bank of Iran. Notable pieces include the Kiani Crown, the Jeweled Globe, the Sea of Light, the Pahlavi Crown, Naderi Aigrette, and the Peacock Throne or Sun Throne.
4. Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art
Visiting Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (closed on Mondays)
Address: Tehran, North Kargar Street, Amirabad, western side of Laleh Park (view on map)
Opened in 1977, the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art is the largest art center in Iran. It holds one of the most comprehensive collections of modern art outside Europe and North America, as well as a significant collection of modern and contemporary Iranian art. The museum features over 3,000 works of visual art, including pieces from movements such as Impressionism, Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art, Minimalism, Conceptual Art, and Photorealism.
5. Golestan Palace
Visiting Hours: Saturday to Wednesday 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Thursday and Friday 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Phone Number: +98 21 33113335
Address: Tehran, 15 Khordad Street, northern side of Arg Square (view on map)
The Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of Iran’s most significant palaces. Dating back to the Safavid era, its peak of grandeur was during the Qajar dynasty. The palace complex includes the Marble Throne, Karim Khani Nook, Picture Gallery Museum, Special Museum, Private Palace, Brilliant Hall, Pool Museum, Shams-ol-Emareh, Photo House Museum, Windcatcher Building, Diamond Building, and the Anthropology Museum.
6. Sa’dabad Complex
Visiting Hours: First half of the year: Saturday to Wednesday 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Thursday and Friday 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Second half of the year: Saturday to Wednesday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Thursday and Friday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Phone Number: +98 21 22752031-9
Address: Tehran, Vali Asr Avenue, Shahid Fallahi or Zafaraniyeh Street, end of Shahid Kamal Taheri Street (view on map)
The Sa’dabad Complex, one of Iran’s largest palace museums, comprises 18 buildings from the Qajar and Pahlavi periods. It served as a summer residence for the Qajar kings and later as a summer palace for Reza Shah. The complex includes the White Palace, Water Museum, Royal Clothing Museum, Master Behzad Museum, Royal Kitchen Museum, Hopeful Brothers Museum, Master Farshchian Museum, Green Palace, Nations Art Museum, Fine Arts Museum, Royal Weapons Museum, and the Calligraphy Museum.
7. Classic Cars Museum
Visiting Hours: Daily (except Saturdays) 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (closed on public holidays and mourning days)
Phone Number: +98 21 44537763
Official Website: www.cio-museums.org
Address: Tehran, Azadi Square, Special Road to Karaj, between kilometers 10 and 11, corner of 25th Street, next to Sepah Store (view on map)
The Tehran Museum of Historical Cars, or Automobile Museum, opened in 2003. It houses 45 classic cars and two carriages, including brands like Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Chrysler, Rolls-Royce, Cadillac, Jaguar, Bentley, and Benz.
8. Azerbaijan Museum
Visiting Hours: Daily 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Phone Number: +98 41 35261696
Address: East Azerbaijan Province, Tabriz, Imam Khomeini Street, next to the Blue Mosque (view on map)
The Azerbaijan Museum, the second most important archaeological museum in Iran after the National Museum, opened in 1962. It displays valuable artifacts from prehistoric, historical, and Islamic periods across three halls, including ancient coins, stone inscriptions, historical reliefs, stone rams, statues, pottery, and human figurines.
9. Astan Qods Razavi Museums
Museum Hours: Central Museum: Daily (except holidays) 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Other museums: Daily (except holidays) 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Phone Number: +98 51 32241105
Address: Razavi Khorasan Province, Mashhad, Imam Reza Shrine, Koothar Courtyard, eastern side (view on map)
The Astan Quds Razavi Museums, located within the Imam Reza Shrine complex, comprise several museums and a document center. Established in 1937, the museums display historical relics, Islamic artifacts, and valuable cultural items, including art, carpets, stamps, weapons, astronomy tools, banknotes, and clocks.
10. Reza Abbasi Museum
Visiting Hours: Saturday to Wednesday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Thursday 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Friday 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (closed on Mondays)
Phone Number: +98 21 88460672
Address: Tehran, Shariati Avenue, near Seyed Khandan Bridge (view on map)
The Reza Abbasi Museum, named after the famous Persian miniaturist Reza Abbasi, was established in 1977. It houses a vast collection of Persian art, including pre-Islamic and Islamic artifacts. The museum’s collection features items from different periods, such as pottery, metal objects, jewelry, and manuscripts, with a particular focus on miniature paintings and calligraphy. The museum provides a comprehensive view of Persian art and culture through the ages.
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If you have visited any of these famous museums in Iran or know of other well-known museums, share your experiences with us and other users on SURFIRAN.
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