Travel Guide to Shiraz: 6 Important Tips You Shouldn’t Forget
Essential tips for your visit to Shiraz: what to see, where to stay, and how to get there.
Shiraz is a city rich in stories. It has beautiful gardens and is known for famous poets like Hafez and Saadi. These poets bring the culture of Shiraz to life. The charm of Shiraz’s aesthetics is evident in the elegance of its people. For travelers, Shiraz is a paradise waiting to be explored. Before packing your bags, it’s essential to learn more about its attractions, markets, and lesser-known gems.
- Read More: Shiraz Travel Guide
Contents
1. How to Get to Shiraz?
Traveling to Shiraz by Car
If you enjoy driving long distances, traveling to Shiraz in your car is a great option. You can stop whenever you like, breathe in the fresh air, and continue your journey. The drive to Shiraz takes about 10 hours without breaks, but it’s better to take your time. Cities like Isfahan, Kashan, and Shahreza are worth a stop along the way from Tehran to Shiraz.
Traveling to Shiraz by Bus
Book Bus Ticket
For budget-conscious travelers, finding a cheap hotel in Shiraz and opting for road travel is often a priority. Many travelers choose to take a bus to Shiraz. It is cheaper than a train or plane. Plus, you don’t have to drive for a long time. However, the downside is that you don’t have control over when and where to stop. Buses to Shiraz run from many cities in Iran. From Tehran, they leave from South, West, and Beyhaghi terminals and take around 12 hours to arrive.
Traveling to Shiraz by Train
Many prefer to travel to Shiraz by train, enjoying the scenic route. Trains to Shiraz are available from major cities like Tehran, Tabriz, Isfahan, and Mashhad. The journey duration varies, with the Tehran-Shiraz route taking approximately 15 hours. You can take the train to skip long drives and bring your car along, so you have it when you reach your destination.
Traveling to Shiraz by Plane
Booking a flight to Shiraz is the fastest and easiest, though more expensive, option. Flights to Shiraz are available from most cities in Iran, with a flight from Tehran taking about an hour. Several airlines offer flights to Shiraz, including Iran Air, Mahan Air, Kish Air, and Zagros Air.
2. Where to Stay in Shiraz?
Book Shiraz Hotels
Shiraz is a popular tourist spot with many hotels and apartment options, including the Suite Villa Shiraz Apartment Hotel. The city boasts numerous five-star and four-star hotels, as well as budget-friendly options like the Laren Hotel Shiraz. SURFIRAN allows you to search for hotels based on various factors, ensuring you find the perfect place to stay. You can even find accommodations in nearby cities, like the Darafshan Abadeh Eco-lodge.
3. What to Do in Shiraz?
As mentioned earlier, Shiraz draws its charm from both history and poetry. Shiraz was once the capital of Iran. It has a pleasant climate due to the Zagros Mountains. The city is famous for its historical sites and beautiful gardens. Below, we first introduce you to Shiraz’s famous landmarks and then to those lesser-known, yet equally captivating, sites.
Shiraz Gardens: A Slice of Heaven on Earth
“Happy is Shiraz with its incomparable setting!” It’s no exaggeration to say that Hafez may have written this line with Shiraz’s beautiful gardens in mind. Golshan Garden or Afif-Abad, with its old mansion and grand pool, offers a picturesque view. Delgosha Garden, known for its beauty, boasts orange trees whose fragrance enchants passersby in spring. Eram Garden on Eram Street is a world of diverse plants, with orange blossoms, cypress, and roses, iconic to Shiraz, gracing its landscape. Jahannama Garden, with its octagonal mansion, was once called the “Adornment of the World” due to its beauty.
Historical Buildings and Mausoleums
Shiraz is rich in historical remnants. These include the Tomb of Hafez, known as Hafezieh, located south of the Quran Gate, Saadieh, the burial place of the great poet Saadi, neighboring Delgosha Garden, and Karim Khan Citadel, a Zand-era fortress in the northeast of Shohada Square. Don’t miss Persepolis with its magnificent palaces, although located in Marvdasht, 60 kilometers from Shiraz. In Shiraz, you can even stay in historical sites, such as the Iranmehr Boutique Hotel Shiraz, which has been welcoming guests in its 228-year-old traditional setting.
Read More: Shiraz Travel Guide
4. What and Where to Eat in Shiraz?
Exploring Shiraz‘s amazing attractions will certainly whet your appetite. Choosing a good restaurant and ordering a delicious meal can enhance your experience. In this travel guide to Shiraz, we recommend the best restaurants:
Haft Khan Restaurant
Don’t be misled by the name—this restaurant won’t have you battling through Rostam’s Seven Labors. Instead, you can enjoy dining at seven different tables, each offering a unique culinary experience. Haft Khan is a popular restaurant in Shiraz. It is located on New Quran Boulevard. The restaurant has a luxurious atmosphere. It also offers a variety of menu options. Each “Khan” in the restaurant offers a different dining experience:
- First Khan: Traditional Restaurant Fereshteh serves flavorful local dishes.
- Second Khan: The Ground Floor Café serves delicious desserts.
- Third Khan: Belyan Fast Food offers international fast food.
- Fourth Khan: Gisia International Café.
- Fifth Khan: Garsooyaz Barbecue Restaurant on the rooftop.
- Sixth Khan: Restaurant Nofel serves Iranian and international dishes with live music.
- Seventh Khan: Sindokht Buffet Restaurant, where you can try their famous sheep’s head stew.
Sufi Restaurant
The Sufi Restaurant in Shiraz is both old and luxurious, with a reputation that extends beyond the city. Located on Sattarkhan Boulevard near Afif-Abad Garden, its traditional setting is charming. Sufi offers both international and traditional dishes, but its Shishlik rice pilaf is a must-try. Other Shiraz specialties like Koofteh Hal and Shakarpolo are also worth trying. For kebab lovers, order the Shishlik, Darbari Kebab, or Sour Chicken Kebab.
Ghavam Traditional Café-Restaurant
Ghavam Traditional Café-Restaurant is a good choice if you want a café and restaurant with reasonable prices. Located on Rudaki Street, Ghavam offers dishes like Kashk-e Bademjan (eggplant dip), Dizi (a traditional stew), various teas, desserts, cakes, and herbal drinks. Ghavam provides a cozy, friendly atmosphere where you can enjoy homemade meals.
Brentin Restaurant
Another well-known restaurant on Sattarkhan Boulevard in Shiraz is Brentin Restaurant. The first thing that catches your attention at Brentin is the décor. The white façade with a terrace full of beautiful flowers warmly welcomes guests. Brentin offers Iranian food, seafood, and more. Customers especially love the spicy shrimp pilaf and tahchin, a layered rice dish from Persia.
5. Where to Shop in Shiraz?
Vakil Bazaar
Vakil Bazaar, marked by its iconic architecture, continues to thrive in the heart of Shiraz. The market consists of two main sections, north and south, with countless shops selling everything from fine Persian rugs to traditional Shirazian perfumes. The bustling atmosphere and variety make it a must-visit, especially for those looking to purchase local sweets and herbal products. For budget-friendly accommodations near the bazaar, consider staying at Gol Afra Hotel Shiraz.
Saraye Moshir
In a city as ancient as Shiraz, it’s no surprise that shopping centers and historical attractions are intertwined. Saraye Moshir, also known as Saraye Golshan, is a relic of Fath-Ali Shah Qajar, situated next to Vakil Bazaar. The pool in the courtyard, orange trees, and old shops give this market a unique charm, even if you don’t plan to buy anything. Many visitors prefer Saraye Moshir for purchasing Shiraz handicrafts like inlaid work, enamelwork, marquetry, and engraving.
Haji Bazaar
Older than both Vakil and Moshir bazaars, Haji Bazaar dates back to the Deylamian era. Located on Lotf Ali Khan Street, it’s perfect for those interested in traditional goods. The market offers a wide range of items, including colorful textiles, local handicrafts, dried fruits, and traditional Shiraz clothing.
Persian Gulf Commercial Complex
When it comes to the best shopping centers in Shiraz, the Persian Gulf Commercial Complex often tops the list. This large complex on Dr. Hesabi Boulevard has many features. It includes restaurants and cafés. There are also amusement parks and a 4D cinema. Additionally, it has a multi-story parking lot and a car wash. The complex has about 2,500 stores, including a big hypermarket, making it a great place for shopping.
Zeytoon Fars Commercial Complex
Zeytoon Fars Commercial Complex is at Enghelab and Lotf Ali Khan streets, providing shopping and entertainment options. In addition to restaurants, cafés, a 3D cinema, an amusement park, and parking, this 12-story complex has 400 shops. You can find everything from cosmetics and skincare to kitchenware, clothing, jewelry, and digital products from reputable brands.
Setare Fars Commercial Complex
Setare Fars Commercial Complex is both an entertainment and shopping hub, located on Afif-Abad Street in Shiraz. With 250 units spread across 9 floors, it’s easy to get lost while browsing through all it has to offer. The complex also provides plenty of entertainment, including restaurants, cafés, and a play area. If you buy clothes, cosmetics, digital products, or jewelry, consider trying the international food at the restaurant too
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6. Shiraz Souvenirs
Shiraz is famous for its delicious sweets, and it’s rare to leave the city without taking some home. Popular snacks are Masghati, Shirazi Youkheh, rice cookies, Shirazi Halva, and roasted almonds. Shirazi herbal distillates like orange blossom, willow water, and rosewater are also not to be missed. Shirazi artisans create beautiful crafts like inlaid work, marquetry, carving, and enamelwork, perfect souvenirs to remember your trip.
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