{"id":52438,"date":"2015-05-16T18:04:00","date_gmt":"2015-05-16T18:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/?page_id=52438"},"modified":"2026-11-03T05:41:03","modified_gmt":"2026-11-03T05:41:03","slug":"iran-travel-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iran-travel-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Iran Travel Guide 2026: Essential Tips for Visiting Iran"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>This Iran travel guide covers what you need to plan a visit for 2026 and 2027: visas, money, the internet, transport, the best time to go, where to stay, dress code and etiquette, and the cities most people come for.<\/strong> Each section is short and links to the SURFIRAN article that covers the topic in full.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iran sits between the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf, and its history runs from the Elamites through the Achaemenids and Safavids to the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/qajar-dynasty\/\">Qajars<\/a>. For most visitors the trip comes down to a few practical questions. How do I get a visa? How do I pay when my bank card does not work? How do I get from Isfahan to Yazd? Start with the block below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"start-here-plan-your-iran-trip\" class=\"index-title\"><\/div><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-flat ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iran-travel-guide\/#start-here-plan-your-iran-trip\" >Start here: plan your Iran trip<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iran-travel-guide\/#iran-quick-facts\" >Iran quick facts<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iran-travel-guide\/#10-day-iran-itinerary-the-classic-route\" >10-day Iran itinerary: the classic route<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iran-travel-guide\/#14-day-iran-itinerary-slower-with-a-night-in-the-desert\" >14-day Iran itinerary: slower, with a night in the desert<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iran-travel-guide\/#best-time-to-visit-iran\" >Best time to visit Iran<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iran-travel-guide\/#iran-visa-and-entry\" >Iran visa and entry<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iran-travel-guide\/#money-cards-and-costs\" >Money, cards and costs<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iran-travel-guide\/#internet-sim-cards-and-apps\" >Internet, SIM cards and apps<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iran-travel-guide\/#getting-around-iran\" >Getting around Iran<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iran-travel-guide\/#where-to-stay-in-iran\" >Where to stay in Iran<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iran-travel-guide\/#dress-code-customs-and-etiquette\" >Dress code, customs and etiquette<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iran-travel-guide\/#health-and-practical-safety\" >Health and practical safety<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iran-travel-guide\/#top-destinations-in-iran\" >Top destinations in Iran<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iran-travel-guide\/#notable-historical-sites-in-iran\" >Notable historical sites in Iran<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iran-travel-guide\/#outdoor-iran\" >Outdoor Iran<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iran-travel-guide\/#food-culture-and-festivals\" >Food, culture and festivals<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iran-travel-guide\/#shopping-and-bazaars\" >Shopping and bazaars<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iran-travel-guide\/#iran-in-context-history-land-and-daily-life\" >Iran in context: history, land and daily life<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iran-travel-guide\/#books-and-films-before-you-go\" >Books and films before you go<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iran-travel-guide\/#iran-travel-faq\" >Iran travel FAQ<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iran-travel-guide\/#plan-your-trip-with-surfiran\" >Plan your trip with SURFIRAN<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-start-here-plan-your-iran-trip\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"start-here-plan-your-iran-trip\"><\/span>Start here: plan your Iran trip<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Read these first. They are the planning articles we keep up to date, in the order most travellers need them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Current conditions:<\/strong> flights, land borders and domestic transport change often. Check our <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iran-travel-2026\/\">Iran travel update<\/a> and our summary of <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/is-it-safe-to-visit-iran\/\">official travel advice<\/a> before you book.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Visa:<\/strong> the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/time-for-an-iranian-visa\/\">Iran visa guide<\/a>, our <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/iran-tourist-visa\/\">tourist visa service<\/a> and the country pages for <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iran-travel-tours-uk-citizens\/\">British<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iran-tours-for-canadian\/\">Canadian<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iran-visa-for-australians\/\">Australian<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iran-visa-for-german-citizens\/\">German<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iran-visa-for-us-citizens\/\">US<\/a> citizens.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Money and cards:<\/strong> foreign bank cards do not work in Iran. Read the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/complete-guide-money-exchange-iran\/\">money exchange guide<\/a> before you pack.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Internet and SIM cards:<\/strong> many apps are blocked. See <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/internet-in-iran-and-useful-mobile-apps\/\">internet, SIM cards and useful apps<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Dress code:<\/strong> what women and men wear, in the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iran-dress-code\/\">Iran dress code guide<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Safety basics:<\/strong> practical tips for <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/is-tehran-safe-a-guide-for-foreign-tourists\/\">getting around Tehran<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/traveling-iran-kids\/\">travelling with children<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Women travellers:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/is-it-safe-for-women-to-visit-iran\/\">a woman&#8217;s guide to travel in Iran<\/a>, plus <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/unmarried-couple\/\">advice for unmarried couples<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Transport:<\/strong> the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/the-most-scenic-routes-in-trans-iranian-railway\/\">Trans-Iranian Railway<\/a>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/tehran-metro-guide\/\">Tehran metro<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/allowed-baggage-on-iranian-airlines\/\">baggage on Iranian airlines<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Best time to go:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/best-time-to-visit-iran-tour\/\">seasons by region<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iran-public-holidays\/\">public holiday calendar<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Itineraries:<\/strong> the 10-day and 14-day routes below, and <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/how-many-days-is-enough-for-iran\/\">how many days to spend in each city<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Costs:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/tour-to-iran-cost\/\">what a tour to Iran costs<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/what-is-the-tipping-culture-in-iran\/\">tipping in Iran<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Packing:<\/strong> the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/what-to-pack-for-your-trip-to-iran\/\">Iran packing list<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tours:<\/strong> browse <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/iran-tours\/\">Iran group tours<\/a> or plan a <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/iran-private-tours\/\">private tour<\/a> with SURFIRAN.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"iran-quick-facts\" class=\"index-title\"><\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-iran-quick-facts\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"iran-quick-facts\"><\/span>Iran quick facts<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Capital:<\/strong> Tehran<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Government:<\/strong> Islamic Republic<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Currency:<\/strong> Iranian rial (IRR). Prices are usually quoted in tomans; one toman is ten rials.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Area:<\/strong> about 1,648,000 km\u00b2<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Population:<\/strong> 92.4 million (2025, World Bank)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official language:<\/strong> Persian (Farsi). Azerbaijani Turkish, Kurdish, Luri, Gilaki, Mazandarani, Arabic, Balochi and Turkmen are also widely spoken.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Religion:<\/strong> mostly Shia Muslim, with Sunni Muslim, Christian, Jewish and Zoroastrian communities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Time zone:<\/strong> UTC+3:30 all year. Iran stopped putting its clocks forward in summer in 2022.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Electricity:<\/strong> 220 to 230 V, 50 Hz, two-pin European sockets (types C and F)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Country code:<\/strong> +98. <strong>Internet domain:<\/strong> .ir<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-national-anthem-of-the-islamic-republic-of-iran\">National anthem of the Islamic Republic of Iran<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/National-Anthem-of-the-Islamic-Republic-of-Iran.mp3\"><\/audio><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong><a href=\"\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/National-Anthem-of-the-Islamic-Republic-of-Iran.mp3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Download<\/a><\/strong> the national anthem of the Islamic Republic of Iran<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"10-day-iran-itinerary-the-classic-route\" class=\"index-title\"><\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-10-day-iran-itinerary-the-classic-route\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"10-day-iran-itinerary-the-classic-route\"><\/span>10-day Iran itinerary: the classic route<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ten days covers the essential cities between Tehran and Shiraz. Distances are approximate road distances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Days 1 and 2, Tehran:<\/strong> arrive at Imam Khomeini Airport; visit <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/golestan-palace\/\">Golestan Palace<\/a>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/tehran-bazaar-grand\/\">Grand Bazaar<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/national-museum-of-iran\/\">National Museum<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Day 3, Tehran to Kashan (about 245 km):<\/strong> the Borujerdi and Tabatabaei houses, the Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse and <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/fin-garden\/\">Fin Garden<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Day 4, Kashan to Isfahan via Abyaneh (about 270 km):<\/strong> the red mud-brick village of <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/abyaneh-village\/\">Abyaneh<\/a> on the way.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Days 5 and 6, Isfahan:<\/strong> Naqsh-e Jahan Square, the Jameh Mosque, Chehel Sotoon, the Armenian quarter and the bridges at sunset.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Day 7, Isfahan to Yazd via Meybod (about 320 km):<\/strong> Meybod&#8217;s Narin Castle and pigeon tower.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Day 8, Yazd:<\/strong> the old city, the Jameh Mosque, <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/amir-chakhmaq-complex\/\">Amir Chakhmaq<\/a>, the Zoroastrian fire temple and the Towers of Silence.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Day 9, Yazd to Shiraz via Pasargadae (about 440 km):<\/strong> the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/tomb-of-cyrus-the-great\/\">Tomb of Cyrus the Great<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Day 10, Shiraz and Persepolis:<\/strong> Persepolis and <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/naqsh-e-rostam\/\">Naqsh-e Rostam<\/a>, then the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/nasir-al-mulk-mosque\/\">Nasir al-Mulk Mosque<\/a> and the Tomb of Hafez before departure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Related SURFIRAN tours: the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/iran-tour\/iran-9-day-tour\/\">9-day Iran tour<\/a>, which follows this route from Shiraz to Tehran, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/iran-tour\/10-day-desert-tour-culturaltour-iran\/\">10-day desert and culture tour<\/a> via Kerman and the Lut Desert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"14-day-iran-itinerary-slower-with-a-night-in-the-desert\" class=\"index-title\"><\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-14-day-iran-itinerary-slower-with-a-night-in-the-desert\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"14-day-iran-itinerary-slower-with-a-night-in-the-desert\"><\/span>14-day Iran itinerary: slower, with a night in the desert<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two weeks lets you add a desert stay, more time in Tehran and a full day in Shiraz. This route follows SURFIRAN&#8217;s 14-day Iran Prime Tour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Days 1 to 3, Tehran:<\/strong> arrival, then Sa&#8217;dabad Palace and Darband, Golestan Palace, the bazaar and the city&#8217;s museums.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Day 4, Tehran to Kashan (about 245 km):<\/strong> historic houses, the bathhouse and Fin Garden.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Day 5, Kashan to Isfahan via Abyaneh and Natanz (about 270 km).<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Days 6 and 7, Isfahan:<\/strong> two full days for the squares, mosques, palaces, bridges and Jolfa.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Day 8, Isfahan to Varzaneh (about 110 km):<\/strong> a desert town with dunes and a salt lake nearby.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Day 9, Varzaneh to Yazd via Meybod and <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/kharanaq-travel-guide\/\">Kharanaq<\/a> (about 355 km).<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Day 10, Yazd:<\/strong> the old city, rooftops and Zoroastrian sites.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Day 11, Yazd to Shiraz via Pasargadae (about 440 km).<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Day 12, Persepolis (about 120 km round trip):<\/strong> Persepolis and Naqsh-e Rostam.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Days 13 and 14, Shiraz:<\/strong> gardens, the Pink Mosque, the bazaar and the poets&#8217; tombs, then departure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Related SURFIRAN tours: the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/iran-tour\/14-day-iran-prime-tour\/\">14-day Iran Prime Tour<\/a>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/iran-tour\/14-day-iran-archaeology-tour\/\">14-day archaeology tour<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/iran-tour\/iran-culinary-tour-in-14-days\/\">14-day culinary tour<\/a>. Browse all <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/iran-tours\/\">Iran group tours<\/a> or design your own <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/iran-private-tours\/\">private tour<\/a>; tours run only when official advice allows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"398\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/surfiran-tours.jpg\" alt=\"Iran Tours With Surfiran\" class=\"wp-image-69140\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/surfiran-tours.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/surfiran-tours-780x310.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/surfiran-tours-768x306.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"best-time-to-visit-iran\" class=\"index-title\"><\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-best-time-to-visit-iran\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"best-time-to-visit-iran\"><\/span>Best time to visit Iran<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Spring and autumn suit most routes. Iran is big, though, and its climates pull in different directions: the Caspian coast is green and humid, the plateau is dry, and the Persian Gulf is hot for most of the year. Our <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/best-time-to-visit-iran-tour\/\">best time to visit Iran<\/a> guide breaks it down by region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/The-best-time-to-go-to-Iran-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"The Best Time To Go To Iran\" class=\"wp-image-52931\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/The-best-time-to-go-to-Iran-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/The-best-time-to-go-to-Iran-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/The-best-time-to-go-to-Iran-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/The-best-time-to-go-to-Iran-705x470.jpg 705w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/The-best-time-to-go-to-Iran-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/The-best-time-to-go-to-Iran.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Spring and autumn are the easiest seasons for the classic route.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-spring-march-to-may\">Spring: March to May<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mild days, orange blossom in Shiraz and green hills in the north. Spring also brings <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/nowruz-persian-new-year\/\">Nowruz<\/a>, the Persian New Year. In 2027 it falls on Sunday 21 March (1 Farvardin 1406). Nowruz is the busiest travel fortnight of the year: hotels in Isfahan and Shiraz fill early, trains sell out and Tehran goes quiet as families leave the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-autumn-september-to-november\">Autumn: September to November<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The summer heat breaks in September. October and November are good months for the desert cities, and the forests of the Alborz and Zagros turn yellow and red. Pomegranate and saffron season both fall in autumn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-summer-and-winter\">Summer and winter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"665\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Tabriz-in-Winter.jpg\" alt=\"Tabriz In Winter\" class=\"wp-image-63823\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Tabriz-in-Winter.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Tabriz-in-Winter-780x519.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Tabriz-in-Winter-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Tabriz-in-Winter-707x470.jpg 707w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Tabriz-in-Winter-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tabriz in winter. The northwest is cold from December to February.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Summer, from June to August, is very hot in the deserts and across Khuzestan, and afternoons are hot even in Isfahan and Shiraz. The cooler choices are the Caspian provinces, Kurdistan and the mountains. Winter, from December to February, is cold in the northwest and northeast, but it is the season for skiing near Tehran and the best time for the Persian Gulf islands. See our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/does-it-snow-in-iran\/\">Iran in winter<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-holidays-ramadan-and-muharram\">Holidays, Ramadan and Muharram<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Religious holidays follow the lunar calendar and move about eleven days earlier each year. In 2027 Ramadan runs through most of February and ends with Eid al-Fitr around 10 March, just before Nowruz. During <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/travel-iran-ramadan\/\">Ramadan<\/a> many restaurants close in daylight, though hotels serve guests. The mourning months of Muharram and Safar, with <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/travel-iran-ashura\/\">Ashura<\/a>, bring processions and closures. Check the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iran-public-holidays\/\">Iran public holidays calendar<\/a> before fixing dates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"iran-visa-and-entry\" class=\"index-title\"><\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-iran-visa-and-entry\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"iran-visa-and-entry\"><\/span>Iran visa and entry<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"707\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Iran-Visa-Everything-You-Need-to-Know-1024x707.jpg\" alt=\"Iran Visa: Everything You Need To Know\" class=\"wp-image-49234\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Iran-Visa-Everything-You-Need-to-Know-1024x707.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Iran-Visa-Everything-You-Need-to-Know-780x539.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Iran-Visa-Everything-You-Need-to-Know-768x530.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Iran-Visa-Everything-You-Need-to-Know-681x470.jpg 681w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Iran-Visa-Everything-You-Need-to-Know-300x207.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Iran-Visa-Everything-You-Need-to-Know.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-who-needs-a-visa\">Who needs a visa<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most nationalities need a visa. Rules differ by passport and change often, so read our <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/time-for-an-iranian-visa\/\">Iran visa guide<\/a> and your country page from the list above. In short:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Most travellers apply online for an authorisation code, then collect the visa at an Iranian embassy or, where allowed, on arrival at the airport.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Visa on arrival is not something to rely on in 2026. Airlines may refuse boarding without a pre-approved visa, and land borders are less predictable. Get your visa before you travel.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>British, Canadian and US citizens cannot travel independently. They must be accompanied by a licensed guide or tour for the whole trip, and their visa codes take longer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your passport should be valid for at least six months after you arrive.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you need more time, a tourist visa can usually be <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/visa-extension-in-iran\/\">extended in Iran<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">SURFIRAN&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/iran-tourist-visa\/\">tourist visa service<\/a> handles the authorisation code. Travel services such as visas, hotels and transport tickets are also sold by our sister company <a href=\"https:\/\/orienttrips.com\/visa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">OrientTrips<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-visa-free-entry\">Visa-free entry<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since 2024 Iran has let holders of ordinary passports from a list of countries visit for up to 15 days without a visa. The list has changed since then: Indian citizens, for example, have needed a visa again since November 2025. If your country is on the list, check it again shortly before you fly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-travel-insurance\">Travel insurance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since May 2024 visa applicants must have Iranian travel insurance, issued by Iran Insurance Company and emailed after the visa is approved. It covers medical treatment in Iran. Many foreign insurers exclude Iran, so if you want cover for cancellation, lost luggage or evacuation, read your policy&#8217;s country list closely. OrientTrips sells <a href=\"https:\/\/orienttrips.com\/insurance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">travel insurance for Iran<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-paperwork-to-copy\">Paperwork to copy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keep printed and digital copies of these, and leave a set with someone at home:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>passport photo page and visa or visa grant notice<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>flight and hotel bookings<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>insurance certificate and emergency contact numbers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>contact details for your bank, to stop cards if needed<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a few spare passport photos<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"money-cards-and-costs\" class=\"index-title\"><\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-money-cards-and-costs\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"money-cards-and-costs\"><\/span>Money, cards and costs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-rials-and-tomans\">Rials and tomans<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iran&#8217;s currency is the rial, but almost every price you hear is in tomans. One toman is ten rials, so 100,000 rials is 10,000 tomans. Price tags, menus and taxi drivers rarely say which unit they mean. Ask, and repeat the total back before you hand over cash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A 2025 law will remove four zeros from the rial: 10,000 of today&#8217;s rials become one new rial. The change is being phased in over several years, so during your trip you may see prices in old rials, new rials and tomans side by side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-foreign-cards-do-not-work\">Foreign cards do not work<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">International Visa and Mastercard cards do not work at Iranian ATMs or in shops, because Iran&#8217;s banking network is not connected to them. Traveller&#8217;s cheques are not accepted either. Plan to pay for most things in cash, or with a local prepaid card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bring euros or US dollars in clean, undamaged notes; they are the easiest to exchange. British pounds are harder. Change money at banks or licensed exchange offices, not with men on the street, and keep the receipt. In Tehran the exchange offices cluster on and around Ferdowsi Street. Our <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/complete-guide-money-exchange-iran\/\">money exchange guide<\/a> has the details, including where to change money in other cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"625\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/A-money-changer-in-Ferdowsi-street-in-Tehran-1024x625.jpg\" alt=\"A Money Changer In Ferdowsi Street In Tehran\" class=\"wp-image-48557\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/A-money-changer-in-Ferdowsi-street-in-Tehran-1024x625.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/A-money-changer-in-Ferdowsi-street-in-Tehran-780x476.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/A-money-changer-in-Ferdowsi-street-in-Tehran-768x468.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/A-money-changer-in-Ferdowsi-street-in-Tehran-770x470.jpg 770w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/A-money-changer-in-Ferdowsi-street-in-Tehran-300x183.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/A-money-changer-in-Ferdowsi-street-in-Tehran.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Exchange offices on Ferdowsi Street in Tehran.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tourist-cards\">Tourist cards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A prepaid tourist card means you can carry less cash: you load it with money and pay at card machines as Iranians do. The <a href=\"https:\/\/orienttrips.com\/tourist-card\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">OrientTrips Iran Tourist Card<\/a> is one option. Confirm how to load it, the fees and where it is accepted before you rely on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orienttrips.com\/tourist-card\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"440\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Ot-card.jpg\" alt=\"Orienttrips Iran Tourist Card\" class=\"wp-image-56131\" title=\"\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A prepaid tourist card can be used on Iran&#8217;s domestic card network.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-daily-costs\">Daily costs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prices move quickly with the exchange rate, so any figure we print would date within weeks. As a guide, simple meals in local restaurants and bakeries are cheap by European standards, as are intercity buses and taxis. Entrance fees for foreigners at major sites are higher than for Iranians but still modest. The big costs are hotels, guides, private drivers and domestic flights. For a realistic budget see <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/tour-to-iran-cost\/\">how much a tour to Iran costs<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tipping\">Tipping<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tipping (<em>anaam<\/em>) is common but not required. Round up a taxi fare, leave a little extra in a sit-down restaurant if service is not already added, and tip guides and drivers at the end of a tour if you were happy. Expect taarof: a driver may say &#8220;it&#8217;s nothing, be my guest&#8221;. Offer again; they don&#8217;t mean it. More in <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/what-is-the-tipping-culture-in-iran\/\">tipping culture in Iran<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"internet-sim-cards-and-apps\" class=\"index-title\"><\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-internet-sim-cards-and-apps\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"internet-sim-cards-and-apps\"><\/span>Internet, SIM cards and apps<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Plan for a slow, filtered internet. In 2026 Iran shut off international internet access twice: for about three weeks during the January protests and for 88 days from the start of the war in late February. Access returned at the end of May, but most global platforms remain blocked, including WhatsApp, Instagram, Telegram, YouTube and Facebook, and some Google services work only partly. Connections can be slowed or cut again at short notice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In practice: download offline maps, translation packs and your bookings before you land. Give your family your hotel&#8217;s phone number. Do not count on video calls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-buying-a-sim-card\">Buying a SIM card<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orienttrips.com\/sim-card\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"840\" height=\"560\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/simcard.jpg\" alt=\"Buy Iranian Sim Card Online\" class=\"wp-image-69155\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/simcard.jpg 840w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/simcard-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/simcard-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/simcard-705x470.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tourist SIM cards can be ordered before arrival.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A local prepaid SIM is cheaper and more useful than roaming. The main operators are Irancell, Hamrah-e Aval (MCI) and Rightel, and Irancell is the usual choice for visitors. You need your passport to register it, and you can buy one at Imam Khomeini Airport or from authorised shops in the cities. An unregistered foreign phone works with a local SIM for a limited period; for long stays, read about phone registration in our <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/internet-in-iran-and-useful-mobile-apps\/\">internet and apps guide<\/a>. You can also order an <a href=\"https:\/\/orienttrips.com\/sim-card\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Iran tourist SIM card from OrientTrips<\/a> to pick up on arrival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-useful-apps\">Useful apps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Snapp and Tap30:<\/strong> Iranian ride-hailing apps with fixed prices shown in advance. They need a local number.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Neshan or Balad:<\/strong> Iranian map apps that work on the domestic network.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Offline maps and a translation app:<\/strong> download them at home, as app stores are restricted inside Iran.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"getting-around-iran\" class=\"index-title\"><\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-getting-around-iran\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"getting-around-iran\"><\/span>Getting around Iran<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Distances are long: Tehran to Shiraz is about 900 km by road. Most travellers mix trains, private cars and a domestic flight or two. In 2026 trains and private transfers have been the most dependable options. For the current state of flights and borders, see our <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iran-travel-2026\/\">Iran travel update<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-arriving-by-air\">Arriving by air<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Imam-Khomeini-International-Airport-IKA-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Imam Khomeini International Airport Ika\" class=\"wp-image-60532\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Imam-Khomeini-International-Airport-IKA-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Imam-Khomeini-International-Airport-IKA-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Imam-Khomeini-International-Airport-IKA-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Imam-Khomeini-International-Airport-IKA-705x470.jpg 705w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Imam-Khomeini-International-Airport-IKA-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Imam-Khomeini-International-Airport-IKA.jpg 1348w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Imam Khomeini International Airport, Tehran&#8217;s international gateway.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most international flights use Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA), south of Tehran and linked to the city by road and metro. Tehran&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/everything-you-need-to-know-about-mehrabad-airport\/\">Mehrabad Airport<\/a> handles mainly domestic flights. Shiraz, Isfahan, Mashhad and Tabriz also have international airports. Routes and airlines have changed many times in 2026, so check what is actually flying before you plan around a connection. OrientTrips sells <a href=\"https:\/\/orienttrips.com\/flight\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">domestic and international flights<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-trains\">Trains<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iran&#8217;s railways link Tehran with Mashhad, Isfahan, Yazd, Kashan, Kerman, Shiraz, Tabriz and Bandar Abbas. Overnight sleeper trains on the long routes save a hotel night. Book early around Nowruz and holidays. The line through the Alborz to the Caspian is part of the UNESCO-listed <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/the-most-scenic-routes-in-trans-iranian-railway\/\">Trans-Iranian Railway<\/a> and is worth the ride for the views alone. Tickets are on <a href=\"https:\/\/orienttrips.com\/train\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">OrientTrips trains<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-buses\">Buses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Buses connect almost every town. VIP buses, with three wide seats across, are cheap and comfortable enough for a daytime trip. Comfort depends on the operator, so for long or important travel days a train or private car is usually better. Book <a href=\"https:\/\/orienttrips.com\/bus?utm_source=blog&#038;utm_medium=surfiranlink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">bus tickets online<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/orienttrips.com\/bus?utm_source=blog&#038;utm_medium=surfiranlink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"625\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Bus-Tickets-Online-1.jpg\" alt=\"Bus Tickets Online\" class=\"wp-image-65247\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Bus-Tickets-Online-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Bus-Tickets-Online-1-780x488.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Bus-Tickets-Online-1-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Bus-Tickets-Online-1-752x470.jpg 752w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Bus-Tickets-Online-1-300x188.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Intercity buses connect almost every town in Iran.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-domestic-flights\">Domestic flights<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Domestic flights save a day on the longest legs, such as Tehran to Shiraz or Mashhad, or to the islands. Schedules change at short notice, so leave slack around them. Check the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/allowed-baggage-on-iranian-airlines\/\">baggage allowance on Iranian airlines<\/a>, which is often lower than you expect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-taxis-ride-hailing-and-metro\">Taxis, ride-hailing and metro<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Tehran-Metro-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Tehran Metro\" class=\"wp-image-60533\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Tehran-Metro-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Tehran-Metro-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Tehran-Metro-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Tehran-Metro-705x470.jpg 705w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Tehran-Metro-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Tehran-Metro.jpg 1300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Tehran metro is the quickest way across the capital.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In cities, ride-hailing apps are the easiest option because the price is fixed before you get in. With a street taxi, agree the fare first. Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan, Shiraz and Tabriz have metro lines; Tehran&#8217;s network is the largest and has carriages reserved for women. See our guides to the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/tehran-metro-guide\/\">Tehran metro<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/mashhad-metro\/\">Mashhad metro<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/isfahan-metro-guide\/\">Isfahan metro<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/how-to-explore-tehran-without-a-car\/\">Tehran without a car<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-driving-transfers-and-ferries\">Driving, transfers and ferries<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hiring a car with a driver is common and often costs less than self-drive. Self-drive is possible with an International Driving Permit, but city traffic is intense. Ferries and boats link Bandar Abbas with Qeshm, Hormuz and other islands in the Persian Gulf; see the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/hormuz-island-travel-guide\/\">Hormuz Island guide<\/a>. OrientTrips arranges <a href=\"https:\/\/orienttrips.com\/taxi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">airport and city transfers<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"where-to-stay-in-iran\" class=\"index-title\"><\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-where-to-stay-in-iran\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"where-to-stay-in-iran\"><\/span>Where to stay in Iran<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can sleep in a 400-year-old merchant&#8217;s house in Yazd one night and a modern tower hotel in Tehran the next. Our city hotel guides cover <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/best-5-star-hotels-in-tehran\/\">Tehran<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/the-best-hotels-kashan\/\">Kashan<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/top-hotels-isfahan\/\">Isfahan<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/best-5-4-star-hotels-yazd-iran\/\">Yazd<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/top-hotels-shiraz\/\">Shiraz<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/top-5-hotels-in-mashhad\/\">Mashhad<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/top-5-star-hotels-in-tabriz\/\">Tabriz<\/a>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/top-5-hotels-in-kish-for-an-unforgettable-stay\/\">Persian Gulf islands<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/discover-the-7-best-beachfront-hotels-in-northern-iran\/\">Caspian coast<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-traditional-houses-and-caravanserais\">Traditional houses and caravanserais<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Caravanserai-main-1000x1500SURFIRAN-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Ancient Caravanserais To Stay In Iran\" class=\"wp-image-39223\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Caravanserai-main-1000x1500SURFIRAN-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Caravanserai-main-1000x1500SURFIRAN-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Caravanserai-main-1000x1500SURFIRAN-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Caravanserai-main-1000x1500SURFIRAN-705x470.jpg 705w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Caravanserai-main-1000x1500SURFIRAN-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Caravanserai-main-1000x1500SURFIRAN.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Restored caravanserais now take overnight guests.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many old courtyard houses in Kashan, Isfahan, Yazd and Shiraz now work as small hotels, with rooms around a pool, a garden and, in Yazd, a windcatcher on the roof. Rooms are often small and the walls thin, but breakfast in a tiled courtyard makes up for it. Kashan&#8217;s Manouchehri House is one well-known example. Outside the cities, a few Safavid caravanserais have been restored for guests, such as Zein-o-Din on the old road between Yazd and Kerman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In villages and desert towns, look for eco-lodges (<em>boomgardi<\/em>), usually family-run guesthouses with home cooking. Read why we like a <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/why-you-should-stay-at-a-family-homestay-during-your-trip-to-iran\/\">family homestay<\/a> and what to expect from <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/persian-hospitality-what-to-expect-when-visiting-local-homes\/\">Persian hospitality<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-modern-hotels\">Modern hotels<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every large city has international-style hotels, from mid-range to five-star, including Iranian chains such as Espinas and Parsian. Expect breakfast, Wi-Fi and a lobby that serves tea all day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-budget-stays-and-hostels\">Budget stays and hostels<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Hi-hostel-Tehran-1.jpg\" alt=\"Hi Hostel Tehran\" class=\"wp-image-51095\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Hi-hostel-Tehran-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Hi-hostel-Tehran-1-780x624.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Hi-hostel-Tehran-1-768x614.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Hi-hostel-Tehran-1-588x470.jpg 588w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Hi-hostel-Tehran-1-300x240.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Hostels in Tehran and the main tourist cities have dormitories and private rooms.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hostels and simple guesthouses exist in Tehran, Isfahan, Yazd, Shiraz and Kashan, usually close to the old centre. They are good places to meet other travellers and pick up local tips. Hotels across Iran can be booked through <a href=\"https:\/\/orienttrips.com\/hotel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">OrientTrips hotels<\/a>, including <a href=\"https:\/\/orienttrips.com\/hotel\/city\/tehran\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tehran<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/orienttrips.com\/hotel\/city\/isfahan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Isfahan<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/orienttrips.com\/hotel\/city\/shiraz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Shiraz<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/orienttrips.com\/hotel\/city\/yazd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Yazd<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/orienttrips.com\/hotel\/city\/mashhad\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mashhad<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/orienttrips.com\/hotel\/city\/kerman\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kerman<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"dress-code-customs-and-etiquette\" class=\"index-title\"><\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-dress-code-customs-and-etiquette\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"dress-code-customs-and-etiquette\"><\/span>Dress code, customs and etiquette<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-dress-code\">Dress code<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Dress-Code-in-Iran-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Dress Code In Iran\" class=\"wp-image-60540\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Dress-Code-in-Iran-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Dress-Code-in-Iran-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Dress-Code-in-Iran-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Dress-Code-in-Iran-705x470.jpg 705w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Dress-Code-in-Iran-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Dress-Code-in-Iran.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Loose, long layers and a headscarf for women; long trousers for men.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iranian law requires women to cover their hair in public, and this applies to foreign visitors from the moment they leave the plane. On the street you will see everything from a loose scarf over a ponytail to the full black chador. A stricter hijab law passed in 2024 was put on hold, and enforcement varies by city and by month. Follow the rule and you will have no trouble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Women:<\/strong> a headscarf, and loose clothes that cover arms and legs, such as a long shirt or tunic (<em>manteau<\/em>) over trousers. Sandals are fine.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Men:<\/strong> long trousers in public. Short sleeves are fine; vests and shorts are not.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Holy shrines:<\/strong> women are asked to wear a chador at shrines such as Imam Reza in Mashhad and Shah Cheragh in Shiraz. One is usually lent at the entrance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iran-dress-code\/\">Iran dress code guide<\/a> covers what to pack, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/what-to-pack-for-your-trip-to-iran\/\">packing list<\/a> covers the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-taarof-iranian-politeness\">Taarof: Iranian politeness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Iranian-of-Taarof-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Taarof In Iran\" class=\"wp-image-5097\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Iranian-of-Taarof-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Iranian-of-Taarof-780x439.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Iranian-of-Taarof-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Iranian-of-Taarof-390x220.jpg 390w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Iranian-of-Taarof-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Iranian-of-Taarof.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Taarof is the art of polite offers and refusals.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Taarof is the Persian system of polite offers and refusals. A shopkeeper waves your money away; a stranger insists you come home for dinner. The first offer is usually courtesy. Refuse once or twice, and if the offer is repeated a third time, it is probably real. With prices, always insist on paying. It is not a game. It is how Iranians show respect, and once you see it, half the small confusions of the first days make sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-social-customs\">Social customs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Greet people with <em>salaam<\/em>. Many men and women do not shake hands with the opposite sex, so wait to see if a hand is offered.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Public displays of affection between couples are not customary. Read our note on <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/unmarried-couple\/\">unmarried couples<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take your shoes off when entering a home or a mosque carpet.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ask before you photograph people, especially women. Do not photograph military or government buildings, or anything at the airport.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>During Ramadan, do not eat, drink or smoke in public in daylight.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoid starting conversations about politics or religion. If your hosts raise them, listen more than you talk.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bargain in bazaars, but not in shops with fixed prices or in restaurants.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"962\" height=\"528\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Worshippers-attend-an-Eid-al-Fitr-prayer-ceremony-in-Tehran.-Every-year-millions-of-Muslims-around-the-world-celebrate-Eid-al-Fitr-which-marks-the-end-of-the-holy-month-of-Ramadan.jpg\" alt=\"Worshippers Attend An Eid Al Fitr Prayer Ceremony, In Tehran.\" class=\"wp-image-4819\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Worshippers-attend-an-Eid-al-Fitr-prayer-ceremony-in-Tehran.-Every-year-millions-of-Muslims-around-the-world-celebrate-Eid-al-Fitr-which-marks-the-end-of-the-holy-month-of-Ramadan.jpg 962w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Worshippers-attend-an-Eid-al-Fitr-prayer-ceremony-in-Tehran.-Every-year-millions-of-Muslims-around-the-world-celebrate-Eid-al-Fitr-which-marks-the-end-of-the-holy-month-of-Ramadan-780x428.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Worshippers-attend-an-Eid-al-Fitr-prayer-ceremony-in-Tehran.-Every-year-millions-of-Muslims-around-the-world-celebrate-Eid-al-Fitr-which-marks-the-end-of-the-holy-month-of-Ramadan-768x422.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Worshippers-attend-an-Eid-al-Fitr-prayer-ceremony-in-Tehran.-Every-year-millions-of-Muslims-around-the-world-celebrate-Eid-al-Fitr-which-marks-the-end-of-the-holy-month-of-Ramadan-300x165.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Worshippers-attend-an-Eid-al-Fitr-prayer-ceremony-in-Tehran.-Every-year-millions-of-Muslims-around-the-world-celebrate-Eid-al-Fitr-which-marks-the-end-of-the-holy-month-of-Ramadan-705x387.jpg 705w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Worshippers-attend-an-Eid-al-Fitr-prayer-ceremony-in-Tehran.-Every-year-millions-of-Muslims-around-the-world-celebrate-Eid-al-Fitr-which-marks-the-end-of-the-holy-month-of-Ramadan-450x247.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 962px) 100vw, 962px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Eid al-Fitr prayers in Tehran at the end of Ramadan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-alcohol-and-drugs\">Alcohol and drugs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Alcohol is illegal in Iran, and you cannot bring it in, including duty-free. Penalties for drugs are severe. Iran has a long tradition of alcohol-free drinks instead: tea, <em>doogh<\/em>, fruit <em>sharbat<\/em> and non-alcoholic malt drinks are everywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/The-Transformation-of-Iranian-Drinking-Culture-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Iranian Tea\" class=\"wp-image-53090\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/The-Transformation-of-Iranian-Drinking-Culture-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/The-Transformation-of-Iranian-Drinking-Culture-1-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/The-Transformation-of-Iranian-Drinking-Culture-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/The-Transformation-of-Iranian-Drinking-Culture-1-705x470.jpg 705w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/The-Transformation-of-Iranian-Drinking-Culture-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/The-Transformation-of-Iranian-Drinking-Culture-1-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/The-Transformation-of-Iranian-Drinking-Culture-1.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tea is the drink of daily life in Iran.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-language-basics\">Language basics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Persian (Farsi) is the official language. Younger Iranians and people who work in tourism often speak some English, but outside hotels a few Persian words help a lot. Read <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/do-iranians-speak-english\/\">do Iranians speak English?<\/a> and our longer list of <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/common-farsi-phrases-for-tourists-in-iran\/\">Farsi phrases for tourists<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>English<\/th><th>Persian (Farsi)<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Hello<\/td><td>\u0633\u0644\u0627\u0645 (salaam)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Goodbye<\/td><td>\u062e\u062f\u0627\u062d\u0627\u0641\u0638 (khodaa haafez)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Please<\/td><td>\u0644\u0637\u0641\u0627\u064b (lotfan)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Thank you<\/td><td>\u0645\u0645\u0646\u0648\u0646 (mamnoon), or merci<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Yes<\/td><td>\u0628\u0644\u0647 (baleh)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>No<\/td><td>\u0646\u0647 (na)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Excuse me, sorry<\/td><td>\u0628\u0628\u062e\u0634\u06cc\u062f (bebakhshid)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>How are you?<\/td><td>\u062d\u0627\u0644 \u0634\u0645\u0627 \u0686\u0637\u0648\u0631 \u0627\u0633\u062a\u061f (haal-e shoma chetor ast?)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>I don&#8217;t understand<\/td><td>\u0646\u0645\u06cc\u200c\u0641\u0647\u0645\u0645 (nemifahmam)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Where is &#8230;?<\/td><td>&#8230; \u06a9\u062c\u0627\u0633\u062a\u061f (&#8230; kojaast?)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>How much is this?<\/td><td>\u0627\u06cc\u0646 \u0686\u0646\u062f \u0627\u0633\u062a\u061f (in chand ast?)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>My name is &#8230;<\/td><td>\u0627\u0633\u0645 \u0645\u0646 &#8230; \u0627\u0633\u062a (esm-e man &#8230; ast)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>I need help<\/td><td>\u0628\u0647 \u06a9\u0645\u06a9 \u0646\u06cc\u0627\u0632 \u062f\u0627\u0631\u0645 (be komak niaz daaram)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>I&#8217;m a tourist<\/td><td>\u0645\u0646 \u06af\u0631\u062f\u0634\u06af\u0631 \u0647\u0633\u062a\u0645 (man gardeshgar hastam)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Water<\/td><td>\u0622\u0628 (aab)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Food<\/td><td>\u063a\u0630\u0627 (ghazaa)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Toilet<\/td><td>\u062f\u0633\u062a\u0634\u0648\u06cc\u06cc (dastshuyi)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Hotel<\/td><td>\u0647\u062a\u0644 (hotel)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Taxi<\/td><td>\u062a\u0627\u06a9\u0633\u06cc (taaksi)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Airport<\/td><td>\u0641\u0631\u0648\u062f\u06af\u0627\u0647 (forudgaah)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Essential Persian (Farsi) words and phrases<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>English<\/th><th>Persian (Farsi)<\/th><th>Numeral<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>One<\/td><td>\u06cc\u06a9 (yek)<\/td><td>\u06f1<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Two<\/td><td>\u062f\u0648 (do)<\/td><td>\u06f2<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Three<\/td><td>\u0633\u0647 (seh)<\/td><td>\u06f3<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Four<\/td><td>\u0686\u0647\u0627\u0631 (chahaar)<\/td><td>\u06f4<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Five<\/td><td>\u067e\u0646\u062c (panj)<\/td><td>\u06f5<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Six<\/td><td>\u0634\u0634 (shesh)<\/td><td>\u06f6<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Seven<\/td><td>\u0647\u0641\u062a (haft)<\/td><td>\u06f7<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Eight<\/td><td>\u0647\u0634\u062a (hasht)<\/td><td>\u06f8<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Nine<\/td><td>\u0646\u0647 (noh)<\/td><td>\u06f9<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Ten<\/td><td>\u062f\u0647 (dah)<\/td><td>\u06f1\u06f0<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Persian numbers. Learn the numerals: prices and bus numbers use them.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"health-and-practical-safety\" class=\"index-title\"><\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-health-and-practical-safety\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"health-and-practical-safety\"><\/span>Health and practical safety<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For current conditions and official advice, see the links in Start here. The everyday basics:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Vaccines:<\/strong> be up to date with routine vaccines. Travel-health services such as the US CDC also recommend hepatitis A and typhoid for most travellers. A yellow fever certificate is needed only if you arrive from a country with yellow fever risk. Ask your doctor or travel clinic.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water:<\/strong> tap water in the big cities is treated, but bottled water is cheap and sold everywhere. Use it if your stomach is sensitive.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pharmacies:<\/strong> plentiful in cities, and pharmacists often speak some English. Bring enough of any prescription medicine, in its original packing, and check the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/full-guide-iranian-airport-customs-rules\/\">Iranian customs rules<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Valuables:<\/strong> street crime is low by international standards, but pickpockets work in crowded bazaars and on the metro. Carry cash in more than one place.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Plugs:<\/strong> sockets take two-pin European plugs. UK and US travellers need an adapter.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"top-destinations-in-iran\" class=\"index-title\"><\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-top-destinations-in-iran\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"top-destinations-in-iran\"><\/span>Top destinations in Iran<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most first trips follow the line from Tehran through Kashan, Isfahan and Yazd to Shiraz. For more ideas, see our list of <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iran-destinations\/\">101 places to visit in Iran<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tehran\">Tehran<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"631\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Tehran-city-Photo-by-Mohammad-Amirahmadi-1024x631.jpg\" alt=\"Tehran City\" class=\"wp-image-48739\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Tehran-city-Photo-by-Mohammad-Amirahmadi-1024x631.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Tehran-city-Photo-by-Mohammad-Amirahmadi-780x480.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Tehran-city-Photo-by-Mohammad-Amirahmadi-768x473.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Tehran-city-Photo-by-Mohammad-Amirahmadi-763x470.jpg 763w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Tehran-city-Photo-by-Mohammad-Amirahmadi-300x185.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Tehran-city-Photo-by-Mohammad-Amirahmadi.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tehran under the Alborz mountains.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iran&#8217;s largest city, spread across the foot of the snowy Alborz. Few travellers love Tehran on the first day, and many do by the third. Start in the old south with <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/golestan-palace\/\">Golestan Palace<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/tehran-bazaar-grand\/\">Grand Bazaar<\/a>, then the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/national-museum-of-iran\/\">National Museum<\/a> and the crown jewels. In the evening, ride up to the cafes of Darband or the top of <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/tehran-milad-tower\/\">Milad Tower<\/a>. Read the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/tehran-travel-guide\/\">Tehran travel guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-kashan\">Kashan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A desert town of restored merchants&#8217; houses, the Persian garden at <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/fin-garden\/\">Fin<\/a> and rosewater distilling in May. The <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/maranjab-travel-guide\/\">Maranjab Desert<\/a> is a short drive away. See the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/kashan-travel-guide\/\">Kashan travel guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-isfahan\">Isfahan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Naqsh-e-Jahan-Square-Isfahan-Iran-3.jpg\" alt=\"Naqsh E Jahan Square (Meidan Emam, Esfahan)\" class=\"wp-image-59940\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Naqsh-e-Jahan-Square-Isfahan-Iran-3.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Naqsh-e-Jahan-Square-Isfahan-Iran-3-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Naqsh-e-Jahan-Square-Isfahan-Iran-3-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Naqsh-e-Jahan-Square-Isfahan-Iran-3-627x470.jpg 627w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Naqsh-e-Jahan-Square-Isfahan-Iran-3-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shah Abbas&#8217;s capital, still called <em>nesf-e jahan<\/em>, half the world. <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/naqsh-ejahan-square\/\">Naqsh-e Jahan Square<\/a> holds the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/shah-mosque-isfahan\/\">Shah Mosque<\/a>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/sheikh-lotfollah-mosque-isfahan\/\">Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/aali-qapu-palace\/\">Ali Qapu Palace<\/a>. At sunset, walk the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/si-o-se-pol-bridge\/\">Si-o-se Pol<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/khaju-bridge-in-isfahan\/\">Khaju<\/a> bridges, then cross to the Armenian quarter of Jolfa and <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/vank-cathedral-isfahan\/\">Vank Cathedral<\/a>. See the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/isfahan-travel-guide\/\">Isfahan travel guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-yazd\">Yazd<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231004-18-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Yazd Travel Guide\" class=\"wp-image-58919\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231004-18-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231004-18-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231004-18-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231004-18-705x470.jpg 705w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231004-18-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20231004-18.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Windcatchers above the old city of Yazd.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A mud-brick city on the edge of the desert, with windcatchers on the rooftops and covered lanes that stay cool at noon. The old city is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/amir-chakhmaq-complex\/\">Amir Chakhmaq complex<\/a>, the fire temple, where the Zoroastrian community keeps a sacred fire alight, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/zoroastrian-towers-of-silence-yazd\/\">Towers of Silence<\/a>. Try the city&#8217;s <em>baklava<\/em> and <em>qottab<\/em>. See the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/yazd-travel-guide\/\">Yazd travel guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-shiraz\">Shiraz<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Shiraz-in-Spring-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Shiraz In Spring\" class=\"wp-image-65050\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Shiraz-in-Spring-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Shiraz-in-Spring-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Shiraz-in-Spring-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Shiraz-in-Spring-706x470.jpg 706w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Shiraz-in-Spring-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Shiraz-in-Spring.jpg 1210w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Spring in Shiraz, the city of gardens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The city of poets and gardens, and the base for Persepolis. Visit the tombs of <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/tomb-of-hafez\/\">Hafez<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/tomb-of-saadi\/\">Saadi<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/eram-garden\/\">Eram Garden<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/nasir-al-mulk-mosque\/\">Nasir al-Mulk Mosque<\/a>, best in the early morning when the stained glass throws colour across the carpets. See the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/shiraz-travel-guide\/\">Shiraz travel guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tabriz\">Tabriz<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"845\" height=\"684\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image.jpeg\" alt=\"Tabriz Travel Guide\" class=\"wp-image-59463\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image.jpeg 845w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-780x631.jpeg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-768x622.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-581x470.jpeg 581w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-300x243.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 845px) 100vw, 845px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tabriz from the air, with the red Eynali hills behind.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The capital of Iranian Azerbaijan, where Azerbaijani Turkish is the street language. Its <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/tabriz-historic-bazaar\/\">historic bazaar complex<\/a> is a UNESCO World Heritage site and still a working market. Spend an evening at <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/shah-goli-el-goli-park\/\">El Goli<\/a> and take a day trip to <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/kandovan-village\/\">Kandovan<\/a>, where people still live in houses cut into volcanic rock. See the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/tabriz-travel-guide\/\">Tabriz travel guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-mashhad\">Mashhad<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"840\" height=\"560\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-480.jpg\" alt=\"Imam Reza Shrine In Mashhad\" class=\"wp-image-60534\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-480.jpg 840w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-480-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-480-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-480-705x470.jpg 705w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-480-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iran&#8217;s second city and the home of the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/the-imam-reza-shrine\/\">Imam Reza Shrine<\/a>, which draws millions of pilgrims a year. Non-Muslim visitors can usually walk in the courtyards, and the shrine has an office for foreign visitors that can arrange a guide. Nearby are the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/tomb-of-nader-shah-e-afshar\/\">Tomb of Nader Shah<\/a> and the village of <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/torghabeh-county-in-mashhad\/\">Torghabeh<\/a>. See the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/mashhad-travel-guide\/\">Mashhad travel guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-kerman-and-the-lut-desert\">Kerman and the Lut Desert<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kerman is the gateway to the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iran-lut-desert\/\">Lut Desert<\/a> and its giant wind-carved kaluts, as well as the mud-brick citadels of <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/arg-bam\/\">Bam<\/a> and Rayen. See the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/kerman-travel-guide\/\">Kerman travel guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-persian-gulf-islands\">The Persian Gulf islands<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"745\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Kish-Island-9-1-1024x745.jpg\" alt=\"Kish Island\" class=\"wp-image-59749\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Kish-Island-9-1-1024x745.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Kish-Island-9-1-780x568.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Kish-Island-9-1-768x559.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Kish-Island-9-1-646x470.jpg 646w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Kish-Island-9-1-300x218.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Kish-Island-9-1.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kish Island in the Persian Gulf.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Winter is the season for the south. <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/kish-travel-guide\/\">Kish<\/a> has beaches and diving, <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/qeshm-travel-guide\/\">Qeshm<\/a> has the canyons and salt caves of its UNESCO Global Geopark, and <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/hormuz-island-travel-guide\/\">Hormuz<\/a> has red beaches and hills of coloured earth. Start with the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/hormozgan-travel-guide\/\">Hormozgan travel guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"notable-historical-sites-in-iran\" class=\"index-title\"><\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-notable-historical-sites-in-iran\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"notable-historical-sites-in-iran\"><\/span>Notable historical sites in Iran<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iran has 29 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the latest being the prehistoric sites of the Khorramabad Valley, added in 2025. Our <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iran-world-heritage-sites\/\">guide to Iran&#8217;s World Heritage sites<\/a> covers them all; these fifteen are the ones travellers ask about most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-golestan-palace-tehran\">1. Golestan Palace, Tehran<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"619\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Golestan-Palace.jpg\" alt=\"Golestan Palace\" class=\"wp-image-60522\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Golestan-Palace.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Golestan-Palace-780x483.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Golestan-Palace-768x475.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Golestan-Palace-759x470.jpg 759w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Golestan-Palace-300x186.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Golestan Palace, the Qajar royal palace in Tehran.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Qajar kings&#8217; palace in the heart of old Tehran, with mirror halls, tiled facades and a garden of pools. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Read our <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/golestan-palace\/\">Golestan Palace guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-persepolis-near-shiraz\">2. Persepolis, near Shiraz<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"821\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Persepolis-Takht-e-Jamshid-Shiraz-16-1024x821.jpg\" alt=\"Persepolis Or Takht E Jamshid\" class=\"wp-image-60016\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Persepolis-Takht-e-Jamshid-Shiraz-16-1024x821.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Persepolis-Takht-e-Jamshid-Shiraz-16-780x625.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Persepolis-Takht-e-Jamshid-Shiraz-16-768x616.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Persepolis-Takht-e-Jamshid-Shiraz-16-586x470.jpg 586w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Persepolis-Takht-e-Jamshid-Shiraz-16-300x241.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Persepolis-Takht-e-Jamshid-Shiraz-16.jpg 1347w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Persepolis, the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid kings, founded under Darius I.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Begun by Darius I around 518 BC, Persepolis was the ceremonial centre of the Achaemenid Empire until Alexander burned it in 330 BC. Climb the stairs of the Apadana and look for the reliefs of delegations bringing gifts from across the empire. Read our <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/persepolis\/\">Persepolis guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-naqsh-e-jahan-square-isfahan\">3. Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Isfahan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Naqsh-e-Jahan-Square-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Naqsh E Jahan Square\" class=\"wp-image-60523\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Naqsh-e-Jahan-Square-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Naqsh-e-Jahan-Square-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Naqsh-e-Jahan-Square-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Naqsh-e-Jahan-Square-627x470.jpg 627w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Naqsh-e-Jahan-Square-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Naqsh-e-Jahan-Square.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Naqsh-e Jahan Square, laid out under Shah Abbas I.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the largest city squares in the world, laid out by Shah Abbas I in the early 17th century and framed by two mosques, a palace and the entrance to the bazaar. Read our <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/naqsh-ejahan-square\/\">Naqsh-e Jahan Square guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-jameh-mosque-of-isfahan\">4. Jameh Mosque of Isfahan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"700\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Jameh-Mosque-of-Isfahan.jpg\" alt=\"Jameh Mosque Of Isfahan\" class=\"wp-image-60524\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Jameh-Mosque-of-Isfahan.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Jameh-Mosque-of-Isfahan-780x533.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Jameh-Mosque-of-Isfahan-768x525.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Jameh-Mosque-of-Isfahan-220x150.jpg 220w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Jameh-Mosque-of-Isfahan-688x470.jpg 688w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Jameh-Mosque-of-Isfahan-300x205.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Jameh Mosque of Isfahan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A thousand years of Iranian mosque building in one place, from Seljuk brick domes to Safavid tiles. Quieter than the square and, for many, more moving. Read our <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/jameh-mosque-of-isfahan\/\">Jameh Mosque guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-pasargadae-fars-province\">5. Pasargadae, Fars Province<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"593\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Tomb-of-Cyrus-the-Great-in-Pasargadae-1024x593.jpg\" alt=\"Tomb Of Cyrus The Great In Pasargadae\" class=\"wp-image-60525\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Tomb-of-Cyrus-the-Great-in-Pasargadae-1024x593.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Tomb-of-Cyrus-the-Great-in-Pasargadae-780x451.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Tomb-of-Cyrus-the-Great-in-Pasargadae-768x445.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Tomb-of-Cyrus-the-Great-in-Pasargadae-300x174.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Tomb-of-Cyrus-the-Great-in-Pasargadae.jpg 1199w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Tomb of Cyrus the Great at Pasargadae.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first Achaemenid capital and the plain stone tomb of Cyrus the Great, standing alone on the plain north of Shiraz. Read our <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/pasargadae\/\">Pasargadae guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-6-yazd-old-city\">6. Yazd Old City<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"593\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Yazd-city-by-Hassan-Almasi-1024x593.jpg\" alt=\"Yazd Old City: A Labyrinth Of History. Winding Lanes, Sun Baked Mud Brick Buildings, And Iconic Wind Catchers Define This Ancient Desert City.\" class=\"wp-image-48596\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Yazd-city-by-Hassan-Almasi-1024x593.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Yazd-city-by-Hassan-Almasi-780x452.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Yazd-city-by-Hassan-Almasi-768x445.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Yazd-city-by-Hassan-Almasi-300x174.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Yazd-city-by-Hassan-Almasi.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Winding lanes, mud-brick houses and windcatchers in the old city of Yazd.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lanes of mud-brick walls, windcatchers and covered passages, best explored on foot in the early morning or at dusk. Read our <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/yazd-old-city\/\">Yazd Old City guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-7-tabriz-historic-bazaar-complex\">7. Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"669\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Carpet_Bazaar_of_Tabriz.jpg\" alt=\"Carpet Bazaar Of Tabriz\" class=\"wp-image-31516\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Carpet_Bazaar_of_Tabriz.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Carpet_Bazaar_of_Tabriz-780x522.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Carpet_Bazaar_of_Tabriz-768x514.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Carpet_Bazaar_of_Tabriz-703x470.jpg 703w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Carpet_Bazaar_of_Tabriz-300x201.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The carpet bazaar of Tabriz.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the oldest covered bazaars in the region and once a major stop on the Silk Road. The carpet halls are the highlight. Read our <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/tabriz-historic-bazaar\/\">Tabriz Historic Bazaar guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-8-arg-e-bam-kerman-province\">8. Arg-e Bam, Kerman Province<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"538\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Silk-Road-BAM-City-1024x538.jpg\" alt=\"Bam Citadel\" class=\"wp-image-24224\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Silk-Road-BAM-City-1024x538.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Silk-Road-BAM-City-780x410.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Silk-Road-BAM-City-768x403.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Silk-Road-BAM-City-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Silk-Road-BAM-City.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The citadel of Bam, a fortified desert settlement on the trade routes of the Iranian plateau.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A mud-brick citadel that once held a whole town within its walls. It was badly damaged in the 2003 earthquake and is being restored. Read our <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/arg-bam\/\">Arg-e Bam guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-9-shushtar-historical-hydraulic-system\">9. Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Shushtar-Historical-Hydraulic-Systems-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System\" class=\"wp-image-60526\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Shushtar-Historical-Hydraulic-Systems-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Shushtar-Historical-Hydraulic-Systems-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Shushtar-Historical-Hydraulic-Systems-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Shushtar-Historical-Hydraulic-Systems-705x470.jpg 705w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Shushtar-Historical-Hydraulic-Systems-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Shushtar-Historical-Hydraulic-Systems.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System in Khuzestan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Weirs, tunnels, canals and water mills on the Karun River, begun in Achaemenid times and expanded under the Sasanians. Read our <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/shushtar-historical-hydraulic-systems\/\">Shushtar guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-10-vank-cathedral-isfahan\">10. Vank Cathedral, Isfahan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The cathedral of the Armenian community that Shah Abbas I brought to Isfahan, with a plain brick dome outside and walls of frescoes inside. Read our <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/vank-cathedral-isfahan\/\">Vank Cathedral guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-11-soltaniyeh-dome-zanjan\">11. Soltaniyeh Dome, Zanjan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The mausoleum of the Ilkhanid ruler Oljeitu, finished in the early 14th century and one of the largest brick domes in the world. Read our <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/soltaniyeh-dome\/\">Soltaniyeh Dome guide<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/zanjan-travel-guide\/\">Zanjan travel guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-12-falak-ol-aflak-castle-khorramabad\">12. Falak-ol-Aflak Castle, Khorramabad<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A Sasanian-era fortress on a hill above Khorramabad, later used as a prison and now home to museums. The valley below has some of Iran&#8217;s oldest traces of human life; read about the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/prehistoric-khorramabad-valley-uniesco\/\">prehistoric sites of the Khorramabad Valley<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-13-chogha-zanbil-khuzestan\">13. Chogha Zanbil, Khuzestan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"646\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Chogha-Zanbil-is-an-ancient-temple-in-the-Khuzestan-province-Iran-1024x646.jpg\" alt=\"Chogha Zanbil Is An Ancient Temple In The Khuzestan Province, Iran\" class=\"wp-image-6521\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Chogha-Zanbil-is-an-ancient-temple-in-the-Khuzestan-province-Iran-1024x646.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Chogha-Zanbil-is-an-ancient-temple-in-the-Khuzestan-province-Iran-780x492.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Chogha-Zanbil-is-an-ancient-temple-in-the-Khuzestan-province-Iran-768x484.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Chogha-Zanbil-is-an-ancient-temple-in-the-Khuzestan-province-Iran-745x470.jpg 745w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Chogha-Zanbil-is-an-ancient-temple-in-the-Khuzestan-province-Iran-300x189.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Chogha-Zanbil-is-an-ancient-temple-in-the-Khuzestan-province-Iran.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Chogha Zanbil, the Elamite ziggurat in Khuzestan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An Elamite ziggurat from the 13th century BC, among the best preserved in the world. Read our <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/chogha-zanbil-ziggurat\/\">Chogha Zanbil guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-14-towers-of-silence-yazd\">14. Towers of Silence, Yazd<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two round hilltop towers where Zoroastrians once laid out their dead. Climb one for the view over Yazd at sunset. Read our <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/zoroastrian-towers-of-silence-yazd\/\">Towers of Silence guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-15-rudkhan-castle-gilan\">15. Rudkhan Castle, Gilan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Rudkhan-Castle-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Rudkhan Castle\" class=\"wp-image-60494\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Rudkhan-Castle-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Rudkhan-Castle-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Rudkhan-Castle-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Rudkhan-Castle-705x470.jpg 705w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Rudkhan-Castle-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Rudkhan-Castle.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Rudkhan Castle in the forests of Gilan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A brick and stone fortress on a forested ridge, reached by a steep climb up stone steps through the trees. Read the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/gilan-travel-guide\/\">Gilan travel guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"outdoor-iran\" class=\"index-title\"><\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-outdoor-iran\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"outdoor-iran\"><\/span>Outdoor Iran<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-deserts\">Deserts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"726\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/desert-safari-1024x726.jpg\" alt=\"Desert Safari\" class=\"wp-image-60536\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/desert-safari-1024x726.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/desert-safari-780x553.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/desert-safari-768x544.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/desert-safari-663x470.jpg 663w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/desert-safari.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Desert trips run from autumn to spring.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Dasht-e Kavir and Dasht-e Lut cover much of central and eastern Iran. Satellites have measured some of the hottest ground temperatures on Earth in the Lut. Go between October and April for camel treks, a jeep ride over the dunes and a night under very dark skies. Start with our <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/travel-guide-to-deserts-of-iran\/\">Iran desert guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Lut-Desert-Hottest-Place-On-Earth-01-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Lut Desert (Dasht-e Lut), Iran\" class=\"wp-image-49486\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Lut-Desert-Hottest-Place-On-Earth-01-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Lut-Desert-Hottest-Place-On-Earth-01-780x439.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Lut-Desert-Hottest-Place-On-Earth-01-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Lut-Desert-Hottest-Place-On-Earth-01-390x220.jpg 390w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Lut-Desert-Hottest-Place-On-Earth-01-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Lut-Desert-Hottest-Place-On-Earth-01.jpg 1489w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Lut Desert, where satellites have recorded some of the hottest land surfaces on Earth.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-mountains-and-trekking\">Mountains and trekking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Trekking-Iran-Majestic-Mountains-A-Guide-to-the-Top-Treks.jpg\" alt=\"Trekking Iran&#039;s Majestic Mountains: A Guide To The Top Treks\" class=\"wp-image-54767\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Trekking-Iran-Majestic-Mountains-A-Guide-to-the-Top-Treks.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Trekking-Iran-Majestic-Mountains-A-Guide-to-the-Top-Treks-780x439.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Trekking-Iran-Majestic-Mountains-A-Guide-to-the-Top-Treks-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Trekking-Iran-Majestic-Mountains-A-Guide-to-the-Top-Treks-390x220.jpg 390w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Trekking-Iran-Majestic-Mountains-A-Guide-to-the-Top-Treks-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Trekking in the Alborz and Zagros.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Alborz holds <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/mount-damavand-travel-guide\/\">Mount Damavand<\/a>, a dormant volcano of about 5,600 metres and the highest peak in Iran, climbed in summer from the village of Polur. Alam Kuh, the second-highest, has longer and more technical routes. In the Zagros, the Dena range and Zard Kuh suit hikers who want space to themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Zard-Kouh.jpg\" alt=\"Zard Kouh\" class=\"wp-image-54769\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Zard-Kouh.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Zard-Kouh-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Zard-Kouh-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Zard-Kouh-627x470.jpg 627w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Zard-Kouh-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Zard-Kouh-705x529.jpg 705w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Zard-Kouh-450x338.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Zard Kuh in the Zagros.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-skiing\">Skiing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Darbandsar-Ski-Resort-Tehran-3-1-1-6.jpg\" alt=\"Darbandsar Ski Resort, Tehran\" class=\"wp-image-20329\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Darbandsar-Ski-Resort-Tehran-3-1-1-6.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Darbandsar-Ski-Resort-Tehran-3-1-1-6-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Darbandsar-Ski-Resort-Tehran-3-1-1-6-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Darbandsar-Ski-Resort-Tehran-3-1-1-6-627x470.jpg 627w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Darbandsar-Ski-Resort-Tehran-3-1-1-6-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Darbandsar ski resort near Tehran.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dizin, Shemshak and Darbandsar are within about two hours of Tehran and open roughly from December to March, snow permitting. Dizin suits all levels; Shemshak is steeper. Gear can be rented at the resorts. See our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iran-ski-resorts\/\">Iran&#8217;s ski resorts<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-beaches-and-water\">Beaches and water<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"822\" height=\"462\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-280-edited-1.jpg\" alt=\"Kish Travel Guide\" class=\"wp-image-60537\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-280-edited-1.jpg 822w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-280-edited-1-780x438.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-280-edited-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-280-edited-1-390x220.jpg 390w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 822px) 100vw, 822px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kish has beaches and diving centres.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Persian Gulf islands are for winter swimming and diving, with separate beaches for women and men; read about the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/women-swimming-area-in-kish\/\">women&#8217;s swimming area in Kish<\/a>. On the Caspian side, take a boat into the Anzali Lagoon to watch birds among the reeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"food-culture-and-festivals\" class=\"index-title\"><\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-food-culture-and-festivals\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"food-culture-and-festivals\"><\/span>Food, culture and festivals<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-persian-food\">Persian food<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"780\" height=\"408\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Best-Persian-Foods.jpg\" alt=\"Best Persian Foods\" class=\"wp-image-71978\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Best-Persian-Foods.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Best-Persian-Foods-768x402.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Persian dishes: rice, stews, kebabs and fresh herbs.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Persian food is aromatic rather than hot: saffron, dried lime, fresh herbs, pomegranate and walnuts. Rice is the centre of the meal, and the crisp layer from the bottom of the pot, <em>tahdig<\/em>, is the part everyone wants. Start with these:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Ghormeh sabzi:<\/strong> lamb stewed with herbs, kidney beans and dried lime.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fesenjan:<\/strong> chicken or duck in a sauce of ground walnuts and pomegranate molasses. Try our <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/khoresht-e-fesenjan-recipe\/\">fesenjan recipe<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Chelow kabab:<\/strong> grilled kebab with buttered saffron rice, the standard lunch across Iran.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Dizi or abgusht:<\/strong> a lamb and chickpea stew, pounded at the table and eaten with bread.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meals are often shared on a cloth on the floor, the <em>sofreh<\/em>. Before eating, people say <em>nush-e jan<\/em>, may it nourish your soul. Vegetarians can eat well with a little planning; see our <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/guide-vegetarians-traveling-iran\/\">vegetarian guide<\/a>. For the full list, read <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/10-best-persian-foods-try\/\">the best Persian foods to try<\/a>, or join the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/iran-tour\/iran-culinary-tour-in-14-days\/\">14-day culinary tour<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-music\">Music<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Music-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Persian Music\" class=\"wp-image-60535\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Music-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Music-780x521.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Music-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Music-704x470.jpg 704w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Music-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Music.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Persian classical music is played on the tar, setar and santur.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Persian classical music is built on the <em>dastgah<\/em> modes and played on the tar, setar, santur and kamancheh. Regional music is just as strong: the <em>bandari<\/em> rhythms of the Persian Gulf, the drums of Bushehr, and the Kurdish circle dance, <em>halparke<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-festivals-and-religious-events\">Festivals and religious events<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"669\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Persian-New-Year-festival-Nowruz-Bazaar-1024x669.jpg\" alt=\"Persian New Year Festival (Nowruz Bazaar)\" class=\"wp-image-5293\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Persian-New-Year-festival-Nowruz-Bazaar-1024x669.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Persian-New-Year-festival-Nowruz-Bazaar-780x510.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Persian-New-Year-festival-Nowruz-Bazaar-768x502.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Persian-New-Year-festival-Nowruz-Bazaar-720x470.jpg 720w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Persian-New-Year-festival-Nowruz-Bazaar-300x196.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Persian-New-Year-festival-Nowruz-Bazaar.jpg 1439w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A Nowruz bazaar before the Persian New Year.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Iranian year mixes ancient seasonal festivals with Shia religious observances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/nowruz-persian-new-year\/\">Nowruz<\/a>:<\/strong> the Persian New Year at the spring equinox, 21 March in 2027, with the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/all-about-haft-sin-the-7-s-of-iranian-new-year\/\">Haft-sin table<\/a> in every home.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Chaharshanbe Suri:<\/strong> bonfires on the eve of the last Wednesday of the year.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Yalda:<\/strong> the longest night of the year, with pomegranates, watermelon and Hafez.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/travel-iran-ashura\/\">Ashura<\/a>:<\/strong> mourning for Imam Hussein in the month of Muharram, with processions and passion plays.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iranian-festivals-and-celebrations\/\">guide to Iranian festivals and celebrations<\/a> has the full calendar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"622\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Nakhl-Gardani-ceremony-in-Zarch-and-Ashkezar-during-Ashura-Yazd-24-1024x622.jpg\" alt=\"Nakhl Gardani Ritual In Yazd\" class=\"wp-image-20054\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Nakhl-Gardani-ceremony-in-Zarch-and-Ashkezar-during-Ashura-Yazd-24-1024x622.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Nakhl-Gardani-ceremony-in-Zarch-and-Ashkezar-during-Ashura-Yazd-24-780x474.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Nakhl-Gardani-ceremony-in-Zarch-and-Ashkezar-during-Ashura-Yazd-24-768x467.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Nakhl-Gardani-ceremony-in-Zarch-and-Ashkezar-during-Ashura-Yazd-24-774x470.jpg 774w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Nakhl-Gardani-ceremony-in-Zarch-and-Ashkezar-during-Ashura-Yazd-24-300x182.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Nakhl-Gardani-ceremony-in-Zarch-and-Ashkezar-during-Ashura-Yazd-24.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Nakhl gardani during Muharram in Yazd province.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-crafts-and-souvenirs\">Crafts and souvenirs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"626\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Minakari-1024x626.jpg\" alt=\"Minakari\" class=\"wp-image-60349\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Minakari-1024x626.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Minakari-780x477.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Minakari-768x470.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Minakari-300x184.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Minakari.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Minakari, enamel painting on copper, in Isfahan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Carpets, <em>minakari<\/em> enamel and <em>khatam<\/em> inlay from Isfahan, block-printed cloth, turquoise from Neyshabur, saffron from Khorasan and pistachios from Kerman. Read <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/what-to-buy-in-iran\/\">what to buy in Iran<\/a> and our guide to the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iranian-carpet\/\">Persian carpet<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"shopping-and-bazaars\" class=\"index-title\"><\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-shopping-and-bazaars\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"shopping-and-bazaars\"><\/span>Shopping and bazaars<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Tehran-Grand-Bazaar-1024x680.jpg\" alt=\"Tehran Grand Bazaar - Iran Travel Guide: An Ultimate Guide To Visit Persia\" class=\"wp-image-47071\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Tehran-Grand-Bazaar-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Tehran-Grand-Bazaar-780x518.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Tehran-Grand-Bazaar-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Tehran-Grand-Bazaar-1536x1019.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Tehran-Grand-Bazaar-2048x1359.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Tehran-Grand-Bazaar-708x470.jpg 708w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Tehran-Grand-Bazaar-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Tehran-Grand-Bazaar-705x468.jpg 705w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Tehran-Grand-Bazaar-450x299.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tehran Grand Bazaar.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The bazaar is still the commercial heart of most Iranian cities: one lane for copper, another for spices, another for wedding gold, with mosques, bathhouses and caravanserais in between. They are busiest in the morning, quiet after lunch and closed on Fridays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-bazaars-to-visit\">Bazaars to visit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/tehran-bazaar-grand\/\">Tehran Grand Bazaar<\/a>:<\/strong> huge and chaotic, and a good place to see how the city trades.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Isfahan Bazaar:<\/strong> runs north from Naqsh-e Jahan Square; the place for khatam, minakari and printed tablecloths.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/tabriz-historic-bazaar\/\">Tabriz Historic Bazaar<\/a>:<\/strong> the UNESCO-listed complex, best for carpets.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Vakil Bazaar, Shiraz:<\/strong> a Zand-era bazaar with tall brick vaults and a courtyard caravanserai.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"962\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Inside-the-vast-galleries-of-the-Great-Bazaar-of-Isfahan-with-tapestries-and-coloured-items-decorating-the-walls.jpg\" alt=\"Great Bazaar Of Isfahan Iran\" class=\"wp-image-4802\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Inside-the-vast-galleries-of-the-Great-Bazaar-of-Isfahan-with-tapestries-and-coloured-items-decorating-the-walls.jpg 962w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Inside-the-vast-galleries-of-the-Great-Bazaar-of-Isfahan-with-tapestries-and-coloured-items-decorating-the-walls-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Inside-the-vast-galleries-of-the-Great-Bazaar-of-Isfahan-with-tapestries-and-coloured-items-decorating-the-walls-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Inside-the-vast-galleries-of-the-Great-Bazaar-of-Isfahan-with-tapestries-and-coloured-items-decorating-the-walls-705x470.jpg 705w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Inside-the-vast-galleries-of-the-Great-Bazaar-of-Isfahan-with-tapestries-and-coloured-items-decorating-the-walls-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Inside-the-vast-galleries-of-the-Great-Bazaar-of-Isfahan-with-tapestries-and-coloured-items-decorating-the-walls-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 962px) 100vw, 962px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The galleries of the Isfahan Bazaar.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-bargain\">How to bargain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Learn the rough price first by asking in two or three shops.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Start below what you are willing to pay, and stay friendly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Walking away politely often brings a better offer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fixed-price shops, supermarkets and restaurants do not bargain.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To pay the right price in markets, read our <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/how-to-pay-the-right-price-in-iran\/\">shopper&#8217;s guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-souvenirs-to-look-for\">Souvenirs to look for<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"686\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Persian-Carpet-Weaving-1024x686.jpg\" alt=\"Persian Carpet Weaving\" class=\"wp-image-4615\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Persian-Carpet-Weaving-1024x686.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Persian-Carpet-Weaving-780x523.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Persian-Carpet-Weaving-768x515.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Persian-Carpet-Weaving-1536x1029.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Persian-Carpet-Weaving-701x470.jpg 701w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Persian-Carpet-Weaving-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Persian-Carpet-Weaving-705x472.jpg 705w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Persian-Carpet-Weaving-450x302.jpg 450w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Persian-Carpet-Weaving.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Carpet weaving is still a living craft across Iran.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Persian carpets and kilims:<\/strong> each region has its own patterns. Ask for a certificate and check export rules.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Saffron:<\/strong> buy threads, not powder. Read about <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/visit-iran-for-iranian-saffron\/\">Iranian saffron<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Miniature paintings:<\/strong> a Persian art with a long tradition, still painted in Isfahan&#8217;s workshops. See our <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/miniature\/\">Persian miniature<\/a> guide.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ceramics, copper and silver:<\/strong> from the bazaars of Isfahan, Tabriz and Lalejin near Hamadan.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"785\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/illustrations-hail-from-the-celebrated-work-Tuhfat-al-Ahrar-1024x785.jpg\" alt=\"Illustrations Hail From The Celebrated Work Tuhfat Al Ahrar\" class=\"wp-image-60538\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/illustrations-hail-from-the-celebrated-work-Tuhfat-al-Ahrar-1024x785.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/illustrations-hail-from-the-celebrated-work-Tuhfat-al-Ahrar-780x598.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/illustrations-hail-from-the-celebrated-work-Tuhfat-al-Ahrar-768x589.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/illustrations-hail-from-the-celebrated-work-Tuhfat-al-Ahrar-613x470.jpg 613w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/illustrations-hail-from-the-celebrated-work-Tuhfat-al-Ahrar-300x230.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/illustrations-hail-from-the-celebrated-work-Tuhfat-al-Ahrar.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Persian miniature painting from a 16th-century manuscript.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a trip built around crafts and markets, ask about a <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/iran-tailor-made-tours\/\">tailor-made tour<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"iran-in-context-history-land-and-daily-life\" class=\"index-title\"><\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-iran-in-context-history-land-and-daily-life\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"iran-in-context-history-land-and-daily-life\"><\/span>Iran in context: history, land and daily life<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-short-history\">A short history<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/The-Cyrus-Cylinder-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"The Cyrus Cylinder\" class=\"wp-image-60521\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/The-Cyrus-Cylinder-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/The-Cyrus-Cylinder-780x521.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/The-Cyrus-Cylinder-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/The-Cyrus-Cylinder-704x470.jpg 704w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/The-Cyrus-Cylinder-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/The-Cyrus-Cylinder.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Cyrus Cylinder, a 6th-century BC inscription of Cyrus the Great, found in Babylon in 1879 and now in the British Museum.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">People have lived on the Iranian plateau for many thousands of years. The Elamites built Chogha Zanbil and Susa. In the 6th century BC Cyrus the Great founded the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/achaemenid-empire\/\">Achaemenid Empire<\/a>, which at its height reached from the Indus to the edges of Greece. The Parthians and Sasanians followed, then the Arab conquest and Islam, the Seljuks, the Mongols, and the Safavids, who made Shia Islam the state religion and Isfahan their capital. The Qajars moved the capital to Tehran; the Pahlavis ruled until the 1979 revolution created the Islamic Republic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iranian-dynasties\/\">timeline of Iranian dynasties<\/a> covers each era and the sites you can visit, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/cyrus-cylinder\/\">Cyrus Cylinder<\/a> article tells the story of its most famous inscription.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"611\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Historical-Significance-of-Iran-1024x611.png\" alt=\"Historical Significance Of Iran\" class=\"wp-image-65363\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Historical-Significance-of-Iran-1024x611.png 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Historical-Significance-of-Iran-780x465.png 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Historical-Significance-of-Iran-768x458.png 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Historical-Significance-of-Iran-1536x916.png 1536w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Historical-Significance-of-Iran-300x179.png 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Historical-Significance-of-Iran.png 1979w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A timeline of Iranian history.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-science-poetry-and-faith\">Science, poetry and faith<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iran gave the world Avicenna (Ibn Sina) in medicine and al-Khwarizmi in mathematics, and the poets Ferdowsi, Rumi, Saadi and Hafez, who are still quoted at dinner tables. Read <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/why-hafez-is-so-important-to-iranians\/\">why Hafez matters to Iranians<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/the-must-read-of-persian-literature\/\">the essential books of Persian literature<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/zoroastrianism-mazdayasna-in-iran\/\">Zoroastrianism<\/a>, one of the oldest living religions, began here, and Yazd and Kerman still have Zoroastrian communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Tabriz-bazaar-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Tabriz Bazaar\" class=\"wp-image-53137\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Tabriz-bazaar-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Tabriz-bazaar-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Tabriz-bazaar-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Tabriz-bazaar-705x470.jpg 705w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Tabriz-bazaar-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Tabriz-bazaar-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Tabriz-bazaar.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tabriz Bazaar, a trading hub on the Silk Road.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-geography-and-climate\">Geography and climate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Aerial-view-of-Iran-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Aerial View Of Iran\" class=\"wp-image-60520\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Aerial-view-of-Iran-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Aerial-view-of-Iran-780x439.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Aerial-view-of-Iran-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Aerial-view-of-Iran-390x220.jpg 390w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Aerial-view-of-Iran-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Aerial-view-of-Iran.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A rendering of Iran&#8217;s mountains, plateau and coasts from above.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iran covers about 1.65 million km\u00b2, roughly the size of the UK, France, Spain and Germany together. The Alborz runs along the south of the Caspian Sea; the Zagros runs from the northwest down to the Persian Gulf. Between and beyond them lies the high central plateau, at an average of around 900 metres, with the Dasht-e Kavir and Dasht-e Lut deserts in its east.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most of the country is dry, with hot summers and cold winters, and most rain falls between autumn and spring. The Caspian coast is the exception: wet, green and humid, with rice fields, tea gardens and forest. Khuzestan, on the plain at the head of the Persian Gulf, has humid summer heat; its <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/karun-river\/\">Karun<\/a> is Iran&#8217;s only navigable river. Read the <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/khuzestan-travel-guide\/\">Khuzestan travel guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Olsabelangah-Masal-Iran-3-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Olsabelangah, Masal, Iran\" class=\"wp-image-8107\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Olsabelangah-Masal-Iran-3-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Olsabelangah-Masal-Iran-3-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Olsabelangah-Masal-Iran-3-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Olsabelangah-Masal-Iran-3-627x470.jpg 627w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Olsabelangah-Masal-Iran-3-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Olsabelangah-Masal-Iran-3.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Olsabelangah in Masal, Gilan, on the green Caspian side of the Alborz.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-religion-and-daily-life\">Religion and daily life<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Family, hospitality and religion shape daily life, but Iran is not uniform. A Friday in north Tehran&#8217;s cafes looks nothing like a Friday in Qom. Most Iranians are Shia Muslims, and the martyrdom of Imam Hussein at Karbala in AD 680 is commemorated every year at Ashura, with <em>ta&#8217;zieh<\/em> passion plays and processions. Iranians also celebrate a great deal: Nowruz, the two Eids, and the birthday of the twelfth Imam, when streets are hung with lights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Travel-to-Iran-during-Moharram-and-Ashura-10-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Travel To Iran During Moharram And Ashura\" class=\"wp-image-7941\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Travel-to-Iran-during-Moharram-and-Ashura-10-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Travel-to-Iran-during-Moharram-and-Ashura-10-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Travel-to-Iran-during-Moharram-and-Ashura-10-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Travel-to-Iran-during-Moharram-and-Ashura-10-704x470.jpg 704w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Travel-to-Iran-during-Moharram-and-Ashura-10-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Travel-to-Iran-during-Moharram-and-Ashura-10.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ta&#8217;zieh, the Shia passion play, during Muharram.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-arts-crafts-and-cinema\">Arts, crafts and cinema<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"678\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/sheikh-lotfollah-mosque-isfahan-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque In Isfahan\" class=\"wp-image-63346\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/sheikh-lotfollah-mosque-isfahan-1024x678.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/sheikh-lotfollah-mosque-isfahan-780x516.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/sheikh-lotfollah-mosque-isfahan-768x508.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/sheikh-lotfollah-mosque-isfahan-710x470.jpg 710w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/sheikh-lotfollah-mosque-isfahan-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/sheikh-lotfollah-mosque-isfahan.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The dome of the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque in Isfahan.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Carpet weaving, metalwork, tilework and calligraphy have been practised for centuries in cities such as Kashan, Kerman, Isfahan and Tabriz. Persian <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/miniature\/\">miniature painting<\/a> flourished under the Timurids and Safavids. Modern literature and film carry the conversation further: Iranian directors have won major prizes at Cannes, Berlin and the Oscars. Read about <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/iranian-cinemas-impact\/\">Iranian cinema<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/modern-persian-prose-literature\/\">modern Persian prose<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Tabriz-Carpet-Bazaar-4-edited.jpg\" alt=\"Carpet Waving In Iran\" class=\"wp-image-65334\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Tabriz-Carpet-Bazaar-4-edited.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Tabriz-Carpet-Bazaar-4-edited-780x439.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Tabriz-Carpet-Bazaar-4-edited-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Tabriz-Carpet-Bazaar-4-edited-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Tabriz-Carpet-Bazaar-4-edited-390x220.jpg 390w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Tabriz-Carpet-Bazaar-4-edited-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Carpet weaving in Tabriz.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Understanding-Iran-Through-Cinema-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Understanding Iran Through Cinema\" class=\"wp-image-63439\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Understanding-Iran-Through-Cinema-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Understanding-Iran-Through-Cinema-780x439.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Understanding-Iran-Through-Cinema-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Understanding-Iran-Through-Cinema-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Understanding-Iran-Through-Cinema-390x220.jpg 390w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Understanding-Iran-Through-Cinema-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Understanding-Iran-Through-Cinema.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Understanding Iran through its cinema.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wrestling is the traditional national sport, and football is the one that fills stadiums and empties streets on match nights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"books-and-films-before-you-go\" class=\"index-title\"><\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-books-and-films-before-you-go\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"books-and-films-before-you-go\"><\/span>Books and films before you go<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A few titles to read before the trip. For a longer list, see our <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/best-iran-travel-guide-books\/\">best Iran travel guide books<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lonely Planet Iran<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"663\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-479-663x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Lonely Planet Iran guidebook cover\" class=\"wp-image-60528\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-479-663x1024.jpg 663w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-479-647x1000.jpg 647w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-479-304x470.jpg 304w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-479-194x300.jpg 194w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/image-479.jpg 751w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 663px) 100vw, 663px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The standard practical guidebook, covering the main cities, sites and food. Check the edition date, as prices and practical details age quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Iran (Bradt Travel Guide)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"635\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Iran-Bradt-Travel-Guide.jpg\" alt=\"Iran Bradt Travel Guide\" class=\"wp-image-60529\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Iran-Bradt-Travel-Guide.jpg 635w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Iran-Bradt-Travel-Guide-620x1000.jpg 620w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Iran-Bradt-Travel-Guide-291x470.jpg 291w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Iran-Bradt-Travel-Guide-186x300.jpg 186w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 635px) 100vw, 635px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Strong on background, regions off the main route and responsible travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Iran: A Modern History<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"654\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Iran-Modern-History.jpg\" alt=\"Iran Modern History\" class=\"wp-image-60530\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Iran-Modern-History.jpg 654w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Iran-Modern-History-307x470.jpg 307w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Iran-Modern-History-196x300.jpg 196w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 654px) 100vw, 654px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Abbas Amanat&#8217;s history of Iran from the Safavids to the present. Long, but the best single-volume account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Iran: Empire of the Mind<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"654\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Iran-Empire-of-the-Mind.jpg\" alt=\"Iran Empire Of The Mind\" class=\"wp-image-60531\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Iran-Empire-of-the-Mind.jpg 654w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Iran-Empire-of-the-Mind-307x470.jpg 307w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Iran-Empire-of-the-Mind-196x300.jpg 196w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 654px) 100vw, 654px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Michael Axworthy&#8217;s short history of Iranian ideas and culture, from Zoroaster to the Islamic Republic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Also worth reading: <em>Persia through Writers&#8217; Eyes<\/em>, edited by David Blow, an anthology from Herodotus to modern travellers; Shusha Guppy&#8217;s <em>The Blindfold Horse<\/em>, a memoir of a Tehran childhood before the revolution; and Kamin Mohammadi&#8217;s <em>The Cypress Tree<\/em>, the story of modern Iran through three generations of one family. On screen, Sam Willis&#8217;s 2016 BBC series <em>The Silk Road<\/em> has an episode on Iran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"iran-travel-faq\" class=\"index-title\"><\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-iran-travel-faq\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"iran-travel-faq\"><\/span>Iran travel FAQ<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-question-travelguide-1\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Do I need a visa to visit Iran?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Most nationalities need a visa. Citizens of some countries can visit for up to 15 days without one when arriving by air, but that list changes. Everyone else applies online for an authorisation code first. British, Canadian and US citizens must travel with a guided tour.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-travelguide-2\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Can I use my credit card in Iran?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>No. Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards do not work at Iranian ATMs or card machines. Bring euros or US dollars in cash and exchange them at banks or licensed exchange offices, or use a prepaid tourist card.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-travelguide-3\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">What is the best time to visit Iran?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) suit most routes. Winter is best for the Persian Gulf islands and skiing near Tehran. Summer is very hot in the desert cities but pleasant in the mountains and on the Caspian coast.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-travelguide-4\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">What should women wear in Iran?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Women must cover their hair in public and wear loose clothing that covers the arms and legs, such as a long tunic over trousers. A chador is lent at the entrance of major shrines. Men should wear long trousers in public.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-travelguide-5\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Does the internet work in Iran?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes, but it is slow and filtered, and international access was cut for long periods in 2026. Most global platforms, including WhatsApp, Instagram and YouTube, are blocked. Buy a local SIM with your passport and download offline maps before you arrive.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-travelguide-6\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">How many days do I need in Iran?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Ten days covers Tehran, Kashan, Isfahan, Yazd and Shiraz. Two weeks adds a desert night and a slower pace. Three weeks or more lets you add Tabriz, Kurdistan, Kerman or the Persian Gulf islands.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-travelguide-7\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Can I drink alcohol in Iran?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>No. Alcohol is illegal and you cannot bring it into the country, even from duty-free. Tea, doogh, fruit sharbat and non-alcoholic malt drinks are sold everywhere.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"plan-your-trip-with-surfiran\" class=\"index-title\"><\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-plan-your-trip-with-surfiran\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"plan-your-trip-with-surfiran\"><\/span>Plan your trip with SURFIRAN<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/iran-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Visiting Iran\" class=\"wp-image-60541\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/iran-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/iran-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/iran-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/iran-705x470.jpg 705w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/iran-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/iran.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Iran rewards travellers who give it time.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iran is not an easy country to plan alone in 2026, and that is where local help counts: visa codes, cash, train tickets and a driver who knows which road is open. Browse our <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/iran-tours\/\">Iran group tours<\/a>, or tell us what you want to see and we will design a <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/iran-private-tours\/\">private tour<\/a> around it. If you are still deciding, read <a href=\"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/how-many-days-is-enough-for-iran\/\">how many days to spend in each city<\/a> next.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Get the ultimate travel tips for Iran&#8217;s diverse attractions, from the architectural jewels of Isfahan to the bustling bazaars of Tehran and beyond.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":60519,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[265,628],"class_list":["post-52438","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tourism-iran","tag-tips","tag-travel-guide"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Iran-Travel-Guide-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52438","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=52438"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52438\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":203038,"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52438\/revisions\/203038"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/60519"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=52438"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=52438"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surfiran.com\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=52438"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}