travel guide for iran

25 Things to Know Before You Visit Iran

• Last Updated: February 6, 2024

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

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

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

Table of Contents

Iran is Safe!

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

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

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

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

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

The mainstream media is wrong.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Your tour company will help organise your visa for you.

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

You Need to Dress Appropriately

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1 Toman = 10 Rial

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This was a lifesaver for us!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

But what about us coffee drinkers??

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Alesha and Jarryd

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

it’s very good

Indeed it is 🙂

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We hope to visit again one day. Take care

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

Thank you so much for your comment. 🙂

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

We love Iran!!!!

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

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

Glad you liked our article. All the best

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

Thank you for your comment. It is a magnificent country

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Glad you had a wonderful time Vitor. 🙂

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

Yourwellcom

I’m sorry for this government rule.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Great points!

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

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

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

Thank you Ali. 🙂

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

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

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

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

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

How would you rate food for just vegetarians. Thanks!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Borders Of Adventure

Leading Culture and Adventure Travel Blog by Becki Enright. Looking at the world with a different angle to change perceptions of misunderstood places, for the best in travel.

Iran , Misunderstood Destinations

This Is How to Travel to Iran – Everything You Need to Know

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links to handpicked partners, including tours, gear and booking sites. If you click through or buy something via one of them, I may receive a small commission. This is at no extra cost to you and allows this site to keep running.

Many travel to Iran to experience the delights of the ancient Persian Empire yet are unaware of the limitations faced by the rules and regulations of what is now the strict Islamic Republic.

As travel warnings persist and diplomatic relations with other countries continue with varying degrees of existence, many are confused about how to go about entering Iran and travelling in Iran safely, efficiently, and within the boundaries set by the current regime.

However, an Iran trip doesn’t have to be difficult at all – tourism is growing as relations develop; hatred of the western world is not as rife as the media likes you to think, and travel in the country is safe. Ancient Persia is within easy grasp, most notably in the central region where key sites have been maintained and the infrastructure linking them is growing, and tourists are not subjected to as heavily enforced rules as the locals.

With enough pre-planning and prior research, you can easily avoid the limitations and stresses of travelling in what is perceived as a closed and tricky country to traverse.

Use this checklist and list of tips for when you visit Iran as a comprehensive guide to help get you started. This Iran travel guide shows you how and is constantly revised with the help of an authorised tour guide on the ground in Tehran, alongside access to regular Iran tourism updates via tourism business partners. 

Travel Warning: Due to the volatile security in the region and the recent developments in April 2024, check your government and official advisories before visiting Iran. 

Check Before you Visit Iran

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Inbound bookings for Iran usually change when something has severed particular diplomatic ties, which then reverberates to tourism apprehension and a halt to tourism altogether. Always check the news and the political landscape before travelling to Iran to see if you (and your nationality/country) are affected by visas and entry to Iran. It’s always a matter of time and patiently waiting to see how the political landscape plays out following these events. Here are some of the more recent ones.

On 3rd January 2020, it was announced that the Iranian Major-General Qasem Soleimani was killed in a US airstrike, with Iran calling for ‘severe revenge’. While the outcome is not yet known, this does ignite fears of a conflict in the Middle East , and it pays to be more aware of travel warnings at this time. American citizens, in particular, may face more restrictions. 

Following the Ukrainian Airlines plane crash near Tehran, several flights routes to Iran have been cancelled following the news that the Ukrainian jet was ‘unintentionally’ shot down . If you have any Iran travel planned, check your airline to see if the service is still running.

The arrest of the UK Ambassador to Iran in Tehran as part of government protests have further sparked an international row between the two countries. UK travellers should be on alert for developments. 

Both Iran and Persia are used interchangeably about the country and also while you are on the ground. Reference to Persia is more so in the context of the history and legacy of the ancient kingdom of the Persian Empire; Iran is about the modern-day Islamic Republic of Iran in the Middle East.

READ MORE: Best Places to Visit in Iran to See Ancient Persia

You’ll stumble between modern-day cities and the sights of ancient Persia, like the Persepolis, on any Iran trip.

Can Everyone Travel to Iran? Iran Visas and Authorisation Codes

Getting a visa for Iran is quite possibly the most stressful and challenging part of your entire trip. You first need to know if you are eligible and what limitations you may face.

For countries like the UK, which have strained and little to no diplomatic relations with Iran, you may find that you cannot even get an Iran visa in your country because there is no Iranian embassy. British travel to Iran means a little more legwork, where you may also have to travel elsewhere, like Dublin or Paris for example, to obtain the visa since there is no Iran embassy in the UK.

Most airlines flying to Iran will not allow you on a flight unless you show you have an Iran visa, but you can get a visa on arrival. However, sanctions have been lifted, most notably in 2016, with up to 900 Iran visas daily on average granted on arrival, according to the Office of Foreign Affairs. Tourism numbers annually have increased year on year, with 5.2 million foreign visitors entering Iran in 2015, in comparison to 4.7 million in 2013.

On the 14th February 2016, the Ministry of Iran announced that airports could issue 30-day visas for Iran, for nationals of 180 countries.

Non-eligible nationalities for Iran Visa On Arrival:

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Canada, Colombia, India, Iraq, Jordan, Pakistan, Somalia, USA, UK

A 30-day Tourist Visa Upon Arrival, for those of eligible nationality , can be obtained at the following Iran airports:

IKA:  Tehran Imam Khomeini Airport THR:  Tehran Mehrabad Airport MHD:  Mashad Airport SYZ:  Shiraz Airport TBZ:  Tabriz Airport ISF:  Isfahan Airport

Follow the signs that say ‘Visa on Arrival’ where you will be asked questions about your trip to Iran and asked to present:

• Details about your confirmed first night’s accommodation in Iran, including the address and phone number (you may also be asked about your travel plans on-going).
• Proof of a confirmed return flight ticket.
• A copy of your travel insurance policy document and policy number.
• Those people I met who were granted an Iran tourist  visa on arrival as part of the tour   were given a special letter from the company that they could present to both the airline and passport control on arrival.

You can be waiting up to 30 minutes before your visa is granted and you can proceed to immigration. You will need:

• A passport with at least six months validity
• Two passport photos, in which women should be wearing a headscarf
• The completed visa form. You can also fill out the form online before arrival in Iran, from which you will receive a visa application reference number, print it off and take it with you.

One of the many beautiful places in Iran to visit – The UNESCO World Heritage site of The Great Mosque (Masjid-e Jameh) of Isfahan.

The costs for a visa in Iran and visa on arrival in Iran – each country is different.

Iran Travel insurance is a requirement to obtain your visa for Iran. Without proof of purchase and printed documentation, you cannot pick up your visa from the embassy or secure your visa on arrival at the airport.

Aside from it being a stupid idea not to have travel insurance coverage, check that your current policy (or the one you are thinking of getting) covers Iran. Some do not provide travel insurance for Iran or only cover limited regions of the country and activities.

Getting Your Iran Authorisation Code – Non-Eligible Nationalities

For those not eligible for a visa on arrival, and those wanting to apply for a visa for peace of mind before they arrive,  you have to apply for an Authorisation Code. EVERYONE has to have one of these, which will determine if you are granted an application for a visa.

• For those who HAVE to travel in a group (see below), this code will generally be processed by your tour company.
• For everyone else, you can use 1stQuest which offers essential travel services for Iran travel. Otherwise, source an Iranian travel agency local to you at the time of planning or seek direction from the embassy you wish to get a visa from about where to apply for it.
• When applying for the authorisation code, you will need to specify which embassy you will be processing your visa at – a pain for those travelling around with no solid plans. Once the code is released, you cannot change the embassy choice. It’s wise to choose an embassy in a city you are likely to fly to Iran from (see also timings below).

Authorisation codes (if not booking with tour) come with an administration cost of around 35 Euro, which is dependent on the agency you are working with. There is no set price for an Iran Tourist Visa since it is determined by nationality and where you process your visa.

I paid €180 for mine in Tbilisi, Georgia and a British guy on my tour paid a little more to process his in Paris. The Australians in my tour group paid differing amounts between €50-€100, as did the Germans. There’s no hard and fast rule – it’s more about luck.

If all that wasn’t enough, it is highly likely that

1. Your authorisation code will take WEEKS to process

2. It will most likely arrive with only a matter of DAYS to spare before your planned arrival in Iran or tour start date.

This means that before any trip to Iran, especially when travelling on a tour, you will be rushing to the embassy in the hope of getting your authorisation code for Iran processed quickly. You may have to pay extra for fast-tracking and organise your flight ticket to Iran very last minute. This doesn’t always guarantee the best price and the idea of getting a cheap ticket to Iran has to be pushed aside.

DON’T book your flights to Iran or any travel arrangements until you know your Iran visa will be processed. Many people travel to Turkey beforehand to process their visas and fly to Iran from there, using the country as a cost-effective flight or train route for entry.

Everybody needs to get an Authorisation Code before travelling in Iran.

Refusal of Entry to Iran

The main reason for Iranian visa refusal is when there is proof you have travelled to Israel and the government’s paranoia based on your career (think journalists, media workers and similar).

Iran tourism issues are not linear, and while anything can happen at any time that would affect a particular nationality entry, the majority of the problems are political-based and beyond our control. Diplomatic relations and any political actions for/against Iran based on historical or current affairs at the time of applying may affect your refusal of entry into the country, or an Iran travel ban put in place.

On 4th January 2020, it was announced that the Iranian Major-General Qasem Soleimani was killed in a US airstrike, with Iran calling for ‘severe revenge’. While the outcome is not yet known, this does ignite fears of a conflict in the Middle East , and it pays to be more aware of travel warnings at this time. 

On 6th October 2019, it was reported that the two Australians imprisoned in Iran for flying a drone were freed in a political swap. It is suggested that strained relations between the UK and Iran after Britain seized an Iranian oil tanker in Gibraltar are inciting such political moves to detain people breaking the rules.

On 29th August 2018, France informed diplomats to postpone all but non-essential travel to Iran after a foiled bomb plot near Paris. The following day, Iran dismissed such restrictions , proving that it is best to stay aware of any sudden changes. 

Solo Travel in Iran vs Tours in Iran

One of the biggest questions I hear is: Can US citizens / Americans travel to Iran? They absolutely can, but because of the long-standing history of coups, espionage, nuclear sanctions and everything else in between (outside of the control of the average American citizen unconnected to the historical actions of their government), all US passport holders are only allowed into Iran if part of Iran tour packages (or with a tour guide).

Despite restrictions, it is safe for Americans to travel to Iran, so don’t be put off by the bureaucracy needed to get there. US travel tips to Iran focus on this red tape. For example, it still stands that Americans must also be escorted from the airport to the hotel, and cannot make their arrangements. This all has to be pre-organised pick-up (a simple addition via the tour company) so do check this before you leave.

READ MORE: Inside The Den of Espionage – Former US Embassy in Tehran Turned Museum

The former US Embassy in Tehran, Iran

As of February 2014, British and Canadian citizens going to Iran became subjected to the same ‘tour only’ sanction (official Iran tour operator or private Iran guide). As a result, your visa is usually only granted for the exact number of days of your tour, with a couple of days on either side if you list this as part of the arrival and departure options.

British passports holders should also pay attention to Foreign Office updates following strained relations between the two countries after the oil tanker seizure, as listed above in ‘Current Diplomatic Relations’. 

Unfortunately, Israeli citizens cannot enter Iran at all, and this is unlikely to change anytime soon.

Check on any nationality restrictions before you visit Iran. It may mean having to join a tour and hire a guide.

While those booking up Iran holidays might choose a tour package for the fact that everything is taken care of on the ground and for ease of travel, I had no choice since I had a British passport.

There’s an overwhelming amount of Iran tour packages, and it can often be hard to know where to start. At the time, I travelled with G Adventures on a Discover Persia tour which operated through the revered Iranian agency AITO. I allowed myself free time to visit Tehran on either side of my trip, so I had a taste of both worlds, albeit on a small scale. Currently this trip is not running. 

The upside to a tour, however nomadic and sporadic you usually are, is that these trips pack a real punch in getting you to many sites in 14 days. On the G Adventures Iran tour, I saw places I would not have been able to access easily on my own or with public transport. Plus, my local guide to Iran was the bundle of knowledge that a history and sociology geek like me needed for an ancient civilisation such as Persia. The downside of such holidays in Iran is a lack of free time and lazy resting for an itinerary that would normally, on my terms, take about three weeks, not two.

Being in a tour group when visiting Iran does not mean being chaperoned and watched 24-7. ven while on a small group tour, we were allowed time to ourselves in each destination. 

Choosing between and small group tour and a private guide – with a local who will show you all the historical places in Iran.

Generally, under the condition that you must have two people minimum, hiring a private tour guide in Iran is also an option. This is a viable option for those with visa restrictions who do not want to travel in slightly larger groups.

Come2Persia  is a certified and reliable Iran travel agency run by a trusted Iranian friend of mine, Ali Reza Nokhostin, who I met and travelled with when in Georgia. He is both passionate about showing off his country and in changing perceptions of Iran. Specialising in incoming tours to Iran, Come2Persia also provides other travel services needed to complete the private tour package, including hotel bookings, visa application, transportation and access to various guides, not just Ali.

Note that while solo / independent travel is moderately easy in Iran (if of a free nationality), Iran is not that well-trodden on the independent travel path. There’s little to no hostels and guesthouses, and a dominance of big, expensive hotels (especially in Tehran) and even then it is rare to stumble upon a bunch of solo travellers to join.

However, solo travel in Iran is happening, and it is safe, it’s just a little more challenging than usual, which can, in itself, be pretty exhilarating. 

Note that Couchsurfing in Iran is officially illegal, but it happens anyway. Nearly all independent travellers I have spoken to have mentioned that they have travelled here via this resource with your local hosts, of course, being the best guides. However, travellers looking to Couchsurf in Iran must be aware that they can not hold the Couchsurfing host responsible if anything goes wrong because there is no official ‘filter’ in place when it comes to the hosts listed online.

In a society where women are much more restricted than their male counterparts, to travel Iran as a solo female is a little harder and viewed with surprise/suspicion depending on where you go.

Also in Iran, since public displays of affection between males and females are not allowed, any harassment or inappropriate contact by an Iranian male to a female traveller would be frowned upon and draw attention. 

Iran is one of the safest countries in the world based on tourists’ feedback. There have been many solo female travellers who have experienced Iranian hospitality and kindness.

However, it is vital to bear in mind that Iran is an Islamic country with traditional values and of course, some types of outfits would send the wrong message, especially in smaller and more conservative cities, such as Yazd, Kashan and Qom.

Solo female travel in Iran is safe, but with awareness of the conservative values of this Islamic country.

Iran is a four-season country, which means in different corners of the country, you can experience various climates at the same time. So, when is the best time to go to Iran, based on the different climates in the country? As a quick guide to Iran and its geographical mix, we can divide the country into three regions:

• From early March until late May
• From early September until late November
• There is one high season, from mid-April until mid-November
• Only one high season, from late November until late March

In between the high seasons from July to September is marked by high temperatures rendering travel on the classic route potentially uncomfortable.

The stunning Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque is Isfahan is one of the must-see sites.

Iranians love to shout about the abundance of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. As my local friend stated, “It gives Iranians a lot of pride to possess such ancient lineage”.

Iran has 24 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – 22 cultural and two natural. Each of which is the result of years of investigation and presentation of evidence as to why they should be regarded as world heritage sites. It would take more than one trip to traverse them all.

The Zoroastrian Towers of Silence in Yazd – one of the 24 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Iran.

Dress Code in Iran – Headscarves and Hijabs

Iran does have a strict dress code, and this is one of the biggest concerns for female travellers to Iran. Most importantly – PACK A HEADSCARF IN YOUR HAND LUGGAGE.  It’s called ‘Roosari’ in Farsi, and you MUST be wearing it the moment you exit the plane and are officially in Iran.

You must wear a headscarf the entire time you are in Iran (except when in your hotel room), as well as loose clothing that covers your body. But let’s get one thing straight – you don’t have to wear a burka or anything that completely hides you.

When you arrive, you will soon see that reality is far removed from the stereotype. Iranian women are super stylish and proud of their appearance – fashion being a means to stand out and make a statement.

The dress code for women in Iran doesn’t have to be complicated.

The ‘Morality Police’ you hear of do exist in Iran but are not spending their time chasing down foreign visitors, so do not worry too much with that. If anything, you will get a polite mention. Visitors have a bit more flexibility when it comes to the rules.

• A headscarf is the most immediate essential item, and you can buy more when you are there) . If your headscarf falls, don’t worry – quickly put it back on again. You won’t be in trouble for this, but pay attention at all times. Wearing your hair in a high bun or ponytail helps keep the scarf in place. Many Iranian women wear it a little loose and halfway back on their head, since showing a little hair is granted.
• Tops must be loose-fitting, and three-quarter length sleeves are ok – a little more comfortable in the heat. The general rule of thumb is that the body should be covered and arms should not be bare.
• It is said that trousers must be baggy, but some local women wear tight, brightly coloured leggings.  As long as your legs are covered down to the ankles, it is fine. For tourists, leggings worn with a long, loose-fitting top are acceptable. However, in the more conservative areas such as Isfahan, Mashad and Qum, respect the values and revert to looser fitting trousers.
• Colour of clothing. It’s a myth that you need to dress in dark colours or black tunics. Embrace fashion the ways the locals do and bring some colour into your Iran packing list!
• Open toes sandals are OK. Pack some sports shoes for longer day trips where you might be walking a lot (such as at the Persepolis). You’ll soon see how sports shoes are fashionable in Iran, especially in bright colours!
• Worried you do not have enough appropriate attire? Fear not, as soon as you arrive in Tehran or even Shiraz (if you fly into the city), hit the bazaars and the local markets . There’s plenty to be sought out. Other people on my trip stuck with two outfits and alternately hand-washed them every night.
• Strict dress codes do not apply in the same manner when travelling with children . Young boys can wear shorts and t-shirts and girls under ten are not required to wear a headscarf.

For men it’s more straightforward – you will be dressing much the same as you do in western countries, except no short shorts, no super short sleeves and no extreme tight-fitting clothing.

READ MORE: Iran Dress Code for Women (What to Wear in Iran)

Is Iran Safe? Is it Safe to Travel to Iran?

Iran’s image of being a terrorist-driven, American bashing, nuclear weapon holding, burka-clad society is something that has been highly driven mainly by western media. “Is Iran safe?” “Isn’t it dangerous in Iran?” are likely to be some of the first questions you encounter from others when you announce you are travelling here. 

In short: Iran is a safe place to visit. 

Since the election of the more moderate President, Hassan Rouhani in August 2013 and his re-election in 2017 , both international relations and internal rules have become less severe and slightly more open.  It won’t take long before Iranians give you a warm welcome, ask where you are from or even invite you to dinner or tea.

It is a part of Iranian culture to go out of their way to help you, and it’s not uncommon to be given a phone number on a piece of paper or a business card in case you need to call upon someone.

The people of Iran are just as keen to show you they are the opposite of how they are portrayed, just as you should be teaching them that the western world doesn’t hate them.

Is it safe to travel in Iran? Absoluely. Locals are very welcoming.

There’s never a right time for those who are worried, anxious or scared. Of course, you need to keep up to date with any significant political changes and your country’s diplomatic ties, but avoid listening to the hive of scaremongering out there and those who say don’t travel in Iran.

For example, in June 2018, there were protests about the economic situation in Iran, and these took place inside and around the Grand Bazaar in Tehran. It means being aware of any internal demonstrations and staying away from those areas, as you would in any country. 

Iran remains as one of the most stable countries in the Middle East. While breaking the rules of Islamic society (including drinking alcohol, taking drugs and engaging in sexual activity with locals) can result in deportation, arrest or worse, general travel here is entirely safe.

Don’t assume you can break any rules in Iran, play the dumb tourist and get away with it. Iran is a Muslim country where Islamic law is strictly enforced.

An example of harsh punishment is with the case of the two Australians imprisoned in Iran for illegally flying a drone near a military installation, freed in October 2019, but as part of a political swap. It might seem that the punishment doesn’t fit the crime, but what is justified in your country can have harsher consequences elsewhere. 

This is an Islamic State with a strict system, and if you can’t play by Iran rules, don’t go.

Given the location of Iran in the Middle East, the Muslim religion and some similarities in culture and language, the scaremongering of Iran can often revolve around the ‘it’s Arab’ misconception.

Iran is not an Arab country. Iranians are not Arabs. The language spoken is Persian (also known as Farsi) and not Arabic (although there are many languages spoken within Iran including Kurdish and forms of Turkish, Indo-European languages and Khuzi Arabic for example, due to the many ethnic groups that exist within the country).

Not only is the Arab misconception a source of contention generally, but Persians can take offence at these preconceived ideas.

Take US Dollars or Euros with you to Iran and change them up into Iranian Rial at the local exchange offices (not the dodgy guys on the street or at the hotels which have the lower government exchange rate). Before you know it, you have millions of Rials, and it all looks easy.

However, while ALL notes state ‘Rial’ there is another ‘currency’ or ‘super unit’ that is used – Toman – which is not listed on any note or coin.

Toman is used by locals and is one-tenth of the Rial total. 1 Toman = 10 Rial.

When I was first presented with a dinner bill of “37,000”, I was quietly happy that my food had cost the equivalent of $1.5, but this was, in fact, the price in Toman.

To convert to Rial, you simply add a zero – therefore my dinner was 370,000 Rial.

Lost? It takes a couple of days to get used to, but in the majority of cases, unless stated clearly, all prices are in Toman and not Rial. Hence, the basic equation anywhere in Iran is to add a zero onto printed prices (if ‘Rial’ is not listed), or ask market vendors and others which ‘currency’ they are operating in to save the confusion.

A big question is if you can use your credit or debit card in Iran. Sadly not, since there is no network in Iran for the use of international cards. It’s always been the best option to carry enough cash with you for your trip to convert to Iranian Rial on the ground.

However, there is now an Iranian prepaid debit card for tourists and temporary visitors called the Mah Card. Like most travel cards, you can instantly add funds to your card in your preferred or home currency, and it will convert it to Iranian Rial. It is more convenient than carrying cash, protects you from unauthorised purchases and is accepted country-wide.

To get 40% off the price of a Mah Card (Full price €19)  enter BECKI at the checkout.

Public Transport in Iran – Options, Usage and Cost

When traveling in Iran, you have various options for public transport:

Intercity transport:

Private car

• Domestic flight

The Metro is available in several cities in Iran, mainly in Tehran; alongside Shiraz, Tabriz, Mashhad and Isfahan. It is the best option to get around in Tehran, and the stations are also easily accessible by taxi and buses. The ticket price for one trip is 1000 Tomans (approximately 25 cents). You can also buy a card to pay for the metro trips and even the buses in Tehran. The rush hours are mainly 7-9 a.m. and 5-7 p.m. You can download the Tehran Metro app on Google Play .

Tehran metro map and the three lines that cover the city.

You can find buses in every corner of the country. There are two main types of buses in big cities: regular and BRT. BRT buses are red, and because they have designated stations and paths, they are express buses. You can pay for the buses by your Metro card, and the fares would vary between 500 to 1000 Tomans (12 to 25 cents) per trip. You can find all the bus and BRT stations on Google Maps.

There are different types of taxis inside the cities:

• Shuttle/shared taxis (khatti): It is a way cheaper way to get around the cities. The two downsides are that they are for fixed destinations and you will have to wait for the taxi to be filled. The fares are also fixed, and you cannot negotiate.
• Private taxis (darbast): You can easily hail a taxi and say ‘darbast’. It means the driver will not pick any other passengers up and you must negotiate the price before getting on.
• Non-registered taxis (shakhsi): These are non-taxi drivers who you would easily spot from the yellow and green cabs. These are people who try to earn some money by giving people a ride. Again you must negotiate the price before getting on.
• Uber-like apps: Tap30 and Snapp are the two leading apps that you can easily use on your phone. Unfortunately, they’re not available on App Store and Google Play, but you can ask a local to help you with downloading them on your phone. Tap30 is available in many cities including Tehran, Karaj, Isfahan, Shiraz, Tabriz and Mashhad. Snapp is available in the same cities and also in Ahwaz and Qom.
• Bisim Taxi: You can also call the numbers 133, 1828 and 1833 in major cities in Iran to call a taxi wherever you are.

There are plenty of taxi options in Iran.

There are two types of buses between the cities in Iran: regular buses (44 people on board) and VIP buses (25 to 35 people on board). You have more legroom on VIP buses, and you can almost lie down on the seats. You can ask a receptionist at the front desk of the hotel, go to a local travel agency or go directly to the bus terminal to buy a bus ticket in Iran. The prices vary according to the type of bus and the distance. For example, the price for a VIP ticket from Tehran to Shiraz is around 70,000 Tomans ($16).

Using trains is the best and safest option to get around the cities in Iran. There are different types of trains: 4-bed, 6-bed and the so-called ‘bus’ trains. You can also ask if the train you are trying to take is an express train or a regular train. You can book trains through the hotels, local agencies or go directly to the train station. The price for a ticket from Tehran to Yazd, for example, is between 30,000 to 70,000 Tomans ($8 to $15).

You have two options to travel in Iran by a private car. You can hire a driver or a licensed driver-guide who can not only drive you from one city to another but show you the sites en route and give you all the information you need in English and other languages. You can find a driver-guide in Iran through TourHQ . You can either go to a taxi company or a local travel agency to hire a driver or a guide. Beware a killing machine in Iran named ‘Pride’ it’s a very low-quality car produced by Saipa company. It’s the worst car in Iran. Recommended cars in Iran are Peugeots and Samand by Iran Khodro Co.

Domestic flights

If you do not have much time on your hands and you want to visit the classic route (Tehran, Qom, Kashan, Isfahan, Yazd and Shiraz), it is recommended to take a domestic flight from Tehran to Shiraz. From there, you can continue your journey by other means of public transportation eventually back to Tehran. You can buy flight tickets from local travel agencies. The price of the flight ticket is approximately 180,000 Tomans ($40), and it takes around 80 minutes.

On the Metro: Generally, the cars are mixed gender, but if women need more privacy, they can get on the first and the last car on both sides.

On the Buses:  In some buses, the women sit in the back and the men in front. Other times it is the opposite. However, a couple can sit together in the men’s section and not vice versa.

Different countries have different specifications, rules and warnings about travel to Iran – some way more dramatic than others. If you can, register or alert your foreign office about your whereabouts for safety and as a piece of mind measure. As a British citizen, with no embassy representation in Iran, this is more so a good idea.

Not that some travellers cannot secure travel insurance until they have alerted the relevant authorities of their travel plans. Hence, it is worth checking precisely who you need to inform before you depart, to be comprehensively covered.

Internet Access in Iran

Be prepared to take a forced ‘Digital Detox’ during your time in Iran. Internet in Iran is slow, all social media (except Instagram and What’s App) is blocked, and you usually are paying per hour for the privilege of a sluggish connection. While I sporadically got decent internet, which allowed my VPN to work, it was never superb. Want to look up sites in Iran? Super quick. Want to find some decent news in the outside world? Good luck.

Tell your family and friends that they may not hear from you that often, and be prepared to do without the connection, however hard it may be.

Irancell is the best phone operator in Iran which offers temporary SIM-cards designed for tourists. They offer a pre-paid 4G internet and credit balance, and when it is used up you can put in a new credit code sold at any supermarket all around Iran to increase your credit and buy internet packages.

You can only have only one VPN app on your phone, so you will need to test which one works best. For Android users, Hi VPN, Psiphon, Hotspot Shield are recommended, and for IOS users Psiphon, Free VPN, VPNProxyMaster and X-VPN are deemed to be the best VPN in Iran that work well at the moment.

Food in Iran (and Vegetarian Difficulties)

I had built up incredible visions of Persian cuisine in my mind before I got to Iran. I thought it would be everywhere – easily accessible and in abundance. Wrong.

Traditional Persian food is available, but you have to do some digging on where to go and find it. Try delicious vegetable and pomegranate stews, traditional Dizi (a lamb based strew where the broth is separated from the solids which are then mashed together and eaten separately) or Ash (a thick and tasty soup of lentils, beans, starch noodles, vegetables, fried mint, fried onion and yoghurt).

Other than that, you will realise that Iran’s streets are paved with fast food outlets, whose neon lights advertise the norm – kebabs, burgers and pizzas. Try and seek out the falafel places, since these are usually the best choice for a cheap and tasty fix.

Vegetarians have more of an issue. I travelled with a vegetarian and whether at a big buffet or a local teahouse or restaurant, what appeared to be the vegetarian option still had meat in it. It may mean living on aubergine/eggplant-based dishes, which are your safest bet, or begging for meat to be left out of your meal if not already pre-prepared.

Food in Iran is better when locals show you real Persian cuisine.

There’s no alcohol in Iran. No bars, no clubs. Nothing. The best you get is non-alcoholic beer in a variety of fruity flavours like peach, lemon and strawberry which grace most menus.

There’s no set of different rules for travellers in Iran and those visiting. A local might be being kind in offering to find you the real deal at some underground gathering, but really, don’t take the chance. They might be able to waver the punishment; you won’t.

Like any country, it is crucial to know, understand and adhere to cultural and religious customs and rules that can often be very different from those at home. Here are the main rules for etiquette in Iran and interesting Iranian culture facts:

• One of the primary forms of social etiquette is TAROF, which is where Iranians usually insist on offering things to people and sometimes they do not mean it. However, you should not accept the first time.
• In Muharram month (the mourning month of Imam Hossein) people DO NOT usually wear bright colours (especially red) to respect the religious values.
• In Ramadan month , in which the majority of people keep fast during the day, it is disrespectful to eat and drink in public.
• In restaurants in Iran , it is incredibly unpleasant to see anyone clear their nose, especially loudly. In general, restaurant or not, it is also unusual to see somebody break wind.
• Shaking hands between men and women is a complicated topic. Generally speaking, it is not okay for men and women who are not related to shake hands. However, it is entirely relative. Usually, it is not advised for female tourists to extend their hand towards men, and it’s best to wait and see if the men do so first.
• The thumbs-up hand signal a derogatory sign in Iran, and it is best not to use it, especially in the presence of older people.
• When it comes to public displays of affection , you’ll see that affectionate touching, kissing, and shaking hands between men and women who are relatives are very normal. Iranian dating customs are more complex. You can kiss your significant other on the cheek, but french kissing strictly goes beyond the line. Holding hands is not something one would raise an eyebrow about at all, whereas hugging, on the other hand, would seem to be crossing the line a little. It is relative as to what extent the public display of affection is tolerated. For example, inside holy places and religious cities, it would not be easily tolerated.

Wherever you are in Iran, it is important to adhere to cultural and religious customs and rules.

‘Persian Time’ is much like ‘Asian Time’ – things take much longer than you expect. When you travel Iran you’ll soon see that service is slower and the times you are given for things, like an arrival at a destination, are not always clear or roundabout correct, like this example:

Guide: “It takes four or five hours. So if we leave at 8 am, we will get there around 4 pm.”

Me: “But that’s eight hours, not four.”

Guide: “Yes, it takes about eight hours. We will stop at x, y and z on the way and arrive around 2 pm.”

In short, don’t rely on or worry about time, and pack a bit more patience than you would at home, especially when it comes to food, service and paying.

Ancient Persia isn’t an easily absorbed history lesson. While your guide (if you choose to have one or if you are a part of a tour group) will spout a level of information that will blow your mind, it is worth reading up on the history of Persia, as well as details on the lead-up to the Iranian Revolution in 1979. This will give a valuable understanding of the basic makeup of the country.

It will mean names like Zoroastrian, Cyrus the Great, the Achaemenid Empire, Reza Shah, Ayatollah Khomeini and Ayatollah Khamenei won’t be lost on you when you go to Iran.

Great books to read before you arrive include:

• Revolutionary Iran: A History of the Islamic Republic  for a guide on the more recent history

Iran: What Everyone Needs to Know is by the same author, Michael Axworthy, and tries to explain how there’s more to Iran than its foreign relations, with part of the book also unravelling Iran’s economy, politics, culture and people. 

Daughter of Persia: A Woman’s Journey from Her Father’s Harem Through the Islamic Revolution  is about a woman who was born in Iran, left to study in the States and returned to a country in the grip of profound change.

• The Wind in My Hair: My Fight for Freedom in Modern Iran  about a journalist in exile after being arrested for political activism

Best for when on the road:

• Easy reference for most of us came from the Lonely Planet Iran guide book . While it shouldn’t be your sole source of information, this particular Lonely Planet is a quick fix Iran travel guide, especially for historical hotspots. Having this paper guide was a handy resource for the entire trip, especially since quick access to the internet in Iran both at the hotels and while on the road is very limited.

Have you been to Iran? Are there any other pre-departure tips you would add? And if planning a trip there, and what difficulties are you facing, if any?

Any plagiarism of this Iran travel blog or any of its descriptions used on other sites and blogs without attribution is not information authorised by myself for use. Know your source. 

About Becki

Becki Enright is a British Travel Press Award-winning writer whose work focuses on changing perceptions about misunderstood aspects of destinations. Her writing combines storytelling with insight into the social, historical, political and economic factors that shape the country or place in relation to tourism. Becki has appeared live on Sky News and CNN and has contributed to high profile media including National Geographic, Time.com, Guardian online, New York Times, Grazia and Buzzfeed.

Marcela says

19 April 2022 at 7:42 pm

Hi, is it possible to rent a car without a driver in Iran? Thanks, I loved your post!

28 April 2022 at 11:39 am

I think you can, yes! However, it isn’t something I know much about.

Hanieh says

28 March 2022 at 8:19 pm

Iran and Tehran are great🤩

7 August 2021 at 4:02 pm

Hello. I want to thank for this text. It is completely true about Iran and I as an Iranian approciate that describe Iran and Iranians truly. I really enjoy it. Most of Iranians think people of world consider us as a terrorist country while people of Iran differ from Republic Islamic Iran.

Miranda says

24 October 2019 at 8:53 am

I really like to travel to Iran, but I don’t know when is the best time to travel there, what is your recommendation?

24 October 2019 at 10:52 am

Hi Miranda. All the details are in the article. You can find an overview of the best time to visit Iran here: https://www.bordersofadventure.com/travel-to-iran-things-to-know/#When_is_the_Best_Time_to_Visit_Iran

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Welcome to what could be the friendliest country on earth. Iran is the jewel in Islam's crown, combining glorious architecture with a warm-hearted welcome.

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Masjed-e Shah

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

Masjed-e Jameh

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

Naqsh-e Jahan (Imam) Square

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

Bagh-e Naranjestan

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

Apadana Staircase

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

Soaring above the old city, this magnificent building is graced with a tiled entrance portal (one of the tallest in Iran), flanked by two 48m-high…

Tabriz Bazaar

The magnificent, labyrinthine, Unesco-listed Tabriz bazaar covers some 7 sq km, with 24 caravanserais (sets of rooms arrranged around a courtyard) and 22…

Bazar-e Bozorg

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

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Backpacking Iran Travel Guide (2024) • EPIC Budget Tips & Secrets

Salam! Planning on backpacking Iran? I had wanted to travel to Iran for years, it’s a complicated land of ancient history and underground culture, a place where the girls are beautiful and the mountains bewitching.

It is incredibly easy to hitchhike in Iran and the Couchsurfing community enables broke backpackers to travel Iran on a budget of just ten dollars a day…  Actually, together with Pakistan, Iran may be one of the top unexplored budget backpacking options in the world right now.

Backpacking across Iran is getting easier and easier. With visas on arrival for Iran now available for most countries, it’s fast opening up to foreign travellers. I’ve spent a total of three months traveling in Iran over two trips, I’ve hitchhiked across the whole country, explored mountains. islands, deserts, and forests.

Why Go Backpacking in Iran

Iran is a truly incredible country through and through. From the most stunning architecture in the world, to some kick-ass nature, to some of the world’s friendliest people, there’s no shortage of reasons to explore this land.

Iran is criminally misrepresented in the media, and is actually very safe for travel. The crazy drivers are for sure the biggest danger. It’s a place where you’ll get to see historical sites dating back hundreds and thousands of years, and even make your way to a literal RAINBOW island…

What’s more, is that Iran remains very firmly OFF the beaten path. You’ll hardly find any other Westerners here, and those that you do run into are likely to be badass travellers like yourself!

Best Travel Itineraries For Backpacking Iran

Places to visit in iran, top things to do in iran (that the lonely planet won’t tell you about), backpacker accommodation in iran, iran backpacking costs, best time to travel to iran, staying safe in iran, how to get into iran, how to get around iran, working in iran, staying connected in iran, what to eat in iran, iranian culture, must try experiences when backpacking iran, final conclusions of the backpacking iran travel guide.

Iran is a big country and there is a lot to see. In case you need some help planning your trip feel free to borrow our epic itineraries.

#1 Iran Itinerary 2 Weeks : The Highlights

Presuming you are coming in by air, start your trip at the nations capital Tehran. Spend a day or two exploring Tehran’s Balistan Palace, giant bazaar and head up the Darbund. At night, rub shoulders with Iran’s youth in the fine coffee and shish shops. Don’ linger too long here though as the real magic of Iran lies elsewhere.

Next up is the mighty city of Esfahan with it’s UNESCO listed centre, market and mosques. After a few nights taking it in, take the bus to Yazd. The ancient desert of Yazd is utterly sublime and the historic centre of the Zoroastrian faith.

From Yazd, take the EPIC bus ride to Shiraz, the classical and spiritual capital of Persia. If you can get away from the city then I suggest a day trip to the mountain town of Qalat.

The last stop is Bander Abbas from where we catch a ferry towards Hormuz – Iran’s rainbow coloured island and the nations real highlight. After a few nights here take a flight from Bander Abbas back to Tehran – they can be piked up very cheaply.

There are so many incredible places to go to in Iran and even after backpacking Iran for three months I feel like I’ve barely scraped the surface of this incredible country. Below are a few of my favourite places to check out when backpacking in Iran.

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Backpacking Tabriz

If you’re crossing Iran overland from Europe, Tabriz is likely to be your first stop. With a fascinating labyrinthian bazaar and more carpets than people, Tabriz is freezing in the winter and often boiling in the summer. The Blue Mosque is an impressive first start to Iran and Tabriz is well worth stopping in for a night. It’s seven hours by bus from Tabriz to Tehran.

Backpacking Kandovan

Often referred to as Iran’s Cappadocia, Kandovan is famed for its troglodyte (cave people) dwellings and fairy chimneys. There are a few houses offering a basic place to sleep and a super posh hotel carved into the rocks complete with in-room jacuzzis. Try wild camping or find an abandoned cave dwelling to crash in just be safe!

Backpacking Zanjan

Home to Iran’s best pizza place (Liro Pizza), and with the fascinating Salt Men museum nearby (think shrunken mummies and unintelligible signs in Farsi), Zanjan is a good place to break up the trip from Tabriz to Tehran if you have plenty of time.

Backpacking Alamut Castle

Once upon a time there was a secretive sect of unstoppable assassins living within the mountains. They were known as the Hashshashin because of the rumour that they were pretty much permanently blazed and that hashish was used during their training rituals. The assassins built a fortress and reigned down terror across Persia as they descended to attack prominent figures in public.

One day, they botched a job… failing to kill Ghengis Khan. Ghengis, being Ghengis, lead his Mongol horde into the mountains and killed every last one of the stoner assassins who may or may not have been fairly slow to react.

Alamut Castle, the assassins’ HQ, is largely a ruin but it commands stunning views over the valley below and is a great place to camp in Iran. You will need to hire a car to explore the Alamut valley in one day. It’s a two hour drive from Tehran to Qazvin where you can start your Alamut adventure.

Oh, if you’re wondering, the Hashashins were totally the fucking inspiration for Assassins Creed. Best things to do in Iran: start your goddamn Assassin training!

Backpacking Tehran

The capital of Iran and one of the best places for backpackers to party, Tehran is unlike anywhere else in Iran. A popular hub for the young and beautiful, this is a place of risky fashion statements, underground culture, and fascinating history.

There are lots of awesome things to do in Tehran :

• The Golestan Palace is one of the most striking buildings in the world and should not be missed. If you can get hold of a car; driving in Tehran is a great experience (if a bit hectic).
• The Roof of Tehran is a unique place to kick back with a (non-alcoholic) beer in the evening and meet local Tehranis.
• Finding a local host instead of booking one of the hostels in Tehran is going to give you a very different experience.

Outside of Tehran, there are multiple ski slopes – Dizin being the best known, which offer some of the best value skiing in the world – and about a two hours day trip from Tehran lies the city of Qom . A reader of the Broke Backpacker recently offered up this awesome travel tip regarding accommodation in Qom:

“I found a newly opened hostel in Qom called Qom Hostel (apparently the only hostel in the city). It’s owned by a young Iranian couple and is located a few minutes walk from the shrine – they have 11 nice rooms with all basics covered. The owners speak English and are incredibly helpful. It kinda feels like a couchsurf stay as they gladly invited us to their home for breakfast. My friend and I paid 30$ for a private room. They also have cheaper dorm options.”

Sound’s like a good time to me!

For where to stay in Theran, check out this post on Tehran’s 5 best neighborhoods to stay in!

Backpacking Shomal

Meaning simply ‘North’ , Shomal is where most young Tehranis go for a weekend away. Shomal is blessed with a cool climate, lush forests and patches of unspoilt coastline along the Caspian Sea; it’s another dope place to camp in Iran.

I spent a few days hanging out in Ser Velat village, reachable from Ramsar. Shomal offers the best value accommodation in all of Iran and you can pick up super plush villas with soaring balcony views for as little as $1-3 a night.

Whilst staying in Ser Velat, I ate in a small local restaurant – Khale Marzie Restaurant – which had some of the most incredible food I have ever tried. There are no shops in the village and this is the only restaurant so bring supplies! At the top of the village, there is virgin forest and pristine meadows where you can chill out and soak in the views. It normally takes about four to five hours to reach Shomal from Tehran.

Backpacking Sanandaj

No backpacking adventure across Iran would be complete without a couple of days exploring the rolling hills, quaint villages, and unbeatable hospitality of Iranian Kurdistan . Sanandaj is the capital of the region and, despite the heavier army presence, is one of the most friendly cities in Iran. Palangan is one of the most stunning hill-villages in all of The Middle East and it’s well worth hiking and camping around the area; The Kurds are fantastic people and will make sure you are well looked after. It’s an eight hour bus journey to Tehran from Sanandaj.

Backpacking Esfahan

Filled with gorgeous Islamic architecture, tree-lined boulevards, Persian parks, and some of the world’s most stunning bridges, Esfahan is a popular stop on the backpacking trail in Iran and most travelers spend a couple of days here. The bridges are lit up at night and walking along the river is a chilled out experience. The Masjid-e Jameh is a truly stunning work of art where you can explore 800 years of Islamic history before taking to the fun-filled bazaar nearby and hunting for trinkets.

Backpacking Yazd

The desert city of Yazd springs out of the ground in defiance of its surroundings and wows tourists with it’s winding lanes, blue-tiled domes, and soaring minarets. Most backpackers in Yazd congregate at The Silk Road Hotel but there are much cheaper options around (though, sadly, Couchsurfing in Yazd is not especially easy). Yazd is one of the best places in Iran to organise desert adventures and nomad homestays; I’ve heard good things from backpackers who have visited Garmeh.

Backpacking Shiraz

The heartland of Persian culture for more than 2000 years, Shiraz is famed for its scholars, poets, nightingales, and wine. Home to the impressive Arg-e Karim Khan fortress, this is a city that is best explored on foot. Shiraz is, actually, the reason I came to Iran in the first place.

The masjid-e Nasir-al-Molk Mosque is one of the most stunning buildings in the world and, as a kid, I had a faded photograph torn from a National Geographic upon my wall. The mosque is filled with glittering stained glass windows and when the sun hits at the right angle the entire building is filled with multicoloured rainbows that dance across the floor and walls.

The mosque opens at 8 A.M. and I recommend arriving before that; it is the only place in Iran I visited that was crowded with tour groups… Despite the crowds, it should not be missed. The Pardis Hotel, near the Karandish Bus Station on Safar Street has bargain private rooms for around $12 if you don’t mind slumming it and are sick of camping.

Backpacking Persepolis

The ancient capital of the Persian Empire, Persepolis is simply awesome. This is my second favourite place in Iran and it’s a great place to explore for a few hours.

The city was sacked by Alexander the Great and burnt to a crisp but many of its huge stone statues and buildings carved into the rock still stand.  The ancient city was totally lost beneath the sands for over a thousand years and only rediscovered in the 1930s.

The best part of the city is the hills housing the tombs of Artaxerxes II and Artaxerxes III; it’s a poignant place to pause and soak in the sheer scale of the city stretching away from you. It’s easy to hitch a ride from Shiraz and takes under an hour to get to Persepolis but try to arrive before ten or eleven as it gets very hot.

Backpacking Ghalat

A small village a stone’s throw from Shiraz, Ghalat is said to be home to many fine flowers and herbs that grow wildly within the hills. This may be the perfect place to watch the sun go down with a cheeky smoke.

Backpacking Hormuz Island

This stunning volcanic island is my favourite place to visit in all of Iran. There is nowhere quite like this anywhere else on earth and if you’re backpacking Iran in search of incredible landscapes, this is where you should go!

We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.

Want more deetz on why these packs are so  damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!

• Smoke some shisha :  Whilst in Iran, be sure to track down a sofre khune: a traditional shisha bar where Iranians hang out, play backgammon, and smoke ghelyoon (shisha).
• Crash a house party : Underground parties are very common in Iran and there are usually dozens happening in Tehran on the weekend. Drinks and other party enhancers are widely available and the atmosphere is chilled and casual with men and women chatting (and sometimes even canoodling together).
• Hitch a ride : Hitchhiking is not common in Iran but it’s an amazing experience, very easy and a great way to see the country.
• Haggle for trinkets : Haggling is very common in Iran and you should be able to negotiate a discount of at least 10%.
• Camp amongst nature : There are so many truly gorgeous places to camp and hike in Iran and, assuming it’s not freezing, this is a fantastic way to escape the bustle of the cities and explore the best of Iran’s stunning nature. Grab a backpacking tent ,  a good pair of hiking boots , and disappear into the Persian wilds.
• Try the food:  Iran is famous for its kebabs and stews; street food here is some of the best in the world and Iranians take bread baking to the next level…

Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….

These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the  real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

Or, y’know… you can stick to just chucking it all in your backpack…

There are now some hostels in Iran although don’t expect the beer-pong culture of South East Asia. In general, your options are limited to cheap guesthouses, more expensive hotels, camping, or Couchsurfing. There are some hotels and guesthouses specifically set up for backpackers mentioned in The Lonely Planet but these tend to be much more expensive than they should be… because, you know, they are in the Lonely Planet (buurrrnn).

Iran is a truly great place to take a tent and I camped all over the country; Check out this post for a breakdown of the best tents to take backpacking or pack your camping hammock instead! These things tend to go super well in conjuction with a choice sleeping bag or you’re in for a cold night.

If you are a couple you will often be asked what your relationship is when checking into guesthouses or hotels in Iran. I recommend simply saying you are married.

The Best Places To Stay in Iran

Couchsurfing in iran.

Couchsurfing in Iran is technically illegal. You do not, however, need to use the (blocked) website to be able to find a place to crash; many Iranians will simply invite you into their home and the chance for this goes up dramatically if you are a backpacker hitchhiking across Iran.

I had numerous drivers attempt to whisk me off for a week of adventuring in the desert, mountains, or jungles. Iranians tend to get very excited when they meet a backpacker – it’s one of the many reasons Iranians are awesome people and why budget travel in Iran is simply so excellent.

Backpacking Iran can be super cheap; I spent about $20 per day on average not counting the occasional splurge on something to smoke.

If you are staying in basic guesthouses, catching long-distances buses and trains (rather than flights), and eating in simple restaurants you can expect to spend around fifty dollars a day.

There is currently a black market for foreign currency which makes Iran INSANELY cheap to visit. When I visited in late 2018 I lived very well on $10 per day. However, the volatility go these markets makes it hard to estimate and advice of backpacking costs! Therefore, take these figures with a generous helping of salt.

A Daily Budget For Iran

The Currency in Iran

The currency in Iran, the Rial, has a few too many zeros: 500,000 Rials is just 15 USD. The locals have come up with a somewhat ingenious, and somewhat confusing (and often frustrating), way to get around this.

Most prices are quoted in Toman with one Toman being equal to ten Rial. This gets rid of one of the pesky zeros. To work out how much you actually owe, add a zero to the quoted price and you are back into the realm of Rial.

In theory, this leaves foreign backpackers very open to getting scammed by unscrupulous Iranians but this didn’t happen to me once in Iran. Iranians are, in general, very honest and hospitable people. Taxi drivers can prove the exception to this rule…

Getting Money in Iran: Not as simple as it should be!

When I first traveled to Iran, I stocked up on cash – as much as I’d need for the whole trip. No debit or credit cards will work in the country and traveler’s cheques are usually not accepted.

Don’t try your luck with changing money in-country either. The rates you get will be insane because of your minimal and questionably legal options. This time, it pays to go with a good company and Mah Card is the one that’s helped me get money in and out of Iran.

Mah Card is an Iranian prepaid debit card for travelers in Iran. It’s an equivalent of your usual international credit/debit card (i.e. Visa or MasterCard) with the one major difference that  your card doesn’t work in Iran . Banks in Iran either don’t issue cards to foreigners or require a big, thick list of documents that tourists normally don’t carry around!

Check around with exchange rates yourself online to be sure, but we’ve found Mah Card to be pretty trustworthy. Plus, they offered Broke Backpacker readers 40% off their commission fee when they use our code, which is (you guessed it): brokebackpacker . Check them out and get your card here .

Travel Tips – Iran on a Budget

To backpack Iran on the cheap I recommend sticking to the basic rules of budget adventuring :

• Hitchhike: In Iran, it is so so easy to thumb a ride that it really would be a crime not to give it a go. Hitchhiking is an ace way to keep your transport costs down!
• Camp: With plenty of gorgeous natural places to camp, Iran is an excellent place to take a tent. When you’re in dire need of a shower and some company, jump on Couchsurfing. Check out the our mega camping checklist for ideas on how to prepare!
• Eat local: Local Iranian food is cheap, tasty, and everywhere – these guys are the king of kebabs!
• Pack a travel water bottle : And save money every day!

Why You Should Travel to Iran with a Water Bottle

Plastic washes up on even the most pristine beaches… so do your part and keep the Big Blue beautiful

You aren’t going to save the world overnight, but you might as well be part of the solution and not the problem. When you travel to some of the world’s most remote places, you come to realise the full extent of the plastic problem. And I hope you become more inspired to continue being a responsible traveller .

STOP USING SINGLE-USE PLASTIC!

Plus, now you won’t be buying overpriced bottles of water from the supermarkets either! Travel with a filtered water bottle instead and never waste a cent nor a turtle’s life again.

Drink water from ANYWHERE. The Grayl Geopress is the worlds leading filtered water bottle protecting you from all manner of waterborne nasties.

Single-use plastic bottles are a MASSIVE threat to marine life. Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. Save money and the environment!

We’ve tested the Geopress  rigorously  from the icy heights of Pakistan to the tropical jungles of Bali, and can confirm: it’s the best water bottle you’ll ever buy!

Iran is famed for being a country with four very different seasons all being present at once!

The best time to visit Iran depends on what you want to do. Skiing is best in the winter and this is also a good time to visit the deserts and Hormuz; during the summer the desert can reach temperatures of 70 degrees… goddamn Celsius!

The best time to backpack around Iran is, in my opinion, between March to May and September to December .

What to Pack for Iran

On every adventure, I never go traveling without:

Travel Security Belt

This is a regular looking belt with a concealed pocket on the inside – you can hide up to twenty notes inside and wear it through airport scanners without it setting them off.

Microfiber Towel

Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.

Petzl Actik Core Headlamp

A decent head torch could save your life. If you want to explore caves, unlit temples, or simply find your way to the bathroom during a blackout, a headtorch is a must.

‘Monopoly Deal’

Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.

Hanging Laundry Bag

Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.

Fashion Tips for Backpacking in Iran

You might be surprised but fashion in Iran is a big part of daily life. Many young women colour their hair blue, purple, pink, and gold. Headscarves are often only just in place and golden sandals showing off painted toenails are commonplace.

So what should you wear when backpacking around Iran?

Legally, all women in Iran must cover their hair with a headscarf. Avoid showing off flesh and stick to long-sleeved tops or a coat. Jeans are perfectly acceptable. Avoid clothes which show off your butt or boobs unless you’re on the hunt for an Iranian husband; you won’t have to hunt long.

Men in Iran should also keep skin covered although t-shirts are ok… just don’t wear shorts. If you have tattoos, keep them covered as tattoos are not permitted in Islamic culture and you may get some funny looks if you have them on show.

That’s a question I get asked a lot: is Iran safe? Yes, most definitley! Iran is a totally safe experience.

Almost all of the negative media hype surrounding Iran is a decade out of date and was not particularly accurate in the first place. Iran is a very peaceful country and one of the most stable nations in The Middle East; just don’t get caught breaking the rules. If you do, bribes are an option; play it carefully. Iran really is a super safe place to travel and plenty of women travel solo in Iran without any issues.

We’ve put together an Iran Safety Guide with all the information that will get you through your Iran trip without any issues.

Sex, Drugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll in Iran

Backpacking Iran is full of surprises… Everything is possible in Iran and there is a lively underground scene of house parties and even full-on raves. Getting invited to one of these is fairly easy if you fall in with the right crowd; I attended a truly mental house party whilst in Tehran and another more civilised event down in Shiraz.

Alcohol is illegal in Iran although Shiraz is famed for its wine and it’s possible to find imported booze and homemade stuff throughout the country.

Drugs are also, of course, illegal but rumour has it that Iran boasts some of the finest herbs in The Middle East (available at approximately thirty dollars for ten grams). For tips on how to stay safe whilst getting fucked, check out Blazed Backpackers 101.

Insurance in Iran

Whenever you hit the road and go travelling, you need insurance. I have been backpacking for nine years and have had to claim a total of three times; if I didn’t have backpacker insurance I would have been utterly screwed on all three occasions.

Because of a pesky embargo, only a handful of travel insurance companies will cover travelers visiting Iran – We’ve traveled on First Allied, but they’ve recently discontinued insuring backpackers. We’d suggest IATI Seguros , but do your own research and see what travelers from  your country like to use as it’s a sticky topic.

I arrived into Iran overland from Turkey, hitchhiking to the Iranian border and then catching a bus on the other side but there are lots of other options for how you can travel to Iran. There are long-distance bus services that will take you all the way from Tbilisi in Georgia to Tabriz in Iran and services via Armenia and Turkey as well. You can enter Iran by train or motorbike.

For backpackers without the luxury of time, the best way to go to Iran is to catch a cheap flight to Tehran. There are flights with Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul), Emirates (via Dubai) and a whole load of other airlines; the cheapest I’ve found online has been with Pegasus Airlines. Most flights land in Tehran but you can also fly to other parts of the country.

Imam Khomeini International Airport:  There are two airports in Tehran but Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) handles almost all the international flights. It’s located 30 kilometres southwest of Tehran and is the largest airport in the capital. It costs about 18 dollars to catch a taxi into town although a recent initiative has been launched to offer ride-shares for 10 dollars per person. There is a subway line planned but not yet completed.

Entry Requirements for Iran

As of 2016, many visa restrictions have been lifted and it is now possible for most backpackers to get a visa on arrival for Iran at the airport. There are mixed reports on getting visas on arrival at Iranian land borders; I chose to get my visa issued in advance in the Iranian embassy in Istanbul. To do this I need an authorisation code; more on how I sorted that in a moment.

Officially British, Canadian, and American tourists cannot get a visa on arrival and can only travel the country with a guide. You can get a visa mead of time as long as you have an authorization code from a tour company. Officially, companies are not supposed to offer authorisation code’s unless you book a tour however, there are ways around that. You could book a cheap, one day tour, in order to get your authorization code.

You could then apply for your visa and cancel the tour… Upon actually entering the country, it is unlikely that immigration personnel will ask you where your tour is; you could well be meeting them once you’re out of the airport. Come up with a decent story, have a couple of back-up phone numbers and keep a straight face; I’ve heard of several people who have made it around the country this way on a British or American passport.

Visas are valid for thirty days and can be extended for two weeks a total of two times; it is relatively easy to backpack Iran for two months. If you want to sort your visa ahead of time, you will need an authorisation code.

1stQuest provide the cheapest, fastest, authorisation codes out of any company in Iran and these are the guys I used to sort my authorisation code on my first trip to Iran.

Getting an Iranian Visa in Advance

If you are crossing Iran overland or are travelling on a British, American or Canadian passport, you will need to get your Iranian visa in advance at an embassy. It’s fairly straightforward to sort out your Iranian visa before you arrive, you will need an authorisation code ( get it here ). I got my first Iranian visa at the embassy in Istanbul; it was a simple enough procedure – I turned up with a couple of passport photos and the authorisation code, more information below, and filled in some forms. I got my passport back the same day.

Getting an Iranian Visa on Arrival

It’s recommended to bring records of your trip details: this often includes the name of at least one hotel which you could feasibly be staying at. It is useful to have the telephone number and name of somebody within the country. The airport immigration may make a few phone calls to validate your local contact or they may let you sail through; reports are mixed.

To get an Iranian visa on arrival, follow these steps…

• Iran Health Insurance Cover – Either bring a printed copy of your health insurance or get one at the airport for around €15. The Passport and Visa Department will need it.
• Submit the Form – The details will look something like this visa application form , including the contact details for your address and telephone number in Iran (hotel booking, friend/ family, or travel agency).  You will need a hotel booking.
• Receive Visa Approval – Then you’ll receive your visa payment details.
• Pay the Visa Charge – At the next counter, it’s around €75 for Europeans or €50 if you have an MFA code. Other countries visa cost for Iran varies . Be careful with currencies other than Euros or USD as they may cause a delay.
• Receive the Visa Stamp (Full Page)
• Pass through Immigration Control (Entry Stamp) –  Patiently answer any questions about why you are visiting Iran.

Copies of your passport and a few passport-sized photos are worth having on hand. The whole process can take between 1-4 hours depending on the airport and terminal passenger flux.

Can Americans Travel to Iran?

Let’s cut to the chase: yes! Despite the actions of certain baby-hand despots, yes, Americans can go to Iran. The previous information still applies – you’ll need to have a tour in Iran organised – but it is more than possible!

There are some added stipulations, however:

• A visa on arrival is a no-no.
• The visa process is going to take longer; give it 60-90 days .
• You’re going to need additional supporting documents.

Past that, the process for visiting Iran as an American is much the same:

• Book the trip to Iran and the tour.
• Obtain your authorisation code.
• Apply for the Iran visa through a chosen embassy.

Here’s a good post to read if you’re an American intending to travel to Iran .

What’s Visiting Iran as an American Like?

Dude, you’ll be just fine. All the nonsense you’ve heard about Iranians – yeah it’s BS. Visiting Iran as an American is going to take you well out of the bubble and it’ll be a beautiful experience.

The people in Iran are curious about the States and they’ll be curious about you too. Expect smiles, questions, and probably some spectacular hospitality too. This whole tension thing? Yeah, it’s a one-way street.

Be respectful and mindful of the culture and that will be more than enough.

In summary:  can Americans travel to Iran? Hell to the yeah! Have a fucking blast.

It only takes 2 minutes!  Book your transport on 12Go now  and guarantee your seat easily.

Traveling in Iran by Public Transport

The roads in Iran are top-notch and long-distance transport is pretty comfortable. Iran has a good railway network and the trains are a better way to tackle some of the really long distances if you are short on time.

• By bus: There are many domestic bus routes. The public buses in Iran are reliable and nice enough for backpackers. There are also VIP buses with huge padded seats and plenty of leg-room; for a long journey, it might be worth the upgrade.
• By train: I caught a train from Bander Abbas up to Yazd and it was a pretty interesting experience. For longer distances, the trains in Iran are far preferable to buses. Train tickets are cheap and you can ask a Farsi speaking friend to check routes and fares at Ali Baba .
• By domestic flight: I haven’t taken any flights in Iran but flight options are fairly cheap – about $40-60 from Tehran to most places within Iran. If you’re backpacking Iran with just a couple of weeks to spare, domestic flights are probably the best way to get around.
• By car:  The traffic in Iran is fairly crazy but if you’re an experienced driver, go for it. I’ve driven a lot in Iran, tackling the busy streets of Tehran and learning the hard way that Iran does indeed have traffic cameras. If you’re driving in the cities, keep your speed reasonable even if the locals don’t – they know where the cameras are and you don’t. All in all, roadtripping in Iran is a lot of fun!
• By metro:  Tehran’s famous subway is a great way to get around on the cheap and is especially helpful during the truly hectic rush hour. Tehran Metro is a useful app to help with metro navigation.

Travelling in Iran by Hitchhiking

Iran budget travel only gets cheaper (and more unique) if you hitchhike!

Hitchhiking in Iran is unbelievably easy and I hitched over 2000km whilst backpacking Iran. In the past, the thumbs-up was seen as an obscene gesture in Iran, however, as more and more Iranians watch western movies, people now understand that it’s a common ‘European thing’ … If you are hitching though, it’s best to avoid using your thumb and instead to simply flag down cars by making a kind of ‘pat the dog’ motion with your outstretched arm.

It never takes long to get a lift in Iran. Many drivers are not familiar with the concept of hitchhiking but as soon as they see somebody by the side of the road they tend to stop; partly out of curiosity and partly out of the fact that everybody is just so damn nice. Backpackers in Iran are not a particularly common sight, and hitchhikers in Iran are even rarer, so plenty of friendly and curious Iranians will be bound to stop and pick you up.

About five percent of these guys will expect money but, if you explain your situation before you get in, it’s easy to avoid confusion. I learnt a few basic hitchhiking phrases in Farsi (see below) and found that as long as I could explain “no money” everything was usually fine. A few drivers did simply drive off when they realised I was hitchhiking without any money and wasn’t going to pay but this was never a problem; another lift was just a few minutes away!

Onwards Travel From Iran

Iran shares borders with Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan. When you’re finished backpacking Iran and ready to move on to a new adventure (I recommend Pakistan) check out Caravanistan for plenty of info on visas and crossing reports.

During different times you could travel onward to Afghanistan . Unfortunately, due to the current situation, you can’t enter Afghanistan at all.

Phrases you need when hitchhiking in Iran

Without money – M ajanee 

Do you go to …? – S homa be … mirid?

Can you do me a favour, please? – Mishe ie lotfi be man bokonid?

Can you please give me a ride to …? – Momkene man ro be … beresonid lotfan?

I don’t want to pay – Man nemikham pul bedam

Being heavily subject to US Financial Sanctions, it is not really feasible for travellers to find work in Iran.

A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic – booooring. Instead, buy an eSIM!

An eSIM works just like an app: you buy it, you download it, and BOOM! You’re connected the minute you land. It’s that easy.

Is your phone eSIM ready? Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market and  ditch the plastic .

Volunteer in Iran

Iran is a not a suitable destination for volunteering. The authorities may not take kindly to foreigners involving themselves in the countries business and there have even been a few cases of dual national being imprisoned for working with NGO and Humanitarian Projects.

Backpacking Iran is not without its challenges. For starters, you might have to live without Facebook for a bit… shock-horror!

Unfortunately, it’s not just Facebook that is blocked; Couchsurfing, The BBC, Twitter, Youtube, and your favorite – ahem – extra curricular sites… a lot of your favourite sites have been blocked by the government for indecency reasons.

Luckily, it’s very easy to get around this. Almost all Iranians have VPNs installed on their phones and you can download a VPN from the app store or purchase one in the country.

VPNs work by bouncing your location all around the world so that it appears that you are in, for example, Amsterdam rather than in Tehran. This means that the Iranian government cannot track or block you. Because surveillance levels are that bit higher in Iran, it makes sense to have your VPN switched on whenever you are on any public wifi, regardless of what you are doing.

I’ve tried a whole number of VPNs whilst backpacking Iran; at the time of writing, Hide Me  works the best.

Iranian Food offers a unique take on Middle Eastern. Kebabs and Falafel are available widely as are Olives and Pistachios nuts.

Much of the fare is carnivorous (of course, Pork is off the men) although there are some fine vegetarian offerings to choose from. Let’s look at some favourites.

Koofteh Tabrizi  – Big juicy balls mixed with herbs served in a sweet tomato sauce. I initially ordered these believing them to be vegetarian. They are definitely not vegetarian.

Sheeps Head – Exactly what it sounds like. Boiled on the street in big pans and served for breakfast. Apparently the cheeks are the best bit.

Loobia Sabz (Green bean stew) – A  trusty vegetarian dish which is simple but tasty.

Doogh – Delicious minty yoghurt based drink. You will either love or hate this, I loved it.

Persian hospitality

Before I travelled to Iran, I really wasn’t sure what to expect. This is a country which has been depicted unfavourably in the international media and I half expected to be bundled into the back of a van by a bunch of bearded men. When I look back on that I realise just how totally ridiculous it was to even think about that.

Iran is one of the safest countries to backpack around and there are many things I discovered about Iran during my travels in this amazing country. Persian hospitality opened my eyes to just how damn fun Iran is to travel around. Thanks to a couple of networking groups on Facebook , I was able to connect with plenty of local Iranians and arrange to hang out with people all over the country…

It was whilst hitchhiking that I first came across Tarof; a complex and confusing offshoot of Persian hospitality…

Tarof in Iran

Tarof is an Iranian culture and custom which you need to be aware of. Basically, somebody will offer something for free even though it is not actually for free; when the offer is made, it is supposedly understood by both parties.

Backpackers and even other Iranians can find this a bit frustrating as sometimes somebody will make a huge show of offering something for free only to expect payment at the end. The tradition comes from a warm and fuzzy place though; Iranians don’t like the idea of asking for money as the Persian culture dictates that you should be extremely hospitable to guests, especially us lucky backpacking vagabonds.

When hitchhiking in Iran, it helps if you check the ride is not Tarof – simply say ‘Tarof Nist’ – it’s not Tarof. Assuming they answer no you can assume that the offer is indeed genuine.

Useful Travel Phrases For Iran

Salaam – Hello

Mamnum/ Kheyli Mamnum – Thanks/Many Thanks

Chetori? – How are you?

Kheili khube – Very good

Khoshkel – Beautiful

Koja mitunam chador bezanam? – Where can I camp?

Lotfan – Please

Salamati – Cheers

Kesafat – Trash (can be used as a light insult amongst mates).

Chi? – What?

Koja? – Where?

Fandak darid? – Do you have a lighter?

Mishe takhfif bedid? – Can you give me a discount?

Aab ashamidani kojas? – Where is the drinking water?

Esme shoma chie? – What is your name?

Man az X hastam – I am from X

Een cheghad Mishe? – How much does this cost?

Dating in Iran

Whether you are a man or a woman, you are likely to get plenty of sultry stares whilst backpacking in Iran. I had one girl stop me on the street so she could give me her phone number. Iranians like ‘rare’ things and right now, in Iran, backpackers are still pretty damn scarce!

You need to use your VPN to access Tinder, but if that isn’t your thing; it’s easy to meet hot Iranians simply by heading to local cafes or shisha bars.

The big problem with dating in Iran is finding a place to be intimate, this is even harder if you are a foreign-Iranian duo. It is pretty much impossible for a foreign-Iranian duo to check into a hotel without a marriage certificate, however if you can find an understanding mullah, it’s possible to get a temporary Iranian marriage : a sigheh .

These can last for a minute to a lifetime and typically cost about thirty dollars to get sorted. Note that this is not easy to sort and takes perseverance.

Many young Iranians are not especially religious or conservative and are curious about foreign backpackers in Iran. Most Iranians lack the sexual experience of Europeans and it is important that you always treat women with respect whilst in Iran. If you go on a date with an Iranian, remember; you are an ambassador for your country – i.e. don’t be a dick .

Books to Read About Iran

A backpacking trip to Iran can be a much more enlightening experience if you know a little bit about the country’s history and customs, I strongly recommend throwing a couple of the below books into your backpack before travelling in Iran:

• A History of Iran: Empire of the Mind – An in-depth look at how the country was formed, encompassing historical, cultural, social, and religious factors.
• Understanding Iran: Everything You Need to Know – An overview of regional history and involvement with the west from past to present and into the future.
• The Silk Roads: A New History of the World – Certainly one of the most popular recent publications on the region. A stark look at history from the other side of the coin.
• Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood (Graphic Novel) – Insights into daily Iranian life, culture, and family through the experiences of  Marjane, a young girl living in Tehran.

If you’re hitchhiking, I’d also strongly recommend picking up a road map of Iran .

A Brief History of Iran

Iran, or Persia, had been an important global player for millennia and is home to one of the oldest civilisations in the world. The first Persian Empire stretched from one corner of the known world to the other and 40% of the world’s total population lived and died under the reign of The Persians during 480BC.

Once a superpower of immense proportions, Iran has been invaded many times and suffered during the medieval ages as it was ravaged by the unstoppable Mongol hordes. Despite this, Persian culture refused to be diluted and Iran maintained a strong national psyche.

Iran sided with Germany during World War II and was promptly invaded by British, American, and Russian forces. After the war, Iran struggled with multiple local uprisings incited by Soviet forces who wanted cheap access to the country’s massive oil fields. A military coup orchestrated by the CIA in 1953 catapulted the young and enigmatic Shah Mohammed Reza to power.

The new Shah began rapid modernisation of Iran and entered into a contract with an international consortium of businesses to sell Iranian oil and split profits 50:50. Crucially, the consortium would not allow Iranians to be on the board or to audit the cash flow and Iran was taken for a ride.

Its oil fields were sucked dry with only a fraction of the profits making it back to the government for economic improvements. As the Shah pushed through land reforms and pro-Western policies, the Islamic right wing became alienated and restless and found leadership under Ayatollah Khomeini who was swiftly banished after defaming the Shah during a speech.

In 1973, the Shah returned the oil fields to national control and raised export prices to further fund the country’s development. The West, who had enjoyed dirt cheap Iranian oil until this point, responded by fanning the flames of discontent amongst the Islamic right wing in the hopes that a change in government would lead to cheaper oil. It was largely because of foreign powers meddling behind the scenes that Iran changed so abruptly.

In an attempt to avoid a civil war the Shah left Iran in January 1979. Just a couple of weeks later, Ayatollah Khomeini returned to Iran and received a heroes welcome.

A New Rule… Again

Iranian army forces, surrounded on all sides by rebel revolutionary forces, declared neutrality and Khomeini took control as the ‘Supreme Leader of Iran’. Many political activists fled during the Iranian revolution as revolutionary forces took a hardline approach on nationalistic groups in a bid to unite the country. Khomeini’s policies changed Iran drastically, something I cannot write about here.

The USA and its allies, keen to get its hands on some dirt-cheap oil again, encouraged an Iraqi invasion led by American ally Saddam Hussein. The eight year Iran-Iraq war raged as Khomeini continued to enforce anti-western policies and the country changed beyond recognition. Khomeini died in 1989 and control passed to Khamenei, a powerful figure with an almost identical name and beard.

Recently, the situation in Iran has been rapidly changing. Many trade embargoes have now been lifted and Iranians are hopeful that economic prosperity and a softening of attitudes is on the horizon. Iran has the potential to be a world power yet again and the country is opening up to the world.

Inspired by a glorious past, many Iranians are now excited to see what the future holds for Iran and there are exciting political developments upon the horizon as politics slowly begins to move away from being totally intertwined with religion. Right now it is an exciting time to go backpacking around Iran; the sense of hope and excitement in the air is intoxicating and Iran is finally emerging, blinking into the light, as a global player yet again.

The typical things to do in Iran are one thing but it’s a big – and brilliantly beautiful – country. There is so much to do if you just take a moment to break away from typical trail. Make friends with the locals; they’re so warm and they’ll take you to the best places to go in Iran (where the true experiences lie).

Things go wrong on the road ALL THE TIME. Be prepared for what life throws at you.

Buy an AMK Travel Medical Kit before you head out on your next adventure – don’t be daft!

Be Good to Iran

Backpacking in Iran can be one hell of a party given the right moment – yes, even in Iran you can party! Take it from me, it can be easy to get carried away at an underground rave. It is important to keep in mind that you are an ambassador for your country, which is awesome. We can make a positive impact on people when we travel and get rid of any ugly stereotypes that may be associated with your country.

If you visit conservative villages or small communities outside of the cities, always ask before taking photos, especially when it comes to taking photos of women (you should ask in the cities as well). The people who live in these villages are not exhibits in a museum. They are normal folks just living their lives.  Always show them the complete respect that they deserve.

When buying a local crafts or knick-knacks, do not haggle so low that the price is unfair to the person who spent countless hours crafting it. Pay people what they are worth and contribute to the local economies as much as possible.

I know it can be hard, but do your best to use the least amount of plastic water bottles that you can. Refill the ones that you do buy; use a Grayl Geopress ; refill at your hostel/guest house… There are plenty of ways to reduce plastic!

Backpacking Iran or any region for that matter often illuminates some of the great socio-economic inequalities of the world. Never take it for granted that you are healthy and financially able to go traveling. Show the world around you some gratitude and help to make a positive impact on it. Most of all have the time of your life and spread the love in Iran!

Every traveler has – or will have – that country that they truly fell in love with. That country that truly changed their life’s direction is ways they could never have foreseen. For me, that was Iran.

While backpacking in Iran, I fell in love. Both with Iran and in Iran. What started as just another step in my overland journey became the country that changed everything.

It goes without saying that traveling Iran is a contentious point courtesy of how it’s been portrayed in the media. It’s not all simple. Iran isn’t perfect – as nowhere is – but it is gorgeous. More than that, Iran’s people are gorgeous.

Take a chance. Piss in the face of the big boys and girls that want to tell us where we can and can’t go on this beautiful. You know what? Fuck ’em.

They haven’t traveled to Iran… but I have. I’ve covered so much of that ancient land, backpacking through Iran and seeing its skies. And now, if you have the courage, I reckon you should too. Enjoy, amigos.

The Broke Backpacker

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89 Comments

Iran is really beautiful. I hope everyone traveling, enjoy this country. Tehran, Shiraz, Isfahan and north of Iran are must-sees in Iran. If you have enough time, also there are many other must-sees in Iran.

Wow. This has helped me make several decisions. Thanks for the inspiration.

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Hello dear will Hope you feel good . May you and your family and friends all be well and stay away from this damn virus. Me and my family and nomads are all fine. Our only concern is being away from friends. Hope to see you. Be sure to send me a message on WhatsApp 00989100943 Be sure to come to our house agin yors bahman frome zagros mountain Qashqai Nomad

very good article. thanks.

My flight to Iran for June is still valid, even with all the craziness going on, I called the airline and apparently I’m still going to Iran! 🙂 Does anybody know if everything is ”back to normal” over there now?

Iran has many cities and places of interest. Beautiful historic cities with rich culture. I live in tehran

Please include amongst your favourite phrases for backpacking Iran “thanks” = mamnum or even kheyli mamnum = many thanks . Since mid 2018 & the start of US sanctions, life for Iranians is really harder now & simple words are even more are appreciated. Motashakkeram.

Thanks Soko,we’ve added that in 🙂

I want to travel with my family, When is the best time for traveling there and how can I book my hotels?

please reach out to our partner company at epicbackpackertours.com for more information on organized travel in Iran.

Iran is beautiful

With the current situation, would it be unwise for an American to travel to Iran now?

Hi Janet, Yes, we believe it is currently safe for Americans to travel to Iran. You will need to abide by certain requirements, Iranian law requires guests of US/UK and Canadian nationalities to have a 24/7 guide and all trip plans and reservations to be made in advance. The visa process will also require assistance of a third party. Check out our Iran tours here: http://www.epicbackpackertours.com/destinations-iran/ it would be great to have you along.

Yes I visited Iran with backpack 7-8 city I visited.’It is incredibly easy to hitchhike in Iran and to Couchsurfing” I agree I met nice people in Iran.

Hi Will, Thank you for the useful info and your interest in my beautiful country. Actually Iranian are so friendly and hospitable towards tourists and foreigners. I’m an English – Farsi translator and owner of Farsils.com. I would be more than happy to help the tourist to Iran have a pleasant journey.

Hi Will, Awesome post, very helpful! Thanks to your post I’m planning a trip to Iran! However I’m a bit confused about the visa situation for a British person. If you go through 1Quest like you recommend, they quote a fee of (starting at) 19 euros to gain an authorisation code. Is that then the only cost? Or will I have to pay a fee to obtain my visa at the Iranian embassy in Istanbul? I’ve read online elsewhere it costs £145 per passport to get a tourist visa permit and then £170 in visa stamp fees. Thanks for any help!

Hi Rosie, You will need to pay for the authorisation code and visa separately. The code is issued by the authorities in Iran and your visa will be added to your passport when you then send it in to the Iranian office/authority in your country.

Very comprehensive information about Iran! I’ve traveled multiple times to the country and I loved it a lot, just like you describe it. The village of Kong near the Gulf was one of my favorites because of the colourful clothing, history and hospitality.

very useful Thank you.

Remembering the extreme hospitality I received as a foreigner travelling through Iran, “thank you” being included amongst “My favourite phrases for backpacking Iran” would be a nice touch !

Truuuuueee! That’ll get put in as soon as I figure out the appropriate spelling! For anyone who’s interested, in Farsi it’s very similar to the French “Merci” but with the stress on the 1st syllable. 🙂

Iran has many cities and places of interest. Beautiful historic cities with rich culture. I live in tehran…

Very good, its very helpful.Thank you.

Thanks a lot for sharing your experience. That was so informative. Now Iran is in my bucket list.

Thats awesome to hear, Maria!

A nice and complete guide about backpacking in Iran, Amazing! I wish others to come to Iran and experience what you have. Iran is one of the most misunderstood countries in the world. Good luck

Hello I am Iranian I can speak a bit english

i enjoyed this article very much

Many sites hate Iran, but Iranian people are very loved

Travel to Iran and the see Iranian people

iranian people lovely people in the world

Tnx, very helpful.

Hey mate, first allied do not cover Iran anymore, any recommendations on agencies that will cover Iran?

I’m Mona from 1stQuest. We really love to help British, American and Canadian travelers to travel to Iran without a guide as we do it for all other nationalities. But as I have explained above in another comment, ignoring this regulation will give our agency and travelers trouble. Here is what we do to ease the process and lower the cost for travelers. British/Canadian travelers can be accompanied by different guides in each city, so we offer them the lowest rates possible for hiring a local guide in each city without having to pay for their accommodation and extra meals. Also they can get a visa for a whole month (30 days) just like other nationalities if they have a guide for the whole trip. For trip durations above 15 days we offer discounts to lower the total cost.

I hope that the Iranian government omit this regulation very soon.

Hello Will! How did you manage to get the authorisation code with 1stquest for only booking one day tour? I’ve contacted them regarding it but they insisted that I book a full tour for the entire length of the visit! And they said the visa is only valid for the duration specified, not one month! But isn’t the tourist visa valid for one month? Quite a contradiction there! And do you know any other agency that’d let one book a one day tour in order to get the authorisation? Many thanks!

Hey dude, so firstly – I DIDN’T get a one day authorisation code, we’ve just heard that it IS possible. I traveled to Iran on my Irish passport. Sorry but I don’t have any more info than that… it is pretty hard to visit Iran independently as a British, American or Canadian citizen.

hi very nice article

im from iran too

I am very glad you visited Iran, iran is a beautiful country in the world ,

Believe me, travel iran

Is it save enough for Iran travelling in 2018?

Yeah its 100% safe.

more than 100 %%%%%

Thanks for the comprehensive guide. Currently I’m hitchhiking and couchsurfing through Iran and suddenly ended up in Qom without a host. I noticed you have no hostel recommendations in Qom and wanted to tip about a newly opened hostel I found called Qom Hostel (appearantly the only hostel in the city). It’s owned by a young Iranian couple and is located a few minutes walk from the shrine – they have 11 nice rooms with all basics covered. The owners speak English and are incredibly helpful. It kinda feels like a couchsurf stay as they gladly invited us to their home for breakfast and spend a lot of the day with us etc. They also offer a free tour to the shrine, the mosque, the old and new bazaar which was absolutely amazing 🙂

I thought it might be relevant to readers as I myself couldn’t find proper information about hostels in Qom. It can be found in Google maps. My friend and I paid 30$ for a private room. They also have cheaper dorm options.

Hey Jacob! Thanks for this, we’ll pop them in the guide 🙂

Wow!!! That’s really a fantastic and well researched guide – the most detailed one I’ve came across! Thank you for your effort and time to put all this information together! I will definitely recommend it to everyone who’s planning to visit Iran. There is nothing to ad!! I just came back from a 4 weeks backpacking trip to Iran.The only thing i have to offer (or would like to share) are the smiling faces of the most warmhearted and welcoming people of Iranian. The incredible hospitality blew my mind away! So don’t think twice! Go there and let yourself surprise! You will not regret it!!! I promise! 🙂

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yXiF3J1i3c

I hope you enjoy these (for us and hopefully soon for you too) memorable impressions!

Hi, I will visit Iran very soon, but I did not find Iran in the lists of travel insurance in First Allied Insurance.

Hi, This has got to be one of the best post I’d ever came across when it comes to Iran travel. I really enjoyed reading everything especially the tips. For other useful Iranian related topics I strongly recommend listening to Dr. Holakouee Persian radio program here: https://www.holakoueearchive.co . Thanks!

Hey man, thanks for a great read. I was hoping to visit Iran this summer and hitch hike to Iraq after.

I was just wondering would I need to present a return ticket to prove I’m leaving the country during my visa on arrival application?

Kind regards,

You shouldn’t need a return ticket for your visa unless you’re America, British or Canadian 🙂

Hey Daniel,

I’m a member of 1stQuest support team. I think you can always travel to Iran as an american traveler and there’s no risk for you.

What you’re asking for (traveling in Iran without a guide) is indeed a desire for many US/UK travelers and there may be some agencies which take the risk to do it. But there’s always a slight chance that someone report you to police (report that some Americans are traveling around without a guide) and then you will be in trouble which happened to some of our customers. They were reported by a tour leader or maybe hotel owner when they were in an Eco lodge in Yazd, after which they had to hire a guide for rest of their trip and were so stressed out that police will arrest them in the airport which of course didn’t happen.

Yes Iran is pretty damn safe, just a ton of bullshit in the media that scares most Americans away.

That is because thecompany that applies for the visa is responsible for the visitor – if anything should happen they would be held responsible and all could face unpleasant consequences.

I am a foreign student studying in Iran since the last few years and intend on backpacking, thanks for the lovely guide.

Just wanted to make one clarification: It is perfectly fine to have tattoos in Iran – unless they are obscene or extremely out of place and it is okay if they can be seen. The link in the post is linking to a website discussing the opinion of the Sunni school of thought. Iran is a Shia Muslim country and their scholars see no problem with tattoos.

Not saying it’s not OK to have tattoos in Iran, more that one should avoid wearing tank tops and shorts in the street.

Hey just an update. World Nomads no longer covers Iran.

Hi Will. Great article, really well put together and super informative!

I am planning a trip myself to Iran and have a question about the authorization code. I am a US citizen and am really not a tour or guide kind of guy. When you used 1st Quest, did you need to book a tour / guide for the entire duration? Did they make you do it before the authorization code? I am hoping to go with the book a one day tour route instead as I like you, much prefer the DIY approach when it comes to travel. Anyways, any suggestions would be awesome. Thanks.

Hey buddy! You should be able to find a provider who will let you just book a one day tour… However, it’s worth noting that with relations between the US and Iran in their current states, I’m not sure now is a good time to try and game the system.

hello Will i am Ramtin me and my wife have a guest house so near to yazd nartitee or nartitee ecolodge we are the first rank of special lodge in yazd on tripadvisor and we recommended by lonely planet this is our website http://www.nartitee .ir its our pleasure to be host of you and if you want recommend us to your friend and others thanks alot

Welcome to Iran. I’m Iranian and I’m living in Tehran. Don’t worry about your tattoos. Yes, it is true that generally Iranian people do not use tattoos on their bodies and they somehow do not like it, but nowadays many Iranian people also tattooed their bodies like arms, neck, back and etc. So, definitely there is not any problem for you because you are not Iranian and everyone completely know that your culture is different from us. Actually, the reason that Iranian people usually do not like tattoos is because in the past the vicious, villain and bad people first start to use tattoos on their bodies and this causes people dislike the tattoos. But, this thought become slowly wipe out from the society. So, be comfortable with your tattoos. Second, about money: the best way is provide a gift card (in persian: karte hadie) for your self by helping someone. This card is like your international cards but you can use it just in Iran, all over the country even in villages. It is easier and also safer. Iranian people also use widely these cards, they don’t keep much cash in their wallet. In every where they use their cards. Actually, almost all places like shops, markets, restaurant, Transport station, cinema, zoo, gas station, public places and etc. accept your card. Theses card are issued by different bank, no matter which bank. All of them are connected to one system which works all over the country. Third about currency: the official monetary unit of Iran is Rials. But, our people do not use it much, rather they use “Tomans” instead of “Rials”. Each Toman is equal to 10 Rials. For example, 100,000 Rials is equal to 10,000 Tomans. It is so easier to work with Tomans in Iran. If you see a cost to Rials, Just drop a zero, it becomes to Tomans. and if someone tells you a price in Tomans, you just need to add a zero in front of it in order to change it in Rilas. If you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

The last time i went to imam khomeini airport i went back with subway But the subway was open only between 8 and 14 And what was that about tattoo?! Most young people LOVE tattoo and so many have tattooes. There’s no need at all to cover your tattoos. Yes there are some people who will look at you strangely but no matter they look at me like that too! And about money i have a suggestion It’s hard to get an iranian an ATM card But you can do something. Find an Iranian friend and ask her/him to get you a gift card (in persian: karte hadie) and give him/her the money that you want in your card! This card works wherever the official cards work! + I FELL IN LOVE WITH YOUR ARTICLE!

Awesome post cheers for sharing.

Hey Will, amazing post, covers so much and has really got me wanting to visit. I especially love the addition of books to read, great idea. I was looking for some Iran content to share on my Travel Blogs platform, and have I have mapped out some of your destinations and linked to this. If you wanted to check what I mean, you can do so https://www.thetravelblogs.com/asia Keep up the amazing work. If your ever in Madrid feel free to hit me up, I’d love to buy you a beer and write an article about you!

Hi Will, Very useful information for me who’s going to visit Iran next year!

By the way, there is a photo caption From Tabriz to Tehran with colourful mountain range, is that far from Tabriz?

Thank you! Pandan

Wow! what a detailed guide, awesome! Can’t you stay longer if you request a visa in your own country?

Visa on arrival or visa in advance are both the same duration.

hi, Im from IRAN, Shiraz city, i liked the comments and ur blog, i like to offer our Guesthouse in Shiraz, and also tour package, if its ok you can publish it in tour page, ALWAYS AVAILABLE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS http://www.shirazstay.com [email protected]

Thank you for the time and effort in sharing your travel experience there. I’ve been deliberating for the last few weeks on where to go next from my current location and this has convinced me that it will be Iran. Cheers dude.

great post very good 🙂

This is like the ULTIMATE guide to Iran! Great write up, Will! Thanks for including the Visa* section, this would totally help when we decide to go.

Hey Buddy,you wrote a Great article, almost covered all the tips. BTW I want to introduce our hostel to readers of your blog, HI Tehran Hostel offers excellent value budget accommodation in a convenient location of Tehran, stay with us and see what a difference a stay makes.

Is there any possibility to mention the two facebook groups you were talking about? This guide is a bible man! much appreciated. I’ll backpack in Iran at the end of this year.

Hey buddy – sure thing; I’ve put them in the guide now – they are ‘see you in Iran’ and ‘Show the real Iran’ 🙂

Brilliant guide! You’ve opened my mind to travelling in Iran! Do you have any updates on how your brother got on with a UK passport? I’m currently trying to get an authorisation code but I’m getting nowhere, I’ve contacted many travel agencies but they insist that I must be part of an organised tour

It’s possible to get the authorisation code by booking a one day, short, inexpensive tour – getting the visa – and then cancelling the tour…

Do you have one tour in mind that could provide us with an authorization code?

My wife and I are Canadian, and we are not able to find any tour that will give us a code for 1 day. They insist that we have to stay the all time with them.

Thanks so much for your help, Matt

I’m afraid that the tour companies seem to change their mind so often that I can’t make a recommendation… Sorry about that!

How did your Brother do with the British Passport/Travelling without a guide?

Hey Will! Amazing guide! I think that this is the most detailed one I’ve seen out there! I also read your post about the Iranian girl! I have also heard similar stories from other travelers. The Iranian regime is just the make-up of the country. Behind all these conservative Sharia rules, you find the most liberal people in the Middle East. Except in Lebanon, having sex with a local Muslim woman is like an impossible mission. Nice story man!

By the way, one thing to do I would also add to your guide is visiting the Qashqai Nomads from the Zagros mountains. The nomads living there still live like their ancestors used to, and for me, that was one of the highlights of my trip to Iran.

Cheers mate,

I’ve heard of the nomads man! I’m heading back to Iran in May with Esme again so going to swing up that way andc camp out for a few nights! I read up on your posts in Iraq and got major travel envy – those are some quality adventures brother!

Your hedonist dick

Amazing guide! Wish we had had more time to explore some of the off the beaten path places you suggested here. We will just have to go back I guess 🙂

Yes,congratulations,but take into account what most travel bloggers and lonely planet guides forget – you are a MAN. things can be very different when travelling as a woman. everywhere in that region,while Iran is maybe has the least aggressive men,while it is getting worse now that more and more mainstream tourists go there. Girls,use your intellect and gut feeling! And enjoy that you can talk and chitchat with many women and girls 🙂

Great article. Thank you. You educated me about my own country that I have not encountered for many decades. I do believe that you could have left out your plug for drugs and how to obtain them. As for “Shisheh” an Iranian friend of mine had mentioned that is “glass” which is meth? Other than the drug part, it was an awesome, intriguing account. Thank you.

Fantastic work. A great guide to a lesser known area of the world. I have mapped your recommendations and linked to your article on The Travel Blogs, feel free to check it out: http://www.thetravelblogs.com/asia/western-asia/

Happy Travels!

Excellent guide Will! We’re going there in a few weeks and this is going to be our bible. Do you think Mariana and I will need to fake a marriage (get rings) to make life a bit easier travelling as a couple?

Nah, I think you will be fine – it’s just because she was an Iranian and I was not a Muslim. I met some other hitchhikers and they had encountered no issues as they were foreigners; just say you are married when they ask 🙂

Incredible article Will!!! I hope to visit Iran next year once I have my new passport (Israel stamp). Will definitely book mark this 😀

Wow, I’m an Iranian and I’m so appreciated, thank you so much for visiting and trying to change people minds about Iran. News are killing our culture.

Awesome write up dude. Now I really wanna go to Iran.

Wow. What a guide. Thanks for all the info man. From what I’ve heard, it’s pretty near impossible to get a visa or Iran as an American, but definitely going to be trying in the next few years. Awesome to hear you had such a good experience through the country.

Check out the visa section of this guide; there is some ways around the visa problem… 🙂

Very well written, but There is another recently opened hostel in Tehran, located in the city center named Denj Hostel in Tehran.

Wow, balls of steal, man. Thanks for the inspiration. 😉

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Introducing Iran

• Images of Iran
• History, language & culture
• Weather & geography
• Doing business & staying in touch

Plan your trip

• Travel to Iran
• Where to stay

While you’re there

• Things to see & do
• Shopping & nightlife
• Food & drink
• Getting around

Before you go

• Passport & visa
• Public Holidays
• Money & duty free

Book your flights

• Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport

Iran travel guide

Iran ought to be one of the world’s most treasured travel destinations, blessed as it is with extraordinary historical sites, exquisite landscapes and a fascinating culture. But international tensions and a tough domestic regime have prevented that from being the case – it has remained a destination for the intrepid.

Things are changing, though. Since the election of a moderate president in 2013 and the gradual thawing of relations with the West, this once out-of-bounds country has started to open up. No one’s pretending that its current leadership can’t be shockingly hard-fisted in matters of civic law. But most foreigners are likely to find their preconceptions shattered. They will find Iranians warm and friendly, keen to practice their English and quick with the tea invites.

Rich Persian heritage dating back 3,000 years is evident throughout the country. Historical sights like the ancient ruins of Persepolis and the still-glorious former capital of Isfahan are abundant. Iran has a distinct cultural identity too, with its predominately Shia-Muslim population, which sets it apart from most nations in the Islamic world.

Parts of the country are very conservative, but Tehran will strike many visitors as extremely modern. Despite the image perpetuated of religious dogma, in the capital women walk around in skinny jeans and make-up, while couples openly hold hands. There’s a lively café culture and a youth culture comparable to Mediterranean countries. Persian cuisine can be sampled in countless traditional and more contemporary restaurants.

Ancient Persia has the potential to attract millions of tourists per year, but it's the modern reforming Iran that could be of as much interest. Flashpoint travel advice should be heeded and tourists still won’t be flocking to the country on a whim. But those who do travel will find street-level Iran to be almost unrecognisable from the Iran making headlines around much of the world.

1,648,195 sq km (636,371 sq miles).

81,801,633 (UN estimate July 2016).

50 per sq km.

Islamic Republic.

Supreme Leader Grand Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei since 1989.

President Ebrahim Raisi since 2021.

Travel Advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice .

FCDO  advises against all travel to Iran

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice. Consular support is also severely limited where FCDO advises against travel.

If you’re a British national already in Iran, either resident or visitor, carefully consider your presence there and the risks you take by staying.

FCDO advises against all travel to Iran. British and British-Iranian dual nationals are at significant risk of arbitrary arrest, questioning or detention in Iran. Holding a British passport can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to question you. If you are detained in Iran, you could face months or years in prison.

Find out more about  why FCDO advises against travel .

Risks to British nationals in Iran 

Consular support is extremely limited in Iran. If you need consular assistance you should contact the British Embassy in Tehran . 

FCDO  advises against all travel to Iran. British and British-Iranian dual nationals are at significant risk of arbitrary arrest, questioning or detention in Iran. Holding a British passport can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to question you. If you are detained in Iran, you could face months or years in prison. 

Find out more about  why FCDO advises against travel

Dual nationals 

The Iranian authorities do not recognise dual nationality. If you are a British-Iranian dual national and you are detained in Iran, the authorities will not tell FCDO  or grant FCDO access to see you. If you are detained, your case will be in the hands of the Iranian authorities, who have shown a pattern of hostility towards the UK and British citizens.

Before you travel 

FCDO  advises against all travel to Iran.

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide as well as support for British nationals abroad which includes: 

• advice on preparing for travel abroad and reducing risks 
• information for women, LGBT+ and disabled travellers 

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.

Travel insurance 

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance . Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. 

This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel. 

The authorities in Iran set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Iranian Embassy in the UK . 

COVID-19 rules 

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering Iran.  

Passport validity requirements 

If you visit Iran against FCDO advice, your passport should be valid for a minimum of 6 months from the date you arrive. It’s not possible for British nationals or dual nationals to apply for a UK passport in Iran. 

Check with your travel provider to make sure your passport and other travel documents meet their requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.  

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen. 

Previous travel to Israel 

If your passport has stamps from Israel or other countries’ border crossing points with Israel, you may be refused entry to Iran. 

Visa requirements 

You need a visa to enter Iran as a visitor. 

Check the expiry date of your visa before travelling. If you overstay your visa, you may have to stay in Iran until this is resolved and you are at risk of being detained.  

Women and girls aged 10 or over should wear a headscarf in their visa application photos. 

If you’re travelling through an Iranian airport, check visa requirements with your airline and the Iranian Embassy in the UK . 

Applying for a visa 

If you choose to travel to Iran against FCDO advice, apply for a visa well in advance of your travel. The application process for an Iranian visa can be long and unpredictable.  

If you want to travel to Iran with a British passport, the Iranian Embassy has told FCDO that to get a visa you must either apply as part of an organised tour, or have a sponsor in Iran. Check with the Iranian Embassy in the UK for more information. 

Some British nationals have had problems getting visas from private online visa agencies. 

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date you submit your visa application. 

Vaccination requirements  

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the vaccinations and certificates you need in TravelHealthPro’s Iran guide . 

Dual nationality 

Iran does not recognise dual nationality. Dual nationals are considered Iranian nationals by Iranian authorities. All Iranian nationals must travel to and from Iran using an Iranian passport.  

You may also be required to demonstrate to the Iranian airport authorities that you have the right to enter the UK. You must be able to produce your British passport or a valid UK visa in your Iranian passport on request.   

Holding a British passport can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to question you. The Iranian authorities have shown a pattern of hostility towards the UK and its citizens. 

Being considered an Iranian national 

Even if you do not consider yourself Iranian, you may be seen as an Iranian national by Iranian authorities. For example, if your father is Iranian, or if you’re married to an Iranian man. 

Customs rules 

There are strict rules about goods that can be brought into and taken out of Iran. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. 

Pork products 

Importing pork products is illegal. 

Children travelling without a male parent 

In Iran, a female parent travelling with her children must have the father’s permission, usually verbal, to take them out of Iran. This is assumed to be the case by Iranian immigration authorities unless the father has petitioned the court, or the court has ruled to prevent the children travelling. For more information, contact the Iranian Embassy in the UK . 

Kish Island 

To enter Kish Island, you must arrange your visit through an Iranian travel agency. The agency must: 

• inform the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about your visit at least 2 weeks before you travel 
• have received confirmation that a visa will be issued on arrival 

The nearest Iranian embassy or consulate can give you advice and a list of registered travel agents. 

You must also have a hotel reservation before you travel. Your guide must: 

• pass a copy of the hotel reservation confirmation to the Immigration Office at Kish Airport at least 48 hours before you arrive 
• meet you at the airport when you arrive 

Travellers have occasionally been denied entry to Kish without explanation. If you’re denied entry, follow the advice of your airline or travel agent. 

Terrorism  

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.    

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad . 

Terrorism in Iran 

Terrorists are very likely to try and carry out attacks in Iran. 

Terrorist attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by foreigners. Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.

Previous attacks include: 

• in April 2024, 11 Iranian security force members were killed, following attacks claimed by Jaish al-Adl on an Iranian military site in the southeastern province of Sistan-o-Balochistan
• in January 2024, at least 84 people were killed and more than 200 wounded in suicide bombing attacks in Kerman, southern Iran, carried out by Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP)
• on 13 August, 2023, one person was killed and 8 wounded in a terrorist attack at a Shia Muslim shrine in the Iranian city of Shiraz, southern Iran
• in 2022, 15 people were killed at a holy site in Shiraz

Military activity in the Red Sea area       

Military activity is currently underway in response to attempts by Houthi militants to prevent movement of international shipping in the Red Sea. While the area of activity is limited to the Red Sea and Yemen, there is a possibility that Travel Advice for nearby countries could change at short notice. You should continue to monitor Travel Advice and follow any relevant instructions from local authorities.

Political situation  

There is tension in the region. Any military action could escalate quickly and could pose risks for the wider region. If you are in the region, or considering travel to the region, monitor news updates and continue to check FCDO travel advice for updates.

FCDO advises against all travel to Iran. If you’re a British national already in Iran, either resident or visitor, carefully consider your presence there and the risks you take by staying. 

FCDO ’s ability to provide consular assistance is extremely limited in Iran. In an emergency, for example if there is serious violence, unrest or a deterioration in the security situation, it is extremely unlikely that the British government will able to evacuate you or provide face-to-face assistance in Iran. In these situations, it may become more difficult to leave safely. Air, sea and land routes are under the control of the Iranian authorities.

Assume that no face-to-face consular assistance will be possible in an emergency situation and that the British government will not be able to help you if you get into difficulty in Iran.  

Arbitrary arrest and detention 

There is a very high risk of arbitrary arrest, questioning or detention for British nationals and British-Iranian dual nationals. Holding a British passport can be reason enough for the authorities to question you. If you’re detained in Iran, you could face months or years of imprisonment.  

If you’re a British-Iranian dual national and you are detained in Iran, the authorities will not tell  FCDO  or grant  FCDO  access to see you.  FCDO may also not be able to visit you to provide consular support for long periods. 

British-Iranian dual nationals have been arbitrarily detained in Iran and made to serve long prison sentences. In January 2023, a British national was executed after receiving the death penalty. Iran has arrested and detained non-Iranian European nationals travelling on tourist visas. The criminal justice process in these cases falls below international standards.

If you’re detained in Iran your case will be in the hands of the Iranian authorities, who show a pattern of hostility towards the UK and its citizens. As a result, consular assistance to British nationals in Iran is extremely limited. 

Iranian authorities have accused people with links to the UK of inciting protests. If you are in or near a protest, you are at serious risk of arrest. Mass arrests, including of bystanders, happen often. It is difficult to predict where protests will take place, and they may turn violent. British nationals arrested in connection with protests may come under added suspicion of espionage or working to undermine the Iranian government. This can increase the risk of lengthy detention, criminal charges or receiving the death penalty.  

You may also come under suspicion if you are near sensitive sites, have contact with Iranians who are of interest to the authorities for any reason, or are taking photographs. 

Even if you avoid protests and crowds, there is still a very high risk of arbitrary arrest, questioning or detention. In all cases of detention, FCDO  has serious concerns that the judicial process falls below international standards. 

Links to the UK 

While having British connections can be reason enough for the authorities to be suspicious of your activities, you are at even greater risk if you are involved in: 

• civil societies (including labour unions, human rights groups or political activist groups) 
• journalism   
• any organisation perceived as anti-Iranian (either within Iran or elsewhere)  
• any institution based in the UK that receives public funds from or which have perceived links to, the British government  
• historic or current social media activism related to protest movements in Iran  

You are more at risk during times of terrorist incidents, national unrest, or when there is an increase in tensions between Iran and the international community.

Border areas 

Border areas are sensitive. FCDO  advises all British nationals already residing in Iran against all travel:  

• within 100km of the Iran-Afghanistan border  
• within 10km of the entire Iran-Iraq border  
• to the provinces of Sistan and Baluchistan  
• to the area east of Bam and Jask, including Bam 

There is risk of banditry in the area east of Bam, Jask, and Sistan and Baluchistan. This is the main route for drug traffickers from Afghanistan and Pakistan. The towns of Zahedan, Zabol and Mirjaveh are particularly insecure. 

Some Iranian officials and media reports have falsely alleged a UK connection to anti-government groups in Khuzestan, Kurdish-majority regions, and Sistan and Baluchistan. If you travel to these areas against our advice, stick to the main routes to avoid accidentally entering restricted or military zones. 

Take sensible precautions to protect yourself from street crime and petty theft. Avoid carrying large amounts of money and keep your passport safe. 

There have been some attacks and robberies targeted at foreigners and tourists, including attempted robberies by thieves posing as policemen, usually in civilian clothing. If you’re approached by anyone who claims to be a policeman, ask to see ID and request the presence of a uniformed officer or marked patrol car. Do not hand over documents or cash, or get into a vehicle. 

Getting cash in Iran is extremely difficult. Non-Iranian debit and cash cards will not work in Iran. It’s usually not possible to change travellers cheques. 

It’s illegal to change money on the street. You can exchange selected foreign currencies in some exchange bureaux, though you may have problems changing money. Euros and US dollars are more commonly accepted than British pounds.

Find out before travelling how you will get enough Iranian rials for your visit legally. If you cannot, you may need to reconsider your travel plans.

Surrogacy and adoption 

If you’re visiting Iran to arrange an international surrogacy or adoption, consider the risks and challenges involved. Surrogacy is a complex, lengthy process. You should:

• make sure you’re aware of the facts and well-prepared before starting the process 
• get specialist legal advice on Iranian and UK laws before making any arrangements 
• read  FCDO  and Home Office guidance on surrogacy overseas   
• research clinics and hospitals thoroughly to make sure they are safe and reputable 

The British Embassy cannot get involved in surrogacy arrangements or recommend hospitals or clinics. 

Commissioning a surrogacy will not automatically mean that the child holds British citizenship. To bring your child born through surrogacy from Iran to the UK, you must   apply for a full British passport . You need an Iranian birth certificate for this. It’s not possible for British nationals or dual nationals to apply for a UK passport in Iran.

Laws and cultural differences 

Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims. The dates vary by year and country. During this time, do not eat, drink, smoke or chew gum in public in the daytime, including in your car.

You should also: 

• check opening hours of shops and restaurants  
• be aware that if hotels and restaurants are providing food or drink in fasting hours, they may separate you from Islamic guests, for example with screens  
• be aware that fasting can cause tiredness, particularly during the later afternoon and early evening 
• be patient and show tolerance 

Get more advice when you arrive from your tour guide, hotel or business contacts.  

Dress codes 

Islamic codes of behaviour and dress are strictly enforced. In public places women must cover their heads with a headscarf, wear trousers or a floor-length skirt, and a long-sleeved tunic or coat that reaches to mid-thigh or knee. Men should wear long trousers and long-sleeved shirts in public. 

There are extra dress requirements at religious sites. Women may be asked to put on a chador (a garment that covers the whole body except the face) before entering.

Relationships between men and women 

Adultery and sex outside marriage are illegal under Iranian law and carry the death penalty. 

Relationships between non-Muslim men and Muslim women are illegal, although few Westerners have been prosecuted. If a Muslim woman is found in a relationship with a non-Muslim man, she may be sentenced to be whipped. 

Unmarried partners and friends of the opposite sex travelling together should exercise extreme caution. Sex outside marriage and same-sex relations are against the law in Iran, with the death penalty as the defined punishment. 

Iranian hotel managers could insist on seeing a marriage certificate before allowing couples to share a hotel room. 

LGBT+ relationships 

Same-sex relationships are illegal under Iranian law and can carry the death penalty.  

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers .

Female travellers 

Women should take extra care, particularly when travelling alone or with friends of the opposite sex. Women face a range of issues, from enforced hijab wearing to harassment due to there being relatively few foreign women in Iran. Respect local customs and avoid isolated areas. See more advice for women travelling abroad . 

Films and magazines 

Many western streaming services including Netflix and Prime are illegal. 

It is illegal to import, sell, manufacture or drink alcohol in Iran. This is on religious grounds, with exceptions only for certain recognised Iranian religious minorities. Drinking alcohol in public is not allowed, with no exceptions. Penalties can be severe.

Photography 

Photography near military and other government installations is strictly prohibited. You can be detained and charged with breaking national security laws. Sensitive government buildings and facilities are often difficult to identify. Take extreme care when taking photographs in any area. 

Using a laptop or other electronic equipment in public places can be misinterpreted, especially if it contains photographs. You may be arrested and detained on serious criminal charges, including espionage. It’s better to ask before taking photographs of people. 

Illegal drugs 

It is illegal to import, sell, manufacture or consume drugs in Iran. Penalties for importing and possessing drugs are severe and enforced. Many people convicted of drug offences, including foreign nationals, have been executed. 

Personal ID 

You must carry copies of your passport photo page and visa for identification. Make sure you have a copy of the emergency contact details.

Satellite phones and drones 

You need permission from the Iranian authorities to import or use equipment like drones or satellite phones. Using them without permission is illegal and you could be arrested.

Mobile phones, internet access and communications 

Iranian authorities have blocked, significantly slowed or shut down landline, internet and mobile services without warning in the past. This can be nationwide or localised. This can affect communication and location services on smartphones and other devices. You should: 

• not rely on mobile data, non-Iranian mobile apps or international calls for personal safety 
• always keep an alternative means of communication and navigation with you
• make sure friends and family know where you are 

Business travellers 

Individuals involved in commercial disputes with Iranian companies risk being stopped from leaving the country until disputes are resolved. 

Representatives of British or western companies may receive particular attention. British businesspeople travelling to Iran should take steps to protect commercially sensitive information, including password protection of electronic devices and not carrying unnecessary information. Electronic devices may be screened by customs officials on arrival and departure.

Transport risks  

Road travel .

You need a 1968 international driving permit ( IDP )  when using a UK driving licence to drive in Iran. You cannot buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel.

If you’re planning to drive in Iran, see information on driving abroad . 

Iran has a high rate of road accidents. Take great care when travelling by car or public transport and when crossing streets. If you’re involved in an accident, no matter how minor, do not leave the scene. Wait until the police arrive to write their report. 

Iranian authorities sometimes set up informal roadblocks both in cities and on main highways. These are often staffed by young and inexperienced officers. Always carry identification with you and avoid getting into disputes. 

It is not widely accepted for women to drive motorbikes on public roads and there is a risk of being arrested. 

Motorcycle taxis should not be used as they have sometimes taken tourists to quiet locations and robbed them. 

Pre-booked taxis are safer than taxis hailed from the street. 

Air travel 

The UK Air Safety List (ASL) lists all known airlines in Iran that do not meet international safety standards and are banned from operating commercial air services to, from, and within the UK. Check the UK Air Safety List when considering which airlines to fly with. The list is maintained by the Department for Transport, based on advice from the UK Civil Aviation Authority . 

Sea travel 

Many areas of the Caspian Sea, Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman are very politically and militarily sensitive, with increased military activity including seizures and attempted seizures, boardings and harassment of maritime vessels.

The waters around the islands of Abu Musa and the Tunbs in the southern Persian Gulf are particularly sensitive. British national mariners should not dock or sail into waters around these islands. 

When in the region, maintain a high state of awareness and be alert to local and regional tensions which may affect your route. Vessels may be at increased risk of maritime attack and harassment if they operate in the:  

• Gulf of Oman  
• Northern Arabian Sea  
• Persian Gulf  
• Strait of Hormuz 

Commercial vessels have been attacked by unmanned aerial vehicles (commonly referred to as military drones) off the coast of Oman, with one attack in 2021 resulting in the deaths of a British and Romanian national. Vessels have also been seized in and around the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz in recent years resulting in detention of the vessels and crew.   

If your vessel is hailed, provide the vessel name, flag state, and confirm they are exercising navigation rights and proceeding in accordance with international law, as reflected in the UNCLOS Convention. Vessels and mariners should maintain high levels of awareness when they are operating in the area and report into UKMTO. They should document footage of all incidents wherever possible.

Extreme weather and natural disasters 

Earthquakes .

Many parts of Iran are at risk of earthquakes and tremors. These can be high magnitude, cause damage to infrastructure, and put lives at risk. 

Read the US Federal Emergency Management Agency advice on what to do before, during and after an earthquake . 

Some provinces can suffer from floods in spring, particularly: 

You should: 

• follow advice given by local authorities  
• be adequately equipped with waterproofs, thermals, hiking boots and rations when driving and walking 

Before you travel check that: 

• your destination can provide the healthcare you may need 
• you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation 

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant. 

Emergency medical number 

Dial 115 and ask for an ambulance. 

Contact your insurance company promptly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment. 

Vaccinations and health risks 

At least 8 weeks before your trip check: 

• the latest information on vaccinations and health risks in TravelHealthPro’s Iran guide  
• where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page  

Medication 

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries. 

Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro . 

Healthcare facilities in Iran 

In general, medical facilities in Iran are reasonable in the major cities but poor in remote areas. Many health professionals speak some English. 

In 2022 there were shortages of some basic medicines in Iran. 

If you’re a British national in Iran having medical or cosmetic treatment, you may not get adequate care in an emergency. 

FCDO has a list of English-speaking doctors in Iran . 

Travel and mental health 

Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health . There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro . 

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel. 

Emergency services in Iran  

Ambulance: 115 

Police: 110 

Contact your travel provider and insurer 

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do. 

Refunds and changes to travel 

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first. 

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans , including: 

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider 
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim 

Support from FCDO  

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including: 

• finding English-speaking lawyers , funeral directors and translators and interpreters  in Iran 
• dealing with a death in Iran   
• being arrested  
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime  
• what to do if you’re in hospital  
• if you’re affected by a crisis , such as a terrorist attack 

Contacting FCDO  

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Help abroad in an emergency 

If you’re in Iran and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the British Embassy in Tehran . 

You can also contact FCDO online . 

FCDO in London 

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad. 

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours) 

Find out about call charges  

Book a Hotel

© Columbus Travel Media Ltd. All rights reserved 2024

Independent travel in Iran: 1 to 4-week itinerary

By Joan Torres 8 Comments Last updated on April 1, 2024

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Iran, the hottest destination of the decade, is a country filled with a very old history, mind-blowing architecture and amazing people.

The country is, however, extremely big, has been inhabited for millennia and was ruled by one of the most powerful empires that ever existed in human history.

As a consequence, Iran is, today, an extremely complex society home to an infinite number of historical sites, many of which are not open to the public yet.

And there is even more.

With some striking mountain ranges, the Persian Gulf islands, unique deserts and countless towns and cities with different kinds of people and culture, Iran is a country which you can’t finish, not in a lifetime at least.

However, whether you come here for a week or a month, getting a glimpse of the great power of the Persian empire or getting to know some locals over a cup of local chai is totally possible.

After visiting the country twice for more than months, I have compiled this 1 to 4-week itinerary for independent travel to Iran  that contains my favorite places in the country.

It took me almost two months to visit all the places I mention, spending 4 to 5 days on each one, which is a lot of days. However, if you plan well-ahead and stay 2 or 3 days in each one, you could perfectly squeeze my Iran itinerary in a month.

In this backpacking itinerary for Iran you will find:

Table of Contents

• Moving around
• Accommodation
• Day 1, 2 – Tehran

Day 3, 4 – Kashan

• Day 5, 6, 7 – Esfahan

Day 8, 9 – Yazd

• Day 10, 11, 12 – Kaluts

Day 13, 14 – Shiraz

• Day 15, 16, 17 – Mashhad
• Day 18, 19 – Gonvad e-Qavus
• Day 20, 21 – Khalid Nabi
• Qeshm Island – 3 days
• Masuleh – 3 days
• Tabriz – 3 days
• More resources

How to book hotels, flights and tours in Iran

Because of the sanctions, foreign cards or popular sites such as booking.com can’t be used in Iran, but now you can thanks to 1stQuest .

1stQuest is a local company that offers services such as visa LOI, hotel booking, tours, domestic flights, and travel insurance for Iran.

5% discount on ALL bookings with voucher code:

How to travel independently around Iran (Transportation)

Iran is an extremely easy country to move around, as it has a very well-connected bus network and plenty of domestic flights.

Domestic flights

Iran is a pretty big country, so for those short in time, taking a domestic flight would be wise, especially for going from Tehran to places like Qeshm Island, Mashhad or Shiraz. 

You can check flight schedules and book your tickets through 1stQuest, and you can get a 5% discount on ALL flights:

With voucher code: ATC-QST

Bus – Buses are the way to go in Iran. There are endless connections and the VIP buses are particularly comfortable and not expensive at all.

Because of the sanctions, in Iran, most booking sites don’t accept international foreign cards. Before, you could book them via 1stQuest but they are not offering this particular service anymore. However, you may still use 1stQuest for visa services, hotels, flights, travel insurance and tours. 

Accommodation in Iran

As you may know, popular websites such as Booking.com , don’t have hotels listed in Iran.

Therefore, how can you book a hotel in Iran? Well, you have a couple of options:

• Via your travel agency (if you go on a tour)
• Making a phone call
• Just showing up and trying your luck
• Via a local booking website like 1stQuest

From luxury hotels to backpacker hostels, 1stQuest has many listed hotels all over the country. 

You can get a 5% discount in ALL your hotels bookings.

Use my promotional code: ATC-QST

Side note – Keep in mind that the Iranian Government sometimes blocks this sort of travel websites, so 1stQuest may not be accessible from an Iranian server. In this case, there are 2 things you can do: 1 – Book the different hotels in advance, before going to Iran 2 – Get a VPN for Iran like ExpressVPN to access censored sites. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Best books for backpacking in Iran

Here’s a selection of a few useful books but, for a complete list, check the best books about Iran , classified into politics, history and novels

Bradt guide – Bradt has always the most comprehensive guides to the most off-beat countries. I love Bradt because they give plenty of tips for the independent traveler, as well as loads of cultural insights.

Lonely Planet guide – I personally prefer Bradt but, if you are a Lonely Planet fan, they have just released their latest edition for Iran.

Best graphic novel – Persepolis – This is, perhaps, the most famous story ever written about Iran. It is the story of a non-religious woman, before and after the 1979 revolution. An easy way to understand the complexity of Iranian society.

Independent travel in Iran – 1-week Iran itinerary

Iran is a massive piece of land so, if you only have one week, after Tehran, the closest cities are Kashan and Esfahan.

In Iran, you have to pay to enter most sites, including all the mosques, gardens and museums I am suggesting in this article. Usually, most sites charge between 150,000 and 200,000IR , which is 5 to 10 times more than what the locals have to pay

Map of the one-week Iran travel itinerary

Day 1 – Tehran

The capital of Iran is a real chaotic metropolis, where you can find an extremely mixed society, both the traditional, conservative Iran and the most hipster people in the country.

From ancient bazaars to 21st-century malls, Tehran is a very surprising city that could you keep busy for several weeks. This mixed society reminded me a lot to Beirut .

If you are lucky and the sky is clear, you must go to Tabi’at Bridge , the place from where you get the best views of the Tehran skyline.

Also don’t forget to check out the Grand Bazaar of Tehran , a real maze of bustling streets and carpet shops, and Golestan Palace , located in the middle of the city jungle but where you find beautiful gardens and the classic, colorful Persian tiles Iran is famous for.

A lot of people who visit Iran also go to Caucasian countries. Read my ultimate guide for traveling to Georgia

Moreover, if you are into politics, don’t forget to check out what used to be the actual USA Embassy before the 1979 revolution, as today it is a museum with plenty of anti-American propaganda.

Last, if you wanna take a break from all the chaos, go to Darband , located at the bottom of Mount Tochal and almost reachable by metro. With plenty of waterfalls and small day-treks, this was my favorite spot in the city.

For more information, read: Things to do in Tehran in 2 days

The best tours in Tehran

• Old Town Tehran – Oudlajan is the old quarter of Tehran and this walking tour will take visit all highlights.
• The Armenian Quarter – Tehran is home to a large Armenian Christian population and in this tour you will explore the area where they live.
• Golestan Palace – One of the top attractions in Tehran.

You can get a 5% discount on ALL your tours.

Where to stay in Tehran

You can get a 5% discount on ALL your hotel bookings.

Backpacker Hostel – Heritage Hostel – Plenty of common areas, a beautiful garden with a Persian pool, a barbecue place, and very modern facilities. I honestly think that this is the best hostel in the country and the best choice for independent travelers in Iran.

Budget Hotel – Khayyam Hotel – A cheap option, but very good, option near the Grand Bazaar of Tehran, so this is a great choice for budget travelers that don’t want to stay in a hostel.

A bit nicer – Hejab Hotel – A good option for mid-range travelers.

For more options, check Best areas to stay in Tehran .

Getting out of Tehran

Since this is the capital, you can come and go by public transportation from anywhere in the country.

Against the Compass tip – In order to save time, some independent travelers book a one-way ticket to either Shiraz, Yazd or Esfahan and visit all the cities on their way back.

Kashan isn’t the greatest of all the Persian cities but its privileged location makes it very convenient for any Iran itinerary.

This also means that tour groups abound but this shouldn’t put you off because I can’t deny that it is actually pretty and, if you don’t have the time to visit Yazd, Kashan also has the famous wind towers and windy mud-brick alleys.

Besides the classic bazaar, where you can check out the textiles Kashan is popular for, don’t forget to visit Khan Amin al-Dowleh Timche , a mosque with one of the craziest dome ceilings; the traditional Persian Fin Gardens and the unique  Agha Bozorg , a big mosque whose wall colors are confused with the houses from the old city.

For more information, read: Things to do in Kashan

Against the Compass tip – If you want a more off the beaten track option, Qom  is a better alternative to Kashan. I personally didn’t go there but it is a very holy city with some amazing shrines and the location is also very convenient the 1-week Iran itinerary.

Best day trips from Kashan

To be very honest, Kashan isn’t my favorite place but I have to say that this is a good base for doing a few great day trips:

• Nushabad – 2,000-year old labyrinthic ruins.
• Maranjab desert – Sand dunes with epic sunsets.

You can visit both on a combined tour.

Where to stay in Kashan

Budget Hostel – Sana Historical Hostel – With both private rooms and dorms and located right in the old town, Sana is the most popular choice for independent travelers. 

Budget Traditional House –   Kamal-a Molk House  – A beautiful, and very cheap, traditional guest house in the heart of Kashan.

Mid-range – Mahinestan Raheb – A few hundred-year-old house which has been beautifully restored into a beautiful hotel, very comfortable and lovely.

For more options, here you can see all the available hotels in Kashan

How to get to Kashan from Tehran

It’s very easy. Buses run regularly and it is only a 3-hour journey. You can also go by train but it takes 1 or 2 additional hours.

Day 5, 6 – Esfahan

Tip – If you have more than a week, consider staying in Esfahan for at least 3 or 4 days.

Esfahan is Iran’s most amazing city and its mosques are one of the main reasons independent travelers come to Iran.

With hundreds of years of history, Esfahan has always been home to a very important community of intellectuals and scholars and, historically, its importance was often compared to Athens or Rome.

Today, according to Iranian standards, this is a pretty modern city, very clean, composed of perfectly tree-lined streets, which makes it very pleasant to walk around.

The first place you need to go is Imam Square , where you find both the Shah Mosque and  Sheikh Lotfallah Mosque , whose ceilings and domes will leave you breathless.

Imam Square is also a place where locals hang out, especially during late afternoon and evening, so I recommend you not to rush and stay there for a while.

During the day, I suggest you stroll down the old bazaar , one of the nicest in the country, with plenty of spices and the worldwide famous creepy mannequins.

In the evening, a good idea is to head to the river to see the different historical bridges, the most famous being  Si-o-seh Pol . However, the last time I was there in April 2018, the river was completely dry, which made me very sad.

Oh! By the way, Esfahan is also famous for some sweets called gaz , which are filled with walnuts and have a gummy texture. Also, don’t forget to look for the local biryani (which is quite different from Indian and Pakistani) and saffron ice-cream .

Where to stay in Esfahan

Budget Hostel –   Ragrud Hostel – A brand-new hostel with very modern facilities, awesome staff and the best reviews ever. I am sure this place will, very soon, become very popular in Esfahan. 

Budget traditional house – Sarayeh Orbidehesht – If you prefer a traditional guest house, this one is really great.

Mid-Range Hotel – Setareh – Traditional breakfast, super friendly and English-speaking staff and very close to the main attractions.  

For more options: Click here to see all the available hotels in Esfahan  

How to get to Esfahan from Kashan

There are several buses all day long and it is just a 3-hour trip.

Independent travel to Iran – 2-week Iran itinerary

Most people would have two weeks for traveling independently in Iran.

If you want to save time, consider flying from Tehran to Shiraz, as you will save a 1,000-kilometer journey.

Map of the two-week Iran backpacking itinerary

With its perfectly-shaped old city, cute mosques, souvenir shops and plenty of decent coffee places, Yazd is, by far, the most touristic city in Iran. It reminded me a lot of Khiva in Uzbekistan .

With tens of tour groups overrunning the magnificent narrow alleys of the old town, to be very honest, I am not the biggest fan of Yazd but, truth be said, it is a very beautiful city and, perhaps, the most photogenic in the country.

Moreover, I also liked Yazd because it is a nice place to chill out. After hectic travels and hard-backpacking, it is always nice to finally be in a place where you are just one more tourist, find good accommodation, coffee and loads of food choices.

So yeah, I actually enjoyed Yazd and it should be a must on any Iran itinerary.

This used to be a Silk Road trading town, so there is a lot of heritage dating from that period. The coolest thing to do in Yazd is get lost in the old city, while you check the wind-towers and stumble across the different sites and mosques, the most remarkable being Masjed e-Jameh , a mosque from the 15th century and one of the tallest in Iran, with 48-meter minarets.

At sunset, you must go to a rooftop to enjoy the views . There are many hotels and cafés that allow you to do that.

Some places will charge you 1€, while in others you just need to order something. I can’t recommend anyone in particular because all of them have different views and perspectives but Orient Hotel is a popular spot.

Moreover, just outside of the old city, you find the  Amir Chakhmaq complex , the famous three-storey facade building and the main landmark in the city.

Also, you should know that Yazd has the second largest population of Zoroastrians, a religion that dates back at least 4,000 years and was the official religion in the pre-Islamic Persian Empire.

Here, they have one of their holiest sites, the Fire Temple , which has a flame which they claim hasn’t stopped burning since the 5th century .

Where to stay in Yazd

Budget Hostel – Shahdad – The only real backpacker hostel in town, this traditionally decorated hostel is the best option for budget travelers.

Mid-range Hotel –   Moshir al Mamalek Garden Hotel – You will love this place. A building with real wind towers, many travelers claim that this the best hotel they ever stayed in Iran.

For more options: Click here to check all the available hotels in Yazd

How to get to Yazd from Esfahan

Esfahan to Yazd is a good 4 to 5-hour ride and buses run frequently.

Day 10, 11, 12 – The desert of the Kaluts

In Kerman province, quite far away from everything, you find the Kaluts, the most silent and remote desert I have ever been to.

Here, NASA registered the highest temperature ever found on the Earth’s surface (71ºC) so, if possible, try not to come in summer. Nevertheless, the temperature cools down exponentially in the evening, so you should be fine for the sunset.

Life is not possible in the Kaluts, not even microorganisms, but its beauty and sunsets are out of this world, similar to the Mars landscape so, if you are fancying some desert adventure, this is the place to go.

If you have time, you can also visit Kerman city, as well as  Shazdeh Garden and  Shah Nematollah Vali Shrine. These sites are quite off the beaten track and the people in Kerman are always happy to meet foreigners.

The closest settlement to the Kaluts is an oasis town named Shahdad , famous for its date plantations, handicrafts made of palm trees, lovely traditional guesthouses and desert fortresses.

For more information, read my guide: A trip to the desert of the Kaluts

Where to stay in the Kaluts

You can camp if you go on a pre-arranged tour but, if not, you can stay at the nearest village called Shahdad. There is a very budget guest house called Ab Anbar and a fancier one named Nebka . Both are nice.

How to get to the Kaluts from Yazd

If you are traveling independently in Iran, first, you need to go to Kerman city, which is around 400km from Yazd. It is quite a journey, so I recommend you take an overnight bus (or train).

Shahdad is 100km from Kerman and a taxi would roughly cost 850,000IR.

I love Shiraz.

Actually, I stayed here for 10 days, mainly because I was doing a project for a company but I enjoyed my time very much.

For some reason which I don’t know, the people from Shiraz are very open-minded, more than other cities in Iran. Actually, I drank more alcohol here than anywhere else in the country.

One day, one guy invited me to his house at 9:30am in the morning and gave me some shots of arak . It was a nice feeling to wander around Shiraz a bit tipsy after that.

There are also a lot of things to do in Shiraz, like visiting Vakil mosque , Nasir al-Molk , the famous mosque with the famous color effect from the sun rays; the ancient Vakil Bazaar , the less-visited, but outstanding, Shrine of Shah-e Cheragh and   Hazfez Tomb and, of course, the ancient Persepolis , the ruins of what used to be the center of one of the greatest empires that ever existed.

For more information, read my guide: Things to do in Shiraz

Day trips from Shiraz

To visit these places, you will have to add 1 or 2 additional days for each one to your original Iran itinerary.

• Visiting the Qashqai Nomads – Read my report here
• Exploring the ruins of the Sassanid Empire – Read my report here
• Trekking in the Zagros Mountains – Read my report here

Where to stay in Shiraz

Backpacker Hostel  – Taha Traditional Hostel – A real backpacker hostel, very well-located and great traveling atmosphere. Highly recommended! 

Boutique Hotel –  Niayesh  – The busiest hotel in town, where everybody stays, from backpackers to wealthy couples and tour groups. Breakfast is included and it has several outdoor areas where you can rest and get some food.

For more options: Click here to see all the available hotels in Shiraz

How to get to Shiraz from Kerman

It’s a 7 or 8-hour trip, so I strongly recommend taking a night bus.

Getting out of Shiraz

You can take a direct bus to Tehran, no problem, but if you want to save time, consider flying.

Independent travel to Iran – 3-week Iran itinerary

It’s mandatory to have a travel insurance to get your visa on arrival in Iran. Because of the sanctions, most insurance companies don’t provide coverage for Iran, but IATI Insurance does. Get your exclusive 5% discount if purchasing via this link

If you have an extra week for independent travel in, consider getting off the beaten track, so I suggest you visit Golestan province and Mashhad.

This is just my personal opinion but the truth is that I really loved these places. Let me tell you why.

Map of the 3-week travel itinerary to Iran

Day 15, 16 – Mashhad

There are two reasons to visit Mashhad:

One is to visit the Imam Reza Shrine and the other is to stay at Vali’s .

As you may know, Mashhad is the holiest place in Iran and one of the most important cities for Shia Muslims in the world. The reason is that the shrine is where Imam Reza rests, the 8th Imam of Twelver Shiïtes.

The shrine is the largest religious complex in the world and, when you step in, it is easy to understand why. It is f*** huge and you will lose count of all the courtyards and different mosques.

Cameras in Mashhad The only downside is that you can’t take in a professional camera but only your phone. I didn’t know that and had to leave my camera and tripod at the entrance and didn’t have battery on my phone, so no pictures for me. Moreover, if they see you are a foreigner, they will assign you a guide, which kind of sucked as well, because mine didn’t explain anything to me but just made me follow him. You can, however, sneak in easily.

As the top pilgrimage site in the country, Mashhad is a wealthy city with great tourism infrastructure, as it receives loads of pilgrims from Lebanon and Iraq , two countries with large Shia populations.

There is a modern metro line and plenty of different food options, including Lebanese restaurants.

The second reason to come is to stay at Vali’s. Vali has a family homestay that, for years, has hosted plenty of international travelers, especially overlanders going (or coming) from Afghanistan and Turkmenistan.

I stayed 4 days at his house as the only guest and we celebrated the Iranian New Year, ate great homemade food and they just took very good care of me.

Besides, he has plenty of stories to tell, is very talkative and can you take outside of the city for day trips.

Visit Vali’s website for more details.

Best day trips from Mashaad

I recommend you go to Kang, a traditional stepped village 50km from Mashhad. It’s very beautiful to see and there are some small trekking opportunities around the area.

To go there, take the Metro Line 1 to Vakilabad and then a bus or shared taxi. Additionally, a trip by taxi from the city center with 1-hour visit costs 600,000IR.

Where to stay in Mashhad

Budget Homestay – Vali’s – Like I said, staying at Vali’s is one of the best things to do in Iran. Visit his website for more information .

Mid-range –  Darvishi Royal Hotel – Vali’s is great but it’s a place for budget backpackers. If you wanna stay in a good hotel, this is one of the best options in town. 

How to get to Mashhad

Being the most visited city in the country, you can get here on a direct bus or train from anywhere in Iran, including Shiraz, if you are following the suggested itinerary.

The only downside is that Mashhad is really far away, no matter where you are, so if don’t have much time, consider flying in. I personally went by train from Bandar Abbas and it was a 23-hour journey.

Day 17, 18 – Gonvad e-Kavus

Gonvad e-Kavus is the main city in Golestan province, one of the least visited provinces in Iran but, controversially, the most beautiful.

I bet that you didn’t know that this province is home to the largest population of Turkmens, the actual people from Turkmenistan. This means that, in Golestan, there is a clear Central Asian culture, visible in their food, nomadic life and Mongolian features.

In Gonvad-e Kavus you find a UNESCO World Heritage site (a 72-meter tower), handicraft shops selling traditional Turkmen products and is the gateway to some of the most striking scenery in the whole country.

Golestan is the ultimate destination for independent travel to Iran.

For more information, read my  travel guide to Golestan

Where to stay in Gonvad e-Kavus

There are very few options and your best bet will be staying in  Hotel Ajam or Couchsurfing.

How to get to Gonvad e-Kavus from Mashhad

You should take a night bus. It’s an 8-hour journey.

Day 19, 20 – Khalid Nabi

Also located in Golestan, Khalid Nabi is the most stunning site I visited in my Iran itinerary, and not for the site itself but because it is located in the most epic spot ever.

Basically, Khalid Nabi is a cemetery where a pre-Islamic prophet and his followers are buried. The prophet is buried inside a cute building, whereas all his followers are found under some penis-shaped rocks.

The bigger the penis is, the older the man when he died. If you see a cross-shaped rock, it means that the person buried is a woman.

The archaeological is not the only reason to come but the landscape is absolutely gorgeous and the area is filled with small Turkmen villages and nomadic yurt camps.

Where to stay in Khalid Nabi

If you want to experience the real Turkmen and Central Asian culture, I recommend you stay in  Tamer-e Qarah Quzi , a village 35km before from Khalid Nabi. Here, there is a homestay run by Naim and his family, a Turkmen family that will bless you with their hospitality.

Besides, Naim can also take you for some trekking and visit nomadic camps.

Highly recommended!

How to get to Khalid Nabi and Tamer-e Qarah Quzi

To go to Tamer, you have to get a local shared taxi to Kalaleh (40,000IR) and, from there, a second one to Tamer (40,000IR). Khalid Nabi is just 35km away from Tamer but the road is really bumpy so it takes around 1.5h.

A round-trip by taxi costs 400,000IR. I hitchhiked and was picked up by some Iranians from Tehran who were drinking vodka in the car. It was pretty cool.

Remember that, for more information, read my guide to Golestan province

Iran independent travel – 1-month Iran itinerary

If you have a full month, consider adding the Persian Gulf Island and the north-west to your Iran itinerary.

Map of the 30-day travel itinerary to Iran

Qeshm Island – 3 extra days from Shiraz

Note – You should come here after Shiraz.

If you wanna taste the Persian Gulf culture, I suggest you add Qeshm Island to your Iran itinerary.

The Persian Gulf culture is the traditional culture from Oman , Saudi Arabia , the United Arab Emirates and, of course, south Iran. This culture, however, is fasting disappearing in the Arab countries but, fortunately, not in Qeshm.

The inhabitants of Qeshm are Sunni Wahabis, the most conservative branch of Islam. The most surprising thing is the way local women dress, in such colorful  abayas  and wearing some strange masks. It may seem a bit intimidating but they are actually quite laid-back and you can take photos of them, no problem.

Qeshm is also famous for its geology, consisting of strange rock formations. To see this, go at sunset to Star Valley .

I also suggest you visit the  Shib Deraz and the Sea Turtle Breeding Area , Hengam Island , Laft and, of course, try the local food, which consists of spiced seafood.

You can also take a ferry to Hormuz Island , which leaves every day at 9am and 2pm. I personally didn’t go but I have been told that it is a beautiful island.

The only downside of Qeshm Island is that, for people who travel independently in Iran, the public transportation options are scarce.

For more information, read my travel guide to Qeshm Island

Where to stay in Qeshm Island

I recommend you pick one place and do day trips from there.

I personally pitched my tent in Shib Deraz beach but there are a few good options to stay around the island.

In Qeshm, there are some nice hotels and, if you want to stay somewhere remote, stay in Sar Rig Village, at Asad’s Homestay.

How to get to Qeshm Island from Shiraz

From Shiraz, you need to take a bus to Bandar Abbas (8 hours, 500km).

Once in Bandar Abbas, go to the ferry terminal. Boats leave every half an hour (150,000IR).

Masuleh – 3 extra days from Tehran

Masuleh is the most famous stepped mountain village in Iran.

However, being the most famous means that it gets a mix of different opinions and feelings.

The most voracious travelers will tell you not to go because it gets swamped with local tourists, souvenir shops, and pricey restaurants, whereas the rest will tell you that it is a lovely village and you must go.

In my opinion, both are kind of wrong. On the one hand, it is true that Masuleh gets all the attention from all the travel guides and this is because it is actually very cute and has a developed tourist infrastructure.

On the other hand, despite being very touristic, most tourists just remain in the village, without knowing that Masuleh is surrounded by some of the most awesome mountains in the country, composed of lush, green plains and remote shepherd huts, which offer amazing trekking opportunities.

I went trekking myself and didn’t bump into absolutely anyone. So yeah, I think that you should definitely come.

For more information, read my travel guide to Masuleh

Where to stay in Masuleh

I stayed in a random homestay and you can do the same because there are many but they can’t be booked online. 

If you are looking for comfort, Aram Hotel seems like a popular mid-range option.

How to get to Masuleh from Tehran

You need to first go to Fuman, which takes 4 hours from Tehran. Masuleh is 34km from Fuman and private taxis cost 300,000-400,000IR. Local shared taxis leave from a station 3km from the main bus station and they cost 100,000-150,000IR.

Additionally, if you don’t find buses to Fuman, you can also go to Rasht, which is a bigger city very close to Fuman.

Tabriz – 3 extra days from Masuleh

The city where the famous Persian carpets come from and where you find the largest covered bazaar in the world, Tabriz is a real off the beaten track city and, practically, the only visitors are overlanders coming from the Caucasus countries.

The bazaar has been listed as a UNESCO Heritage site so, if you are into bazaars, it doesn’t get much better than this.

Tabriz also has some very friendly people who haven’t been spoiled by mass tourism yet, so people are quite a highlight, as well. Don’t forget to visit the Blue Mosque , even though due to an earthquake, it still undergoing a long restoration process.

Best day trip from Tabriz: Kandovan

I also suggest you go to Kandovan , often called the little Cappadoccia, a very peculiar cave city easily reachable from Tabriz. You can book you

For this, you should first take a bus to Osku, which shouldn’t cost more than 40,000IR. Then, a taxi to Kandovan would cost 200,000IR roughly.

Where to stay in Tabriz

Budget Hotel – Ramsar Guest House – Cheap accommodation for backpackers. (online booking not available)

Mid-range Hotel – Tabriz el Goli Pars – Nothing fancy but good quality service according to its price range.

For more options: CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL THE HOTELS AVAILABLE IN TABRIZ

How to get to Tabriz from Masuleh or Tehran

If you are in Masuleh, you should go to the city of Rasht, where you may find direct buses.

If you are in Tehran, take an overnight bus because it is a very long way. They leave daily.

More resources for independent travel in Iran

📢 In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more.

Remember to always use my code – From booking a hotel to visa services, travel insurance and tours, if it is via 1stQuest , remember that you can use my 5% discount code, as many as you want, whenever you want:  ATC-QST

All guides and articles for traveling in Iran destination

• Iran Travel Guide
• Best Books about Iran
• Travel insurance for Iran
• VPN for Iran
• Solo Female Travel Guide to Iran
• Tehran Travel Guide
• Qeshm Island Travel Guide
• Travel Guide to Shiraz
• A trip to the desert of the Kaluts
• Trekking Guide to Zagros Mountains
• Meeting the Qashqai People
• Fars Province Travel Guide
• Visa Guide for Iran
• Masouleh Travel Guide
• Travel Guide to Golestan Province
• Iran-Iraq border crossing
• Is Iran Safe?
• Darband Travel Guide
• Best Hotels in Tehran

Travel Itineraries to other countries in the Middle East

• Syria Itinerary
• Saudi Arabia Itinerary
• Travel Guide to Oman
• Travel Guide to Lebanon
• Iraq Itinerary

You might also like our Pakistan Travel Guide or Azerbaijan Travel Guide .

You will also be interested in: Where in the Middle East is safe? and The most beautiful places in the Middle East .

Hello Joan, how are you? Just discovered your website today and I have to say that this is the most useful blog I have ever visited 🙂 I have a question. I have 3 weeks in Iran and besides doing the classic itinerary from Tehran to Shiraz I also want to visit one of the less visited places you recommend. I can’t decide between Kurdistan and Golestan. Which one would you go with? Thank you in advance

Hey man! That’s a very hard question to answer! It really depends on what you like. To be honest, I haven’t visited much of Kurdistan, as I just passed through on my way to Iraq and spent less than 24 hours, but I traveled in Golestan extensively and i loved it because my Turkmenistan visa was denied in the past and Golestan is the closest place in the world to Turkmenistan, as most people there are ethnically and culturally like the Central Asian country. Kurdistan is also great, but I had already visited Iraqi Kurdistan before, so I preferred spending more time in Golestan

Having spent quite a bit of time in Iran over the years, I applaud your effort in promoting travels in this lovely country with exceptionally friendly people.

I would highly recommend your blog to friends who are planning to visit and so wish this was available when I was there.

Great job and keep up with the good work. Thank you!!!!

I really miss Iran, thanks for compiling some of the best things about it and putting it out there 🙂

Hello friend very compelete useful guide which encourage me (as an iranian & travel lover) to start visiting my country again, if this COVID-19 let us. I,ve visited most of the famous places when i was a kid with my family and i think a majority of them most be re-visited since i coudnt remember as well as your descriptions BTW, we pronounce that city in Golestan as Gonbad e-Kavus (NOT GonVad) and its not the main city of Golestan altough a large one (main is Gorgan)

Hello Joan. Thank you for your blog. I see you used a drone while in Iran. I thought they were banned. Would you mind to explain how you did? Thanks Antonio

Hi Antonio, I didn’t do anything. I just entered with it.

Impressive article, enjoyed reading it. Thanks for shedding light on this topic.

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• 3 Other destinations
• 4.2.1 The last dynasty
• 4.2.2 Current issues
• 4.3 Religion
• 4.4 Climate
• 4.5 Landscape
• 4.6 Visitor information
• 5.1 Visa-free entry
• 5.2.1 Main procedures
• 5.2.2 Transit visa
• 5.2.3 Tourist visa
• 5.2.4 Business visa
• 5.2.5 eVisa
• 5.3 By plane
• 5.4.1 Turkey
• 5.4.2 Syria
• 5.4.3 Afghanistan
• 5.4.5 Pakistan
• 5.4.6 Azerbaijan
• 5.4.7 Turkmenistan
• 5.6.1 Armenia
• 5.6.2 Turkey
• 5.6.3 Pakistan
• 5.6.5 Afghanistan
• 5.6.6 Turkmenistan
• 5.7.1 From UAE
• 5.7.2 From Qatar
• 5.7.3 From Kuwait
• 6.1 By plane
• 6.3.1 By metro (subway)
• 6.4 By taxi
• 8.1 Ancient cities
• 8.2 Tombs of some famous people
• 8.3 Museums
• 8.4 Palaces
• 8.5 Squares and streets
• 8.6 Armenian churches
• 8.7 Parks and gardens
• 9.1 Desert trekking and desert excursions
• 9.2 Festivals
• 9.5 Itineraries
• 10.4 Debit card and ATM
• 10.5 Exchanging money
• 10.6 Bazaars
• 10.7 Tipping
• 10.8 Foreigner surcharges
• 10.9 Budgeting
• 11.1 Traditional cuisine
• 11.2 International cuisine
• 11.3 Fast food and snacks
• 11.4 Sweets and desserts
• 11.5 Special needs
• 15.1 Business customs
• 16.1 Perceptions of outsiders
• 16.2 Photography
• 16.4 Relationships
• 16.5 LGBT travellers
• 16.6 Iranian dual citizens
• 16.7 Emergency numbers
• 16.8.1 Earthquakes
• 16.9 Other safety issues
• 17 Stay healthy
• 18.2 Politics
• 18.3 Conduct
• 18.5 Obscene gestures
• 18.6.1 Religious site etiquette
• 18.8 Miscellaneous
• 19.1 Landline phone
• 19.2 Cell phones
• 19.4 Internet
• 19.5 Internet cafes
• 19.6 Working hours

Iran ( Persian : ایران ), formerly Persia , can be considered part of the Middle East or Central Asia ; indeed the Persian Empire was the dominant Central Asian power for many centuries.

The wellspring of one of the world's great civilizations, Iran is a country of striking natural beauty and gorgeous tiled mosques. Once the centre of a pro-Western monarchy, it became an Islamic Republic in 1979, and since then, its history has been tumultuous. Iran is a modern Islamic theocracy whose laws are based on Ja'fari Shia Islam.

Iran is a melting pot of different cultures, with Persians, Azerbaijanis, and Kurds constituting the largest ethnic groups. Shia Islam is the state religion, although there is a sizeable portion of Sunnis, as well as long-established Christian, Jewish and Zoroastrian minorities.

Regions [ edit ]

Cities [ edit ]

Nine of the most notable cities are:

• 35.696111 51.423056 1 Tehran (Persian: تهران ) – the vibrant capital and a beautiful city
• 34.8 48.516667 2 Hamedan (Persian: همدان ) – one of the oldest cities in Iran
• 32.633333 51.65 3 Isfahan (Persian: اصفهان‎ ) – a former capital with stunning architecture, great bazaar, and tree-lined boulevards. Most popular tourist destination in the country. There's a Persian saying that "Isfahan is half the world."
• 30.17 57.05 4 Kerman (Persian: کرمان ) – this south-eastern city is one of the five historical cities of Iran.
• 36.3 59.6 5 Mashad (Persian: مشهد ‎‎) – the greatest city of eastern Iran, with an important Shi'a pilgrimage site, the shrine of the Imam Reza
• 34.64 50.876389 6 Qom (Persian: قم ‎‎) – one of the holiest cities in the Middle East, considered the Jewel of Iran
• 29.616667 52.533333 7 Shiraz (Persian: شیراز ) – a former capital, home of famous Persian poets such as Hafiz and Sa'di; known for gardens, especially roses. Very close to the famous ruins of Persepolis.
• 38.066667 46.3 8 Tabriz (Persian: تبریز ) – a former capital with a great historical bazaar, now a provincial capital in western Iran; it's been suggested that this is the site of the Biblical "Garden of Eden"
• 31.897222 54.367778 9 Yazd (Persian: یزد‎‎ ) – a remote desert city – circumstance influenced special architectural themes where water streams run in underground rooms in houses and wind-towers to keep them cool, and the main center for the Iranian Zoroastrians.

Other destinations [ edit ]

• 36.444722 50.586389 1 Alamut (Persian: الموت‎‎ ), near Qazvin – castle of the legendary Assassins.
• 36.049167 51.417222 2 Dizin (Persian: دیزین ) – one of the highest ski resorts in the world, two hours north of Tehran . Great powder snow, cheap prices and few international visitors makes this a great place for a ski holiday.
• 26.533333 53.966667 3 Kish Island (Persian: کیش‎‎ ) – a free trade zone in the Persian Gulf, it is regarded as a consumer's 'paradise', with numerous malls, shopping centres, tourist attractions, and resort hotels. There is also Iran's first marina on the east side of the island.
• 26.695278 55.618333 4 Qeshm Island (Persian: قشم ) – Iran's largest and the Persian Gulf's largest island. Qeshm island is famous for its wide range of ecotourist attractions such as the Hara marine forests. According to environmentalists, about 1.5% of the world birds and 25% of Iran's native birds annually migrate to Hara forests which is the first national geo park.
• 30.2 53.179444 5 Pasargad (Persian: پاسارگاد ) – the first capital of the Achaemenid Empire, and home to the tomb of Cyrus the Great.
• 29.934444 52.891389 6 Persepolis – impressive ruins of a vast city-like complex built over 2,500 years ago, near the modern city of Shiraz. It was set on fire by Alexander the Great and further ruined by Arab invaders. Called TakhteJamshid in Persian, Persepolis is the symbol of Iranian nationality.
• 32.190556 48.257778 7 Susa (or Shush) (Persian: شوش‎‎ ) – 200 km north of Ahvaz, was Iran's most ancient city. The Ziggurat of Chughazanbil, Darius the Great's palace, the Jewish prophet Daniel's temple and Artaxerxes II's palace are among the historical sites.

Understand [ edit ]

People [ edit ].

Humans have inhabited the area that makes up modern Iran since the Stone Age. There are paintings in Dusheh cave that date back to 15,000 BC.

The ancient Persians arrived about 1500 BC, one branch of the great movement of people that also brought northern India and most of Europe their modern populations. The name Iran is from the same root as "Aryan" which, until Hitler perverted it, was just an ancient name for those arriving peoples. Persian (natively known as Farsi) is an Indo-European language; ancient Persian was related to Sanskrit, ancient Greek, and all the others in that family. Persians are ethnically and linguistically unrelated to their neighbours on the west, the Arabs and Turks, but are related to various groups to the east and north.

Iran has many people other than ethnic Persians; there are substantial minorities with their own languages, Minorities with Indo-European languages related to Persian include Kurds in parts of the west and northwest, Baluchis in parts of the southeast, and Armenians in the north and in Isfahan where one of the Shahs transported them a few centuries back. Minorities with Turkic languages include the Azeris who make up much of the population of Iranian Azerbaijan in the northwest and the Qashqai, a nomadic people in the region around Shiraz . There are also Arabs, who are mostly concentrated Khuzestan province , Assyrians and, last but not least, Jews, who have been living in Iran peacefully for centuries. Despite being a minority, Iran's Azeri population is larger than that of independent Azerbaijan .

There are also two substantial communities of people of Iranian descent in India and Pakistan - Parsis who have been there for over 1,000 years, and Iranis who arrived in the 19th and 20th centuries - both Zoroastrians who fled religious persecution in Iran.

History [ edit ]

Persia has always exerted a large cultural influence on its neighbors, especially Afghanistan , the Caucasus and Central Asia . Persian influence can be seen in the art, architecture and languages of these areas, and in the Indian Subcontinent .

The Persian Empire existed over most of the time period from about 500 BCE until the revolution of 1979, but its fortunes varied enormously over the centuries. During the Achaemenid Empire, Persia controlled most of what we now call the Middle East , and after Cyrus the Great's conquest of Ionia, Persia came close to conquering Greece in the Greco-Persian Wars of 499-449 BC. In the 330s BCE, Alexander the Great conquered (among other places) the entire Persian Empire.

Sassanid rule from 205 AD to 651 AD is considered to be the most influential period of ancient Persia. In 651 AD, immediately after the death of Muhammad, the brutal conquest of Persia by the Arabs brought an end to the Sasanian Empire. Persian and other languages of the region are still written with the Arabic alphabet. In 1221 AD, Persia was overrun by Genghis Khan and the Mongols . Marco Polo passed through later in that century, learned Persian, and wrote extensively of the region. Tamerlane conquered Persia in 1383, and after a revolt in 1387, killed hundreds of thousands of people and built a tower with their skulls.

The Safavid dynasty re-united Persia as an independent state in 1501, established Shi'a Islam as the official religion, and ushered in a golden age of Persian culture. The dynasty was overthrown in 1736 by Nader Shah, the last great Asian conqueror, who expanded the empire to again include Afghanistan and much of India. His short-lived dynasty and its successor, the Zand dynasty, lasted until 1795.

The Qajar dynasty ruled from 1795-1925. While many of the historic buildings in Iran are from this period, this era is considered to be one of decline for Iran, as the rulers were more interested in building their collections of art and jewels and succumbed to heavy pressure from foreign powers, notably the United Kingdom and Russia, which jointly occupied Iran during World War I. In 1906, Qajar rule became a constitutional monarchy and the Majlis (Persian for parliament) was established.

The last dynasty [ edit ]

In 1925, a military coup by Reza Shah established a new "Pahlavi" dynasty, named for the most ancient Persian dynasty around 500 BC. His rule was quite nationalistic; he changed the country's name from Persia to Iran, and built a strong military. He was also quite authoritarian; he built a powerful secret police and a propaganda apparatus, and did not hesitate to crush dissent. He also made considerable efforts toward modernization, and came into conflict with conservatives over some of it.

When World War II came, he refused Allied demands for guarantees that Iran would resist if German forces got that far. Iran was then invaded by British Indian forces from the south and the Soviets from the north, and a railway was built (largely by US Army engineers) to bring supplies from the Persian Gulf across Iran to the beleaguered Soviet Union. Reza Shah went off to exile in South Africa, abdicating on the steps of the aircraft in favour of his son.

The son, Mohammad Reza Shah, continued his father's nationalistic, authoritarian and modernising tendencies. As the Iranian ruler he couldn't choose Britain or the Soviet Union as allies. Being pro-German had not worked out well for his father and France wasn't strong enough at the time. That left the Americans, and he became one of America's most important allies in the region, seen as a "bulwark against Communism", a constitutional king, in some ways a progressive ruler — modernising, sometimes comparing himself to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk who led Turkey's modernisation — and a protector of US and other Western interests. He was one of very few Middle Eastern rulers to extend diplomatic recognition to Israel and helped prevent Iranian nationalisation of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company. On the other hand, he was quite capable of putting Iranian interests before Western ones, as when he was one of the key players in creating OPEC.

While in some ways progressive, the Shah was also very much a traditional monarch. When the Soviets left Northwestern Iran after the war, they left behind something that claimed to be an independent socialist government of Azerbaijan. The first major conflict of the Cold War came as the Shah, advised by the CIA, brought in troops who crushed that government and the Communist Party ( Tudeh in Farsi). Throughout his reign, his Savak secret police stomped hard on any opposition. His regime was also massively corrupt, with cronyism being widespread among ruling elites when much of the country was very poor. On the other hand, he did invest in infrastructure and initiate social welfare projects, including a program that sent new university graduates into the countryside as teachers.

In theory, Iran under the Shah was a constitutional monarchy. Mohammed Mosaddeq was elected Prime Minister in 1951 and instituted reforms that included nationalizing the oil companies and a land reform program, and also limited the power of the Shah as part of a constitutional monarchy. He was overthrown in a 1953 coup backed by the CIA, the British (who had large oil interests at stake), and the Shah. The Shah and the new Prime Minister reversed the oil nationalization, but continued with the land reform program. However, as well as giving land to the peasants, it worked out that the Shah's family and others with connections got a lot. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini went into exile at this time because of his objections to land reform taking land from the mosques. In 1971, the Shah organised an expensive celebration of the 2,500th anniversary of the Persian Empire at Persepolis . The extravagant party resulted in harsh criticism and his popularity ratings never recovered.

In 1979, the Shah was overthrown and went into exile, dying a year later. The revolution involved many groups - Mosaddeq-style secular reformers, the tudeh communists, and various Islamic factions - but came to be led and dominated by a conservative Islamic faction under Ayatollah Khomeini. Partly in reaction to the Shah's policies and partly as rejection of non-Islamic influences, they were also strongly anti-Western and in particular anti-American.

Religious conservatives subsequently crushed Europeanization and also any liberal or left-wing influences. Iranian student protesters seized the US Embassy in Tehran on 4 November 1979 and held hostages for 444 days - until 20 January 1981. Noticing the upheaval in Iran, Saddam Hussein seized Iranian oil fields in the south of the country and from 1980 to 1988, Iran fought a bloody, indecisive war with Iraq and in the end, the borders were turned back to their pre-war locations.

Current issues [ edit ]

Key current issues affecting the country include the pace of accepting outside modernising influences and reconciliation between clerical control of the regime and popular government participation and widespread demands for reform. Inflation and unemployment (particularly among youth) are major economic challenges.

Relations between Iran and the rest of the world, particularly Western countries, improved considerably with the 2015 nuclear agreement, which started a gradual lift of economical sanctions against the country. The United States pulled out of the nuclear agreement and proceeded to impose more punitive sanctions on Iran after a new president came to power in 2017, and relations between the two have deteriorated rapidly since then, with both countries often threatening to go to war with each other. This has certain consequences for visitors to both countries (see #Get in ).

Relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia have also drastically deteriorated: the two countries are on opposite sides of the war in Yemen , and they support different factions in Iraq , Syria , Lebanon and Palestine . Nevertheless, there has been a thaw in relations in the early 2020s, and both countries agreed to restore diplomatic relations and reopen their embassies in a deal brokered by China in 2023.

All Iranian presidents since 1979 as well as both "spiritual leaders", Khomeini and Khamenei, have engaged in anti- Israel rhetoric (often refusing even to use the word "Israel", instead calling it the "Zionist state"), though there continues to exist an Iranian Jewish community that is guaranteed representation in parliament. Perhaps the case most noticed in the west was when President Ahmadinejad was translated (among other sources on his own English language website) as calling for Israel to be "wiped off the map" garnering notable controversy and allegations of mistranslation. However, as Ahmadinejad himself pointed out, he was only paraphrasing a statement often made by Khomeini and Khamenei in various forms which is nigh-consensus among the highest echelons of the Iranian political and religious elite.

Sex segregation in Iran is practiced severely. After revolution, sex segregation was increased and it was embraced in different ways during different decades. As a general rule, individuals from opposite sexes and bachelors can not walk or talk with each other except inside family groups. In the early years after the revolution, public places like cinemas, restaurants, beaches — basically, anyplace other than shrines, mosques and other holy places — were segregated by sex. In succeeding decades, some places were no longer segregated by sex, but some female-only places were established, such as women's parks, beauty salons, female schools and female-only universities. As of 2020, many places are still sex segregated, such as transport vehicles (inter-city buses, inner-city buses, subways, trains, etc.). People from opposite sexes are not allowed to shake hands and men are not allowed to touch women, which is said to be for the sake of women's safety. Exceptions exist especially in regard to non-Muslim tourists.

Religion [ edit ]

The main divisions of Islam are Shi'a and Sunni. The split goes back to a time just after the Prophet's death; would the movement be controlled by some of his leading followers (Sunni), in particular his father-in-law Abu Bakr, or by his family, in particular by his son-in-law Ali? (Shi'a comes from Shīʻatu ʻAlī , i.e. the faction/party of Ali). There was a long, complex and bloody struggle over this. Today, Iran is one of a few countries that are predominantly Shi'a, and the only one where Shi'a Islam is the official religion. The Iranian government supports the Shi'a Hezbollah movement among others, and is therefore accused by America of fomenting terrorism.

One of the major events of Shi'a religious life is the Day of Ashura on the 10th of the month of Moharram; "ashura" means "10th". It commemorates the death of Ali's son Hussein at the Battle of Karbala in 61 AH (680 AD). This is not a joyful celebration, but a very sober day of atonement. Travellers should not play music or act remarkably cheerful in public at this time.

Traditional activities include parades in which people do 'matham' — chest-beating, self-flagellation, sometimes even hitting oneself with a sword — which is a way of remembering Imam Hussein who was martyred along with his half brother, cousins, friends, and two young sons. Dramatic re-enactments of the battle are also sometimes done.

While Shi'a Islam is without a doubt the dominant religion in Iran, there are several religious minorities. Sunni Islam in Iran is mainly practiced by ethnic minorities such as the Arabs, Kurds, Baluchis, and Turkmens. Non-Islamic faiths also exist in smaller numbers, the most notable being Zoroastrianism , Christianity, and Judaism , all three of which are recognized as minority religions by the Iranian constitution, and guaranteed representation in parliament. Despite Iran being an Islamic republic, fire temples, churches, and synagogues continue to operate legally in the country. Most Iranian Christians follow Oriental Orthodoxy or the Assyrian Church of the East , and are of Armenian and Assyrian ethnicity respectively. Iran has had a Jewish community since Biblical times, but the vast majority of Iranian Jews fled to Israel following the Islamic Revolution, and only a small community remains in Iran today. Nevertheless, the remaining Jewish community in Iran is the largest one in the Middle East outside Israel, and the largest one in a Muslim-majority country. While there are also a significant number of Baha'is in Iran, they are not recognized by the constitution and are instead branded as heretics of Islam, meaning that they continue to be persecuted to this day in spite of being Iran's numerically largest non-Muslim religion. One unique practice among Iranian men and women is the encounter of wedleases (temporary marriages) which locally are known as mut'ah.

Climate [ edit ]

Iran has a diverse climate. In the northwest, winters are cold with heavy snowfall and subzero temperatures during December and January. Spring and fall are relatively mild, while summers are dry and hot. In the south, winters are mild and the summers are very hot, having average daily temperatures in July exceeding 38° C (100° F) and can hit 50° C in parts of the desert. On the Khuzestan plain, summer heat is accompanied by high humidity.

In general, Iran has an arid climate in which most of the relatively scant annual precipitation falls from October to April. In most of the country, yearly precipitation averages 25 cm or less. The major exceptions are the higher mountain valleys of the Zagros and the Caspian coastal plain, where precipitation averages at least 50 cm annually. In the western part of the Caspian, rainfall exceeds 100 cm annually and is distributed relatively evenly throughout the year.

Landscape [ edit ]

Rugged, mountainous rim; high, central basin with deserts, mountains; small, discontinuous plains along both coasts with humid unique jungles by Caspian sea. The highest point is Mount Damavand (5,610 m).

Desert: two great deserts extend over much of central Iran: the Dasht-e Lut is covered largely with sand and rocks, and the Dasht-e Kavir is covered mainly with salt. Both deserts are inhospitable and virtually uninhabited.

Mountain: the Zagros range stretches from the border with the Republic of Armenia in the north-west to the Persian Gulf, and then eastward into Baluchistan. Zagros is extremely hard, difficult to access, and populated largely by pastoral nomads. The Alborz mountain range, narrower than the Zagros, runs along the southern shore of the Caspian to meet the border ranges of Khorasan to the east.

Forest: approximately 11% of Iran is forested, most extensively in the Caspian region, and is densely populated. Here one finds the broad-leafed, vigorous deciduous trees, usually oak, beech, linden, elm, walnut, ash, and hornbeam, as well as a few broad-leafed evergreens. Thorny shrubs and fern also abound. The narrow Caspian coastal plain, in contrast, is covered with rich brown forest soil.

Visitor information [ edit ]

• Visit Iran website

Get in [ edit ]

Dual citizens of Iran and a second country may only enter Iran on their Iranian passport, as the country does not normally recognize dual citizenships.

Your bags probably will not be searched for salacious material , but if any is found, it will be confiscated and will complicate your arrival. Don't try to bring in any magazines or books that might offend strict Islamic sensibilities or criticise the government.

Visa-free entry [ edit ]

Citizens of the following countries do not need a visa to visit Iran provided their stay does not exceed a certain number of days:

• 90 days: Armenia , Oman , Syria , Turkey
• 45 days: Georgia
• 30 days: Bolivia , Lebanon , Iraq
• 21 days: China (mainland), Hong Kong , Macau
• 20 days: Egypt
• 15 days: Malaysia , Venezuela
• 14 days: Azerbaijan , Kazakhstan

In addition, citizens of Bahrain , Belarus , Bosnia and Herzegovina , Brazil , Brunei , Cambodia , Croatia , Cuba , India (for entry by air only), Indonesia , Japan , Kuwait , Kyrgyzstan , Mauritania , Mauritius , Mexico , Peru , Qatar , Saudi Arabia , Serbia , Seychelles , Singapore , Tanzania , Tunisia , the United Arab Emirates , Uzbekistan , Vietnam and Zimbabwe may visit Iran without a visa for up to 15 days, but are limited to a maximum of one visit every six months.

Citizens of Russia may visit Iran without a visa for up to 15 days provided they join an approved group tour, with a minimum group size of 5, and a maximum group size of 50.

Everyone else needs to apply for a visa from an Iranian diplomatic mission.

Visa [ edit ]

Normally, all tourist visas issued by Iranian consulates have a "3-month" validity. The visa allows you to stay in Iran for up to 30 days (sometimes you can get the tourist visa up to 90 days), although the duration of your visa is at the discretion of the MFA. All tourist visas will be issued as a single entry, unless you request the approval from Tehran. Tourist visas must be used within 14 days from issue, but the maximum duration of your stay is still 30 days.

Rarely, you may be asked to provide a letter from your employer or proof of funds. Visas are generally valid for three months, so you must enter Iran within three months of issue.

Depending on your nationality, issuing a visa may take 30 days or more.

Citizens of the USA, UK, Canada, Somalia, Bangladesh, Jordan, Afghanistan and Pakistan must have their visa stamped in their passport in advance of their arrival in Iran.

As a notable exception, nationals of all countries are allowed to travel to the free economic zones of Kish, Qeshm and Chabahar without a visa for stays of 14 days or less. Kish and Qeshm are easily accessible from Dubai . See the Kish Island article for details.

Main procedures [ edit ]

The Iran tourist visa is issued for up to 30 days and is extendable. It must be obtained before travelling to Iran and valid to enter for 90 days from the issue date. Approved Iranian travel agents can apply and get visas for all foreign nationals (except Israeli and Afghanistan passport holders).

To apply and get your visa you must contact an approved Iranian travel agent, or go to an Iranian consulate. After receiving your personal data, they apply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Your visa will then be authorised by the MFA and faxed to the Iranian consulate near you. Your travel agent gives you a visa authorisation number with which you can refer to the consulate to get your visa. The visa authorisation number, however, is valid only in the consulate you have asked them your visa to be issued in. The number they give you is just an "authorisation". This reference number means that your visa has been authorised and approved by the MFA but is not the visa. However, there is a new rule for getting an Iran visa. After applying for e-visa and receiving the authorization code online, you are going to have two options while receiving your visa in embassies or other places of visa issue. If you need an urgent visa, one-day visa applications are available for an extra 50% fee. It means if the visa fee costs you 50 Euro, you should pay 75 Euro to collect it there. Otherwise wait 4 to 7 Iranian business days, (Saturday to Wednesday) to receive your visa.

Depending on your nationality, you may be required to present at the Iranian consulate in your country to have your fingerprints taken. British and American passport holders will be fingerprinted upon arrival.

After your travel agent tells you your visa authorisation number you should first get a visa application from the consulate and follow the requirements of the application form (you may either personally go to the consulate to get the application forms or, if the service available, download it from the web site of the Iranian embassy in your country). Then, you should refer to the consulate to lodge your passports and application forms with the visa number they gave you (it can be either a physical presence or by post). Then it might take from 1-5 days for the consulate to issue your visa.

You may also need to provide a letter of recommendation from your embassy if you are applying outside your home country, a photocopy of your air tickets in and out of Iran and any student or press card.

There are several types of visa: Entry, Transit, Business, Tourist and Journalist. Fee varies according to nationality of applicant, type of visa and the existing regulation between countries.

A visa cannot be issued for passports which have a validity of less than 6 months. Exit permits required by all (often included with visa).

Transit visa [ edit ]

Transit visas have a maximum of 10 days.

Transit visas are usually easier to get than tourist visas (usually for one or two weeks) and very useful for people travelling between Europe and South Asia. Various travel agents inside Iran help you obtain visas, often through their home pages.

You can get an extension for your transit visa usually valid for five or ten days, inside Iran easily but once for the same number of days as the original visa.

For foreign drivers carrying cargo to Iran or other countries, it's necessary to co-ordinate in advance with the diplomatic missions of Iran.

Tourist visa [ edit ]

Tourist visas require a passport, an application form, four passport-sized photos, and a special authorisation in the form of a reference number issued by the Foreign Ministry in Tehran.

Extending a tourist visa is very easy and can be done in most cities. Some travel guides say not to do this in Tehran as it is very time consuming. This is no longer the case and the process of extending a visa in Tehran can be done in just 1 hour (including tea offerings and being the object of curiosity in the office). Extending a visa a second time requires the passport to be sent to a department in Tehran (no matter where you extend your visa from) and thus takes longer time than doing this the first time. The tourist visa can be extended once or twice at most, each time you can get 15 days more. The price of extending a visa is fixed rate 300,000 rial.

To extend your visa in Tehran, the first or second time, you should go to the Passport and Immigration office situated on Parvin Street, at the crossing with 150 East Street and 123 Khovat Street, very close to Tehranpars metro station. Here is the OSM link: http://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=35.72822&mlon=51.53174#map=17/35.72822/51.53174&layers=N

Although it has become easier to get a tourist visa, whether the process takes one day or one month depends largely on your nationality and the staff of the embassy you are applying to. Your best bet is to apply to the Iranian embassy in your own country at least three months before your departure, but it is possible to obtain one while travelling in other countries, with varying degrees of difficulty. Women need to make sure they are wearing the hijab or a head scarf in their submitted passport-sized photos.

Business visa [ edit ]

Business visas require a passport, an application form, 4 passport-sized photos, a special authorisation in the form of a reference number issued by the Foreign Ministry in Tehran, and a business letter. Business visas are extendable once, sometimes twice up to two weeks each without difficulty. One extension of one month may also be possible in some cases.

Visitors from the Persian Gulf States need no visa to enter Iran. These states are: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. People from Macedonia and Turkey can get a three-month tourist visa on arrival. People from Japan can get a three-month tourist visa at an Iranian embassy with no difficulty.

Places known to extend visas happily in Iran are Tehran, Mashhad, Tabriz, Esfahan, Shiraz, Kerman and Zahedan. The extension process is normally handled at provincial police headquarters.

eVisa [ edit ]

Citizens of most nationalities can get an eVisa , but you will have specify which airport you will be landing at as part of the application. You may not enter Iran through an entry point other than the one specified in your visa application. Processing usually takes about 2 days, though you may be asked to attend an interview at the nearest Iranian consulate should the authorities suspect something. The previous visa-on-arrival scheme has been scrapped. Citizens of Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States are not eligible for an eVisa.

By plane [ edit ]

All international flights to Tehran land at the new 35.416111 51.152222 1 Imam Khomeini International Airport ( IKA  IATA ) based 37 km southwest of Tehran. Pilgrimage flights to Saudi Arabia still fly from Mehrabad airport. There are 70 smaller regional airports, for example those in Shiraz , Mashhad , and Isfahan , and these have daily flights to many international destinations.

Dubai has scheduled flights to many Iranian cities, including Tehran , Shiraz , Isfahan , Kerman , Lar , Mashhad , Tabriz , Kish Island , Bandar Abbas , Bushher, Zahedan , Kermanshah , Chah Bahar and is therefore worth considering travelling to Iran from. Flights are operated by Iran Air, Emirates (for Tehran), Iran Aseman Airlines, Mahan Air and other Iranian companies. Fares are relatively cheap on Iranian carriers, ranging from US$100-250 for a return trip depending on your destination and time of booking.

Iran Air and Mahan Air connect Tehran with some of the major European cities as well as destinations in Asia and Middle East. European companies landing in Tehran include Lufthansa, KLM, Turkish Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Aeroflot and Middle-Eastern airlines: Saudi Arabian Airlines, Emirates, and Etihad. There are also frequent flights to Armenia's capital of Yerevan . So finding a flight to Iran should not be hard.

Qatar airlines offers several flights to Iran and provides non-stop service to Doha from to many US cities.

Low-cost carriers (LCC) also operate flights to Tehran or other cities in Iran.

• Pegasus Airlines has flights to Tehran via Istanbul .
• Air Arabia has flights to Tehran , Mashhad and Shiraz via Sharjah .
• Jazeera Airways has flights to Mashhad via Kuwait .
• Turkish Airlines has flights to Tehran , Kermanshah , Tabriz , Mashhad , Isfahan and Shiraz via Istanbul .
• Air Asia has flights to Tehran from Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok .

If you are not staying in Tehran and planning to get to any city other than Tehran upon your arrival, you would have to change airports, from Imam Khomeini to Mehrabad, 40 km away, to get to your domestic flight. Allow at least 3-4 hr between the flights. If going to Mashhad, you may be able to avoid the plane change in Iran using Turkish Airlines, Gulf Air, Kuwait Airways, Jazeera Airways, or Qatar Airways. If going to Shiraz, several flights from Persian Gulf States are available. For Tabriz, you can try travelling via Istanbul on Turkish Airlines or via Baku on Iran Air.

Sanctions have prevented airlines from buying new planes and the fleets of all airlines are mostly old.

Due to sanctions there are no direct flights from Canada or the United States, but you could travel via either Europe or Persian Gulf States. Non-stop flights from Dubai via JFK, IAD, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston or Toronto are good bets. Visitors from Australia or New Zealand can consider travelling via Dubai or Abu Dhabi , or can use a combination of Iran Air and Malaysian Airlines to get from any major city in Australia to Tehran, via Kuala Lumpur .

There are weekly flights from Sulamaniya in Iraqi Kurdistan to Sanandaj and from Arbil to Urmia .

From Damascus in Syria there are charter flights to Tabriz , Tehran , Yazd , Isfahan , Mashhad . There are agencies in Seyyedeh-Zeinab district (a popular place with Iranian pilgrimages) that can sell you empty seats of these charter flights for less than US$100. Please refer to the article on Syria for information about safety and service disruptions.

By train [ edit ]

Turkey [ edit ].

A train runs once a week between Van, Tabriz and Tehran. Eastbound this leaves Van Tuesday 21:00, with lengthy stops at the border, to reach Tabriz by 05:15 Wednesday and Tehran for 18:20. To connect with this service by rail from Istanbul you'll need to set off on Saturday. Take the frequent fast YHT train to Ankara and stay overnight. From there, a train leaves around 11:00 Sunday (also Tuesday) taking 25 hours to reach Tatvan. An occasional ferry takes four hours to cross the lake to Van, or frequent dolmuses wind around by road; overnight in either Tatvan or Van. Then head onward Tuesday night to Tabriz and Tehran. So reckon four days; and they wonder why people prefer to fly.

Westbound is similarly laborious. Take the train from Tehran at 09:30 Monday, reaching Tabriz at 22:30 and Van at 08:00 Tuesday. As you arrive there, the onward train to Ankara is just departing from Tatvan on the other side of the lake. So either stay in the area for the Thursday departure (arriving Ankara by 08:00 Friday, and you'll reach Istanbul that afternoon) or lose patience and take a bus from Van.

Syria [ edit ]

All trains between Iran and Syria are suspended indefinitely. See also the article on Syria .

Afghanistan [ edit ]

• The Mashad - Herat railway which is under construction is completed until the city of Khaf near the Afghanistan border. The cheap daily service from Tehran to Khaf is about US$5.

Iraq [ edit ]

• The Khorramshar - Basra railway will connect Iranian railways to Iraq . There will be special train routes for Iranians going as pilgrims to Najaf and Karbala . There is another project that will be completed later going through Kermanshah to Khanaqin in Iraq.

Pakistan [ edit ]

• The Quetta-Zahedan line connects Pakistan and Iran by rail. A train leaves every 1st and 15th of each month from Quetta and the journey takes 11 hr and costs about €8. In opposite direction the train leaves every 3rd and 17th of each month from Zahedan.

There is no passenger service on the Bam-Zahedan link, so you have to take a bus or taxi.

The Quetta-Zahedan link was also suspended around 2014 for passengers. Local media reported that reinstatement was due as of September 2018 but no train on this route appears on timetables from Pakistan or Iran, and there are no reports of passengers crossing - it would be unwise to rely on such a service existing for now.

Azerbaijan [ edit ]

• The Nakhchivan-Tabriz service connects Nakhchivan (city) with Tabriz and crosses from the Jolfa border. Train continues until Mashdad and goes trough Tehran . The route used to be a part of Tehran-Moscow railway line which is closed due to Azerbaijan-Armenia conflicts.
• There is a railway from Baku to the border city of Astara . From there you can walk through the border to Iran. The railway is going to be joined to Tehran via Rasht and Qazvin .

Turkmenistan [ edit ]

• There is a daily service between Mashad and Sarakhs border every day. The train does not go further because of the gauge changes. At the other side of the border there is train to Merv and Ashgabat .
• A railway from Gorgan has been built up to the Inche Borun border which will continue to Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan .

By car [ edit ]

Iran has border crossings with all its neighboring countries. Many people drive a car to Iran via Turkey.

This requires a Carnet de Passage unless you wish to pay import duty. A carnet can be acquired from your local drivers association (such as the RAC in the UK). An international driver's license is highly recommended, with a translation into Persian very beneficial. There are also some car rental agencies in Iran that take online bookings.

By bus [ edit ]

Armenia [ edit ].

From Armenia there are daily, modern buses from Yerevan to Tabriz and even further to Tehran . Tickets can be bought around Republic square in Yerevan, check Tigran Mets Street for signs in Persian. Tatev Travel on Nalbandyan also sells the tickets - 12,000 Armenian dram to Tabriz or 15,000 dram to Tehran.

The only Iran/Armenia land border at Nuduz/Agarak is poorly served by public transport. On the Armenian side you can get as far as Meghri by one marshrutka a day from Yerevan . In both directions the Marshrutka leaves quiet early in the morning. From Meghri it is around 8 km to the border and hitching or a taxi is the only option. On the Iranian side the closest public transport can be found around 50 km to the west in Jolfa , so a taxi for around US$10-15 is the again only commercial choice. Expect to be asked a lot for all taxi rides, so hard bargaining is essential. Make clear, or at least pretending that you have other choices may assist you to get fairer prices.

The border is not busy at all, so when hitching you have to mainly stick with the truck drivers and Russian or Persian helps a lot here. Consider for yourself whether this is a safe option.

You can find Seir-o-Safar agencies in Istanbul , Antalya and Ankara to buy cheap bus tickets for Tehran . A one-way ticket between Istanbul or Ankara and Tehran costs US$35.

• Dogubeyazit / Bazergan This Turkey/Iran border crossing is easily (and fast) done by public transport. Take a bus to Dogubeyazit and a frequent minibus (~5 Turkish lira , 15 min) to the border. Cross the border stretch per pedes, take the customs taxi (give the driver some 1,000 rials bakschis) to the next village and take a taxi (US$3-4) to the bus terminal in Bazergan . There could also be buses to Bazergan, but the taxi drivers approaching you at the border are not the right people to ask for that. From there you can easily get buses to major destinations in Iran. Check the security situation in the region, due to the unsolved Kurdish conflict. Make sure you get a clear idea about exchange rates if you want to change Turkish lira or rials as the official bank at the border does not exchange these currencies and you have to deal with the plentiful black market.
• There are also buses from Van to Urmia crossing from the Esendere-Sero border. The buses cost €13 and takes more than 6 hr to finish the 300-km route because of poor roads on the Turkish side and the many checkpoints on the Turkish side (more than 5) because of the Kurdish (PKK) insurrection.
• You can also take mini buses to the town of Yüksekova near the border and ask for taxis to bring you to the border. Cross the border check point on your own since the taxis won't cross into Iran.

You can also (depending on the political situation) enter from Pakistan via the border crossing between Taftan (on the Pakistani side) and Zahedan (on the Iranian side) as long as you have a valid visa for Iran. You can not get a visa on the border. Overnight buses leave from Quetta arriving in Taftan in the early morning, from there you can either hire a taxi to the border or walk a couple of kilometres. Once across the border (which can take some time on the Iranian side, you need to organise transport to Zahedan (the local town) where buses depart for destinations in Eastern Iran such as Bam , Kerman and Yazd . See the Istanbul to New Delhi over land 3.9 Iran-Pakistan border, for more details on the crossing.

You must be met by police on arrival in Quetta, who will arrange for you to apply for permit to travel through the region and escort you to purchase a bus ticket.

There are daily buses from Arbil to Urmia , also there are daily buses from Sanandaj and Kermanshah to Sulaymaniyah. From Tehran , there are also buses to Sulaymaniyah and Arbil.

There are daily buses between Herat and Mashad . The buses go through Dogharoun border. The road has been built by Iran and is reported safe.

A bus service also runs between Ashgabat and Mashhad .

By boat [ edit ]

It is not possible to get a Visa on Arrival if arriving by boat. Therefore if you wish to enter Iran by this method you must get a visa in advance.

There are some scheduled services from Baku to Bandar Anzali on the Caspian Sea and from cities on the Persian Gulf to cities on the Iranian coast. They are usually of low quality.

From UAE [ edit ]

High quality semi-luxurious ferry service is available between Kish Island and Abu Dhabi and Dubai. This service costs US$50, and the journey across one of the busiest stretches of water is sure to entertain. You should confirm what the Customs and Entry Visa process is like using this service however as the boats do not enter via the airport. While the entry/exit process at the airport is fairly well established, it is unknown if the process is as well managed when entering via the docks. It is likely to be more chaotic and visas may not be issued on the spot as is the case at the airport.

There are ferries from Dubai and Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates to Bandar Abbas .

From Qatar [ edit ]

From Qatar to Bushehr .

From Kuwait [ edit ]

Ferries from Kuwait are operated by Valfajr Shipping Company [dead link] . Rates depend on your exact journey, but as of June 2011, Bandar Abbas-Sharjah (UAE) was sold for 795,000 rials (about US$80). Boats run twice a week (Monday & Wednesday), departing Bandar Abbas around 20:00. Tickets can be bought from one of the agencies listed on the website. Expect to be the only non-Iranian on board. Plan loosely around the boat trip, as schedules are not strictly enforced.

Get around [ edit ]

Iranian transport is of high quality, and is very affordable. There are few places the very cheap buses don't travel to, the train network is limited but comfortable and reasonably priced and travel by air is not expensive. The ticket prices are always fixed and you don't have benefits of early bookings.

However, train stations and bus terminals are often located on the outskirts of their cities. As an extreme example, Shiraz Station is located farther away from the city center than Shiraz International Airport. Since city transport is notably underdeveloped, the cost of an intercity trip could mostly consist of taxi fares.

For anyone on a tight deadline, affordable domestic air services are a blessing. The major national carrier Iran Air , and its semi-private competitors such as Iran Aseman Airlines - Aseman meaning "sky" in Persian, Mahan Air and Kish Air link Tehran with most regional capitals and offer inter-regional flights for no more than US$60.

Their services are frequent, reliable and are definitely worth considering to skip the large distances within Iran. Planes may be old as American sanctions have restricted the airlines' ability to renew fleets, and maintenance and safety procedures are sometimes well below western standards, but flying remains the safest way to get around Iran, given the huge death toll on the roads.

Tickets can be bought at airports or travel agents dotted through the most major cities. Book early during the summer months of August and September since finding seats at short notice is virtually impossible. It is possible to pay extra to get onto a booked flight by bribing someone or paying them to take their seat on the plane. Some flights will auction off the last few seats to the highest bidder. For westerners, the conversion makes it easy to outbid everyone.

You can also find domestic tickets in some Iran Air offices abroad, such as in Dubai. Expect to pay a little more due to the exchange rate applied. Domestic tickets for other companies must be bought inside Iran.

If you are from a "western" country, some agencies are reluctant to let you book a domestic flight.

The Iranian domestic bus network is extensive and thanks to the low cost of fuel, very cheap . In fact the only drawback is speed: the government has limited buses to 80 km/h to combat lead-footed bus drivers so long haul trips such as Shiraz to Mashhad can take up to 20 hours.

There is little difference between the various bus companies, and most offer two classes : 'lux' or 'Mercedes' (2nd class) and 'super' or 'Volvo' (1st class). First class buses are air-conditioned and you will be provided with a small snack during your trip, while second class services are more frequent. Given the affordability of first class tickets (for example 70,000 rials from Esfehan to Shiraz), there's little financial incentive to choose the second class services, especially in summer.

Buses start (and usually end) their journeys at sprawling bus stations, called "terminal" (ترمینال) in Persian. On important routes such as Tehran–Esfahan they don't stop along the route except at toll booths and rest areas. This probably shouldn't discourage you from leaving a bus before its destination because most travellers would take a taxi from the terminal anyway.

You can buy tickets from the bus terminals or ticket offices up to a week in advance, but you shouldn't have a problem finding a seat if you turn up to the terminal an hour or so before your intended departure time.

Most cities operate comprehensive local bus services , but given the low cost of taxis and the difficulties of reading Persian-language signs (which, unlike road signs, do not have English counterparts) and route numbers, they are of little use to the casual travellers. If you're cash strapped and brave enough to try, however, remember that the buses are segregated. Men enter via the front or rear door and hand their ticket to the driver before taking a seat in the front half of the bus. Women and children should hand their ticket to the driver via the front doors (without actually getting on) before entering via the rear door to take a seat at the back. Tickets, usually around 500 rials, are sold from booths near most bus stops. Private buses accept cash instead of tickets. There is also rechargeable credit ticket cards accepted in buses and metro stations (in Tehran, paper tickets are not accepted in buses).

Raja Passenger Trains (Raja website not accessible outside of Iran, link provided is to unofficial version) manages passenger services for the state-owned Islamic Republic of Iran Railways (IRIR). Travelling by train through Iran is generally more comfortable and faster than speed-limited buses. Sleeper berths in overnight trains are especially good value as they allow you to get a good night's sleep while saving on a night's accommodation.

The rail network is comprised of three main routes. The first stretches east to west across the north of the country linking the Turkish and Turkmenistan borders via Tabriz, Tehran and Mashhad. The second and third extend south of Tehran but split at Qom. One line connects to the Persian Gulf via Ahvaz and Arak, while the other traverses the country's centre linking Kashan, Yazd, Kerman and Bandar Abbas.

Departures along main routes are frequent. 6 to 7 daily trains leave Tehran for Kerman and Yazd, with additional three bound for Yazd and Bandar Abbas. Mashhad and Tehran are linked by some ten direct overnight trains, not counting services to Karaj, Qom, Kashan, etc. Direct services between main lines are rare, if any. For example, Esfahan and Yazd are connected by one train running every second day. Tickets can be bought from train stations up to one month before the date of departure, and it is wise to book at least a couple of days in advance during the peak domestic holiday months. First class tickets cost roughly twice the comparable bus fare.

Known as a "ghatar" in Persian; trains are probably the cheapest, safest, most reliable and easiest way to travel around the country. As an added benefit; you'll get to meet the people, sample food and see other tourists. You also avoid all the checkpoints you will encounter driving on the road. Trains are frequently delayed so leave plenty of time between destinations.

A high-speed line connecting Tehran, Imam Khomeini Airport, Qom and Isfahan is under construction, and is expected to be complete by 2025.

By metro (subway) [ edit ]

• Tehran has 7 metro lines. One of these is essentially a suburban line going to Karaj and beyond.
• Mashhad has 2 underground lines.
• Shiraz has one metro line.
• Isfahan has one metro line that connects Terminal-e Kaveh with northern parts of the city.
• Tabriz has one metro line.

By taxi [ edit ]

Low fuel costs have made inter-city travel by taxi a great value option in Iran. When travelling between cities up to 250 km apart, you may be able to hire one of the shared savāri taxis that loiter around bus terminals and train stations. Taxis are faster than buses and taxis will only leave when four paying passengers have been found, so if you're in a hurry you can offer to pay for an extra seat.

Official shared local taxis or Savari , also ply the major roads of most cities. The taxis are generally yellow, and on busy routs there are green vans with a capacity of 11 passengers. They offer a lower fare for each passenger. They usually run straight lines between major squares and landmarks, and their set rates between 2,000-10,000 rials are dictated by the local governments.

Hailing one of these taxis is an art you'll soon master. Stand on the side of the road with traffic flowing in your intended direction and flag down a passing cab. It will slow down fractionally, giving you about one second to shout your destination--pick a major nearby landmark instead of the full address--through the open passenger window. If the driver is interested, he'll slow down enough for you to negotiate the details or simply accepts your route.

If you're in a hurry, you can rent the taxi privately. Just shout the destination followed by the phrase dar bast (literally 'closed door') and the driver will almost be sure to stop. Negotiate the price before departure, but since you are paying for all the empty seats expect to pay four times the normal shared taxi fare.

You can also rent these taxis by the hour to visit a number of sites, but you can expect to pay from 40,000-70,000 rials/hr, depending on your bargaining skills.

Most of the taxis have "taximeters" but only 'closed door' green taxis use it.

There are several popular ride hailing services available in the major cities similar to Uber. Snapp and Tap30 are the major applications which can be installed on iOS and Android devices for free. You can pay in cash or if you have an Iranian debit card, you may pay in the app as well.

A large road network and low fuel costs (10,000 rials/L for Iranians in Oct 2017) have historically made Iran an attractive country for exploring with your own car. However a government fuel tax on foreigners entering Iran by private car has somewhat dimmed the allure.

Foreigners arriving in Iran with their own car must have a Carnet de passage and a valid international drivers' license. You can also rent a car, usually for US$20–50 a day. Insurance and legal liability may make you think twice about renting a car, especially considering the fact that renting a car with a driver usually costs the same.

Do not underestimate the sheer chaos of Iran's traffic . The often ignored road rules state that you must drive on the right unless overtaking and give way to traffic coming on to a roundabout. Watch out for motorcyclists or moped riders joining traffic from the pavement after having passed (part of) a traffic jam. Iranian roads and major streets usually feature traffic enforcement cameras, but drivers still frequently top 160 km/h (100 mph) on intercity highways.

Watch out for large rocks in the middle of highways. These are often placed there in an attempt to burst your tires. Afterwards a passerby will offer to replace your tire for US$50. This is of course a scam that occurs mostly at nighttime but has diminished due to aggressive policing.

When driving outside cities, caution is advised, especially in the vicinity of military or other sensitive sites. Travelling by car at night should be avoided everywhere in Iran. The risk of accidents increases in the night, as there are many vehicles on the roads without headlights.

People are not allowed to carry their pet even in their private car and will receive driving penalties if caught by the Police. Laws requiring car occupants to wear seat belts for rear passengers are not always complied with.

If you are involved in a road accident, wait for the police to arrive and do not leave the scene. If you are a foreign driver, you must have an international driving licence.

Petrol stations can be found on the outskirts of all cities and towns and in car-filled Iran, a mechanic is never far away.

Talk [ edit ]

See also: Persian phrasebook

Persian (called fārsi in Persian, فارسی), an Indo-European language, is Iran's national and official language. Although Persian is written with a modified Arabic alphabet, the two languages are not related; however, Persian does contain a very large number of Arabic loanwords (that may differ in meaning), many of which are part of basic Persian vocabulary (see section on "Iranian nationality" under "Respect" ).

Many young Iranians in major cities, and almost certainly those working at international travel agencies and high-end hotels will know conversational English, but for the tourist knowing basic Persian phrases will definitely be of use, particularly in rural areas.

Road signs are often double signed in English, but few other signs are. As an extra challenge, most Persian signage uses an ornate calligraphic script that bears little resemblance to its typed form. This can make comparing typed words in phrase books--such as 'bank' and 'hotel'--to signs on buildings quite difficult. However it is still worth memorising the Persian script for a few key words such as restaurant, guesthouse, and hotel (see relevant sections below for the script).

Being able to recognise Persian numerals is extremely helpful in situations where one needs to deal with directions (e.g. finding a bus at a bus station) and sums (e.g. understanding what is written on a restaurant bill). The numerals are:

Kurdish , Azeri and Arabic are also spoken in areas of large Kurdish, Azeri and Arab populations respectively. There are also Armenians and Assyrians scattered around the country, who speak Armenian and Aramaic respectively. Most of these people are also able to speak Persian in addition to their native languages.

See [ edit ]

Ancient cities [ edit ].

• Hegmatane (or Ekbatana) - The capital of the ancient Medes. In modern-day Hamedan .
• Persepolis - Probably the most important historical site in Iran. The capital of the Achaemenid (Persian) Empire built by Darius. Near Shiraz .
• Pasargad (or Pasargadae) - The initial capital of the Persian Empire built by Cyrus the Great. Near Shiraz .
• Susa - Built by Elamites and then adopted by the Persian Achaemenid and Sasanid empires, it has three layers of civilisation within it. Located in the modern-day town of Shush in the Khuzestan province.
• Chogha Zanbil - A ziggurat built by Elamites. Near Shush .
• Na'in or '''Naeen''' or Naein is a small pre-Islamic city in central Iran with over 2000 years of history. It's a small pattern of an ancient desert town. The locals in Na’in still speak in ancient Zoroastrian dialect.
• Sialk Mount (Tappeh Sialk) - More than 7,000 years old, this is world's oldest ziggurat. In suburbs of Kashan .
• The World Heritage listed Persian Qanat ; ancient underground aqueducts of which 11 have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List .

Tombs of some famous people [ edit ]

• Cyrus the Great in Pasargad near Shiraz .
• Avicenna in Hamedan .
• Khayyam in Neyshaboor (near Mashhad ).
• Prophet Daniel in Susa ( Shush ).
• Mordechai and Esther in Hamedan .
• Saadi and Hafez famous Persian poets in Shiraz .
• Imam Reza an ornate shrine to the eighth of the Shiite imams (the only one buried in Iran) in Mashhad .

Museums [ edit ]

• Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art . Amassed by the former Shah and his wife who were avid and ostentatious collectors, the museums collection, conservatively valued at US$2.5 billion, is one of the most important modern and contemporary art collections in the world. It includes collections from Pablo Picasso, Wassily Kandinsky, Andy Warhol, Marcel Duchamp, Francis Bacon, David Hockney and Jackson Pollock among many others. Much of it remains un-catalogued, officially because it is so numerous but also because it is taboo. No western works have been on display for many years although in late 2013 staff expressed hope that the authorities may grant permission for specific pieces to be displayed as part of a tourist drive. In the meantime art lovers can sigh as they leaf through a reference copy of some of the collection, available for viewing at reception. Nevertheless, the museum warrants a visit for a rare opportunity to explore contemporary Iranian art which although inventive and progressive in its execution, remains nonetheless true to established morals.

Palaces [ edit ]

• Sadabad . A palace complex where Mohammad-Reza Shah and his family used to live. Some palaces converted to museums now. In Tehran.
• Falak-ol-aflak - Falak-ol-Aflak Castle is among the most important structures built during the Sassanid era.
• Shamsolemare

• Forty Pillar Palace (Chehel Sotoun) literally: “Forty Columns”) is a pavilion in the middle of a park at the far end of a long pool, in Isfahan, Iran, built by Shah Abbas II to be used for his entertainment and receptions. In this palace, Shah Abbas II and his successors would receive dignitaries and ambassadors, either on the terrace or in one of the stately reception halls. The name, meaning "Forty Columns" in Persian, was inspired by the twenty slender wooden columns supporting the entrance pavilion, which, when reflected in the waters of the fountain, are said to appear to be forty.

• Ālī Qāpū (The Royal Palace) - Early 17th century. It is 48 meters high and there are seven floors, each accessible by a difficult spiral staircase. In the sixth floor music room, deep circular niches are found in the walls, having not only aesthetic value, but also acoustic. It is rich in naturalistic wall paintings by Reza Abbassi, the court painter of Shah Abbas I, and his pupils. There are floral, animal, and bird motifs.

Squares and streets [ edit ]

• Naqsh-e Jahan Square also known as shah square or imam square-1602. With two mosques and the bazaar. It is an important historical site, and one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. The square is surrounded by buildings from the Safavid era.

Armenian churches [ edit ]

• Vank Cathedral in Isfahan .
• Saint Thaddeus Monastery in West Azerbaijan Province.
• Saint Stepanos Monastery in West Azerbaijan Province.

Parks and gardens [ edit ]

The world heritage listed Persian Gardens ; designer paradise gardens of which 9 are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List .

Do [ edit ]

• Meymand ( Meimand ), Kerman province, Shahr-e-Babak ( Persian Gulf high way ). Meymand ( Maymand, Meimand, Maimand ) is a very ancient village located nearby Shahr -e- Babak city in Kerman Province. Maymand is believed to be one humanities earliest remaining places of habitation on the Iranian Plateau and dates back 12,000 years. It is still inhabited by around 150 people, mostly hospitable elderly citizens who live in 410 houses hand hewn into the rocks. 10,000 year old stone engravings surround the village. 6,000 year old potteries relics reveal a long history of the village. Living conditions in Maymand are harsh due to the aridity of the land and to high temperatures in summers and very cold winters. In 2005 Meymand was awarded the Melina Mercury International Prize for the safeguarding and management of cultural landscapes.  

Desert trekking and desert excursions [ edit ]

Though the northern part of Iran is covered by dense rain forests called Shomal or the Jungles of Iran. The eastern parts consists mostly of desert basins such as the Dasht-e Kavir, Iran's largest desert, in the north-central portion of the country, and the Dasht-e Lut, in the east, and some salt lakes. There is also the Central desert which as can be understood from its name is located in the central regions. This is because the mountain ranges are too high for rain clouds to reach these regions.

There are a lot of activities that can be done in the desert areas including; desert tracking, camel riding, bicycle riding and 4x4 driving excursions.

In some parts of the deserts there are some camping sites available. The easiest budget-priced desert tours can be organised in Na'in and Kashan .

Festivals [ edit ]

• Norouz Eve , The beginning of Iranian New Year and the start of the Spring. On the 20th or 21st of March. It is rooted in the Zoroastrian religion.
• Chahar-shanbe Suri (Wednesday festival) - On the last Wednesday before Nowruz. People set up fires. The traditional festival involves jumping over the fire while saying a specific sentence. Nowadays it involves a lot of firecrackers although the government is against it and police usually disperse the young people's gathering!
• Shab-e Yalda , the last night of autumn, which is the longest night of the year, is celebrated in Iran, and has a history from long ago (Mithraism age). Families have traditional gatherings to communicate and eat the last remaining fresh fruits from summer. They read traditional Persian poems or stories.
• Ashura-Tasua is the most interesting and amazing days for tourists. Shia Muslims believe that Hussein, their popular leader and the grandson of their prophet Muhammad, was killed in the year 61 AH along with his family and 72 Muslims in the so-called battle of Karbala. He fought a king that he believed did not follow the real Islamic values. For Shia Muslims this was a very sad event and a period of intense grief and mourning. Therefore, Iranians throughout the country wear black clothes during the grieving month of Muharram and hoist black flags everywhere. On Ashura people do public carnival-like 'theater plays' in mosques (with horses, sometimes huge fires) in memorial of Husseins sacrifice. So far the city of Yazd is probably the best place to observe Ashura as a large group of volunteers organise several days of 'spiritual tourism': free shuttle buses bring tourists to the sides, catering and English speaking volunteers who explain everything - for free. During that time pretty much everything is closed including shops and tourist sites.
• Golabgiri , of Kashan city near Isfahan. During the spring some people go there to obtain the local rose water. It has very nice smell and many use it in traditional drinks.

Ski [ edit ]

There are five ski pistes around Tehran. They are at Dizin, Darbandsar, Tochal and Shemshak.

The longest one is the Dizin piste, this is north of Tehran and reachable during winter by using either Chalous Road or Fasham Road.

The more professional slope is at Shemshak and that is the one used for national and international tournaments.

The ski pistes near Tehran are all normally accessible by road in around 1-2 hr.

Swim [ edit ]

Iran has coastline along the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf. A popular place for its beaches is Kish Island in the Persian Gulf that men can enjoy it all the year & women are limited to use only covered beaches.

Itineraries [ edit ]

Itineraries that are entirely in Iran:

• Mount Damavand Trek
• Trans-Iranian Railway

There are also several for routes that pass through the country:

• On the trail of Marco Polo
• Istanbul to New Delhi over land

Buy [ edit ]

Money [ edit ].

The rial , denoted by the symbol " ﷼ ", " IR " or " R " (ISO code: IRR ) is the currency of Iran. Wikivoyage articles will use rials to denote the currency. In Iran, prices may be shown in toman , where 1 toman = 10 rials.

Coins, which are rarely if ever used, are issued in values of 50, 100, 250, 500, 1,000, 2,000, and 5,000 rials. Banknotes are produced in denominations of 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, and 100,000 rials and banknotes called "Iran Cheques" are produced in denominations of 500,000, 1,000,000 and 2,000,000 rials.

Be sure to understand the risks of black market trading if you decide to exchange money this way.

In March 2019, the exchange offices at Tehran Airport first floor (departures) were offering the best rates in that city.

Due to the sanctions against Iran, Western credit cards do not work in Iran. Using a foreign debit or credit card or checking your account on internet can get the card or account blocked.

Banks [ edit ]

All banks were nationalized after the revolution. However, during the past decade, the following private (non-governmental) banks have been founded, which usually provide better service:

• Parsian [dead link]
• Eghtesad Novin
• Pasargad [dead link]

Banks are generally open Sa Su M–W 07:30–13:30, and Th 07:30–12:00. Main branches are usually open to 15:00 (closed on Fridays). International airports have a bank open whenever international flights arrive or depart. All banks have boards in English and Persian.

Toman [ edit ]

Confusion with the currency is standard for a visitor, not just because of the large numbers but because of the shorthand routinely used. Prices of goods may be verbally communicated or written in toman (تومان) (sometimes denoted "T") instead of in rial. One toman is equal to ten rials. There are no toman notes - prices are quoted as such just as a shortcut. If it is not obvious, be sure to clarify in which currency the price is quoted.

Debit card and ATM [ edit ]

If you get a local ATM card, withdraw your leftover money in cards a few days before leaving Iran to avoid any problem which may be caused by a very rare network failure. ATMs often do not work 00:00–and 01:00 due to a database update. Be alert when using an ATM. Better to use it in not very quiet areas.

ATMs and merchants in Iran generally do not accept foreign (non-Iranian) cards due to the sanctions, so bring all the money you might need in cash, preferably in US dollars or euros. Debit cards and credit cards issued by an Iranian bank are widely accepted in most places, and most of stores and ticket offices have a point-of-sale machine, without any commission. If you don't want to carry a lot of cash, and feel panic about so many zeros in the prices, you can apply for a tourism debit card. Iranian banks cannot issue a debit card or tourism debit card to a foreign without a resident card. You should choose a tourism card company which cooperates with a bank to get a debit card.

• IntravelCard : You can receive your card at Imam Khomeini International Airport or any hotels in any city in Iran. You can convert your euros or dollars in some large cities of Iran, they will send a clerk to your hotel for that. The currency rate is based on the average price of black market which is much better than the official rate.
• Daripay : You can receive your card at Imam Khomeini International Airport or any hotels in Tehran. You can convert your euros or dollars in some large cities of Iran, they will send a clerk to you hotel for that. The currency rate is based on the average price of black market which is much better than the official rate.
• Mah Card : You can receive your card at Imam Khomeini International Airport or any hotels in Tehran. You can only convert your euros or dollars in Tehran, they will send a clerk to you hotel for that. The currency rate is based on the average price of black market which is much better than the official rate.

Another way to avoid carrying a lot of cash is to go to the nearest bank and get a gift card (Kart-e Hadiyeh کارت هدیه). They are exactly like ordinary ATM debit cards, but once they are emptied, they cannot be recharged. However, the two methods mentioned above are more recommended. A list of permitted Iranian banks can be found here . Most banks now don't sell gift cards, and foreigners must have a resident card in order to be able to buy them.

There is no surcharge or service fee for purchasing gift cards, and you can withdraw or spend all the money you put on your gift card. Some of the gift cards have no ATM withdrawal feature and are only for use at point-of-sale in shops and stores, so make sure yours will be ATM enabled. There is a 2,000,000 rials daily withdrawal limit for most of the Iranian bank cards; purchasing several card lets you withdraw more money from ATMs per day. Gift cards are usually non-reloadable. Some are pre-loaded with a designated amount but some banks let you load them for your desired amount. As they are anonymous, there is almost no way to report a stolen card and get a duplicate. Always keep passwords and cards in a safe place. Having a couple of used empty cards with passwords written on them may help you in case of being mugged for money! There is no cash-back feature in Iranian points of sale, but in case of an emergency and having no access to ATMs you may ask a shop owner to give you cash-back. They may charge you a bank service fee (1–5%).

Due to Western sanctions, it is not possible to wire transfer money to or from Iranian bank accounts.

Exchanging money [ edit ]

Bills in good condition and large bills (US$100 or €100) tend to be preferred at currency exchange offices. Small denominations can be useful for small purchases before you get to an exchange office, although many exchange shops will not exchange small bills. On arrival at Tehran International Airport, the maximum amount that may be exchanged at night is to €50 per person.

The best places to exchange money are the private exchange offices ( sarāfi ) scattered around most large cities and major tourist centres. Their rates are usually 20% better than the official rate offered by the banks, they are far quicker and don't require any paperwork, and unlike their black market colleagues, they can be traced later on if something goes wrong. Exchange offices can be found in major cities, their opening times are usually Sunday to Thursday from 08:00 to 16:00. Most are closed on Fridays and on holidays. There is little point in risking the use of black market moneychangers who loiter outside of major banks and only offer marginally better rates than the banks.

The most widely-accepted currencies are US dollar and euros. Other major currencies such as the British pound, Australian or Canadian dollars and Japanese yen are accepted at a lot of money changers. Non-major currencies usually cannot be exchanged. US$100 and large euro unfolded notes tend to attract the best exchange rate, and you may be quoted lower rates or turned down for any old or ripped notes or small denomination notes.

Foreign credit cards are only accepted by select stores with foreign bank accounts such as Persian rugs stores but they will almost always charge an additional fee for paying by credit card rather than with cash. Most of these stores will be happy to forward you some cash on your credit card at the same time as your purchase. If you are desperate for cash, you can also try asking these shops to extend you the same favour without buying a rug or souvenir, but expect to pay a fee of around 10%.

Travellers' cheques : Cashing travellers' cheques can be hit-or-miss and it is advised not to rely on travellers' cheques issued by American or European companies.

Prepaid debit cards can be bought at Iranian banks and serve as a good alternative to carrying a large wad of cash around the country. Make sure that the card you buy has ATM withdrawal privileges and be aware of the daily withdrawal limit. The ATM network in Iran is subject to outages so make sure that you withdraw the entire balance well before you leave the country.

Large Iranian banks, like Bank-e Melli-ye Iran (BMI, National Bank of Iran), Bank -e- Sepah, Bank Mellat, Bank-e Saaderaat-e Iran (BSI), Bank-e Paasaargad and Bank-e Saamaan (Saamaan Bank), and Beank-e Paarsiaan all have branches outside the country that can be found at their websites. You can open a bank account abroad before arrival. This might be possible even in some European countries. You can find the addresses of these banks' websites using famous search engines; then you need to click the link to the English section of their sites which is usually shown using the word English or the abbreviation En .

Bazaars [ edit ]

While the shops offer a wide selection of quality goods, local items can be bought in the many bazaars. Purchases include hand-carved, inlaid woodwork, painted and molded copper, carpets, rugs, silks, leather goods, mats, tablecloths, gold, silver, glass, and ceramics. There are restrictions on which items may be taken out of the country and many countries restrict the amount of goods you can bring in due to sanctions.

Bargain ruthlessly when buying handcrafts, rugs or big ticket items and modestly when hailing private taxis. In most other aspects of life prices are fixed.

Tipping [ edit ]

Tipping is generally not expected, but locals will generally round up the bill in taxis and add around 10% in restaurants. Porters and bellboys will expect 20,000 rials. A discreet gift of a few thousand tomāns may help grease the wheels of Iranian society and serve to thank an extraordinarily helpful local.

Foreigner surcharges [ edit ]

You won't be able to escape the government-sanctioned dual pricing system that applies to accommodation and some tourist attractions in Iran; foreigners often pay up to five times the price quoted to locals. However, prices tend to be very reasonable by Western standards.

Budgeting [ edit ]

Due to an extremely volatile exchange rate and high inflation, the prices estimated by many guidebooks and travel agencies are outdated immediately.

The "official" exchange rate is also much worse than the rate you will get in the country, so prices may seem higher than they actually are.

Eat [ edit ]

Meal times in Iran vary considerably from those in Europe and the US. Lunch can be served from 12:00-15:00. and dinner is often eaten after 20:00. These and other social occasions in Iran are often long, drawn-out affairs conducted in a relatively relaxed tempo, often involving pastries, fruit and possibly nuts. As it is considered rude to refuse what is served, visitors should accept the items offered, even if they do not intend to consume them.

As in most Muslim-majority countries, pork and pig meat products are illegal, though shops serving the Christian community are allowed to sell pork.

The good news for travellers is that Iranian cuisine is superb. A wide range of influences from Central Asia, the Caucasus, Russia, Europe and the Middle East have created a diverse, relatively healthy range of dishes that focus on fresh produce and aromatic herbs. The bad news, however, is that Iranians prefer to eat at home, rather than in restaurants, so decent eateries are scarce and stick to a repetitive selection of dishes (mainly kebabs). An invitation to an Iranian home for dinner will be a definite highlight of your stay. When visiting an Iranian household for the first time or on a special occasion it is customary for Iranians to bring a small gift . Flowers, sweets or pastries are popular gift choices.

Traditional cuisine [ edit ]

Iranian cuisine is related to the cuisines of neighbouring Middle Eastern and South Asian countries but is in important ways highly distinctive.

Fragrant rice (برنج, berenj ) is the staple of Iranian food. Boiled and then steamed, it is often coloured with saffron or flavoured with a variety of spices. When served plain as an accompaniment it is known as chelo (چلو). The two most common meat and chelo combinations are kebab variations ( chelo kabāb , چلو کباب) or rotisserie chicken ( chelo morgh , چلو مرغ). Flavoured rice, known as polo , is often served as a main course or as an accompaniment to a meat dish. Examples include shirin polo flavoured with orange zest, young cherries and honey glazed carrots, the broad-bean and herb heavy bāghli polo and sabzi polo laced with parsley, dill and mint.

The rice and kebab dish chelo kabāb (چلو کباب) and its half-dozen variations are the most common (and often the only) items on Iranian restaurant menus. A grilled skewer of meat is served on a bed of fluffy rice, and accompanied by an array of condiments. You can add butter, grilled tomatoes and a sour spice known as somāgh to your rice, while some restaurants also provide a raw egg yolk. Raw onion and fresh basil are used to clear your palate between mouthfuls. Variations in kabāb dishes come from the meats they are served with. You will commonly see:

• Kabāb koobideh (كباب كوبيده) - a kebab of minced beef, shredded onion and spices.
• Kabāb barg (كباب برگ) - pieces of lamb sometimes marinated in lemon juice and shredded onion.
• Joojeh kabāb (جوجه كباب) - a skewer of chicken pieces sometimes marinated in lemon juice and saffron.
• Kabāb bakhtiāri (كباب ب‍ختیارِی) - great for the indecisive eater, this is a skewer of alternating chicken and lamb pieces.

At home people most often eat rice with a thick stew ( khoresht , خورشت) containing a modest amount of meat. There are dozens of khoresht variations such as the sweet and sour fessenjān made from ground walnuts and pomegranate syrup, most popular ghormeh-sabzi is based on fresh herbs, dried limes and kidney beans, gheimeh flavoured with split-peas and often garnished with French fries.

Hearty Iranian soups ( āsh , آش) are meals in themselves. The most popular is the vegetarian āsh reshteh (آش رشته) made from herbs, chickpeas and thick noodles, and garnished with kashk (which looks like yoghurt but is another thing) and fried onions.

Flat bread ( nān , نان) is another pillar of Iranian food. It is served at breakfast with herbs, feta cheese and a variety of jams, or as an accompaniment to meals. Sangak (سنگك) is a dimpled variety cooked on a pebbled oven while lavāsh (لواش) is a thin and bland staple .

International cuisine [ edit ]

There are several good international restaurants which offer Chinese, Japanese, Italian and French food as well as vegetarian menus in Tehran and other major cities.

Fast food and snacks [ edit ]

Most food outlets in Iran are either kabābis or fast food outlets serving a standard fare of burgers, sandwiches, felafels or pizza (پیتزا). As of May 2021, a burger and a soft drink at a regular snack shop will fill you up at lunchtime for around 500,000 rials; pizzas also start at 500,000 rials.

Many teahouses (see Drink below) also serve traditional snacks and light meals. The most common of these is ābgusht (آبگوشت) a hot pot made from lamb, chickpeas and dried limes that is also known as dizi , also the name of the dish in which its served. You will be given a bowl (the dizi ) containing the ābgusht and another, smaller one. Drain the broth into the smaller bowl and eat it like a soup with the bread provided. Then pound the remaining meat and vegetables into a paste with the pestle provided and eat with even more bread, pieces of raw onion and wads of fresh herbs.

Sweets and desserts [ edit ]

The never-ending demand for dentists in Iran lies testament to the country's obsession with sweets and pastries, known collectively as shirini (شیرینی).

Iranian baghlava tends to be harder and more crystalline than its Turkish equivalent while the pistachio noughat called gaz (گز) is an Isfahan speciality. Sohan is a rich pistachio brittle popular in Qom, and freshly-baked pastries are often taken as gifts to people's houses. Lavāshak fruit leathers are delicious fruit leathers made from dried plums.

Honey-saffron and pistachio are just two local flavours of ice cream, while fāloodeh (فالوده) is a deliciously refreshing sorbet made from rosewater and vermicelli noodles made from starch, served with lashings of lemon juice.

Special needs [ edit ]

Given that most travellers are stuck eating kebabs for much of their trip, vegetarians will have a particularly difficult time in Iran. Most snack shops sell falafels (فلافل) and garden salads ( sālād-e-fassl , سالاد فصل) and greengrocers are common. Most āsh varieties are meat-free and filling, as are most variations of kookoo (کوکو), the Iranian take on the frittata. Also some restaurants make spaghetti with soya (soy). You can find pizzas like vegetarian pizza ( Pitzā Sabzijāt , پیتزا سبزیجات) or cheese pizza ( Pitzā Panir , پیتزا پنیر) or mushroom pizza ( Pitzā Ghārch , پیتزا قارچ) almost everywhere and Margherita pizza in some restaurants which all are meat-free. Due to the increasing trend of vegetarianism, you may also be able to find some meat-free canned and ready-to-eat foods in grocery stores. The phrases man giaah-khaar hastam (I am vegetarian) and bedoon-e goosht (without meat) will come in handy.

It's a safe bet that most food in Iran is halal (حلال, ḥalāl, halaal) and will conform with Islamic dietary laws as specified in the Qur'an, the exceptions being some shops in districts with large Christian communities. However, those seeking a strict kosher diet may have to concentrate their efforts in the districts with higher numbers of Jewish inhabitants. If in Tehran look in areas such as older parts in the south of the city, like Udlajan or the Yusef Abad neighbourhood.

Drink [ edit ]

Black Tea ( chāi , چای) is the national drink of Iran. It is served strong and with crystallised or cubed sugar ( ghand , قند) which is held artfully between the teeth while tea is sipped through. You can try asking for milk in your tea, but expect nothing but strange looks or a long delay in return. Tea houses ( chāi khāneh , چای خانه) are a favourite local haunt for men (and less commonly families) to drink tea and puff away on a water pipe.

Coffee ( ghahveh , قهوه) is not as popular as tea and can only be found in big cities. Where available, it is served Turkish style, French coffee or espresso. Imported instant coffee ( nescāfe , نسكافه) and instant Cappuccino are available also. Coffee shops (called "coffeeshop" in Persian, versus "ghaveh-khane" (literally, coffee house) which instead means a tea house) are more popular in affluent and young areas.

Herbal waters ( araghiat , عرقیات) are widely found in traditional form as well as packaged in bottle. Herbal waters have been traditionally used in different parts of Iran and some places are famous for herbal waters like Shiraz and Kashan .

Fruit juices ( āb miveh , آب ميوه) are available from shops and street vendors. Also available are cherry cordial ( sharbat ālbāloo , شربت آلبالو) and banana milkshakes ( shir moz , شير موز).

Soft drinks are widely available. International products such as Coca-Cola and Pepsi, and their brand names including 7Up, Sprite and Fanta have sold alongside local brands such as Zam Zam Cola ( زم زم كولا , Zam Zam Kola). The local cola has a taste not unlike "Coca-Cola Original" or "Pepsi Original". Coca-Cola and PepsiCo's concentrates entered Iran via Irish subsidiaries and circumvented the US trade embargoes. Zam Zam was launched in 1954 as a subsidiary of the Pepsi Cola company. As an intriguing outcome of the Iranian cola wars the real coke was generally sold in plastic bottles and the non-genuine coke, using a substitute syrup devised to overcome earlier Clinton-era U.S. embargoes, was distributed in the real thing bottles that the then syrup-less bottler was left stuck with at the time.

Doogh (دوغ) is a sour drink made from yoghurt, salt, and water (sometimes gaseous) and sometimes flavoured with mint or other plants. It takes some getting used to, but will rehydrate you quickly in the heat of Iran's summer. It is the same as Turkish Ayran . It can be purchased at almost any establishment and is often consumed in the afternoon while eating kababs. It comes in two main varieties fizzy (gaz-daar) and non-fizzy (bigaz).

Alcohol is illegal to drink for Muslims, and if seen by police may be met with punishment. Import is strictly banned. Penalties are severe. Therefore, you will rarely find places in Iran that openly sell alcohol – but drinking is common among some people, especially during weddings and other parties, and alcohol is tolerated in a few rural and poorly regulated areas. Registered religious minorities, such as the small Christian and Jewish communities, are allowed to produce small quantities of wine for sacramental use. There is no legal drinking/purchasing age for non-Muslims.

Sleep [ edit ]

Accommodations in Iran range from luxurious, if a little weary, five star hotels (هتل) in major cities to the small, cheap mosāferkhaneh (مسافرخانه) and mehmānpazir (مهماﻧپذیر) guesthouses that are littered about most centres. Moreover, staff in mosāferkhuneh often are so happy to provide room for non-Iranians, as these facilities have a recommendation from local governments to serve all tourists. For longer stays, villas with all facilities (including central air conditioning, pool and Internet connection) can be rented in Tehran and all other major cities at reasonable prices.

A man and woman cannot share the same hotel room unless they can prove their relationship (as a married couple or siblings). Foreign tourists are usually excepted from this law.

Also, you can find traditional hotels in central Iran including Isfahan, Shiraz and in particular Yazd.

Learn [ edit ]

Education is taken extremely seriously in Iran, and is highly valued and accessible.

As a result of the high value placed on education, Iran has a high literacy rate and a large number of highly educated individuals. However, there's a downside to this: there is an oversupply of skilled labor.

Iran has a large network of private, public, and state affiliated universities . State-run universities of Iran are under the direct supervision of Iran's Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, or, for medical schools, the Ministry of Health and Medical Education.

Work [ edit ]

Employment opportunities remain a highly sensitive matter in Iran. An oversupply of educated labour, insufficient investment in Iran's economy, low salaries, the nature of Iran's government, and the effects of international sanctions against the country have prompted many Iranians to seek opportunities abroad.

Foreigners with special expertise and skills have little difficulty in obtaining permits. Work permits are issued, extended or renewed for a period of one year. In special cases, temporary work permits valid for a maximum period of three months may be issued. An exit permit must be obtained for a stay longer than three months.

The maximum working week is 44 hours, with no more than eight hours any single day unless overtime compensation is provided. Overtime could not exceed four hours per day. Friday is the weekly day of rest. Overtime is payable at 40% above the normal hourly wage. There are allowances for shift work equivalent to 10, 15 or 22.5 per cent of a worker's wage, depending on working shift (e.g. evening, morning and night)

Workers are entitled to public holidays and a paid annual one-month leave. For workers with less than a year of employment, annual leaves are calculated in proportion to the actual length of service. Furthermore, every worker is entitled to take one full month of paid leave or one month of unpaid leave (if no leave is available) once during his or her working life in order to perform the pilgrimage to Mecca.

The employment of workers less than 15 years of age is prohibited. Young workers between 15 and 18 years of age must undergo a medical examination by the Social Security Organisation prior to commencing employment. Women are entitled to a 9-month maternity leave.

There is a minimum national wage applicable to each sector of activity fixed by the Supreme Labour Council. Workers and employers have the right to establish guilds. Collective bargaining is allowed. Membership in the social security system for all employees is compulsory.

To have a valid contract concluded under the law, the following provisions must be included:

• 1. Type of work, vocation or duty that must be undertaken by the worker;
• 2. Basic compensation and supplements thereto;
• 3. Working hours, holidays and leaves;
• 4. Place of performance of duties;
• 5. Probationary period, if any;
• 6. Date of conclusion of contract;
• 7. Duration of employment; and
• 8. Other terms and conditions required may vary according to the nature of employment. An employer may require the employee to be subject to a probationary period. However, the probation time may not exceed one month for unskilled workers and three months for skilled and professional workers. During the probation period, either party may immediately terminate the employment relationship without cause or payment of severance pay. The only caveat being that if the employer terminates the relationship, he must pay the employee for the entire duration of the probation period.

Business customs [ edit ]

• Iranians are very formal and it will take several meetings before a more personal relationship can be established. This is particularly true for government officials, representatives of state controlled companies and foundations. You will need that relation before being able to get deals.
• Negotiations will be long, detailed and protracted.
• Exchange of gifts is a tradition among private sector business people.
• Proper business attire need not include a tie in Iran and officials of the Islamic Republic are not allowed to wear one. It is still very common for visiting foreigners to do so.
• Women must adhere to the Islamic dress code referred to below. Most officials will not shake hands with a member of the opposite sex, especially in public. It is highly recommended not to create an awkward situation by extending one's hand.
• Along with the social customs, certain additional business etiquette should be realised prior to interaction with Iranian businessmen.

Stay safe [ edit ]

Iran is still a relatively low-crime country, although thefts and muggings occur. Keep your wits about you, and take the usual precautions against pickpockets in crowded bazaars and buses.

Although its strict Islamic moral code is well known, Iranian laws are not as strict as those of Saudi Arabia . Respecting the dozens of unspoken rules and regulations of Iranian life can be a daunting prospect for travellers, but don't be intimidated. As a foreigner you will be given leeway and it doesn't take long to acclimatise yourself.

Perceptions of outsiders [ edit ]

The chances of a Westerner facing anti-Western sentiment as a traveller are slim. Even hardline Iranians make a clear distinction between the Western governments they distrust and individual travellers who visit their country. Americans may receive the odd jibe about their government's policies, but usually nothing more serious than that. However, it is always best to err on the side of caution and avoid politically-oriented conversations, particularly in taxi cabs.

Some Iranian-Americans have been detained and accused of espionage, as were three American hikers in 2009 who allegedly strayed across into Iran from Iraqi Kurdistan. These kind of incidents are rare, but still the broader implications are worth considering and bearing in mind.

Photography [ edit ]

There are a lot of military and other sensitive facilities in Iran. Photography near military and other government installations is strictly prohibited. Any transgression may result in detention and serious criminal charges, including espionage, which can carry the death penalty. Do not photograph any military object, jails, harbours, or telecommunication devices, airports or other objects and facilities which you suspect are military in nature. Be aware that this rule is taken very seriously in Iran.

Women [ edit ]

Female travellers should not encounter any major problems when visiting Iran, as long as they obey the local laws – including those on dressing . You will undoubtedly be the subject of at least some unwanted attention.

If you have married an Iranian, you are subject to Iranian marital laws : you cannot leave the country unless your (former) husband approves. Divorces that have taken place in other countries are not recognised by Iran.

Relationships [ edit ]

Adultery carries the death penalty in Iran.

Relations between non-Muslim men and Muslim women are illegal. The penalty for a Muslim woman being in a relationship with a non-Muslim man is whipping , and the man will receive the death penalty.

If you happen to find romance here (which is highly unlikely), you and your partner should be discreet at all times.

LGBT travellers [ edit ]

Iran is notorious for its extreme intolerance of the LGBT community and LGBT solidarity. Iran's cultural and legal systems view homosexuality with absolute abhorrence and consider it immoral.

No political party in the country is allowed to support or promote LGBT rights and anti-LGBT vigilante executions are not uncommon.

Iranian dual citizens [ edit ]

If you are an Iranian citizen – being a dual citizen of Iran, being married to an Iranian man, having a non-Iranian parent who was born in Iran, or having an Iranian father – possessing another passport will not protect you. You will not have consular access in the event you get detained or arrested.

If you haven't completed mandatory military service (which normally lasts 21 months), or if you are thought to be a critic of the government , you may not be allowed to leave the country. The Iranian government, without prior warning, often revokes passports of and restricts the movement of political dissidents.

Emergency numbers [ edit ]

Emergency services are extensive in Iran, and response times are very good.

You might want to call the police in most cases, as they have direct contact with other emergency services, and will probably be the only number with English-speaking operators.

• Local police control centre , ☏ 110 .  
• Ambulance , ☏ 115 .  
• Fire and Rescue team , ☏ 125 . These numbers are frequently answered by the ambulance or fire crew operating from them; there is little guarantee these men will speak English.  
• Rescue and Relief Hotline of the Iranian Red Crescent Society , ☏ 112 .  
• Road status information , ☏ 141 .  

Natural disasters [ edit ]

Earthquakes [ edit ].

Iran is prone to earthquakes . Since the whole country is situated on major fault lines, earthquakes regularly occur and they can be destructive. Do not despair though; most of these earthquakes have magnitudes less than four. Iranian building standards are far below Western building standards, and many buildings are ill-equipped to deal with the aftershocks of a huge earthquake.

Other safety issues [ edit ]

In particular, the tourist centre of Isfahan has had problems with muggings of foreigners in unlicensed taxis, and fake police making random checks of tourists' passports. Only use official taxis, and never allow 'officials' to make impromptu searches of your belongings.

Iranian traffic is congested and chaotic. Guidelines are lax and rarely followed. Pedestrians are advised to exercise caution when crossing the roads, and even greater care when driving on them – Iranian drivers tend to overtake along pavements (especially moped and motorcycle drivers) and any section of the road where there is space. In general, it is not recommended for inexperienced foreigners to drive in Iran. Watch out for joobs (جوب), the open storm water drains that shoulder every road and are easy to miss when walking in the dark.

Travellers should avoid the southeastern area of Iran, particularly the province of Sistan va Baluchistan. The drug trade thrives based on smuggling heroin from Afghanistan. There is plenty of associated robbery, kidnapping and murder. Some cities, such as Zahedan , Zabol and Mirjaveh are particularly dangerous, while some others are quite safe. Chahbahar, which is close to the Pakistani border, is a very calm and friendly city.

Stay healthy [ edit ]

Iran has state-of-the-art medical facilities in all its major cities. However, due to U.S. sanctions, there is a severe shortage of medical supplies, and you may need to be evacuated to another country in order to get satisfactory treatment for more serious cases; ensure that your travel insurance covers this.

Apart from being up to date with your usual travel vaccinations (tetanus, polio, etc.) no special preparation is needed for travel to Iran. For minor ailments, your hotel can contact an English-speaking doctor. In case of serious illness or accident, you can ask to be taken to a hospital with English-speaking staff (such as Milad Hospital, Atiyeh Hospital, Mehrad Hospital, Day Hospital or Khatam ol-Anbia Hospital in Tehran). Make sure that your travel insurance is appropriate.

Tap water is safe to drink in most of the country (and especially the cities), although you may find the chalkiness and taste off-putting in some areas (mainly Qom, Yazd, Hormozgan and Boushehr provinces). Bottled mineral water ( āb ma'dani ) is widely available. Also, on many streets and sites, public water fridges are installed to provide drinking water.

Respect [ edit ]

While you may have heard a lot of negative stories about Iran in the media, the reality is that many of the issues the country faces are not as bad as they are made out to be.

In general, Iranians are warm , friendly and generous individuals with a strong interest in foreigners and other cultures.

Iranian culture, like most other Islamic cultures, has a strong tradition of hospitality. Guests are often treated extremely well. On the other hand, there is some insularity; any foreigner may be regarded with suspicion.

In Persian for Mr, Ms they say “Aghaye [name], Khanoome [name]” and out of respect they use plural verbs and pronouns. They often greet by raising hand to shake or/and give a hug which is a common Middle Eastern tradition. And they will tell you: Kheili Khosh Amadid. (Welcome! for greeting.) But if you are a man, do not attempt to shake hands with a woman unless she voluntarily raises her hand. When you greet someone sitting, they will stand up.

Dress [ edit ]

Perhaps the most visible mark of Iran's Islamic leanings is the conservative dress expected of its citizens. Although normal Western-style clothing is acceptable in private homes, when in public women are required to cover everything but their face, hands and feet. In Tehran and several bigger cities Western clothing and formality is accepted but wearing a hijab may be required in most of rural areas. Women by law must wear a headscarf in public.

The most common uniform consists of a head scarf ( roo-sari , روسری) to conceal the head and neck, a formless, knee-length coat known as a manteau (مانتو) and a long dress or pair of pants. In holy sites, you will be expected to dress even more modestly in a chādor , a full-length swathe of black cloth designed to cloak everything but your face from view.

Women are expected to cover their hair and body except the hands and feet. More tolerance tends to be shown towards foreigners over the detail of the dress code than towards Iranian women. However, this does not include leaving one’s hair fully uncovered under any circumstance. "Acceptable" outfits may include a long, loose dress or shirt worn over loose skirt or trousers and a scarf in the summer, and a full-length woollen coat and scarf in the winter (calf-length is acceptable if worn over trousers). All colours and modest designs are acceptable. Even when undertaking sporting activity in public (such as tennis or jogging), the dress code described above must be maintained.

In October 2022, many women choose not to cover their hair, as part of the protest against the brutality of the religious police, repression of women and other issues. If you join in the protest, be aware of the risks and carefully follow the developments.

Men are required to abide by the following dress code: Short-sleeved shirts and t-shirts are acceptable for daily wear. Shorts and three-quarter length trousers are only acceptable on the beach. Dress attire for men is similar to that in Europe. Neckties are better to be avoided when visiting one of the more conservative government bodies, as they are regarded as a sign of imperialism and a reminder of the pro-Western kingdom era by the authorities. It is quite acceptable in the areas outside, though it denotes indifference toward or opposition against state regulations and values. Jogging in tracksuits (not shorts) is acceptable for men.

Politics [ edit ]

Iran is routinely regarded as one of the most authoritarian countries in the world. Thousands of Iranians have faced persecution, harassment, and mistreatment by the Islamic government. Regardless of what opinions you hold, criticism of the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khomeini, and the government is dangerous and can quickly put you in legal hot water; people have been imprisoned for criticising them. Avoid bringing material critical of the Iranian government to Iran. Those who have fled Iran are more likely to be open to having political discussions.

Conduct [ edit ]

Greet people of the same sex with a handshake, three kisses or both, but avoid physical contact with people of the opposite sex in public. Wait for them to introduce themselves instead; or just introduce yourself normally. Bowing with a hand over your heart may be seen occasionally. In private, only shake hands with a member of the opposite sex when he or she holds out their hand first.

Tarof [ edit ]

Tarof (Persian: تعارف ) is a genuine Persian form of civility emphasising both self-deference and social rank. The term encompasses a range of social behaviours, from a man displaying etiquette by opening the door for another person, to a group of colleagues standing on ceremony in front of a door that can permit the entry of only one at time, earnestly imploring the most senior to break the deadlock.

The prevalence of tarof often gives rise to different styles of negotiation than one would see in a European or North American culture. For example, a worker negotiating a salary might begin with a eulogy of the employer, followed by a lengthy bargaining session consisting entirely of indirect, polite language -- both parties are expected to understand the implied topic of discussion. It is quite common for an Iranian worker (even one employed in an Iranian neighbourhood within Europe) to work unpaid for a week or two before the issue of wages is finally broached. Likewise, a shopkeeper may initially refuse to quote a price for an item, suggesting that it is worthless. Tarof obliges the customer to insist on paying, possibly several times, before a shopkeeper finally quotes a price and real negotiation can begin.

Tarof also governs the rules of hospitality : a host is obliged to offer anything a guest might want, and a guest is equally obliged to refuse it. This ritual may repeat itself several times before the host and guest finally determine whether the host's offer and the guest's refusal are real or simply polite. It is possible to ask someone not to tarof ( tarof näkonid ), but that raises new difficulties, since the request itself might be a devious type of tarof . The best approach to handle Tarof is to be politely direct. Accept or reject as soon as you wish to, and be sure that Iranians will not be offended. Even though Tarof is purely about the art of civility, your engagement in Tarof might enter you into a vicious cycle of hypocrisy that may ruin your entire stay. The exception to this may be with food; as mentioned above, guests are expected to accept food they are offered at dinner, regardless of whether they intend to eat it.

Obscene gestures [ edit ]

The thumbs up gesture is rude in traditional and rural parts of Iran, almost equivalent to raising the middle finger in Western countries. However, it is becoming more and more acceptable, especially among the youth and in the big cities. Try to accompany it with a smile and you'll be fine.

Hitchhiking is rare in Iran, and the country has a good public transportation system. If you do hitchhike, do not use a thumbs up signal. Instead, hold your hand outstretched, palm downwards and, using a stiff arm, move it up and down below the waist in a motion similar to a British driver hand signaling that he is slowing for a pedestrian crossing. Like in Japan , if you are an obvious occidental you are likely to make rapid and friendly progress. Also, be aware that drivers will generally expect to be paid and, unless you are an expert haggler, hitchhiking will often be more expensive than taking a bus.

Contrary to popular belief, public observance of other religions, except the Baha'i faith and Ahmadiyyah, which are considered heretical, is officially tolerated in Iran.

There is a sizable Christian community, most of whom are ethnic Armenians or Assyrians/Chaldean, and a small Jewish community (which is nevertheless, the largest Jewish community in the Middle East outside Israel). In addition to the Abrahamic faiths, there are also significant numbers of Zoroastrians who are basically free to practise their own religion.

Remember that this is an Islamic theocracy — speaking negatively about Islam is illegal and can close many doors for you. Islamic dress codes also apply to non-Muslims.

Religious site etiquette [ edit ]

Some mosques and most holy sites require women to wear a chādor . If you don't have one, a kiosk by the door of the site may provide you with one. Although it's not mandatory, it is recommended for men to wear long-sleeved shirts before entering. The following shows other etiquettes that should be respected in religious premises:

• Do not bring your shoes to prayer areas; it is considered disrespectful. Leave your shoes outside.
• Do not take photographs inside a mosque; many will find it disrespectful.
• Try to avoid mosques on the holy day of Friday as they will usually be packed and busy during Friday prayers.
• Some holy sites are closed to non-Muslims. If you're in doubt, always ask.
• In Zoroastrian fire temples, the innermost sanctum is closed to non-Zoroastrians.

Music [ edit ]

Western music and dancing in public is banned. However, the visitors may notice that even shared taxis openly play the music of their choice. Still, customs may confiscate any music tapes or CDs brought in as some western music is considered un-Islamic, degrading towards women and corrupting for the minds of the youth. However, many Iranian youth have widespread access to all kinds of music. Women are not allowed to sing in public (even the traditional music); they may sing indoors for other women only.

Miscellaneous [ edit ]

Do not assume that all Iranians dislike the West . The vast majority of Iranians have nothing negative to say about the West and other countries. Only a small handful of people (ardent supporters of the Iranian government) have negative things to say about other countries. Remember that there's a big difference between Iranian people and those in power.

Most Iranians are not Arabs . Referring to Iranians – other than the Arab minority – as "Arabs" may result in puzzled looks.

Connect [ edit ]

Landline phone [ edit ].

An Iranian phone number is of the form +98-XXX-XXX-XXXX where "98" is the country code for Iran, the next 3 digits (or 2 in the case of Tehran and some big cities) is the area code and the remaining 7 digits (eight in the case of Tehran and some big cities) are the "local" part of the subscriber number that can be called from within that particular code area using abbreviated dialing. From other areas within Iran You will need to dial "0" in front of the area code.

Mobile numbers in Iran must always be dialed with all 11 digits (including a "0" prefixing the "9nn" within Iran), no matter where they are being called from. The 9nn is a mobile prefix, not an "area code"; the second and third digits denote the original mobile network assigned.

These are the area codes for major cities: Tehran (021) - Kashan (0361) - Isfahan (031) - Ahwaz (061) - Shiraz (071) - Tabriz (041) - Mashad (051) - Kerman (034) - Gorgan (0171) - Na'in (0323) - Hamadan (081) - Kermanshah (083) - Sari (011)

When making international calls from Iran, the prefix to be dialled prior to country code is 00 .

Cell phones [ edit ]

Irancell (MTN), MCI, Iran Taliya, and Rightel offer pre-paid SIM cards for international travelers at a very modest cost. It is possible to buy recharge cards from all newsstands and supermarkets for 20,000 rials. 3G and 4G coverage is very good and services are also available at very low prices, specially at night, for surfing the web or checking your email. With a copy of the information page of your passport and a copy of the page with Iranian visa and entrance seal, you can buy SIM cards and access the internet with GPRS, EDGE, 3G and 4G technologies. SIM cards are available in places like post and government e-services offices (Persian: singular: Daftar-e Pishkhan-e Khadamat-e Dowlat دفتر پیشخوان خدمات دولت; plural: Dafater-e Pishkhan-e Khadamat-e Dowlat دفاتر پیشخوان خدمات دولت), in big shops and at the Imam Khomeini airport.

In September 2016 at IKIA an Irancell SIM card cost 100,000 rials and a 3 Gb Internet plan cost 200,000 rials. Some shops refuse to sell SIM cards to British nationals.

Post [ edit ]

The Islamic Republic of Iran Post Company runs the 275 urban and 1,153 rural post offices. The company provides many of the internationally available post services. Parcel sending is very cheap and reliable. Bring your items unpacked to the post office. International courier companies such as DHL , Skypak etc. have offices in Tehran and accept documents for foreign destinations.

Internet [ edit ]

You can readily access Wi-Fi internet services (depending upon network availability) in many areas, and in all provinces. However, some websites, including Facebook and YouTube, are blocked in Iran.

Iranians commonly use VPNs to get around blocks, even though Iran is among the few countries that ban VPN use.

Internet cafes [ edit ]

You can expect to pay 150,000 rials per hour to access a computer and an Internet connection in these places. Despite their name, no food or drinks get served there. Internet speeds range from acceptable in small cities to very good in major ones.

Working hours [ edit ]

• Bus company . Offices at the terminals in larger cities open daily from early morning until the evening more or less without a break. In smaller cities they may keep smaller or less regular hours.
• Foreign embassies . Consulates and Embassies follow the Iranian working week, closing on Friday and often on one other day of the week, usually Saturday, as well as their own national holidays. However, to make sure on all cases, it is advisable to call first before visiting.
• Government offices . Generally open Sa-W 08:00-14:00. Some offices, especially ministries in Tehran, are closed completely on Thursday and others open only 08:00-11:30 or 12:00. In general, Thursday is not a good day for conducting official business.
• Principal businesses . Open from 09:00-13:00 and 15:00-21:00 weekdays and closed on Fridays. The bazaar and some shops close on Thursday afternoon, too.
• Museums . Each museum has its own visiting hours. It is better to check the timings before visiting.

Hours may change during Ramadan , the month of fasting. During that month, Muslims are not allowed to eat or drink while the sun is in the sky. Restaurants are closed all day, opening at sundown and perhaps remaining open very late. Other businesses may adjust their hours as well.

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ISFAHAN (ESFAHAN)

KISH ISLAND

Iran Travel: The Complete Guide You’ve Been Waiting For!

Table of Contents

Welcome, fellow explorers and adventure seekers! If you’ve ever dreamt of embarking on a journey to a land where ancient history, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality converge, you’re in for a treat. In this Iran Travel Guide, we’re about to unravel the secrets of Iran, a country that has captivated the hearts of travelers for centuries.

Whether you’re considering Iran Travel as your next trip or you’ve already booked your ticket, our aim is to equip you with the knowledge you need to make your trip an unforgettable experience, from understanding the intricacies of obtaining an Iran visa to managing your finances while in the country, we’ve got you covered. We’ll also delve into the nuances of Iranian etiquette and dressing codes, ensuring that you navigate this beautiful nation with grace and respect.

So, get ready to embark on an enriching journey through the enchanting realms of Iran. Pack your curiosity, an open heart, and a sense of adventure because Iran is waiting to reveal its treasures to you. Let’s begin this odyssey together!

Iran Travel Guide: Why Visiting Iran?

Visiting Iran is an absolute must for any adventurous traveler! With its rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and warm-hearted locals, Iran offers a truly unique and unforgettable experience. Imagine wandering through ancient cities like Isfahan, where stunning mosques and palaces adorned with intricate tile work transport you to a bygone era.

Don’t miss the mesmerizing beauty of the deserts, where the sand dunes seem to stretch on forever under a sky painted with stars. And, of course, the delicious cuisine will tantalize your taste buds with aromatic kebabs, fragrant saffron rice, and sweet baklava. But what truly makes Iran special is the warmth and hospitality of its people, who are eager to share their culture and stories with visitors. Here we listed a few reasons why to visit Iran:

1. Embrace the Timeless History

Iran boasts an ancient civilization that dates back thousands of years, and its historical significance is awe-inspiring. From the magnificent ruins of Persepolis , a UNESCO World Heritage site, to the grand Golestan Palace in Tehran , each structure is a testament to the country’s glorious past. Wander through winding alleys of historic cities like Isfahan and Yazd, where intricate architecture and the echoes of the past transport you to a bygone era.

2. Immerse in Vibrant Culture

Iran’s culture is a tapestry of diverse influences, from Persian, Arab, and Turkish to Central Asian and European. Experience the warmth of its people as they welcome you with open arms and indulge you with their hospitality. Marvel at the vivid colors of traditional clothing and savor the flavors of Iranian cuisine , renowned for its aromatic spices and delicately prepared dishes.

3. Mesmerizing Landscapes

Venture beyond the cities, and Iran unfolds its breathtaking natural beauty. From the lush greenery of the northern forests  (Hyrcanian Forests) to the stunning deserts of Dasht-e Kavir and Dasht-e Lut , each landscape is a masterpiece of nature’s artistry. Don’t miss the serene beauty of Mount Damavand or the otherworldly Kaluts, where wind-sculpted sand dunes create a surreal landscape.

4. UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Iran is home to an impressive array of UNESCO World Heritage Sites , and exploring them is like traveling back in time. Discover the ancient city of Bam and its adobe citadel, the awe-inspiring ancient aqueducts of Shushtar , and the magnificent Armenian Monastic Ensembles of Iran. Each site offers a unique glimpse into the country’s diverse heritage and architectural brilliance.

5. Dazzling Art and Architecture

Iran is an art lover’s paradise. Delve into the mesmerizing world of Persian carpets , renowned for their intricate designs and craftsmanship. Admire the mesmerizing beauty of Islamic architecture in mosques like Nasir al-Mulk in Shiraz , where colorful stained glass windows cast a rainbow of hues on the floors.

6. Experience Festivals and Traditions

Plan your visit to coincide with one of Iran’s vibrant festivals, and you’ll be treated to an immersive cultural experience. Witness the exuberant celebrations of Nowruz , the Persian New Year, or be part of the spiritual fervor during Ashura . These festivals offer a window into the soul of Iran’s traditions and values.

7. Warmth and Hospitality of Locals

Iranians are known for their exceptional warmth and hospitality towards visitors. Prepare to be embraced with open hearts and enjoy a genuine connection with the locals. The enriching interactions you’ll have will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on your travel memories.

8. Safe and Welcoming Environment

Contrary to misconceptions, Iran is a safe country to visit. The people are warm and friendly, always ready to assist travelers. While you should exercise usual caution as with any foreign destination, Iran’s reputation for safety is well-deserved.

9. Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventures

If you yearn for unique experiences, Iran has plenty to offer. Explore the enigmatic village of Masuleh, nestled in the Alborz Mountains, where houses are built into the mountainside. Trek through the lush valleys of Golestan National Park, spotting rare wildlife along the way. These off-the-beaten-path adventures will leave you with unforgettable memories.

10. Photography Paradise

Photographers will find Iran to be a haven of visually stunning landscapes and architectural marvels. From the colorful bazaars to the ancient ruins, every corner of Iran is a potential masterpiece waiting to be captured through your lens.

Persia or Iran: Are They the Same?

Have you ever wondered if Persia and Iran are the same thing? They’re often used interchangeably, but there’s an incredible history to each.

Persia refers to the ancient Persian Empire , which existed around 550 BC to 330 BC. Persia was famous for its amazing art, culture, and architecture back then. It left a big mark on the Middle East and beyond. Today, we use “Persia” to talk about this old kingdom and its impact.

In 1935, the country officially switched its name from Persia to Iran , which means “land of the Aryans.” This change was meant to highlight Iran’s deep ties to the Aryan people who came to the region thousands of years ago. Nowadays, we use “Iran” to talk about the modern-day Islamic Republic of Iran in the Middle East.

Even though people often use Persia and Iran interchangeably, it’s cool to know the history behind each name. By learning about the fascinating history of Persia, you can better appreciate the rich culture and heritage of this beautiful country.

When we dive into Persia’s awesome history and how it influenced the world, we can start to really admire Iran’s amazing culture and heritage. So, let’s explore and learn!

Can Everyone Travel to Iran?

Iran has become a popular travel destination that attracts wanderers from all over the world thanks to its rich history, captivating culture, and breathtaking landscapes. However, some prospective travelers may have lingering questions about whether everyone can travel to Iran. Let’s answer that question!

The answer to whether everyone can travel to Iran is a resounding yes ! Iran, in recent years, has taken significant steps to facilitate travel for visitors from diverse backgrounds and nationalities. The Iranian government, recognizing the potential of tourism and the desire of travelers to explore its wonders, has streamlined visa procedures, making it easier for tourists to obtain necessary travel permits.

While some nationalities can enjoy visa-free entry for short stays, most visitors can apply for a visa through a simple process. The option of a visa on arrival at major airports has also been extended to many nationalities, further enhancing accessibility. These measures reflect Iran’s commitment to being a welcoming and inclusive travel destination. We will talk about getting Iran visa in detail later in this article.

Safety and security are crucial considerations for travelers, and Iran stands as a country with a relatively low crime rate. Misconceptions surrounding its geopolitical situation often overshadow the reality on the ground. The Iranian people are known for their warm hospitality and friendliness towards visitors, making travelers feel welcomed and safe throughout their journey.

Cultural sensitivity plays a significant role in ensuring a smooth travel experience in Iran. The country has a rich cultural heritage, and respecting local customs is essential. While the dress code is more conservative compared to Western norms, adhering to it when visiting public places and religious sites is not only a sign of respect but also fosters positive interactions with the locals. If you’re interested in reading about someone’s experience traveling to Iran with To Iran Tour, we have a fantastic travelogue from one of our guests below. It’s definitely worth checking out!

Iran Travel Story: A Memorable 15-year-old’s Wanderlust Through Iran

Iran is making strides in improving accessibility for people with disabilities. Although there may still be challenges to overcome, many public places, hotels, and tourist attractions have taken steps to accommodate travelers with mobility challenges. Efforts are continuously being made to make Iran a more inclusive destination for travelers of all abilities.

When traveling to Iran, some people may worry about language barriers since English may not be commonly spoken. However, this should not discourage anyone from discovering this fascinating country. The Iranian locals are renowned for their kind-heartedness and eagerness to help tourists communicate, often using hand gestures and basic English phrases. Additionally, many young Iranians speak English as a second language, and it is taught in high schools.

Financial transactions and currency exchange are essential aspects of travel planning. Iran’s official currency is the Iranian Rial (IRR) . While international credit cards may not be widely accepted, travelers can use US dollars or euros and exchange them at official exchange offices or banks. Carrying sufficient cash is advisable, especially when visiting more remote areas where ATMs may not be readily available.

Iran has its unique cultural norms, particularly regarding gender segregation and LGBTQ+ rights. Travelers need to approach these considerations with cultural sensitivity and respect. Understanding and adhering to local customs can create a harmonious travel experience and foster positive interactions with the local community.

Healthcare is a crucial aspect of any travel experience. Iran boasts a well-developed healthcare system with competent medical professionals. While the likelihood of medical emergencies is low, having comprehensive travel insurance is recommended to ensure peace of mind throughout the journey.

To sum up, Iran has made significant strides in improving its travel accessibility in recent years, making it a warm and inclusive destination for visitors from all over the globe. With simplified visa processes, increased safety measures, and a commitment to meeting diverse needs, Iran warmly welcomes travelers. Adapting to local customs, respecting cultural sensitivities, and being open to new experiences will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience in this captivating country where history, culture, and natural beauty unite seamlessly.

Thank you for joining me on this journey through the historical tapestry of Persia and Iran. Now, we want to extend a personal invitation to each one of you. If you’ve been captivated by the allure of Iran and are considering a visit, or even if you’re just curious to learn more, I invite you to explore our Iran travel guide. It’s a labor of love, crafted to share the magic of Iran with fellow travelers. From general steps to plan your travel to Iran to everything you need to know about Iran visa that might confuse you, our guide promises to be your trusted companion on your Iranian adventure.

How to Plan Visting Iran? (12 Steps)

Traveling to Iran, with its rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes, requires meticulous planning to ensure a smooth and fulfilling journey. Follow this step-by-step guide to efficiently plan your trip to this captivating destination.

Step 1: Research and Itinerary

Start by researching Iran’s diverse attractions and destinations . Identify the places you wish to visit and create a detailed itinerary. Consider the duration of your trip, the activities you want to engage in, and the must-see landmarks you don’t want to miss. You can check ToIranTour packages and customize your desired tour itinerary.

Step 2: Visa and Travel Documentation

Check the visa requirements for your nationality. Most visitors can obtain a tourist visa for Iran through the Iranian embassy or consulate in their home country. Alternatively, you can opt for a visa on arrival at major airports or use of visa services of an authorized tour operator/travel agency. Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure date. There is more information about getting Iran visa in the rest of the article and also on our blog .

Step 3: Best Time to Visit

Consider the best time to visit Iran based on your preferences. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) offer mild temperatures and pleasant weather, ideal for exploring the country. Also, the best time to visit depends on the tour and activities. However, each season has its unique charm, so choose according to your interests.

Step 4: Cultural Awareness

Familiarize yourself with Iranian customs and etiquette to show respect for local traditions. Note that women should wear modest clothing that covers the arms, legs, and hair when in public places. Understanding and embracing the culture will enhance your travel experience.

Step 5: Language and Communication

While English is not widely spoken, the Iranian people are known for their warm hospitality. Learn a few basic Persian phrases to facilitate communication and connect with the locals. This will enrich your interactions during your journey.

Step 6: Accommodation and Transportation

Book your accommodation in advance to secure the best options that suit your budget and preferences. Iran offers a range of accommodations, from luxurious hotels to budget-friendly guesthouses. Plan your transportation within the country, whether by domestic flights, trains, or buses, to efficiently navigate between destinations. You can check the accommodation and transportation with a local tour operator. 

Step 7: Health and Travel Insurance

Prioritize your health and well-being by consulting a healthcare professional for any required vaccinations or health precautions before traveling to Iran. Additionally, consider purchasing comprehensive travel insurance to provide coverage in case of unexpected medical emergencies or trip disruptions.

Step 8: Currency and Money Matters

Familiarize yourself with Iran’s currency, the Iranian Rial (IRR), and its exchange rates. While credit cards are not widely accepted, carrying sufficient cash is advisable, especially when traveling to remote areas where ATMs may not be readily available. Also, read about travel costs in Iran to plan accordingly.

Step 9: Safety and Security

Iran is considered a safe destination for travelers, with a low crime rate and a welcoming local population. However, exercise standard safety precautions and stay informed about local conditions to ensure a worry-free journey.

Step 10: Respect for Religious Sites in Iran

Iran is home to numerous significant religious sites. Show respect when visiting mosques, shrines, and other places of worship by adhering to dress codes and rules for visitors.

Step 11: Iran Local Customs and Traditions

Respect local customs and traditions to foster positive interactions with the Iranian people. Greetings, gestures, and dining etiquette -which we are going to talk about later in this article – may differ from your home country, so be open-minded and willing to embrace cultural differences.

Step 12: Packing Essentials

Pack appropriate clothing for varying weather conditions and cultural considerations. Don’t forget essentials like sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, and a reusable water bottle for staying hydrated.

DIY or Tour for Traveling to Iran? Our Iran Travel Guide Perspective

When you’re thinking about having an awesome trip to Iran, you’ve got to decide if you want to plan everything yourself or join a guided tour . Each option has its own good and not-so-good points, so it’s important to pick what suits you and your travel goals best. In this comparison, we’ll look at the perks of DIY travel to Iran or going on a tour for visiting Iran. We’ll highlight why it’s a great idea and show you why tour services are valuable.

DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Travel to Iran

• Freedom and Flexibility: DIY travel offers the freedom to create a personalized itinerary, exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations at your own pace. It caters to adventurous spirits who relish the thrill of independent exploration.
• Cost Control: Traveling independently allows budget-conscious travelers to choose accommodations, transportation, and dining options that align with their financial preferences.
• Authenticity in Interactions: With DIY travel, you have the opportunity to interact with locals on a more personal level, leading to genuine cultural experiences and connections.

Weaknesses:

• Logistical Challenges: Planning transportation, accommodations, and activities can be time-consuming and potentially overwhelming, especially in Iran with language barriers and unfamiliar customs.
• Navigating Language Barriers: English is not widely spoken in Iran and this will lead to communication challenges in certain situations.
• Cultural Awareness: Researching and adhering to local customs and etiquette may require extra effort to ensure respectful interactions.

Travel to Iran by Tour

• Reasonable Pricing: Contrary to common misconceptions, tours to Iran often offer excellent value for money, including a comprehensive package of services and experiences at a reasonable cost.
• Local Knowledge: Tour guides possess extensive knowledge of Iran’s history, culture, and landmarks, providing enriching insights and context to enhance your understanding of the destination.
• Close Connections with Locals: Tour operators often have well-established relationships with local communities, facilitating authentic encounters with Iranians and unlocking hidden gems inaccessible to DIY travelers.
• Awareness of Subtleties: Experienced tour guides are attuned to cultural nuances, ensuring that travelers navigate social interactions with grace and sensitivity.
• Authentic Experiences: Tours curate experiences that offer a balance between must-see landmarks and off-the-beaten-path wonders, providing a more authentic and immersive travel experience. Since Iran is a less-known destination, this issue becomes more important.
• Fixed Itineraries: Tours operate on pre-planned itineraries, which may not cater to individual preferences for spontaneity and exploration. To solve this problem, you can use individual and customized tours. ToIranTour can help you in this matter.
• Group Dynamic: Traveling with a group may limit personal freedom and require compromise on specific preferences. However, using the services of tour operators who are committed to organizing tours with small groups can solve this problem to a large extent.

While both DIY travel and guided tours have their perks, let’s talk about why you might want to consider taking an Iran tour. Tours in Iran are like having a friendly local show you all the best stuff. They know the coolest places, the tastiest food, and the most interesting stories.

When you join a tour, you don’t need to worry about all the nitty-gritty details of planning. The tour guides take care of everything, so you can relax and enjoy your trip. Plus, they know all the ins and outs of Iran’s beautiful landscapes, so you won’t miss a thing.

But the best part? You get to connect with the local folks, discover hidden gems, and dive deep into Iran’s rich history and culture. It’s an adventure you won’t forget! So, if you’re looking for a stress-free and amazing way to explore Iran, consider joining a tour .

How Can I Buy Iran Tours?

To make sure your trip is fantastic and easy, you need to think about a few important things when choosing your tour. We’re here to help you with that. Check out these key factors to find the perfect tour for your travel to Iran:

1. Attractiveness of the Itinerary

Examine the tour itinerary closely to determine its appeal and alignment with your interests. A well-crafted itinerary should encompass a balance of must-see attractions and off-the-beaten-path gems, offering a comprehensive exploration of Iran’s diverse landscape. Look for unique experiences, cultural encounters, and opportunities for authentic interactions with local communities.

2. Licensed Tour Operator

Verify whether the tour operator is licensed and accredited by relevant authorities. A licensed operator adheres to specific standards, ensuring compliance with safety regulations, customer protection, and quality of services. This validation offers peace of mind and enhances the reliability of the tour.

3. Right Price vs. Misleading Pricing

Price is a crucial consideration, but it should not be the sole determining factor. Be cautious of tours that offer significantly lower prices than competitors, as they may compromise on the quality of services and experiences. Compare the inclusions of each tour to assess its true value and avoid being misled by seemingly inexpensive options.

4. Customer Support

Good customer support is integral to a satisfying travel experience. Look for a tour operator who is responsive to inquiries, provides detailed information, and is attentive to your needs and preferences. A reliable tour operator should be readily available to address any concerns before, during, and after your journey.

5. Communication with the Tour Operator

Efficient and clear communication with the tour operator is vital for a seamless travel experience. Ensure your Iranian tour operator is accessible through various communication channels, such as email, phone, or chat. Prompt responses and transparent communication demonstrate the operator’s commitment to customer satisfaction.

6. Group Size and Dynamics

Consider the group size of the tour and how it aligns with your preferences. Smaller groups offer a more intimate experience, while larger groups may foster camaraderie with fellow travelers. Choose a group size that complements your travel style.

By picking a tour that matches your interests , you can have an incredible adventure exploring Iran’s history, culture, and beautiful natural sights. So, get ready to discover the magic of Iran and enjoy every moment of your unforgettable journey!

Local Tour Operator or International Tour Operator?

When you’re planning your trip to discover the amazing attractions of Iran, you have two choices: you can either go with a local tour company or an international one. Each of these options has its own good sides and not-so-good sides, and they’re better suited for different kinds of travelers. In this comparison, we’ll focus on why using a local tour company can be a great idea. We’ll talk about what they’re really good at and how they can make your travel experience even more special.

Local Tour Operator

• Reasonable Pricing: Local tour operators usually have great prices because they really know the local scene. They can talk with suppliers and get good deals, often saving you a lot of money – up to 80-100% less than international tour operators. One reason is that local operators have lower taxes. On the flip side, many international tour companies team up with locals to run their tours. When they add an extra layer like an intermediary, costs go up, and so does the price for you.
• Local Knowledge: Utilizing the expertise of a local tour operator grants travelers access to a wealth of insider knowledge. Local operators possess an in-depth understanding of Iran’s history, culture, and attractions, allowing for enriching insights and personalized recommendations.
• Close Connections with Locals: Local tour operators have well-established relationships with local communities, leading to meaningful cultural interactions and authentic experiences that might not be possible with international operators. Local tour operators are attuned to cultural nuances and customs, ensuring that travelers navigate social interactions with respect and grace, leading to more immersive and respectful experiences.
• Flexible Itineraries: Local operators can offer more flexibility in tailoring itineraries to individual preferences, allowing travelers to focus on specific interests and personalize their journey.
• Unknown brand and trust: Naturally, international tour operators have a more well-known brand, and it is easier to trust them. Of course, you can trust local tour operators who have an official license and also have good performance in their previous services. On the other hand, you can book your tour with just a small deposit.

International Tour Operator

• Global Expertise: International tour operators often have a wider network of destinations and resources, offering comprehensive tour packages that cover multiple countries or regions.
• Ease of Booking: International operators usually have user-friendly websites and customer service in various languages, making booking and communication more accessible for a diverse clientele. 
• Higher Costs: International tour operators may have higher overheads and administrative expenses, which can be reflected in the pricing of their tours, making them comparatively more expensive.
• Limited Local Insights: While international operators offer broad coverage, their understanding of the local culture and customs in specific destinations may not be as deep as that of local operators.

Are you having trouble with the Iran visa application process? You’re not alone. Getting a visa for Iran can be tricky for many travelers. It’s important to determine if you’re eligible and what rules you need to follow.

Generally, visiting Iran needs a visa, except for a few countries that can travel to Iran visa-free. There are some countries that can get their visa on arrival, but some countries are not eligible for Iran visa on arrival, and they must get their visa before their trip (which normally takes about 3 to 7 days to get your visa). There are some countries that don’t need any visa for visiting Iran. Keep reading to find out which group you belong to.

To get your visa, you can go to Iran’s embassy in your country, or apply for your Iran visa online , or even easier, use an authorized tour operator to do the process for you.

For some countries like the US, the UK, and Canada , things might be more complicated. Their governments don’t have good relationships with Iran’s government, which can make getting a visa even harder. Right now, there’s no Iranian embassy in the US.

Don’t let this process stop you from exploring the great things Iran has to offer. With some planning and looking into things, you can make the visa application go smoothly. Make sure you know what your nationality needs and give yourself enough time.

Even though getting a visa can be tough, Iran is an amazing place to visit. There are ancient cities with beautiful buildings, delicious food, and friendly people who will make you feel welcome. So, don’t let the visa process hold you back. Start planning your trip to Iran today, and To Iran Tour can help you make getting your visa easier .

How to Get an Iran Visa on Arrival?

Feeling a bit stressed about getting your visa to Iran? Well, here’s some good news! If you’re from one of 180 countries, you might not need to stress too much.

Starting from February 14, 2016, Iran’s Ministry announced something cool. They said that at their airports, they can give 30-day visas to people from those 180 countries. This makes things super simple if you want to visit Iran and see all its amazing stuff.

But hold on a second! Not everyone from those 180 countries can just show up and get a visa. It might depend on where you’re from, and there could be some rules you need to follow. Before you pack your bags for Iran, make sure to check what you need to do based on where you’re from.

If you’re allowed to get an Iran visa on arrival, you can do it at different airports, like Tehran Imam Khomeini Airport (IKA), Mashad Airport, Shiraz Airport, and more. Here’s what you’ll need to do:

• Answer some questions about your Iran trip,
• Show them where you’re staying (like a hotel reservation),
• Share a copy of your travel insurance,
• Prove you have a return flight ticket

By keeping yourself informed and being careful, you can have a great and safe trip to Iran!

Iran Visa Requirements: Best Guide 2023

Travel to Iran Without a Visa

There are 14 countries in 2023 that can visit Iran without any visa at all. These countries include Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Malaysia, Oman, Venezuela, China (for 21 days), Hong Kong, Macau, Egypt, Armenia, Lebanon, Bolivia, and Syria. To read more about Iran travel without a visa, read the article below:

Travel to Iran Without a Visa in 2024: Your Ultimate Guide

Non-eligible Nationalities for Iran Visa on Arrival

It’s important to know who can get a visa when they arrive in Iran. If you’re from countries like Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Colombia, India, Iraq, Jordan, Pakistan, Somalia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, you can’t get a visa on arrival.

If that’s the case for you, don’t worry! You can still get a visa in a few different ways. You can go to the Iranian embassy in your home country, apply online, or ask an authorized tour operator to help you out , which is the easiest option.

How to Get an Iran Visa; A Complete Guide

What is the Iran Visa Authorization Code

This code is necessary for everyone who wants to apply for an Iran visa and serves as a determining factor for your visa application’s approval.

For those who plan to travel in a group, the tour operator will generally process the visa process and get the authorization code.

For solo travelers or those who don’t have a tour agent, ToIranTour can be a reliable option that offers essential travel services for visiting Iran. Alternatively, you can source an Iranian travel agency or seek direction from the embassy where you plan to obtain your visa.

When applying for the Authorisation Code, you’ll need to specify the embassy or airport where you’ll be processing your visa (unless you’re American, Canadian, or British because Iran doesn’t have embassies there). This can be a bit challenging for those traveling without solid plans or those who plan to visit multiple cities in Iran. It’s wise to choose an embassy in a city you’re likely to fly into Iran from, taking into account the processing time required for your visa application.

Remember, the Authorization Code isn’t your visa . It doesn’t guarantee you’ll get one. Once you have the code, you have to collect your visa label at the embassy/Iranian airport within three months . It’s a good idea to apply well ahead of your trip to handle any delays or issues. So, by getting the Authorization Code and applying for your visa early, you can have a smooth and fun trip to Iran.

Iran Tourist Visa Cost

When planning to obtain an Iran tourist visa, it’s important to budget for the costs of the visa. The cost of the visa service varies depending on the agency, usually with an administration fee of 30 to 50 euros, unless booked along with a tour package.

To Iran Tour offers the most affordable service for this situation, and they even have promotions where it can be free. Plus, if you book a tour with To Iran Tour , you won’t have to pay for the visa service.

However, the price of an Iran tourist visa depends on your nationality and the embassy where you apply for it. There isn’t a fixed fee for the visa, so it’s essential to inquire about the current fees at the embassy where you intend to obtain it. Consequently, the visa cost can vary depending on the location where you submit your application. For instance, one traveler paid €180 for their visa in Tbilisi, Georgia, while another paid a slightly higher amount to process their visa in Paris.

An IMPORTANT note is that to pay the cost of a visa at the airport, have enough cash in your pocket as in Iran, international payment cards are not valid. We have travelers who put their cash money in bags and do not have access to their money when check-in and have administrative problems, So keep enough cash in EUR/USD by yourself while getting your stomp visa at the airport.

It’s recommended to budget for the highest possible cost when planning your trip, as visa fees can change without notice. By budgeting accordingly and planning in advance, you can ensure a smooth and hassle-free visa application process and enjoy your trip to Iran with ease.

Iran Visa Timings

Obtaining an Iranian tourist visa is not a time-consuming process, but travelers should plan accordingly to avoid any last-minute stress. It’s important to be aware that the Authorisation Code, necessary for obtaining a visa label, could take 3 – 7 working days to process except for US, Canada, and Britain passport holders, which take more time (around 30-45 working days). Even if you fast-track the process, it’s likely that the code will arrive with only a few days to spare before your planned arrival in Iran or tour start date.

This means that before any trip to Iran, especially when traveling on a tour, you’ll need to plan in advance and be prepared to rush to the embassy to process your authorization code. You may have to pay extra for fast-tracking and organizing your flight ticket to Iran at the last minute, which doesn’t always guarantee the best price. So, it’s a good idea not to book your flights to Iran or any travel arrangements until you know your Iran visa will be processed.

By planning ahead and being aware of the potential delays and challenges in obtaining an Iran tourist visa, travelers can have a stress-free and enjoyable trip to this beautiful country. 

How Can US citizens Travel to Iran?

For American citizens, exploring the wonders of Iran can be an enticing prospect, but it comes with a unique set of considerations due to the complex relationship between Iran and the United States of America.

When it comes to visas, Iran has stricter conditions for American citizens, and the United States has similar policies for Iranian nationals. While the process of obtaining a visa for American citizens traveling to Iran may require more time and effort, it is entirely possible with the right approach . Here’s a brief explanation of the process.

1. Visa Application Process:

If you plan to travel to Iran, it’s best to start the visa application process well before your intended departure date. It’s recommended to begin the process at least two months in advance to ensure there is enough time for processing.

2. Contacting the Iranian Interests Section or Embassy

American citizens seeking to obtain an Iran visa must contact the Iranian Interests Section located at the Embassy of Pakistan in Washington, D.C. This is due to the absence of any direct embassy or consulate representation of Iran in the United States. Alternatively, they may choose to contact an Iranian consulate in a third country.

3. Application Documentation

Applicants will need to submit specific documentation to support their visa application, including a completed visa application form, a valid passport with at least six months’ validity beyond the planned departure date, passport-sized photographs, a detailed travel itinerary, and their resume which you can download its sample resume here .

4. Letter of Introduction

If you’re an American citizen planning to visit Iran, you’ll need something important: a special letter. This letter can be easily obtained through a trusted travel agency in Iran. They’ll help you get this letter from the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This letter is like your travel pass. It should explain why you want to visit Iran, your travel plans, and if someone in Iran is helping you, they should be mentioned too.

5. Group Tour vs. Independent Travel

American citizens can choose between traveling as part of an organized group tour or in a private tour.

IMPORTANT note: Both should be escorted by an authorized tour guide. Joining an organized group tour can simplify the visa process, as the tour operator may assist with obtaining the letter of introduction and navigating the application procedure.

6. Additional Screening and Processing Time

Due to the sensitive nature of the bilateral relationship, visa applications from American citizens undergo additional screening, which may contribute to longer processing times compared to citizens of other countries. However, it is crucial to remain patient and diligent throughout the process.

7. Visa Validity and Duration

After approval, the visa will specify its validity period and the permitted duration of stay in Iran. It is crucial to strictly adhere to these limitations to prevent any complications while traveling.

Therefore traveling to Iran as a US citizen may require navigating a more intricate visa application process due to the existing differences between Iran and the United States. However, with careful preparation, proper documentation, and patience, obtaining an Iranian visa is entirely possible. By adhering to the specified requirements and following the recommended steps, American travelers can embark on an unforgettable journey to discover the rich history, culture, and beauty of Iran, making memories to cherish for a lifetime.

Iran Visa for US UK and Canada Citizens: A Comprehensive Guide

How Can British and Canadian Citizens Travel to Iran?

British and Canadian citizens can travel to Iran following a similar process as American citizens . They must apply at the Iranian embassy in England or Canada, considering the required documentation and a letter of introduction from an authorized travel agency in Iran. Notably, these nationalities cannot obtain airport visas and must only use escorted tour services through a tour operator.

If the office of the custodian of Iran’s interests in Washington or other embassies located in Canada and England is far from your place of residence, or if you cannot visit them for any reason, you can receive your visa through the postal service. You should send the necessary documents, including your passport and your photo, along with a special form filled out by mail to the office of Iran’s Interests Protector or the embassy of your choice. After completing the administrative formalities, they will send the passport along with the visa to you.

Visa Refusal Possibilities

Travelers need to be aware that there is a risk of visa refusal for Iran if there is proof that they have traveled to Israel. This is due to the political tensions between the two countries and the Iranian government’s strict stance on the matter.

Additionally, visitors who work in certain industries, such as journalism or media, may also face scrutiny from Iranian authorities. This is because the Iranian government is sensitive to the portrayal of the country in the media and may view journalists and media workers as a potential threat to their national security.

If you have traveled to Israel in the past, it’s important to be transparent about this when applying for an Iran tourist visa. While this may increase the likelihood of visa refusal, it’s important to be honest to avoid any potential legal issues or complications during your visit.

It’s also recommended to avoid discussing any sensitive topics related to politics or religion during your stay in Iran, as these may be viewed as provocative and lead to unwanted attention from authorities.

Nationality Restrictions- Israelis Travel to Iran

It’s really important to know that if you’re from Israel, you can’t go to Iran. The two countries don’t get along right now, so this rule probably won’t change for a while.

We understand that it might be disappointing if you’re from Israel and you want to visit Iran to learn about its amazing culture and history. But it’s super important to follow the rules and not try to sneak into Iran. If you do, you could get into big trouble with the law, and your safety could be in danger.

Even if you have another passport from a different country, don’t try to go to Iran if you’re also an Israeli citizen. It’s just not safe.

Travel Insurance for Visiting Iran: Insights from Our Iran Travel Guide

When you’re getting ready for a trip to Iran, remember this: You need travel insurance to get your visa. It’s like a permission slip for your trip.

But not just any insurance will do. Make sure your insurance covers all of Iran and all the stuff you want to do there. Some insurance might say no to certain places or activities, so read the fine print!

You can also ask your tour guide to set you up with health insurance from a company like Saman Insurance. This insurance will help if you get sick or have an accident, and it can cover up to 50,000 Euros in medical bills.

So, if you want to stay safe and have a blast in Iran, get good travel insurance and be careful. Happy travels!

Booking the Best Tour

Booking an Iran tour package is a fantastic way to dive into the country’s incredible culture and history. It’s especially great if you want a smooth and stress-free trip. This might be your only option if you’re from the UK, the US, or Canada. You see, these countries have special rules that say you must join an official Iran tour operator or hire a private Iran guide.

Now, there are so many Iran tour packages out there that it can feel a bit overwhelming. But don’t worry! If you pick a trusted tour company like To Iran Tour , you’re in for a memorable adventure. We’ll take you to amazing places in Iran, ones that you might not easily reach on your own or using public transport. Plus, your local guide will be a treasure trove of info about Iran’s ancient history – perfect if you’re a history and culture fan.

You might think being in a tour group means you’re stuck all the time, but that’s not the case. You’ll still have plenty of free time to explore each place at your own pace. Even in a small group, we had loads of opportunities to discover Iran’s hidden gems on our terms.

Now, one thing to remember is that Iran tour packages can be quite packed. There’s not much downtime or rest days on the schedule, which might feel a bit rushed if you prefer a slower travel pace. But in just 12-14 days, you’ll see and experience so much that you’ll never forget.

All in all, booking an Iran tour package is an awesome way to soak up this incredible country and its rich culture and history. With a bit of planning and research, you’ll find the perfect tour that matches your interests and travel style. You’ll make memories that will stick with you forever.

Private Guided Tours of Iran

For those who prefer a more personalized travel experience, hiring a private tour guide in Iran is a great option. While it typically requires a minimum of two people, it offers the flexibility to customize your itinerary and travel at your own pace.

Private guided tours of Iran are particularly appealing to those who may have visa restrictions or prefer to avoid traveling in larger groups. With a private guide, you’ll have the benefit of local knowledge and expertise, and you can tailor your itinerary to suit your interests and preferences.

One of the advantages of a private guided tour is that you can have an intimate and authentic experience of Iran’s culture and history. Your guide can take you to off-the-beaten-path destinations and provide insights into local customs and traditions, giving you a deeper understanding and appreciation of the country.

Additionally, a private guided tour allows you to avoid the hassle and stress of planning logistics and transportation on your own. Your guide can handle all the details, from arranging accommodations and transportation to helping you navigate local customs and etiquette.

Iran Independent Travel

While solo and independent travel to Iran can be moderately easy for those with a free nationality, it’s important to note that the country is not yet well-trodden on the independent travel path. Hostels and guesthouses are scarce, and big, expensive hotels dominate the landscape, especially in Tehran. It’s also rare to come across a group of solo travelers to join.

However, that doesn’t mean that solo travel in Iran is impossible or unsafe. On the contrary, it’s a rewarding and exhilarating experience that offers a unique glimpse into the country’s rich culture and history. While it may require a bit more planning and effort, traveling independently in Iran allows you to create your own itinerary and explore at your own pace.

One of the advantages of independent travel is the flexibility to stay in smaller, locally-run accommodations and eat at local restaurants, giving you a more authentic and immersive experience. It also allows you to connect with locals and learn about their way of life, which can be a highlight of any trip.

Of course, traveling independently in Iran also requires some caution and common sense, such as being aware of local customs and dress codes and taking necessary precautions for safety. It’s also important to do your research and plan ahead to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip.

Couchsurfing in Iran

Couchsurfing can be a popular option for budget-conscious travelers looking to connect with locals and experience the culture firsthand. However, it’s important to note that Couchsurfing in Iran is officially illegal. While many independent travelers have reported using the resource and finding local hosts to be excellent guides, there are some risks involved.

One of the main concerns with Couchsurfing in Iran is the lack of official filters in place for hosts listed online. This means that travelers must exercise caution and take responsibility for their own safety. In the event that anything goes wrong, Couchsurfing hosts cannot be held responsible.

Despite these risks, Couchsurfing in Iran can be a rewarding experience for those who are willing to take the necessary precautions. It provides an opportunity to connect with locals and gain a deeper understanding of the country’s rich culture and history.

It’s important to note that while Couchsurfing may be illegal in Iran, it does happen anyway. However, travelers should be aware of the potential risks involved and take necessary precautions to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. This may include carefully vetting potential hosts, staying in public areas, and communicating clearly with your host about your expectations and boundaries.

Solo Female Travel to Iran

Traveling alone as a woman in Iran can be a bit tough sometimes, but it can also be incredibly rewarding if you’re open to experiencing the unique culture and people here. While women might have some more rules to follow compared to men, many solo female travelers have found Iranians to be really friendly and kind.

Here are some things to keep in mind to make your trip smoother:

• Respect Local Customs: Especially in smaller and more traditional places like Yazd, Kashan, and Qom, it’s essential to dress modestly. That means avoiding clothes that are too revealing, as it might come across as disrespectful.
• No PDA: Public displays of affection, like hugging or kissing in public, aren’t allowed in Iran. However, friends of the same sex usually hug or kiss each other on the cheek and it’s considered normal.

Despite these things to watch out for, Iran is actually considered one of the safest countries for tourists . You can confidently explore its beautiful landscapes and rich culture, knowing that most locals will be warm and welcoming.

Just remember to be cautious like you would anywhere else. Stay away from poorly lit areas at night and keep an eye on your surroundings in crowded places. With some careful planning and an open attitude, traveling solo as a woman in Iran can be a really enriching experience that might change your life.

In the end, while it might require a bit more effort and attention to local customs, it’s a unique and rewarding way to discover this amazing country and make unforgettable memories.

Best Time to Travel to Iran

Iran is a year-round destination with diverse climates and landscapes, making it an ideal destination for travelers seeking a variety of experiences. However, the best time to visit Iran depends on the region you plan to visit and your personal preferences.

For the classic route , which includes popular destinations like Tehran , Kashan, Isfahan, Yazd , and Shiraz, the best time to visit is during the two high seasons. The first high season runs from early March to late May , while the second high season runs from early September to late November . During these periods, the weather is generally mild, and the landscapes are lush and green, making it ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities.

If you’re planning to explore the Northwest and West route along the Zagros mountains , which includes destinations like Ardabil, Tabriz, Zanjan, Hamedan, Kermanshah, and Sanandaj, the best time to visit is during the high season from mid-April until mid-November . During this period, the weather is generally pleasant, and the landscapes are at their most picturesque.

If you’re thinking about visiting ski resorts in the northern part of Tehran like Dizin, Shemshak, and Tuchal, or if you’re headed to places in Southern Iran such as Ahwaz, Bushehr, Bandar Abbas, and the Persian Gulf Islands , the perfect time to go is from late November to late March . This is when the weather is cooler, and the ski resorts are at their busiest and most fun!

Keep in mind that July to September in Iran can get really hot, which might make the usual travel route not so comfy. But don’t worry! If you plan well and keep an eye on the weather, you can still have a great time visiting Iran during this time.

So, the ideal time to go to Iran depends on what you like and where you want to go. Iran has all sorts of landscapes and weather, so no matter when you decide to visit, you’ll always find something cool to do in this awesome country. For more detailed information about the best time to visit Iran based on your destination and weather, check out this article below:

Best Time To Travel To Iran: Your Ultimate Guide 2023

Iran UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Iran is a treasure trove of UNESCO World Heritage Sites that will leave you awestruck. With 26 sites recognized by UNESCO, including 24 cultural and two natural wonders , Iran boasts an ancient lineage that Iranians take pride in.

Each of these sites is the result of years of research and presentation of evidence to prove their significance to the world. From ancient palaces to stunning natural landscapes, these sites offer a glimpse into Iran’s rich cultural and historical heritage.

Visiting all of these sites would require multiple trips to Iran, but the effort is well worth it. Some of the most popular UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Iran include the ancient ruins of Persepolis , the stunning Sheikh Safi al-din Khanegah and Shrine Ensemble in Ardabil, and the beautiful Masjed-e Jāmé in Isfahan .

Other notable sites include the historic city of Yazd , the ancient hydraulic system of Shushtar , and the Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex, which is one of the largest covered bazaars in the world.

If you’re into history, nature, and culture or want a fantastic travel adventure, Iran’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites have something for you. So, get your bags packed, plan your trip, and let’s explore the awesome things this amazing country has to offer. You can even join the UNESCO tour with To Iran Tour to see it all!

Dress Code in Iran

If you’re planning to visit Iran, it’s good to know that they have a dress code that you need to follow. As a woman, you should wear loose clothing that covers your body and a headscarf. But don’t worry, you don’t need to wear a burka or anything too concealing. You can still show off your personal style and wear clothes that make you feel confident and comfortable. Just keep in mind the local customs and you’ll be all set!

Even though there is a strict dress code in Iran, you’ll quickly see that it’s not as stereotypical as you might think. Iranian women are very fashionable and take pride in their appearance. Fashion is a way for them to express themselves and make a statement, and you’ll notice them wearing beautifully designed headscarves and stylish clothing that still comply with the Iranian dress code .

It’s also worth noting that the dress code applies to both men and women. Men are required to wear long-sleeved shirts and pants that cover their legs. 

While it’s true that there is a “morality police” in Iran, whose job is to enforce the dress code and other moral codes of conduct in public, it’s important to note that they are not actively targeting foreign visitors. So, as a traveler to Iran, you don’t need to worry too much about being chased down by the morality police.

In general, if you show respect for local customs and adhere to the dress code regulations, you can have a secure and enjoyable travel experience in Iran. Therefore, don’t allow concerns about the morality police or any misunderstandings preventing you from exploring all the amazing things that this country has to offer.

Packing Tip for Travel to Iran

Packing for a trip to Iran can be a bit daunting, especially with the strict dress code regulations. However, with a little bit of preparation and the right mindset, you can embrace the local customs and still express your personal style.

The most immediate essential item to pack for Iran is a headscarf, also known as a ‘Roosari’ in Farsi. But don’t worry if it falls off – just put it back on again. While wearing a headscarf is mandatory, it’s common for Iranian women to wear it a little loose and halfway back on their head, with a high bun or ponytail to keep it in place. And if you’re worried about showing a little bit of hair, don’t be – it’s granted.

When it comes to tops, loose-fitting ones with three-quarter-length sleeves are ideal, especially in the heat. The general rule of thumb is that your body should be covered, and your arms should not be bare. As for trousers, they should be baggy, but tight, brightly colored leggings worn with a long, loose-fitting top are also acceptable, as long as your legs are covered down to the ankles.

The myth that you need to dress in dark colors or black tunics is just that – a myth. Embrace fashion the way the locals do, and bring some color into your Iran packing list! Open-toed sandals are OK, especially on hot days, and sports shoes are fashionable in Iran, especially in bright colors, so pack some for longer day trips.

If you’re worried about not having enough appropriate attire, fear not. As soon as you arrive in Tehran or Shiraz, hit the bazaars and local markets for plenty of options. And if you’re traveling with children, it’s worth noting that young boys can wear shorts and t-shirts, and girls under ten are not required to wear a headscarf.

For men, dressing in Iran is more straightforward, much like in Western countries, except for no short shorts, super short sleeves, or extremely tight-fitting clothing.

Overall, remember to approach the dress code with an open mind and respect for local customs. And don’t be afraid to express your personal style while still adhering to the guidelines. With the right attitude and a well-stocked suitcase, you can have a comfortable and enjoyable trip to Iran.

Is Iran Safe to Travel?

Even though some Western media might paint a different picture, Iran is a safe and friendly place for travelers. You might worry about safety because of politics and cultural differences, but the truth is that Iran is a great place to visit.

The people in Iran are super welcoming. You’ll meet lots of friendly locals who are excited to have you in their country. Whether you’re exploring busy markets or historical sites, Iran offers a one-of-a-kind travel experience.

Like anywhere else, it’s essential to be cautious and aware of your surroundings when you travel. But honestly, the chances of running into safety problems in Iran are pretty low. Many travelers say they feel safer here than in other popular tourist spots.

So, if you’re thinking about visiting Iran, don’t let safety worries stop you. With the right mindset and some preparation, you can have a safe and unforgettable trip to this fascinating country.

Iranians are known for their hospitality. They often go out of their way to help visitors, whether it’s giving directions, suggesting a great local restaurant, or offering you a ride. They might even share their contact info, just in case you need assistance. This shows how much they want you to feel welcome and at ease during your stay.

It’s also worth mentioning that Iranians want to break away from the negative image sometimes shown in the media. They’re proud of their culture and want you to see the beauty of their country and the warmth of their people.

As a visitor to Iran, you have a special chance to bridge cultural gaps and show Iranians that the world outside isn’t as unfriendly as they might think. By approaching your trip with an open mind and a desire to learn, you can make meaningful connections and get a deeper understanding of Iranian culture.

In the end, the hospitality and friendliness of the Iranian people are some of the best parts of traveling to this amazing country. So, don’t hesitate to engage with the locals and fully enjoy the rich cultural traditions that make Iran such a unique and captivating destination.

Is Iran Safe to Travel RIGHT NOW?

When thinking about visiting Iran, like any other place you might want to go, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the news about politics and how your own country is getting along with Iran. But don’t worry too much because Iran is actually one of the safest countries in the Middle East for travelers.

Now and then, people in Iran might have protests about politics or money issues, but these usually stay in one place and don’t put tourists in danger. Just be smart and avoid those protest areas, like you would anywhere else.

Remember, Iran follows Islamic rules pretty strictly. So, things like drinking alcohol, doing drugs, or having romantic relationships with locals can get you in big trouble – like being kicked out of the country, getting arrested, or worse. But if you respect their way of doing things and follow the rules, you’ll have a great and safe time in Iran.

Overall, as long as you keep an eye on what’s happening and are careful, there’s no need to be super worried about going to Iran. If you go with the right attitude and prepare well, you’ll have a fantastic trip to this remarkable country.

Is Iran Safe to Visit 2024? A Comprehensive Overview

Essential Things to Remember When Visiting Iran

When you plan to visit Iran, it’s really important to be respectful and well-informed. Iran is a Muslim country where they take their rules seriously, especially Islamic law. So, it’s not a good idea to act like a clueless tourist and think you won’t get in trouble.

You see, what might be okay back home could get you into real trouble here. Iran has strict laws and customs, and it’s super important to follow them.

But here’s the good news. If you respect the local ways and follow the rules, you can have a safe and enjoyable trip to Iran. So, don’t let the strict rules scare you away. Come with an open mind and a desire to learn about the unique and fascinating culture of Iran. You’ll have a great time!

Is Iran an Arab Country?

There is a common misconception that Iran is an Arab country, fueled by its location in the Middle East, Muslim religion, and some similarities in culture and language. However, it’s important to note that Iran is not an Arab country, and Iranians are not Arabs.

Iranians speak Persian, also known as Farsi, which is not the same as Arabic. While there are many languages spoken within Iran, including Kurdish, Turkish, and Khuzi Arabic, the primary language is Persian. This is due to the many different ethnic groups that exist within the country, each with its own unique language and cultural traditions.

It’s crucial to acknowledge that misinterpreting Iranians as Arabs can lead to misunderstandings and hurt feelings. Although Iran has certain similarities with Middle Eastern Arab nations, it possesses a unique culture and history that distinguishes it.

In essence, when traveling to Iran, it’s vital to maintain an open-minded attitude and a genuine desire to explore the country’s distinctive cultural traditions and history. By recognizing the differences between Iran and its neighboring Arab nations, you can develop a greater appreciation for the richness and diversity of the entire region.

The Iranian currency system can be a bit confusing for those unfamiliar with it. Iran uses two units of currency, the Rial (IRR) and the Toman.

The Rial is the official currency of Iran. It has been the official currency since 1932, and the symbol for the Rial is “﷼”.

The Toman is not an official currency but is widely used in everyday transactions in Iran. The Toman is equal to 10 Rials. This practice of using the Toman as a unit of currency dates back to the early 20th century when the value of the Rial significantly decreased due to inflation. 

To convert Rials to Tomans, you remove one zero from the Rial amount. For example, 1,000 Rials is equivalent to 100 Tomans. In practice, prices are often quoted in Tomans rather than Rials. For instance, if an item costs 10,000 Rials, it would be referred to as 1,000 Tomans. This pricing convention is used in everyday life, in markets, shops, and sometimes even on price tags.

The official currency notes in Iran are denominated in Rials, not Tomans. When you’re working with important papers, like contracts or international deals, you’ll often use the Rial as the currency.

The currency notes come in various denominations, including 1,000,000 Rials, 500,000 Rials, 100,000 Rials, 50,000 Rials , and so on.

Although the official currency is the Rial, the Toman is more commonly used and understood by Iranians in their daily lives. For example, if someone says a product costs 500,000, they most likely mean 500,000 Tomans, which is equal to 5,000,000 Rials.

Iran Travel Costs 2024: The Best Detailed Guide for Tourists

Currency Exchange in Iran

To get the best exchange rates , it’s recommended to take US Dollars or Euros with you and exchange them at reputable exchange offices. Let’s figure out more about exchanging money in Iran:

There are a few ways to exchange your money into Rials, and some are safer than others:

• One option is to go to the currency exchange at the airport. It’s a secure choice, but the exchange rate there might not be as good as what you’d find in the market.
• Another way is to exchange your money at the hotel or exchange offices in some hotels. Their rates are similar to what you’d get at the airport.
• If you’re in Tehran, you can also sell your foreign currency on Ferdowsi Street or at exchange offices in the city. These places have a wider range of rates, and they’re usually better than the airport rates.

The only catch is that you might not be headed to Ferdowsi Street on your trip. If you plan to visit the Tehran market, you can ask your guide (if you have one) to take you to Ferdowsi Street for currency exchange.

Just remember, it’s not a good idea to deal with people on the street who are buying and selling currency. Stick to the official exchange places for your safety.

Credit and Debit Cards during Iran Travel

If you’re planning a trip to Iran, it’s essential to understand the financial landscape and the options available for making transactions. Unfortunately, using credit or debit cards from outside of Iran is not possible due to the lack of an international card network.

This means that the best option is to bring enough cash with you to convert to an Iranian Rial. However, there is now a new option available for tourists and temporary visitors like the Mah Card and Irani Card .

The Mah Card is a prepaid debit card that can be used in Iran. Like most travel cards, you can instantly add funds to your card in your preferred or home currency, and it will be converted to Iranian Rial. The advantage of using the Mah Card is that it’s more convenient than carrying cash, protects you from unauthorized purchases, and is accepted country-wide.

So, if you’re looking for a safe and easy way to make transactions during your trip to Iran, consider getting a Mah Card. With this handy tool in your pocket, you can enjoy your travels without worrying about carrying large amounts of cash or the inconvenience of finding exchange offices.

Of course, there are other solutions, such as gift cards that are issued through banks, and to use this unofficial solution, you should ask your tour operator for help.

Public Transport in Iran

Exploring Iran’s cities is an adventure in itself, and luckily, there are plenty of public transport options available to help you get around!

Best Inner-City Transport Options

Metro (subway).

The Iranian Metro is a modern and efficient way to explore the city, especially in Tehran, Shiraz, Tabriz, Mashhad, and Isfahan. It’s the ideal option to get around Tehran, and the stations are easily accessible by taxi or bus.

The ticket price for one trip is about 3000 Tomans, which is equal to approximately 0.1$ in 2023, I know, it’s so cheap. Additionally, you can purchase a card to pay for the metro trips and even the buses in Tehran. Rush hours are typically from 7-9 a.m. and 5-7 p.m.

The metro guidance can be easily found in each station, but if you want to be prepared for your metro journey, check out the Tehran Metro website or other cities’ maps.

Buses are another popular option for inner-city transport in Iran. They are widely available and offer an affordable way to get around the city. Bus fares vary depending on the distance you are traveling, but they are generally inexpensive.

There are two main types of buses in big cities: Regular and BRT. You can pay for the buses using your Metro card, and fares typically range from 3000 to 10,000 Tomans (10 to 25 cents) per trip. You can easily locate all the bus and BRT stations on Google Maps.

In comparison to subways, buses are somehow time-consuming because of traffic jams. So, if your destination is near a subway station, our suggestion is to take the subway instead of the bus.

Another way to get around in the city is by taxi. There are different types of taxis available, including shuttle/shared taxis (Khatti in Farsi), private taxis (Darbast in Farsi), and non-registered taxis (Shakhsi in Farsi). Shuttle/shared taxis are a cheaper option, but they are for fixed destinations, and you may have to wait for the taxi to fill up. Private taxis are readily available, but you should negotiate the fare before getting in. Non-registered taxis are driven by people who are not licensed taxi drivers, and you need to negotiate the price with them too. It is advisable to get a shared Taxi or Private Taxi and not a non-registered one for your safety.

Of course, platforms such as Snapp and Tapsi have been launched, which have a function similar to Uber. You can download their applications from Google Play or directly from their websites and register with your Iranian SIM card.

Finally, if you need a taxi in a hurry, you can call the numbers 133, 1828, and 1833 in major cities in Iran to request a taxi wherever you are. This service is called “Bisim Taxi” and is available 24/7.

10 Essential Apps for Traveling to Iran: Empowering Your Exploration!

Intra-City Transport Options

Buses are a common and affordable way to travel between cities in Iran. There are two types of buses available: regular and VIP buses. VIP buses offer more legroom and comfortable seating, with space to almost lie down.

You can purchase bus tickets from the hotel front desk, local travel agencies, platforms such as SnappTrip, or directly from the bus terminal. Prices vary depending on the type of bus and the distance you are traveling. For instance, a VIP ticket from Tehran to Shiraz costs around 200,000 Tomans ($15).

There are three bus terminals in Tehran: Jonoub Terminal (South), Sharq Terminal (East), and Qarb or Bayhaghi Terminal (West). From these terminals, you can easily buy and board a bus and start your trip to other cities in Iran.

The train network in Iran is relatively extensive and offers a comfortable and scenic way to travel between cities. The trains are well-maintained and offer a range of seating options, from economy to first-class; But their speed and being on time cannot be compared with the European rail transport system.

Trains are the best and safest option for intercity travel in Iran. There are different types of trains available, including 4-bed, 6-bed, and bus trains. You can also choose between express and regular trains.

Book train tickets through online apps, local travel agencies, hotels, or directly at the train station. Prices vary depending on the distance and the type of train. For example, a ticket from Tehran to Yazd costs between 150,000 and 300,000 Tomans ($5 to $10).

Private Car

If you prefer a more flexible and personalized way to travel, you can also consider renting a private car with a driver. This option is more expensive than buses or trains, but it offers the freedom to explore at your own pace. 

The Maxim platform has also provided the possibility of renting a car with a driver at a very reasonable price all over Iran. You can download its application from Google Play and register with your Iranian SIM card.

Domestic Flight

Finally, if you’re short on time or traveling long distances, you can opt for a domestic flight. The major cities in Iran are well-connected by domestic airlines, making it easy to get around the country quickly and efficiently.

Online platforms for selling Air tickets, such as Alibaba, provide the online purchase of domestic and international flight tickets.

By understanding the different transport options available in Iran, you can choose the one that suits your needs and budget and explore the country with ease.

Separated Men’s and Women’s Carriages in Iran’s Public Transport

It’s important to note that there are some separate men’s and women’s carriages on public transport in Iran, both on the metro and buses for those women who prefer to use them. While subway cars are generally mixed-gender, women who want more privacy can choose to ride in the first and last wagon on both sides. On buses, there may be designated seating areas for men and women, with women sitting in the back and men in the front, or vice versa. However, couples can sit together in the men’s section but not in the women’s section. Respecting these gender-segregated arrangements while using public transport in Iran is essential.

Pre-register with the Foreign Office of Your Country

Before embarking on your journey to Iran, it’s important to research the specific travel regulations, rules, and warnings for your home country. Each country has its own guidelines, and it’s critical to be aware of them before setting off on your adventure. 

To ensure your safety and peace of mind, it’s also a good idea to pre-register or alert your foreign office about your travel plans. This step is particularly important for British citizens , as there is no embassy representation in Iran. By registering with your foreign office, you can stay informed about any updates or changes in travel regulations or warnings.

It is important to note that certain travel insurance providers may ask you to inform the appropriate authorities about your travel plans before you can obtain coverage. To ensure that you are fully protected, it is essential to identify which authorities you need to inform before you leave.

By taking these steps before your trip, you can travel to Iran with confidence, knowing that you have done your due diligence to ensure your safety and security.

Internet Access during Iran Travel

When traveling to Iran, it’s important to anticipate limited internet access and mandatory “digital filtering.” The Internet connection in Iran is known for being frustratingly slow, and many popular social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, and WhatsApp are blocked. Additionally, you need to pay fees for a good connection.

Make sure that you inform your family members or friends that you may be out of touch and to prepare for unreliable internet.

Recommended SIM Cards to Use in Iran

When it comes to buying a SIM card in Iran, Irancell is the top phone operator and offers temporary SIM cards specifically designed for tourists. These SIM cards come pre-loaded with a credit balance and 4G internet access, allowing you to stay connected with ease. They are sold at Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport and are valid for 30 days.

Irancell’s temporary tourist SIM cards provide affordable and convenient connectivity throughout Iran.

You can buy regular Irancell SIM cards from their service centers located in almost every city. However, it’s important to note that you need to purchase charge and internet packages before using them. To do so, you can get assistance from Irancell staff at the centers, use the MTN Irancell application, or dial USSD codes.

Which VPN to use in Iran?

Staying connected while traveling in Iran can present unique challenges, particularly when it comes to accessing the internet and using your preferred VPN. To ensure that you can stay connected and protect your online privacy, it’s essential to find the right VPN for your needs.

There are several VPN options available for both Android and IOS users. For Android users, Hi VPN, Psiphon, v2ray, and Hotspot Shield are recommended, each offering reliable and secure connections. For IOS users, popular VPN options include Psiphon, Free VPN, and VPNProxyMaster, all of which are well-suited to use in Iran.

To have a suitable and safe VPN, you can ask your tour operator or tour guide for help. If you have any questions or help do not hesitate to ask To Iran Tour support team.

Persian Food

Iran is well-known for its varied and flavorful cuisine. If you’re a foodie who loves trying new things, you should definitely give Persian cuisine a try! Some must-try dishes include stews, Dizi (a lamb-based dish with broth and solids separated), Ash, and Haleem. To ensure you have the best experience, it’s important to do some research and find the top restaurants that serve these dishes so you can truly savor the flavors of Iran.

Persian Breakfast Guide: Irresistible Traditions!

Iranian food for vegetarians

In Iranian cuisine, meat is a staple ingredient, but there are also numerous vegetarian dishes that are just as delectable. Mirza-Ghasemi or Kashk-e Badenjan, both made with eggplant, are excellent choices. If you’re on a tight budget, go for Falafel, which is both inexpensive and delicious. However, it’s crucial to convey your dietary requirements to the restaurant staff and be ready to request that meat be omitted from your meal if needed.

By being open to trying new dishes, you can experience the rich and diverse cuisine of Iran with a little extra effort and creativity.

Drinking in Iran

When it comes to drinking in Iran, it’s important to note that alcohol is strictly prohibited, and there are no bars or clubs serving alcoholic beverages. Instead, you’ll find a variety of non-alcoholic beer options available, typically in fruity flavors such as peach, lemon, strawberry, etc.

Alcohol in Iran: A Complete Guide for Tourists

It’s important to understand that there are no exceptions when it comes to alcohol consumption in Iran, whether you’re a local or a traveler. While it’s tempting to take up offers from locals to find the “real deal” at underground gatherings, it’s not worth the risk. The punishment for alcohol possession or consumption can be severe, and there are no allowances made for tourists or visitors.

Did you know that Buttermilk, or “Doogh” as it’s called in Iran, is a delicious fermented dairy drink? It has a slightly sour taste and is often paired with dried herbs like mint for a refreshing flavor. It is very common to enjoy Doogh besides any kind of kebab.

Iranian Etiquette

When visiting Iran, it’s important to be aware of and respectful of the cultural and religious customs that may differ from your own. By following these customs, you can demonstrate your appreciation for Iranian culture and enjoy your trip to the fullest. Here are some etiquette guidelines and fascinating insights into Iranian culture to keep in mind:

• One of the primary forms of social etiquette is “ Taarof” , where Iranians may insist on offering things to people, even if they don’t mean it. As a visitor, it is important to be aware of local customs and not immediately accept an offer.
• During the Muharram month , which is the mourning month of Imam Hossein, to show respect for religious beliefs, it’s best to avoid wearing bright colors, especially red.
• During Ramadan, eating or drinking in public is disrespectful while most people are fasting during the day.
• Shaking hands between men and women can be a delicate matter, and it is generally unacceptable for unrelated men and women to engage in this gesture. As a female tourist, it is advisable to wait and observe if men initiate the handshake first, instead of initiating it yourself.
• The thumbs-up hand signal is OKAY in Iran, but it is better not to use it in the presence of older people. However, younger people understand its meaning.
• In Iran, there are certain limitations when it comes to public displays of affection. While affectionate gestures like touching, kissing and handshakes between family members are acceptable, French kissing is considered inappropriate. Holding hands is generally tolerated, but hugging might be regarded as crossing the line. It’s important to note that inside holy places and religious cities, any public display of affection may not be tolerated at all.

For a truly enriching travel experience, it’s important to embrace and appreciate the customs and culture of Iran. By respecting their traditions, you’ll gain a deeper understanding and connection to the country and its people.

Time in Iran and the Solar Calendar

The country operates on Iran Standard Time (IRST), which is UTC+3:30.

The Solar Hijri Calendar

The solar calendar used in Iran is known as the Iranian calendar or the Persian calendar . It is a type of solar calendar that is based on the astronomical observations of the Sun’s movement. The calendar has its roots in ancient Persia and has undergone several modifications throughout history to align it with various astronomical and cultural considerations.

Here are some key differences between the Iranian calendar and the commonly used Gregorian calendar:

• Starting point: The Iranian calendar starts from the year of the Prophet Muhammad’s migration from Mecca to Medina, known as the Hijra. This event occurred in 622 CE in the Gregorian calendar. Therefore, the Iranian year is approximately 621 years behind the Gregorian year.
• Length of the year: The Iranian calendar is a solar calendar that consists of 12 months, each with varying lengths. The total length of a year in the Iranian calendar is approximately 365 or 366 days, depending on whether it is a leap year or not. Leap years occur every four years and consist of an additional day, just like in the Gregorian calendar.
• Naming of the months: The Iranian calendar has its own set of month names, which are deeply rooted in Persian culture and history. The names of the months are as follows: Farvardin, Ordibehesht, Khordad, Tir, Mordad, Shahrivar, Mehr, Aban, Azar, Dey, Bahman, and Esfand.
• Different New Year: The Iranian New Year , known as Nowruz, is celebrated on the vernal equinox, which usually falls on March 20th or 21st in the Gregorian calendar. Nowruz marks the beginning of spring and is one of the most significant holidays in Iran and several other countries in the region.
• Different era: The Iranian calendar uses the Islamic lunar Hijri era, which began with the Hijra mentioned earlier. In contrast, the Gregorian calendar uses the widely accepted Common Era (CE) system.

Time is a curious thing. It flows differently for each culture and place, shaped by history, geography, and tradition.

While visiting Iran, it’s best to keep an open mind when it comes to timeframes. It’s a good idea to bring along some extra patience and be ready to go with the flow. This is especially true when it comes to food, service, and payment. By embracing the relaxed pace of life in Iran, you can fully immerse yourself in the local culture and enjoy a more laid-back travel experience.

Read more on Iran’s History and Iran Travel

Iran boasts a complex and fascinating history, which can be difficult to comprehend without prior knowledge. Even though tour guides can be informative, it’s recommended to do some research on the history of Persia and the events leading up to the Iranian Revolution in 1979 before embarking on a trip to Iran. This will enable you to gain a better understanding of the country’s composition and value its abundant cultural heritage.

Book Recommendation

Here are some excellent books to read before your trip:

• “Revolutionary Iran: A History of the Islamic Republic” by Michael Axworthy provides a comprehensive overview of recent Iranian history.
• “Iran: What Everyone Needs to Know” is also by Axworthy and delves into Iran’s economy, politics, culture, and people.
• “Daughter of Persia: A Woman’s Journey from Her Father’s Harem Through the Islamic Revolution” is a fascinating book. The story follows a woman born in Iran who went to study in the United States and later returned to the country amidst significant changes.

If you’re traveling in Iran, the Lonely Planet guidebook can be a valuable resource for exploring historical landmarks. While it’s not the only source of information, it’s a helpful tool to have with you since internet access in Iran may be limited.

To make the most of your trip to Iran, it’s a great idea to get to know its history and culture beforehand. Trust me, it will definitely enhance your travel experience!

FAQs about Visiting Iran

Q1: do i need a visa to visit iran.

A1: Yes, most travelers require a visa to enter Iran. You can obtain one through an Iranian embassy or consulate in your home country. There are some countries that can travel to Iran without a visa, and there are also some countries that can get their visa on arrival.

Q2: What is the best time to visit Iran?

A2: Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are ideal times to visit, as the weather is mild, and many attractions are at their best. But Iran has varied weather across different regions. For instance, the ideal season to tour Iranian deserts is winter.

Q3: Is it safe to travel to Iran?

A3: Iran is generally safe for tourists, with low crime rates. However, it’s essential to stay informed about the current political situation and follow local guidelines.

Q4: What is the official currency in Iran?

A4: The official currency is the Iranian Rial (IRR), but you’ll commonly see prices quoted in Toman, which is equivalent to 10 Rials.

Q5: Can I use my credit card in Iran?

A5: No, international credit and debit cards are not widely accepted in Iran. Bring cash in US dollars or Euros and exchange it locally.

Q6: Is it safe for solo female travelers in Iran?

A6: Yes, Iran is considered safe for solo female travelers, but it’s important to dress modestly and be aware of local customs and norms.

Q7: Can I drink alcohol in Iran?

No, alcohol is strictly prohibited in Iran due to Islamic law. You won’t find it in public places.

Q8: What languages are spoken in Iran?

Persian (Farsi) is the official language, but many Iranians also speak English, especially in tourist areas.

Q9: Can I use social media in Iran?

Most social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter are blocked in Iran. However, you can access them using a VPN.

Q10: What is Iran famous for?

Iran is famous for its rich cultural heritage, historical sites, and stunning architecture. It’s renowned for attractions like the ancient city of Persepolis, the vibrant bazaars of Isfahan and Tabriz, and the beautiful mosques, such as the Pink Mosque in Shiraz. Iran is also known for its contributions to literature, poetry, and art, with famous poets like Rumi and Hafez hailing from this region. Additionally, Iran is celebrated for its world-class Persian rugs, saffron production, and traditional handicrafts.

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Travel Guide to Iran – My 8 Day Cultural Itinerary Visiting Cities of Mashhad, Shiraz, Yazd, Ishfahan and Tehran

Iran is probably one of the most underrated tourist destinations in the world, thanks to the impact of mainstream media. As they report conflict and hatred, viewers establish fear and indifference to the country. Not a lot of people care about the true status of Iranians let alone set foot on their soil. 

This is one of the compelling reasons why I wanted to see this country for myself. I want to get to know their people, their culture, and see how beautiful their country is. I want to experience more than what I see and hear on the news or on television, this is aside from the fact that I wanted to visit every single country in the world.

A lot of people think I’m crazy or stupid for traveling around Central Asia, Iran in particular. Well, let me tell you that I probably am! I have crossed the border from Djibouti to Somaliland , sailed from the Florida Keys to the Bahamas , traveled to 15 countries around Africa , and I even went Mountain Gorilla Tracking in Uganda so there’s no way I wouldn’t visit Iran! :p 

EXTRA TIPS: I recommend booking your Iran travel services through Exotigo , a trusted Iranian online travel agency. Through their web platform, you can find a large variety of Iran hotels, domestic flights, tour packages and experiences, car rental as well as Iran visa and insurance. They accept all major debit/credit cards and PayPal as well.

This time, Visit Our Iran planned and arranged this trip, as well as my visas and flights and Marcopolo Iran Touring,   hosted  me and Bohemian Vagabond Travel Blog: Jacki Ueng for 8 full days! Here is a very interesting cultural itinerary that they prepared for us! 🙂

Table of Contents

DAY 1: CROSSING THE BORDER FROM ASHGABAT, TURKMENISTAN TO BAJGIRAN, IRAN AND MY OVERNIGHT STAY IN HOMA HOTEL IN MASHHAD

From Ashgabat in Turkmenistan, I crossed the Bajgiran border to Iran with my Philippines Passport and pre-arranged Iranian Visa . It was relatively easy since the two Immigration Offices are close to each other.

Right before I crossed the border, the environment instantly changed (at least that’s what I felt). Other than the fact that I had to cover myself from head to ankle to follow the rules in Iran, I felt a warm welcome from the Iranian starting from the Immigration Officers who even called a taxi and assisted me with my luggage without asking for anything in return.

Marcopolo Iran Touring Co . booked a room for me at Homa Hotel in Mashhad (3-hour drive from Bajgiran) w hich happens to be one of the most popular luxury chains of hotel in Iran. It was so nice to have a little staycation from all the hardcore traveling I’m doing! :p 

After a couple of hours’ rest, I met Pouyan. He was super nice and he showed me around!

Places we visited in Mashhad:  

• Jaghargh Village just close to the city which is a hub for local restaurants
• Imam Reza Shrine which is believed to be one of the holiest places in the world.

DAY 2: TRAVEL TO SHIRAZ

Visit Our Iran arranged my flight to Shiraz (note that foreigners can’t purchase local flights because international debit and credit cards have sanctions). It is a 2-hour flight from Mashhad.

I stayed in another 5-star hotel for 2 nights (thanks to Visit Our Iran and Marcopolo Iran Touring Co so I had a really good sleep before we embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime journey. 

Note that before starting a group tour, I highly suggest you get a full-day rest! Traveling and moving around can be very exhausting so I always recommend you take a solid and power rest 🙂

DAY 3: EXPLORE SHIRAZ 

Visit Our Iran   arranged a 1,500-kilometer drive for us where we explored one of the oldest cities in Ancient Persia, which is Shiraz. This is the capital of Fars Province and is now the 5th Most Populous City in Iran. We learned so much from our Tour Guide and he took us to local restaurants where we’ve tried delicious local food!

Places we visited in Shiraz:  

• Nasir al Molk Mosque, also known as the Pink Mosque known for its extensive coloured glass on its facade and pink interiors
• Citadel of Karimkhan Zand which happens to be one of the most prominent architectural structures from the of Zand Dynasty
• Vakil Bazaar (main bazaar in Shiraz) where you can go shopping for Persian rugs, spices, handicrafts, etc. and see its beautiful courtyards and bathhouses
• Eram Garden which is a Historic Persian Garden where you can just watch the day go by
• Mausoleum of Hafiz built to honor the 14th Century Persian Poet Hafiz who was a native of Shiraz from birth until death
• Shah-e-Cheragh Holy Shrine which you may find underwhelming on the outside but the interior tells a fascinating story with its stained glass, ornamentation, inscriptions, and courtyard

DAY 4: DRIVE TO YAZD AND STOP ALONG VARIOUS UNESCO HERITAGE SITES

Yazd is the capital of Yazd Province and is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is a beautiful city in the middle of the desert and is the center of Zoroastrianism. This is the ancient pre-Islamic religion of Iran.

This city is home to unique Persian Architecture and this is why you shouldn’t miss this on your visit!

Places we visited in Yazd: 

• Persepolis, the capital of the Achaemenid Empire which Darius I himself founded. The earliest remains of this complex structure date as far back as 51C BC.
• Pasargadae is yet another capital of the Achaemenid Empire under Cyrus the Great, who ordered its construction. It is believed that his body lies on a limestone tomb which can be found there.
• Naqsh-e Rostam is where you’ll find colossal tombs of Persian kings and their families carved on the facade of a mountain range
• Dowlat Abad Garden which is one of the oldest gardens in the city of Yazd

DAY 5: HALF-DAY TOUR AROUND YAZD AND THEN DRIVE TO ISFAHAN

There are so many interesting things to see and do in Yazd so one full-day isn’t enough! We had another half-day tour to see more of the City and then drove to Isfahan in the afternoon.

More places we visited in Yazd: 

• Towers of Silence which was built by the Zoroastrians for dead bodies to be exposed to birds, a process called excarnation
• Fire Temple, a place of worship for the Zoroastrians
• Jami Mosque, built and rebuilt from 771 to the 20th Century due to several destructions, this is one of the oldest standing mosques in Iran 
• Amir Chakhmaq Square, one of the most outstanding buildings in Yazd, considering its importance and aesthetics

Stopovers on the way to Isfahan:

• The Historical Bridges of Si-O Se, one of the symbols of Isfahan and Khajou, described as the city’s finest bridge

DAY 6: FULL DAY TOUR AROUND ISFAHAN

Isfahan is the capital of Isfahan Province and is famous for its Perso–Islamic architecture, tree-lined boulevards, covered bridges, palaces, tiled mosques, and minarets. This is one of the tourist’s favorite stops and you’ll know exactly why with my photos :p 

Places we visited in Isfahan: 

• Naghsh-i Jahan Complex, the most famous attraction in Isfahan City with its blue-tiled mosaics. It is al where you can also find the Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque and the Ali Qapou Palace
• Abbasi Mosque, regarded as one of the masterpieces of Persian Architecture during the Islamic era
• Qeysarie Bazaar where you can go shopping for handicrafts, copper, jewelry, carpets, etc.
• Chehel Sotun Palace, a Pavillion for entertainment and guests of Shah Abbas II, the 7th Safavid King of Iran

DAY 7: DRIVE TO TEHRAN AND HAVE STOPOVERS AT KASHAN

This time, we left early in the morning to drive to Tehran. En route, we stopped at Kashan which is another City in Isfahan Province. Archaeological conquests show that this city dates as far back to the Elamite period of Iran. 

Places we visited in Kashan: 

• Fin Garden, where you’ll find Kashan’s Fin Bath, where Amir Kabir , the Qajarid chancellor, was murdered by an assassin
• The Holy Shrine at Qom, considered to be one of the most valuable Islamic architecture in the world

DAY 8: FULL DAY TOUR AROUND TEHRAN

Tehran is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. This is the most populous city in Iran and Western Asia so expect this day to be a little chaotic. 

Places we visited in Tehran: 

• Golestan Palace where you’ll see royal buildings, vast gardens, and collections of Iranian crafts from the 18th and 19th Century
• The Archeological Section of the National Museum where you’ll find interesting pieces of ceramics, pottery, and carvings mostly from the excavations made in Persepolis, Shush, Rey, etc.
• Tajrish Bazaar, an interesting bazaar where you’ll find a lot of local food from fresh fruits and vegetables, herbs, sweets, homemade sauces, kebab, etc.

Niavaran Palace, home of royal textile works and museum for clothes, Niavaran exclusive Palace, Ahmad Shahi Palace, Sahebgharanieh Palace, Hoz-khane museum, Jahan Nama’ Museum, garden, etc.

DAY 9: FLY BACK HOME

After 8 days of traveling around this beautiful country, immersing in their culture, indulging in their local delicacies, learning about their religion, and seeing their historical monuments, it’s now time to go home or move forward with our trips. 

Visit Our Iran   made sure we experience and see Iran’s best-kept gems! With our knowledgeable Tour Guide, we got to see the country from the eyes and perspective of a local and we learned so much from him! The Iranians are one of the most generous and sincere people I’ve met throughout my entire journey. 

If you want to visit this country stress-free, then I suggest booking your trip with Visit Our Iran . Their tours are all-inclusive, which means that you don’t have to worry about Accommodations, Transportations (except international flights), Entrance Fees for places named on the itinerary, Mid-day refreshment, and English speaking Tour Guide . Get a 10% Discount when you use our code TWOMONKEYSTRAVELVOI2019 .

Related Article: Iran Travel Guide for Filipinos  

P.S. Don’t forget to leave your driver and tour guide some tips! Enjoy your vacation! 🙂

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3 thoughts on “ Travel Guide to Iran – My 8 Day Cultural Itinerary Visiting Cities of Mashhad, Shiraz, Yazd, Ishfahan and Tehran ”

Come posso prenotare servizi di viaggio per l’Iran?

Wow, helpful information, I will travel to Iran in April, how can I book hotels in Tehran?

You can book with visitouriran directly! =) You can also get a discount! =)

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Written by Kach Umandap

Founder of Two Monkeys Travel Group. Since 2013, Kach has visited all the 7 continents (including Antarctica) and 151 countries using her Philippines Passport. In 2016, she bought a sailboat and went on sailing adventures with her two cats - Captain Ahab & Little Zissou in the Caribbean for 2 years. She now lives in Herceg Novi, Montenegro where she's enjoying her expat life and living on a gorgeous Stonehouse. She writes about her experiences traveling as a Filipina traveler with a PHL Passport. Also tips on backpacking trips, luxury hotel experiences, product reviews, sailing & adventure travel.

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Iran Travel Guide

Sahana Kulur

Take a peek at our Iran Travel Guide—it’s your ticket to exploring one seriously underrated gem of a country!

Iran’s got it all—ancient Persian history, stunning architecture, the driest spot on Earth, lush saffron-growing mountains.It often hits the headlines for its fundamentalist dictatorship government, but let me tell you, the Iranians themselves are beyond their government. Navigating Iran isn’t a walk in the park, but trust me, it’s not as tough as the media paints it – Even part time travellers who don’t go backpacking around the world, can and must travel in Iran.

The usual sites for booking accommodation and visas don’t work in Iran. Regular websites only show international flights, not domestic ones. When traveling to Iran, you’ll need to do a bit more research than usual. And this post clearly shows you “How to plan your trip to Iran” with every possible travel tips.

• Preparing for Your Trip – Visa, Air connectivity, Currency, Cards
• Iran Travel Cost
• Essential Information – Language, people, Culture and Safety
• Practical Travel Tips – SIM, VPN, Plug sockets and Tipping Culture
• Getting around – Public and Private Transport
• Amenities – Public Toilet, hygiene, drinking water
• Food and Alcohol etiquette
• Ideal Time and Duration of Trip
• Places to see
• Booking Tours and Activities

1. Preparing for Your Trip

Iran tourist visa.

Bagging an Iran tourist visa isn’t a breeze like snagging one for Thailand, but it’s not a headache either. Since 2018, Iran’s been dishing out visa-on-arrival (VoA) at its airports. However, we’re all about playing it safe: grab that visa in hand before you jet off—ideally, give it a month’s head start before your departure date. Keep in mind, not all countries are eligible for this perk.

Unlike the usual ease of Visa on Arrival for European and North American countries, the story flips when it comes to traveling to Iran – VoA and E-Visa is not issued to Americans, Canadians and Europeans.

Regular travel insurance that covers most parts of the world won’t cut it in Iran—it’s a must-have, and theirs is a bit particular . And people with dual citizenship need to apply for Iran Tourist Visa very carefully. Iran’s e-Visa portal is user-friendly, yet visa rejection chances are real due to their unique document demands, often fulfilled by companies like 1st Quest .

Hence read our post “ How to get Iran Tourist Visa : Unlock the Persian Puzzle “- the most important part of this Iran travel guide in detail and then start applying for Visa on 1stquest.

Note : Starting December 15, 2023, Iran has waived Visa requirements for certain nationalities to boost tourism, Indians being among them. So, Indian tourists currently won’t need an Iran Visa until further notice.

Air Connectivity

Iran boasts more than 40 airports with scheduled flights. Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) is the largest and best connected among all the airports. Hence, very likely you will land in Tehran first.

If you spot more convenient and budget-friendly flights than heading straight to Tehran, consider landing in one end of Iran. Try Tabriz Shahid Madani Airport up North and exit from Shiraz International Airport down South.

Check Skyscanner for the best deal . Enter your city in the “from” column. That’ll give you the lowdown on all possible connections to Iranian cities, so you can pick the best fit.

Since Iran is recently encouraging tourism, the airports are still catching up in terms of facilities. Shiraz International Airport was under construction in 2020 but had recently begun operating. Don’t anticipate a comfortable layover with lots of dining or shopping options while in Iran.

Domestic flights in Iran

Iran is roughly 1.6 times larger than Egypt. When traveling from north to south, like Tabriz to Shiraz, the distance is around 1300km—you may want to opt for a domestic flight due to the vast distance. Iran Air is the main domestic carrier, while Mahan Air is popular with Iranians but not highly rated by international travelers.

Instead of flying, consider Iranian railways or overnight buses for a different experience. Tourists often break up long journeys, stopping to explore places like Isfahan and Tehran before reaching Tabriz from Shiraz by train. Breaking the route into parts lets you explore more along the way and helps cut down those long stretches of travel

Heads up : Common booking sites like MakeMyTrip and Expedia might not do the trick for Iran. You’ll need to use local Iranian websites for bookings

To book domestic flights in Iran, go for 1stQuest and pay with your credit/debit cards.

The official currency of Iran is Rial, but locals use the term “Thoman”. So, when you got 100 Rials, it’s actually 10 Tomans. This whole swapping names for the same cash makes Iran’s money the most puzzling in the world!  Mind that Iran is one of the weakest currencies. So you will deal with multiple zeroes and digits while using Iranian Rials.

Euros are most preferred for money exchange, and USD is almost rejected throughout.  The exchange rate you see on the internet and what works in Iran are different. Instead of exchanging currency at airports, do it in the city. Or you can open a temporary account through a  Daric Pay travel card  like we did.

Hence you need to read a separate post Iran Currency : “Navigating the Maze of Confusing Rials “- a vital part of our Iran Travel guide to understand and deal with it like a pro when in Iran

Card Payments

Even the smallest Lavashk seller accepts cards, but it’s not your international bank Visa, Amex, or Mastercard. None of the international cards work in Iran. You have to possess an Iranian bank’s debit card to use. We booked a debit card from Daricpay , and they personally delivered our card to the Tehran hostel

2. Iran Travel Cost

• Iran is the Cheapest place I’ve visited compared to all other countries till 2023
• Drew Binsky & Alex Reynolds rate it in top 10 cheapest for travelers
• Cafés serve apple cake under 60 INR (0.6 EURO)
• Markets super cheap; even locals shop there – Hence shopping as a tourist won’t break you.
• The luxury hotel which is an ancient historical mansion cost 11000 INR (125 EUROS)
• Accommodation in hostels/guesthouses
• 3 meals a day at cheap restaurants
• Some shopping
• Public transport and taxi
• Monument entrance fees
• International Flight costs not included

Where to book Accommodation in Iran?

Sites like Booking.com, Agoda, and Hostelworld don’t even list Iran for accommodation booking.

Your best bet to book accomodation in Iran is online platforms like 1stQuest . We used it everywhere, and it worked like a charm!

3. Essential Information

Language spoken in iran.

Iranians speak Persian, not Arabic. While the alphabets may look similar, they’re different languages. Signboards are both in English and Persian, but not always.

Knowing some Persian helps tons, because English isn’t common. Chatting with taxi drivers needs Google Translate . Place names can sound way different from what they say and you pronounce—we had trouble with “Golestan place” and Agha Bozorg Mosque until we showed pics online. Locals fixed our pronunciation and guided us right.

Hindi and Persian language similarity

Interestingly if you listen to local Iranians speaking and listen to Persian music, you can find many similar words between Hindi and Persian. Such as : Chai for tea, Rang -colour, Namak for salt and many more!

Iran People and their Culture

Zoroastrianism originated in Iran, but about 75% of Iranians practice Shia Islam. That’s why a lot of their laws and legal stuff are influenced by Islamic Shariah Law. That’s where their strict code of conduct comes from.

What are some typical traits of Iranians?

During our trip, we were amazed by the incredible kindness and friendliness of strangers. Hitchhiking for the first time, we found that whenever we seemed lost, someone would kindly guide us.

If my Hijab slipped, locals would gently remind me, always with a smile. In Kashan, a café owner even gave us his phone number in case we needed assistance during our trip. Arya, who worked for Daric Pay, has become a wonderful friend, and we stay in touch through WhatsApp. Despite any challenges in their economy or politics, their hospitality and warmth shine brightly.

Check out our blog post “ Are Iranians as friendly as everyone says ?” as an essential part of Iran travel guide to know what we think of them.

When you’re touring Iran, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Don’t mistake Iranians for Arabs; they’re Persians.
• Remove shoes when entering someone’s home.
• Avoid sitting beside strangers of the opposite gender during travel.
• Consider saying you’re married to your opposite-gender travel partner for safety.
• Single women, speak out against misbehavior; ask for help if needed.
• Avoid crowds during protests; refrain from taking photos of sensitive areas.
• Avoid open discussions about Iran’s politics.
• Iran’s population includes fundamentalists, religious, liberals, and atheists.
• Show or act as if you respect the Iran supreme leader despite his actions.
• Focus on enjoying Iran’s beauty and culture over political matters.

Check out our post “ Complete Guide for Shopping in Iran | Persian Things on a Budget ” – a fund part of our Iran travel guide to see why shopping in Iran is crazy affordable and a whole lot of fun!

A Few Things About Iran We Read Before Going That Were Different from Reality

• PDA: Couples held hands in cities; saw a couple kissing at Chaharbagh Abbasi Isfahan. But it isnHolding hands while walking was acceptable.
• Greetings: Shop owners shook hands with woman customers – which is supposedly rare. Handshakes were common among friends or familiar faces. Religious individuals avoids opposite-gender handshakes.
• Car Music: Openly playing car music is banned; using earphones is allowed. Taxi drivers often played Persian music. We could hear music occasionally in parks.
• Some hostels even organise Karaoke nights like Tehran Heritage hostel

How to dress in Iran?

In Iran, every woman, even tourists, has to wear the Hijab because it’s the rule. Doesn’t matter where you’re from or what you believe in. If you don’t play by the rules, you might catch some heat from the Moral Police. Even though Iranians fought against the religious laws and protested the Hijab in 2021, the rule still stands: Every woman must wear the Hijab.

Read our post “ How do Tourists Dress in Iran? ” – a super crucial part of our Iran travel guide to know how to stay safe by dressing modestly. And also to know the current situations about local Iranian women who don’t wear hijab.

Safety Concerns in Iran

Looking at what’s going on inside Iran is worrying. We made some awesome Iranian friends on our trip, and we’re still in touch. They say things aren’t great for the locals. But if tourists keep away from protesting the ruler, they can have fun as usual!

Generally, many travelers visit Iran without any issues and find the experience rewarding due to its rich history and culture. But surely, if you are not an experienced traveler and lean more towards seeking comfort rather than exploration, Iran may not be your cup of tea.

Iran’s actually super safe for tourists, as long as you follow their customs. The cops are really cool with tourists and want to lend a hand. The crime rate against tourists is low, hardly any assaults happen. If you don’t follow customs, locals will politely ask you to.

Stick away from border areas and do the usual safety stuff you’d do anywhere else, and you’ll be fine. If you’re still worried, it’s smart to register with your country’s embassy once you’re in Iran. We always do that, no matter where we are, whether it’s the Netherlands or Egypt.

Should I travel through Iran with a Guid or Organised Tours?

Going on organized tours in Iran isn’t really a must.Solo travel is safe if you respect local customs. Backpacking or flashpacking here is great—just keep aware of your surroundings, like anywhere else. Iranians’ friendliness makes traveling a breeze. While the government requires UK, USA, and Canadian citizens to have a guide, many explore solo once they sort travel permits. You can hire a guide or find audio guides at most historical sites in Iran.

Is it safe to visit Iran 2023?

With things heating up between Israel-Palestine and Iran’s support for Palestine in the news, we’d say hold off on planning a trip to Iran for now. Keep tabs on what’s going on worldwide, and maybe think about rescheduling your Iran travel plans for after March 2024.

Tourist Scams in Iran

Honestly, Iran is one nation where I can’t write about any particular scam! Beware of the usual pick-pocketing, Fake Visa application sites, unofficial guides, mobile snatchers on motorbikes and fake Persian carpets.

4. Practical Travel Tips for Iran

Mobile sim and connectivity.

“We opted for a local SIM from a service provider called Iran Cell along with our Daric Pay travel card. That provided us with coverage even in the remote village of Abyaneh. Forget about public WiFi; hotel WiFi is also very slow.”

Need of VPN in Iran

Almost everything on the internet in Iran needs a VPN. It’s not just social media that’s off-limits; lots of websites, like travel blogs such as ours, can’t be reached there. Iran’s internet rules are strict, blocking many popular sites, social media, and news platforms unless you’re using a VPN. We used Express VPN and it works super fine in Iran.

Plug Sockets and Adapters

Iran uses TYPE C & F  power plug sockets. Check if your country needs a plug adapter here . I carry a universal adapter.

Tipping Culture

Tipping culture isn’t significant in Iran and isn’t mandatory and nobody asks for it. However, you might find yourself doing it because Iranians are honest and always strive to provide their best service

5. Getting Around Iran

Roads and driving.

Iran follows Right lane driving. The road conditions are pretty good. The landscape along the side makes the roads of Iran even more fascinating. There may be snowcapped mountains or rose fields at times. You may even pass by 1000 year old Caravan Serai! So, when you are on Iran’s road there is never a dull moment.

Self driving in Iran

Road conditions and infrastructure are decent, but driving in Iran can be quite daunting. Motorcyclists often skip helmets and ignore traffic signals. Cars might overtake from any direction, making it stressful behind the wheel. Even crossing a one-way street demands caution—watch out for speedy motorbikes from both directions.

That’s why relying on public transport or hiring a taxi is a smart move. It keeps you away from the stress of zooming motorbikes, letting you soak in the amazing sights along the road.Hitchhiking is surprisingly easy!

Public Transport Overview

In Iran, roads rule the transport scene. But let’s clear the air: camels aren’t part of the commuting scene! Somehow, when foreign tourists think Middle East, they picture camels in everyday life. It’s like when people ask us (Indians) if we ride elephants to work .

Here are some public transportation options in Iran

Iran Railways

Our friend Arya from Iran swears by train trips there. Locals love hopping on Iran’s railways. Iran’s trains are usually rated as good. They’re speedy, cosy, safe, and better for the environment compared to buses.

They’re usually packed, so book your seats early. Women get their own section, but if you’re with your opposite-gender spouse, you can sit together there. For train tickets, try Alibaba Iran .

Public buses

VIP buses offer comfy AC coaches for longer trips like Isfahan to Shiraz. With super affordable taxis everywhere, tourists rarely rely on city buses. Some Iranian cities have metros, but city buses are more for locals heading to the outskirts, not popular among tourists.

For those longer journeys, book your bus tickets hassle-free on 1stQuest using your credit/debit cards.

In Iran, most cars you see on the street are taxis. You’ll see official yellow and green ones, plus private cars that might give you a lift if they’re going your way. Just flag them down from the sidewalk—they’ll stop if they’re up for business. Most taxis don’t have meters; they’ll tell you the fare in Rials. You can opt for Snapp to book taxis, functioning just like Uber. However, don’t link your credit card—it won’t function. Stick to cash payments for a hassle-free experience.

Shared Taxis (Savari)

A popular shared transport for short trips between cities or towns in Iran. It’s the cheapest and most crowded, but also a fun way to explore cities alongside locals.

In Iran, the Metro’s the quickest way to zip around cities like Tehran, Isfahan, & Mashad. Get a Metro card for access, valid also for public buses. The Metro’s got two sections: one for all and a women-only compartment. Couples can sit together in the common section—no need to split up while riding Tehran Metro.

6. Amenities

Public toilet policy in iran.

Near the Bazaars and Tehran’s Metro stations, public toilets were free for all. Most public and hotel toilets have jet sprays, but the public ones are more like a pipe, making it feel like washing a car! Squat toilets are common in public restrooms, and even in the lively Bazaars of Isfahan, they’re surprisingly well-maintained.

Public Hygiene in Iran

Iran maintains its cities fairly clean. There’s a strong sense of civic duty—the streets remain litter-free. Even bustling spots like Tehran’s Grand Bazaar alleys are nearly trash-free, thanks to this collective responsibility for cleanliness.

Honestly, Iran’s modern buildings lack visual appeal. Apart from the ancient sites, modern structures in Tehran seem dull and grey from dirt and smoke. Aesthetically, Tehran doesn’t stand out. Isfahan and Yazd look better, while Shiraz is somewhat like Tehran in this aspect. Yet, the streets are great for morning jogs or evening walks, with dedicated pedestrian corbelled walkways

Street Food safety in Iran.

Iranian street food, in our experience, feels pretty safe. We sipped on around 100 cups of local tea and devoured at least 10 Bamiyeh, a deep-fried dessert made from flour and sugar syrup, without any issues. Ashrith loved those Kubideh skewers. Trust your gut—if it seems clean enough, dive in and savor the flavours!

7. Iran Food and Alcohol Etiquette

Persian cuisine overview.

Iranians live on rice and bread, and their plain rice is bursting with aroma and flavour with ghee and roasted saffron. They also enjoy meat and veggie dishes with herbs and yogurt. Surprisingly, Persian origins tie to Indian favorites like Biryani, Jamun, Nan, and Jalebi. Plus, Gaz resembles our Soan Papdi, while Halwa’s a hit in both Iran and India.

Boasting alert:  The largest portion of Iran’s rice import happens from India.  To be precise, Iran receives the highest quality Basmati rice grown in our home state Karnataka.

For non-vegetarians, beware: you might gain some weight—the food is simply irresistible. Baghali Polo, Koofteh, and Kubideh are my top picks. Ghee, dill leaves, and saffron often grace both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes as toppings or dressings in Iranian cuisine.

What is a typical meal in Iran?

• The typical breakfast includes flatbread, butter, thick whipped cream, bright white cheese and fruit jams. 
• Snacks-  Bamieh ( tastes like churros without chocolate dip), Dried fruits,  fruit rolls (Lavashak) , and fruits dipped in sugary fruity sauces are something you must not miss. Darband or Northern Iran is your best place to buy these.

Tips to Vegetarian Dining in Iran

Vegetarians   must   some packed veg food along when you travel in Iran. Or else be ready to eat rice without curry . Very few veg dishes are available in Iran, and most of them are made using Brinjal (Eggplant). Northern Iran and Tehran are filled with lots of fresh fruits like Oranges & Pomegranate. So fruits are vegetarian traveller’s saviour.

National drink of Iran

Tea holds a special place in Iranian culture—it’s brewed from dried black tea leaves without milk and served with sugar cubes. Occasionally, you might be offered an orange sugar stick called “Nabaat,” made by crystallizing sugar with herbs, especially saffron. Simply dip and stir until it sweetens to your liking.

Drinking Culture and Smoking in Iran

Iran is officially a dry country. But locals know their way out. Consuming alcohol in public is 100% banned, but locals get it for private gatherings.  Arya  says many of them even prepare wine at home.

Men smoke in public, and it is rare to see women smoking in public. But it is no offence if women do so unless their head is covered with a scarf. Qalyan (Shisha) is very famous; you can find it in many traditional cafes.

8. Ideal Timing and Duration for Visiting Iran

Recommended duration: how many days.

To truly experience Iran, plan around 15 to 20 days. Figuring out transportation might seem bothersome, but once you’re in, it’s smooth and relaxed. Plus, the incredible Iranian hospitality keeps you energized. For a deeper dive into deserts and connecting with nomadic tribes, consider dedicating a full month to your Iranian adventure.

Best time to visit Iran

The top time to explore Iran is from March to May. You cover beaches to mountains. It’s cool and roads stay clear without snow. Around Persian New Year (March 21st), about a week before and after, expect hotels and guesthouses to be packed with local travellers.

For beach vibes, deserts, and historical sites in Central Iran, November to February is prime time. But be cautious exploring Northern areas like Tabriz and Phalangan—snow might block roads, leaving you stranded. Still, it’s a perfect time to hit the slopes for skiing.

Travelling to Iran in summer (June-September) is a bad idea as temperatures reach as high as 40*C

9. Guide to crafting Iran Travel Itinerary

Beaches in southern Iran, Snow mountains & lakes in northern Iran, Cold deserts and sand deserts in Central Iran & colourful mosques + palaces all over! From ancient villages to scenic beauty, Iran has a lot!

• Most travelers include Tehran, Isfahan, Yazd, and Shiraz on their Iran trip. If you’re hitting these spots, set aside roughly 12 days.
• To include Northern Iran to above list, visiting Tabriz for Kandovan village and Palangann, plan for around 14 days.
• For dolphin watching and strolling the red-soiled beaches of Hormuz, you’ll want to set aside a full 20 days.

We had planned for a longer stretch for the four places -Theran, Isfahan, Yazd and Shiraz, around 16 days, to explore more with several day trips from each place.

Wondering why we’re saying “we planned”? Check out our post as part of this travel guide “ Pathos of Half-Done Journey in Iran ”

Places to see in Iran

Capital City Tehran

Small town Darband

Mansion hopping in Kashan

The Adobe village Abyaneh

Iran’s prettiest Isfahan

10. booking tickets for activities in iran.

You should check out Iran’s own websites for booking tours and tickets. You don’t really have to book tickets beforehand to skip lines at monuments in Iran. It’s not the usual thing for folks visiting there. You’ll hardly ever find “skip the line” tickets on Iran tourism sites.

What you could do instead is check out day tours, like hanging out with the nomads in Shiraz or visiting Kadnovan village.

Book unique experiences in Iran here

Found our Iran Travel Guide useful? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Iran is one of those countries where issues concerning religion and the modern world confront you at all turns and compel you to consider your own stance. It is impossible to return from a visit and not feel that, while seeing magnificent historic architecture and evidence of ancient civilisations, you have also been witnessing history in the making. Hilary Smith , author of The Bradt Guide to Iran

Iran is the birthplace of one of the greatest civilisations of the world, home to breathtaking landscapes and geographic contrasts.

Travel to Esfahan and wander around the magnificent Naqsh-e Jahan Square with its most splendid mosques and bazaars, visit the jewel-like gardens of Shiraz drowning in exotic flower scents, and crown your holiday with a trip to Persepolis, Iran’s most impressive historical heritage from Ancient Persia.

Iran is equally a fantastic ski holiday destination. The Alborz Mountains with the highest peak in the Middle East – Damavand – offer excellent slopes and accommodation. And before leaving, make sure to take a break in a lively café and enjoy the friendliness and warmth of the Iranian people, who will make your trip to Iran unforgettable.

As a foreign visitor, you will be struck by the friendliness, warmth and genuine curiosity of the locals throughout Iran. In other countries it is sometimes difficult for individuals within a tour group to talk with anyone other than the guide, the driver, or the hotel and shop staff, and some argue that to experience fully a country and a people, one must be an independent traveller.

In Iran this is not the case. Indeed, it could be argued that in Iran, forces conspire against the independent traveller, especially those who don’t know the language; the country is just not geared up to this kind of tourism. Everything takes so much longer to sort out, and indeed the visitor is so dependent on Iranians helping that the term ‘independent traveller’ is almost a misnomer. Group travel in Iran can and does open doors in more senses than one – it cuts down endless queuing and waiting for buses and the like.

Food and drink in Iran

Iranian cuisine is one of the world’s finest, an intriguing mixture of sweet and sour that owes nothing to the Chinese version. Iranian khoresht – stewed dishes of meat and fruit – may sound uninspiring but wait until you’ve tried duck or chicken in pomegranate and walnut sauce ( fesenjan ), lamb with morello cherries or apricots, beef or lamb with spinach and prunes ( aloo ) and chicken and zereshk (barberries), etc. Delicious.

Also try abgoosht (literally water-meat), or dizzi stew served in a jug-like container with a pestle and commonly available even at bus station restaurants. This is a concoction of slowly simmered pulses, meat and vegetables. When in Esfahan, try beryani, boiled lamb meat minced and fried with onion and spices. Saffron (in particular from Mashhad) itself is a very common ingredient that you will even taste in chicken kebab and rice.

White rice and bread are the staple foods. A delicious change is rice with butter slowly steamed until a crunchy, caramelised layer is formed. Traditional Iranian salads or servings of fresh mint leaves are called sofreh and traditional restaurants are then often called s ofreh knaneh , meaning a ‘house of sofreh’ in Persian.

Fresh fish such as trout from the many farms, prawns and shrimps from the south and north coast, and sturgeon from the Caspian Sea are flown in every day to the major cities.

The Iranian equivalent of British fish and chips, or American hamburger and French fries, is chelo-kebab , a skewer of grilled lamb, served with plain rice, with or without a raw egg on top. There is also Iranian coleslaw, which is often available in restaurants in place of salad or in addition, and is called salad-e kalam (cabbage salad). Zorat-e mekziki (Mexican corn) is the the all-time favourite snack on sale practically everywhere in major cities.

And of course there’s the originally Shirazian sweet delight of falludeh ice, a sorbet with wispy ‘noodle’-like strands, served with lime juice and ice cream. One of the joys of visiting Iran is sitting eating falludeh , sipping tea or smoking a pipe in the attractive surroundings of a historic tea house. Gooshfil deep fried and poolaki caramelised sugar sweets are also widely popular.

All alcohol is banned in Iran although the Christian communities, in Esfahan for example, are allowed wine strictly for communion use. However, Iran’s famous vineyards are now being recultivated after most were uprooted in revolutionary zeal; the grapes are for eating, and for the production of grape juice, syrups and vinegar.

Iranian (non-alcoholic) beer is terrible, though Delster is just about palatable if well chilled. A very passable non-alcoholic ‘lager’ is Bavaria, now imported from Dubai. It’s available only in large centres at about 40,000 rials from local shops (US$1) but more in restaurants and hotels – just slightly more than the Iranian bottled beer but worth every rial.

Local carbonated soft drinks, such as cola, Fanta and Sprite, tend to sweetness, and the fruit juices, either freshly pressed or in cartons, are more thirst quenching, such as pomegranate juice, talebi (cantaloupe melon) juice, and carrot juice with a scoop of ice cream from fruit-juice shops. The refreshing, pressed-lime sodas of pre-revolutionary Iran are unfortunately no longer available (presumably because the soda isn’t) but another refreshing drink, doogh (yoghurt and water, like Turkish ayran or Indian lassi ), is available.

Health and safety in Iran

Before you go.

It is advisable to be up to date with all primary immunisations including tetanus , diphtheria and polio – an all-in-one vaccine (Revaxis) lasts for ten years. You would also be wise to be protected against hepatitis A and typhoid . Hepatitis A vaccine (eg: Havrix Monodose or Avaxim) comprises two injections given about a year apart. The course costs about £100, but may be available on the NHS; it protects for 25 years and can be administered even close to the time of departure.

Hepatitis B vaccination should be considered for longer trips (two months or more) or for those working with children or in situations where contact with blood is likely. Three injections are needed for the best protection and can be given over a three-week period if time is short for those aged 16 or over. Longer schedules give more sustained protection and are therefore preferred if time allows. Hepatitis A vaccine can also be given as a combination with hepatitis B as ‘Twinrix’, though two doses are needed at least seven days apart to be effective for the hepatitis A component, and three doses are needed for the hepatitis B.

The newer injectable typhoid vaccines (eg: Typhim Vi) last for three years and are about 85% effective. Oral capsules (Vivotif) may also be available for those aged six and over. Three capsules over five days lasts for approximately three years but may be less effective than the injectable forms as their efficacy depends on how well they are absorbed.

Vaccinations for rabies are advised for everyone, but are especially important for travellers visiting more remote areas, especially if you will be more than 24 hours away from medical help and definitely if you will be working with animals.

In the major cities, it will be said that the water is safe for cleaning teeth as it is heavily chlorinated (neighbouring Tajikistan and Afghanistan suffer cholera outbreaks). However, it is always safer to use bottled water both for drinking and for cleaning your teeth.

Opportunities to strip off and sunbathe are obviously severely limited in the Islamic Republic, but the force of the Iranian sun is powerful and there is comparatively little shade so avoid excessive exertion during midday hours and wear a sunhat. Women should wear theirs over a scarf. Clothing in natural fibres is most comfortable for the hotter months but evening temperatures can drop suddenly, especially in the hills, so take a light sweater too.

Take the usual precautions when walking across rough and stony ground, and through shrubbery and vegetation, against snakes, scorpions, etc. If you are entering a ruined building from broad sunlight, make a noise so that any snakes retreat.

Travel clinics and health information

A full list of current travel clinic websites worldwide is available on www.istm.org . For other journey preparation information, consult www.travelhealthpro.org.uk  (UK) or http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/ (US). Information about various medications may be found on www.netdoctor.co.uk/travel . All advice found online should be used in conjunction with expert advice received prior to or during travel.

Safety in Iran

Any crime carries severe penalties in the Islamic Republic. It is likely that the greatest danger you will face (other than crossing the road) is having your wallet, purse or camera snatched. Keep photocopies of the most important pages (including the visa if possible) of your passport and air ticket, and spare passport photos separately, and don’t flash money or expensive camera equipment ostentatiously. The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office has warned that bogus policemen have approached some visiting foreigners, advising that in such circumstances you should insist on seeing an identity card and inform the restaurant, shop or hotel of the incident. Remember that no Iranian policeman has the right to take or retain your passport unless you are in a police station.

Iran is very safe for women travellers. Harassment is now minimal, especially if you wear the manteau , as it is assumed you are Iranian and/or Muslim. Be aware, however, that it is very unusual for a single woman to walk unescorted in public at night. Make sure to avoid being alone in the evening in particular in the old town in Yazd, or Ahvaz and Khuzestan generally. If you do feel, however, that you are being harassed, you are strongly encouraged to bring this to the attention of other people present, in particular men (eg: a bus driver). Such behaviour is looked down upon by other members of the society. By expressing your indignation publicly you will be doing other female travellers, and yourself, a great favour. Keep in mind that harassment often happens simply because it is perceived as acceptable.

Road safety in Iran

You are more likely to be in danger if you insist on importing your car. There were 24,000 road deaths and over 80,000 injuries reported in Iran in 2006. During the first eight months of 2012 around 14,000 people lost their lives. The number of deaths, however, seems to be slowly decreasing from the peak of 27,759 deaths in 2005. Leaving aside the nightmare of Tehran traffic, which guarantees road rage and stomach ulcers, be aware that Iranian lorry and coach drivers work very long hours and that few private vehicles have reflectors or working lights and their drivers disregard every rule in the book.

Traffic does not necessarily stop at a red light, nor wait until green before setting off, with the exception perhaps of Kish and Qeshm. Regard zebra crossings as merely road surface decorations. Pedestrians take their life into their own hands crossing the road and the sight of their terror-stricken faces forms the chief entertainment for motorists. If a driver flashes his/her lights it does not mean it is safe to cross; your presence is being acknowledged, but not necessarily your continued existence on this earth. On the other hand, having started to cross, do not turn tail or break into a run; both actions constitute a personal challenge to the driver to continue the pursuit.

Personal conduct

Be aware that it is easy to break an important social convention without realising it and this can affect your safety. For instance, in summer 2004, the smoking of ‘hubble-bubble’ waterpipes ( qalian ) in public was banned on the grounds that it promoted ‘licentious behaviour’. Presently men can smoke in public, but it may be more difficult for women, as most traditional tea houses would not serve qalian to women or mixed groups.

If you are confronted with officialdom, do not lose your temper, shout or threaten. Be polite and apologetic if not abject. Women: forget all feminist scruples and cry. Always insist on seeing someone who speaks English (any other Western language will be difficult).

Travelling with a disability

Planning an accessible trip to Iran may be challenging, as the required information is not easy to come by. Nevertheless, the ancient beauty of this unique country can very well be enjoyed by anyone, with or without disability. Since the establishment of the Ministry of Social Welfare in the 1970s, public services for people with disabilities have improved, and many disability organisations are active to achieve general inclusion.

Travel and visas in Iran

All nationalities except Israelis are allowed to apply for a visa. Anyone domiciled in the USA should approach the Iranian Interests Section of the Embassy of Pakistan or the nearest Pakistani consulate or the Iranian Mission at the United Nations.

Those resident elsewhere, however, including US passport holders, should contact the Iranian embassy or consulate in their country of residence for information regarding the embassy’s opening times, methods of payment and exact visa application details.

Although the procedure for British and US passport holders is complex, other nationalities, including those from Germany, the Netherlands, Scandinavia and Italy, have fewer problems in this respect. Women without headscarves will generally be allowed onto Iranian embassy grounds, however, it is advisable and strongly recommended that you do wear a headscarf as it makes a good impression. 

Since 2016 it has been possible to obtain a 30-day tourist visa on arrival in some international airports in Iran. However, visa applications on arrival are not automatic and payment in euros is preferred. US, UK and Canadian passport holders are not eligible for this option and are required to apply in advance through the embassy.

Getting there and away

International Airport (IKA) , Tehran, but foreigners with valid visas can also enter/exit Iran by way of various Persian Gulf states airports (eg: Abu Dhabi and Bahrain to Shiraz, Bahrain to Mashhad, Dubai to Ahvaz and Bandar-e Abbas). Sometimes officials check your baggage receipt against the tag on your luggage. 

There are at present no direct flights from any American or Canadian airports. British Airways has a direct London–Tehran service. KLM/Air France and Austrian Airlines have resumed their regular flights to Tehran. Turkish Airlines fly to a number of cities in Iran from Istanbul, including Esfahan, Shiraz and Mashhad. Istanbul–Tehran flight duration is around three hours. All flight carrier options listed below, when booked in advance, should cost around £400 for an economy-class return fare.

A list of current international cities with services to and from Imam Khomeini International Airport is available on the English version of the airport’s website, which also contains useful plans showing routes through the airport, positions of banks and lists of available taxi services.

Pegasus Airlines , the Turkish low-cost airline, fly to Tehran via Istanbul with connections from various European cities.

Aeroflot have good connections to some European cities.

There are border-crossing points from Turkey (via Dogubayezit); from the Republic of Azerbaijan (via Baku/Astara); from Turkmenistan (via Ashkhabad or Sarakhs); and from Pakistan.

Provided you can obtain a visa there is a weekly train, the Trans-Asia Express, from Istanbul to Tehran (twice weekly in summer) leaving on a Tuesday and arriving on a Friday; The Man in Seat Sixty One provides up-to-date information on timetables, booking, prices and train facilities.

Iran can be accessed by sea from Dubai to Bandar-e Lengeh, from Kuwait to Khorramshahr and from Shahjah to Bandar-e Abbas. Ferries are operated by Valfajr Shipping with normally two departures per week. Contact one of the company’s offices to make a reservation.

Getting around

On all forms of public transport that are not pre-segreagated, and excluding planes, men will probably be asked to change their seat to avoid sitting next to female strangers.

When to visit Iran

Visits to the south coast of Iran (eg: Bandar-e Abbas) are best made in the winter months of December, January and February when humidity and heat levels are at their lowest, while spring (March to mid-May) and autumn (mid-September and October) are the best times to travel around central and northern Iran. The summer months of June through to early September are best avoided as the temperature can be in the high 40s (˚C), although it is a dry heat except on the south coast.

Take the numerous public holidays into account if your visit is connected with business and/or your time is limited. Try to avoid Ramadan, the first ten days of Moharram (the sacred month) and the first week of the Nou Rouz celebrations, when staffing in offices and government departments will be minimal and all forms of long-distance transport and hotels will be extremely busy and expensive. However, during the Nou Rouz and throughout the high-season summer months, most historical sites and buildings have extended opening hours (until 20.00).

It is difficult to convey the reality of a land mass of 1,650,000km 2 , but Iran, with its 31 provinces, is three times the size of France, or the size of the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy and Switzerland combined. The Zagros Mountains in the west form a natural barrier with Iraq, and to the north are the Caucasian republics and those of central Asia, all of which were once within the territory of the former Soviet Union.

To the east are Afghanistan and Pakistan, while the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman mark Iran’s southern limits. It is a land of great contrasts, physically and climatically, as mountain ranges push up the mostly desert plateau of the centre. Apart from the green Zagros chain in the west, there are the snowy crags of the Alborz range in the north, the Makran Mountains in the south and the westernmost extension of the Hindu Kush, which force up the landscape of Iran’s eastern provinces.

This geological ‘upturned bowl’ effect means that towns on the same latitude but on either side of the same mountain range receive very different amounts of rainfall: Dezful (western Zagros, 143m altitude) gets approximately 358mm a year whereas Esfahan (eastern Zagros, 1,570m altitude) receives a mere 108mm.

Much less rain falls in the Great Desert basin, where some areas are pretty much unable to support any life at all. Generally speaking, regions south of latitude 34˚N get rain mainly during January, while those north of this receive most rainfall during the spring, especially April. An exception is the Caspian region, where the heaviest month for rain is October.

Few in the West are likely to associate snow with their mental image of Iran, yet about two-thirds of the Islamic Republic’s land mass usually endures heavy winter snowfalls (January–February) because of the average high altitude throughout the country. Tabriz (1,349m) in the northwest has about 30 days of snow a year, about ten days more than Arak (1,753m) to the east, whereas Esfahan, at a higher altitude, gets about seven days and Yazd (1,230m) about half this.

Of course, areas of very high altitude such as Mount Damavand (the so-called roof of Iran, 5,610m high) and especially its northeast face, Takht-e Soleyman in the Alborz range, and Sabalan (4,500m) near Ardabil  in Iranian Azerbaijan have perennial snow as well as glaciers. Indeed, many Tehranis escape the smog and pressure of life within the overcrowded capital by flocking to the ski runs that drape the mountains, within a few hours’ drive of the city.

There are three if not four distinct climates in Iran: most regions have the continental climate of long, hot summers and short, sharp winters. In the northwest, the Iranian province of Azerbaijan shares a similar climate to that of Switzerland, and further east, along the south shore of the Caspian, it is as humid as the south, but without those gruesome higher temperatures. In the central desert region it is dry and insanely hot (NASA’s infrared satellites measured the Dasht-e Lut desert at Gandom Beryan cindering at 70.7°C during the summer of 2005). In August 2015, the town of Bandar Mahshahr in southern Iran recorded a ‘heat index’ of 74°C, the second highest ever recorded.

Events calendar

Join iranians in their mid-winter festivities.

Translated as ‘100 days’ before the Iranian New Year, jashn-e sadeh celebrates the most sacred symbol of Zoroastrianism, fire. Festivities include lighting fires outdoors, as well music and dancing. Main events usually take place inside Zoroastrian shrines. 

Fajr International Film Festival

Celebrated since 1982 this festival is Iran’s largest cinema happening of the year featuring Iranian as well as international cinema. It is usually followed by the Fajr International Music Festival also held in Tehran with performances from Iran and abroad. February in particular is full of cultural and music events as part of the celebrations of the 1979 Islamic Revolution anniversary.

Dare yourself to jump over a bonfire 

On the last Tuesday of the Iranian calendar, this fire-jumping festival is held as a prelude to Iranian New Year (Nou Rouz) celebrations on 21 March, marking the arrival of spring and awakening of nature.

Spread your picnic blanket to celebrate  sizdah bedar

On 13th day of the Iranian month of Farvardin, in the much loved Iranian tradition of sizdah bedar , families gather outdoors to enjoy spring, good food and nature.

Spot celebs along the red carpet for Hafez

In the honour of the excellent Iranian cinema tradition, the best films and actors are nominated and awarded this prestigious prize for their work.

Join Iranians in their fasting during the holy month of Ramadan

The holy Muslim month of Ramadan starts in July and lasts into August. Throughout its duration Iranians refrain from drinking, smoking or eating during the daylight hours to teach themselves self-discipline, self-restraint and generosity. Share an evening iftar meal in this atmosphere of love and friendliness.

Drop in to a Zoroastrian shrine for the autumn mehregan festival

Devoted to Zoroastrian goddess of light, Mithra, the festival celebrates light over darkness. It is believed that Romans adopted Mithra worship from Iran and become devoted followers of the goddess.

Observe a religious Moharram procession

From late October into November (depending on the Muslim calendar), Moharram is considered to be the most important Shi’a ceremony. Marking the death of Imam Hossein, the central point of the holiest month of the year are mourning rituals. Mourning processions are held across Iran to express passion and the notion of martyrdom, a characteristic feature of Shi’a Islam.

Leave the dark nights behind with the winter solstice 

Also known as shab-e chelleh, this celebration, usually held on 21 December, marks the first of the 40 days before jashn-e sadeh . Of Babylonian origin, the winter solstice celebration dates back to pre-Zoroastrian times and has to date remained an important feature of Iranian cultural tradition. 

What to see and do in Iran

A spice seller at the bazaar © Mohammad Jhiantash, Wikimedia Commons

Esfahan bazaar

Since 1998 many more shops, including one or two selling the famous Esfahani gaz or nougat, have reopened in the covered arcade running all around the square. Before walking through the main 17th-century door of the bazaar, look up and you’ll see a Sagittarius figure and Shah Abbas victorious over the Uzbek enemy, as described by Jean Chardin in the late 17th century. The recent cleaning has also revealed a depiction of Europeans playing chess high up on the right. Above, there was a gallery where musicians banged and trumpeted every sunset, causing foreign merchants to suffer violent headaches, and a Portuguese bronze bell marking the Safavid conquest of Hormuz.

Just inside the door, immediately on the right, a narrow alley leads into a small courtyard of cotton block-printing workshops. There is an endless variety of printed cottons; prices depend on size, quality of the fabric and the colour complexity of the design. Dealers now greatly outnumber the makers and just one or two of them are retained to show tourists the basic technique.

The bazaar runs northwards and eastwards intermittently. The main carpet quarter is situated to the far left (west) away from the main street; a short walk through here will raise serious doubts in your mind whether there are enough homes worldwide to house all these carpets.

Fortresses of the Ismaili Assassins

As the Fatimid regime of Egypt and Syria began to crack and fragment in the 1060s, the Ismaili community in Iran began to dig in, securing strongholds to defend their villages and land. This valley of the river Alamut soon gained an international reputation as the ‘Valley of the Assassins’, with its chain of impregnable fortresses dominating the trade routes, and its team of highly trained men willing to sacrifi ce their own lives to safeguard the leaders of the Ismaili community, such as Hassan al-Sabbah in Iran and Rashid al-Din Sinan in Syria (the ‘Old Man of the Mountains’ as described by the Crusader chronicler, Joinville).

These were the young men whose clandestine activities spread terror among the Crusaders and Muslim military leaders as they infi ltrated inner court circles to ‘remove’ those who threatened their own community – leaders like the Seljuk sultan and champion of Sunni Islam, Malik Shah (r1072–92), his vizier Nizam al-Molk (assassinated 1092) and Richard Coeur de Lion.

As recorded by Marco Polo, rumours spread that Hassan al-Sabbah could instil such loyalty and single-mindedness only by drugging his followers with hashish (who were then known as hashashiyya , from which comes ‘assassin’) and promising them the delights of paradise.

The reality was that this was a tight-knit community with a rigid hierarchy under a charismatic leader – Hassan al-Sabbah – renowned for his scholarship and library. His death in 1124 resulted in serious disquiet within the community, and without the protection of the strongholds such as Alamut, perhaps its very survival would have been threatened.

Later successors followed more pragmatic policies, establishing links with neighbouring political powers, but the Mongol invasions changed all this. Circumstances allowed Hulagu, the Mongol commander, to seize and imprison the leader of the Iranian Ismaili community in Qazvin in 1256, heralding a massacre in which the fortresses were surrendered.

The community scattered throughout Iran but in the 1770s it was in control of Kerman and Bam, with the blessing of the Zand family. The leader of the Ismailis was honoured with the title of Agha Khan by Fath Ali Shah, but by 1840 the religious atmosphere had so changed that most of the community left for India and the rest scattered around central Asia, Pakistan and East Africa.

The Tomb of Avicenna

This 10th-century Muslim scientist, who originated from Bukhara, central Asia, was mentioned in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales but the monument itself dates from 1952 and was clearly inspired by the early 11th-century Gonbad-e Qabus monument in northeastern Iran. The museum on the ground floor was once dull and uninformative, but it has been been completely reorganised and is now a delight.

Local artefacts are located in the first room to the left on entry, while the room to the right is a library with interesting displays of historical medical instruments, such as the glass bloodletting suction ‘cuppers’ and manuscripts, while the main hall with the memorial to Avicenna shows the herbs, plants and seeds (with their Latin names) used in pharmacy with labelling in English and Farsi.

There is a good view of Mount Alvand from outside the upper platform, and the gardens are pleasant, although one dices with death crossing to and from the roundabout. Avicenna (born c980ce) fled from his enemies at court in Bukhara (Uzbekistan), arriving in Hamadan in about 1015 to practise as a doctor for some nine years. He then moved to Rayy and Esfahan, returning to Hamadan only to die of colic in 1037.

Most of his 130 or so books have been lost but fragments remain to show he wrote knowledgeably on economics, poetry, philosophy (influencing St Thomas Aquinas) and music as well as physics, mathematics and astronomy. His Book of Healing and Canon of Medicine became the standard medical textbooks in Europe until the mid 17th century; it is from Avicenna and other Muslim scientists that we get such words as algebra, alchemy, alcohol and alkaline.

Gonbad-e Alavian

Gonbad-e Alavian is a glorious if dusty tomb building; the girls’ school formerly here has been relocated. It is thought this was the mausoleum for members of the Alavian family, who controlled Hamadan for two centuries, but when it was built exactly is unclear.

To some scholars its elaborately carved plaster of leaf and flower motifs resembles Seljuk decoration as found at Divrigi and elsewhere in Turkey – as well as on the 1148 mausoleum Gonbad-e Surkh in Maragheh – but others argue the almost threedimensional, lace-like ‘Baroque’ quality of its motifs is early 14th-century Ilkhanid work.

The original roof has gone and much of the brick and plaster strapwork exterior has been restored but don’t be put off by the present monochrome colour, dust and gloom; let the plasterwork speak to you. The Quranic inscriptions inside (Q53:1–35), on the mihrab (Q36:1–9), outside (Q76:1–9) and over the entrance (Q5:55–6) refer to rewards and punishments, death and paradise, the importance of prayer and charity giving – all very apposite for a mausoleum and possibly the plaster leaf and plant forms symbolise the gardens of paradise. A torch is useful for the interior.

Nushijan Tappeh

Going 60km in a southerly direction from Hamadan towards Malayer, you arrive at Nushijan Tappeh . British archaeologists worked on this small Median site, about one-sixth the size of the main apadana platform at Persepolis, from 1967 to 1974. Four principal buildings were found on this outcrop: two temples, a fort and a columned hall with an enclosing wall.

The central temple, probably constructed before 700bce, had a narrow entrance leading into an antechamber possessing a stepped ‘Maltese cross’ groundplan and a spiral ramp to an upper level. It then led to a sanctuary with a triangular cella, or inner body of the temple and large blind windows with ‘toothed’ lintels decorating the walls. A brick fire altar (85cm high) with four steps was screened from the entrance and, perhaps to protect its sanctity from later squatters, the temple was filled with shale to a depth of 6m and carefully bricked in. This was a tremendously important find: perhaps the earliest temple with a fire altar in situ found in western Iran.

The second temple, located just to the west, had similar rooms and a spiral ramp but with a different orientation and an asymmetrical groundplan. The fort measured 25m x 22m, approximately the size of the Gate of All Nations at Persepolis, with four long magazines and a guardroom with another spiral ramp for access to at least one other floor, while the hall with a slightly irregular groundplan was somewhat smaller with 12 columns supporting a flat roof. Very little stone was used in construction throughout the site but the bricks (especially in the vaults) were often carefully shaped.

For some reason the site was then left largely unoccupied until the Parthian period (c1st century ce). At present the original structure is protected by an aesthetically unappealing steel roof, which regrettably spoils the authentic beauty of the site

Kashan will always be associated in Islamic art for its high-quality ceramics ( kashi ) production, which dates from the 12th century, even enduring the Mongol campaigns. It is also renowned for its manufacture of costly silks and carpets for the Safavid court.

The 17th-century English merchant, Thomas Herbert, estimated there were then approximately 4,000 families in the town mainly involved in textiles, which would mean that the community was then ‘in compass not less than York or Norwich … The houses are fairly built, many of which are pargeted and painted; the mosques and hamams are in their cupolas curiously ceruleated with a feigned turquoise.’

Undoubtedly he would also have heard that Kashan was the place from which the Three Wise Men set out for Bethlehem. Almost 250 years later, other English travellers reported that Kashan boasted 24 caravanserais, 35 hotels for foreign merchants, 34 hamams , 18 large mosques, and 90 small shrines but in such a bad state that Lord Curzon commented, ‘A more funereal place I had not yet seen.’ Matters were made no better by its reputation for poisonous scorpions.

Kashan’s most recent political history has been primarily associated with the nuclear installation in Natanz, 89km southeast from the city. The details of the facility for enriching uranium were leaked in 2002 and subsequently confirmed by President Khatami’s administration.

While the carpet industry here is one of the best in the country, the lack of shops selling them makes it next to impossible to find a good carpet. It is the old merchant houses, however, that make this city special.

More than any other ancient site in Iran, Persepolis (Takht-e Jamshid in Persian) embodies all the glory – and the demise – of the Persian Empire. It was here that the Achaemenid kings received their subjects, celebrated the new year and ran their empire before Alexander the Great burnt the whole thing to the ground as he conquered the world.

It was Darius the Great who began construction around 515BCE, with his successors adding buildings, but it was still unfinished when, in early 330BCE, Alexander the Great burnt it to the ground after looting the city, seven years before his death. It took him, according to Plutarch, 10,000 mules and 5,000 camels to carry away the booty from this revenge attack for the Achaemenid firing of Athens.

The stone came from nearby quarries but the labourers came from all over the Achaemenid Empire including Greece, as the marks of the Greek toothed chisel testifies. Gold and silver foundation tablets (now in Tehran’s National Museum) were found on the site but more fascinating, for their wealth of detailed information, were the 30,000-odd clay tablets that were uncovered.

The complex consisted of military quarters, treasury stores, small private rooms and huge reception areas, but the exact function of the complex remains an intriguing mystery. Susa was the Achaemenid winter capital and Hamadan the summer residence, while Pasagarda was perhaps built to commemorate Cyrus the Great’s victory over the Medians. But Persepolis?

On the evidence of low reliefs showing visitors bearing gifts, and lions attacking bulls (Leo ascendant over Taurus suggesting spring pushing winter away), many assume Persepolis was used once a year to celebrate Nou Rouz, the spring equinox.

Frequent use of the lotus flower motif with its 12 leaves possibly symbolises the 12 months of the year and the always-green cypress tree could also be interpreted to refer to Nou Rouz, but such festivities are not mentioned in Achaemenid and later sources.

There seem to have been only two occasions when the Achaemenid ruler received gifts: on the official imperial birthday, and the annual sacrifice to Mithra.

The bull may also be depicted to represent a cow, a symbol of fertility and a guardian of nomad people.

Shiraz, with its long and rich history, friendliness and the laid-back attitude of its inhabitants, is one of the nicest and most welcoming cities in Iran. As the Iranian saying goes, ‘Esfahan for the head, but Shiraz for the heart’.

Despite dramatic growth in the last two decades to a population of around 1.5 million and the resultant traffic nightmare, Shiraz has miraculously managed to preserve the relaxed atmosphere of a provincial town, despite the daily assault on both its infrastructure and the nerves of its inhabitants.

It has an excellent university, which annually floods the city with an appealing wave of young, educated and friendly Iranians, who provide the real energy driving this fine city. Many foreign visitors are surprised that Shiraz itself has so few surviving historical monuments when there are such archaeological treasures in the neighbouring countryside, but earthquakes over the centuries have taken a heavy toll, along with the less excusable ‘urban development plans’ of the Pahlavis (for whom Shiraz was an unfortunate target of their dubious vision and largesse).

Shiraz is a place to stroll in fine gardens, see the Azadi Park Ferris wheel and roundabouts crowded with excited schoolgirls, chadors flying in the breeze. Both in the bazaar and in the major shrine, Shah Cheragh, you may glimpse the darker complexions of men and women from various tribal clans such as the Qashqai, the Qash Kuli and the Khamseh, visiting the city for provisions, clothing and jewellery.

Older men often wear a beige, hemispherical felt cap with a tall upturned rim, while women cover their immense skirts and glittering lurex tabards with black chadors ; both caps and skirts are made in the bazaar. Many of these families still retain a migratory lifestyle, travelling with goats and sheep from Hamadan to Shiraz and the south in late autumn, returning in the spring, but some are now at least partially settled in outlying villages.

If you wish to see the rugs and carpets associated with such clans, the Shiraz bazaar is a good place to look, but prices are no longer low and quality is variable since such work was highly acclaimed in the West during the 1976 World of Islam exhibitions in the UK.

Looking at the sprawl of modern Tehran spreading up into the Alborz foothills, it is difficult to believe that before 1795, when it became the Qajar capital, it was an insignificant village ‘possess[ing] nothing, not even a single building, worthy of notice’ (Thomas Herbert, 1627). Then, there were unimpeded views of Mount Damavand and the Alborz. As of the 2011 census the population of Tehran is over 12 million, which is approximately one-sixth of the country’s total figure.

While population growth in Iran from 2006 until 2011 has only been around 1.3%, the general urbanisation rate has now passed 70%, which may suggest further growth of the capital as more people from the villages are moving here in search of employment. Currently Tehran accounts for more than half of the country’s economic activity and is set to grow further. The inner areas of the city are home to around 50 colleges and universities, making it the most dynamic student city in the country.

Many tourists shun Tehran and proceed directly to the historical south, but the Iranian capital is a wonderfully diverse and vast city with a vibrant café culture and pleasant parks scattered around the city perimeter.

If visiting Tehran before and around Nou Rouz , you will be pleasantly surprised by light traffic, fresh air and flower blossom aromas at the city’s largest Mahallati flower market, selling more than five million flowers every day. While its southern parts (around Golestan Palace) offer, or rather conceal from the general view, a vast range of historic monuments, the upper affluent northern Tehran (Alborz foothills) is the place for an evening stroll or weekend mountain hiking (Tochal).

It is easier to get around if you think of Tehran, as one never-ending Vali Asr Street and everything else springing from it, like branches from a tree.

The town has long been associated with Zoroastrianism, and the production of textiles. It fell to the Arab invaders in 642ce but the Zoroastrian community was strong here until the late 17th century. There were still plenty of adherents left in the 19th century, when official persecution caused many to flee to India or to Tehran , where the presence of foreign diplomatic missions offered more protection.

Today, Zoroastrians form less than 10% of the town’s population, mainly located in the Posht-e Khan Ali quarter. When Marco Polo visited in 1272, noting its fine textiles and its strategic location on trade routes from India and central Asia, this ‘Good and Noble city’ was walled, but undoubtedly today he would get hopelessly lost in the confusion of ring roads and roundabouts.

Today Yazd is one of the most tourist-friendly cities in Iran, and offers excellent souvenir-shopping opportunities. Look through the workshops selling handwoven silk cloth termeh, produced solely in Yazd. Traditional hotels are abundant and conveniently located in the old town centre, while many tourists and backpackers use the City as their base to explore nearby desert dunes. Yazd is also known as the hosseiniyeh of Iran, the centre of the Imam Hossein commemorative celebrations in the country.

Although it does not possess any royal monuments like those at Persepolis, Shiraz and Esfahan, Yazd is renowned for its vernacular buildings, including ice houses, water cisterns (ab anbars), domestic houses and spectacular wind towers (badgirs) – of which Yazd boasts one of the tallest in the world.

Two dakhmeh (Zoroastrian ‘towers of silence’) are situated a little south of town. In accordance with Zoroastrian laws governing the sanctity of earth, fire, air and water, in Achaemenid times the dead were exposed and their bones later gathered to be placed in ossuaries or tombs in rock.

But in later centuries large circular stone walls were built on rock and the bodies of Zoroastrian men, women and children were placed on their designated, paved zone on the open stone platform inside. Sadly, the local authorities have turned a blind eye to vandalism of these buildings, which only serves to fuel foreigners’ negative perceptions of religious tolerance in modern Iran.

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All About Shiraz – A Full Travel Guide To Iran’s City Of Gardens And Poets

Shiraz truly is a city like no other – lined with endless blossoming gardens and palaces, mosques and markets, Shiraz is easily one of the most romantic places in the world. The city has given birth to some of the most famous Persian poets who wrote about love, beauty, and faith, and may as well inspire you to savor the sweet side of life. The people of Shiraz are known to be kind, laid back and particularly fond of life, and their loving attitudes are contagious. Whether you’re in a frenzy to tick sites off your bucket list or want to slow down and enjoy, Shiraz is a must for every traveler in Iran. Not to mention, the city is also the gateway to the legendary ruins of Persepolis, which by itself is a place that everyone should visit at least once.

To be very honest, I almost missed out on Shiraz during my first trip to Iran. Due to a change of plans, I found myself traveling westward from Yazd and running critically short on time, visiting Shiraz seemed like too much of a detour. However, every local I spoke to urged me to go to Shiraz, and looking back I’m beyond grateful they did. Together with my incredible experiences in Chabahar and Qom, Shiraz was definitely a highlight of my trip to Iran and I probably would not be able to forgive myself had I missed out on this amazing place (my only regret now is that I didn’t bring my fiance along :P).

No matter how long you are in Iran for, you should dedicate at the very least two days to this amazing city. I’m begging you!!! And to make the most out of your visit, I compiled this full Shiraz travel guide that tells you everything you need to know about Iran’s City of Gardens and Poets.

Read more: Full Travel Guide To Persepolis, Iran

Table of Contents

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Where Is Shiraz?

Iran’s fifth-most populous city is located in the southwest of the country and serves as the capital of Fars Province (that name alone should tell you about the importance of this region in Persian culture), and lies only 60 kilometers from Persepolis. The city is surrounded by the scenic terraces of the Zagros Mountains, which once served as vineyards in pre-Islamic times (you may be familiar with Shiraz Wine, which is now produced in Australia and South Africa). Its central location has made the city a center of culture, art, and learning since the 13th century.

Weather In Shiraz

Shiraz has a semi-arid climate with hot summers and cool winters. It’s pleasant to visit throughout the year, although daytime temperatures in summer can get quite high. When visiting Shiraz in summer, it’s recommended to plan extended outdoor activities, such as a visit to Persepolis, early in the day to beat the heat. Gardens, on the other hand, are refreshing oases that flaunt stunning blossoms in late spring and early summer, as well as protect from excessive heat.

How To Get To Shiraz

Being one of the most important cities in Iran, there are plenty of options to get to Shiraz, including:

• Flights: Shiraz has one of Iran’s major airports that connects the city with other larger and smaller cities all across Iran.
• Buses: There is plenty of bus traffic in and out of Shiraz, making it easy to reach the city from places like Yazd, Esfahan, and Bandar Abbas.
• Trains: Shiraz is also part of the railway network that links it to other major cities.

Is Shiraz Safe?

As a tourist and woman, I have always felt extremely safe in Shiraz. The cities is very walkable and you’ll see many women roaming around alone; scams and petty crime is rare despite of the tough financial situation that has been ravaging Iran for years; most people are very kind, welcoming, and helpful – they won’t unnecessarily bother you but if you need help, they will be ready to extend both hands. Therefore I believe Shiraz is a safe city for travelers, including solo female travelers.

Where To Stay In Shiraz

Being a large and touristic city, Shiraz has plenty of accommodations for all budgets to offer.

• Hotels: from luxury hotels to family-friendly inns, you can find all kinds of hotels in Shiraz, although the most enticing option might be a historic boutique hotel in the old city center, such as Oscru Hotel. Unfortunately, international hotel booking platforms don’t operate in Iran, but you can always contact local tour operators such as Termeh Travel for information and booking. Keep in mind that international bank transactions don’t work in Iran and be prepared to pay for your accommodation in cash.
• Hostels: there are many safe and budget-friendly hostel options for backpackers and solo travelers in Shiraz. Luckily, Hostel World is one of the few international platforms that operate in Iran, making it very easy to find hostels.
• Couchsurfing: my go-to option in Iran. The Couchsurfing community is very active in cities like Shiraz and you can easily find both male and female hosts. I personally had a very positive experience with a host in Shiraz, who accepted my request just half an hour prior to my arrival and showed me his way of life for the next two days. Do keep in mind however that you should not overstay your welcome – Iranians are very polite and will rarely let you know directly, but don’t stay for more than a few days with one person and don’t be too demanding. To access the Couchsurfing portal in Iran, you will need to use a VPN.

What To Wear In Shiraz

Shiraz is socially quite relaxed for Iranian standards, in contrast to places like Qom or Balochistan. Nonetheless, the laws for modesty must still be obeyed. For men, a simple pants and shirt combination is sufficient, whereas women need to make sure to cover their curves and hair as well. Many Shirazi women are very fashionable, so if you want to blend in, you can try combos of stylish tunics and short scarves. If you are visiting in summer, opt for light fabrics that help you stay cool. There is no need to wear chador except in mosques and shrines, where visitors can borrow one for free.

How To Get Around In Shiraz

Getting around Shiraz is very easy. Here are the preferred modes of transportation.

• Metro: Shiraz has a decent underground network and traveling by metro is a quick and reliable way to get around while avoiding rush hour traffic.
• Taxi: There’s no shortage of taxis in Shiraz and the fares are very affordable. I prefer to use the rideshare app Snapp! to get around safely and conveniently.
• On foot: as mentioned before, Shiraz is very walkable, and with sights in virtually every block, a long walking tour is the most efficient option for a day of sightseeing. Your feet will probably hurt at the end of the day but your heart will be satisfied. 😉

Best Places To Visit In Shiraz

To be honest, there are way too many places that are worth seeing in and around Shiraz. If I were to be thorough, this list would never end, but keeping in mind that most travelers have limits to their schedules, I narrowed it down to the most essential sites. Below are some of the best places to visit in Shiraz if you have around three days to spare, but if you have more time, you will encounter many more places in between.

Keep in mind that most places on this list, including all gardens, tombs, and even mosques charge entry fees , which differ significantly for Iranians and foreigners. If you’re a foreigner, I strongly recommend keeping a separate budget for entry tickets as costs quickly add up but you should in no way miss out on these places.

Eram Garden

It should come to no surprise that the City of Gardens is, well, full of gardens, but if you had to choose just one garden, it would be Eram Garden. This UNESCO World Heritage site is believed to have been first built during the Seljuk rule but greatly enriched over the centuries. This large garden houses the most beautiful flowers and water features as well as a majestic house museum and is the best possible introduction to Shiraz.

Tomb of Hafez

Born in the 14th century, Hafez is widely regarded as one of the greatest Persian Sufi poets. His lyrical works artfully encapsule the spirit of Islamic mysticism and are widely studied across Asia until this date. Being native to Shiraz, it is only natural that Hafez was buried in this city. His tomb is nowadays surrounded by a relatively modern memorial structure that reflects influences of both epochs. Paying respect to this prolific poet is a must when in Shiraz, and the mausoleum is also an excellent place to study or rewind. To appreciate the works of this poet, take a look at the Divan of Hafez .

Tomb of Saadi

Like Hafez, Saadi was another great Islamic poet native to Shiraz. His 13th century works focus largely on morality and social commentary that may still apply today. His mausoleum also consists of a modern structure with similar qualities to the Tomb of Hafez. To appreciate the work of this great poet, you may take a look at Bustan and Gulistan .

Delgosha Garden

Delgosha Garden is one of the many smaller gardens sprinkled across Shiraz. While the garden itself is nothing out of the ordinary, it’s a nice, less crowded version of the more popular gardens. It houses a quaint museum with (thanks to the low volume of visitors) very attentive staff and a shop that sells sweets made from the oranges harvested in the garden. I included Delgosha Garden due to its proximity to the Tomb of Hafez, but you may swap it with any other smaller garden.

Arg of Karim Khan

The Arg of Karim Khan is a central Zand-era citadel in the heart of old Shiraz. A few centuries ago, the fortress was used for defense and imprisonment, as well as the residence of ruler Karim Khan. Today, it represents a beautiful example of Safavid architecture that visitors can admire from outside as well as inside. Its visual prominence and central location makes it impossible to miss during any sightseeing trip.

Oscru Hotel

Along the vivid shopping streets near the Karim Khan Citadel, one can find many stylish cafes and boutique hotels with historic flair. Even if you are not staying in one of these hotels, you should at least consider having a cup of coffee in a place like Oscru Hotel to fully absorb the vibe of Shiraz. Most of the food served in these places is continental cuisine – not quite my taste but may be just what you’re looking for.

Vakil Bazaar

Vakil Bazaar is the historic market complex of Shiraz and it’s HUGE! Selling everything from handicrafts to textiles, Vakil Bazaar is the perfect place to shop for souvenirs, but even if you aren’t planning to buy anything, getting lost in the labyrinthesque alleys of this vast market hall is part of the essential Shiraz experience. Attached to the bazaar, you can find innumerable historic structures such as the old bathhouse and the Vakil Mosque, which are undoubtedly worth a visit.

Shah Cheragh Holy Shrine

The Shah Cheragh shrine houses the tomb of Ahmed bin Musa, brother of the eighth Shia Imam Reza, making it one of the holiest sites in Iran after the shrines in Mashhad and Qom. Visiting this shrine is a must not just for spiritual purposes but also to admire its impressive architecture. Being a sacred place, customs are enforced strictly and all foreign visitors will be assigned a guide who will share historical and theological knowledge. These guides tend to go deep into detail, so you should plan at least one hour for this place.

Nasir ul Mulk Mosque

The world famous Pink Mosque of Shiraz is easily one of the most iconic mosques in the world and reason alone to visit Shiraz. Describing the architectural details of this gorgeous mosque would require a post on its own, so I’ll let the picture tell you. To make the most out of your visit to the Nasir ul Mulk Mosque, you should keep the following things in mind:

• Visit in the early morning hours when the sunlight illuminates the colorful mosaic windows from the east and casts colorful reflections inside. During my visit in June, the rule was to arrive no later than 9 am. Lines to purchase entry tickets may be very long, so plan ahead.
• It’s mandatory for women to wear chador while visiting the mosque. I recommend borrowing one of their pink flower print ones as they contrast more nicely with the environment than black ones. Some women also bring large white cloths to wear inside.
• The administrators have a rocky relationship with photography; photoshoots are popular in this beautiful place but many believe such behavior distracts from the sanctity of the mosque, hence rules regarding photography frequently change. When I visited, it was allowed to take photos with phones and DSLRs under the supervision of a caretaker, but I was told just a few weeks prior, photography was completely prohibited.

Naranjestan e Qavam

More simply known as the Qavam House, the Naranjestan e Qavam is another large, beautiful garden featuring a majestic 19th century residence that combines Persian and Victorian-style architecture. It houses the perhaps most elaborate house museum in Shiraz full of artifacts of the time. Having a sip of orange blossom drink is a must in this garden.

Bam e Shiraz

As mentioned before, Shiraz is surrounded by mountains that served as vineyards in ancient times. It should come to no surprise that these hills make great hiking trails and viewpoints to admire the city from above. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the chance to explore this area too much because of the hot temperatures in summer, but if I were to return at another time of the year I would certainly give it a try.

Maharlu Lake

Iran is rich in natural wonders and one of them are salt lakes that adopt a pink color at certain times of the day. One of them can be found just outside of Shiraz with the name Maharlu Lake. I didn’t visit Maharlu Lake during my last trip since I had already seen a similar pink lake in Chabahar , but if it’s your first time visiting a salt lake you should definitely go for it.

Persepolis is one of those great architectural sites, on par with the Pyramids of Giza , that no visitor to Iran should miss at any cost! Locally known as Takht-e-Jamshid, the site served as the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire and consists of various palaces, tombs, and other structures dating back more than two-thousand years. It’s usually combined with a visit to the nearby site of Naqsh-e-Rustam, which houses more tombs of Achaemenid emperors. Persepolis is located about one hour outside of Shiraz and easily accessible by taxi.

Read more about traveling to Persepolis in this post!

Another Achaemenid-era archeological site in the vicinity is the World Heritage site of Pasargadae, which used to be the capital of the empire under its founder Cyrus the Great and houses his tomb. To be very honest, I would recommend skipping this site as it’s 90 kilometers outside of Shiraz and offers little to see apart from the tomb. However, it’s included in some tours to Persepolis and you can add it to your private day trip excursion if you have the time.

Iran’s City of Gardens and Poets is one of the finest places the country has to offer and in my opinion, one of the most romantic cities in the world. It’s a must-visit place for any visitor to Iran and it’s impossible to get bored in this culturally rich city.

Have you ever been to Shiraz? Share your experience in the comments below!

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10 comments.

Great post! Shiraz sounds like a really interesting city. I would love to go to Persepolis one day so will now add Shiraz to my list of places to go. Maharlu Lake looks cool, as well as all the mosques and tombs.

You will definitely not regret it 🙂

You had me had Shiraz (LOL I love wine). However, Shiraz seems like an amazing place! I am putting it on my bucket list and pinning this for reference. Thank you!

Haha, yeah! A city as sweet as wine!

Such a lovely post! Shiraz looks like a really dreamy city I would love to visit! Your photos are amazing btw 🙂

I absolutely love this article! I’m heading to Jordan at the end of December and am very tempted to just keep heading east. This article definitely made that desire grow 10X! Thank you for putting this together and I’m praying I can make it to Shiraz one day soon!

Wow Shiraz looks stunning. I’ve never been to Iran but am becoming more and more interested in going there. I wondered if this was the place the wine grapes came from. Fascinating to know. Do you know why they don’t produce the wine in Iran? (Or, do they?) perhaps climate? Really interesting post.

The photos of the city and architecture are beautiful! I hope to one day visit Shiraz!

City of poets and gardens!? That sounds perfect before you even see how gorgeous everywhere is! I looove the look of Arg of Karim Khan, the beautiful Maharlu Lake and Persepolis – wowza! It all looks incredible.

This looks like a fascinating place to visit. I love how much history there is here to uncover.

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Warnings and insurance

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice .

FCDO  advises against all travel to Iran

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice. Consular support is also severely limited where FCDO advises against travel.

If you’re a British national already in Iran, either resident or visitor, carefully consider your presence there and the risks you take by staying.

FCDO advises against all travel to Iran. British and British-Iranian dual nationals are at significant risk of arbitrary arrest, questioning or detention in Iran. Holding a British passport can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to question you. If you are detained in Iran, you could face months or years in prison.

Find out more about  why FCDO advises against travel .

Risks to British nationals in Iran 

Consular support is extremely limited in Iran. If you need consular assistance you should contact the British Embassy in Tehran . 

FCDO  advises against all travel to Iran. British and British-Iranian dual nationals are at significant risk of arbitrary arrest, questioning or detention in Iran. Holding a British passport can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to question you. If you are detained in Iran, you could face months or years in prison. 

Find out more about  why FCDO advises against travel

Dual nationals 

The Iranian authorities do not recognise dual nationality. If you are a British-Iranian dual national and you are detained in Iran, the authorities will not tell FCDO  or grant FCDO access to see you. If you are detained, your case will be in the hands of the Iranian authorities, who have shown a pattern of hostility towards the UK and British citizens.

Before you travel 

FCDO  advises against all travel to Iran.

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Florence Is Italy's Cultural Capital — Here's Where to Eat, Stay, and Visit, According to an Expert

This local's guide to compact, walkable Florence, Italy, shares the best restaurants, shops, and museums to visit on your trip.

Laura Itzkowitz is a freelance writer and editor based in Rome. She has been contributing to Travel + Leisure since 2014, when she started as a fact checker before becoming a contributing digital editor in 2015 and going freelance in 2016. She has also held positions as a contributing editor at The Points Guy and the NYC cities editor at DuJour Magazine. In addition to Travel + Leisure , her writing has appeared in Architectural Digest , Surface Magazine , Brooklyn Magazine , T Magazine , The Wall Street Journal , Vogue, GQ, Departures, Afar, Fodor's, Town & Country , Condé Nast Traveler , Robb Report , Hemispheres, and others. When she's not jetsetting around Italy and beyond, she can be found in Rome, enjoying some cacio e pepe or relaxing at home with her husband and two dogs. Originally from the Boston area, Laura moved to New York City in 2011 to pursue a master's degree in creative writing and translation at Columbia University. She also holds a bachelor's degree in French from Smith College. * 10+ years of experience writing and editing * Co-wrote "New York: Hidden Bars & Restaurants," an award-winning guide to New York City's speakeasy scene published by Jonglez Editions in 2015 * Contributed to "Fodor's Brooklyn," published by Penguin Random House in 2015, which won silver in the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism competition * Contributed an essay to "Epic Hikes of Europe," published by Lonely Planet in 2021 * Updated the 2022 edition of "Fodor's Essential Italy"

Best Hotels and Resorts

Best things to do, best shopping, best nightlife, best restaurants, best time to visit, how to get there, neighborhoods to visit, how to get around.

Evgeniya Vlasova/Travel + Leisure

Capital of Tuscany, cradle of the Renaissance, and one of Italy’s most popular destinations, Florence needs little introduction. A World’s Best Awards Hall of Fame honoree , it consistently ranks as one of Travel + Leisure readers’ favorite cities thanks to its rich history, artistic treasures, and delicious food and wine, much of which comes from the nearby hills of Chianti and Montalcino. Florence is a must-visit destination for a rich cultural immersion in Italian art and history.

Though the historic center is relatively compact, it’s crammed with museums containing priceless works of art, churches that are architectural masterpieces, restaurants, bars, and shops selling everything from gastronomic specialties to handmade leather goods and jewelry. In fact, Florence has always been a haven for artisans practicing traditional crafts, and today, you can still find artisan-made goods if you know where to look. 

It would take years to see and do everything Florence has to offer, which is why we’ve enlisted the help of local expert Mary Gray , the editor-in-chief of Italy magazine who has lived in Florence for more than a decade. “The things that drew me here were the same things that draw all visitors and students here, but what’s kept me here has evolved over the years,” she says. “The city is gloriously walkable and compact while having many of the cultural offerings of a much larger and more metropolitan place.”

Top 5 Can’t Miss

• The Helvetia & Bristol Firenze is the city’s oldest luxury hotel, and after a top-to-bottom renovation, it’s more glamorous than ever.
• The Uffizi Gallery contains some of the greatest works of art ever created.
• La Scuola del Cuoio carries on Florence’s historic leather-making tradition and is the perfect place to buy a high-quality artisan bag.
• A sunset aperitivo at La Terrazza at the Hotel Continentale is the perfect segue into a lovely evening in Florence.
• When in Florence, you must try the bistecca alla Fiorentina; the best place to get it is Regina Bistecca.

The St. Regis Florence

Voted the number one hotel in Florence in the 2023 World’s Best Awards , this opulent grand dame has pride of place along the Arno River. Contemporary art curated by Liquid Art System adds a touch of modernity to the otherwise classic decor. Don’t miss an aperitivo in the Winter Garden.  

Helvetia & Bristol Firenze

With a score of 94.75, Florence’s oldest luxury hotel closely follows the St. Regis in the 2023 World’s Best Awards. A major renovation in 2019 restored this member of the Leading Hotels of the World to its original glory, adding a soothing spa and outpost of Cibrèo restaurant and café. “I love to go to the spa at the Helvetia & Bristol when I’m in the mood to give myself the ‘staycation’ treatment,” Gray says.

Hotel Savoy, a Rocco Forte Hotel

The Rocco Forte Hotels group is known for impeccable design and service, and the Hotel Savoy certainly fulfills those promises, earning it a spot as the third-best hotel in Florence in the 2023 World’s Best Awards. Standout details include colorful textiles by Laudomia Pucci, menus designed by lauded chef Fulvio Pierangelini, and views of the Duomo.

Four Seasons Hotel Firenze

Courtesy of Four Seasons

More like an urban resort than a city hotel, the Four Seasons Firenze occupies the historic Palazzo della Gherardesca and is home to Florence's most extensive private garden. Original frescoes and period furnishings immerse guests in Renaissance splendor, and a meal at the Michelin-starred Il Palagio is a feast for the senses. No wonder this hotel ranked the fourth best in Florence in the 2023 World’s Best Awards.

Owned by the noble Ginori family, who once used the building as the headquarters of their world-famous ceramics production, Casa G. is a 15-room boutique hotel. A more affordable alternative to the city’s luxury five-star hotels, it offers style at prices that won’t break the bank. 

Admire incredible art at the Uffizi Gallery

Florence is packed full of museums, but if you only go to one, make it the Uffizi Galleries , which contains a collection from the 13th to the 20th century. Must-see paintings include Botticelli’s Birth of Venus , Raphael’s Madonna of the Goldfinch , and Caravaggio’s Bacchus . 

Learn about Brunelleschi’s masterpiece at the Opera del Duomo Museum

The Duomo is Florence's most recognizable landmark with its symbolic red terracotta tiled roof and Gothic facade. However, many of the great artworks created for it now reside in the nearby Opera del Duomo Museum . “This is definitely one of the most spectacular museums in the city and maybe in all of Italy,” Gray says. “I always tell visitors that if they’re deciding between going inside the cathedral or going inside the museum, there’s no contest.”

Visit the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella

With a history that stretches back to 1221, this is considered the world’s oldest pharmacy , where Dominican friars produced medicinal tinctures and perfumes. It was the official perfumer of Catherine de’ Medici and officially opened its doors to the public in 1542. The brand now sells its perfumes worldwide, but the original shop was turned into a sort of museum worth a visit.

Stroll through the Boboli and Bardini Gardens

Christopher Larson/Travel + Leisure

Behind Palazzo Pitti, the Medicis’ royal palace, the Boboli Gardens are the archetype of the classic Renaissance Italian gardens, with fountains, grottoes, and statues. The same ticket will grant you access to the Gardens of the Villa Bardini, which has incredible views of Florence and, in the spring, wisteria-covered pergolas.

Explore Markets like the Mercato Centrale and the Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio

Though the stalls outside the Mercato Centrale in San Lorenzo mainly sell fake leather goods and cheap souvenirs, the actual market is worth visiting. On the ground floor, vendors sell produce, meat, cheeses, fish, and other groceries, while the upper floor has been turned into an upscale food hall. The Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio is a “great convergence point in the city for visitors and residents,” according to Gray. There’s also a flea market nearby in Largo Annigoni.

 Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images

La Scuola del Cuoio

Established post-World War II as a way to help orphans learn a trade, the Scuola del Cuoio still teaches students the art of leather-making. You can tour the school, learn about the process, and then buy original bags, wallets, belts, and other leather items.

Scarpelli Mosaici

Scarpelli Mosaici is one of the few remaining workshops that still makes mosaics and inlaid marble items the traditional way. Head to the shop near the Duomo to watch the artisans at work and buy a unique piece. They also work on commissions to make inlaid marble tables and other beautiful objects.

Marina Calamai

“ I’ve always been super inspired by Marina Calamai , who I think of as a true contemporary Renaissance woman,” Gray says about this jeweler and artist. “Her hands are in a ton of different artistic initiatives and green projects around Florence and the greater metropolitan area, but window-shopping her jewelry and art studio on Via Santo Spirito is a regular part of my daily route; I always love seeing what she’s come up with.”

Alberto Cozzi Rilegatore

Gray recommends this family-run shop opened in 1908, specializing in bookbinding, paper marbling, and the restoration of antique books. Stop by one of their shops — located on Via del Parione and Via Sant’Agostino — to pick up some stationary, a leather-bound journal, or have a book repaired.

Pegna dal 1860

“ Pegna is where I go in a pinch when I need to pick up travel-friendly non-perishables to take back to the ‘foodies’ among my stateside family and friends,” Gray notes. “Though it’s a historic local grocery, I do love that there is a range of products sourced from all over Italy, like capers from Pantelleria and Krumiri Rossi from Piedmont.”

Peter Adams/Getty Images

La Terrazza at the Hotel Continentale

It should come as no surprise that one of the best rooftop bars in Florence is run by the Ferragamo family. Book in advance if you want a spot at this small al fresco bar overlooking the Arno River. It’s incredibly atmospheric for a sunset aperitivo. 

Companion Dolceamaro Bar at 25Hours Hotel Piazza San Paolino

Gray likes the 25Hours Hotel for its variety of nightlife options, which includes the lobby lounge, the courtyard, and the intimate Companion Dolceamaro Bar . It has a wide selection of bitters, vermouths, and cocktails, but the most popular option is the Negroni, which has several versions. 

Vineria Sonora

“In Florence in recent years, it’s felt like a lot of venues have tamped down their personalities or strayed from their niches to appeal to more people or just to become more Instagrammable,” Gay says. “I love that Vineria Sonora stubbornly embraces doing its own thing, focusing on fun music and offbeat wines from small, independent producers. It’s perfect for pre-dinner or nightcap, and I love that it draws such a mix of demographics and ages.”

Chelsea Loren/Travel + Leisure

Alla Vecchia Bettola

“There’s definitely more to Florentine dining than steak, but when I’m craving one now and then, this is where I go,” Gray says about this no-frills trattoria with tables crammed together and stools instead of chairs. “I love sitting elbow-to-elbow and swilling back the house wine, but this admittedly isn’t the best place to go if you need to have a deep conversation over dinner —  you’re lucky if you can hear your seatmate over the ruckus!”

Regina Bistecca

For bistecca alla fiorentina and other Tuscan classics, including pillowy ricotta and spinach gnudi, in a more refined but still laid-back atmosphere, head to this lovely restaurant near the Duomo. The building used to be an antiquarian bookshop with soaring arches and the owners have kept the charming vintage vibes.

Borgo San Jacopo

For an unforgettable fine dining experience, book a table at this Michelin-starred restaurant inside the Lungarno Hotel, which is part of the Ferragamo family’s empire. The nautical-inspired interiors might make you feel like you’re on a yacht floating on the Arno as you savor one of Chef Claudio Mengoni’s exquisite tasting menus.

Trattoria Cammillo

“When one of my best friends who traded in Florence for London a few years ago comes back to town for visits we always love to make a splashy Saturday of it and have a special-occasion lunch at Cammillo . It’s a step up in price point from your average shabby-chic trattoria, but still has a soulful, neighborhood feel, which I love,” Gray says.

The Cibrèo family of restaurants encompasses five locations in Florence. There’s the restaurant, the trattoria, the café, the Tuscan-Oriental fusion spot, and a new outpost inside the Helvetia & Bristol Hotel. When Gray used to teach travel writing to university students, she sometimes brought them to Cibrèo Caffè. “This is still one of my favorite ways to spend a special morning out in Florence,” she maintains.

Evgeniya Vlasova/Travel + Leisure

The best time to visit Florence for fewer crowds is November through March. Summer is hot and crowded. Gray says, “A real ‘low season’ in Florence isn’t much of a thing anymore.” She loves January and February but posits that March is an excellent middle ground because the weather is good, the local event scene tends to pick up after a winter hiatus, and the crowds usually swell around Easter.

Easter is a significant celebration throughout Italy, and in Florence, the festivities include the Scoppio del Carro, in which a wooden cart pulled by flower-adorned oxen explodes directly in front of the Duomo. Maggio Musicale Fiorentino is one of Italy’s oldest music festivals. It typically starts mid-April and runs through mid-June, with classical music concerts, operas, and other performances. The city also celebrates its patron saint, St. John the Baptist, on June 24 with a game of Calcio Storico, a mix of rugby, soccer, and wrestling, with participants wearing 16th-century costumes. 

Florence is served by the Amerigo Vespucci Airport, which is about half an hour from the city center. It’s also easy to get to Florence by train from elsewhere in Italy. High-speed Frecciarossa trains run frequently from major cities like Rome, Milan, Bologna, and Venice. The Frecciarossa takes about 90 minutes from Rome, two hours from Milan, 40 minutes from Bologna, and a little more than two hours from Venice. The central train station is Firenze Santa Maria Novella.

Duomo: Also known as San Giovanni, the part of the centro storico that covers the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria is the very heart of the city. This area is packed with sites, including the Uffizi Gallery, Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Repubblica, and the banks of the Arno.

Evgeniya Vlasova /Travel + Leisure

Santa Croce: Just east of the Duomo, Santa Croce is known for the Basilica di Santa Croce, which contains incredible frescoes by Giotto and the tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo. The neighborhood is home to the Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio, which, according to Gray, is a hidden gem.  

Santa Maria Novella: Santa Maria Novella is the neighborhood where you’ll find the train station and basilica of the same name. The western part of the neighborhood beyond the train station is primarily residential, but the area around the basilica is home to some upscale hotels, restaurants, and bars.

San Lorenzo: The small area between the train station and the Duomo is San Lorenzo, the city’s central market district. Beware of the stalls selling fake leather or souvenirs made in China. On the other hand, you’ll find vendors selling fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, and meat on the ground floor. The upper floor houses a food hall selling local specialties like lampredotto (tripe sandwiches) and schiacciata (a Tuscan flatbread).

Oltrarno: Literally ‘across the Arno,’ Oltrarno is a more laid-back, slightly bohemian area. Gray, who has lived in Oltrarno for the entirety of her time in Florence, says, “I’ve watched it change a lot over the past decade-plus; artisan studios and workers’ neighborhood trattorie are being replaced by generic Aperol Spritz spots and run-of-the-mill shops, but if you know where to look (and hint: it’s not where the long lines are), you’ll find Florentine traditions and long-standing independent shops quietly humming on.”

The historic center of Florence is compact and very walkable. Much of it has been pedestrianized or is part of a limited traffic zone. A car is a hindrance rather than a help, but taxis, buses, and trams are available to transport you to or from the airport or train station. 

Autolinee Toscane: Autolinee Toscane runs the buses and trams that connect Florence with the greater metropolitan area. Tickets cost 1.70 euros if you buy them in advance at ticket offices or ticket machines or 3 euros if you buy them on board.

Taxi: There are two taxi companies in Florence: Taxi4242 and Taxi4390 . A trip to or from the airport costs a flat rate of 22 euros (plus possible surcharges for luggage), but usually, fares are calculated based on the time and distance traveled. Use the itTaxi app to hail a taxi.

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Hay Festival of Literature and Arts 2024 travel guide – things to do, hotels and more

Bound for the literary festival here’s how to spend your time in hay-on-wye, article bookmarked.

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The town of Hay-on-Wye is bracing for a crowd of book lovers to descend on the Powys community for the Hay Festival of Literature and Arts later this May .

Celebrating creativity, literature, writing and words, the second-hand book capital of the world is set to host the annual Hay Festival for the 36th year.

For 2024, guest speakers include novelists Colm Toibin and Jeanette Winterson, actor Lenny Henry , and comedians Julian Clary and Sara Pascoe. Gary Lineker, Dame Judi Dench, Miriam Margolyes and Stephen Fry are also set to pop up in Britain’s leading town of literature during the 11-day gathering.

This year’s programme is bursting with more than 600 events – there are eight stages in the free-to-enter Dairy Meadows festival site, performances all week at St Mary’s Church, and even the festival’s first-ever Sports Day.

Aside from flipping pages, catching a stand-up set and getting crafty with the kids, there will be plenty of outdoor adventures, plates of local produce and, of course, bookshops to browse in historic Hay-on-Wye.

Here’s everything you need to know about where to stay, how to get there and what to do when the chapter ends for bibliophiles headed to Hay Festival.

Read more on UK travel :

• I visit the Peak District at least once a month – here’s how to do it without a car
• The most unusual surf stays in the UK
• Cardiff city guide: Where to stay, eat, drink and shop in the Welsh capital

When is Hay Festival 2024?

This year’s edition of the Hay Festival of Literature and Arts spans 11 days, from 23 May to 2 June, and tickets are available to book at hayfestival.com .

The best of bookshops

Richard booth’s.

The creator of Hay – a beloved town of books – as we know it is immortalised in his own  Richard Booth’s Bookshop . Booth opened his first bookshop in Hay-on-Wye in 1961, and his love of second-hand literature led to the establishment of the Hay Festival of Literature and Arts by Peter Florence in 1988.

The Poetry Bookshop

Open since 1979, The Poetry Bookshop houses the “most comprehensive” selection of new, second-hand and antiquarian poetry in the UK and is a top hit with lovers of stanzas by John Keats, William Wordsworth and Carol Ann Duffy.

North Books

Newcomer North Books on Castle Street hosts author events, book clubs and craft groups, and is bursting with nooks for reading. They also hold “bookshop breakfasts” for out-of-hours access to the seriously stocked shelves.

In 2023, bookshop and community centre Gay on Wye opened on Lion Street as a sanctuary for LGBT+ literature and queer storytelling.

What to do in Hay-on-Wye

Hay market day.

Held in the centre of Hay every Thursday for more than 700 years, Hay Market welcomes 40-plus independent traders in craft, cheese and record stalls, often complete with live music and street food.

Canoe on the River Wye

If the Welsh weather isn’t matching up to your wild swimming plans, a cagoule-wearing paddle of the River Wye with  Wye Valley Canoes  starts from £35 per person.

Hike the Brecon Beacons

Step outside the festival for two-foot tours of the Brecon Beacons National Park (Bannau Brycheiniog) to escape the crowds, or walk the 136-mile Wye Valley route and pass through Hay as you border hop between Wales and England.

Paraglide off the top of Hay Bluff

For a different kind of cliffhanger,  Crickhowell Paragliding  has tandem floats off the top of Hay Bluff and over the peaks and troughs of the Brecon Beacons from £185.

Where to eat and drink

Inside the festival, street eats meet jugs of Pimms and sweet treats, with everything from coffee shops to woodfired pizzas and sheep’s milk ice cream.

As for the town’s top spots...

The Old Black Lion

For elevated pub grub and old-world charm, the  Old Black Lion  B&B is a historic haunt on the Welsh borders. Think jazz nights and traditional Sunday roasts wrapped up with spoonfuls of indulgent treacle sponge.

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Rates provided by Booking.com

Hotel Amenities

Health & wellbeing, hay distillery.

This mico-distillery sells locally sourced Wild Knapp and Dr Beaky’s gin, biodynamic wine and creative cocktails from a shop and tasting room in the centre of Hay.

Make it Michelin guide quality with a weekend visit to Chapters restaurant on Lion Street for seasonal local menus of pickles, purees and sustainably sourced fish.

Artistraw Cider

Just outside of Hay, natural cider makers Tom and Lydia at  Artistraw Cider  offer tastings and tours from £40. The cidery and orchard is full of apple and perry pear trees with views of the Black Mountains – dreamy for sips of cider on a summer day.

Where to stay

Follow the festival vibe to By the Wye for riverside glamping in eco-friendly safari tents and treehouses built for a cwtch . There’s woodland wellness massages, scavenger hunts and bespoke hampers of local produce for traditional Welsh flavours at the rustic Herefordshire spot.

Two-night stays for five adults from £370.

Duke’s Farm

For cosy holiday cottages in the Black Mountains, three barn conversions at Duke’s Farm sleep couples or families looking for mountain views, oak timbers and fireside armchairs (perfect for curling up with a good book).

Four-night stays for two adults from £284.

Kaya at Blackhill Farm

Hunker down at Kaya at Blackhill Farm for glamping in a Dark Sky Reserve away from all the action. Tucked between the Wye Valley and Brecon Beacons, there are yurts kitted out with all the home comforts, firepits for keeping warm and stars for gazing.

Two-night stays for two adults from £315.

The Old Cider House

In the heart of Hay-on-Wye, The Old Cider House has been renovated with a Japanese flair that spills into the furnishings, with hospitality from hosts Simon and Kazuko, and sushi-centric dinner menus. It’s also the ideal base to explore Hay Market and the riot of bookshops on Castle Street.

How to get there

From central London , it’s a four-hour drive to Hay-on-Wye, but with 185,086 tickets sold for last year’s event, expect attendance to be high and the roads to be busy.

The nearest railway station is at Hereford (21 miles from Hay) and Great Western Railway services depart from London Paddington via Newport for a five-hour journey to Hay.

A festival bus service will run between Worcester, Hereford and Hay for the duration of the festival, with an adult day return costing £14. A regular shuttle bus will also operate between the festival site and the town centre from 8am to 11.15pm; £5 per day.

Read more on Hay Festival 2024: Our guide to this year’s highlights

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