iran travel blog

Iran tourism has been affected by many political, social and economic factors in the recent decades. But what is important is that Iran tourism is growing these days.

By the development of the media, Iran is now well known in western countries and lots of tourists travel to Iran annually. However, Iran tourism has the potential to have much more visitors.

Iran tourism is very extensive; the magnificent touristic sights and attractions can be found in every corner of the country. You can choose to hike and ski in the Alborz mountains or see the nomadic life in Zagros mountain chain.

A beach trip in south by the Persian Gulf and or in the north by the Caspian Sea could be another choice. But among all major tourist attractions, they are eager to have a deep journey in the pure and rich history and culture of Iran.

Mostly central and western part of Iran are where you can find magnificent monuments that reflects the history of different eras and dynasties.

Iran City

Tehran

Tehran, the capital, can be called the city of museums and palaces. Golestan Palace, Niavaran Palace, Sa’ad Abad Palace, Treasury of National Jewels, Iran Bastan Museum, Abgineh Museum, Reza Abbasy Museum, Carpet Museum, Museum of Contemporary Arts, Grand Bazaar and Shah Abdol Azim holy Shrine are the most attractive historical sites in Tehran.

There are also some natural attractions in Tehran for those who like trekking, skiing and hiking like mount Damavand and Dizin and Tochal skiing camps.

As Tehran is the symbol of modern life in Iran there are some modern attractions as well the most important of which are Milad and Azadi Towers.

Tabriz

Although the central Iran is known as the main tourist destination, Tourism in Iran is spread over the west as well. Tabriz the largest city in the northwest is considered as the capital of history of Iran.

You can visit one of the most beautiful traditional bazaars in this city. The UNESCO listed bazaar located on the silk-road was of great importance in 16th century.

Other must-sees in Tabriz are the magnificent Blue mosque, the citadel, jame Mosque, Azerbaijan museum, some Mausoleum of Poets, Kandovan village and St Stephanos Monastery in Jolfa.

Hamedan

If you move southward a bit from Tabriz you'll reach to Hamedan, one of the most important historical cities in the western Iran. You can find one of the biggest river-caves near this city, the Ali Sadr cave which is 70 kms far from the main city.

Hegmataneh Hill, Ganjnameh (treasure book), Alavian dome, BuAli Sina Mausoleum, Jameh mosque, Armenian Evangelical Church and Baba Taher Mausoleum are the most magnificent and important sights in Hamedan.

Isfahan

In the center of Iran, the second biggest square in the world with its magnificent monuments is waiting for you. the Naqshe-jahan square in the center of Isfahan city by itself can be the only the reason for visiting Iran.

The Ali-qapu palace to the great Imam mosque and Sheikh Lotfollah mosque and the great Qeysarieh bazaar have made this square unique and exclusive.

Traditional bridges like Si-o-se-pol and Khaju, Atigh mosque, Chehel sotun and Hasht behesht palaces and the Shaking minarates are other important monuments in this city that most of them are related to the Safavid era.

Kashan

Not very far from Tehran on your way to Isfahan you can reach to the city of traditional houses, Kashan. Borujerdiha and Tabatabaeiha houses are the most famous historical houses in Iran with unique and exclusive architecture.

Fin garden is the other attraction which shines like a gem in the margins of the city of Kashan.

Kashan also benefits from some natural attractions as well. The most marvelous natural sight is the Maranjab dessert which is just an hour far from the city where you can experience an untouched scene with sand dunes and Salt Lake.

Close to the city of Kashan, in the middle of the red mountains of Natanz there is a small village of Abyaneh which dates back to the Sasanid era (over 15 centuries ago).

This is one of the most traditional villages that has kept its structure with red buildings and traditional costumes during centuries.

Yazd

Yazd is the city located in the central dessert of Iran that has kept its traditional structure better than any other cities in Iran. In every corner of the city there are traditional building that rarely can be found other cities regarding the traditional wind-catchers on their roofs.

In addition to the total traditional structure there are so many attractive sites which are exclusive to this city.

Amirchakhmagh square, Dowlat abad garden with the tallest wind-catcher in the world, the Jameh mosque, traditional water reservoirs, Qanats and the Zorasterian fire temple are the most important attractions of the city.

Not far from Yazd you can reach to a small city called Meybod. Narin castle, the pigeon tower, the traditional Ice house and the Caravanserai are the magnificent attractive places that you can visit in this small city.

Kermanshah

As it was mentioned earlier in this article, Tourism in Iran is not merely concentrated in the central Iran. Exactly on the west you reach to Kermanshah with lots of attractions inside and outside.

Inside the city you can visit Kermanshah Old bazaar, Takiyeh of Moaven-ol-molk, Emad-al-Dowleh complex and a number of museums.

Outside the city just in the northwest of Kermanshah the symbol of its attraction is standing. Taqe Bostan which is a series of rocks showing the Power of the Persian Empire.

Other attraction outside the city are Bisotun Rock Relief and Inscription, Taqe Bostan National Park, and the Parave Cave.

Shiraz

If you take the Iran classic tourist route by moving southward from Tehran, your final destination is the city of poetry and capital of Acamenid dynasty, Shiraz.

A few kilometers before Shiraz you can visit Pasargadae complex which includes the magnificent tomb of Cyrus the Great and the remaining of his palaces.

If you get closer to the city the majestic Persepolis is waiting for you to share its magnificence with you. Created by Darius the great, Persepolis is the reflection of the rich civilization in the Acamenid era.

When you enter the city you still so many monuments are waiting for you. from the Vakil complex (including mosque, bathhouse and bazaar) to the Nasirolmolk mosque (known as the pink mosque), the mausoleums of the poets, Qavam garden, Eram, garden, Shahcheragh holy shrine and Karimkhan Castle.

As it is mentioned earlier, Tourism in Iran is very broad and the tourist attractions are spread all around Iran in small and big cities and all are evidences of the pure and rich civilization of ancient Iran.