Tourist Attractions in Iran

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Iran

Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps

About Iran

Iran is the heir to the once great Persian Empire, one of the cradles of world civilisation and a country with a history dating back more than 5000 thousand years. The tourism industry in Iran is booming, infrastructure deficiencies are gradually being eliminated and new hotels are being built. The country has huge potential for development, as travellers from all over the world have a huge interest in its architecture, history and perfectly preserved historical monuments.

A trip to Iran is an immersion into the unique atmosphere of ancient cities, where hundreds of years ago the followers of Zarathustra preached and Shahs ruled. It is a walk through the luxurious oriental bazaars of Isfahan and Shiraz, soaked with the aroma of saffron and cardamom. Finally, it is acquaintance with the heritage of great Omar Khayyam, Ferdowsi and Ibn Sina.

Besides excursion holidays and acquaintance with history, Iran has good ski resorts – Dizin, Shamshak and Ab-e Ali. The slopes of the picturesque Mount Elburz are attractive for mountaineers and rock climbers, and the Caspian Sea coast – for nature lovers and fishermen.

Top-20 Tourist Attractions in Iran

Imam Square

It is located in the historical centre of Isfahan and is a UNESCO heritage site. The square was laid out by Shah Abbas I the Great in the 17th century and was called Shah Square until the victory of the Islamic Revolution. The monumental architecture surrounding the square is a testament to the power of the Safavid dynasty, which ruled Iran for hundreds of years.

Golestan Palace

 4.6/5

5554 reviews

One of the oldest monuments in Tehran, formerly part of the Tehran Citadel. The palace used to be the residence of one of the noble Iranian families, now it houses a museum with many rare exhibits and a library where valuable manuscripts are kept. The name of the building translates as “palace of roses”. It was built in the 16th century during the reign of Tahmasp I and has been rebuilt many times since then.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Bistoon Inscription

 4.5/5

315 reviews

An image with cuneiform writing, characteristic of the times of the Duchy, carved on the rock of Behistun. The inscription was created by order of King Darius I in the 6th century B.C. It depicts the ruler’s triumph over rebellious princes. The inscriptions are written in three languages: Akkadian, Old Persian and Elamite.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Pasargadae World Heritage Site

 4.7/5

222 reviews

An ancient city, once the capital of Persia during the time of Cyrus II. Now only ruins are left of it. It means “Persian gardens” in ancient Persian. On the territory of the city there is the tomb of the king, ruins of royal palaces, the fortress of Toll-e-takht. Pasargadae is recognised as the most valuable cultural monument of the Achaemenid dynasty.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Naqsh-e Rostam

 4.7/5

1321 reviews

An area near the ancient capital of Persepolis, where four royal tombs are located. Xerxes I, Darius I, Artaxerxes I, and Darius II rest here. During the campaign of Alexander the Great the tombs were looted and destroyed, in such a form they have survived to our time. The name “Naqshe-Rustam” refers to the Islamic period of Iran’s history.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Azadi Tower

 4.4/5

8245 reviews

The structure was erected in 1971 in honour of the 2500th anniversary of the Persian Empire. It cost more than $6 million and 8,000 blocks of white marble to build. In 1979, after the victory of the Islamic Revolution, the monument was named the Freedom Tower. It came to symbolise the freedom of Iranians from the Shah’s rule. The picturesque Azadi is often referred to as the “Eiffel Tower of Tehran”.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Khajoo Bridge

 4.7/5

3681 reviews

A bridge built in the 17th century under Shah Abbas II to cross the Great Silk Road. The structure is two rows of arches connected together in a typical Iranian architectural style. In the evenings, the bridge is beautifully illuminated and locals and tourists love to walk across the bridge and admire the surrounding scenery.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Národní Muzeum

 4.5/5

31788 reviews

The largest museum in the country, housing priceless monuments from the period of ancient Persia. The museum is divided into two buildings. The first one displays the expositions of the pre-Islamic period, while the second one contains the collections of the Islamic historical era. The museum was built in 1937 and was the first scientific museum in Iran.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Shahcheragh Holy Shrine

 4.5/5

4497 reviews

It was erected in the 14th century during the reign of Queen Tashi Khatun. The mausoleum contains the tombs of the locally revered brothers Ahmed and Mohammed, who were persecuted by the Shah for their Muslim faith. The interior of the building is made of mirror mosaics, for which the Iranians nicknamed Shah-Cherah “the mirror mosque”.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Holy Mosque of Jamkaran

 4.7/5

3149 reviews

One of the centres of Islamic science in Iran, a holy place associated with the name of the revered Imam Mahdi (it is believed that he prayed here). The mosque is a beautiful monumental building with “flying” minarets, blue central dome and high arches-gates. Jamkaran is visited annually by many pilgrims – Muslims belonging to the Shia branch of Islam.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Vank Cathedral - Armenian Apostolic Church

 4.7/5

3263 reviews

Christian church in Isfahan. Belongs to the Armenian Apostolic Church. It was recognised by the Iranian authorities as a valuable cultural monument. The architectural style of the cathedral is a mixture of Muslim and Christian traditions. Despite the simplicity of the exterior decoration, the interior decoration of the temple is characterised by richness and opulence.

Open time

Monday: 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM, 3:30 – 8:30 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM, 3:30 – 8:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM, 3:30 – 8:30 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM, 3:30 – 8:30 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM, 3:30 – 8:30 PM
Saturday: 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM, 3:30 – 8:30 PM
Sunday: 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM, 3:30 – 8:30 PM

Ardashir Papakan Palace

 4.7/5

258 reviews

Another name of the structure is Atesh-Kadeh. Ruins of the residence of the first king of the Sassanid state. It is one of the few surviving architectural monuments of Iran of II-III centuries AD. The palace is included in the UNESCO heritage list on the proposal of the Iranian authorities. In ancient times there was an artificial pond in front of the palace.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Sa'dabad Historical Cultural Complex

 4.6/5

3786 reviews

Palace complex of the early 20th century, which includes various museums, pavilions and palaces. Originally Saadabad was used as a residence of the Shah, nowadays it is used to accommodate high-ranking guests from foreign countries. Not far from the Armoury Museum (part of the large museum complex) there are cannons cast in St. Petersburg.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Niavaran Palace Complex

 4.6/5

2646 reviews

It was formerly part of the Saadabad complex, but in 2000 it was designated as an independent attraction. The main buildings were erected in the 20th century under the last Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Niavaran was originally planned to be used as a residence for foreign delegations, but later became the residence of the Shah’s family.

Open time

Monday: 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Saturday: 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Bam Citadel

 4.7/5

755 reviews

An invaluable example of Persian mud-brick construction located on the Silk Road. Located in the town of Bam, the fortress is a layering of styles from different eras – the fortress has mausoleums from the 12th century, a mosque from the 18th century, and watchtowers. After the earthquake of 2003, the structure was in danger of disappearing.

Open time

Monday: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Sunday: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Kukh

 0/5

Blazing mountain in Khuzestan province. It is a unique phenomenon from the geological point of view – thanks to natural gas and sulphur rising from the subsoil, an “eternal” fire burns on the surface. This spectacle attracts many tourists who gather in the evenings and admire the amazing natural phenomenon.

Lake Urmia

 4.6/5

450 reviews

This body of water was once one of the largest salt lakes in the world, but over time it began to dry up. Over the last few decades, the amount of water has decreased by 90 per cent and the area has shrunk to 2,000 km². The saline shores of the lake are very picturesque, in the southern part there are many small islands, some of which have pistachio groves.

Kish Island

 4.6/5

1228 reviews

Coral Island, Iran’s main and most visited resort. Magnificent sandy beaches, calm waters of the Persian Gulf and a rich underwater world await travellers here. In the west of the island you can admire a giant ship run aground, and in the north the ruins of the ancient city of Harireh.

Tabriz Grand Bazaar

 4.5/5

2265 reviews

The largest open market in the world and the oldest bazaar in the region. The territory of the bazaar is a full-fledged architectural complex with mosques, dwellings, baths, galleries and caravanserais. Famous Iranian carpets, aromatic spices, jewellery, antiques are sold here. This market has been known since the Safavid dynasty.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 6:30 AM – 9:00 PM
Wednesday: 6:30 AM – 9:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 6:30 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday: 6:30 AM – 9:00 PM

Eram Garden

 4.6/5

4088 reviews

An outstanding example of Iranian garden art in Shiraz. This place, because of its beauty, attracts streams of foreigners who love to stroll along its picturesque alleys and rest in the shade of trees from the unbearable heat. “Eram” means “paradise” and the locals call it the “Garden of Eden”.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM