Set on the lower slopes of the magnificent, snowcapped Alborz Mountains is Iran's capital, a cosmopolitan hub teeming with activity and dotted with art galleries, chic cafes, internationally-styled restaurants, and impressive museums. In the middle of Azadi Square stands the emblematic Azadi Tower, a striking contemporary structure registered in the list of national monuments of Iran. A stay in the city should certainly include a visit to the Treasury of National Jewels, the Seyhoun Art Gallery for its regular exhibitions of up-and-coming young Iranian artists, and the Gandhi Shopping Centre's cosy cafes and restaurants. Try to catch a show at the Teatre Shahr, where you're bound to be impressed by the Iranian actors performing in Farsi.
This oasis city, famed for its production of textiles, rugs and rose water, is situated on the edge of the Dasht-e Kavir or Great Salt Desert. Its covered bazaar and Safavid-era architecture (homes and mosques) lend it a refreshing appeal, with April a popular time to visit as the rose bush fields outside the town are in full bloom. Visit the Kakh-e Chehel Sotun palace to view the frescoes and ceramics of it’s Great Hall, the abundant Bagh-e Fin garden (now a Unesco World Heritage site), Kashan’s historic multi-domed bazaar for a variety of traditional goods; Sialk Hill’s excavation site, and Ameri-Ha, a spectacularly large residential house now a museum.
Set in central Iran, Isfahan or Esfahan is regarded as Iran’s number-one tourist destination – and there is so much about the city to support this. Tree-lined boulevards, Persian gardens and architecture, characteristic hand-painted tiling, significant Islamic buildings and bazaars lend a grandeur that justifies the words of a 16th-century rhyme that describes it has ‘Half the World’. Visit the city’s magnificent Naqsh-e Jahan Square - formally Imam Square, a Unesco World Heritage Site; stroll the picturesque 6 kilometres Chahar Bagh Boulevard, and the Hasht Behesht and Chehel Sotoun gardens located on either side. The mosques, including the Imam and Hakim Mosques, are among the most beautiful and oldest in Iran.
Also known as Yezd, the city of Yazd is the capital of the Yazd Province in Iran, and lies 270 kilometers southeast of Esfahan. This is a city of narrow, winding lanes, 'badgirs' (wind catchers or wind towers), sun-dried mud-brick homes, and high walls – it’s a place to get lost in. Its UNESCO-listed old city is regarded as one of the most ancient sites in the world, and its Zoroastrian population is the second highest in Iran. Visit the Zoroastrian Towers of Silence on the outskirts of the city, view the exquisite mosaic work at the Majid-e Jame mosque, and wander through the enthralling Atashkadeh fire temple. Other highlights include the Water Museum, the spectacular Amir Chakhmakh complex, and the gorgeous Dowiat Abad Gardens.
Set in south-central Iran, the city of Shiraz serves as the capital of the Fars Province. Brimming with sophistication and architectural beauty, Shiraz is a most desired destination for travellers as well as Iranians, who regard the city as something of a pilgrimage site - the beloved Persian poets Hafez and Sa’di are buried here. Visitors can look forward to spending an hour or two at these sites, as well as at the Bazar-e Vakil in the city’s ancient trading district, it’s most famous for spices, copper, handicrafts, antiques and rugs. The garden complex of Bagh-e-eram with its intricate network of canals and fauna and flora is a must, as is the area’s most famous tourist spot - the ruins of Persepolis, situated about 60 kilometres outside of the city.
As previously described
