Visit Iran – 79 reasons and places that will make Iran your next travel destination
João Leitão: Iran is an amazing country. Do you have any doubts about it? I know that the general opinion in the West is that Iran is a dangerous country.
The NEWS in Europe and the US tell us about a different Iran. They describe a place full of violence that makes us believe the country is populated with mad, unfriendly and ferocious people.
Well, we got that wrong…
Why?
- First: Iran is one of the safest places I’ve ever been to. Crime is much lower than in most European countries and USA.
- Second: Iranian people are among the friendliest and most hospitable in the World;
- Third: Iran is quite developed, clean, and its population are well educated and have cultural / political awareness.
I’ve been twice to Iran. The last time was back in 2012. I went along with my girlfriend and we left Iran with the desire of coming back soon. And we will.
I’m sure that your opinion about Iran will change after you check out these 79 reasons and places that will make Iran your next travel destination.
1- Arg-e Rayen Citadel in Rayen – Visit Iran
1,000 years old Arg Rayen Citadel in Rayen – Places to Visit in Iran
2- Ali Qapu Palace in Isfahan
Ali Qapu Palace in Isfahan built in the 16th century. The interior decoration of this palace is incredible – Visit Iran
3- Golestan Palace in Tehran – Visit Iran
Golestan Palace in Tehran built in the 16th century – UNESCO Sites in Iran
4- Naqsh-e Khostam
Naqsh-e Khostam ancient necropolis from 1000 BC – Sightseeing in Iran
5- Alis Non-Alcoholic Malt Beverage
Alis Malt Beverage – What to drink in Iran
6- Amir Chakmak Mosque Complex in Yazd
Amir Chakmak Mosque in Yazd from the 16th century – Monuments and Sightseeing in Iran
7- Architecture in Tehran – Visit Iran
Architecture in Tehran – Visit Iran
8- Arg-e Bam Citadel in Bam
Bam Citadel, was the largest adobe building in the world – UNESCO Sites in Iran
9- Ateshkadeh Zaroastrian Fire Temple in Yazd
Zoroastrian Religion Ateshkadeh Fire Temple in Yazd – Religion in Iran
10- Bastani Traditional Restaurant in Isfahan
Bastani Traditional Restaurant in Isfahan – Where to eat in Iran
11- Market Bazar-e No in Shiraz
Market Bazar No in Shiraz – Where to go in Iran
12- Market Bazar-e Vakil in Shiraz
Market Bazar Vakil in Shiraz – Where to go in Iran
13- Begh-e Melli Complex in Tehran
Begh-e Melli in Tehran. The National Garden gates built in 1906 – Monuments and Sightseeing in Iran
14- Boat Bandar Abbas to Qeshm Island
Boat from Bandar Abbas to Qeshm Island through the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf – Visit Iran
15- Iranian Breakfast
Iranian Breakfast with tomato scrambled eggs and fresh Mango Juice – What to eat in Iran
16- Busy Streets in Tehran – Visit Iran
Busy Streets of Tehran – Visit Iran
17- Caravanserai and Textile Museum in Meybod
Textile Museum in Meybod – What to do in Iran
18- Zoroastrian Shrine in Chak Chak
Chak Chak Zoroastrian Shrine with an ever-dripping mountain spring – Visit Iran
19- New City Center in Bam
Bam new city – Places to Visit in Iran
20- Iranian Craftsmen
Skillful Iranian Craftsmen – What to buy in Iran
21- Eat Fresh Blackberries
Eat Fresh Blackberries selling on the street – What to eat in Iran
22- Fatima Masumeh Shrine in Qom
Fatima Masumeh Shrine in Qom – Religion in Iran
23- Fortress Arg-e Karim Khan in Shiraz
Fortress Arg Karim Khan in Shiraz built in 1766 – Places to Visit in Iran
24- Jameh Mosque in Isfahan
Jameh Mosque in Isfahan built in 1611 – UNESCO Sites in Iran
25- Fresh Fruit Juices
Fresh Fruit Juices – What to drink in Iran
26- Gold Markets in Tehran
Gold Markets in Tehran – Visit Iran
27- Vank Cathedral in Isfahan
Holy Savior Cathedral in Isfahan from the Armenian Christians – Religion in Iran
28- Iranian Ice Cream
Iranian Ice Cream – What to eat in Iran
29- Ice House in Meybod
Ice House in Meybod – Sightseeing in Iran
30- Imam Khomeini Mosque in Tehran
Imam Khomeini Mosque in Tehran – Religion in Iran
31- Imam Reza Shrine and Mosque in Mashhad
Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad – Religion in Iran
32- Imam Square in Isfahan
Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan built in 1598 – UNESCO Sites in Iran
33- Iranian Food
Iranian Food – What to eat in Iran
34- Iranian Sweets
Iranian Sweets – What to buy in Iran
35- Jameh Mosque in Yazd
Jameh Mosque in Yazd built in the 14th century – What to visit in Iran
36- Jamkaran Mosque in Qom
Jamkaran Mosque in Qom – Religion in Iran
37- Aliqapu Bazar Artistic Complex in Isfahan
Market Bazars in Isfahan – What to see in Iran
38- Old Village in Kharanaq
Kharanaq Adobe Village – Places to Visit in Iran
39- Malek National Library and Museum in Tehran
Malek National Library and Museum in Tehran – What to do in Iran
40- Mausoleum of Imamzadeh-ye Ali in Shiraz
Mausoleum of Imamzadeh-ye Ali Ebn-e Hamze in Shiraz – Religion in Iran
41- Melli Park in Shiraz
Melli Park in Shiraz – Visit Iran
42- Old City in Meybod
Meybod old desert city – Places to Visit in Iran
43- Modern Art Sculpture Gardens
Modern Art Sculptures in Gardens – What to see in Iran
44- Naqsh-e Rajab
Naqsh-e Rajab archaeological site of the Sasanian dynasty from 224 AC to 651 AC – Sightseeing in Iran
45- Narein Castle in Meybod
Narein Castle in Meybod – Places to Visit in Iran
46- National Museum of Iran in Tehran
National Museum in Tehran – What to do in Iran
47- Nazar Garden and Pars Museum in Shiraz
Pars Museum in Shiraz – What to do in Iran
48- Old Post Office in Meybod
300 year old Post Office in Meybod – Places to Visit in Iran
49- Pasargadae
Tomb of Cyrus the Great in Pasargadae old Persian capital from 559–530 BC – UNESCO Sites in Iran
50- Peace Museum in Tehran
Peace Museum in Tehran – What to do in Iran
51- Friendly Iranian People
Friendly Iranian People – Visit Iran
Also visit: Iran – Photos of People.
52- Persepolis
Persepolis ancient city from 550–330 BC – UNESCO Sites in Iran
53- Persian Calligraphy
Amazing Persian Calligraphy – Visit Iran
54- Persian Gulf Coast in Bandar Abbas
Bandar Abbas Persian Gulf port city – Where to go in Iran
55- Iranian Pic Nic
Iranian Pic-nic – What to do in Iran
56- Pigeon Tower in Meybod
Pigeon Tower in Meybod – Places to Visit in Iran
57- Faloodeh Dessert in Shiraz
Faloodeh dessert topped with rose water and pomegranate jam – What to eat in Iran
58- Empty Beaches in Qeshm Island
Qeshm Island Beaches – Visit Iran
59- Shahr Park in Tehran
Shahr Park in Tehran – Where to go in Iran
60- Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque in Isfahan
Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque in Isfahan – Monuments and Sightseeing in Iran
61- Shohada Martyrs Museum in Tehran
Shohada Martyrs Museum in Tehran – What to do in Iran
62- Si-o-se Pol Bridge in Esfahan
Cross the river of Si-o-se-Pol Bridge in Isfahan – What to do in Iran
63- Iranian Souvenir Shops
Souvenir Shops – What to buy in Iran
64- Iranian Street Falafel
Street Falafel – What to eat in Iran
65- Tea Houses in Isfahan
Iranian Tea in a Traditional Chaykhana Tea House in Isfahan – What to drink in Iran
66- Central Market Bazar in Tehran
Market Bazar in Tehran – Where to go in Iran
67- Tomb of Aramgah-e Hafez in Shiraz
Tomb of Aramgah-e Hafez in Shiraz – Places to Visit in Iran
68- Towers of Silence in Yazd
Towers of Silence in Yazd – What to Visit in Iran
69- Iranian Traditional Hotels
Traditional Hotels – Accommodation in Iran
70- Traditional Iranian Carpets and Rugs
Iranian Carpet and Rugs – What to buy in Iran
71- Traditional Iranian Puppet Shows
Traditional Iranian Puppet Show – What to do in Iran
Video of Traditional Iranian Puppet Show in Golestan Palace, Tehran:
72- Iranian Religiousness and Spirituality
Religiousness and Spirituality – Religion in Iran
73- Vakil Mosque in Shiraz
Vakil Mosque in Shiraz – Visit Iran
74- Iranian Street Wall Art
Wall Art – What to see in Iran
75- Water Museum in Yazd
Water Museum in Yazd – What to do in Iran
76- Old City in Yazd
Yazd Old City – Where to go in Iran
77- Zaid Mosque in Tehran
Zaid Mosque in Tehran – Religion in Iran
78- Ziai Ye School in Yazd
Ziai Ye School in Yazd, also known as Alexander’s Prision – Monuments and Sightseeing in Iran
79- City Center in Shiraz
City Center in Shiraz – What to visit in Iran
Some ideas about Iran to be taken in consideration:
- Everything Western TV says about Iran is mostly propaganda and do not correspond to the real Iran.
- People are more friendly than you think.
- The country is more developed than you think.
- Iran is relatively cheap.
- Iran will be one of the safest countries you’ve ever been to. Crime is almost non-existent.
- Women travelers have to cover their hair while in Iran.
- All countries in the world can get an easy 15 day Iranian Visa on arrival at any international airport. However, this rule does not apply to nationals of the following countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Canada, Colombia, India, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Somalia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, United Kingdom, United States and Uzbekistan. Visa exemption countries are: Azerbaijan, Bolivia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Turkey and Venezuela. Entry is banned to Israeli nationals.
Also that you should know about Iran,
Iranian sites inscribed on the World Heritage UNESCO list:
Armenian Monastic Ensembles of Iran, Bam and its Cultural Landscape, Bisotun, Golestan Palace, Gonbad-e Qābus, Masjed-e Jāmé of Isfahan, Meidan Emam, Esfahan, Pasargadae, Persepolis, Sheikh Safi al-din Khānegāh and Shrine Ensemble in Ardabil, Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System, Soltaniyeh, Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex, Takht-e Soleyman, Tchogha Zanbil and The Persian Garden.
Imam Mosque in Isfahan built in 1611 – UNESCO Sites in Iran
Did you like this page?You can also visit Iran – Photos of People and Unique Religious Places to Visit in Iran.
Iranian sites submitted on the Tentative List of UNESCO:
Alisadr Cave, Arasbaran Protected Area, Bastam and Kharghan, Bazaar of Qaisariye in Laar, Cultural Landscape of Alamout, Damavand, Firuzabad Ensemble, Ghaznavi- Seljukian Axis in Khorasan, Hamoun Lake, Harra Protected Area, Hegmataneh, Historic ensemble of Qasr-e Shirin, Historic Monument of Kangavar, Historical Ensemble of Qasr-e Shirin, Hyrcanian Forest Caspian Forest, Jame’ Congregational Mosque of Esfahan, Jiroft, Kaboud Mosque, Kerman Historical-Cultural Structure, Khabr National Park and Ruchun Wildlife Refuge, Khorramabad Valley, Kuh-e Khuaja, Lut Desert the vicinity of Shahdad, Nasqsh-e Rostam and Naqsh-e Rajab, Persepolis and other relevant, Qanats of Gonabad, Qeshm Island, Sabalan, Shahr-e Sukhteh, Shush, Silk Route also as Silk Road, Susa, Tape Sialk, Taq-e Bostan, The Collection of Historical Bridges, The Complex of Handmade Settlements in Iran Maymand Village, The Complex of Izadkhast, The Cultural Landscape of Uramanat, The Cultural-Natural Landscape of Ramsar, The Ensemble of Historical Sassanian Cities in Fars Province Bishabpur Firouzabad Sarvestan, The Historical City of Masouleh, The Historical City of Maybod, The Historical Port of Siraf, The Historical Structure of Yazd, The Historical Texture of Damghan, The Historical Village of Abyaneh, The Historical–Cultural Axis of Fin Sialk Kashan, The Natural-Historical Landscape of Izeh, The Zandiyeh Ensemble of Fars Province, Touran Biosphere Reserve, Tous Cultural Landscape and Zozan.