Persepolis Ruins
Region: Fars Province
Cultural heritage
Achaemenid ceremonial capital ruins; magnificent stone columns and reliefs
Tourism in Iran
Explore notable sights and destinations in this country
Tourist attractions
Imam Square (Naqsh-e Jahan Square)
Region: Isfahan
Cultural heritage
World's largest square demonstrating Safavid urban planning
Golestan Palace
Region: Tehran
Modern architecture
Qajar royal palace; splendid glazed tile and mirror decorations
Chogha Zanbil
Region: Khuzestan Province
Cultural heritage
Elamite kingdom ziggurat built around 1250 BCE
Takht-e Soleyman
Region: West Azerbaijan Province
Cultural heritage
Zoroastrian and Sassanid holy site remains
Bam and its Cultural Landscape
Region: Kerman Province
Cultural heritage
Fortress city built of mud bricks; post-earthquake restoration progressing
Lut Desert
Region: Kerman-Sistan border
Nature
Dynamic dunes recording world's highest surface temperatures
Mount Damavand
Region: Northern Tehran Province
Nature
5,610m dormant volcano popular for climbing and alpine plants
Pink Mosque (Nasir ol-Molk)
Region: Shiraz
Cultural heritage
Famous for morning stained glass creating rainbow light
Caspian Sea Resorts (around Rasht)
Region: Gilan Province
Nature
Summer resort enjoying warm humid forests and seafood
Suggested itineraries
Ancient Persian Ruins and Oasis Cities Tour
Duration (days): 7
Highlights: Tehran Museum, Kashan Gardens, Yazd Old City, Persepolis, Shiraz Poet Tombs
Classic course from capital southward crossing Iranian Plateau to enjoy ancient and Islamic architectural beauty
Lut Desert and Hormuz Island Scenic Photo Tour
Duration (days): 5
Highlights: Shahdad Dunes, Caravanserai Stay, Hormuz Island Rainbow Mountains, Persian Gulf Sunset
Short outdoor-focused trip combining desert camping and diverse geological island landscapes
Travel tips
- Visa available pre-arrival or arrival visa at major airports but insurance certificate required
- Female travelers safe wearing scarf and knee-length coat at all times
- Euro or US dollar cash exchange convenient; international credit cards mostly unusable
- Weekend Thursday afternoon and Friday with public facilities closed
- Long-distance VIP buses affordable and comfortable; domestic flights have many routes
- Negotiate taxi fare before boarding; Snapp app convenient
- Bottled water safe; replenish 2L+ daily in dry areas
- Refrain from eating and drinking in public during Ramadan daytime
- Limited English signage even at tourist sites; useful to learn simple Persian phrases
- Note photography prohibited at military/government facilities; drone permits required in advance
- Large temperature differences in deserts and mountains; prepare both cold protection and sun measures
- Weak tipping culture but approximately 10% guideline at upscale restaurants
- Local SIM purchase cheaper than Wi-Fi router; 4G available in major cities