Iran, an Islamic republic on the Persian Gulf is one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations and Iranians are proud of their 5000 years of history, seeing themselves on par with Greece and Rome. Come and discover an unexpected beautiful land, ancient historical cities and unique cultural treasures, largely unseen by western eyes. Iran has 19 sites designated as World Heritage Sites by the UN (plus 49 listed as “tentative”). The list includes historical monuments like the ancient Tabriz Bazaar, once a key trading stop on the Silk Road and the well-preserved ruins of Persepolis, dating back all the way to 500 BC. Iran is expecting a significant rise in the number of tourists visiting the country in the wake of the historic nuclear deal. Years of sanctions and isolation have left Iran untouched and extremely authentic and this is exactly why you need to come before everyone else does. Check out our list of the Top 13 Things To Do In Iran.
Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Isfahan
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Naqsh-e Jahan Square, known as Imam Square, formerly known as Shah Square, is a square situated at the center of Isfahan city. It is the second biggest square in the world, with its lush gardens and fountains, bustling bazaars, and its extravagant series of palaces, mosques, and Islamic architecture.
Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Isfahan
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Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque is one of the architectural masterpieces of Safavid Iranian architecture, standing on the eastern side of Naghsh-i Jahan Square in Isfahan. The Dome of this majestic little jeweled mosque is widely considered one of the great masterpieces of Islamic architecture in the world. It is one of the smaller mosques in the area, designed to be used solely by the royal family.
Persepolis
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situated 60 km (37 miles) northeast of city of Shiraz in Fars Province, Persepolis (meaning “city of Persians”) was the ceremonial capital of the first Persian Empire – Achaemenid Empire. The well-preserved ruins that remained buried in sand till 1930s were discovered and excavated by French archaeologists.
Amir Chakhmaq Square, Yazd
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Amir Chakhmaq Square, built in the 9th century in Yazd, is part of Amir Chakhmaq Complex. The complex, including a mosque, an square, a caravanserai, a Tekyeh (a place where religious mourning rituals are held), a bathhouse, a cold water well, and a confectionery, is well known for its symmetrical sunken alcoves.
Eram Garden (Bagh-e Eram), Shiraz
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Eram Garden is a historical Persian garden in the north of Shiraz and includes several historic buildings and the botanical garden. It is one of the most beautiful and monumental gardens of Iran. Apparently, its history goes back to the period of the Saljuq Dynasty (A.D.1038-1194).
Imam Reza Shrine, Mashhad
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The magnificent buildings and structures in the holy shrine of Imam Reza situated in the holy city of Mashhad, comprises one of the oldest and most beautiful religious and historical monuments in the world. The Imam Reza Shrine is the largest mosque in the world by dimension and the second largest by capacity
Grand Bazaar, Tehran
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Tehran is the political and intellectual heart of Iran. It’s not the prettiest city in Iran, the honor belongs to places like Isfahan, Yazd and Shiraz. But it is without a doubt the most important, vibrant, and stimulating city. and the best place to experience it would be the Grand Bazaar. The Grand Bazaar is a historical market and the commercial heart of Tehran. Throughout its history, in addition to shops, the Grand bazaar has contained banks and financiers, mosques and guest houses. It boasts over 10 km (6.2 miles) of labyrinthine covered shops and is the oldest trading center in the city.
Valiasr Street, Tehran
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Valiasr Street in Tehran is reportedly the longest street in the Middle East and one of the longest in the world and is a great place to relax. It’s full of American-style fast food outlets like McMashallah and Kentucky Fried Chicken. The street is where you come to do some serious shopping. It is full of known European brands. Source: mic.com
Kashan
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Kashan is a large city, in the Isfahan province, western Iran. The city grew to become one of the most important trading centers of Iran between the 12th and 14th centuries. With its origins dating back to late Neolithic times (approx. 7,000 BCE), Kashan is one of the oldest human settlements in the world. Archaeological remains of artifacts and buildings dating back 9,000 years can still be found in the city. Kashan is the first of the large oases along the Qom-Kerman road which runs along the edge of the central deserts of Iran. Make sure to viait the Tabātabāei House, a historic house built in early 1880s for the affluent Tabatabaei family. It consists of four courtyards, wall paintings with elegant stained glass windows, and includes other classic features of traditional Persian residential architecture, such as biruni and andaruni. Other famous landmarks of the city are the historical mosque Agha Bozorg Mosque and Hammam-e Sultan Amir Ahmad, a traditional Iranian public bathhouse.
Nasir-Ol-Molk Mosque, Shiraz
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The Nasir ol Molk Mosque, also known as the Pink Mosque, is a traditional mosque in Shiraz. From outside it looks like a conventional mosque, but inside there is something more. This is a space where light and worship intertwine. The mosque comes to life with the sunrise and colours dance throughout the day like whirling dervishes. It reflects on the ground, walls, the arches and the towering spires. It even reflects on the visitors as if a colorful ball is hit by the first sun ray and explodes to thousands of butterflies all around. Source: muslimheritage
Bazaar of Tabriz
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Step back in time to 15th-century Persia by visiting Tabriz with its covered Qaisariyeh Bazaar, one of Iran’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is one of the oldest bazaars in the Middle East and the largest covered bazaar in the world.
Old City of Yazd
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Sandwiched between two deserts, this isolated oasis town offers the visitor one of the best examples of traditional Iranian mudbrick architecture. The city of Yazd’s first mention in historic records predate it back to around 3000 years B.C. when it was related to by the name of Ysatis, and was then part of the domain of Medes, an ancient settler of Iran. Here you get the feeling you are traveling a thousand years back in time while walking in a maze of narrow streets twining among mudbrick houses often topped with characteristic windcatchers. It is such a romantic that many Iranian choose it for their honeymoons.
Azadi Tower
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The Azadi Tower (formerly known as the Shahyad Tower) is Tehran’s most iconic landmark. It was built in 1971 to celebrate the 2,500 years of the Persian Empire. The tower is 50 meters tall (164 ft) and is located at Azadi Square, the largest square in the Iranian capital.
Just So You Know…
- 50% of the population is below the age of 30.
- Iran has the largest Jewish population in the region outside of Israel.
- Persian language, or Farsi, is an Indo-European language, and not an Arabic (Afro-Asiatic) language.
- Driving in Iran is chaotic and crazy. Don’t expect cars to stop for you even at zebra crossings most of the time.
- While visiting Esfahan, make sure to cross one of its bridges that cross Esfahan’s Zayandeh River. Many of them dating back to the golden era of the 1600s. The 33-arched Si-o-Seh Bridge and the Khaju Bridge, which is split over two levels, are both a must.
- The former US Embassy in Tehran is not hard to miss; its long and imposing walls are coated in colourful, provocative murals and slogans denouncing the USA as the ‘Great Satan’ and ‘the most hated government in the world’.
- The cultural practice of ‘Taarof’ is Iran’s own personal brand of etiquette. You’re not really being given a freebie, it’s a form of civility and all you have to do is play along. For example, when a group of people are going to enter a house they usually invite one another to enter first:”You first please.” and they insist. So you always have to insist on paying for services, in restaurants, in taxis. Because people will pretend they do not want to accept the payment.
- Though Iran’s official currency is the Rial, you will beasked to pay in tomans (Iran’s old currency), so remember 1 Toman = 10 Rial.
- A few hours drive from Tehran you will disocver sky resorts at Alborz Mountains.
- In Nashtifan, a city in Razavi Khorasan Province, you will find the world’s first practical windmills. They were invented in Persia around 500-900 AD.
- Women in Iran are still required to have their hair covered, and shorts or skirts are not allowed. However, walking around North Tehran can feel like you are in an upscale western neighborhood, complete with western-style cafes, restaurants, and boutiques selling Versace.
- You won’t find any Michelin-starred restaurants or world-acclaimed chefs in Iran, but many kebab recipes are thousands of years old, and homemade specialties like ghormeh sabzi (a green vegetable stew with kidney beans and chunks of meat) andĀsh (a noodle soup with herbs, beans, and spinach) can’t be found anywhere else in the Middle East. But if you’re desperate for Western fare, there’s always what the locals call MashDonalds. Source: thepointsguy
Get Some Culture:
- National Museum of Iran – Consist of two buildings which include the Museum of Ancient Iran and the white travertine Museum of the Islamic Era.
- Tehran’s Museum of Contemporary Art – Has the finest collection of modern art anywhere outside Europe and the US.
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