Explore Persepolis, the ceremonial capital of ancient Persia$4–5
A UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the great archaeological wonders of the ancient world, with monumental staircases and reliefs dating back 2,500 years.
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Middle East
Things to do in Iran
Persian gardens, turquoise-tiled mosques, and one of the richest ancient civilizations on Earth, visited today under a mandatory guided-tour system for Western travelers.
Explore Iran on the map →Budget$
Best for10-12 days
CapitalTehran
VisaUS, UK, and Canadian citizens must travel as part of a licensed guided tour with a certified guide for the entire visit; independent travel isn't permitted for these nationalities, and visa processing takes roughly 2-3 weeks. Many other nationalities can get a visa on arrival or e-visa.
CurrencyIranian rial (IRR)
LanguagesPersian/Farsi (official); Azerbaijani and Kurdish widely spoken in border regions
InternetRestricted, many Western apps and sites are blocked; a VPN is commonly used
Typical lodging$15–$35/night
Driving sideRight
Power & voltage230V / 50Hz (Type C/F plug)
Time zoneUTC+3
Emergency number999 or 112
Dialing code+98
★★★★★ Culture★★★★★ Photography★★★★★ Food
Visa rules and emergency numbers can change without notice. Confirm the specifics for your nationality and dates before you travel.
Travel smart
Bottled water recommended. 10–15% expected, often added as a service charge.
Iran holds 27 UNESCO World Heritage sites, more than any other country in the Middle East, spanning the ancient Persian capital of Persepolis to the intricate blue-tiled mosques of Isfahan, a city whose Naqsh-e Jahan Square is one of the largest public squares ever built. Persian hospitality (ta'arof) is a genuinely elaborate cultural custom of ritualized politeness and generosity that consistently surprises visitors, standing in sharp contrast to Iran's fraught diplomatic relationships with much of the West.
When to go
SpringMarch–May
The most popular window nationally, with mild temperatures and Nowruz (Persian New Year) celebrations in late March.
SummerJune–August
Very hot in the central desert and south; the northern Caspian coast and high-altitude cities stay more comfortable.
AutumnSeptember–November
Cooling temperatures and clear skies, considered alongside spring as the best overall window.
WinterDecember–February
Cold in the mountains and north, including good skiing near Tehran, while the south stays mild.
20 things to do
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Culture & history
12Wander Isfahan's Naqsh-e Jahan Square
One of the largest public squares ever built, ringed by turquoise-tiled mosques and a grand bazaar, at the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage ensemble.
Visit the Sheikh Lotfollah and Shah Mosques in Isfahan
Two of the most celebrated examples of Persian Islamic architecture, their tilework and dome acoustics considered masterpieces of the era.
Explore the mudbrick old city of Yazd
A UNESCO World Heritage desert city of wind towers (badgirs) and ancient qanats, among the best-preserved traditional Persian urban architecture anywhere.
Visit a Zoroastrian fire temple in Yazd
Yazd remains a center of Iran's small but historically significant Zoroastrian community, with an eternal flame reportedly burning since the 5th century.
Explore the tomb of Cyrus the Great at Pasargadae
A UNESCO World Heritage site holding the tomb of the founder of the Achaemenid Empire, one of the most significant monuments in ancient world history.
Visit the tomb of the poet Hafez in Shiraz
A revered pilgrimage site for lovers of Persian poetry, where locals still gather to recite and reflect on Hafez's centuries-old verses.
Explore the Golestan Palace in Tehran
A UNESCO World Heritage Qajar-era royal complex blending Persian and European architectural influences in the heart of the capital.
Explore the bazaar of Tabriz
A UNESCO World Heritage covered bazaar, among the oldest and largest in the Middle East, still a genuinely active commercial hub after centuries.
Visit the ruins of Bam Citadel
A UNESCO World Heritage adobe citadel, once the largest of its kind in the world, partially rebuilt after a devastating 2003 earthquake.
Explore Kandovan, a village carved into volcanic rock
A centuries-old village of cone-shaped homes carved directly into volcanic cliffs, still inhabited today and genuinely unlike anywhere else in Iran.
Visit the ancient city of Susa
One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with archaeological layers spanning Elamite, Persian, and Islamic civilizations.
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Adventure & outdoors
1Ski at Tochal or Dizin near Tehran
Iran has a genuine and surprising ski culture, with resorts in the Alborz mountains offering some of the highest-altitude skiing in the world.
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Food & drink
5Eat Persian fesenjan, walnut and pomegranate stew
A rich, tangy stew of walnuts and pomegranate molasses over chicken, considered one of the most celebrated dishes of Persian cuisine.
Try Persian tahdig, crispy saffron rice
The prized golden, crispy layer at the bottom of the rice pot, considered by many Iranians the best part of any meal.
Try Persian ash reshteh, a noodle and herb soup
A hearty soup of noodles, beans, and herbs topped with fried mint and kashk, a genuine comfort food staple across Iran.
Try Persian saffron ice cream (bastani sonnati)
A traditional ice cream flavored with saffron, rosewater, and pistachios, a distinctive Persian dessert found at shops across the country.
Try Persian tea culture at a traditional teahouse
Tea remains central to Iranian daily life, and traditional teahouses (chaykhaneh) offer a genuine window into everyday social custom.
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Photography
1Wander Shiraz's Nasir al-Mulk Pink Mosque
A 19th-century mosque famous for stained-glass windows that flood the interior with kaleidoscopic color each morning, among the most photographed sites in Iran.
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Nature & scenery
1Visit the ancient Persian gardens of Shiraz and Kashan
Iran's UNESCO-listed Persian gardens, including Eram and Fin, showcase a centuries-old design tradition that influenced garden design across the Islamic world.
Common questions
▾Do I need a visa for Iran?
US, UK, and Canadian citizens must book a licensed guided tour with a certified guide for the full visit and cannot travel independently; visa processing takes roughly 2-3 weeks. Many other nationalities can get a visa on arrival or e-visa.
▾Is Iran safe for tourists?
The main tourist circuit (Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, Yazd) sees regular, well-organized guided tourism; it's worth checking current government travel advisories closely given diplomatic tensions, and US/UK/Canadian citizens in particular should understand the guided-tour requirement isn't optional.
▾Why does Iran have so many UNESCO sites?
It holds 27 UNESCO World Heritage sites, more than any other Middle Eastern country, reflecting millennia of continuous Persian, Islamic, and pre-Islamic civilization.
▾How many days does Iran need?
10-12 days lets you combine Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, and Yazd along the classic Persian heritage circuit, given the guided-tour structure most Western visitors travel under.
▾Can I use my phone and apps normally in Iran?
Internet access is restricted, with many Western apps and sites blocked; most visitors use a VPN, arranged before arrival, to stay connected.
▾How much does it cost to visit Persepolis?
Foreign visitor entry typically runs around IRR 2,000,000-3,000,000 (roughly $4-5 at informal exchange rates, though Iran's currency situation makes USD conversions unreliable), among the more affordable major archaeological sites anywhere. Sanctions mean most international cards don't work in Iran, so bring sufficient cash, and check your home country's current travel advisory given the political situation before booking.