Extracting the Priceless Experience from the Erratic Iran

The title probably is my description of the journey to Iran that carries bad facts in press, but tourism has worth visiting sites to mask its band name with good people fame. Check out for my this experience by exploring Iraq yourself to see what it is instead of what it is recognized as. To feel the real Iran, take a trip to its cities of Tehran or Esfahan, the Zagros Mountains, desert near Kerman, and see how the modern people has preserved their ancient culture.

Iran Tourist Attractions

Tehran

This is the modern capital city offering maximum tourist attractions.

• The Shahid Motahari Mosque:
  This is the religious monument holding eight minarets. It is built so strategically that one can have a glimpse of the city from here.
• The Bazaar:
  This is among the largest bazaars located in the Tajrish suburb towards the north of the capital. It seems as an unlimited labyrinth of arched lanes where you can find items such as fine carpets, silverware, copperware, and aromatic spices. Each zone is dedicated each kind of selling and craftsmen can be seen with their onsite work. The bazaar is open daily except for Friday and religious holidays.
• The Central Bank:
  Oh wait! This is not a commercial or any other kind of bank. It is a mansion that holds a few most wonderful and precious stones. It is mostly missed in the list of tourist attractions, but it is worth a visit. In the vault, you can see some famous rubies, emeralds, gold, diamonds, and specially the largest diamond on Earth.
• The Palace of Roses (Golestan Palace):
  This palace is among the most ancient structures in the country, which is now a museum. Holding many attractive artifacts that are admired by the tourists, this palace was constructed at the time of the Safavid dynasty (1502-1736 A.D.) and was once the residence of the imperial family at the time of the Shah era. Do not miss to see its stunning art marvel – the Peacock Throne – that is full of gems. Besides this, take a glimpse of other striking and varied artifacts including the lighted manuscripts.
• Museums:
  We visited an array of good museums – the Abgineh Museum of Iranian Pottery, the Rea Abbasi Muesum exhibiting rare Iranian calligraphy and paintings, the National Museum of Iran (Iran Bastan Museum) displaying archaeological and anthropological items, the Rassam Cultural and Art Foundation of Carpet offering a carpet museum and carpet weaving school, the Carpet Museum housing a 450 years old carpet along with others, and the Anthropological Museums in Golestan Palace and Saad Abad.

Persepolis

This is one of the most visited Iranian tourist sites that was once the capital of the Achaemenid Empire dating long back to 518 B.C. Recognized as an UNESCO World Heritage site, the historic ruins are worth visiting for its popular Ceremonial Seat of Darius erected on a vast base made from the Kuhe Rahmat.

The Golden Triangle

This is famous name indicating the coverage of three historic cities of Hamadan, Kermanshah, and Khorramabad. This section of the country has rich historical links, primarily because of the Silk Road passing through the lovely undulating landscape since centuries. Supporting this statement, there are several other proofs of existing communities somewhere prior to 6000 years.

The city of Hamadan was the summer capital of the Persian rulers. Here, glimpse at Stone Lion belonging to the period of the Alexander the Great, which is an evident emblem of its glorious past. Another attraction here is of the Ali-Sadr that is the country’s unique water cave, but the largest one on the planet. This is a natural marvel that deserves a must to see decision from the tourists who visit Iran every year.

In Kermanshah, explore the Taghe Bostan Grottoes offering a myriad of ideal bas-relief carvings. Do not miss to tour the site of the Seleucid Temple of Artemis in Kangavar that holds huge fallen columns getting restored.

The Caspian Coast

We reached here after four hours drive from the capital city. This is Iran’s Riviera offering a thin plain of paddy cultivations and orchards along with the forested mountains holding Mongol castles’ ruins, now the home of bears and leopards.

Chabahar Beaches

These are worth visiting beaches with caverns and hills at 15 m with favorable conditions for water sports such as windsurfing, diving, and underwater excursions.

Esfahan

Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this was once the capital of Persia from 1598 A.D. to 1722 A.D. and its history is remarkably 2500 years old. The most striking site here is its beautiful central square that is nearly seven times bigger as compared to San Marco in Venice. The Friday Mosque (Masjid-e Jomeh) is a superb structure and one of the oldest one. Built in the 8th century, the mosque has witnessed many renovations. It is a captivating monument holding the popular dome known to the world made with geometric accuracy.

Next, we explored the Shaikh Lotfullah Mosque that holds people by its famous stalactite effect of its north entry. Besides, if you have time, do take a tour of the good bazaars, palaces, bridges, and gardens.

The Alborz Excursions

The Alborz Mountains offer many pleasant trips that make it a famous sight. You can chain find many mountain resorts that provide cable car facilities along with the skiing slopes, particularly in the season of January to March.

Best Time to Visit Iran

This depends on which places you are going. Check out for the temperatures from the BBC. Otherwise, the preferable time is during the spring and autumn seasons.

Iran Accommodations

• Tehran Grand Hotel – 4 star
• Ali Qapu Hotel – 4 star
• Parsian Hotel Shiraz – 3 star
• Shiraz Eram Hotel – 3 star
• Azadi Grand Hotel – 5 star
• Homa Hotel Tehran – 5 star
• Esteghlal Grand Hotel Tehran – 5 star

Warning

The western border with Iraq and the eastern borders with Afghanistan and Pakistan should not be visited currently due its risky atmosphere. Avoid any kind of overland travel to Iraq. If in Tehran, do not be a part of any rally or demonstration. Check out the Safe Travel for the latest government warnings.