If you are heading to Iran next and have already booked your flight to visit this mesmerizing country but need to figure out where to go, this article is for you.
It is no secret that Iran tourist attractions offer diversity and a once-in-a-lifetime experience to anyone who comes to this country. Yet, any first-time visitor will need help choosing specific tourist attractions.
If you are wondering about the best place to visit in Iran, you will love what we have prepared for you below!
Things to do in Iran
Since packing all of these locations into one trip seems near impossible, the best approach is to categorize your plan according to your purpose of visit. Luckily, we have all of this explained for you next!
If you are an adrenaline junkie and enjoy being in the outdoors, a trip to some of the most beautiful mountains in Iran will do wonders for you. Besides Mt. Damavand, you can visit.
- Alborz Mountains
- Shand Mountains
- Zagros Mountains
These mountains are famous for their high peaks and containing active volcanos in the old days. Beside Damavand, which is the highest mountain in Iran with a height of 5,609 meters, there is,
- Alam-Kuh
- Sabalan
- Kūh-e Hazār
- Kuh-e Dinar
- Zardkooh
- Kuh-e Jupar
- Shir Kuh Peak
- Taftan
- Sahand
For anyone looking for a different experience in nature that includes caves, the following list is to die for!
- The Qaleh Kurd cave
- Dehsheikh cave
- Katale Khor Cave
- Chama Ice Cave
- Yakh Morad Cave
- Namakdan Salt Cave
- Daniel Cave
- Zingan Cave
- Parau Cave
- Amjak Cave
Now that we have reviewed some of the top places to visit in Iran, precisely the country’s nature, it is time to seal the deal with the names of Iran’s most beautiful waterfalls. Let’s soak in!
- Shalmash Falls
- Margoon Waterfall
- Bisheh Waterfall
- Kaboudwal waterfall
- Semirom Waterfall
- Asiabkharabe Waterfall
- Laton Barzav Waterfall
- Yakhi Waterfall
- Atashgah Waterfall
- Zarlimeh Waterfall
These lists can go on forever because Iran best places to visit are endless, but here’s a catch: if you are targeting only top tourist attractions in Iran, what’s a better way than starting with the country’s major cities?
If this is the answer you are looking for, the following category is for you!
Best Cities in Iran to Visit
Considering that Iran top tourist attractions are primarily located in its capital cities, one piece of advice we’d like to give to our visitors is this: choose the city, then decide which part of that city you want to visit.
To make it easier, start with the big cities and go down from there! But since we want to make your trip planning as effortless as possible, we listed the best Iran cities to visit below.
Best Places in Tehran
Almost every visitor’s trip to Iran starts with its capital city, Tehran, and what’s better than starting with your first landing place?
As one of the best cities to visit in Iran, Tehran is known for,
- Azadi Tower
- Milad Tower
- Treasury of National Jewels
- Tabiat Bridge
- Niavaran Palace Historical-Cultural Complex
- Golestan Palace
- Tajrish Traditional Bazaar
- Tehran Book Garden
- Saadabad Cultural and Historical Complex
- Chitgar Lake
Many of Tehran’s historical sites and museums retell the story of how the government ruled the country during the Shah’s reigns, and if you are a fan of history, you’re in for a treat!
Best Places in Isfahan
There is no denying that Isfahan is one of the most beautiful cities in Iran, and it is one location you wouldn’t want to miss on your visit to this country.
Alongside Si-o-Se Pol Bridge, Chehel Sotoon Palace, Aali Qapu Palace, and Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Isfahan is the land of
- Khajoo Bridge
- Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque
- Hasht Behesht Palace
- Ali Qoli Aqa Historical Bath
- Manar Jonban
- Mollabashi Historical House
- Fire Temple of Isfahan
- Isfahan Birds Garden
- Flowers Garden
- Holy Bethlehem Church
- Fin Garden
- Chahar Bagh Theological School
- Mount Soffeh
- Jolfa Square
- Isfahan Aquarium
With Isfahan, you get the whole package, meaning you can glimpse the culture, history, and entertainment in one place!
Best Places in Shiraz
If you are looking for a beautiful place in Iran, specifically a city filled with a love for literature and history, Shiraz is the one for you.
Shiraz is the city where you will witness the beauty of the past architecture and how much effort was put into creating captivating sights.
This city is known for,
- Tomb of Hafez
- Vakil Bazaar
- Shah Cheragh Holy Shrine
- Saadi Tomb
- Qavam House
- Vakil Mosque
- Vakil Historical Bath
- Zinat Al-Molk Historical House
- Quran Gate
- Arg Karim Khan Zand
- Jameh Atigh Mosque
- Khwaju Kermani Tomb
- Afif Abad Garden
- DShapouri House
- Delgosha Garden
As you walk through each of these sites, you will also enjoy the sight of unique plants and flowers beautifying their surroundings.
Best Places in Yazd
Yazd is known for its unique architecture, which feels like a trip back in time. Many historical sites in this city have been remarkably well-preserved to this day, making their sight pleasing to the eye.
Among Yazd’s most favorite places, there is,
- Amir Chaghmagh Complex
- Dowlat Abad Garden
- Zoroastrian Fire Temple of Yazd
- Yazd Water Museum, kolahdoozha home
- Zoroastrians History and Culture Museum
- Saryazd Castle
- House Of Sigari
- Pahlavanpur Garden
- Shah Abbasi Caravanserai
- Zein-o-din Caravanserai
Among the places above, Zein-odin Caravanserai is one of many locations that is not only open to visitors but also allows you to book a room during your stay. If you’re looking for a traditional experience, this city is what you need.
Best Places in Hamedan
Formerly known as Hegmataneh, Hamedan was once Iran’s capital, and today, it is a reminder of that past.
If you come across this city on your visit to Iran, make sure to include,
- Ganjnameh Ancient Inscriptions
- Cultural Heritage and Tourism Base of Hegmataneh
- Tomb of Esther and Mordekhai
- Alaviyan Dome
- Hamadan Ganjnameh Waterfall
- Nushijan Hill
- Saint Stepanos Monastery
- Stephen Gregory Church
- Angeli Church
- Imam Khomeini Square
The final location on this list is where old churches—or what is left of them—have been turned into shops. During the night, you can enjoy the place coming into life as it gets crowded with people of all ages.
Best Places in Mashhad
Mashhad is the city where religious beliefs come to life as people from around the globe gather to visit Imam Reza Holy Shrine.
In this city, you can witness people performing religious rituals and paying their respects through offerings. Yet, Mashhad goes beyond that for people who seek more than one attraction.
By going to this city, you can visit,
- Saint Mesrop Armenian Church
- Daroogheh Historical House
- Goharshad Mosque
- Koohsangi Park
- Tomb of Nader Shah
- KhajeMellat Amusement Park
- Aba Salt Shrine
- Tomb of Ferdowsi
For a more immersive experience, visit the Chalidarreh Tourist Complex, Torghabe, and Shandiz.
Best Places in Kerman
Similar to Yazd, Kerman also pumps with history. And if you are adding this city to your visit list, here’s where you need to go,
- Ganjali Khan Mosque
- Jabaliyeh Dome
- Bam Citadel
- Shahzadeh Mahan Historical Garden
- Fat’h Abad Garden
- Zoroastrian Fire Temple
- Ganjali Khan Bathhouse
- Rageh Canyon
- Haj Mohammad Taghi Cistern
- Jame Mosque of Kerman
If there’s one thing you need to know about Kerman, it is also the motherland of the Lut Desert—the hottest location on Earth!
Best Places in Kashan
Another place to visit in Iran is Kashan. Located in Isfahan Province, this city is captivating and has rare sites.
In Kahshan, you will find,
- Fin Garden
- Noushabad Underground City
- Maranjaab Caravanserai
- Saraye Ameriha Hotel
- Mausoleum of Shah Abbas I
- Abbasian Historical House
- Borujerdi House
- Sialk Archeological Hills
- Tabatabaei Historical House
- Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse
If any of the locations on the previous lists don’t work for you and you’re looking for a more inclusive list, keep reading!
Cultural Attractions in Iran
There are numerous places in Iran to visit, but if your schedule is tight and you want to make the most of your trip, here are the top tourist attractions of Iran,
- Nasir al-Mulk Mosque
- Persepolis
- Naqsh-e Jahan Square
- Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System
- ChoghaZanbil Ziggurat
- Vank Cathedral
- Eram Garden
- Chehel Sotoon Palace
- Si-o-Se Pol Bridge
- Aali Qapu Palace
These locations, spread across some of Iran’s major cities, epitomize the country’s profound history. However, a sole location does not define Iran’s beauty, and whether you are seeking comfort in nature or it is a wild ride in the desert, Iran has all of this and more!
Before taking a trip to Iran, you might have to tinker with your list, but if you have no time limit on your schedule, who says you can’t visit all of these sites?
Top places to visit in Iran
Since we discovered most of Iran’s famous sites, it is time to look at some of the best places in Iran that involve something more than history and culture.
If you are up for a hike in nature or getting on a boat to row through some of the best places to visit in Iran, remember to include the following locations in your list,
- Ali-Sadr Cave
- Lut Desert
- Maharloo Lake
- Chahkooh Canyon
- Tochal
- Badab Surt Springs
- Miankaleh Peninsula
- Mount Damavand
- Masal Village
- Qeshm Island
In Iran, you can experience everything from extreme heat to freezing cold, clashing sea waves to soaring dunes. The choices are endless. All you have to do is take a leap of faith and book your ticket!
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