Popular Destinations

Abyaneh

Abyāneh is one of the historical Iranian towns in Isfahan province. It is a village of living traditions, architectural styles (all in red clay), and probably one of the most interesting examples of human adaptation to nature.

Abyāneh is located in the northwestern slopes of the Karkas Mountains and at a distance of 28 km from the city of Natanz and 70 kilometers southeast of Kāshān in Isfahan territory. From Tehran, it takes approximately 4.5 hours from Tehran to reach Abyāneh by road. With the population of 294 (2011), the lingo of the general population of Abyāneh has saved a few attributes of the Middle Persian dialect, the dialect of the Sassanian Persia.

Abyāneh is cool in summer, and frightfully cold for the rest of the year. Therefore, spring and summer are the best seasons for traveling to Abyāneh.

The most amazing building in Abyāneh is the 11th century Jāmeh Mosque, with its walnut-wood mihrāb and old carvings. Other interesting spots to visit are Zoroastrian fire-sanctuary going back to the Sassanid period, three manors, a journey site and two other mosques. Chief mosque with a spetacular mihrāb from Seljukiān period, houses congruous with atmosphere and hilly land. On top of the town sits the vestiges of a Sasanid time stronghold.
Souvenirs include fruit roll, walnut, almond, apple, plum, dairy, magnificent local carpets, and beautiful handmade jewelry.

Ardebil

Ardebil (also called Ardabil) province annually hosts many tourists due to its numerous historical and natural attractions, such as many hot-springs and lakes, ski resorts, and also its delicious souvenirs.

The province is located in the northwest of Iran. It is neighboring the Caspian Sea in the East and the Republic of Azerbaijan in the North. According to 2011 survey, about 1.2 million people are living in the province, majority of whom speak Azari.

Ardabil has a cool climate during summer months which attracts many tourists, but during the winter, it can be bitterly cold, with temperatures plummeting to -25 C. Despite being the coldest province in Iran, large parts of Ardabil are green and forested.
Ardabil has various tourist attractions, among which many hot-springs and natural landscapes can be named. Ardabil’s mineral hot-springs are famous for their medical qualities. Beele-Darreh, Sareyn, Sardabeh and Booshloo are some of them. Ardabil has also many lakes; namely Ne'or, Shoorabil, ShoorGel, NouShahr and Alooche, which are habitats of some magnificent species of birds.

Meshkin Shahr is one of the most ancient cities of Iran which is located in Ardabil. It’s in close proximity to Sabalan mountains. Some significant historical monuments in the area are: Qahgaheh castle, Deev castle, Oonar’s old cemetery, the tomb of Sheykh Haydar, mausoleum of Sheikh Jebra’il. Old but lively bazaar, the Friday mosque, and a few ancient bridges are also worth visiting in Meshkin Shahr.
Souvenirs of Ardabil are generally different from many other places in Iran. They include wild honey from the slopes of Sabalan Mountain, which goes well with the local cream, black halva, sunflower seeds, butter and ghee, local pickles, various kinds of jam (e.g. flowers, cherry, citron, lemon, banana, carrots, etc.), and a variety of medical herbs.

Damghan

The name comes from a Zoroastrian word “Deh-Moghān” which literally means “The Village of Magi”! Dāmghān is considered to be one of the oldest cities in Iran, and previously has been known by the name “The City of Hundred Gates”.

Dāmghān is located in Semnān province on a plain south of Alborz mountain range. It is on the main road of Tehran-Mashhad (342 km east of Tehran), and because of easy access to both the Caspian Sea in the north, and the desert in the south, it had a geographical importance from the beginning. Approximately 57 thousand people are living in the city, and though the original language is Persian, different dialects are being practiced in each area.

Dāmghān generally has a dry and wet weather during the cold seasons and a moderate climate during the rest. Although it has a temperate climate mostly throughout the year, Spring and Summer are the ideal seasons for traveling there.

There are various recreational and historical centres both inside the city and its vicinity. A very important landmark is “Tappeh Hesar” which is a 7000 year-old site. Archeological excavations indicated that the site has been used to produce steel, until an earthquake destroyed the place and killed its habitats around the same time. Other tourist attractions in the city are Cheshmeh Ali, Tappeh Hesar, Tarikhāneh Mosque, Tower of Forth Girls, Alamdar Tower, etc.
Dāmghān has one of the best and most tasteful pistachios of Iran. Dāmghāni pistachio is also being exported to many places in the world.

Isfahan

It is the capital city of Isfahan province, and is located on the main cross of North-South and East-West routes of Iran. Esfahān was once one of the largest cities in the ancient world.

Isfahan is located about 340 km South of Tehran. It can be reached by land in approximately 5 hours (private cars and taxis, buses, and train), and also by airplane in 1 hour from Tehran. Isfahan is well-connected to most parts of Iran by bus and also its international airport has flight to/from Damascus, Dubai, Sharjah, Kuwait, and Istanbul. The population is roughly 2 million people (2011). Although the vast majority of the people speak in Persian (Farsi), they have their own sweet “Esfahāni” accent.

Isfahan has an arid climate which is typically hot during the summer months (around 35 C during the day); however, during the night, because of low humidity and moderate temperatures, the temperature would be very pleasant. On the contrary, during cold seasons, days are relatively mild while nights can be very cold.

There’s a saying in Iran: “Isfahan, half of the world!” This metaphor is used just to demonstrate the enormous amount of attractions that are concentrated throughout the city, featuring an outstanding fusion of Iranian-Islamic art and architecture. To mention a few, the Naghsh-e-Jahān Square (which is among the largest city squares around the world, and has been designated as one of the UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites), humongous 17th century bazaars, many bridges (most notable 33-Pol which passes above the famous Zāyandeh-Rood stream), churches, cathedrals, mosques, and synagogues, gardens and parks, minarets, museums, palaces and caravansarais,  and so on!
Isfahan is famous for its delicate and eye-catching handicrafts. Among those are inlaid-work engravings, woodwork, filigree items, porcelain miniatures, and beautiful carpets. Moreover, Esfahān is also well-known for its delicious sweets like Gaz (a traditional kind of white toffee full of almonds and pistachios) and Poolaki (sugar chips in different tastes).

Hamedan

The city of Hamedān, the capital of Hamedān Province, was the first capital of Aryan kingdom about 900 BCE or before where Medians settled and ruled for centuries.

Hamedan is situated in western Iran and it mostly has a cold weather, but in summers the temperature can reach to 40C. It's population is over 500,000 and the main language is Persian though their accent is obviously different.

Hamedān as an ancient city has interesting historical places. Teppe Ecbatana or Tappe Hegmatāneh is one of the most ancient places even in Iran. Esther and Mordakāi's tomb, Ganj Nāmeh, Avicenna's tomb and Alisadr Cave are the other attractions.

The most famous handicrafts in Hamedān are traditional pottery vessels and jugs as well as beautiful clothes, and only some of their yum dishes are local Dizi and Aash. Their sweets and deserts are different from other parts of Iran.

Kandovan

Kandovān is an extraordinary ancient 800 year-old village, located in Eastern Azerbaijan province. It is said to be partially formed by volcanic remains from Mount Sahand eruptions. Homes are artistically carved inside these rocks several years ago, even some date back to around 7 centuries ago. Around the village, the thickness of these formations even exceeds 100 meters. Due to erosion during hundreds of years, beautiful cone shaped cliffs were formed which gave the village an astonishing view.

Kandovān is only 60 km far south from the provincial capital, Tabriz, which takes about an hour of driving. The road passes through Khosrowshahr and ascends the slopes of Mount Sahand through the Osku Chai valley. The road distance from Tehran is 675 kilometres which takes approximately 7.5 hours to reach, though it is also possible to fly from Tehran to Tabriz for a more comfortable trip. The This magnificent village is inhabited by 670 people who speak Azari.

Due to its hilly nature, the weather in Kandovān is generally cold and temperate. Therefore, the best traveling season is Summer. Kandovān has also beautiful springs, pleasant weather and lush nature.
Souvenirs include wild natural honey, various medical herbs, dried fruits, different kinds of nuts, and a variety of handicrafts.

Kashan

Kāshān is a city in Isfahan province. Many archeological discoveries reveal that this region was one of the primary centres in pre-historical ages which makes it one of the common destinations for foreign tourists after Isfahan and Shiraz cities. Kāshān’s charm is due to its beautiful contrast between deserts and the greenery of the well tended oasis, since it is on the edge of the central Iranian deserts.

Kāshān is just about 2.5 hours ride far from Tehrān city, on the main highway to Qom. It is also accessible through Nā’in and Isfahan. The population of Kāshān is roughly 300 thousand people who speak Persian (Farsi) with Brogue accent.

Though variable, Kāshān mostly has a mild climate, with Spring as its best traveling season when all around the city, rosewater is being distilled and extracted.

Kāshān has many tourist attractions, many date back to ancient Iran. As an example, the Sialk Ziggurat still stands in the suburbs of the city for the last 7000 years. Other magnificent places are Aghā Bozorg Mosque, Boroujerdi-hā Residence, Tabātabāie Residence, Amerihā House, Abbāsian House, Sultān Amir Bath, Fin Garden, Bazaar, Abu-lu’lu’ah Shrine, etc.
Two most world-known souvenirs of Kāshān are rosewater, and distinctive local carpets. Traditional delicious cookies and pomegranates are also among Kāshāni souvenirs.

Kerman

Kermān is the capital city of Kermān province which is located in southeast Irān. It is famous for its background and strong cultural heritage. For several times during its history, Kermān was the capital city for some Iranian dynasties. The province is rich in minerals, though mining is still on small scale.

Kermān is well-connected to most parts of the country via bus. A straight bus from Tehran to Kermān (990 km) takes approximately 10.5 hours. However, it is connected to Iranian railway network, as well as air travel to many major and smaller cities of Iran. Roughly 820 thousand people (2011) live in Kermān, who speak Persian with their beautiful Kermāni accent.

The weather in Kermān is very warm in summer and cool in winter. The best traveling season is therefore Spring.

The city is home to many historic mosques and Zoroastrian fire temples. Each year, two ancient ceremonies also take place in Kermān; one is Sadeh Ceremony and the other is called Tiregān (rain festival). The archeological ancient areas of Jiroft, Tappe Yahyā Bāft, and Rāyen Castle are also located in Southern part of the province. Some other attractions of the city are: Gonbad-e-Jabaliyeh, Ganjalikhān Bath, Mouyedi Ice-House, San’ati museum, Vakil traditional tea-house, Ganjali Khan Square, 3 astonishing mosques, Ghal’e Dokhtar, Ghal’e Ardeshir, Takht-e-Daryā-Gholi-Beyg, etc.
Kermāni souvenirs include its very world-known local stylish rugs, Kolompeh (a very delicious pie), henna, cumin, Patteh which is the unique handicraft of the region, Quvetoo, distills, copper crafts, etc. Moreover, Kermān is also the centre of pistachio with 95% of Iranian pistachio produced in the region.

Kermanshah

Under the patronage of Sassanian kings in 4th century AD, Kermanshāh was founded. Kermanshāh is considered to be one of the cradles of prehistoric civilizations. According to archeological surveys and excavations the area has been occupied by prehistoric people. Its rich culture, attractive landscapes and antiquity made Kermanshāh one of the popular destinations for inbound tourists.

The city is located at the foothills of Zāgros mountain range in a distance of 525 km (a 7.5 hours ride) to southwest of Tehran. It is well-served by highways which made road trip to and in the area very easy. There are buses to Kermanshāh from many major cities. Kermanshāh is also accessible through air travel from major Iranian cities, as well as Istanbul. Its population (2011) is around 851 thousand people who are majorly Muslims, with some Zoroastrian, Jewish and Christian minorities as well. Kermanshāh is the largest Kurdish-speaking city in Iran.

Kermanshāh enjoys a mild and temperate climate and regular seasons which is heavily influenced by the proximity of the Zāgros mountains. The best time to travel there is therefore some time during spring and summer.

There are many natural and historical attractions in the city and the surrounding towns. Some of these unforgettable attractions include: Zāgros Paleolithic Museum, Talab-e Hashilan, Tāq-e Bostan, Mo’avenalmolk Museum, Kouhestan Park, the Jewish Bazaar (Bazār-e Yahoudi-ha), the Kurds Bazaar (Bazār-e Tārikeh), Bisotun, the temple of Anāhita, Char Qapi fire temple, and Ghouri Ghaleh cave.
Kermanshāh is famous in every corner of Iran for its delicious unique local sweets like Nan Berenji, Nan Shekari, Nan Khormāei, and Kāk. Also, Kermanshāh has a distinctive high quality oil called Roghan Kermanshāhi which gives the rice its ultimate taste! Giveh is also among Kermanshāhi handicrafts.

Kish

Kish Resort Island is one of the most well-known islands of the Persian Gulf. Kish is known as a consumer’s paradise due to being a free trade zone. Numerous malls, shopping centres and hotels are being built in the island for the same reason.

Kish is nearly elliptically shaped and has an area of 91 sq km. It is located 19 kilometres further from mainland Iran. Access through ferries from Bandar Abbās and by airplanes from most major airports is possible. Kish is estimated to have approximately 26 thousand residents who speak Persian (with warm Southern accent) and Arabic.

Kish is considered to have a very dry semi-equatorial climate, which makes winters and springs (from January until May) the best time to visit.

Kish was ranked among the “world’s ten most beautiful islands” by The New York Times in 2010, and is ranked as the 4th most visited vacation destination in Southwest Asia. Since foreign nationals wishing to enter Kish Free Zone from legal ports are not required to obtain visas prior to travel, annually around 1 million tourists visit the island. Although Kish is a small island, it has numerous tourist attractions, some of which are: Water Park, Dolphin Park, Aquarium, Underground City, Bird Garden, Abanbār, and the Greek Ship. The sea side is also very magnetic, and bike lanes make all spots of the island easily accessible.
Although various merchandise can be bought from shopping malls in the island, Kish has also a number of its own local souvenirs such as chocolate, coffee, fish, shrimp, and clothing.

Mash'had

Mashhad is the second most populated city of Iran after Tehran. The city is most famous because of housing the tomb of Imam Reza, the eighth Shia Imam. Many contemporary and historical figures have their roots in Mashhad. It is also the hometown of some of the most significant Iranian literary figures and artists such as Mehdi Akhavan-Sales (famous contemporary poet) and Mohammad-Reza Shajarian (traditional Iranian singer and composer). Famous Iranian poet Ferdowsi, who is responsible for gathering and writing the astonishing national epic mythology, Shahnameh, which was the main cause of Persian language surviving today, has also many unbreakable connections with the city. Over the course of history, Mashhad has experienced the rise and fall of many governments, and has seen many conflicts ranging from the Mongolian invasion to the Russians shelling the Imam Reza shrine!

Mashhad is located in the northeastern side of the country with a road distance of 900 km from the capital city, Tehran. There are flights from almost every airport in the country to Mashhad, with some, like the ones in Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz, having everyday schedules (sometimes even more than three times). A flight from Tehran takes about an hour to get to Mashhad. Moreover, there are also different train schedules to Mashhad from many locations. A train from Tehran takes about 10 to 14 hours depending on its type. There are also bus and taxis going to the city every day from other major cities. Mashhad houses about 2.7 million people (2011) who speak Persian with Mashhadi dialect.

Mashhad has a changeable climate, mostly moderate and amenable to cold and dry. Although all seasons are potentially fine for travel, the best period to do so is during spring and summer.

As been mentioned, Mashhad has a rich historical background and many influential people were born or have lived there. Therefore, there are many tourism attraction can be found in the city, or its neighboring cities like Tus and Neishabour. The most important of these is the enormous shrine of Imam Reza. Every year, millions of pilgrims visit the shrine and pay their tributes to Imam Reza. Many religious, political, literary and scientific figures -both contemporary and historical- are also buried there, such as the Abbasid caliph Harun al-Rashid, well-known Iranian scientist Sheikh Bahaei, political activist Ali Shariati, contemporary poet Adib Neishabouri, and many more. Because of the shrine, there are many other attractions have been formed in the vicinity which made the city even more attracting and interesting, including many museums, hotels and hostels, and various bazaars (e.g. Bazaar-e Reza, Kuwaiti Bazaar, Grand Central Bazaar, etc.). Many other attractions must be mentioned like Nader Shah park, Koohsangi, Koohestan-Park, Ferdowsi park & mausoleum, Gonbad-e Sabz mausoleum, Torghabe, Shandiz, and many more touristic spots that each worth their own separate article.

Mashhad has many distinctive souvenirs like various sweets and candies, exceptional perfumery, seals, rosaries and prayer rugs, barberry, nuts, etc.; but the most important productions of this city are Turquoise and Saffron, which are both known for having the best quality in the world; literally!

Masouleh

Māsouleh village, located in Guilān province, is an incredible series of cottages built on a slope, in such a way that one’s terrace is the other one’s roof. Māsouleh’s peculiar architecture, the interconnected rooftops added with narrow sloped passages gave an interesting shape to the whole village. Due to its architectural nature, Māsouleh does not permit usage of motorized vehicles which has also helped in making Māsouleh a popular tourist destination.

Close to the southern coast of the Caspian Sea, Māsouleh is located about 60 km southwest of Rasht city, and 32 km west of Fuman city, in Alborz mountain range, at an elevation of 1050 metres above sea level. There are daily buses from Tehrān to both these cities. Around 550 individuals live in Māsouleh who speak Guilaki and Taleshi dialects.

Māsouleh has cold summers and snowy winters and the best season to travel there is spring and summer.

The old village of Māsouleh was established around a thousand years ago and had once been the main area in Guilān region for the people to gather and trade their merchandise. The new Māsouleh village is now 6 kilometres to the southeast. Aside from its unique and beautiful layout, the area has a wonderful and eye-catching nature.
From alleys of Māsouleh (which in some parts, are built upon interconnected rooftops), tourists can buy traditional handicrafts, pottery, glass works, wood works and beautiful dream dolls as souvenirs.

Qaleh Roudkhan

Qal'eh Roodkhān is a castle which has been built around 1400 years ago during the Sasanian era. It has been rebuilt and refurbished many times in the past, and has faced several wars. Because being on top of hills, the castle had a strategic advantage, therefore it was very hard for invaders to attack. In fact, it has never been captured by intruders during its time.

The castle is located 25 km away from Fuman city, a magnificent city with delicious cookies, in Guilān province north of Iran. It takes around 4 hours (325 km) to reach the province from Tehran by private car. Also, Fuman can be reached by bus from many other Northern cities. Scattered population of the region speak Persian, with Taleshi and Guilaki dialects.

Like other Northern elevated areas, it has a temperate climate with cool summers and snowy winters. The best seasons for traveling there are Springs and Summers.
There are many types of beautiful local handicrafts can be purchased from the area.

Qeshm

Qeshm is the largest island in the Persian Gulf, with rocky coastlines, protecting a beautiful mountainous interior.

Distance between Qeshm and Tehran is 1315 km and there are flights from major cities such as Tehran, Shiraz, Isfahan, and Mashhad to the island. Moreover, there are direct buses to Qeshm and its mainland port in Bandar Abbas from many major and surrounding cities. Also, from Bandar Abbas, it is possible to take a speedboat or ferry at main harbour, leaving for the island once or twice an hour depending on the weather conditions. Approximately 118 thousand people are living in the island (2011), who mostly speak Persian (with local Southern accent) and know Arabic as well.

Qeshm has a warm and wet climate, making it hard to travel there during summers. Like many neighboring areas, it is best to travel there during winters and springs.
Since Qeshm is a very long and vast island (approximately 150 km long), its main attractions are scattered throughout the region. Therefore, it is advisable to hire a taxi for travelling out and back inside of the main city. Some of these magnificent natural and historical landscapes are: Hara Marine forests, Qeshm desert, Namakdan salt cave and dome, Star valleys, Chahkouh valley, Laft historical port, Portuguese Castle, Kharbas caves, Crocodile farm, Qeshm roof, Bukhow mountain, Basira mountain, etc. Many beautiful Southern handicrafts are also available as souvenirs.

Rasht

Rasht is situated in northern Iran, Guilān province as the biggest city. Rasht was first mentioned in historical documents in about 680 CE, but it is certainly older than this. It has seen the Sassanid era, the armies of Peter the Great and later Russian governers, and British colonialism. In 2015, Rasht as the 19th member joined to the UNESCO's list of gastronomy creative cities. According to the standards, a creative city is a city which uses creations and abilities of the residents in sustainable development.

Rasht is the largest city on Iran's Caspian Sea coast. It is a major trade center between Caucasia, Russia and Iran using the port of Bandar-e Anzali. Rasht has almost always a humid and mild weather that is why it is also a major tourist center with the resort of Māsouleh in the adjacent mountains and the beaches of Caspian as some of the major attractions.

People of Rasht mostly speak Persian with a unique accent, called Rashti and there are some other minor accents and dialects.

The finest Persian tea and rice are produced in this part of the country. Other products like pomegranate paste, pickles, handicrafts and fresh fruits are so popular.

Shiraz

The capital of Iranian Art, Culture and Literature, Shiraz, is located in the southwestern part Iran. The earliest reference to the city can be found on Elamite clay tablets dating back to 2000 BC. It is the capital city of Fars province, the birthplace of the Great Persian Empire. During the 13th century, Shiraz was considered as the leading center of arts and literature due to the presence of many Persian artists and scholars. It is known as the city of poets, literature, wine and flowers and is known by many as the city of gardens.

Shiraz is home to approximately 1.5 million inhabitants (2011), many of whom are Muslims though there are major Jewish and Christian communities living in the city. These wonderful, affable people speak Persian with sweet Shirazi accent. speak  Since it is the sixth most populous city of Iran, it has easy access to other major cities through the means of road, rail, and air travel. A flight to Shiraz takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes from Tehran, and taking a direct bus can take up to 17 long hours.

Shiraz has distinctive seasons, with hot summers (max 39 C) and cool winters (min below freezing).  The best seasons to visit Shiraz is therefore spring and also fall.

Shiraz is full of fascinating gardens in every corner, like Delgosha garden, Luna park, and Eram garden, sparkling mansions like Saadat mansion, Shapouri house, Zinat ol Molk mansion, Qavam house, and Ghavam ol Molk mansion. There are some number of beautiful mosques (e.g. Nasir ol Molk mosque, Atigh mosque, Vakil mosque etc.). Shiraz also houses the tombs of many famous poets like Khwaju Kermani, Saadi, and Hafiz (one of the most well-known poets whose poems inspired Goethe and reflected in German Romanticism). Some other attractions include Vakil Bazaar, water museum, stone museum, Vakil bath, and many more.

Shiraz is also famous for some internationally known landmarks in its vicinity. Some of these super important attractions are even historically more important than the ones within the city. They include Persepolis, Tomb of Cyrus the Great (in Pasargadae county), Naqsh-e Rostam (tombs of Artaxerxes I and Darius II), Shapur cave, Palace of Ardashir, Sassanid Palace, Qal’eh Dokhtar, Margoon waterfall and many more.

Shiraz is very famous for its delicious Shirazi Ice Cream and Faloodeh among Iranians. Also, other cookies and sweets (such as Masghati) worth mentioning. Shirazi citron and distillates are also of high quality and Shiraz Wine is also one of a kind! In addition, other crafts of Shiraz consist of artistic mosaic works, unique carpets weaved by nomads (called Gilim and Jajim), and silver-wares.

Tabriz

Tabriz, located in the northwestern part of the country in a relatively mountainous region, is one of the historical capitals of Iran. Tabriz is named World’s Carpets and Crafts City. Tabriz was known as the capital during many periods, and it is considered as one of the most important Iranian cities from numerous perspectives. The city contains many historical monuments representing the transition of Iranian architecture during its history. It was also influenced during the World War II.

With a population of 1.6 million (2011), Tabriz is the biggest metropolitan area in northwestern Iran. The most spoken language in Tabriz is Azari Turkish. The road distance between Tehran and Tabriz is 633 kilometers which takes approximately 7 hours to reach there by private vehicle or bus. Since it is a major city, it is also connected to the rest of the country by railways. Air travel to Tabriz is also very common from other major cities.

Tabriz has a semi-arid climate with cold snowy winters and temperate summers, which makes it a perfect summer destination. The average temperature of the city is around 13 C and the lowest recorded temperature have even reached -25 C indicating the variety of climates in the country.

The city is packed with wonderful historical monuments, mosques and museums such as Blue Mosque, Qari Bridge, Measure museum, Azerbaijan museum, Saint Mary Church, Seyed Hamzeh shrine and mosque, Qajar museum, Iron Age museum, Saat tower, E’l Goli park, and many many others. All of these attractions have their own history which deserve separate long articles. Also, the grand Bazaar of Tabriz has been inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2010.

Tabriz is famous for its handicrafts, especially the exceptional and astonishing hand-woven rugs and jewelry. There are also a variety of delicious local confectioneries such as Lovuez, Qurabiya, Nouga, Riss, Konjod Halvasi, Baklava, and also dried nuts, all worth trying. Moreover, many traditional foods of Tabriz are among the most popular and widely recognised around Iran, including Abgoosht, Dolma, and Kufteh Tabrizi, showing a glimpse of the wonderful cuisine of this magnificent city.

Tehran

Tehrān, the capital and largest city of Iran, with having over 8 millions population is considered as the most populated city in the Middle East. The history of Tehran is traced back to centuries ago, but it was chosen as the capital while Qajār dynasty gained the power.

People of Tehran or Tehrāni people speak Persian though many of them can speak in other Iranian dialects. Tehrān's climate is special, hot and shiny summers, cold and snowy winters and mild and pleasant springs and autumns.

As long as technology improved, more opportunities were created and more people from other cities traveled to Tehrān. Since the rate of growth was much sharper than the rate of infrastructure improvement, many old and traditional houses were demolished and replaced with blocks of flats, so it became a very dense and populated city.

Some travelers who don't like crowd try to skip visiting Tehrān, but in our belief, they miss many precious things to see. There are more than 30 museums in Tehrān that some are very unique in the world.

The National Museum of Iran is the pure history of civilization. The Treasury of National Jewels preserves the most eye-catching gems and jewels such as the largest cut diamond. The Contemporary Art Museum is a very special and rich art gallery. And, The Golestān Palace, where all the visitors lose all track of time during their visit, is a historical complex. Milād Tower, which is a pretty new building in comparison to others, is the sixth tallest tower in the world.

Apart from the monuments and man-made attractions, Tehran has very beautiful mountains where people hike, climb or have their meal with a wonderful view.

Tehrān doesn't have local products, but it's the source to find everything, from very old and traditional stuff to very modern and brand new products. The Grand Bazaar of Tehrān is where attracts many people to buy souvenirs. Luxury hotels and fancy restaurants are available in different parts of Tehrān, chiefly in northern parts.

Yazd

The city of Yazd is the capital city of Yazd Province, one of the largest provinces in Iran. The history of Yazd City traced back to pre-Islamic era. The remained manuscripts tell us the importance of Yazd in Sassanid dynasty.

The population of the city is roughly 500,000 people who speak Persian with their sweet accent, called Yazdi. Zoroastrians use another dialect as well, which is an ancient dialect of Pahlavi Language.

The city of Yazd is situated in a vast and dehydrated valley between two mounts of Shirkouh and Kharānaq. It's weather is not as hospitable as the people. With having hot summers and freezing winters, the best time to visit it is during springs and autumns.

Yazd has countless monuments and historical places so that it is one of the most popular cities for tourists. Dowlat Abād Garden is one of them. It's a typical Persian garden which is registered in UNESCO Heritage's list. Jāmeh and Amir Chaghmāgh mosques are two main and worth-seeing monuments of the city.

Yazd is also reputable for its fine sweets. The taste of Yazdi cakes (which is a kind of muffin) and fairy floss is something unforgettable. Carpet weaving has been a tradition for thousands of years so if you are interested in stylish hand-made carpets, you should include Yazd in your itinerary.

Zanjan

The city of Zanjān (also known as Zangān) is the capital of Zanjān Province and is one of the biggest cities in north-western Iran. It actually is a joint between central Iran's plateau and heights western Alborz.

According to historical document, Zanjān is more than 1500 years old. The city is over 400,000 populated and the main language is Azeri.

Its climate is cold and snowy in winter and cool in other seasons.

With accordance to its history, they are many monuments and attractions to see. The longest covered bazaar in Iran is located in Zanjān.. The mausoleum of Oljayto which is one of UNESCO's heritages is in the city. The natural beauties like the caves in the province are other tourist attractions.

Zanjān is reputable for its special handicrafts and metalworking such as repoussage, and illuminated manuscript or cloths, Malileh Kari, knife making and their super beautiful rugs. Apart from the handicrafts, the rice of Tārom is famous in all over the country.