Iran

Although tourism suffered severely during the Iraq war, it has now rebounded. In 2004, approximately 1,659,000 international visitors visited Iran, and 2.3 million in 2009, mainly from Asian nations, including Central Asian republics, with roughly 10% from the European Union and North America. Over five million visitors visited Iran in the fiscal year 2014–2015, which ended March 21, a 4% increase year on year.

Isfahan, Mashhad, and Shiraz are the most popular tourist attractions in addition to the capital. The sector had significant constraints in infrastructure, communications, industry standards, and staff training in the early 2000s. Asian Muslims received the vast majority of the 300,000 tourist visas issued in 2003, probably to visit key pilgrimage sites in Mashhad and Qom. Annually, many organized groups from Germany, France, and other European nations visit Iran to see ancient sites and monuments. In 2003, Iran ranked 68th in the world in terms of tourist income. According to UNESCO and the deputy director of research for the Iran Travel and Tourism Organization (ITTO), Iran is ranked fourth among the top ten Middle Eastern destinations. Iran has one of the world’s biggest domestic tourist industries. Weak advertising, unpredictable regional circumstances, a bad public image in some areas of the globe, and a lack of effective tourist planning schemes have all hampered tourism development.

Iran is a varied nation with numerous religious and ethnic groups that are united by a common Iranian language and culture.

Iran’s population increased significantly in the second part of the twentieth century, rising from about 19 million in 1956 to over 75 million by 2009. However, Iran’s birth rate has fallen considerably in recent years, resulting in a population growth rate of approximately 1.29 percent as of July 2012. According to studies, growth will continue to decrease until it reaches 105 million by 2050.

Iran has one of the world’s biggest refugee populations, with over one million refugees, the majority of them are from Afghanistan and Iraq. Iranian authorities have been collaborating with the UNHCR and Afghan officials for their return since 2006. According to estimates, about five million Iranian people have emigrated to other nations, the majority of them have done so after the 1979 Revolution.

The Iranian Constitution requires the government to give every person of the nation with access to social security, which includes retirement, unemployment, old age, disability, accidents, catastrophes, health and medical treatment and care services. This is paid for through tax revenues and money from public donations.

Due to the absence of ethnicity-based official censuses in Iran, the makeup of ethnic groupings, like spoken languages, is a source of contention, particularly for the biggest and second largest ethnic groups, the Persians and Azerbaijanis. According to the CIA’s World Factbook, approximately 79 percent of Iran’s population is a diverse Indo-European ethno-linguistic group that includes speakers of Iranian languages, with Persians (including Mazenderanis and Gilaks) accounting for 61 percent, Kurds 10 percent, Lurs 6 percent, and Balochs 2 percent. The remaining 21% is made up of people from various ethno-linguistic groups, with Azerbaijanis accounting for 16%, Arabs 2%, Turkmens and Turkic tribes 2%, and others 1%. (such as Armenians, Talysh, Georgians, Circassians, Assyrians).

Persians 65 percent (including Mazenderanis, Gilaks, and Talysh people), Azerbaijanis 16 percent, Kurds 7 percent, Lurs 6 percent, Baluchi 2 percent; Turkic tribal groups such as Qashqai 1 percent, and Turkmens 1 percent; and non-Iranian, non-Turkic groups such as Armenians, Georgians, Assyrians, Circassians, and Arabs less than 3 percent It was discovered that Persian is the primary language of at least 65 percent of the country’s people and the second language of the majority of the remaining 35 percent.

Other non-governmental estimates, with the exception of Persians and Azerbaijanis, generally correspond to the World Factbook and the Library of Congress. Many academic and organizational estimates of the size of these two groups, however, vary considerably from the stated census. According to several of them, the ethnic Azerbaijanis in Iran make up between 21.6 and 30 percent of the overall population, with the majority claiming 25 percent. In any event, Iran has the world’s biggest population of Azerbaijanis.

Iran has a variety of climates. Winters in the northwest are harsh, with significant snowfall and subzero temperatures in December and January. The seasons are pleasant in the spring and autumn, but dry and scorching in the summer. The winters in the south are moderate, while the summers are very hot, with average daily temperatures in July surpassing 38° C (100° F) and reaching 50° C in certain areas of the desert. Summer heat is accompanied by heavy humidity in the Khuzestan plain.

Iran has a dry climate in general, with the majority of the year’s precipitation falling from October to April. The average annual precipitation in much of the nation is 25cm or less. The upper mountain valleys of the Zagros and the Caspian coastal plain are notable outliers, with annual precipitation averaging at least 50 cm. Rainfall in the western Caspian surpasses 100cm per year and is spread fairly evenly throughout the year.

When to travel to Iran varies from time to time. The best time to visit Iran also depends on where you want to go. Depending on location, the climate in this area varies from subtropical to arid and semiarid. Iran is a cultural region renowned for its intriguing nature and diverse animal species, so you will see something noteworthy no matter when you visit. More information about the weather to anticipate in Iran at various periods of the year may be found below.

Iran’s Variable Climate

Iran has a changing environment, and the weather you will experience will change from area to region. In December and January, the northwestern region of Iran is renowned for its harsh winters, with significant snowfall and subfreezing temperatures. The northwest’s fall and spring seasons are mild, but the summers are very hot and dry.

Winters in southern Iran are mild and pleasant, but summers are very hot. In July, temperatures in the southern area have been recorded to reach 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit). Certain places in southern Iran may also be humid in addition to hot.

Iran has an arid environment for the most part; the bulk of its yearly precipitation falls between October and April and averages around 25 millimeters. In comparison, the Zagros mountain valleys and the Caspian coastal plain get an average of 50 millimeters of rain each year. The western portion of the Caspian Sea, however, gets over 100 cm of rain each year.

Arid Climate and Temperatures

Because Iran has a mostly dry environment, summers in this region are notoriously scorching, regardless of where you go. If you are sensitive to heat and prefer a more temperate environment, summer is definitely not the ideal season to visit Iran. Ideally, you should visit Iran in the spring or autumn, when the weather is mildest and the temperatures are most reasonable. If you’re planning a trip to Iran’s southern area, winter is a great season to go since the weather is typically pleasant and chilly. If you’re planning a trip to the northwest, you should avoid the winter months since it may be very cold and snowy there.

What to Wear In Iran

When visiting Iran in the summer, you should wear clothing that is lightweight and breathable. Because temperatures in the fall and spring are often moderate, clothes should be lightweight, cotton, and comfy. Winter clothes may vary depending on where you go, but it will be considerably heavier than summer gear. The northwest region becomes the coldest, so if you visit during the winter, bring plenty of warm clothing.

Rugged, rocky rim; high, middle basin with deserts and mountains; and tiny, discontinuous lowlands on both sides Mount Damavand is the highest point (5,610 m).

Desert: The Dasht-e Lut, which is mostly made up of sand and rocks, and the Dasht-e Kavir, which is mostly made up of salt, cover most of central Iran. Both deserts are inhospitable and almost completely uninhabited.

The Zagros mountain range extends from the Republic of Armenia’s border in the north-west to the Persian Gulf, then eastward into Baluchistan. Zagros is a harsh, difficult-to-access region inhabited mostly by pastoral nomads. The Alborz mountain range, smaller than the Zagros, extends along the Caspian’s southern coast, meeting the border mountains of Khorasan to the east.

Forest: Approximately 11% of Iran is wooded, with the Caspian area being the most densely inhabited. Broad-leafed, robust deciduous trees, typically oak, beech, linden, elm, walnut, ash, and hornbeam, as well as a few broad-leafed evergreens, may be found here. Thorny bushes and ferns occur as well. With contrast, the narrow Caspian coastal plain is covered in rich brown forest soil.

Shi’a and Sunni are the two major sects of Islam. The schism dates back to shortly after the Prophet’s death; would the movement be headed by some of his most ardent supporters (Sunni), or by his family, most notably his son-in-law Ali (Shi’a)? (The term “Shi’a” is derived from “shiat Ali,” which refers to Ali’s faction/party.) There was a lengthy, complicated, and violent battle over this. Today, Iran is one of a few mainly Shi’a nations, and the only one where Shi’a Islam is the official religion. The Iranian government, among other things, supports the Shi’a Hezbollah organization, and therefore America accuses it of fomenting terrorism.

The Day of Ashura, which occurs on the 10th of the month of Moharram, is a significant occasion in Shi’a religious life; “ashura” means “tenth.” It recalls Ali’s son Hussein’s death in the Battle of Karbala in 61 AH (680 AD). This is not a joyous occasion, but rather a solemn day of atonement. Travelers should refrain from playing loud music or being unusually happy in public at this time.

Traditional events include parades in which people perform’matham’ — chest-beating, self-flagellation, and even striking oneself with a sword — to commemorate Imam Hussein, who was killed with his half brother, cousins, friends, and two young kids. Dramatic re-enactments of the fight are also performed on occasion.

While Shi’a Islam is unquestionably the major religion in Iran, there are a number of religious minorities. Sunni Islam is mostly practiced by ethnic minorities in Iran, such as Arabs, Kurds, Balushis, and Turkmens. Non-Islamic faiths are also present in lesser numbers, the most prominent of which being Zoroastrianism, Christianity, and Judaism, all of which are recognized as minority religions under the Iranian constitution and are given representation in parliament. Despite the fact that Iran is an Islamic republic, fire temples, churches, and synagogues continue to function lawfully. The majority of Iranian Christians are Armenians who practice Eastern Orthodoxy.

Iran also boasts the biggest Jewish population outside of Israel in the Middle East. While there are a considerable number of Baha’is in Iran, they are not recognized by the constitution and are instead labeled as heretics of Islam, which means they are still persecuted today despite being Iran’s biggest non-Muslim faith. The meeting of wedleases (temporary weddings) called locally as mut’ah is a unique tradition among Iranian men and women.

Persian (called farsi in Persian) is Iran’s national and official language. It is an Indo-European language. Although Persian is written using a modified Arabic script, the two languages are unrelated; nevertheless, Persian has a significant number of Arabic loanwords (with varying meanings), many of which are part of basic Persian vocabulary.

Many young Iranians in large cities, and almost likely those working at foreign travel agencies and high-end hotels, will be able to converse in English, but learning basic Persian phrases will come in handy for tourists, especially in rural regions.

Emergency services

• Police:  110
• Ambulance:  115
• Fire:  125

Embassies and missions

• Australian Embassy to Iran,  +98 21 8872 4456, fax: +98 21 8872 0484. No. 13, 23rd Street, Intifada Ave, Tehran –
• Croatian Embassy in Tehran No. 25 Avia Pasdaran, Tehran  +98 21 2258 9923 – Fax: +98 21 2254 9199
• Embassy of Ireland North Kamranieh Ave., Bonbast Nahid Street 8, Tehran  +98 21 2280 3835 (8:30AM-4:30PM, Sun-Thur)
• Royal Netherlands Embassy in Iran,  +98 21 2256 7005, fax: +98 21 2256 6990. Darrous Shahrzad Blvd., Kamassale Street, First East Lane no. 33, Tehran; teh@minbuza.nl
• Royal Norwegian Embassy in Tehran, 201 Dr. Lavasani St (Ex. Farmanieh St.),  +98 21 2229 1333, fax: +98 21 2229 2776. No., Tehran, Iran –
• Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Iran 9 th street, nr. 9, Velenjak, Tehran, P.O. Box 11365-118.  +98 21 2241 2569, +98 21 2241 2570 – (Fax:+98 21 2240 2869) serbembteh@parsonline.net
• Embassy of Switzerland in Iran, 13 Yasaman Street,  +98 21 2200 8333, fax: +98 21 2200 6002. Sharifi Manesh Avenue, Tehran.
• Americans should go to the US Interests Section of the Swiss Embassy if in need of assistance. Services are extremely limited, and the Swiss may be reluctant and/or unable to help in minor cases.
• Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Tehran,  +98 21 2283 6042, fax: +98 21 2229 0853. 30 Narenjestan 8th Alley Pasdaran Avenue, Tehran.

Phone

An Iranian phone number is of the form +98-XXX-XXX-XXXX, where “98” is the country code for Iran, the next three digits (or two in the case of Tehran and some major cities), and the remaining seven digits (eight in the case of Tehran and some major cities) are the “local” part of the subscriber number that can be called from within that area code using abbreviated dialing. You must dial “0” before the geographic area code if you are calling from outside that area code (but when still within Iran).

No matter where they are called from, mobile numbers in Iran must always be dialed with all 11 digits (including a “0” prefixing the “9nn” inside Iran). The 9nn is a mobile prefix rather than a “area code,” and the second and third numbers represent the original mobile network allocated.

The area codes for important cities are as follows: Tehran is the capital of Iran (021) Kashan’s (0361) – Isfahan (031), Ahwaz (061), Shiraz (071), and Tabriz (072). (041) Mashad’s (051) Kerman’s (034) Gorgan’s (0171) – N’ain (0323) Hamadan, Iran (081) Kermanshah is a city in Iran (083) Sari’s (011)

When dialing international numbers from Iran, the prefix to dial before the country code is 00.

Cell Phone (SIM card)

Pre-paid SIM cards for foreign travelers are available from Irancell (MTN), MCI, Iran Taliya, and Rightel, with prices beginning at IRR60,000. For IRR20,000, recharge cards are available at all newsstands and supermarkets. For browsing the online or checking your email, GPRS, MMS, and 3G services are also available at extremely cheap rates, especially at night. You may purchase SIM cards and connect to the internet using GPRS, EDGE, 3G, and 4G technologies with a copy of your passport’s information page and a copy of the page with your Iranian visa and entry seal. SIM cards are accessible in post offices and government e-services offices (Persian: singular: Daftar-e Pishkhan-e Khadamat-e Dowlat; plural: Dafater-e Pishkhan-e Khadamat-e Dowlat), large stores, and the Imam Khomeini airport.

An Irancell SIM card cost 100,000 rials and a 3 Gb Internet package cost 200,000 rials in September 2016 at IKIA. It should be noted that at least some stores refuse to offer SIM cards to British citizens.

Post

The Islamic Republic of Iran Post Company oversees all 275 urban and 1,153 rural post offices via 209 central post offices. Many of the globally accessible post services are provided by the business. Parcel delivery is both inexpensive and dependable. Bring your goods to the post office unpacked. DHL, Skypak, and other international courier firms operate offices in Tehran and receive papers for international destinations.

Internet

WiFi internet services are widely available (depending on network availability) in various regions and provinces.

In Iran, certain websites, including Facebook and YouTube, are banned. You can get around this by installing a free proxy software like Psiphon. To access Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and other websites, you must use a proxy server, VPN, or software such as Freegate; otherwise, you may see this screen, which indicates that the site you wish to visit has been filtered and banned by the judicial system. You must also utilize Freegate to check your bank account balance; otherwise, your account may be banned as a result of the sanctions imposed on Iran.

Internet cafes

Expect to spend IRR15,000 per hour, with speeds ranging from passable in big cities to excruciatingly sluggish in small towns and rural regions. Recently, several important city facilities have begun to utilize broadband wireless or DSL connections. Most coffee shops will also offer a DVD burner where you may download pictures from digital cameras.

Turkey, Lebanon, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Bolivia, Egypt, and Syria citizens are eligible to go to Iran and remain for 15 to 90 days without a visa.

Visas on arrival are available to citizens of the following countries: Albania, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Korea, Norway, Oman, Palestine, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovak, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, and Vietnam.

The Iranian tourist visa is valid for up to 30 days and may be extended. It must be acquired before to traveling to Iran and is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. All foreign citizens may apply for visas via approved Iranian travel agencies (except Israeli passport holders). The Iranian Foreign Ministry prohibits US passport holders from traveling to Iran on their own. Citizens of the United States are obliged to go on tours, either as part of a group or on a custom-made solo trip. It is necessary to have a detailed schedule to which you must follow.

You must contact an authorized Iranian travel agency to apply for and get your visa. They apply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after obtaining your personal information. The MFA will then approve your visa and fax it to an Iranian Consulate near you. Your travel agency will provide you with a visa authorization number, which you may use to apply for your visa at the embassy. The visa authorization number, on the other hand, is only valid at the consulate where you requested your visa to be granted. They just offer you a “authorization” number. This reference number indicates that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has authorized and accepted your visa, but it is not the visa itself.

You may be needed to show yourself to the Iranian consulate in your country to have your fingerprints taken, depending on your nationality. Passport holders from the United Kingdom and the United States will be fingerprinted upon arrival.

After your travel agency provides you with your visa authorization number, you should get a visa application form from the consulate and complete it according to the instructions (you may either personally go to the consulate to get the application forms or, if the service available, download it from the web site of the Iranian embassy in your country). Then, using the visa number they provided you, you should go to the consulate and submit your passports and application papers (it can be either a physical presence or by post). The consulate will next issue your visa, which may take anywhere from 1 to 5 days.

If you are applying from outside your home country, you may also need to provide a letter of reference from your embassy, a photocopy of your flight tickets in and out of Iran, and any student or press cards.

All tourist visas granted by Iranian consulates usually have a “three-month” validity period. The visa permits you to remain in Iran for up to 30 days (the tourist visa may occasionally be extended to 90 days), but the Iranian Foreign Ministry has the final say on the length of your stay. (Note that unless you seek permission from Tehran, all tourist visas will be granted as a single entrance.) Note that tourist visas must be utilized within 14 days after being issued as of May 2013, although the maximum stay is still 30 days. This shift is due to the upcoming presidential elections in June.

A letter from your employer or evidence of money may be requested on rare occasions. Visas are usually only valid for three months, therefore you must enter Iran within that time frame.

A visa may take 30 days or more to be issued, depending on your nationality.

According to rumors, German passport holders may get a visa at Istanbul’s consulate in as little as ten days.

Entry, transit, business, tourist, and journalist visas are all available. The fee varies depending on the applicant’s nationality, the kind of visa, and the regulations in place in each country.

Passports with a validity of less than six months are not eligible for a visa. All exit permits are needed (often included with visa).

Within Iran, you may simply extend your transit visa, which is typically good for five or ten days, but only once for the same number of days as the initial visa.

Foreign drivers transporting goods to Iran or other nations must coordinate with the Islamic Republic of Iran’s diplomatic missions ahead of time.

A passport, an application form, four passport-sized photographs, and a specific authorization in the form of a reference number given by the Foreign Ministry in Tehran are all required for tourist visas.

The process of extending a tourist visa is simple and can be completed in most locations. Some travel books advise against doing this in Tehran since it takes a long time. This is no longer the case, and extending a visa in Tehran may now be completed in within an hour (including tea offerings and being the object of curiosity in the office). Extending a visa a second time necessitates sending the passport to a department in Tehran (regardless of where you renew your visa from), which takes longer than the first time. The tourist visa may only be renewed once or twice, for a total of 15 days each time. The cost of extending a visa is 300,000 Iranian Riyal. To renew your visa in Tehran for the first or second visit, travel to the Passport and Immigration office on Parvin Street, near the Tehranpars metro station, at the intersection of 150 East Street and 123 Khovat Street.

Although obtaining a tourist visa has grown simpler in recent years, whether the procedure takes one day or one month is mainly dependent on your nationality and the personnel at the embassy to which you are applying. The best option is to apply at least three months before your departure to the Iranian embassy in your home country, although it is possible to acquire one while traveling in other countries, albeit with various degrees of difficulty. In their supplied passport-sized photographs, women must wear the Hijab or a head scarf.

A passport, an application form, four passport-sized photographs, a special authorization in the form of a reference number given by the Foreign Ministry in Tehran, and a business letter are all required for business visas. Business visas may be extended once, occasionally twice, for up to two weeks each time. In certain circumstances, a one-month extension may be available.

Iran does not need a visa for visitors from the Persian Gulf states. Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates are among them. On arrival, citizens of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Turkey may get a three-month tourist visa. Japanese citizens may easily get a three-month tourist visa from an Iranian consulate.

Tehran, Mashhad, Tabriz, Esfahan, Shiraz, Kerman, and Zahedan are all renowned for gladly extending visas in Iran. Normally, the extension procedure is handled at the provincial police headquarters.

For inhabitants of most countries, a valid passport and a visa are needed for travel through Iran. Although the restrictions were relaxed in 2006, the unofficial policy has been susceptible to fast revisions after the 2009 presidential election protests. The VOA (Visa On Arrival) is still theoretically accessible, and in 2015, Iranian consulates began to openly promote the visa-on-arrival process, which seems to have become a time-consuming but generally painless option. Some foreign ministries still advise obtaining a visa before to travel.

Tourist visas on arrival (VOA) are issued to people from 58 countries at the airports of Tehran, Mashhad, Shiraz, and Tabriz, including Azerbaijan, Albania, Germany, Austria, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Spain, Australia, Slovenia, Slovak, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Ukraine, Italy, Ireland, Bahrain, Brazil, Brunei, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Russia, Romania, and Ukraine. The duration of a tourist visa on arrival may be extended for another 15 days. Citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Somalia, Bangladesh, Jordan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan are unable to acquire visas upon arrival at airports and must have the visa stamped in their passports ahead of time. Tourists from the aforementioned nations may get an instant visa, however it does not apply to individuals with official passports, businesspeople, or journalists. Foreign visitors are not restricted from obtaining a visa upon arrival at Iranian airports several times each year.

To obtain a visa on arrival, make sure you have a valid reservation for at least one night in Iran, such as a hostel or hotel. Because the visa officer will contact your lodging, write down the hostel name, address, and phone number. If you simply put down a random hostel or hotel, your entry may be rejected since they won’t be able to authenticate your identity to the visa officer.

Most nations charge an average of €75 (US$85) for a visa (European and also Thai). The cost of a visa varies by country; for example, an Indonesian visa costs €45 (US$51). Even if you currently have insurance, you must buy a required insurance of US$16 in order to get the VOA. The paperwork will be given to you when you arrive. A passport picture is not required.

Your luggage are unlikely to be checked for pornographic material, but if any is discovered, it will be seized, complicating your arrival. Try not to bring in any publications or literature that may upset or criticize the government.

For visits of 14 days or less, citizens of all nations, including Americans, are permitted to travel to the free economic zones of Kish, Qeshm, and Chabahar without a visa. From Dubai, Kish and Qeshm are readily accessible. For further information, see the page on Kish Island.

All foreign flights into Tehran land at the new Imam Khomeini International Airport, which is located 37 kilometers southwest of the city. Pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia continue to depart from Mehrabad airport. There are 70 smaller regional airports, including as those in Shiraz, Mashhad, and Isfahan, with daily flights to a variety of foreign destinations.

Dubai offers scheduled flights to several Iranian cities, including Tehran, Shiraz, Isfahan, Kerman, Lar, Mashhad, Tabriz, Kish Island, Bandar Abbas, Bushher, Zahedan, Kermanshah, and Chah Bahar, and is therefore a viable option for visiting Iran. Iran Air, Emirates (for Tehran), Iran Aseman Airlines, Mahan Air, and other Iranian airlines conduct flights. Fares on Iranian airlines are quite low, ranging from US$100 to $250 for a round-trip ticket, depending on your location and time of purchase.

Iran Air and Mahan Air link Tehran to major European cities as well as Asian and Middle Eastern destinations. Lufthansa, KLM, Alitalia, Turkish Carriers, Austrian Airlines, Aeroflot, and Saudi Arabian Airlines, Emirates, and Etihad are among the European airlines that fly into Tehran. Finding a flight to Iran should not be difficult.

Connections through Manama, Bahrain, are also readily accessible via Gulf Air (but has stopped recently). Furthermore, Qatar Airways operates numerous flights to Iran and provides nonstop service to Doha from a number of US locations.

Low-cost airlines (LCCs) also fly to Tehran and other Iranian cities.

It is important to note that if you are not staying in Tehran and want to go to a city other than Tehran upon your arrival, you will need to change airports from Imam Khomeini to Mehrabad, which is 40 kilometers away, to catch your domestic aircraft. Allow at least three to four hours between flights. If you’re flying to Mashhad, you may be able to skip the aircraft change in Iran if you fly with Turkish Airlines, Gulf Air, Kuwait Airways, Jazeera Airways, or Qatar Airways. There are numerous flights from the Persian Gulf states to Shiraz. You may fly to Tabriz through Istanbul on Turkish Airlines or Baku on IranAir.

Despite economic restrictions, the majority of Iranian-based airlines have not had a significant incidence of accidents in recent years. However, sanctions have made it impossible to buy new aircraft, and all airlines’ fleets are outdated. Iran Air, Mahan Air, and Aseman Airlines have all been entirely safe in recent years, with no major accidents. Flying with other Iranian-based airlines is not advised due to safety concerns. Iranian pilots’ service and flying ability are widely recognized.

There are currently no direct flights from Canada or the United States due to sanctions, but you may go through Europe or the Persian Gulf States. Nonstop flights from Dubai through JFK, IAD, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston, or Toronto are excellent choices. Visitors from Australia and New Zealand may fly to Tehran through Dubai or Abu Dhabi, or utilize a combination of Iran Air and Malaysian Airlines to go from any major city in Australia to Kuala Lumpur.

Weekly flights are available from Sulamaniya in Iraqi Kurdistan to Sanandaj and from Arbil to Urmia.

Charter flights are available from Damascus to Tabriz, Tehran, Yazd, Isfahan, and Mashhad. There are companies in the Seyyedeh-Zeinab region (a famous pilgrimage destination for Iranians) who may sell you vacant tickets on these charter aircraft for less than US$100.

Caution. Any trip to Syria should be carefully evaluated for hazards related to ongoing internal conflicts inside Syria as well as possible difficulties at border crossing points. Please see the Syria page and current consular travel warnings for entry, transit, and nearby border zones. Normal services to and from Syria may be interrupted, stopped, or terminated at any time.

Turkey

Syria

Any trip to Syria should be carefully evaluated for hazards due to ongoing internal conflicts inside Syria and possible difficulties at border crossing points; please see the Syria article and current consular travel warnings covering entrance, transit, and nearby border zones for more information. Normal services to and from Syria may be interrupted, stopped, or terminated at any time.

The Syria service does not traverse Iraq, instead stopping at Aleppo before crossing the Turkish border and continuing on to Lake Van, following a similar itinerary as the Istanbul service. This trip takes 54 hours (2 nights) and departs Damascus on Monday mornings (arriving in Tehran on Wednesday evening) and departs Tehran on the same day (Monday) with a similar arrival in Damascus (Wednesday evening). Couchettes are offered between Lake Van and Tehran but must be reserved in advance for the Syrian section between Damascus and Lake Van; otherwise, reclining seats are available. The whole trip costs approximately US$90 for couchettes, and US$60 for the reclining seat and couchette combo.

Afghanistan

The Mashad-Herat railway, which is now under construction, has been completed till the city of Khaf, near the Afghan border. The daily trip from Tehran to Khaf costs approximately $5.

Iraq

The Khorramshar-Basra railway, which would link Iranian railroads to Iraq, will be finished in a few months. Special rail lines will be established for Iranian pilgrims traveling to Najaf and Karbala. Another project will be built later that will connect Kermanshah to Khanaqin in Iraq.

Pakistan

The Quetta-Zahedan railway line links Pakistan and Iran. Every 1st and 15th of the month, a train departs from Quetta; the trip takes 11 hours and costs about €8. The train departs from Zahedan on the third and seventeenth of each month in the opposite direction.

Azerbaijan

The Nakhchivan-Tabriz service links Nakhchivan (city) and Tabriz through the Jolfa border. The route was formerly part of the Tehran-Moscow railway line, which is now blocked owing to Azerbaijan-Armenia hostilities.

A railway connects Baku to the border city of Astara. From there, you may cross the border into Iran. The railway will connect to Tehran through Rasht and Qazvin.

Turkmenistan

Every day, a bus runs between Mashad and the border with Sarakhs. Because to the gauge modifications, the train cannot go any farther. There is a railway to Merv and Ashgabat on the opposite side of the border.

Another railway is being constructed from Gorgan to the Inche Borun border, with plans to extend it to Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan.

Many individuals go to Iran by automobile through Turkey.

Unless you want to pay import duty, you’ll need a Carnet de Passage. Your local drivers’ organization may help you get a Carnet (such as the RAC in the UK). An international driver’s license is strongly advised, with translation into Persian being very helpful.

Armenia

There are regular, contemporary buses from Armenia to Tabriz and even farther to Teheran. Otherwise, the sole land border between Iran and Armenia, at Nuduz/Agarak, is poorly serviced by public transportation. On the Armenian side, one Marschrutka each day from Yerevan may take you as far as Meghri. The Marshrutka departs quietly early in the morning in both ways. Marschrutkas service Kapan and Karajan more often, although it is a lengthy and hilly (and therefore costly) journey to the border from there. The only way to get to the border from Meghri is to hitchhike or take a cab. On the Iranian side, the nearest public transportation is located about 50 kilometers to the west in Jolfa, thus a cab for around US$10-15 is the only commercial option. Expect to be overcharged on all taxi trips, so aggressive negotiating is required. Making it obvious, or at least acting that you have alternative options, may help you obtain better rates.

The border is not very crowded, so while hitching, you should stick with the truck drivers, and knowing Russian or Persian will come in handy. Consider if this is a safe choice for you.

Turkey

Seir-o-Safar agencies may be found in Istanbul, Antalya, and Ankara, where you can purchase inexpensive bus tickets to Tehran. A one-way trip from Istanbul or Ankara to Tehran costs $35.00 USD.

Pakistan

You may also enter from Pakistan (depending on the political circumstances) through the border crossing between Taftan (on the Pakistani side) and Zahedan (on the Iranian side) if you have a valid visa for Iran. A visa cannot be obtained at the border. Overnight buses depart from Quetta and arrive in Taftan in the early morning; from there, you may take a cab or walk a few kilometers to the border. Once you’ve crossed the border (which may take some time on the Iranian side), you’ll need to arrange transportation to Zahedan (the nearby town), from whence buses leave for locations in Eastern Iran including Bam, Kerman, and Yazd. For more information on the crossing, see the Istanbul to New Delhi via land 3.9 Iran-Pakistan border.

Iraq

Daily buses go from Arbil to Urmia, as well as from Sanandaj and Kermanshah to Sulaymaniyah. There are additional buses from Tehran to Sulaymaniyah and Arbil.

Afghanistan

Buses run between Herat and Mashad on a daily basis. Buses pass across the Dogharoun Border. Iran constructed the road, which is said to be safe.

Turkmenistan

A bus service connects Ashgabat with Mashhad.

If you arrive by boat, you will not be able to get a Visa On Arrival. As a result, if you want to visit Iran via this route, you must get a visa ahead of time.

There are some scheduled trips from Baku to the Caspian Sea port of Bandar Anzali, as well as from towns in the Persian Gulf to cities on the Iranian coast. They are often of poor quality.

From UAE

Starting in late 2007 and early 2008, a high-quality semi-luxurious ferry service between Kish Island and Abu Dhabi and Dubai was launched. The trip over one of the busiest sections of water is guaranteed to amuse for a little cost (about US$50). However, since the boats do not arrive via the airport, it is presently unknown what the Customs and Entry Visa procedure is like when utilizing this service. While the airport’s entry/exit procedure is pretty well established, it is unclear if the process is as effectively controlled when arriving through the docks. It’s likely to be more hectic, and it’s unclear if visas are granted on the spot, as they do at the airport.

There are ferries to Bandar Abbas from Dubai and Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.

From Kuwait

Valfajr Shipping Company operates ferries from Kuwait. Rates vary depending on your specific trip, however in June 2011, Bandar Abbas-Sharjah (UAE) was sold for 795,000 rials (about US$80). Boats leave Bandar Abbas about 8 p.m. twice a week (Monday and Wednesday). Tickets may be purchased through one of the websites mentioned agencies. You should expect to be the sole non-Iranian on board. Schedules are not rigorously enforced, so plan your day around the boat ride.

Iranian transportation is of excellent quality and reasonably priced. There are just a few locations where the very inexpensive buses do not go, the rail network is small but pleasant and fairly priced, and air travel is not costly. The ticket costs are constantly set, and there are no early booking discounts.

Train stations and bus terminals, on the other hand, are often situated on the outskirts of cities. Shiraz Station, for example, is situated farther away from the city center than Shiraz International Airport. Because city transportation is severely undeveloped, the expense of an intercity journey may consist mostly of taxi charges.

Affordable domestic flight services are a godsend for anybody on a tight schedule. Iran Air, as well as semi-private rivals such as Iran Aseman Airlines (Aseman means “sky” in Persian), Mahan Air, and Kish Air, connect Tehran with most regional cities and provide inter-regional flights for less than US$60.

Their services are regular and dependable, and they are well worth considering if you want to avoid long distances inside Iran. Planes are old, and maintenance and safety procedures are often far below Western norms, but considering the high mortality toll on the roads, flying remains the safest method to travel about Iran.

Some airlines do not utilize Tupolev Tu-154s or other Russian aircraft, instead opting for MD82 or 83s. However, you’re more likely to board a Shah-era B727 or a more contemporary Fokker, ATR, or even an Airbus A310 if you’re fortunate. Busy domestic routes are sometimes flown by B747SP, and the additional boarding and run-up time are worth the excitement of flying in one of the world’s last of these reduced Jumbos. Another domestic Iranian airline, Saha Air, is the last to operate the Boeing 707 in regular commercial passenger service. If you must travel, consider renting one of the new aircraft leased from Russia.

Tickets may be purchased at airports or travel agencies located across the main cities. During the warmer months of August and September, booking early is essential since obtaining seats on short notice is almost difficult. It is possible to pay more to get on a scheduled aircraft by persuading or paying someone to take their seat. The final few tickets on certain flights will be auctioned off to the highest bidder. The conversion makes it simple for westerners to outbid everyone.

Domestic tickets are also available at certain Iran Air offices overseas, like as in Dubai. Because of the currency rate, expect to pay a bit extra. Domestic tickets for other airlines must be purchased inside Iran.

It’s worth noting that if you’re from a “western” nation, certain airlines will refuse to allow you book a domestic ticket.

The Iranian internal bus network is large and inexpensive due to the low cost of gasoline. The government has restricted buses to 80 km/h to prevent lead-footed bus drivers, thus long distance journeys like as Shiraz to Mashhad may take up to 20 hours.

There is minimal distinction between bus companies, and most have two classes: ‘lux’ or ‘Mercedes’ (2nd class) and’super’ or ‘Volvo’ (3rd class) (1st class). First-class buses are air-conditioned and offer a small snack during the journey, while second-class trips are more frequent. Given the low cost of first-class tickets (rials 70,000 from Esfehan to Shiraz, for example), there is little financial incentive to use second-class services, particularly during the summer.

Buses begin (and generally finish) their trips at large bus stops known as “terminals” () in Farsi. They do not stop along major roads like as Tehran–Esfahan except at toll booths and rest spots. This should not deter you from getting off a bus before it arrives at its destination since most passengers will take a cab from the terminal anyhow.

Tickets may be purchased at bus terminals or ticket offices up to a week in advance, but you should have no trouble obtaining a seat if you arrive at the terminal an hour or so before your scheduled departure time.

Most cities offer extensive local bus services, but given the cheap cost of cabs and the difficulty of understanding Persian-language signage (which, unlike road signs, do not have English equivalents) and route numbers, they are little use to casual visitors. If you’re short for cash and bold enough to attempt, keep in mind that the buses are segregated. Men board the bus via the front or back doors and give their ticket to the driver before taking a seat in the front section. Women and children should give their tickets to the driver via the front doors (without boarding) before entering through the back door to take a seat in the back. Ticket kiosks near most bus stations sell tickets for about 500 rials. Private buses take cash rather than tickets. Rechargeable credit card tickets are also accepted on buses and metro stations (in Tehran since 2012 paper tickets are no longer accepted in buses).

The passenger rail system is Raja Passenger Trains. Traveling across Iran by rail is usually more pleasant and quicker than using a speed-limited bus. Overnight railway sleeper beds are particularly excellent value since they enable you to enjoy a decent night’s sleep while saving money on a night’s lodging.

The rail network is divided into three major trunk lines. The first runs east to west through the country’s north, connecting the Turkish and Turkmen borders via Tabriz, Tehran, and Mashhad. The second and third run south of Tehran before splitting at Qom. One line links Ahvaz and Arak to the Persian Gulf, while the other runs across the country’s center, connecting Kashan, Yazd, Kerman, and Bandar Abbas.

Departures from mainlines are common. Six to seven trains each day depart Tehran for Kerman and Yazd, with an extra three trains headed for Yazd and Bandar Abbas. There are eleven direct overnight trains between Mashhad and Tehran, without including services to Karaj, Qom, Kashan, and other cities. Direct services between major lines are uncommon, if at all. For example, Esfahan and Yazd are linked by a railway that runs every other day.

Pardis high-speed trains run from Tehran to Mashhad and Bandar Abbas. As of 2016, another high-speed line linking Tehran, Imam Khomeini Airport, Qom, and Esfahan is under development.

Tickets may be purchased at railway stations up to one month before the departure date, although it is best to reserve at least a couple of days ahead of time during busy domestic holiday months. First-class tickets are approximately double the price of a similar bus trip.

Trains, known as “ghatar” in Persian, are arguably the cheapest, safest, most dependable, and simplest method to travel throughout the nation. As an additional bonus, you’ll get to meet the locals, taste their cuisine, and interact with other visitors. You also dodge all of the checkpoints you may face while driving. Trains are often late, so allow plenty of time between locations.

There are five Metro lines in Tehran. One of them is basically a suburban line that extends all the way to Karaj and beyond.

Mashhad has just one underground line. It connects Vakil Abad with Ghadir. Two more lines will be added in the near future.

Shiraz is served by a single metro line.

Isfahan has one metro line that links Terminal-e Kaveh to the city’s northern outskirts.

Because of the low cost of gasoline, intercity cab travel has become a very cost-effective alternative in Iran. When traveling between cities up to 250 kilometers apart, you may be able to rent one of the shared savri taxis that circulate near bus and rail terminals. Taxis are quicker than buses, and taxis will only depart if four paying customers are located, so if you’re in a rush, offer to pay for an additional seat.

Most cities also have official shared local taxis, known as Savari. The taxis have recently become yellow, and on popular routes, there are green vans with a capacity of 11 people. They charge a lower price for each passenger. They typically follow straight lines connecting important squares and monuments, with fixed tariffs ranging from 2,000 to 10,000 rials established by municipal governments.

You’ll quickly master the skill of hailing one of these cabs. Stand on the side of the road with traffic moving in the other way and hail a passing taxi. It will slow down slightly, allowing you approximately a second to scream your destination—choose a significant local landmark rather than the entire address—through the open passenger window. If the driver is interested, he will either slow down to allow you to discuss the specifics or just accept your route.

If you need a taxi quickly, you may hire one privately. Simply yell the location followed by the term dar bast (meaning ‘closed door’) and the driver will almost certainly come to a halt. Negotiate the amount before you leave, but since you are paying for all of the vacant seats, expect to spend four times the usual shared cab rate.

You may also hire these cabs by the hour to visit a variety of places, but expect to spend between 40,000 and 70,000 rials per hour, depending on your negotiating abilities.

The majority of taxis have “taximeters,” although only ‘closed door’ green cabs utilize them.

Iran has traditionally been an appealing nation to explore by automobile due to its extensive road network and cheap gasoline prices. However, a new government fuel levy on visitors entering Iran by vehicle has dampened the appeal slightly.

Foreigners coming in Iran with their own vehicle must have a Carnet de passage as well as a valid international driver’s license. Petrol stations can be found on the outskirts of all cities and towns, and a mechanic is never far away in car-crazy Iran.

Don’t underestimate the utter mayhem that is Iran’s traffic. The often-ignored road regulations require you to drive on the right unless overtaking and to yield to vehicles approaching a roundabout. On intercity roads, drivers regularly exceed 160 km/h (100 mph). Seat belt laws mandating rear passengers to wear seat belts are not frequently followed.

Be careful that motorbikes carrying up to five persons without helmets are sometimes observed.

Large boulders in the center of the road should be avoided. These are often put in an effort to rupture your tires. Following that, a bystander will offer to change your tire for $US50. This is, of course, a fraud that happens mainly at night but has decreased as a result of rigorous enforcement.

You may also hire a vehicle for $US20-50 per day. Insurance and legal responsibility may make you reconsider renting a vehicle, particularly because hiring a car with a driver typically costs the same.

People are not permitted to transport their pets in their own vehicles and will face driving fines if detected by the police.

Iranian highways and main streets are frequently equipped with traffic enforcement cameras.

• Tehran – Tehran is Iran’s bustling capital, a lovely city plagued by terrible traffic and pollution.
• Hamedan – Hamedan is one of Iran’s ancient cities.
• Isfahan – Isfahan is a former capital with beautiful architecture, a huge market, and tree-lined boulevards. The country’s most popular tourism attraction. “Isfahan is half the globe,” says a Persian proverb.
• Mashad – Mashad is the largest city in Eastern Iran, featuring a significant mosque and the Imam Reza shrine.
• Qazvin – Qazvin was the historic capital of the Persian Empire under the Safavids and has served as an important site throughout history.
• Qom – Qom is called the Jewel of Iran and is one of the holiest cities in the Middle East.
• Shiraz – a former capital and the birthplace of renowned Persian poets such as Hafiz and Sa’di, as well as gardens, particularly rose gardens. Persepolis’ renowned remains are just a short distance away.
• Tabriz – a former city with a large ancient market and the provincial seat of Western Iran; some believe it is the location of the Biblical “Garden of Eden.”
• Yazd – Yazd, a distant desert city, has unique architectural motifs, such as water streams running through subterranean chambers in homes and wind-towers to keep them cool.

• Persepolis – Near the present city of Shiraz, impressive ruins of a huge city-like structure constructed about 2,500 years ago. Alexander of Macedon set fire to it, and Arabs further destroyed it. Persepolis, also known as TakhteJamshid in Persian, is the national emblem of Iran.
• Kish Island – With many malls, retail centers, tourist attractions, and resort hotels, Kish Island, a free trade zone in the Persian Gulf, is considered as a consumer’s ‘paradise.’
• Qeshm Island is the biggest island in Iran in the Persian Gulf. The Hara maritime forests, for example, are a popular ecotourist destination on Qeshm Island. According to environmentalists, Hara woods, Iran’s first national geo park, attracts approximately 1.5 percent of the world’s birds and 25% of the country’s native birds each year.
• Susa, or Shush, was Iran’s most ancient city, situated 200 kilometers north of Ahvaz. Among the historical landmarks are the Ziggurat of Chughazanbil, Darius the Great’s palace, the Jewish prophet Daniel’s temple, and Artaxerxer II’s palace.
• Dizin, one of the world’s highest ski resorts, lies only two hours north of Tehran. This is a wonderful location for a ski vacation since it has superb powder snow, low rates, and few foreign tourists.
• The Tomb of Cyrus is located at Pasargad, the Achaemenid Empire’s initial capital.
• Alamut, near Qazvin, is the famous Assassins’ fortress.

The tiny, cheap mosferkhaneh and mehmnpazir guesthouses that litter most centers vary from elegant, albeit a bit tired, five star hotels in large cities to the small, inexpensive mosferkhaneh and mehmnpazir guesthouses that litter most centres. Furthermore, since these facilities have a recommendation from local governments to accommodate all visitors, employees in mosferkhuneh are often glad to offer rooms for non-Iranians.

For longer visits, villas with full amenities (including central air conditioning, a pool, and Internet access) may be leased for a reasonable price in Tehran and other large cities. It’s worth noting that a guy and a woman can’t share a hotel room unless they can provide proof of their connection (as a married couple or siblings). This legislation generally does not apply to foreign visitors.

Traditional hotels may also be found throughout central Iran, particularly in Isfahan, Shiraz, and Yazd.

• Hegmatane (or Ekbatana) was the ancient Medes’ capital. In today’s Hamedan.
• Persepolis – Persepolis is perhaps Iran’s most significant historical landmark. Darius constructed the capital of the Achaemenid (Persian) Empire. In the vicinity of Shiraz.
• Pasargad (or Pasargadae) – Cyrus the Great constructed Pasargad (or Pasargadae) as the Persian Empire’s first capital. In the vicinity of Shiraz.
• Susa – Susa has three levels of civilization, having been built by Elamites and subsequently adopted by the Achaemenid (Persian) and Sasanid empires. Located in the Khuzestan province, in the modern-day town of Shush.
• Chogha Zanbil– Elamites constructed Chogha Zanbil, a ziggurat. Shush is close by.
• Na’in or ”’Naeen”’ or Naein is a tiny pre-Islamic city in central Iran with a history dating back over 2000 years. It’s a tiny pattern of a desert village from the past. In Na’in, the people still talk in an old Zoroastrian dialect.
• Sialk Mount (Tappeh Sialk) – Sialk Mount (Tappeh Sialk) is the world’s oldest ziggurat, dating back over 7,000 years. Kashan’s outskirts.
• Jiroft
• The ancient subterranean aqueducts of the Persian Qanat, 11 of which have been placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

• Cyrus the Great in Pasargad near Shiraz.
• Avicenna in Hamedan.
• Khayyam in Neyshaboor (near Mashhad).
• Prophet Daniel in Susa (Shush).
• Mordechai and Esther in Hamedan.
• Saadi and Hafez famous Persian poets in Shiraz.
• “‘Imam Reza’” an ornate shrine to the eighth of the Shiite imams (the only one buried in Iran) in Mashhad.

The Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art is a contemporary art museum in Tehran. The former Shah and his wife, who were ardent and showy collectors, amassed one of the world’s most significant modern and contemporary art collections, which is conservatively estimated at $2.5 billion USD. Pablo Picasso, Wassily Kandinsky, Andy Warhol, Marcel Duchamp, Francis Bacon, David Hockney, and Jackson Pollock are among the artists represented. Much of it is still uncatalogued, both because of its abundance and because it is presently forbidden.

For many years, no western works have been on display, but staff expressed optimism in late 2013 that the authorities would give permission for certain items to be exhibited as part of a tourism push. It will have to wait and see. Meanwhile, art fans may sigh while leafing through a reference copy of part of the collection, which is available for viewing at reception. Nonetheless, the museum is worth a visit for a rare chance to see modern Iranian art that, although innovative and forward-thinking in execution, adheres to established values.

• Sadabad. Mohammad-Reza Shah and his family used to reside in this palace complex. Some palaces have been turned into museums. Tehran is the capital of Iran.
• Falak-ol-aflak – Falak-ol-Aflak Castle is one of the most significant buildings of the Sassanid period.
• Shamsolemare
• Shah Abbas II constructed the Forty Pillar Palace (Chehel Sotoun, meaning “Forty Columns”) in the midst of a park at the far end of a long pool in Isfahan, Iran, for his amusement and banquets. On the terrace or in one of the magnificent reception rooms, Shah Abbas II and his successors would entertain dignitaries and diplomats. The name, which means “Forty Columns” in Persian, was inspired by the entry pavilion’s twenty thin wooden columns, which are believed to seem to be forty when reflected in the fountain’s waters.
• Ālī Qāpū (The Royal Palace) – Early in the seventeenth century. It is forty-eight meters tall with seven levels connected by a challenging spiral stairway. Deep circular recesses in the walls of the sixth-floor music area provide not only decorative but also acoustic value. It is full with realistic wall paintings by Reza Abbassi, Shah Abbas I’s royal painter, and his students. Floral, animal, and bird themes may be found.

Square Naqsh-e Jahan, also known as Shah Square or Imam Square, was built in 1602. There are two mosques and a market. It is a significant historical site that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The plaza is surrounded by Safavid-era structures.

Iran beaches provide a diverse range of beach options for visitors. The warm weathered beaches of Iran along the Caspian Sea provide a variety of moods and sensations. The beaches in Iran’s southern regions provide mild weather that is often nice. Iran’s coastline along the Persian Gulf has hilly vistas, as well as sand and swamps to explore.

Beaches of Kish Island

The Persian Gulf coast around Kish Island boasts stunning blue seas. In these magnificent crystal clear waterways, you can see aquatic vegetation and creatures. The beach on Kish Island is known for its safety and is a popular swimming and fishing destination in Iran. Walk down the sandy beach to see the coral reefs in this region, which are protected by the sun all year.

Glass-bottomed boats and scuba diving are among the activities available on Kish Island. Water sport vessels and motorboats are available for hire.

Beaches along the Caspian Coast

The Caspian Sea, which is located in northern Iran, is the world’s biggest land-locked lake. The beaches are sandy and beautiful, in addition to the magnificent landscape provided by the roads leading to the Caspian Sea. Tropical weather prevails throughout the summer months, while the winters are moderate. Resorts on the beach provide a fantastic escape amid Iran’s beaches.

Seaport in Chabahar

The Chabahar seaport is located on the coast of southeastern Iran, near the Oman Sea. In the winter, visitors to this region may enjoy water sports as well as leisure. Sunsets from the rocky region near Chabahar’s shore are spectacular. Swimming is permitted in certain areas along the coast of Oman. In Chabahar, you may do water skiing, canoeing, scuba diving, and a variety of other water activities.

Seaport in Bandar Abbas

Silky sand and spacious beaches may be found on the Iran beaches near Bandar Abbas, which overlook the Straight of Hormoz. In this area, the summer months are hot and humid, while the winter months are nice. Children enjoy Bandar Abbas’ gentle sloping beaches, which provide as a safe playground in nature. In this part of Iran, hotels offer gardens, swimming pools, and fields where guests may enjoy games while walking along the coastline.

Bushehr Province Beach

Sandy and stony beaches may be found along the coast of Bushehr province. Water activities are popular along the sandy beaches of the coasts. Enjoy the beauty in this area, which is near to Iran’s main cities. While visiting Bushehr, you can see limestone that makes up the rocky beaches, which adds to the region’s natural beauty. The winter season draws the most visitors.

The northern portion of Iran is covered with thick rain forests known as Shomal or Iran’s Jungles. The eastern portions of the nation are mainly desert basins, including Iran’s biggest desert, the Dasht-e Kavir, in the north-central part of the country, and the Dasht-e Lut, in the east, as well as several salt lakes. There’s also the Center Desert, which, as its name implies, is found in the central parts of the country. Rain clouds cannot reach these areas because the mountain ranges are too high.

Desert tracking, camel riding, bicycle riding, and 4×4 driving trips are just a few of the activities available in the desert.

There are certain camping spots accessible in some arid areas. Na’in and Kashan are the best places to go for low-cost desert excursions.

Around Tehran, there are five ski slopes. They may be found in the towns of Dizin, Darbandsar, Tochal, and Shemshak.

The Dizin piste, located north of Tehran and accessible during the winter months through Chalous Road or Fasham Road, is the longest.

Shemshak has a more professional slope that is utilized for national and international competitions.

The ski slopes near Tehran can all be reached by car in around 1-2 hours.

The Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf both have coastlines in Iran. Kish Island in the Persian Gulf is well-known for its beaches, which males may enjoy all year while women can only utilize covered beaches.

Meal hours in Iran differ significantly from those in Europe and the United States. Lunch is usually served between 12 and 3 p.m., while supper is usually served around 8 p.m. In Iran, these and other social gatherings are often lengthy, drawn-out events with a leisurely pace, including pastries, fruit, and perhaps nuts. Because refusing what is given is considered impolite, guests should accept the things supplied, even if they do not plan to eat them.

Alcohol imports and use are severely prohibited in the vast part of Iran, but are permitted in a few remote and poorly controlled regions. The consequences are serious. Religious minority, on the other hand, are permitted to make and consume limited amounts of alcohol, but not to sell, export, or import it. Pig and pork products are prohibited, and their import, like alcohol, is banned; nevertheless, in reality, businesses servicing the Christian community are permitted to sell pork without incident.

Travelers will be pleased to learn that Iranian food is excellent. A broad range of influences from Central Asia, the Caucasus, Russia, Europe, and the Middle East have resulted in a variety of reasonably healthful meals that emphasize fresh vegetables and fragrant herbs. The bad news is that Iranians prefer to dine at home rather than at restaurants, thus good restaurants are hard to come by and provide a limited menu of foods (mainly kebabs). An invitation to dine at an Iranian house will undoubtedly be a highlight of your visit. It is traditional for Iranians to bring a little gift while visiting an Iranian home for the first time or on a significant occasion. Popular gifts include flowers, chocolates, and pastries.

Traditional cuisine

Iranian cuisine is similar to that of surrounding Middle Eastern and South Asian nations, yet it is unique in significant aspects.

Iranian cuisine is based on fragrant rice (, berenj). It is often colored with saffron or flavored with a variety of spices after being boiled and then steamed. It is known as chelo () when served simply as an accompaniment. Kebab variants (chelo kabb, ) and rotisserie chicken (chelo morgh, ) are the two most popular meat / chelo combos. Polo, or flavored rice, is often served as a main meal or as a side dish to meat dishes. Shirin polo with orange zest, young cherries, and honey glazed carrots, bghli polo with broad beans and herbs, and sabzi polo with parsley, dill, and mint are just a few examples.

On Iranian restaurant menus, the rice and kebab dish chelo kabb () and its half-dozen variants are the most frequent (and sometimes the only) dishes. A grilled skewer of meat is served with a variety of sauces atop a bed of fluffy rice. Butter, grilled tomatoes, and a sour spice called somgh may be added to your rice, and some places will also offer a raw egg yolk. Between mouthfuls, a raw onion and fresh basil are used to cleanse your palette. The meats with which kabb meals are prepared provide variety. You’ll often come across:

• Kabāb koobideh (كباب كوبيده) – is a kebab made with minced beef, chopped onion, and spice.
• Kabāb barg (كباب برگ) – Pieces of lamb marinated with lemon juice and chopped onion are known as kabba barg.
• Joojeh kabāb (جوجه كباب) – A skewer of chicken parts marinated in lemon juice and saffron is known as joojeh kabb.
• Kabāb bakhtiāri (كباب ب‍ختیارِی) – a skewer of alternating chicken and lamb chunks that is excellent for the picky eater.

People often eat rice with a thick stew (khoresht) including a little quantity of meat at home. There are hundreds of khoresht variants, such as the sweet and sour fessenjn created from crushed walnuts and pomegranate syrup; the most famous ghormeh-sabzi is based on fresh herbs, dried limes, and kidney beans; and gheimehflavoured with split-peas and often topped with French fries.

Hearty Iranian soups may be a meal in and of itself. The most popular dish is the vegetarian sh reshteh, which is prepared with herbs, chickpeas, and thick noodles and topped with kashk (which looks like yoghurt but is not) and fried onions.

Flat bread (nn, ) is another staple of Iranian cuisine. It is served with herbs, feta cheese, and a variety of jams for breakfast or as a complement to meals. Sangak is a dimpled variation that is baked in a pebbled oven, while lavsh () is a thin and tasteless staple.

International cuisine

In Tehran and other large cities, there are many excellent foreign restaurants that provide Chinese, Japanese, Italian, and French cuisine, as well as vegetarian options.

Fast food and snacks

The majority of food outlets in Iran are either kabbis or fast food restaurants offering conventional cuisine such as burgers, sandwiches, felafels, or pizza (). At noon, a burger and a soft drink at a snack store would set you back about IR 40,000, while pizzas start at IR 50,000.

Traditional snacks and small dinners are also available at many teahouses. The most popular is bgusht (), a hot pot composed of lamb, chickpeas, and dried limes that is also known as dizi, the name of the dish in which it is served. You will be handed a bowl (the dizi) holding the bgusht as well as a second, smaller dish. Drain the liquid into the smaller dish and serve with the bread supplied as a soup. Then, using the pestle supplied, pound the remaining meat and veggies into a paste and serve with more bread, raw onion slices, and wads of fresh herbs.

Sweets and desserts

The country’s love with sweets and pastries, known collectively as shirini, explains the country’s never-ending need for dentists.

Iranian baghlava is firmer and more crystalline than Turkish baghlava, while the pistachio noughat known as gaz is an Isfahan specialty. Sohan is a rich pistachio brittle famous in Qom, and freshly made pastries are often taken as housewarming presents. Lavshak fruit leathers are excellent dried plum fruit leathers.

Honey-saffron and pistachio are only two native ice cream flavors, whereas floodeh is a delightfully refreshing sorbet prepared from rosewater and vermicelli noodles produced from starch, topped with lemon juice.

Special needs

Vegetarians will have a particularly tough time in Iran, given that the majority of visitors are forced to consume kebabs for the majority of their stay. Most snack shops offer falafels and garden salads (sld-e-fassl) and greengrocers are plentiful. Most sh variants are meatless and hearty, as are most kookoo, an Iranian spin on the frittata. In addition, some restaurants provide Spaghetti with Soya (Soy). Pizzas such as Vegetarian Pizza (Pitz Sabzijt, ) or Cheese Pizza (Pitz Panir) or Mushroom Pizza (Pitz Ghrch, ) are available nearly everywhere, while Margherita Pizza is available in certain places. The words man giaah-khaar hastam (I am a vegetarian) and bedoon-e goosht (no meat) will be useful.

Most food in Iran is halal (all, halaal) and will comply with Islamic dietary rules as stated in the Qur’an, with the exception of certain stores in areas with significant Christian populations. Those wanting a strictly kosher diet, on the other hand, may need to focus their efforts in areas with a larger Jewish population. If you’re in Tehran, seek for older neighborhoods in the city’s south, such as Udlajan or the Yusef Abad neighborhood.

Iran’s national drink is black tea (chi, ). It is served hot and with crystallised or cubed sugar (ghand, ) held elegantly between the teeth as the tea is drunk. You may request milk in your tea, but anticipate odd stares or a long wait in return. Tea houses (chi khneh, ) are a popular local hangout for males (and, less often, families) to sip tea and puff on a water pipe.

Coffee (ghahveh, ) is less popular than tea. When Turkish coffee, French coffee, or espresso is available, it is offered. Imported instant coffee (nescffe,) and instant Cappuccino are also available. Coffee shops (called “coffeeshop” in Persian, as opposed to “ghaveh-khane” (literally, coffee house), which refers to tea houses) are more common in wealthy and youthful neighborhoods.

Fruit juices (b miveh, ) are sold by stores and street sellers. Cherry cordial (sharbat lbloo) and banana milkshakes (shir moz, ) are also offered.

There is a broad variety of soft drinks available. International brands like Coca-Cola and Pepsi, as well as their brand names like 7up, Sprite, and Fanta, have sold alongside indigenous brands like Zam Zam Cola (, Zam Zam Kola). The local cola tastes similar to “Coca-Cola Original” or “Pepsi Original.” Coca-Cola and PepsiCo’s concentrates reached Iran via Irish companies, avoiding US trade embargoes. ZamZam, ironically, was founded in 1954 as a subsidiary of the Pepsi Cola business. As an intriguing result of the Iranian cola wars, genuine coke was generally sold in plastic bottles, while non-genuine coke was distributed in the real thing bottles that the then syrup-less bottler was stuck with at the time, using a substitute syrup devised to overcome earlier Clinton era US imposed embargoes.

Doogh is a sour drink consisting of yoghurt, salt, and water (occasionally gaseous) that may be flavored with mint or other herbs. It takes some getting used to, but it will rapidly rehydrate you in the heat of Iran’s summer. It’s the same thing as Turkish Ayran. It can be bought nearly everywhere and is often eaten in the afternoon with kababs. It is available in two flavors: fizzy (gaz-daar) and non-fizzy (bigaz).

Only Muslims are permitted to consume alcohol, and those who do so may face penalty if caught. As a result, it is uncommon to locate establishments in Iran that openly offer alcohol. Non-Muslims, on the other hand, are permitted to manufacture alcohol for personal use. Drinking is, nevertheless, popular among certain individuals, particularly during celebrations and weddings, and is legally permitted for usage in the tiny Christian and Jewish communities, although exclusively for religious reasons (e.g., wine for holy communion). Non-Muslims have no legal drinking/purchasing age. Non-Muslims are permitted to import alcoholic drinks into Iran by the Iranian government.

Iran’s currency is the rial (IRR). Coins are available in denominations of 50, 100, 250, 500, 1,000, 2,000, and 5,000 rials. Banknotes are issued in denominations of 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, and 100,000, while “Iran Cheques” are issued in quantities of 500,000 and 1,000,000.

Confusion with the money is normal for a visitor at first, not just because of the high numbers, but also because of the shorthand that is often utilized. Prices for products may be conveyed or written in toman rather than rial. One toman is worth ten rials. There are no toman notes; prices are stated as such as a convenience. If it is not apparent, provide the currency in which the price is stated.

Due to the sanctions, ATMs and businesses in Iran usually do not take international (non-Iranian) cards, so carry all of your cash, preferably in US dollars or Euros.

Currency exchange agencies like banknotes in excellent shape as well as big bills ($100 or €100). Minor denominations may be helpful for making tiny purchases before visiting an exchange office, but many exchange businesses will not exchange small notes. The maximum amount that may be exchanged at night at Tehran International Airport is €50 per person.

The finest locations to convert money are the private exchange offices (sarfi) that can be found in most major towns and tourist areas. Their prices are often 20% lower than the official rates provided by banks, they are more faster and need no paperwork, and, unlike their black market counterparts, they can be tracked afterwards if anything goes wrong. Exchange offices may be located in large cities and are typically open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Sunday through Thursday. Please keep in mind that most are closed on Fridays and holidays. There’s no sense in putting yourself at danger by using black market moneychangers who hang around outside big banks and only provide slightly better rates than the institutions.

A list of all licensed sarraafis in the nation may be found here, in Persian (Farsi). This list contains phone numbers, addresses, license numbers, and dates.

The most often used currencies are the US dollar ($) and the euro (€). Other major currencies, such as the Australian Dollar and the Japanese Yen, are accepted by many, but not all, money changers. Non-major currencies are often not exchangeable. US$100 and big euro unfolded bills tend to get the best conversion rate, but any old or torn notes or lesser denomination notes may be given lower rates or rejected.

Foreign credit cards are only accepted by certain businesses with foreign bank accounts, such as Persian rug merchants, and they nearly always demand a fee for paying with a credit card rather than cash. Most of these shops would gladly send you some cash on your credit card together with your purchase. If you are in a need, you may try asking these businesses to extend you the same courtesy without purchasing a rug or memento, but expect to pay a charge of about 10%.

Traveller’s checks: Cashing travelers cheques may be hit-or-miss, and it is not recommended to depend on travelers cheques issued by American or European businesses.

Prepaid debit cards are available in Iranian banks and are a viable alternative to carrying huge amounts of cash throughout the nation. Check that the card you purchase has ATM withdrawal capabilities and that you are aware of the daily withdrawal limit. Because Iran’s ATM network is prone to disruptions, make sure you withdraw your full amount before leaving the country.

Bank-e Melli-ye Iran (National Bank of Iran), a government-owned bank in Iran, offers an ATM debit card service (plastic magnetic card) to visitors to the country. Tourists just need to go to the closest branch of this bank. This service’s details may be found here. Sepah Bank, also known as Bank -e- Sepah, is a governmental bank that offers a current account service for foreigners, as well as an ATM debit card and a cheque writing option. Another method to avoid having your money taken is to go to your closest bank and get a gift card (Kart-e Hadiyeh). They function just like regular ATM debit cards, except they cannot be refilled after they are depleted. The first two options are preferable. A list of Iranian banks that are authorized may be found here.

Bank-e Melli-ye Iran (BMI), Bank-e Sepah, Bank Mellat, Bank-e Saaderaat-e Iran (BSI), Bank-e Paasaargad and Bank-e Saamaan (Saamaan Bank), and Beank-e Paarsiaan all have branches outside the nation, which may be found on their websites. Before you arrive, you may establish a bank account in another country. This may be feasible in certain European nations. You may discover the URLs of these banks’ websites by utilizing popular search engines; next, click the link to the English part of their websites, which is typically indicated by the word English or the abbreviation En.’

While the stores provide a broad range of high-quality products, local things may be found at the many bazaars. Hand-carved and inlaid woodwork, painted and molded copper, carpets, rugs, silks, leather products, mats, tablecloths, gold, silver, glass, and ceramics are among the items purchased. There are limitations on what things may be carried out of the nation, and many countries limit the quantity of commodities that can be brought in owing to sanctions.

When purchasing handicrafts, carpets, or large priced goods, bargain fiercely; when hailing private cabs, bargain moderately. Prices are set in most other areas of life.

Tipping is not customarily required, although locals will usually round up the cost in cabs and add about 10% in restaurants. Porters and bellboys may expect to be paid 5,000 rials. A little donation of a few thousand tomns may assist oil the gears of Iranian society while also thanking a particularly kind local.

You won’t be able to avoid the government-mandated dual pricing system that applies to lodging and certain tourist sites in Iran; foreigners often pay up to five times the amount given to locals. Prices, on the other hand, are often quite affordable by Western standards.

Because of the highly fluctuating currency rate and significant inflation, many guidebooks and travel companies’ projected costs are quickly out of current.

If you are willing to stay in the cheapest guesthouses, travel solely by bus, and eat only at fast food restaurants or kabbi, you may get by in Iran on a daily budget of about 500,000 rials. A more reasonable budget is about 1,000,000 rials if you want to dine at a good restaurant once in a while and stay in mid-range accomodation. You may easily spend 3,000,000 rials per day if you want to dine and sleep in luxury and travel between key attractions.

• Norouz Eve, The commencement of the Iranian New Year and the beginning of Spring. On March 20th or March 21st. It has its origins in the Zoroastrian faith.
• Chahar-shanbe Suri (Wednesday festival) – On the previous Wednesday before Noruz. People started fires. Jumping over a fire while reciting a particular phrase is a traditional celebration. It now includes a large number of firecrackers. Despite the fact that the government is opposed to it and police typically disperse gatherings of young people!
• Shab-e Yalda, Yalda’s celebration is also known as Shab-e Cheleh. This celebration dates back to the period when Zoroastrianism was expanding across Central Asia. The event is held in December and the precise date is determined by calculating the longest night of the year. According to the old Persian calendar system, the date always occurs in December (the 21st or 22nd). Yalda is remembered as the night when evil was ultimately vanquished and the divine forces triumphed in the battle for mankind. The event is also seen as the triumph of the holy Zoroastrian God Mazda over the evil Ahriman. The focus, like with other Iranian holidays, is on preparing delicacies at home. Among the many traditional Iranian dishes prepared during Yalda, the usage of melons is highlighted. Eating melon at this time of year is believed to keep diseases at bay. During Yalda, almost every commercial restaurant offers melon-based meals, ranging from pies to breads made with melon seeds. Throughout the day, prayers are conducted, and the festivities intensify as night falls. The bazaars (rustic markets) are best visited in the late nights, when they are brilliantly illuminated.
• Golabgiri, from Kashan, near Isfahan. Some people travel there in the spring to get the native rose water. It has a pleasant aroma and is often used in traditional beverages.
• Jashan-e-Sadeh Festival – The Jashan festival, which takes place in January, is also known as the ‘Zoroastrian Midwinter’ celebration. The term ‘Jashan’ means ‘celebration,’ and this is one of the most passionately observed traditional Iranian holidays. On this day, most families burn a wood pyre. The pyre’s flame is symbolic, as it is said to drive out demons and signal the start of the traditional, Iranian New Year. The heat of the blaze symbolizes purity and a positive omen that triumphs against evil, which is symbolized by the icy, cold weather that prevails in January. During the Jashan holiday festivities, visitors are often seen enjoying tiny bonfires that sprout up throughout every street in Tehran. This is perhaps the greatest method to get familiar with the Iranian people’s cultural heritage. Conversations often center on Lord Mihr’s triumph on the eve of the first-ever Jashan and how this festival was preserved when Christianity dominated in Central Asia and was celebrated as a delayed New Year.

In general, Iranians are kind, polite, and giving people who are fascinated by outsiders and different cultures. The following traditions and etiquette guidelines may be helpful while interacting with Iranians:

Despite its well-known stringent Islamic moral code, Iranian regulations are not as severe as those of other nations such as Saudi Arabia. Respecting the hundreds of unwritten norms and regulations of Iranian life may be intimidating for visitors, but don’t be put off. As a foreigner, you will be granted freedom, and it will not take long for you to adjust.

The civilization, like the majority of those in the Middle East and Central Asia, has a long history of hospitality. Guests are often treated very nicely. On the other side, there is some insularity; any stranger is likely to be treated with mistrust. In Persian, for Mr. and Mrs., they use “Aghaye [name], Khanoome [name], and they utilize plural verbs and pronouns out of respect. They often welcome by extending their hand to shake or/and offer a hug, as is customary in the Middle East. And they’ll say: Kheili Khosh Amadid. (For greeting, say “Welcome!” If you are a male, do not try to shake hands with a woman until she extends her hand willingly. When you meet a seated, he or she will rise.

The majority of Iranians are not Arabs, and their main language is Persian (also known as Farsi or Parsi). In general, referring to them as “Arabs” may annoy them. Iranians are very proud of their history, nationality, and country, and they are quite sensitive to this.

Iran has a documented history and a civilization that dates back over 4,000 years. It was captured three times: once by the Greeks under Alexander in the fourth century BCE, once by the Arabs in the eighth century CE, and once by the Mongols in the thirteenth. The term “Persia” is of Greek origin and is given to Iran. “Persian” and “Iranian” are not synonymous, since Iran is home to several ethnic groups, including Persian, Azeri, Kurd, Arab, Baluchi, and Mazandarani. Following the Arab invasion, the Persian alphabet was replaced by an Arabic-based one. Indeed, the term “Farsi” is an Arabic articulation of the word “Parsi,” which originally meant “Persian.” Many loan terms from the Arabic language are now used in the Persian language. Some Persian terms have also made their way into Arabic. Kurdish, Persian, and Balochi are all Western Iranian languages, while Pashto is Eastern Iranian. Persian is the official language of three countries: Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan, and it is spoken in 13 other countries in the area as well as by the Iranian diaspora worldwide.

Throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Iran was often exposed to adverse political intervention by the Russian Empire and its successor, the Soviet Union. The British, and later the United States, attempted to influence and control Iran’s politics, resources, and destiny. Iraq, led by Saddam Hussein and backed by the majority of the world, attacked and invaded Iran in 1980, resulting in a brutal 8-year war that severely harmed the country’s infrastructure and depleted its resources.

Given the above, the Iranian people believe that history has not always been on their side and that the international community owes them respect and compassion.

The modest clothing required of Iranian residents is perhaps the most obvious manifestation of the country’s Islamic leanings. Although regular Western-style attire is allowed in private houses, women are expected to cover everything except their faces, hands, and feet when out in public.

The most popular uniform is a head scarf (roo-sari, ) to cover the head and neck, a formless, knee-length coat known as a manteau (), and a long dress or pair of trousers. In holy places, you will be required to dress even more modestly in a chdor, a full-length swath of black fabric intended to conceal everything but your face.

As a foreigner, a female tourist is required to cover her hair and body, save for her hands and feet. Foreigners are usually tolerated more than Iranian women when it comes to the details of the dress code. This does not, however, involve letting one’s hair completely exposed under any circumstances. In the summer, a “appropriate” attire could include a long, loose dress or blouse worn over a loose skirt or trousers and a scarf, and in the winter, a full-length woolen coat and scarf (calf-length is acceptable if worn over pants). All colors and patterns that are modest in nature are allowed. Even while participating in public sports activities (such as tennis or running), the above-mentioned clothing code must be followed.

Men must also adhere to the following dress code: Short-sleeved shirts and t-shirts are appropriate for everyday use. Only shorts and three-quarter length pants are permitted on the beach. Men’s dress clothing is comparable to that seen in Europe. Neckties should be avoided while visiting one of the more conservative government agencies. Neckties are seen by the government to be a symbol of Imperialism and a harbinger of the pro-western monarchy period, and are thus prohibited for officials and office employees in state-run businesses. Outside, it is perfectly permissible, but it implies apathy for or hostility to governmental laws and ideals. For males, jogging in tracksuits (but not shorts) is allowed.

Individuals of the same sex should be greeted with a handshake, three kisses, or both, while people of the opposing sex should avoid physical contact in public. Instead, wait for them to introduce themselves, or just introduce yourself regularly. (Bowing with your hand over your heart has been out of style since the 1970s and is seldom seen nowadays.) Shake hands with a member of the opposing sex only when he or she extends his or her hand first.

Be wary about starting political debates. The relative political openness of ex-President Mohammad Khatami’s period is rapidly disappearing, and outspoken resistance may be more hassle than it’s worth, even if your Iranian friends join in. It is better not to address sensitive issues such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict or the role of Islam in society, regardless of your point of view.

Tarof is a real Persian politeness that emphasizes both self-deference and social status. The phrase refers to a variety of social behaviors, ranging from a guy showing etiquette by opening the door for another person to a group of coworkers standing on ceremony in front of a door that can only let one person through at a time, pleading with the most senior to break the stalemate.

The predominance of tarof often leads to negotiating techniques that vary from those seen in European or North American cultures. A worker negotiating a salary, for example, may begin with a eulogy of the boss, followed by a long negotiation session consisting solely of indirect, courteous language – all sides are supposed to grasp the implicit subject of discussion. It is very typical for an Iranian worker (even one working in an Iranian neighborhood inside Europe) to labor free for a week or two before discussing pay. Similarly, a merchant may refuse to name a price for an item at first, implying that it is worthless. Tarof forces the client to insist on paying, perhaps many times, before a merchant ultimately estimates a price and the actual bargaining begins.

Tarof also controls hospitality rules: a host is obligated to provide everything a visitor may want, and a guest is equally obligated to reject it. This process may be repeated many times until the host and visitor decide if the host’s offer and the guest’s rejection are genuine or just polite. It is possible to request that someone not tarof (tarof näkonid), but this introduces additional complications since the request itself may be a cunning kind of tarof. The best way to deal with Tarof is to be straightforward yet courteous. Accept or reject as quickly as you want, knowing that Iranians will not be upset. Despite the fact that Tarof is simply about the art of politeness, your participation in Tarof may lead to a vicious circle of hypocrisy that will spoil your whole stay. The exception may be food; as previously said, visitors are required to accept food given during dinner, regardless of whether they plan to eat it.

Although no journey to Iran is complete without seeing the magnificent architecture and solemn settings of its mosques or sacred sites, many visitors are intimidated by the idea of entering the alien world of a mosque. Don’t let your concerns deter you; Iranians are kind and will understand any unintentional violation of etiquette.

Some mosques and the majority of holy sites demand women to wear a chdor before entering the compound. If you don’t have one, there are usually booths at the entrance that lend or rent chdors. Inside a mosque or shrine, males should wear long-sleeved shirts, but this is not required.

Shoes are not permitted in mosques or shrines where prayers are held. In busier mosques, there are free shoe repositories where you may exchange your shoes for a token. Also, try to avoid mosques on Fridays since they will be considerably crowded, and don’t photograph a mosque when prayers are in session.

Non-Muslims are generally not permitted to enter holy shrines like as those in Mashad and Qom, but the surrounding complexes are acceptable. Always inquire first before entering a room you are unfamiliar with.

In Iran, the thumbs up sign is considered highly impolite, approximately comparable to raising the middle finger in Western nations.

Hitchhiking is uncommon in Iran, since the nation has a well-developed public transit system. If you hitchhike, don’t give a thumbs up. Instead, extend your hand, palm down, and move it up and down below the waist in a gesture similar to a British driver’s hand indicating that he is stopping for a pedestrian crossing. As in Japan, if you are clearly an outsider, you are likely to make quick and amicable progress. Also, keep in mind that drivers usually want to be paid, and hitchhiking is frequently more costly than riding the bus, unless you are an experienced haggler.

Contrary to common perception, public practice of various faiths is officially allowed in Iran, with the exception of the Baha’i faith and Ahmadiyyah. There has a significant Christian population, the most of whom are ethnic Armenians or Assyrians/Chaldeans, as well as a tiny Jewish population (which is nevertheless, the largest Jewish community in the Middle East outside Israel). Aside from the Abrahamic religions, there exist a sizable number of Zoroastrians who are essentially free to practice their own religion.

However, keep in mind that this is still a conservative Muslim nation, and avoid doing or saying anything that might be seen as an offense to Islam. It’s also worth noting that Islamic clothing rules still apply to non-Muslims.

Western music and dancing in public are prohibited. Visitors may note, however, that even shared taxis freely play music of their choosing. However, customs may seize any music cassettes or CDs brought into the country since certain western music is deemed un-Islamic, demeaning to women, and damaging to the minds of the young. Many Iranian youngsters, on the other hand, have easy access to a broad range of music. Women are not permitted to sing in public (including traditional music); they may only perform in private for other women.

The area of Iran’s oldest documented civilizations stretch back to the Lower Paleolithic period.

Iran’s dominating geopolitical location and culture have directly impacted civilizations as far afield as Greece, Macedonia, and Italy to the west, Russia to the north, the Arabian Peninsula to the south, and South and East Asia to the east.

Iranian art exhibits a wide range of styles from many locations and eras. Architecture, painting, weaving, ceramics, calligraphy, metallurgy, and stonemasonry are all forms of Iranian art. The Median and Achaemenid empires left a major classical art scene that served as a foundation for subsequent periods’ art. The Parthians’ art was a hybrid of Iranian and Hellenistic elements, with depictions of royal hunting excursions and investitures serving as the primary themes. Sassanid art was influential in the development of both European and Asian medieval art, which carried over to the Islamic world, and much of what later became known as Islamic learning, such as philology, literature, jurisprudence, philosophy, medicine, architecture, and science, had a Sassanid foundation.

There is also a thriving Iranian modern and contemporary art culture, which dates back to the late 1940s. The 1949 Apadana Gallery in Tehran, run by Mahmoud Javadi Pour and other associates, and the rise of artists such as Marcos Grigorian in the 1950s signified a dedication to the development of an Iranian-rooted style of contemporary art.

Iranian carpet weaving goes back to the Bronze Age and is one of the most notable expressions of Iranian art. Iran is the world’s biggest manufacturer and exporter of handmade carpets, accounting for three-quarters of global production and accounting for 30% of global export markets.

Iran also has one of the world’s biggest gem collections.

Iranian architecture dates back to the 7th millennium BC. Iranians were among the first to use mathematics, geometry, and astronomy in their architectural designs.

Iranian architecture has a considerable deal of diversity, both structurally and aesthetically, emerging gradually and logically from previous traditions and experiences. Iranian architecture is guided by the themes of unity, continuity, and cosmic symbolism.

According to UNESCO, Iran ranks seventh among nations with the greatest ancient architectural ruins and antiquity attractions.

Iranian philosophy has Indo-Iranian origins, with Zarathustra’s teachings having a significant impact.

According to the Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, the topic and discipline of philosophy began with the Indo-Iranians, about 1500 BC. According to the Oxford Dictionary, “Zarathushtra’s thought came to impact Western tradition via Judaism, and hence on Middle Platonism.”

While there are ancient connections between the Indian Vedas and the Iranian Avesta, the two main families of the Indo-Iranian philosophical traditions have fundamental differences, particularly in their implications for the human being’s position in society and their view of man’s role in the universe.

The Cyrus cylinder, regarded as “the earliest charter of human rights,” is generally viewed as a reflection of the concerns and ideas articulated by Zarathustra and evolved in Achaemenid Era Zoroastrian schools.

The oldest tenets of Zoroastrian schools are included in the Zoroastrian religion’s surviving texts in the Avestan language. Treatises such as the Shikand-gumanic Vichar, Denkard, and Ztspram, as well as earlier sections of Avesta and the Gathas, are among them.

Iranian mythology is made up of ancient Iranian folklore and tales about remarkable creatures. They represent views about the clash of good and evil, godly acts, and the exploits of heroes and fantastic animals.

Myths are important in Iranian culture, and comprehension of them is enhanced when they are examined in the context of real events in Iranian history. Much of Iranian mythology is based on the topography of Greater Iran, a large region that includes modern-day Iran, the Caucasus, Anatolia, Mesopotamia, and Central Asia, with its towering mountain ranges.

The Shahnameh of Ferdowsi is the primary compilation of Iranian mythology, drawing largely on Zoroastrian tales and characters from the books of Avesta, Denkard, and Bundahishn.

Iran’s theater history goes back to antiquity. Prehistoric monuments in Iran, such as Tepe Sialk and Tepe Msn, include the oldest documented depictions of dancing figures.

The epic ceremonial theaters, such as Soug e Sivash and Mogh Koshi (Megakhouni), as well as dances and theatrical narrations of Iranian mythical stories recorded by Herodotos and Xenophon, may be traced back to the earliest beginnings of theater and phenomena of performing among the people of Iran.

Before the introduction of film in Iran, many theatrical styles developed, including Xeyme Shab Bazi (Puppetry), Saye Bazi (Shadow play), Ru-howzi (Comical plays), and Tazieh (Sorrow plays).

Prior to the 1979 Revolution, the Iranian national stage had become a well-known performance venue for well-known foreign performers and troupes, with Tehran’s Roudaki Hall built to serve as the national stage for opera and ballet. The hall, was opened on October 26, 1967, is home to the Symphony Orchestra of Tehran, the Opera Orchestra of Tehran, and the Iranian National Ballet Company, and it is currently known as Vahdat Hall.

The opera Rostam o Sohrab, based on the Shahnameh epic of Rostam and Sohrab, is an example of opera performances in modern-day Iran.

The state-owned Telecommunication Company of Iran is in charge of Iran’s telecommunications. Almost all media outlets in Iran are either state-owned or subject to government oversight. Before being published to the public, outlets such as books, movies, and music CDs must be authorized by the Ministry of Ershad.

The majority of newspapers published in Iran are in Persian. Tehran is home to the country’s most extensively distributed magazines. Ettela’at, Kayhan, Hamshahri, and Resalat are among Iran’s most widely circulated daily and weekly publications. Among the English-language newspapers published in Iran are the Tehran Times, Iran Daily, and Financial Tribune.

In 1958, television was introduced to Iran. Although the Asian Games were televised in color in 1974, full color programming did not begin until 1978. Since the 1979 Revolution, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting has been Iran’s biggest media company (IRIB). Over 30% of Iranians watch satellite channels, according to experts, although the number is likely to be higher.

Iran first had Internet connection in 1993. According to the 2014 census, about 40% of Iran’s population uses the Internet. Iran is ranked 24th in the world in terms of Internet users. According to Alexa, the online intelligence firm, Google Search and Yahoo! are the most used search engines in Iran. Iran accounts for more than 80% of Telegram subscribers, a cloud-based instant messaging service. In Iran, Instagram is the most popular online social networking site. Direct access to Facebook has been blocked in Iran since the 2009 Iranian presidential election protests, due to the organization of opposition movements on the website; however, Facebook has approximately 12 to 17 million users in Iran who access the website through virtual private networks and proxy servers. Around 90% of Iran’s e-commerce is conducted via the Iranian online shop Digikala, which has around 750,000 visits each day and more than 2.3 million members. Digikala is the most popular online shop in the Middle East and the fourth most popular website in Iran.

With two-thirds of the population under the age of 25, Iran is home to a plethora of traditional and contemporary sports.

Polo, also known as owgn in Iran, is said to have originated there, with the oldest accounts dating back to the ancient Medes.

Iran’s national sport has historically been freestyle wrestling, and Iranian wrestlers have won Olympic and world titles on many occasions. Iran’s traditional wrestling, known as koti e pahlevni (“heroic wrestling”), is included on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural treasures.

The National Olympic Committee of Iran was established in 1947. Wrestlers and weightlifters have set the country’s top Olympic records.

Soccer is the most popular sport in Iran, with the men’s national team having won the Asian Cup three times. The national team has retained its status as the top Asian side, ranking first in Asia and 39th overall in the FIFA World Rankings (as of August 2016).

Volleyball is Iran’s second most popular sport. The men’s national team is presently the best in Asia, having won the Asian Men’s Volleyball Championships in 2011 and 2013, and ranking eighth in the FIVB World Rankings (as of July 2016).

Basketball is popular as well, with the men’s national team winning three Asian Championships since 2007.

Iran is a popular destination for skiing, snowboarding, hiking, rock climbing, and mountain climbing due to its hilly terrain.

Iran has numerous ski resorts, the most well-known of which are Tochal, Dizin, and Shemshak, all of which are within one to three hours of Tehran. Tochal is the world’s fifth-highest ski resort, situated in the Alborz mountain range (3,730 m or 12,238 ft at its highest station). Lorestan, Mazenderan, and other provinces may also have appropriate terrain.

Iran became the first nation in West Asia to hold the Asian Games in September 1974. The Azadi Sport Facility, Iran’s biggest sports complex, was initially constructed for this purpose.

International female champions boycotted competitions in Iran in chess (U.S. Woman Grandmaster Nazi Paikidze) and shooting (Indian world champion Heena Sidhu) in 2016 because they refused to visit a country where they would be compelled to wear a headscarf to participate.

Iranian cuisine is varied as a result of the country’s ethnic groupings and the influence of other civilizations. Fruits such as plums, pomegranates, quince, prunes, apricots, and raisins are often combined with herbs. Iranians often consume plain yogurt with lunch and supper; it is a mainstay of the Iranian diet. Characteristic flavorings like as saffron, dried limes, cinnamon, and parsley are carefully combined and utilized in certain particular recipes to create a balanced taste. Onions and garlic are often employed in the preparation of the accompanying dish, but they are sometimes offered individually during meals, either raw or pickled. Iran is also well-known for its caviar.

Although Iran is still a reasonably safe nation, thefts and muggings have increased in recent years. Keep your wits about you and avoid crowded bazaars and buses. Due to US sanctions, foreign credit and debit cards cannot be used in Iran, however prepaid no-name Gift Cards may be used to withdraw cash from over 11,000 ATMs nationwide. Buying gift cards has no surcharges or service fees, and you may withdraw or spend the whole amount. Before buying a gift card from a bank, check sure it includes an ATM withdrawal function. Most Iranian bank cards have a daily withdrawal restriction of 2,000,000 rials, thus buying several cards allows you withdraw more money each day.

Gift certificates are seldom reloadable. Some are pre-loaded, however some banks allow you load them when you buy. Because they are anonymous, reporting a lost or stolen card is difficult. Keep passwords and cards secure. An old empty card with passwords on it may assist you if you’re robbed! In an emergency, without access to ATMs, you may ask a business owner with a POS for cash-back. Their bank service fee may apply (1 percent – 5 percent ). Withdraw your remaining card money a few days before leaving Iran to prevent any SHETAB Interbank Network problems (very rare). An hour of downtime between 12:00am and 1:00am is typical due to database updates. Use caution with ATMs. Use it in noisy places.

The tourism hub of Isfahan has seen muggings of foreigners in unlicensed taxis and fake police checking visitors’ passports. Use only official cabs, and never let ‘officials’ check your stuff.

Iran’s traffic is a mess. Guidance is ad hoc and seldom Iranian drivers prefer to overtake via sidewalks and any stretch of road where there is room. In general, novice foreign drivers should avoid Iran. Watch out for joobs (open storm drains), which are easy to notice while strolling in the dark.

Travellers should avoid Iran’s southeast, especially Sistan and Baluchistan. The drug trade survives on smuggling Afghan heroin. There’s a lot of robbery, abduction, and murder. Some cities, including Zahedan, Zabol, and Mirjaveh, are especially hazardous, although not all. Chahbahar, near the Pakistani border, is a peaceful and pleasant town.

Iranian perceptions of outsiders

Travellers may imagine a crowd shouting “Death to America,” but the odds of seeing anti-Western attitudes are low. Even conservative Iranians distinguish between Western governments and individual visitors. Americans may get the occasional snide remark about their government’s policies, but nothing more.

However, it is better to avoid political discussions, especially in taxis. Three American hikers who wandered into Iran from Iraqi Kurdistan in 2009 were also arrested and charged of spying.

Although uncommon, the wider ramifications are worth examining.

Photography

Iran has several sensitive military and other installations. It is illegal to photograph military and government sites. Detention and severe criminal accusations, including espionage, may end in the death sentence. Do not photograph military objects, prisons, ports, communications equipment, airports, or other military-related items or facilities. Iran takes this regulation extremely seriously.

Women

Female visitors to Iran should have no significant difficulties, but they will certainly attract some unwanted attention, therefore they should follow local regulations. Contrary to common perception, Iranian women are quite similar to those in the West, but differences may be more pronounced in devout households. Western dress and formality are acceptable in Tehran and many larger cities, although wearing a headscarf may be compulsory in most rural regions. Women are required by law to wear a headscarf in public.

Gay and lesbian travel

Iran is not advised for homosexual or lesbian couples. A number of harsh anti-homosexuality laws exist in Iran.

Male homosexuality is punished by death in Iran, whereas female homosexuality is penalized by flogging. In principle, these two penalties are only imposed if 4 or more witnesses an act of homosexual or lesbian intercourse (although the definition of a witness can be surprisingly broad).

Armed security personnel may harass male or female couples who hold hands or kiss on the cheek in public.

Emergencies

Iran has excellent emergency response times compared to other local areas.

•  The local police control center’s phone number is 110. It is probably simplest to call 110 since the local police have direct communication with other emergency agencies and will most likely be the only number with English speaking operators.
• 115, for Ambulances
• 125 for the Fire and Rescue Department (these numbers are frequently answered by the Ambulance or Fire crew operating from them, there is little guarantee these men will speak English).
• 141, Road Status Information
• 112, the international number 112, is accessible through mobile phones and will generally link you to the Iranian Red Crescent Society’s Rescue and Relief Hotline.

Iran’s main cities all have cutting-edge medical facilities.

Apart from being up to date on your standard travel vaccines (tetanus, polio, etc.), no additional preparation is required for travel to Iran. For mild illnesses, your hotel may make contact with an English-speaking doctor. In the event of a severe sickness or accident, you may request to be transported to a hospital with English-speaking personnel (such as Milad Hospital, Atiyeh Hospital, Mehrad Hospital, Day Hospital or Khatam ol-Anbia Hospital in Tehran). Because free medical care is not accessible in Iran, be sure your health insurance covers sickness or accidents while on vacation.

Tap water is safe to drink in much of the nation (particularly cities), but the chalkiness and flavor may be unpleasant in certain places (mainly Qom, Yazd, Hormozgan and Boushehr provinces). Bottled mineral water (b ma’dani) is readily accessible. Additionally, public water fridges are placed on numerous streets and locations to supply drinking water.