Golestan Palace complex Tehran, Iran

Getty Images/Lonely Planet Images

Iran

Welcome to what could be the friendliest country on earth. Iran is the jewel in Islam's crown, combining glorious architecture with a warm-hearted welcome.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Imam Mosque at Naqhsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan, Iran. Imam mosque is known as Shah Mosque. Its construction finished in 1629.; Shutterstock ID 92388088; Your name (First / Last): Lauren Keith; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Middle East Online Highlights Update ancient, arch, architecture, art, building, culture, dark, decoration, design, dome, east, esfahan, heritage, historic, holy, imam, inner, inside, interior, iran, iranian, isfahan, islam, islamic, jahan, light, masjid, mosque, muslim, naqsh-e, old, ornament, pattern, persia, persian, pray, religion, sacred, shah, shine, sight, site, square, structure, sunlight, sunny, tile, traditional, vintage, wall

    Masjed-e Shah

    Esfahan

    This elegant mosque, with its iconic blue-tiled mosaics and its perfect proportions, forms a visually stunning monument at the head of Esfahan's main…

  • Facade of Imam Mosque, aka Masjed-e Jadid-e Abbasi, or Shah Mosque, on Naqsh-e Jahan (Imam) Square, Esfahan - Iran. April 21, 2017.

    Masjed-e Jameh

    Esfahan

    The Jameh complex is a veritable museum of Islamic architecture while still functioning as a busy place of worship. Showcasing the best that nine…

  • 622798102 Ancient; Architecture; Indian Culture; Iran; Iranian Culture; Isfahan; Islam; Tourism; Town Square; Built Structure; Lotfollah; Minaret; Mosaic; Mosque; Naqsh-e Jahan; Travel; Travel Destinations; Tree; UNESCO World Heritage Site; City; Famous Place; fontain; Old; Pond; Religion; Cultures; East Asian Culture; Emam Mosque; History; Horizontal; People; Photography; Shah; Springtime; Naqsh-e Jahan Square (Imam square), Isfahan, Iran

    Naqsh-e Jahan (Imam) Square

    Esfahan

    Hemmed on four sides by architectural gems and embracing the formal fountains and gardens at its centre, this wondrous space is a spectacle in its own…

  • Naranjestan garden with Qavam House in Shiraz, Iran; Shutterstock ID 2154407523; purchase_order: 65050; job: ; client: ; other: 2154407523

    Bagh-e Naranjestan

    Shiraz

    Named after the bitter oranges that line the central courtyard, this is Shiraz’s smallest but most lovely garden. Enclosing the delightful Naranjestan-e…

  • Persepolis, Apadana stairway facade, Ancient relief of the Achaemenids, Medes and Persians, Fars Province, Islamic Republic of Iran; Shutterstock ID 2114215667; purchase_order: 65050; job: ; client: ; other: 2114215667

    Apadana Staircase

    Iran

    The stairs, which are guarded by stone soldiers, are decorated by an exceptionally finely crafted frieze in three panels. Each panel is divided into…

  • Isfahan, Iran - May 2019: Grand bazaar of Isfahan, also known as Bazar Bozorg with tourists and local people shopping, historical market; Shutterstock ID 1670251840; purchase_order: 65050; job: ; client: ; other: 1670251840

    Bazar-e Bozorg

    Esfahan

    One of Iran’s most historic and fascinating bazaars, this sprawling covered market links Naqsh-e Jahan (Imam) Sq with the Masjed-e Jameh. At its busiest…

  • Shiraz, Iran - December 27, 2015: Nasir Al-Mulk Mosque in Shiraz, Iran, also known as Pink Mosque 363808808 islam, oriental, iran, travel, decorated, mosque, culture, landmark, cupola, light, al, east, old, minaret, traditional, building, colored, religious, historic, pink, shiraz, iranian, heritage, design, architecture, city, interior, mosaic, holy, tourism, islamic, religion, art, ancient, ornate, persia, persian, pattern, prayer, muslim, glass, allah, naseer, ol, masjed-e, mulk, molk, nasir, al-mulk

    Masjed-e Nasir Al Molk

    Shiraz

    One of the most elegant and most photographed pieces of architecture in southern Iran, the Pink Mosque was built at the end of the 19th century and its…

  • Persepolis, Iran - October 22, 2016: Sculptures of gate of All Nations in ruins of Persepolis ancient city in Fars Province; Shutterstock ID 1527829604; purchase_order: 65050; job: ; client: ; other: 1527829604

    Xerxes’ Gateway

    Iran

    The bronze trumpets that once heralded the arrival of important foreign delegations (a fragment of which is on display in the museum) may now be silent,…

View more attractions
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/top
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "destination": "Iran",
  "country": "Iran",
  "continent": "Middle-East"
}

Articles

Latest stories from Iran

Filter by interest:

Beaches

Where to find the best scuba diving sites in the Middle East

Apr 17, 2019 • 5 min read

Read more articles

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Iran

Go Beyond

Iran and beyond

Beyond Iran
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/bottom
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "destination": "Iran",
  "country": "Iran",
  "continent": "Middle-East"
}