Tehran
At the centre of political change in Iran, Tehran University is a fascinating place to wander around. There is, however, a ban on foreign nonstudents…
Must-see attractions in Iran
Iran
A vaulted passage of the bazaar leads into the courtyard of the large Qajar-era Masjed-e Jameh. The disused south iwan (entrance) leads into a hall over…
Iran
With its metallic dome, this mosque looks outwardly new but was actually founded a millennium ago; the fine faceted-brick minaret probably dates mostly…
Iran
By the roadside in this low-rise farming village, the extensive, partly crenellated mud-walled citadel here is less impressive than Belqays – but has more…
Iran
Close to the Golestan National Park's eastern tip, this apparently uninteresting highway-strip hamlet hides a small, atmospherically ruinous Safavid-era…
Iran
The Biglar Beigi Tekyeh Hosseinieh (building used during the rituals to commemorate the death of Imam Hossein) is worth visiting for its dazzling mirror…
Iran
This three-tiered palace sits atop a steep hill, a 20-minute climb above the footbridge that crosses the road. Made of rock and gypsum, it was Ardashir’s…
Iran
In the past, locals used to clean their carpets in the pool here fed by an underground mineral spring. On the rocks above is an elaborate inscription made…
Iran
The hard-to-discern remnants of Darius’ garden, which were recently added to the World Heritage list as part of a joint entry under Persian gardens,…
Iran
Around a dozen square-plan fort sites lie along the course of what was once the so-called Alexander's Wall. All are just muddy shapes rising above the…
Iran
While small, this museum is well presented in a 1930s house. Its mannequin displays illustrate the Gilaki lifestyle, amid a selection of 3000-year-old…
Iran
This large, ornate imamzadeh lies 4km southwest of central Gonbad-e Kavus. To the complex's direct west is a ragged area of wasteland that, viewed from…
Iran
The beautiful blue dome with yellow patterning that's easily spied from the Ethnology Museum steps belongs to the Kabud Gonbad Mosque. Originally Seljuk,…
Southeastern Iran
Dating from 1621, Boshrooyeh's distinctive one-iwan mosque of uncoloured brick is topped with a small, turret-like minaret on its upper dome. It sits on a…
Shiraz
A pathway leads from the Quran Gateway, through the gardens of an attractive teahouse, to a lookout with fine views across the sprawling city of Shiraz…
Iran
Directly south of the Khayyam gardens, this lovely imamzadeh has an intricately tiled portal and a fine 16th-century dome of blue and yellow tilework. The…
Iran
One of several historic hammams of Sanandaj, the unusual 1805 Khan Hammam has grey-and-white floral and bird motifs, attractive tiling and remarkably…
Southeastern Iran
Two of Boshrooyeh's historic houses are being restored for use as a private museum. As yet there are no fixed entry times, so you might need to call ahead…
Southeastern Iran
Many of the copper pans that gleam so lustrously around the Bazar-e Mesgari Shomali are made in an old-fashioned smithy tucked away in one of the alleys…
Shiraz
Next to the modern National Library (which occasionally hosts exhibitions), this pretty garden, enclosed by a high wall, offers some sanctuary for those…
Iran
Sheikh Jebra’il, Sheikh Safi-od-Din’s father, is buried beneath a mildly attractive 16th-century structure at Khalkhoran, a village-suburb 3km northeast…
Tehran
The decorative gateway to the National Garden complex of museums and government buildings, dates from 1906 and was renovated in 1922 by the Minister of…
Tehran
Just before the exit of the Niyavaran Cultural-Historic Complex is this small collection of cars and toy motorbikes used by Shah's family. There are two…
Iran
This crumbling 7.5m octagonal tower at the river's edge was most likely a Sassanid navigational aid, though local lore has Shahpur’s slave driver watching…
Iran
This 12-sided brick tower dating from 1453 overlooks a pretty square in Gorgan’s most interesting area of old alleys. It's surprisingly modest given that…
Southeastern Iran
Although it's one of the images most used in Birjand's self-promotion, this unique, six-level stepped tower is not generally accessible to visitors as it…
Iran
Restored in the 1930s, what was perhaps once the royal harem now houses the museum and administrative offices. The museum contains a stone foundation…
Iran
Of the dozen or so amorphous remains of the former forts that was once used to guard the Sadd-e Eskander wall, this is one of the best preserved. It's 4km…
Tehran
Drop by here, one of the smaller museums in the Sa'd Abad complex, as much for the faux-French architecture (check out the elegant double staircase…
Iran
Of several fine tomb towers scattered around town, this has the most interesting form, with a square plan topped by a pinched octagon. An upper window…
Iran
This formerly grand mansion was once the palace of Amonulla Khan. It has an impressive central courtyard with reflecting pools but is otherwise now in a…
Iran
Fronted by two stone rams, this small but richly endowed museum displays fabulously ancient pottery and fine cuneiform inscription stones. Its most eye…
Iran
This small mountain lake is accessed via a side road between Razmiyan and Mo'allem. It's a pretty spot with a mountain backdrop, though the views are…
Iran
In the rear section of the Ferdosi Mausoleum park, the small chunks of surviving mud-wall around the former Razan Gate shows how incredibly massive the…
Qeshm Island
In Qeshm Island's southeast you'll find this almost vertical limestone cliff pockmarked with caves. They are said to have sheltered local villagers…
Iran
Hidden in a back lane, this cute mosque has a pair of pepper-grinder-like turrets. To find it, head north up Ferdosi St from Sabz Sq, then turn left into…
Iran
This recently restored late-Qajar-era house with tiled roofing and gerehchini (wood-lattice multicoloured windows) contains a well-presented, if somewhat…
Iran
A traditional Qajar subterranean wash house full of female mannequins, in the clothing of the era, showing how it used to be done. There's also a small…
Southeastern Iran
New but entombing a descendant of the sixth imam, this pretty octagonal structure features blue-floral tiling between its honeycombed windows and the…
Iran
The most obvious focal point in central Sabzevar is this remarkably tiled mausoleum, though the interior is rather plain and the majority of visitors when…
- placement: fullWidth
- path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
- possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
- targeting:
{ "position": "superzone" }
