Places to Visit

A tour of Iran's highlights within easy reach of Qum — the shrines of Mashhad, the sights of Tehran, historic Kashan and Isfahan, and the poets and palaces of Shiraz.

Iran is a large, beautiful country with an enormous wealth of history, culture and architecture, along with a diverse range of activities and natural attractions for all ages. With a little planning around holidays and long weekends, you can use your free time to explore the country and benefit from its rich heritage.

Mashhad

Shrine of Imam al-Ridha (a)

In Iran’s north-east, Mashhad is home to the magnificent shrine of Imam al-Ridha (a) — one of the most important religious cities for Shias, drawing vast numbers of pilgrims year-round. The primary reason to visit is to perform the ziyarah of the Imam (a) and connect spiritually through supplication and prayer. The complex is extensive and can be daunting at first; Astan Quds Razavi, the foundation that manages it, provides a helpful leaflet and map (in Farsi, Arabic and English) free at the “pilgrim guide” kiosks around the haram. Despite the crowds near the tomb, you can often find a tranquil spot to sit and reflect in its many courtyards, porticos and halls. The complex also houses the tombs of venerated figures such as Shaykh Bahai, Shaykh Tabarsi and Shaykh al-Hurr al-Amili, and three notable museums: the Qurʾan Museum (precious antique copies, some attributed to the Imams), the Astan Quds Razavi Central Museum (rare artefacts, manuscripts and coins), and the Carpet Museum (over 650 handmade carpets from the Safavid period onward — the largest carpet museum in the Middle East).

Khwaja Aba Salt Shrine

Khwaja Aba Salt was a close companion of Imam al-Ridha (a) and a narrator of hadith. This shrine is one of three places attributed as his grave (the others in Qum and Semnan). Some mystics, such as Darvish Ali, are also buried here.

Raza Bazaar

A long, indoor market east of the haram, built over two floors with two corridors. With over 1,700 business units, the bazaar draws huge crowds and is a centre for souvenirs — toys, prayer mats, rings and saffron — as well as everyday items like clothing and perfume, though many shops stock similar goods.

Kuh Sangi Park

Literally “stony mountain”, Kuh Sangi is Mashhad’s second-largest park (after Mellat Park) — a scenic area with a lake and a small mountain climbable by stairs in about 15 minutes for views over the city. Very popular and often crowded, especially at night, it also has an amusement park and pony rides for children.

Wakil Abaad Forest Park

About 10 km from the haram, this large wooded park has numerous pathways and beautiful streams, plus a good-sized zoo and an amusement park.

Neyshabur

A city about two hours’ drive from Mashhad. Around 20 km outside it lies the Qadam Gah, where Imam al-Ridha (a) is reported to have narrated the famous “golden chain” hadith. There is also a water spring said to have appeared at the Imam’s will, and a stone bearing two footprints attributed to him.

Tehran

Behesht Zahra

Behesht Zahra — “the Paradise of Zahra (a)” — is the largest cemetery in Iran, famously home to many martyrs of the Islamic Revolution. It is also where Imam Khumayni (ra) chose to deliver his first speech on returning from his 14-year exile in February 1979.

Mausoleum of Imam Khumayni (ra)

Within the Behesht-e Zahra complex stands the impressive mausoleum of Imam Khumayni (ra), which also houses the tombs of his wife, Khadijeh Saqafi, his second son, Ahmad Khomeini, and other known figures.

Shah Abd al-Azim Shrine

In the city of Rey, adjacent to Tehran, lies the tomb of Abd al-Azim al-Hasani (Shah Abd al-Azim) — a fifth-generation descendant of Imam Hasan al-Mujtaba (a) and a companion of the ninth and tenth Imams (a). A pious man and transmitter of hadith, it is reported that visiting his shrine carries the reward of visiting Imam Husayn (a) in Karbala.

The Holy Defence Museum

Officially the “National Museum of the Islamic Revolution and Holy Defence”, this is one of Iran’s largest museums, dedicated to preserving the memory of the eight-year Iran–Iraq war. Its eight sections use monitors, projectors and holograms to convey the struggle and its lasting impact, with guides for groups. It features a 360° circular cinema in a spectacular 40-metre-diameter dome, plus a 5D cinema in the main building.

Ebrat Museum

SAVAK — the Shah’s secret police — illegally detained and brutally tortured hundreds of people in this former prison. Now a museum, it stands as a reminder of those atrocities through vivid displays, films and first-hand accounts, with a guide explaining the site’s history. Owing to its sensitive nature, there is an age limit and children cannot visit.

Other attractions

Tehran is a huge city with much to see. Beyond the above, popular destinations include:

• Tochal Mountain — the highest summit of the Alborz range, with a ski resort, cable cars and restaurants.
• Eram Park & Zoo — the largest park in Iran, with a zoo of over 800 animals, an amusement park and a large artificial lake for boat rides.
• Milad Tower — a multi-purpose telecommunications tower, the tallest building in Tehran, with an observation deck.
• Tabiat Bridge — the largest pedestrian overpass in Iran, linking two parks, with a restaurant, café and seating along its length.
• Azadi Tower — Tehran’s iconic 1971 landmark, with a museum and galleries below.
• Jamaran — the Tehran village where Imam Khumayni’s house and the mosque where he gave his speeches are located.

Kashan

Abbasi House

Kashan is renowned for its magnificent architecture and spacious houses, often built with several courtyards, numerous chambers and even pool rooms. The Abbasi House is a fine example of an 18th-century merchant’s mansion, beautifully decorated with stained glass and elaborate ceiling mirrorwork. Others worth visiting nearby are the Borujerdi and Tabataba’i houses.

Underground City of Nushabad

About 5 km north of Kashan, this remarkable underground city was built over 1,500 years ago to shelter inhabitants from both harsh weather and invasions. It has at least three storeys of winding tunnels, stairs, hidden chambers, enemy traps, and even a well-designed air-circulation and cooling system.

Niasar Waterfall

A 25-metre spring-fed waterfall with a park at the top. A path leads from the top all the way down — an exciting walk in itself. The plunge pool at the base is fairly small and can get very crowded at peak times.

Mashhad Ardehal

A small city about 50 km west of Kashan, home to the mausoleum of Sultan Ali, son of Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a). Sent by his father to propagate true Islam, Sultan Ali settled in Ardehal for three years and guided many people, until the Umayyad ruler, threatened by his influence, dispatched an army that defeated and killed him along with a hundred companions. For the resemblance of his martyrdom to that of Imam Husayn (a), Mashhad Ardehal is known as the “Karbala of Iran”.

Isfahan

Naqsh-e Jahan Square

A UNESCO World Heritage site, this grand 17th-century public square in central Isfahan is surrounded by architectural wonders, including the Abbasi Jami Mosque, Sheikh Lutfullah Mosque, Ali Qapu Palace and Qeysariyyeh Bazaar.

Chehel Sutoon Palace

The “Palace of Forty Columns”, built in the Safavid era, takes its name from the twenty slender wooden columns reflected in the adjacent pool, creating the illusion of forty. Its interiors showcase Iranian art and design, some depicting historical events.

Abbasi Jami Mosque

Also known as the Imam Mosque, this early-17th-century Safavid masterpiece is renowned for its turquoise and blue tile mosaics in geometric and floral patterns, and its grand dome with intricate muqarnas (honeycomb vaulting). It is also a marvel of acoustic engineering: the dome focuses sound so that anyone speaking beneath it is clearly heard throughout.

Qeysariyyeh Bazaar

One of the oldest and largest covered markets in the Middle East — a labyrinth of alleys lined with shops selling spices, carpets, handicrafts, fabrics and clothing, with workshops where you can watch ornaments and handicrafts being made. Bear in mind Isfahan is a tourist destination, so vendors will look to maximise profit, especially from foreigners — bargaining is very common, so don’t hesitate to negotiate.

Khaju Bridge

A historic bridge over the Zayandeh River with 21 arches and a central pavilion — a peaceful spot to enjoy views of the river and surrounding gardens.

Shiraz

Shah Cheragh Shrine

After the shrines of Imam al-Ridha (a) and Lady Masumah (a), one of Iran’s most famous shrines is that of Ahmad — known as Shah Cheragh — son of Imam Musa al-Kadhim (a) and brother of Imam al-Ridha (a). Born in Medina, he was, according to Shaykh al-Mufid, a pious and noble man much loved by his father. During the caliphate of Mamun he travelled to Khorasan to visit his brother, but on hearing of the Imam’s martyrdom sought refuge in Shiraz, where he too was eventually martyred.

Tomb of Hafez

Shiraz is known as the city of poets. Hafez (Khwaja Shams-ud-Din Muhammad Hafez Shirazi) is regarded as one of the greatest classical Iranian poets; his verse, often reflecting deep philosophical and mystical ideas, has been translated into many languages and is celebrated and recited in Iran and around the world.

Tomb of Saadi

Another renowned 13th-century poet and master of the classical tradition, Saadi travelled widely across the Middle East, Central Asia and South Asia after studying in Baghdad. His most famous works are Bustan, exploring love, morality and social justice, and Gulistan, a collection of moral stories and allegories conveying ethics and wisdom.

Persepolis

About 60 km from Shiraz, Persepolis was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire in the 6th century BC. Nestled in the foothills of the Zagros Mountains, its ruins of impressive stone structures and intricately carved reliefs depict ancient Persian life, battles and ceremonies. Notable features include the Gate of All Nations, the Apadana Palace and the Hall of a Hundred Columns — a UNESCO World Heritage site offering a captivating insight into one of antiquity’s greatest civilisations.