World Guide

Iran

Country · Asia, Southern Asia

Persepolis
Pictured: Persepolis · Photo: Alborzagros, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Located in Southern Asia, Iran covers 1,648,195 square kilometers and has a population of about 92 million. Its capital is Tehran. The country offers a range of historical sites, cultural landmarks, and natural features for visitors to explore.

Highlights

This site covers 48 sights across the country. Many locations focus on ancient history, such as the UNESCO-recognized Persepolis, Susa, Pasargadae, Ecbatana, and Chogha Zanbil. Other historical structures include the Apadana, the Gate of All Nations, the Tomb of Cyrus the Great, and Naqsh-e Rostam. Religious and cultural heritage is represented by the Fire Temple of Yazd and the Shah Mosque. Urban landmarks include the Milad Tower and Azadi Tower in Tehran, alongside the historic Golestan Palace. Natural sites like the Lut Desert and Lake Urmia are also accessible. Major cities include Tehran, Isfahan, Shush, Tabriz, and Hamadan.

Food and drink

Local cuisine includes various dishes such as pilaf, ghormeh sabzi, aush, joshpara, and kuku. Sweet options include falooda, bastani, samanu, muhallebi, and rock candy. Ayran is also available.

When to go

The climate at the capital, Tehran, varies significantly throughout the year. Winters are cold, with temperatures often dropping below freezing, particularly in January and February. Spring, from March to May, offers milder temperatures ranging from 13 °C to 27 °C, though March experiences the highest rainfall of the year at 71 mm. Summers are hot and dry, with daily highs peaking at 36 °C in July and August. Autumn brings cooling temperatures, dropping from 30 °C in September to 15 °C in November.

Practical notes

The currency is the Iranian rial (IRR). The official language is Persian. Electrical outlets use plugs type C and F, with a voltage of 220 V. Traffic moves on the right side of the road. The time zone is UTC+03:30.

Cities

Food and drink to try in Iran

  • Pilaf
  • Ayran
  • Rock candy
  • Falooda
  • Ghormeh sabzi
  • Samanu
  • Muhallebi
  • Joshpara
  • Aush
  • Kuku
  • Bastani
  • Rogan josh

Top sights in Iran

  1. PersepolisUNESCOPersepolis
  2. SusaUNESCOSusaShush
  3. Golestan PalaceUNESCOGolestan PalaceTehran
  4. Alamut CastleUNESCOAlamut Castle
  5. Mausoleum of Ruhollah KhomeiniMausoleum of Ruhollah KhomeiniTehran
  6. Qom SeminaryQom SeminaryQom
  7. Fire Temple of YazdFire Temple of YazdYazd
  8. Azadi TowerAzadi TowerTehran
  9. PasargadaeUNESCOPasargadae
  10. EcbatanaUNESCOEcbatanaHamadan
  11. Lake UrmiaLake UrmiaTabriz
  12. Tomb of Cyrus the GreatTomb of Cyrus the GreatPasargad
  1. Milad Tower · Tehran
  2. Naqsh-e Rostam · Persepolis
  3. Lut DesertUNESCO
  4. Chogha ZanbilUNESCO
  5. Gate of All Nations · Persepolis
  6. Fatima Masumeh Shrine · Qom
  7. Shah Mosque · Isfahan
  8. Apadana · Persepolis
  9. Anshan
  10. Sa'dabad Complex · Tehran
  11. Tomb of Daniel · Shush
  12. Naqsh-e Jahan Square · IsfahanUNESCO
  13. Imam Reza Shrine · Mashhad
  14. Istakhr · Persepolis
  15. Niavaran Complex · Tehran
  16. Tomb of Esther and Mordechai · Hamadan
  17. Palace of Darius in Susa · Shush
  18. Chehel Sotoun · Isfahan
  19. Shahr-e SukhtehUNESCO
  20. Vank Cathedral · Isfahan
  21. Great Wall of Gorgan · Aqqala
  22. Jamkaran Mosque · Qom
  23. Monastery of Saint ThaddeusUNESCO
  24. Behistun inscriptionUNESCO
  25. Jameh Mosque of Isfahan · IsfahanUNESCO
  26. Bishapur · ShirazUNESCO
  27. Takht-e Soleymān · TabrizUNESCO
  28. Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque · Shiraz
  29. Arg-e Bam · BamUNESCO
  30. Yazd Tower of Silence · Yazd
  31. Trans-Iranian Railway · TehranUNESCO
  32. Shah Cheragh · Shiraz
  33. Blue Mosque, Tabriz · Tabriz
  34. Avicenna Mausoleum · Hamadan
  35. Eram Garden · ShirazUNESCO
  36. Bazaar of Tabriz · TabrizUNESCO
  37. Gonbad-e QabusUNESCO
  38. Dome of Soltaniyeh · SoltaniyehUNESCO
  39. Sheikh Safi al-Din Khānegāh and Shrine Ensemble · ArdabilUNESCO
  40. Fin GardenUNESCO
  41. Mausoleum of Omar Khayyám · Nishapur
  42. Jameh Mosque of Yazd · Yazd
  43. Shazdeh Garden · KermanUNESCO
  44. Rayen Castle · Kerman
  45. Mausoleum of Attar of Nishapur · Nishapur

UNESCO sites in Iran →

Weather by month

The warmest month is July, with an average high of 36 °C. The wettest is March, with about 71 mm of rain.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average high, °C671320273336353023158
Average low, °C-5-4181421242419135-2
Rainfall, mm53557155275423203954
Rainy days9997623258107

Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Tehran (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.

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