Iran is a trending destination for every type of tourists including backpackers, cultural tourists, and adventure tourists. Iran trip, a travel to ‘the jewel in the crown of Islam’ and the middle east, a travel to Shiraz, Isfahan, and Tehran, can surprise you with its beauties and countless attractions.
#1 Iran’s tourist attractions
It doesn’t matter what kind of tourist you are: an art aficionado, an adventurous backpacker, or a peace-seeker; Iran will have surprises for all kinds of tastes. There are twenty cultural UNESCO World Heritage sites in Iran including architecture masterpieces in Isfahan and Shiraz. There are also very rare natural sceneries in Iran for adventurous travelers. The options are many, from a safari in deserts to a walk along Persian Gulf beaches. Also, you can also find some relaxing combinations of natural beauty, historical background, and a modern lifestyle in many cities in Iran including Tehran, Shiraz, and Isfahan.
Hospitality is a core value for Iranians. It doesn’t matter if your passing by a distant village in Khuzestan or you’re walking out of a modern art gallery in Tehran, Iranians will show their hospitality if they feel you need help; even if you don’t ask for it. Many foreign visitors have repeatedly shown their surprise at the super-kind attitude of Iranians towards the tourists. This kindness and hospitality are very rare if not absent in another part of the world. So, be ready to be treated like a celebrity who is always invited for a tea, take a selfie, or even stay at Iranians home. This is how Jenny Gray, puts it in Intrepid Traveler: “Wherever you go in Iran, you’ll be absolutely blown away by the kindness, generosity and genuine curiosity that Iranians have for foreign travelers. There’s nowhere this is more obvious than off the tourist trail in Northern Iran, a region that makes for the most once-in-a-lifetime trip imaginable.”
An Iranian Family hosting foreign visitors
#3 Iran trip is super-budget!
Iran’s economy has had many ups and downs after the Islamic revolution, but one thing has been quite the same during all these years. IR Rial, the official Iranian currency has always remained inferior to many popular currencies in the world, especially the US Dollar and Euro. Recently, in early 2018, IRR lost something like 150% of its value against Euro and Dollar, resulting in a chaotic economic situation for the government. This loss is a bad news for the average Iranians but a good news for western travelers who will change their money at very higher rates as compared to a year ago. Now, a visitor can Discover 5 major cities of Iran in 9 days with only 199 euros This list might be helpful to give you a sense of the prices for a visitor:
A very long metro-ride in Tehran: 10 euro
A generous glass of seasonal fruit juice: .50 euro
A great meal at a very good traditional restaurant: 7 euros
A bus ticket from Tehran to Isfahan: 9 euros
One kilo of premium Persian Pistachio: 10 euros
A flight from Tehran to Shiraz (in high season): 35 euros
One night stay in a mid-range 3-star Shiraz hotel: 40 euros
#4 Diverse Climate of Iran
Iran is a four-season country. In Iran, you can find the hottest spots in the world and the mountains where the temperatures drop to minus 30 degrees Celsius in the north-west of Iran. You experience hot, cold, dry or even wet weather depending on the region and the time of the year. You can go skiing in the north of Tehran, and a day later you can head south to Qeshm island where it gets as hot as 25 degrees Celsius in winter. By traveling to southern Iran, you can explore breathtaking landscapes of Qeshm island You can also head to the central cities to experience the hot and dry weather at Iran’s beautiful deserts including Varzaneh, Maranjab, and Bafgh. Then, you can walk into amazing Jangal-e Abr (literally cloud forest) in Northern Iran and top the clouds to see one the most amazing natural scenery in a wet climate.
Jangel-e Abr (Cloud Forest) in Iran where you top the clouds
#5 Iranian food
To food enthusiasts, food can be the only reason for traveling to Iran and putting it in their list of top-ten destinations. A visit to Iran yields a stunning variety of dishes including the countless versions of kebab and different types of stews (Khoreshts) served with the Iranian style cooked rice. Persian cuisine is among the three mother schools of cooking along with Chinese and Rome cuisines. Iranians do magic with some rare ingredients to create unforgettable tastes. Iranian dishes are mostly slow-cooked and take more than 3 hours to be prepared. It also offers many choices for vegetarians. Try these foods and you’ll never forget the tastes: Fesenjan (Pomegranate Walnut Stew), Gormeh Sabzi (Green Herb Stew), Tahdig (Crunchy Fried Flatbread/potato with Rice), Gheime (Yellow Split Pea Stew), All kinds of Kababs (especially Koobideh, Barg, and Joojeh).
Unlike what is depicted in the media, Iran is a safe place to visit for tourists of any nationality, age, gender or race. Alison, an Australian female blogger wrote for 1stQuest: “…as a young Australian woman traveling in Iran, locals treated me with the utmost respect and care. The only problem is Iranians can be overwhelmingly welcoming towards tourists!” Many tourists are surprised how safe Iran is for visitors and Iranians. Despite many terror groups active in the neighboring countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, Iran has seldom been the target of any terror attack. If you travel on the road, there are also many police check-points that control the roads for any crime.
Iran is the best place to buy souvenirs of any kind; handicrafts, nuts, and sweets. Persian carpet is the best carpet in the world. Although it’s not legal to take carpets out of the country, you can always take astonishing smaller rugs and handmade clothes to decorate your home. There also great works of MinaKari (copper surfaces painted delicately with miniature) and Khatam Kari (the Persian art of marquetry) in Isfahan. The bazaar in Isfahan is close to Naqshe-e-Jahan square. You can buy great Termeh (delicately silver/silk woven clothes) from Yazd, Malileh (astonishingly beautiful handcraft made with silver wires) from Zanjan, and great pastries like Baghlava from Isfahan, Qom, Yazd, Shiraz, and Qazvin.
Malileh- Making delicate jewelry with silver wires in Zanjnan- Iran
