{"id":2784,"date":"2019-04-07T13:50:35","date_gmt":"2019-04-07T13:50:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iran.1stquest.com\/blog\/?p=2784"},"modified":"2020-03-29T12:06:50","modified_gmt":"2020-03-29T12:06:50","slug":"top-things-to-do-in-isfahan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/top-things-to-do-in-isfahan\/","title":{"rendered":"What to See and Do during your First Time in Isfahan"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<p>If there is a city that you shouldn\u2019t miss in Iran, it&#8217;s definitely Isfahan. It has been twice the capital of&nbsp;Iran and was considered as \u201chalf of the world\u201d and \u201cone of the most beautiful cities in the world\u201d.&nbsp;No doubt that the city is a must-see of Iran. Boasting more than 40 touristic attractions, you can stay a full week without getting bored.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>In this article, I give you numerous tips to organize your stay in Isfahan and enjoy all its attractions in the best possible way.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<h2>Get on the track of&nbsp;the Safavids Dynast<\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_2794\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2794\" class=\"wp-image-2794\" src=\"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Webp.net-compress-image-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Imam Mosque, Isfahan\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Webp.net-compress-image-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Webp.net-compress-image-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Webp.net-compress-image-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Webp.net-compress-image-1.jpg 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-2794\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">View of the Imam Mosque- Photo by Mohsen khorrampour on Unsplash<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Isfahan became one of the most important cities in the world during the Safavids era. Shah Abbas the Great, threatened by the Ottomans, moved the capital of the Safavids from Qazvin to Isfahan and made the fabulous city that we enjoy today. you can book <a href=\"https:\/\/iran.1stquest.com\/hotel\/isfahan\">Isfahan hotels<\/a> easily through 1stQuest.<\/p>\n<p>Globally, all your stay in this city will be made of toing and froing between the different historical places and the most important square in the world. Most of the historical attractions are nearby. I would advise you to focus for the first days on the most important symbols of the Safavids era. Visit the <strong>Naqsh-e Jahan Square<\/strong>, the <strong>Sheikh<\/strong> <strong>Lotfollah Mosque<\/strong>, the <strong>Mosque of the Imam<\/strong>, the <strong>Ali Qapu Palace<\/strong> and the <strong>Chehel Sotoun Museum and Park<\/strong>. Don\u2019t forget to take a ride on a horse around the square. That\u2019s a very touristy thing, but honestly, that\u2019s cool. here you can find&nbsp; 3 days itinerary: <a href=\"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/the-best-3-days-itinerary-of-isfahan-for-first-time-visitors\/\">Isfahan in 3 days<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Head to the Armenian neighbourhood&nbsp;at Vank Cathedral<\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_2795\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2795\" class=\"wp-image-2795\" src=\"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/vank.jpg\" alt=\"Vank Cathedral, Isfahan\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/vank.jpg 800w, https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/vank-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/vank-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-2795\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Interior of the Vank Cathedral in the Armenian Neighbourhood of Jolfa<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Iran is the Islamic Republic, but it doesn\u2019t mean that all&nbsp;Iranians are Muslims. Isfahan has a substantial Armenian community that dates back from the Safavids too. Head to the <strong>Jolfa<\/strong> neighbourhood at the south of the city, named after the tiny village situated at the border with Armenia and famous for its monastery. This neighbourhood is characteristic for the brick architecture specific from the Armenian villages&nbsp;of the north of Iran.<\/p>\n<p>See also: <a href=\"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/top-5-cheap-hotels-in-isfahan-in-2019\/\">cheap hotels in Isfahan<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Enjoy a traditional live concert at night!<\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_2796\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2796\" class=\"wp-image-2796\" src=\"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/khaju_bridge.jpg\" alt=\"khaju_bridge\" width=\"600\" height=\"404\" srcset=\"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/khaju_bridge.jpg 800w, https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/khaju_bridge-300x202.jpg 300w, https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/khaju_bridge-768x516.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-2796\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Khaju Bridge of Isfahan<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>As you probably know, Iran is not really famous for its nightlife, at least not as generally understood. Thus, in this city, you can have a mystic experience by listening to men singing the glory of Iranian poetry. Don\u2019t look for any bar or concert-hall but simply head to the <strong>Khaju Bridge<\/strong> at night to enjoy a live concert under the stars.<\/p>\n<p>See also: <a href=\"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/traditional-hotels-in-isfahan\/\">traditional hotels in Isfahan<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Touch the sky: the Soffeh park<\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_2797\" style=\"width: 560px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2797\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2797\" src=\"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/the-view-of-isfahan-and.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Soffeh in Isfahan\" width=\"550\" height=\"329\" srcset=\"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/the-view-of-isfahan-and.jpg 550w, https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/the-view-of-isfahan-and-300x179.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-2797\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">View from the top of the Mount Soffeh in Isfahan<\/p><\/div>\n<p>I definitely recommend you to go to the top of the <strong>Soffe Park<\/strong> located on the eastern part of the city. From there you can enjoy a sublime panorama over the city. Try to be there at sunset or sunrise to see the festival of colours that bring the city to life. Don\u2019t forget to wear warm clothes in the early morning.<\/p>\n<p>See also: <a href=\"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/best-hotels-isfahan-2019\/\">Best hotels in Isfahan<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Fill up your suitcase with handicrafts<\/h2>\n<p>In Isfahan, you\u2019ll find all you need to give an oriental-inspired style to your apartment. The city in itself is famous for the quality of its products and as it is the main touristic place of Iran you\u2019ll easily find all kinds of Iranians handicrafts. Everything can be found in the numerous shops surrounding the <strong><em>Naqsh-e Jahan<\/em> Square<\/strong>. City\u2019s specialties include the <strong>Kalamkari<\/strong>, a textile printed with woodblock, different kinds of <strong>metalwork<\/strong>, the <strong>Kh\u00e2tamk\u00e2ri<\/strong> (famous marquetry boxes famous across the Middle-East and Central Asia) and the <strong>Min\u00e2k\u00e2ri <\/strong>(Enamel painting), not forgetting the needlecrafts.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Taste the city: Enjoy&nbsp;Isfahan\u2019s delights<\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2799\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2799\" class=\"wp-image-2799\" src=\"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/beryani.jpg\" alt=\"the Beryouni&nbsp;\" width=\"600\" height=\"375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/beryani.jpg 744w, https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/beryani-300x188.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-2799\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Traditional meal of Isfahan: the Beryouni<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Head to the traditional neighbourhood and its mud-made houses. Walk around and you\u2019ll definitely hit a local restaurant that serves some traditional meals of Isfahan. Here we are. A travel has always something to do with food.<\/p>\n<p>this city has many&nbsp;delicious delights. Enjoy for lunch the original <strong>Beryouni <\/strong>that some say has influenced the famous indian Baryani. A delicious piece of fried lamb mince served on&nbsp;delicious hot bread.<\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t forget to try the <strong>Khoresht-e mast<\/strong> (yoghurt stew), a traditional dish of Isfahan made of yogurt, lamb or chicken, sugar, orange zest and that is served usually as a desert. Before leaving the restaurant,&nbsp;fill your pockets of <strong>Gaz<\/strong>, the traditional sweet of Isfahan.<\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2>Experience the nomad&nbsp;life: meet the Bakhtiari tribes.<\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2800\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2800\" class=\"wp-image-2800\" src=\"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Bakhtiyari.jpg\" alt=\"Bakhtiari nomads\" width=\"600\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Bakhtiyari.jpg 800w, https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Bakhtiyari-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Bakhtiyari-768x461.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-2800\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Bakhtiari nomads<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Iran is one of these countries where you\u2019ll still find nomadic tribes. The Bakhtiari is one of them. As they walk twice a year across the Zagros Mountains between <strong>Luli<\/strong> in Khuzistan and <strong>Shahr-e Kord<\/strong>, about 100 kilometres far from Isfahan, check the calendar to figure out where they are. If you\u2019re at the right time in Isfahan, head to Shahr-e Kord to meet one of the most famous tribes of Iran.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Some adventure in Isfahan<\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2801\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2801\" class=\"wp-image-2801\" src=\"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/armand-river-rafting-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Armand river Isfahan\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/armand-river-rafting-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/armand-river-rafting-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/armand-river-rafting-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/armand-river-rafting.jpg 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-2801\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Armand River Rafting, Isfahan, Iran<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Do you feel that you probably saw everything in Isfahan? You\u2019re probably wrong; there is always something else to do. That&nbsp;said, if you have an adventurous spirit, I recommend you to head to the Armand River. 3 hours drive away from Isfahan,&nbsp;this place is definitely worth a trip aside. You\u2019ll have one of your best rafting experience there. This hidden river in the middle of the desert is an unknown treasure.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>The desert experience<\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2802\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2802\" class=\"wp-image-2802\" src=\"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Maranjab-desert.jpg\" alt=\"Maranjab desert\" width=\"600\" height=\"350\" srcset=\"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Maranjab-desert.jpg 729w, https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Maranjab-desert-300x175.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-2802\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Maranjab desert, Isfahan, Iran<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Head to the Maranjab desert to experience the pure silence. Sleep in the desert and observe the Milky Way like you never did before. Stay overnight in the Maranjab caravanserai built in the 16th century in the company of wild camels. Don\u2019t forget to bring your blanket. Nights are really cold.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, there are many other things to do and this articles is not an exhaustive list of the attractions of the city. Don\u2019t hesitate to mention in the comments what you consider as a must in Isfahan!<\/p>\n<p>By: Antoine Molliere<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If there is a city that you shouldn\u2019t miss in Iran, it&#8217;s definitely Isfahan. It has been twice the capital of&nbsp;Iran and was considered as \u201chalf of the world\u201d and \u201cone of the most beautiful cities in the world\u201d.&nbsp;No doubt&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":2803,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[5052],"class_list":["post-2784","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-guides","tag-isfahan"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2784"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2784"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2784\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2803"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2784"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2784"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2784"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}