{"id":3652,"date":"2019-06-12T08:10:23","date_gmt":"2019-06-12T08:10:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iran.1stquest.com\/blog\/?p=3652"},"modified":"2020-01-07T09:08:03","modified_gmt":"2020-01-07T09:08:03","slug":"7-days-in-iran-how-to-experience-everything-in-1-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/1stquest.com\/blog\/7-days-in-iran-how-to-experience-everything-in-1-week\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Days in Iran: How to Experience Everything in 1 Week"},"content":{"rendered":"

Iran is a huge country that swells with diversity. Every Iranian province has its own unique cuisine, handicrafts, industries, dress, and language.<\/p>\n

Travelers who have the time can easily spend two or three months having a good look around Iran. But realistically most visitors only come for a week or two.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re planning on spending seven days in Iran, I\u2019ve prepared an itinerary on what not to miss while you\u2019re here.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Day 1 and 2: Tehran<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Tehran’s skyline and onto the Alborz Mountains beyond. Photo credit: wikicommons<\/p><\/div>\n

Most international tourists will fly into Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKIA) which is located about 40 kilometers south of central Tehran. Connecting with the metro or a taxi\/transfer service<\/u><\/a>, it is a 60-minute commute into Tehran.<\/p>\n

Tehran is by far Iran\u2019s largest city with the population estimated to exceed 15 million. Tehran will delight visitors with the regular charms of a mega city – traffic, pollution, crowded subways and a good level of grunge. I\u2019ve lived in Tehran for almost three years now and I have a love\/hate relationship with the city. It is absolutely huge and as a tourist, it can be overwhelming hard to find cool places to hang out. Also check out: Discover Tehran<\/a><\/p>\n

On the day you arrive, I recommend resting and exploring near your hotel to get acclimatized. It\u2019s Tehran, you are sure to find something wild nearby! Also, take the opportunity to find a sim card and exchange some cash. If you don\u2019t want to carry cash, you can contact 1stQuest<\/u><\/a>\u00a0to arrange an Iranian debit card.<\/p>\n

For the next day, Tajrish<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0is a good place to start. Located at the foothills of the Alborz Mountains (Tehran\u2019s personal mountainscape), Tajrish is the buzzy center of northern Tehran. Tajrish has its own bazaar complete with street food vendors, carpet sellers, and handicraft shops. Ladies, the bazaar is also a good place to pick up some fashionable head scarves and longer jackets if you\u2019re envying the local women’s effortless and elegant hijab!<\/p>\n

\"private-tour\"<\/a><\/p>\n

After having a look around the Tajrish bazaar you can wander down the iconic Vali Asr Street.<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0Stretching 18 kilometers, Vali Asr is Tehran\u2019s longest street. Lined with towering poplar trees, the northern end of Vali Asr Street is a jumble of shops, museums, parks, and office blocks. You can book Tehran hotels<\/a> easily through 1stQuest.<\/p>\n

\"Cinema

Cinema Museum near Tajrish, Tehran https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/kamshots\/<\/p><\/div>\n

Only about 500 meters from Tajrish is the Cinema Museum<\/b><\/strong>. The museum is surrounded by a manicured garden, art installations, and al fresco cafes. The museum building itself was once a residence of the royal family. With an impressive pavilion and ornate facade, the buildings alone is well worth the visit. The museum is a tribute to Iranian cinema over the years and they regularly hold screenings of both Iranian and foreign films. Also check out: Things to do in Tehran<\/a><\/p>\n

From here you can hail a taxi on Vali Asr Street to take you to\u00a0Sadabad Palace Complex<\/b><\/strong>, about 2 kilometers away. Set on a 180-hectare estate, this palace was built in the 1920s. Like most remnants of the former monarchy, the palace grounds have been converted into museums and art galleries. The palace contains an impressive collection of Mahmoud Farshchian, a contemporary Iranian artist who\u2019s mystical paintings provide perfect imagery to Persian poetry and is often used to illustrate Hafez and Rumi. Also, check out the best hotels in Tehran<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Darband,

Darband, Tehran. Photo by Hari Karimi accessed via wiki commons<\/p><\/div>\n

As evening comes you can take a short walk up the street from the palace to Darband<\/a>, <\/b><\/strong>Tehran\u2019s own version of fairyland. Set in the mountains this old village has become a popular hiking and dining precinct for Tehran locals. As you walk up the cobble-stoned paths, you will see the twinkling lights of traditional restaurants nestled into the mountainside serving kebab, tea, and shisha. Diners will most likely be seated on a traditional day bed beside the running mountain stream.<\/p>\n

Day 3 & 4: Isfahan<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u00a0<\/b><\/strong>Isfahan is probably Iran\u2019s most visited city by Iranian and international tourists alike. Isfahan is set on a high plateau about 400 kilometers south of Tehran. Like most settlements across Iran, mountains surround and protect the city.<\/p>\n

With only 2 million occupants, Isfahan is much smaller than Tehran and Iran\u2019s 3rd largest city. Up until the 17th<\/sup>\u00a0century, Isfahan was the capital of Iran and one of the biggest cities in the world. Many architectural delights from that era still stand today.<\/p>\n

\"Naqsh-e

Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Isfahan, Iran<\/p><\/div>\n

I recently wrote Architectural treasures of Isfahan: 5 must-see landmarks<\/u><\/a>, so check that out for my sightseeing tips. If you are in Isfahan for two full days I recommend spending a day in Isfahan and one day in the surrounding area. In the city, be sure to see:\u00a0<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n