🇮🇷 Iran

10 best places in Tehran

Tehran climbs the slopes of the Alborz mountains from the bustling bazaar below to the hillside teahouses of Darband above, with Qajar and Pahlavi palaces of mirrored halls and carpets tucked in between.

Sight

Golestan Palace

A Qajar-era palace complex of mirrored halls and tiled facades, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the city centre.

Museum

National Museum of Iran

The country's leading archaeology museum, holding artefacts from Persepolis and Iran's ancient civilisations.

Market

Tehran Grand Bazaar

One of the world's oldest and largest covered bazaars, its vaulted corridors packed with carpets, spices and gold.

Sight

Milad Tower (Borj-e Milad)

One of the world's tallest telecommunication towers, with an observation deck overlooking all of Tehran.

Sight

Azadi Tower

A marble arch that has become the city's symbol, built to mark 2,500 years of Persian monarchy.

Park

Tabiat Bridge

A pedestrian bridge-park linking two city parks across three tiers of terraces, cafés and lookout points.

Sight

Sa'dabad Complex

The shahs' former summer residence in the Alborz foothills, a garden complex of dozens of palace museums.

District

Darband

A hillside district in the city's north where cafés and restaurants line a mountain stream at the foot of Alborz hiking trails.

Museum

Niavaran Palace Complex

The last residence of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, with his private quarters and a classic car collection.

Café

Traditional Tea House at Darband

A classic chai khaneh serving shisha and Persian tea on a terrace above the mountain stream.

FAQ

Is Tehran safe to visit?

Street crime in Tehran is low, and visitors usually comment on how welcoming people are. The real risks are different: the political situation, protests, restrictions on foreigners and the particular exposure of dual nationals, including those holding Iranian citizenship. Always check your own government's current travel advice, since the picture can change quickly.

Do credit cards work in Iran?

No. Because of sanctions, foreign Visa and Mastercard do not work in Iran and ATMs will not accept them. Visitors bring cash and exchange it locally, and prepaid tourist cards issued inside the country are a common workaround. Budget in advance and carry a reserve.

How many days do you need in Tehran?

Two or three days cover Golestan Palace, the National Museum of Iran, the Grand Bazaar and the Milad and Azadi towers. The city is huge and traffic is heavy, so use the metro, which is cheap and reaches the centre. Many travellers treat Tehran as an entry point and give most of their time to Isfahan, Shiraz and Yazd.

Do you need a visa for Iran?

Most travellers do, usually through an authorisation code and a consulate, with visa on arrival available to some nationalities. US, UK and Canadian citizens must travel on a guided tour with an approved operator. Rules and exemption lists shift with the political situation, and Iran is not a practical relocation destination, since settling there as a foreigner is difficult both legally and in daily life.