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Tehran

Travel to Iran / Tehran

Tehran

Tehran is the capital of Iran. Tehran, like all the world capitals is representative of modern life. In fact, if you visit Tehran, you can see beautiful palaces, museums and art galleries; as an example, it is very well known for visiting its numerous attractions such as Palace complexes for its kings of the past time, jewelry museum, other famous museums such as Iran’s first museum, Dizin, Tochal, Saadabad, Golestan, Persian handicrafts and its high quality delicious Iranian foods.

Tehran is named by many experts the city of museums as you can get acquainted with the history of Iran and even the world by strolling and visiting several unique museums of this modern city. The shops of this metropolitan city are well stocked with every modern goods, as well as local handicrafts. Since most international flights land in Imam Khomeini Airport, the town has become an important distribution center for visitors from abroad. Furthermore, its status as a Capital City and commercial center attracts many businessmen and diplomats every year. So many international exhibitions are annually held in this large capital city of Iran As a result, most of the country’s hotels, both large and small, as well as tourist facilities have grown up in Tehran.

Summer relaxation resorts and recreational centers are equally available for local and foreign travelers and tourists in and around Tehran: parks, reservoirs and banks of three major dams (Amir Kabir, equipped for water skiing, boating and swimming, Latyan, and Lar), mountain entertainment facilities north of Tehran, Towchal Tele-cabin, Damavand peak, bowling and other wholesome pastimes, the valleys of Jajrud and Karaj rivers (both a trout fisherman’s paradises), and the ski resorts of Dizin, Shemshak, and Ab-e Ali. Reception and accommodation facilities are so versatile in Tehran and its suburbs that they would no doubt suit the taste and choice of every tourist.

Iran Carpet Museum

Carpet Museum of Iran:

Not far from the Museum of Contemporary Art and also adjacent to Laleh Park, the Carpet Museum of Iran is one of the most rewarding of Tehran’s museums. Most of the carpets on display are from the 19th or 20th centuries; and photography is permitted though use of a flash is not.

Golestan Palace

Golestan Palace:

In his description of Golestan Palace, Pietro Della Valle has reported that Tehran is a “garden full of plane trees that has surrounded the royal palace”. Although the construction of Golestan palace dates back to Safavid Empire, its importance has lain in Qajar age when Agha Muhammad Khan overthrew Zand dynasty and coronated back in Tehran during Nowrooz 1795, as the king of Iran. Also, the history of Golestan has been intertwined with a political climax, i.e., Constitutional Revolution. It is situated close to Tehran Grand Bazaar. Moreover, the palace was home to the Pahlavi kings where it hosted presidents from other governments.

Among the splendid monuments within the palace “Shams-ol-Imarah” or the sun house has marked the most well-known with its five floors which was the highest building in Tehran at the time. The sun house is constructed according to European architecture and there is a lovely clock on top of the building gifted by Queen Victoria. Some historians claim that it is the first clock come to Iran. You will find several valuable galleries inside the palace including one with its extraordinary mirror hall that contains paintings belonging to Kamal-al-Molk, the most renowned painter of the era. Furthermore, enjoy the ancient utensil treasury in Golestan palace consisting of European gifts for the Persian kings and the anthropology exposition as the outstanding ones.

Iran Jewelry Museum
Jewelry Museum:

One of the most spectacular and splendid places of which Iranians are proud, is the museum for jewelries which hosts the most precious stones and fabrics from the time of European Renaissance (Safavid time) to the contemporary era. Some of them were brought here from Asian and European countries centuries ago, while some others have been made by Iranian artists. Moreover, you will have a chance to see Daria-i-Noor, one of two precious and popular diamonds. Her sister, Koh-i-Noor, exited the country and to be dedicated to Queen Victoria.

The jewelries, not only recount historical stories about the defeats and victories in Iran and its civilization during preceding eras but they also show the creativity and artistry of Iranian artists. Now this collection is a persistent support to the central bank of Iran. It is open to the public from Saturday to Tuesday. Yet, nobody has been able to value and estimate this treasure of Jewelry Museum and they regard the jewelries as priceless because some of them are quite rare in the world.

Niavaran Palace:

The Niavaran Palace Complex consists of several buildings and a museum. The Sahebqraniyeh (Kings Special Office) contains a collection of art, the Shah’s golden phone, and royal pistols. The Palace of the Qajar dynasty is also inside this complex. This palace was the primary residence of the last Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. The Jahan-Nama Museum (Queens Private Museum) has more art plus archeological finds from Iran, Egypt and even Mexico.

Sepahsalar School & Mosque:

One of the greatest Iranian School architecture, it is located down town, adjutant to Baharestan. Dating back to Qajar era, it is a 20800 m2 complex, built by the most famous architects of its time in 1795. The 8 minerat specially create a beautiful and unique scenery.

Tehran Grand Bazaar
Tehran Grand Bazaar: (Bāzār e Bozorg)

Traditionally, Tehran Grand Bazaar has been among those extensive structural designs as it is about 10kms long. Although bazaar-like constructions have been dated back to the 4th century B.C, the growth of Tehran Bazaar does not predate the Safavid art era. Besides, many sections of Tehran bazaar were developed later, in 19th century while some parts were added during Reza Shah Pahlavi in 20th century.

The jumbo local covered bazaar of Tehran suits best for shopping fans and traders since it comprises almost all thinkable items of which jewelry and carpet are of special note. It has several corridors each specified distinct kinds of goods. Interestingly, Tehran bazaar is called “a city within a city” not only due to its innumerable shops but also its various mosques of which the Shah Mosque is the most noticeable. In addition, Moslem Restaurant definitely catches your eyes with its long line of people waiting for its well-known Tahchin (a traditional Iranian dish made of rice and meat).

While this maze-like bazaar provides you a quintessential place to get lost, it contains several entrances each of which wending your way to the closest exit or else, there is always someone quite familiar with the directions, mostly among Bazaaris, who know bazaar map like the back of their hand.

The Bazaaris (shopkeepers in the bazaar) are both the inseparable part of the Tehran Grand bazaar and the economic system and without them the bazaar would be senseless. They have been performing a key role in the climax of socio-political situations throughout history specifically during 1979 Revolution when they situated themselves opposite the autocracy and supported the public.

You will find some of the Bazaaris purely sympathetic to the extent that they invite you to a cup of tea, however, you might like to drink your tea in the smallest tea house in Tehran, Haj Ali Darvish, in the clock shops section. Sorry! You should stand in front of the tea house as the place is restricted but it is worth a tasty chāi (tea).

Saad Abad Palace
Sa’ad Abad Palace:

The northern part of Tehran has welcomed the most extended complex, i.e., Sa’ad Abad, which contains 180 acres of natural forests, water springs, gardens, greenhouse and avenues. There used to be a river inside, from Qajar to Pahlavi times which distributed water among the habitants of the palace as well as the outside peeple. Some sections of this mansion serves the Presidential Organization now. Sa’ad Abad also consists of 18 palaces in different dimensions and status within the complex that are recently turned into various exhibitions. These include Green Palace, where they keep Iranian and European furniture, White Palace, which is the biggest one with a white facet and where they keep priceless Iranian carpets, Ahmad Shahi Palace which is the oldest one, Farshchian museum, with a precious collection of pure Persian miniature paintings by this famed artist, Black Palace, Nations Palace and some minor ones.

Moreover, to visit Tehran, please have a look on our tours and select your favorite itinerary.

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