Top 10 Cities in Iran

The former Persian Empire cities, magnificent mosques, architectural masterpieces, and natural wonders bewitch travelers from afar and lure them to Iran to behold these treasures first-hand. From the Caspian Sea to the Persian Gulf, the historical, cultural, and natural sites are endless. Here we explore some of the best cities to visit in Iran, especially if it’s your first trip.

ESFAHAN
Nicknamed ‘nesf-e jahân’ [half the world], it’s with good reason that Esfahan is Iran’s crown jewel and one of the main two cities drawing visitors to the country. Imam Mosque with its calligraphy and symmetry and Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque with its lofty domes display Islamic architecture at its finest. Elsewhere, the city’s 11 bridges crossing over the babbling Zayandeh River create a most romantic atmosphere. A stroll through the bazaar is like walking through a living museum where you can witness the making of some of Esfahan’s most famous handicrafts.

SHIRAZ
Shiraz is the city of love, literature, and Persian gardens. Home to two of Iran’s most beloved poets, Hafez and Sa’adi, who even Johann Wolfgang von Goethe adored and was influenced by, their tombs attract throngs of Iranian visitors, as if they are making a pilgrimage. Elsewhere, a spectacular three-storey pavilion takes center stage in Eram Garden, a botanical Persian garden replete with towering cypress and palm trees, red roses, and flowing water, all of which will tempt you to break out a book of the great poets.

Pasargadae and Persepolis
Brazilian poet Manuel Bandeira referred to it as a utopia, and though Pasargadae is a far cry from its former days, you haven’t seen Iran until you’ve visited the birthplace of its ancient empire. Walk in the footsteps of the great kings of the Persian Empire and marvel at the colossal tombs and reliefs carved into the rock at Persepolis. A local guide at these sites is essential, as they will lead you through the history of the ruins and provide valuable insight, all with a deep sense of pride and passion.

YAZD
Yazd has the trifecta: kind people, ancient culture, and delicious food. Most famous for its badgir [windcatchers], this city blossomed in the desert and is the best place to experience ancient Zoroastrianism and modern-day Islam co-existing. Even though the sun-dried clay buildings ensure cooler temperatures inside, the summer sun is rather unforgiving outdoors, making winter the best season to visit. Not to be missed is the Zurkhaneh, ancient Persian gym, which is one of the only places in the country where women can also attend this UNESCO intangible cultural heritage.

KASHAN
Kashan is located in the north of Isfahan province among the hillsides of Karkas Mountain in Natanz and Kavir desert. The north and west of Kashan are surrounded by Kavir desert and the climate of this city is warm and arid. Kashan consists of 4 districts, “Markazi”, “Ghamsar”, “Barzak”, “Niasar”, 7 cities and 9 rural districts.

Kashan is known to be Dar al-momenin, the city of scorpions and the gate of desert. One of the most magnificent and glorious historical places is Fin garden in this city. Kashan has been an outstanding location in terms of situating on the National Roads Network of Iran and along the main connecting roads of east, north and west provinces in the center, south and southeast of the cities. This city is one of the industrial poles of the country based on its machine carpet weaving industry and varied industries such as porcelain and melamine, spinning and industrial tools.

Kashan textile industry dates back to SherBafi products as Velvet weaving, brocade and silk weaving. Kashan is best known for rosewater, handmade carpet and many tourism attractions so that tourism is one of the Kashan’s economic fields. Also, agriculture is common there, too. People who live in Kashan speak in Farsi by Kashani dialect and they are the followers of Asna Ashari Shia’.

TEHRAN
Don’t be put off by the traffic, smog, or wild confusion because Tehran deserves a chunk of your time. Iranians from all over the country eventually find their way here as do major international companies, which make the capital city a melting pot and best place to get a sense of modern-day Iran. There are plenty of palaces and museums to satisfy your historical requirements as well as a hip art and cafe scene to make you re-evaluate everything you thought you knew about Iranians. And when you’ve had enough city chaos, look no further than the northern Darband or Tochal neighborhoods for a quick escape into some pleasant nature.

QESHM ISLAND
The largest of the Persian Gulf islands, Qeshm is a free-trade zone and requires no visa to enter. It also contains some of the most epic natural wonders such as Stars Valley, Namakdan salt cave, and Hara (Mangrove) Forest, a beloved spot of migratory birds. Along with its charming towns, such as Laft, and cultural heritage, like the art of lenj-building, this island is also noteworthy for its unique local culture and style of dress. In a world of sites and beauty within Iran, Qeshm truly stands out from the crowd.

AHVAZ
Ahvaz has earned the nickname ‘the city of bridges’ thanks to the many crossing over the Karun River which runs through it. Because it lay close to the front lines during the Iran-Iraq war, it suffered greatly at the time, but the carefree attitude of this south-western city today is contagious. The nearby towns of Khorramshahr, Shush, Shushtar, and Dezful are also worth stops for their breathtaking nature and triple dose of UNESCO world heritage sites. Since Ahvaz is unfortunately often plagued by harsh weather conditions, the best time to visit usually coincides with the Persian new year, just at the beginning of spring.

RASHT
Rasht is located at center of Gilan plain, in the widest delta part of Sefidrood River with the height of averagely 8 m above the sea level and the end of the main side road of the Caspian Sea and along the first class main road of Qazvin to Anzali port. Rasht enjoys a moderate and humid climate with variable humidity during the year. Rasht consists of 6 parts “Markazi”, “Khomam”, “Khoshkebijar, “Lashtnesha”, “Kochesfahan”, “Sangar”, 7 cities and 18 rural districts.

Rasht has some significant features, according to its geographical, economic, social, cultural, political and administrative conditions. This city is greatly important based on its geographical situation (locating on the central plain and its large width, fertile lands and soil, being the most important region of the province and Iran in terms of rice cultivation), communicative situation (locating among Tehran–Qazvin-Anzali-Astara roads, in one hand, and the main road from Gilan to Mazandaran and the east of Gilan, on the other hand), political–administrative situation (situating as the capital city of Gilan province) and economic development, towns expansion and industrial factories and the following increase in the agricultural-commercial activities and in the number of science and technology centers. The most residents of this city are active in service, trading and industrial jobs and paddy is the main activities of the villagers in this region. The race of Rasht people is Aryan and they are from Gilak tribe speaking in Gilaki with Bieh Pas and Rashti dialects; they are also mostly Asna Ashari Shia. Some Armenian and Jewish live in this city, as well.

KERMAN
Kerman in the southeastern of the largest province of Iran, Kerman, with the height of 1755 m above the sea level is the second-highest city in Iran.

Most of the Kerman areas surrounded by mountains.

The north and northeastern areas of this city are located in the vicinity of the Saheb-Al- Zaman Mountain and enjoys of a moderate climate and south and southwestern of this city enjoys of warmer summer and more air dust due to nearby to desert.

Hazar Mountain is more valuable by the rich resources of medicinal plants growing among this city’s mountain.

Kerman county consists of 6 parts “ Markazi “,”Chatrod”,”Rain “,”Shahdad “,”Golbaf”,”Mahan “ ,13 cities and 16 rural districts .

Kerman has enjoyed an appropriate economic position by climatic diversity, prepared agricultural poles, factories and significant production centers such as Shahid Bahonar copper, Kerman cement, Momtazan and Barez tire.

Kerman has a special Capabilities,potentials and position by locating on the way of main transport roads ,railways and goods transit , vicinity to southern ports ( Bandar Abbas and Chabahar), large commercial companies, International airport, rich and valuable mines, Valid academic centers, Local arts and handicrafts such as Pate, Terme, Carpet ,natural- cultural-religious and historical heritages and considered as one of the Iran’s tourism poles.

People race who lives in Kerman is Aryan and Fars and some Lor, Turk , Baloch with diversity in dialect and language immigrated to this city, But Kerman’s people speak in Farsi with Kermani dialect and most of them are Shia.

Ramsar
Ramsar which is known as the most beautiful city in the north of Iran, is located on the Chalus-Rasht road, in the west of Mazandaran province at an altitude of 20 meters above sea level. This city is bounded by the Caspian Sea from the north, Alborz mountain range from the south, Tonekabon city from the east and Gilan province (Rudsar city) from the west. The climate of Ramsar is hot and humid in summer and mild in winter.

Ramsar county has a “central” section, two cities “Ramsar” and “Katalam” and four villages “Chehel Shahid”, “Sakht Sar”, “Janat Rudbar” and “Eshkor”.

Ramsar is one of the rainy and old cities of Mazandaran province, which was called Sakht Sar in the past. Ramsar contains unique natural, historical and recreational attractions; so that it is considered as a tourist destination. The shortest distance between the mountains and Caspian Sea coast (one of the most prominent attractions of the city), forest parks, hot mineral water spa, waterfalls, caves, springs, lakes, historical monuments, rich culture, Various handicrafts (mat weaving, pottery, basket weaving, wooden, sculptures, etc.), the airport, accommodation, hospitality and entertainment centers make this city as a significant hub in the tourism industry.

The old Ramsar Hotel, Safarood Forest Park, Javaherdeh village, Mardkuh castle and the museum palace (Caspian Spectacle Museum) can be named as tourism attractions but a few.

Another fantastic attraction of Ramsar is Ramsar Cable Car connects beach to mountain forest. This specific feature makes this cable unique in Iran.

Moreover, most people in the world know the name Ramsar thanks to the Ramsar convention. The Ramsar Convention is an international agreement in which member states study and support the world’s most important wetlands, especially those inhabited by waterfowl.

In addition to occupations in the tourism industry, agriculture and cultivation of products such as rice, citrus and tea are among the most lucrative occupations in this region. The residents of Ramsar speak Gilaki who are mostly Muslim and Shia. People with Zoroastrian, Christian and other religions also live in this area.

TABRIZ
Tabriz is one of the oldest and biggest cities of Iran on the hillside of the Sahand Mountain (volcano). This city is surrounded by mountains in the north, south and east and flat lands as well as the Talkherud salt marsh in the west, like a partly big hollow or a plain with fantastic view among the mountains, at the height of 1350 to 1550 m above the sea level in different areas. This city enjoys a highly cold weather in winter and warm and arid in summer. Tabriz consists of two districts,”Markazi“ and “Khosro shah”, three cities named “Tabriz”, ”Sar Dorud“ and “Khosro Shah” and 75 rural districts. It is the most populous city in the east Azerbaijan and the biggest city in the northwest of Iran.

The number of passengers who travel to Tabriz has been increased after establishment of the Tabriz-Zanjan highway and the city turned into the 2nd destination of passengers after Mashhad. Arg-e Tabriz is the symbol of city. It connects the western cities of Iran to the eastern cities along the Silk Road and has been properly called the “Gate of the Orient”. Moreover, it is one of the main commercial, industrial, economic and cultural centers in Iran, since the past, due to its appropriate location. Given the specific geographical location, Tabriz has a high political and economic position and best-known as the “Cradle of Investment” due to the ability to attract large investments from private sectors. It is ranked 1 in attracting investment among Iran cities for five consecutive years.

Tabriz is the second industrial city after Tehran and its industrial development is the cause of extensive immigrations to this city. It also is the second tower constructing city in Iran. Tabriz is the administrative, commercial, political, industrial, cultural and military center of Azerbaijan .The main industrial productions of this area are foodstuffs, chemicals, non-metallic mineral, basic metals, textile and carpet machinery. In addition, Tabriz has been a heavy industrial center including machinery and equipment industries. It is a leading center for Leather production, in addition to being famous for the other arts and handicrafts, for a long time. Tabriz and Maragheh handmade carpets are famous in all around the world due to their specific design and high quality that their export is considered as one of the significant sources of foreign exchanges in Iran. Today, Tabriz people speak in Turki (Azari) language and this city was the capital of Shia in all around the world and most of its residents are followers of Asna Ashari Shia.