Iran Travel Guide
The Persian Achaemenid Empire was founded by Cyrus the great in 550 B.C. and defeated by Alexander in 330 B.C.
Extending from Anatolia and Egypt across western Asia to northern India and Central Asia it is known as a vast multicultural empire, ruled by Persians.
Beside the unique architecture of this ancient city of 2500 years ago, the respect to the human rights at that time is considered as a brilliant characteristic of Persepolis:
In constructing Persepolis, there was NO SLAVERY. According to the numerous tablets that have been found in Persepolis, every people had their own salaries.
2500 years ago, female workers of this city have the right of maternity leave, in time of their pregnancy.
There was a day care center for female workers to put their little children there and go to work.
Do you enjoy skiing in high altitude?
Do you want to spend your time in ski resorts with fresh smell of natural snow?
Are you seeking for powdery snow with fewer competitors for the fresh snow?
Then you are very welcomed in two famous Iranian ski resorts: Dizin & Shemshak.
Maybe for many of you it seems strange. It was also strange for some tourists and ski lovers before their visit to Dizin and Shemshak. But now we have many requests for Dizin and Shemshak resorts from all over the world including European who seeks higher altitude than their ski resorts. Let's check Dizin and Shemshak resorts (we suggest you to also check Trip Advisor and You Tube):
Today is the first day of autumn in Iran. In very ancient Persia this spectacular season was the beginning of New Year. Why? Because this season is the beginning of agricultural year - regard this day as a kind of harvest festival.
The first month of autumn in Iran is called: Mehr. Today is the first day of Mehr. But who is Mehr?
Mehr or Mitra is the name of a legendary god in ancient Persia. He is the god of brightness, friendship and affection. In order to appreciate this god, Mehr, Persian people celebrate this day and called it Mehregan (1500 years later they celebrated Mehregan in 16th day of this month).
But what did ancient Persian do in this day?
Sisakht is a small beautiful city in south west of Iran. It is located in Kokiluye and Boyerahad province. You can easily put step on Shiraz- Isfahan road and after passing cities like Sepidan and Yasooj you will get to this area. This city is a cold snow-covered area during winter which shows off the white picture it has made. During other seasons, the city is replete with delicate wind, filled flowing streams, green forests, and gardens full of fruits and flowers.
We have all got used to our machinery lives. Perhaps it's even so hard to imagine our lives without these facilities for an hour. However, nearly all of us let nature embraces us so that we can ease our minds from life's difficulties. If you are looking for a place far away from today's machinery world, Ista Village in the north of Iran would be a nice choice for you. You can also visit Taleghan Village the people of which seem to be ceased in time.
In north east of Iran, in one of the villages of Sabzevar township that is called Estaj, you will see a fabulous sight as if God has looked at it discriminately. It will excite you to see a green area filled with trees having blossoms and a small river while birds are singing.
Quiet, calm and almost vacant islands with beautiful beaches, sands and rocks. It is also best place for relaxation, recreation, swimming, and sun bathing. At its beachs, Diving, fishing and taking photos are routine staffs that you can do.
Springs of Badab Surt:
In north part of Iran in Orost village of Sari town, you will face with view which seems someone painted earth with incredible colors.
The natural site with two distinct mineral springs and different natural characteristics that located at 1,840 metres above sea level. Place with spring waters that are quite different in terms of color, smell ,taste ,volume of water and even different health benefits.
Alcoholic beverages, narcotics, guns and ammunition, all horticultural and agricultural goods including seeds and soil; aerial photo cameras, transmitter receiver apparatus, pornography, most films, cassettes, CDs and videos and any kind of fashion magazine. Of course, hunters who are visiting Iran on hunting tours can get necessary permits for carrying their guns and ammunition via their travel agents beforehand.
It is called Iranian Rial (IR). Notes are in denominations of IR 20,000, 10,000, 5000, 2000, 1000, 500, 200 and 100. Coins are in denominations of IR 500, 250, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. You may come across the word Toman there. 10 IR = 1 Toman. Everyone is using this word instead of Rials.
1) Narcotics and laxatives
2) Explosives, radioactive and inflammable materials or other dangerous materials
3) Items against Islamic moralities
4) Live animals except for honey bees, leeches, silkworms, parasites and bug-busting animals recognized by the institutes
5) Goods forbidden to enter the destination country
6) Items that might cause a danger for post company’s personnel or might hurt the other postal items or equipment, and
7) Private documents corresponded between parties other than the sender or the receiver or any of their family members
Yes, you can find fax facilities in most of the hotels as well as at main post offices in Iran. And, there are a growing number of Internet users in Iran. So, almost all the major hotels provide their guests with Internet facilities and the others are being equipped for the same purpose. Also, many Internet cafes are already opened to the public and many other ones are going to be opened due to the increasing need of the people.
IDD service is available. Country code is 98. Outgoing international code is 00. In case you need to make a short distance call in the street, the telephone booths are yellow and marked in English. There are also phone cards for domestic as well as international calls available.
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are of the round two-pin type. If you have 110 volts appliance to use on your trip, like shaving machine, hair drier, etc., it is recommended to take a 110- to-220 plug with you while traveling. Of course, you can find it in Iran too, but it can be a waste of time in some situations.
Women wear non-transparent, loose garments covering all their bodies except for the hands and face. Color is a free choice, but red, orange, pink or similar colors are not put on during national or private sad occasions. Black is not a must. Chador is not a must either, but when it comes to visit a holy mausoleum and you have the opportunity to experience wearing a chador for a few minutes, do not skip the opportunity to feel the atmosphere. Men put on non-transparent garments too. They may wear short-sleeve shirts or T-shirts (unlike women), but not shorts in the public. The choice of color is the same for men as well. Due to the heat of the Sun and in order to protect your skin, I would not recommend wearing short sleeve shirts. If you do, do not forget to put on some Sun block cream on your skin. But, it is your choice!
The roads are asphalted and the maintenance is regularly done. There are highways in many routes and separate lanes to and from cities to safeguard transportations. As a matter of fact, contrary to many tourists' expectations, roads are of very good quality. If you choose to travel overland instead of taking a flight, you can see a lot of landscape, meet the people in the intact rural areas and experience the real life situations in addition to many other opportunities you will not find inside cities. For instance, Iranian guides can take possible opportunities to arrange picnic meals for you.
You can buy any kind of soft non-alcoholic drinks. There are Iranian made drinks as well as international brands served everywhere. People drink tap water. It is filtrated and refined before supplied to them, but for the newcomers traveling to Iran, bottled mineral water is available also.
Years and years, people of all around the world celebrate winter solstice (shortest day of the year and its longest night). In Iran we call this night Yalda.
Why we celebrate Yalda night:
It is the longest night in year and it means from now on the days will be longer and the darkness will be shorter. In ancient Persia (now Iran) this night regarded as the birth night of the Sun.
According to World Bank Group (http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/iran/overview) Iran is the second largest economy in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and also the second largest population of this region.
Iran is known as the second country in the world in natural gas reserves and fourth in proven crude oil reserves.
For years this country was involved with strict sanction but after agreement on the Iranian nuclear program in Vienna on 14 July 2015, the government is now so ambitious for expanding its economic relationships with other countries. This country is now focusing on the development of its economy and progress in science and technology.
Finally, Western sanctions against Iran have been officially lifted. Iran President – Hassan Rouhani - congratulated Iranian people:
"Implementation Day-I thank God for this blessing & bow to the greatness of the patient nation of Iran. Congrats on this glorious victory!"
Meymand is a very ancient village which is located near Shahr-e Babak city in Kerman Province. This village is approximately 12000 years old and dates back to when human residence was started in the Iranian Plateau. Many of its residents live in the 350 hand-dug houses amid the rocks, some of which have been inhabited for as long as 3,000 years. A lot of stone carvings dating back to thousands of years ago have been found in and around this ancient village.
The village is a UNESCO world heritage site and was awarded UNESCO's 2005 Melina Mercouri prize.
Subcategories
Iran FAQ
These are some of the most important issues helping you travel more comfortably and peacefully to Iran.
Bavanat 
Tehran
