The travel experiences that leave the deepest impression refine the soul and create happy, unforgettable moments. These are experiences of immersion, presence, and awareness. If you are a lover of exceptional adventures in Iran that cannot be found in other destinations — such as shopping in historic domed bazaars with soaring walls, or visiting valleys with their breathtaking geometric formations — then keep reading this article.
This article will guide you to the most beautiful experiences recommended in Iran.
1. Try watching traditional sports at the zurkhaneh.
The zurkhaneh is a gymnasium where traditional sports are practiced in Iran. Bodybuilding and wrestling in their traditional forms are the sports practiced in this hall. The zurkhaneh and its etiquette hold a sacred place in Iranian culture, as everyone who goes to the zurkhaneh and practices traditional sports must embody chivalry and rise above base conduct.
The champions perform exercises and lift weights made of wood and iron within a wide circle in the center of the hall. The voice of the guide, who chants verses of poetry about manhood, chivalry, and praise of the holy imams while beating a drum, adds to the order and coordination that is essential for performing these sports.
Everything in this practice is traditional — from the weights and the poetry chanted by the guide, to the short trousers decorated with motifs resembling Persian carpet patterns, as a mark of pride in ancient Persian civilization.
2. Enjoy the beauty of the Zoroastrian quarter in Yazd.
Yazd province is the heir to the Zoroastrian religion and its architectural heritage in Iran. The Zoroastrian quarter (fire worshippers), built of brick with its narrow alleyways featuring beautiful arched entrances, awakens a sense of longing for history and its events in the human conscience.
The wooden doors of the old houses in the Zoroastrian quarter, with their varied designs, tell of Persian culture and ancient civilization. The door knockers on the right side, which produced a deep sound, were used by men, while those on the left, which produced a softer sound, were designated for women to knock.
Visiting the Zoroastrian temple and witnessing the fire that has not been extinguished for more than thousands of years, as well as the ceremonial rituals during special occasions, are among the most beautiful experiences one can have in Iran.
3. Try rural life for a few moments on the slopes of the Zagros Mountains.
The Zagros is a mountain range in Iran stretching from the northwest to the central regions of the country. With its stunning nature and unique flora and fauna, these mountains are among the most beautiful destinations recommended for travel in spring.
Traveling to the Zagros offers many pleasures, including watching eagles and listening to their calls and echoes, which evoke a sense of awe at nature, as well as seeing waterfalls and natural springs. The experience of being hosted by nomadic tribes in their tents is what sets these mountains apart from other mountain ranges in Iran.
Listening to folk songs, trying traditional dances, fishing, horse riding, herding sheep, milking cows, and tasting delicious local foods such as animal butter, farm-fresh eggs, and local clotted cream are among the most wonderful things that nature lovers can do during this experience.
4. Discover old Tehran.
One of the most beautiful things a person can experience when traveling to Iran is visiting the most prominent landmarks of the old city of Tehran .
Although Tehran has today become one of the largest cities in the Middle East, there are historic landmarks and places through which one can travel back to the world of old Tehran and its beauty.
The Music Museum, a visit to the Oudlajan quarter, the traditional Tehran café, a visit to the Modarres House, the National Jewelry Museum, the old public bathhouses — some of which are still in use to this day — and the homes of old artists that have remained unchanged for more than seventy years, with their original designs and belongings, are the most important places that make up this itinerary.
5. Travel to one of Iran’s breathtaking valleys.
Iran’s valleys and the experience of visiting them may be among the strangest experiences you can have in Iran. These valleys, which took millions of years to reach their final form, can be enjoyed with the help of a travel guide.
Most of these valleys are filled with blue waters that have traveled a great distance, passing through mountains and caves to become fantastical swimming spots. Another feature that adds to the beauty of these valleys is their stunning and unparalleled vegetation.
The geometric shapes that leave visitors in awe — especially the walls formed by sediment and the large circles and pits in the middle of these valleys — fill a person with wonder and prepare them to take in the other new and strange sights these valleys have to offer. The Jahkuh and Raggez valleys are among the most beautiful valleys in Iran.
6. Shop in Iran’s traditional and ancient bazaars.
Shopping in Iran’s ancient bazaars is something that cannot be overlooked in Iran. These bazaars are distinguished by their domes and alleyways filled with goods crafted directly before your eyes, such as copper vessels, silver pieces, and decorative items like candlesticks and lanterns.
These covered bazaars, lit by light filtering through openings in the ceiling, make a person feel as though they are traveling through time — especially as the voices of the vendors completely detach you from any thought of the modern malls and shopping centers you are used to visiting.
These bazaars encompass historic sites such as mosques, cafés, and bathhouses. Among the oldest ancient bazaars in Iran, mention can be made of the Tabriz Bazaar and the old Tehran Bazaar, which serves as the beating heart of Tehran.
7. Cook and taste delicious local foods in Iran
One of the distinguishing features of Iranian cuisine is that, in addition to the well-known Iranian dishes that can be enjoyed in most parts of Iran, there are also foods specific to the various ethnic communities within Iran.
You can try delicious local foods in the homes of Iranians, invited by their generosity and warm hospitality, and you can also try those foods in the respective provinces. Moreover, there are rural guesthouses in various parts of Iran that help tourists experience rural life and cooking, where a tourist can go to the house garden, pick the required vegetables themselves, then buy Iranian food ingredients and spices such as fragrant saffron, green cardamom, and barberries, and cook whatever they desire over an open fire with the help of the host who welcomes guests at those houses.
8. Listen to Iranian music.
The experience of listening to Iranian music is another experience you can have in Iran. Traditional Persian music is accompanied by instruments such as the daf, the drum, the ney, and local string instruments.
Experiencing live music has its own special pleasure, as one is drawn in by the grandeur of the artist’s voice and the skill of the musical ensemble. Before coming to Iran, or upon your arrival, you can search online for concerts being held on the days you are considering for your trip.
If you prefer listening to folk songs in a more informal setting, Iranian restaurants are an option, and there are also talented young musicians who play instruments on the sidelines of bazaars and public spaces. You can stop near these young musicians for a while to enjoy their beautiful art.
9. Try traveling to Iran’s southern islands.
Iran has numerous islands in the south and north, but the southern islands of Iran are the most popular among tourists and the general public. Kish, Qeshm, and Hormuz islands are among the finest tourist destinations in Iran. These islands offer tourists a wide range of entertainment services.
Visiting the other uninhabited islands of Iran is recommended for geologists and lovers of geography and nature, as those islands are considered a natural phenomenon and rich material for geological studies. In addition, the geometric formations that can be seen on these islands astonish visitors with their beauty and variety.
Among the other things that add to the appeal of traveling to the islands in Iran is the culture of the people who have inhabited these islands — from colorful clothing and folk songs to local rituals and traditions that will undoubtedly captivate tourists.
10. Attend a cultural or folk occasion or celebration in Iran.
The opportunity to witness cultural rituals in Iran may be the most adventurous experience of all.
The festivities of the last Wednesday of each year, during which Iranians celebrate the Fire Festival, the celebrations of Nowruz — distinguished by the Haft Sin table setting and the bustling of Iranian bazaars — Nature Day, on which one sees nothing but smiling faces that have come out to enjoy the fresh open air, and even religious occasions such as Ashura, are among the experiences that a person simply cannot enjoy anywhere else in the world.
These are not all there is — there are many more experiences you can have in Iran, which you can discover through the blog.
To find out which of Iran’s landmarks are internationally registered, you can refer to the UNESCO World Heritage List in Iran.