Iran travel guide
Sublime architecture, a rich poetic tradition and wildly diverse landscapes – Iran is a beautiful country that defies the media headlines
Iran is one of the world’s best-kept travel secrets. A large and diverse country, Iran has rugged mountains, secretive forests, salt-plains, arid deserts, mysterious steppes and sleepy beaches.
The man-made attractions can be equally magnificent, with stunningly beautiful Isfahan way up any list of travel highlights, while Persepolis is one of the world’s greatest ancient sites.
But it’s the Iranian people who are the real surprise to the unsuspecting visitor; most Iranians are friendly and approachable, with many curious about the outside world. Add to this, Iran’s fascinating history, its rich culture, its many contradictions, and you have a heady mix. Iran has suffered from an image problem; be prepared to have any preconceptions overturned.
Wanderlust recommends
- Explore the stunning main square and magnificent mosques of beautiful Isfahan. Recover with tea in a traditional teahouse
- Visit the tomb of one of Persia’s great poets, Hafez, in Shiraz.
- Look for graffiti left by Stanley (as in “Dr Livingstone, I presume”) in magnificent Persepolis
- Go trekking in the Alborz mountains and climb Mount Damavand – the Middle
Eastern Kilimanjaro
Wanderlust tips
Iran is probably the safest country in the world for women. But you do need to observe the hejab dress code. Cover your head at all times – a headscarf is fine. You can show a fringe but nothing more. You are expected to have no flesh showing except hands and face. The ideal is baggy clothing; loose trousers with a modest long-sleeved tunic or baggy shirt is fine. Or top it with a thin cotton coat (a roupush) as many of the locals do.
Men should not wear shorts or reveal too much flesh. Don’t take magazines that include photographs of scantily clad women. Remove shoes if entering a house or mosque.
Even if you’re not into football, gen up on Manchester United and some of the world’s top footballers! Iranians are passionate about football, and it makes a great ice-breaker if you can name a dozen or so footballers.