My visa allowed independent travel, but I opted to hire a certified private local driver/guide. This is one of the *very* few articles about Iran that I completely agree with. Persian (Farsi) is difficult, and no locals expect you to learn much beyond hello and thank you while you are there, but do your best anyway as a few extra words will go a long way in showing respect. thanks for your tips. Although we were based in Northern Tehran (Eliheyah), we once drove by luxury coach to Ishfahan to spend one week there (2012), the other trip we flew to Shiraz to spend one week there (2015). Problems are everywhere. They even offered us a ride, and said if the cafes were closed they had coffee at their home and would love to make us some. you can contact me at [emailprotected]. Were off to Iran in a couple of weeks and great to get some tips re luggage, local currency cards and communication options. Move away and you will be surprised how much the price drops, and the portions are larger. And also about hijab, if youre thinking that its gonna make you struggle, well, it definitely isnt. We werent with a tour group, had no tour guides, dont speak the local language, took public transport and taxis, wandered the streets on our own basically everything you shouldnt do if youre in a dangerous country. We bought all our cash in euros and exchanged it in Tehran on day 1. As one of the world's leading travel journalists, our content and adventures have been featured by National Geographic, Lonely Planet, CNN, BBC, Forbes, Business Insider, Washington Post, Yahoo!, BuzzFeed, Channel 7, Channel 10, ABC, The Guardian, and plenty other publications. The service was excelent and they provided us whatever we need in order to make our trip easer. Please note that not all content is translated or available to residents of all countries. Well! On the 14th February 2016, the Ministry of Iran announced that citizens of 180 countries can now apply for VOA of 30-days at most international airports, including Tehran, Shiraz, Mashad, Tabriz and Isfahan. A delicious traditional spread was served to me at a table, but meals are often served on the floor and eaten without utensils; in these cases, use your right hand to eat. We hope happiness comes soon. But no matter what the veterans might say, there are good reasons to tour for those who want to. Be willing to change your plans if you get somewhere that you want to stay an extra day, or if you meet a backpacker that raves about one town you hadnt considered before. Tops should cover the elbows, and tight pants such as leggings and jeans should be paired with a long shirt or cardigan that covers your butt at a minimum. I could never thought how beautiful were every little point that we stopped by: landscapes, restaurants, seacoast, food persian landmarks will remind forever in my mind. Dont stress about booking buses, flights or trains before you arrive. What the world does not want, but we will achieve. We found out so much information about Iran and how the locals live simply by chatting away. So if you want to make fun of religious punishments, please pay attention first ,Can anyone in the European Union insult Christian shrines or the Queen of England walk freely in the cityBefore Islam, logic dictates that if you have any thought that violates society, keep it in your home and in your territory, if you force people to follow your thoughts, your fate is death.Unless you can prove it.Islam is also a proven religion in the world. We strongly encourage travellers to do their on research on companies and make their own judgements. We really enjoyed travelling around Iran. Buses and trains also wont wait for you if you arent there. It was a true insight to Iran and we made some beautiful friends from it (many of whom we still keep in contact with). The only thing is you cannot easily download it onto an iPhone, as Apple is an American company and does not support Iran. Good luck. This follows on from the customs section above, but in a bit more detail. It all depends on how upmarket your place is. Do bring pants as you need it for mosques. Thats a lot of zeros, so what the locals have started doing is dropping a zero and calling the new value a Toman. I hope you come back again very soon! I hope you back soon in my country. And boy were we thankful they did! We are older Australians and are wanting to go to Iran. Here is a video we made about Isfahan if you want to check it out. Hi I heard now you should ask for visa only from agencies. Similarly, if an Iranian refuses to take your money for a service, it's polite to insist until payment is accepted. If they speak English, they will endeavor to help you to the best way they can. Iran Destination is a well-operated tour operator in Iran which makes your travel to Iran easy. Navaran | Top Adventurous Winter Destinations in Iran Our travel recommendations are based on our personal experiences and research, written by locals and travel experts with deep familiarity with the destination. This is Ali, an Iranian. You can buy at home or while traveling, and claim online from anywhere in the world. Tourist attraction in iran | travel to iran, iran travel, Iran It made everything easier! Men and women who arent related shouldnt touch either. For the men, your arms do not have to be covered. When buying survivors, ask the price at a few places, get the vibe from the person/place and then buy. Candy, pastries or flowers are fine. ), filling and delicious, but theres plenty more to Iranian cuisine then just kebabs. Some time ago, an American insulted me a lot. Absolutely. Yep, we met a guy that did just that in Varzaneh, and because it was a weekend it meant nobody in the hostel could get internet until Monday. Hi Alesha and Jarryd, I accidentally found this while surfing the net, and its a bit sad that each dollar is 450000 Rials People are still friendly to tourists though, no matter how hard our lives are. It is then up to you to insist despite their refusals that you want to pay. . 1. There is a lot of eggplant, lentil and chickpea dishes. Hi dears! Give them a genuine smile, and you will get 100 smiles back, with tea and poetry. I have Surfshark subscription. Its really interesting to me. Mashhad is hallowed ground for many Iranians. Here and there, turrets gilded in intricate geometric designs loft above the mosque domes; the scents of incense and mint tea twist and turn from the cafes. If we were to boycott countries with corrupt and evil governments, wed start with the US. Maybe now you are wondering to consider Iran top destination for your travel. Long sleeve and maxi dresses are perfect. Dont shy away from this, even if you are a solo traveller. Try to get away from the popular tourist areas as well, as the prices are going to be a lot higher than the average place. I am Iranian and I have never heard of this. Disclaimer:The one time that you may need to book everything ahead of time is during Nowruz, which is the Persian New Year. I was advised to take a day travel backpack and a medium sized wheely which I hope to fill up with things bought locally. Theres no metre, so the driver will take the most direct way possible. Euros are widely accepted, but I exchanged some for Iranian rials for a fair rate at Tehran's airport, where I also purchased a local SIM. Will count our lucky stars, and make a note that perhaps its not always the case. Well, a lot actually. Thank you! Diversity is at its heart. The city squares are usually where locals will approach you to welcome you to their country, have a chat and practice their English. Apart from the rugged wall of snow-tipped Alborz Mountains that rise like a phalanx on the northern edge of town, the place is largely dominated by concrete and packed with smog-creating traffic jams aplenty. We were shocked. Thanks to the author. Glad the article could help. I am glad that you visited Iran, Thank you for your comment Masoud. Indeed, calling the monuments of ancient Persepolis "ruins" seems inaccurate, as the . Iran is also very misunderstood, with many people believing whatever propaganda they hear on the media about how dangerous or difficult it is to travel there. Its a truly enviable location; one that imbues this town of neo-classical hotel fronts and palm-peppered avenues with a wealth of good beaches and some seriously jaw-dropping panoramas of the hills that rise to form the Caucasian chains of Azerbaijan to the north. Add to that a clutch of stylish teahouses and coffee shops, frantic bazaars and youthful student energy, and Tehran really isnt all that bad! A visit to the National Center of Art & Culture. We budgeted $80 USD a day for a couple. hello,im shahzad from iran. It is important to do your research before travelling to a country. My mother and I are trying to book an organized trip with Intrepid Travel. The other added benefit is you can rate the drivers afterwards, so they are more likely to be honest rather than a taxi driver. Iran:Third fastest growing tourism destination in 2019 Top 20 best summer holiday destinations in Iran - LinkedIn The locals know what the media says about them and what a lot of the world thinks of their country, and the people just want to show that they are nice, generous people. I would be more than happy to help the tourist to Iran in having a pleasant journey. We have been travelling the world together since 2008, with a passion for adventure travel and sustainable tourism. I really appreciate for your thoughts on this topic. Contents hide It would be our honor to be host in your next travels to Iran. If she didnt show us, we wouldnt have a clue how to eat it. Hi Alesha and Jarryd, All of the mainstream media outlets portray Iran as an unsafe country, somewhere that youll be at risk if you visit. Its a rideshare app where drivers register and customers can order cars to get around town. With a history of more than 4,500 years, theres evidence to show that Tabriz is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the entire world. So disappointing to learn that Canada is not one of the countries included on the Visa on Arrival programI really want to spend a week in Tehran but it looks as though that wont be possible. Im happy that you liked your trip to Iran. Our tour packages are planned according to how much time you can spend on your trip. They have an online system too where you can top up the funds if youre running low. Here is a link to get your first 30 days for free. With 150+ adventure activities covered and 24/7 emergency assistance. "Even if we disregard all that has been said, the unique tourist attractions of Iran are a good . Because we want to be ourselves and defend ourselves and use our oil, ourselves And destroy the killer of our brothers (Israel's self-proclaimed regime). Wise travelers read about it before making a trip to this country. We dont support the government, we support the people of the country, who are among the friendliest, most genuine and hospitable people we have ever encountered. The buildings are distinctly adobe and brown though, except of course for the elegant mansions of the Tabatabaie Residence, the Ameri House and the domes of Aqabozorg. Yo drop a pin on a map for where you want to go, so theres no need to try and explain it to the driver in case he doesnt speak English (or your pronunciation is crap). Do you need to declare your religion for the Visa application? Thank you for your comment. They were charging $200 USD on one of those online booking agencies above. Iran is a BEAUTIFUL & AMAZING country and I am lucky to be here. You won't go hungry in Iran, but menu options can be limited; in larger cities you'll find a decent selection of plant-based restaurants and takeaway falafel shops. I would definetely recommend this company If you are thinking about renting a car to shuttle from a place to another, they are serious and reliable. I've also now added snorkeling andscuba diving sites at Qeshm Island to my wish list. 8 Breathtaking Places To Visit In Iran -The Land Of Fables Iranians are very punctual. We always recommend people travel with a backpack rather than a suitcase, but this is especially useful when you visit Iran. We hope so too. Learn the basics of desert photography, from staying safe to understanding composition as Michael E. Gordon gives us the inside track. 1. Please dont argue with that, its maybe 25c USD. cheers, i promise to passengers ( our guess ) that we can make nice memory for you , and hope you enjoy that, Hi guys, great article! Hes tours are informative but relaxed and have great reviews. We are not Baha'is, murderers, patriarchs, hungry, miserable, ISIL. We did not feel unsafe once through the whole 4 weeks of us backpacking independently in Iran. Dont miss our article on the bestthings to do in Shiraz! Known as taarof, the Persian art of etiquette can take a while to get your head around. Surprisingly a lot of people do speak broken English. April 28, 2023 - 21:0 TEHRAN - A Russian travel expert believes that Iran, as a travel destination, is still obscure for potential Russian travelers. That was perfect. 11 San Jose, Costa Rica. Thanks, Definitely if you stay at budget accommodation, take public buses as transport and not eat at fancy restaurants. Saeed Kamali Dehghan Fri 18 Oct 2013 10.58 EDT 10.58 EDT Persepolis (Takht-e-Jamshid), the capital of the Achaemid empire and one of the world's most magnificient ancient sites, was declared a. and articles like this may help people see Iran for what it is. If youre from the US, the UK or Canada, not only will you need to secure a visa in advance, but you're also restricted to visiting on an organized tour. have a great trip. Within minutes I joined in after being invited to clap my hands and a few girls were doing little hand dances in their seats within about 10 minutes half the people on the bus were all SINGING together, it was precious. It might be cooler than trousers. The hotels can help with that also. Dont be surprised if you get a lot of invitations to peoples homes as well, and this may be one of the few countries where wed say hanging out with strangers is highly encouraged. Check out the sprawling bazaar in the heart of the city, where five spice mixes with chilli and coriander powder between the vaulted emporiums. You order it on their website and theyll deliver it to your hotel in Tehran when you arrive. hi steve, i recommend, first travel to iran then try free vpn then buy subscription.because some vpn in iran dose not work. There are certain rules that women are required to follow in Iran, but the dress code wasn't as rigid as I expected. Today, the vaulted ceilings and alcoves of this ancient merchant centre still burst with shimmering gold jewellery and blood-red carpets, sweet-smelling Turkic pastries and oodles of spice from the east. Here we provide you with updated information about these popular cities as per below: The popular attractions, and the information about opening hours, visit duration and entrance fees. Some of the most common ones that throw tourists off are: Now we want to give a special mention to taarof This is a hospitality trait where its customary for someone to refuse payment for a service, and is probably the most confusing thing for any tourist to get their head around. Iran is an emerging destination for Russians: expert In Tehran, the locals push the limits in terms of what they wear in public. There are no unlimited data plans in Iran, so the hotels have to pre-purchase data in small packets. I adore your article. We are so glad you had a wonderful time with you family. Definitely would be helpful. Besides, the color ology of this map describes the situation in Iran: crime and violence rates are low, terrorist operations limited and in some areas rare. Hope to see you back here soon! Iran holds many surprises for visitors; like the climate which can fluctuate greatly, depending on the area and time of year, dispelling the long-held myth that Iran is nothing more than a vast, sweltering desert. Ive travelled extensively in the Middle East (Egypt, Palestine, Lybia, Qatar, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Iran and India. Malaysia announced best Muslim-friendly destination by OIC Thanks persian people and the company for making our dreamt trip happen!! DestinationsPhotographySustainable TourismAdventure Travel, Adventure ToursStart a BlogTravel TipsSitemap, 2023 NOMADasaurus | Peak Evolution Media, Have a Head Scarf in Your Carry-On Luggage Before Arrival, Bring a Phrase Book or Have Google Translate on Your Phone, Research the Food and Dont Just Eat Kebabs, Draw Up an Itinerary, But Keep it Flexible, Book Domestic Flights with Your Accommodation or Travel Agent, Team Up with Other Travellers and Share Tours, You Need a VPN to Access Some Social Media Platforms, Theres a Female-Only Carriage on the Metros. To help put your mind at ease about travelling in this incredible country, heres our list of the most important things to know before you visit Iran. Attractions of . Published Apr 17, 2022 + Follow Top 20 best summer holiday destinations in Iran | Iran holidays Did you. Theres two exchange rates in the country official rate and black market rate and the black market rate is of course much better. The southern part (Persian Gulf) is known for its golden beaches and hot climates, other areas such as Shemshak, Darbandsar, etc are known for their snow and mountains. It doesnt show up in the App Store. If I like it -and I am sure I will I shall go back. We did it with our guesthouse. Unfortunately, due to the difficulty in managing economic affairs, the Iranian people suffer from the high cost of goods. They will do it all on your phone and charge a small fee for their time. Most come to wonder at the filigrees and pay their respects at the Shrine of Fatima-al-Massumeh, which is the resting place of the sister of the eighth Imam of Shia Islam. Theyre not cheap, but when you need that caffeine hit in the morning its totally worth it. I recently moved to Iran, as I am Iranian-American (well, now mainly just Iranian). All the best. Smaller Tochal is even closer reached by a gondola from the northern fringe of the city. 15 Best Places to Visit in Iran - The Crazy Tourist We spent one month travelling around Iran and learnt so much during our time there. Glad the piece got the seal of approval from the Iran expert himself! I hope other tourists enjoy their travel to Iran, and I wanted to say, that Pinterest doesnt need VPN! Thats why its important to always ask Toman or Rial, so you dont accidentally pay too much on an item. 10 Reasons why you should visit Iran - Travel agency in Iran Lets explore the best places to visit in Iran: Gilded with the riches of more kings and sultans and Muslim caliphs than you can shake a cobalt-blue ceramic pot from a Zagros Mountain village at, the glorious city of Esfahan is unquestionably one of the most beautiful in all of Iran. I am Mehdi and I am from, Shiraz Iran. We were quite surprised to discover that a lot of Iranians could speak a little bit of English, but that wasnt always the case, so do yourself a favour and bring along something that can help translate English to Persian. Its packed with soaring minaret spires and the turquoise-hued domes of totemic mosques (dont miss the uber-handsome Ahlulbayt Mosque). One thing to keep in mind though is that just because there is wifi at your hotel, be respectful on how much you use it. Please dont be that person that streams Netflix or tries to download the new season of Game of Thrones, because all that will happen is youll end up using all the net for everybody else in the hotel, and cost the owner more money. Oh, and if you have an Israeli stamp on your passport, they wont let you in. Also dont be too concerned about travelling around with thousands of dollars in your backpacks. Your tour company will help organise your visa for you. The Iranians are so friendly and welcoming. en.pintapin.com. Great i read your experiences you had great fun in Iran. Hi guys. It is a magnificent country. Sorry, I wont support Iran. Once we told them we were just looking for a coffee they pulled out their phones and started showing us where the cafes were on a map. These days, people in my country are very sad. Another real must see is the sprawling Bazaar of Tabriz, which is known as one of the great trading outposts of the old Silk Road. Hey, great article on Iran tourism. Iranians love that tourists are coming to their country and travelling around. Today, only traces of this once feared power in the east remain, with a clutch of looming marble columns and a couple of stele all thats left to mark the great compound out amongst the rising hills of Rahmet Mountain. I have been to super cold areas like Norway and have lived in the snowy Switzerland, and have also been to warm countries such as Bali, Sri Lanka, etc What I love about Iran is that whenever and in whatever season you go, there are always 4 seasons. What do you think? please dont hesitate to ask me. And then there are the souks, where dust devils twirl between the cotton and silk emporiums, and shisha pipes puff in the background. Since the last time I lived here I was a child and have only visited every few years, when I arrived I was definitely feeling like a Persian that came back from a lost time warp of sorts, and had to learn the deeper levels of what you all already thoughtfully mentioned like tarof and the culture. You will have a great time. Unfortunately my bag wasnt big enough. And if it were not for the oppression of the blue eyes, Iran would have been twice as large, ten times more populousSo please do not pay attention to the slanders of others about our country. And trust us, youll get plenty of opportunities if you are open to it. All the local airline pages are in Persian, and these are where the best deals are. We didnt have any issue and didnt hear of any other travellers having problems, but this is common sense in any busy place in the world. If you want a tour that is not a tour, check out Yomadic. Ill travel in october alone to isfahan. I love you all dears!! Dont stress about getting your outfits beforehand as shopping in Iran is cheap. These dont necessarily have to be hiking boots (unless youre planning on doing some treks). There are free VPNs if you get suck and find yours does not work. Black is still worn a lot but not so much among the younger generation. If you are passing a local restaurant and it is packed with locals, that is going to be a winner. Photographing government buildings also carries harsh penalties. Mobility-restricted visitors may find Iran more challenging to navigate, with a reported 30% of public buildings accessible to people with a disability. Have a great trip. You described Iran very well. When you book it youll get the drivers name, their car model and their registration number, so you know youre getting in the right vehicle. It's customary to leave some food on your plate to indicate when you've finished. Of course, they limit you a little and lose a little freedom. Wow, Thanks for this. Some social media platforms are banned in Iran and you cannot access them without a VPN (Virtual Private Network). This is just one example of dozens of interactions that happened to us when we were in Iran. Just follow what the locals do. Ramsar sits neatly sandwiched between the rugged rises of the Alborz Mountains and the lapping waters of the Caspian Sea. If you are flying domestic, book through an agent or your local guesthouse in the country. If you go to the Snapp websiteyou can download it to your Apple phone through a special link there. Located in Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do, the Hwadam Botanic Garden is an ecological arboretum 1 hour and 30 minutes away from Seoul via public transportation. Im from Iran. I have been 2 weeks in Iran the last month, my friends and I were travelling the west part of this huge country touring the famous cities and recommended places over the countryside. As we mentioned earlier theft is rare. I should say YES. Millennia of rising and falling civilizations the Persians, the Parthians, the Safavids have all gone before the modern nation, and their glory and richness have done something to instill todays country with a pride and stability thats the envy of many neighbors (even if they wont admit it). . They gave us a great rate. Iran is an extremely lovely place to travel. First published on Fri 18 Oct 2013 15.58BST, Photograph: Paule Seux/ Paule Seux/Hemis/Corbis, Photograph: Paule Seux/Paule Seux/Hemis/Corbis, Photograph: Kazuyoshi Nomachi/Kazuyoshi Nomachi/Corbis, Photograph: Damir Sagolj/Damir Sagolj/Reuters/Corbis, Photograph: Frans Lanting/Frans Lanting/Corbis, Photograph: Dea / W. Buss/De Agostini/Getty Images, Photograph: Morteza Nikoubazl/Morteza Nikoubazl/reuters/corbis, Photograph: The Washington Post/The Washington Post/Getty Images, Photograph: Yves Gellie/ Yves Gellie/Corbis, Photograph: Shahabn Nahrevanian / Alamy/Alamy, Despite tensions, tourism in the Middle East is growing and, for the most part, visitors can travel safely. Monuments have been discovered in this historic city that have been used as clocks and timers in the past. Thank you for the update with the exchange rate. Hi Mostafa, thank you for your message. Oh, apart from one sentence: Iranians are very punctual I actually laughed out loud. Most vendors quote in Tomans anyway, so chances are if the price seems too good to be true, you need to multiply it by 10. , What a beautiful moment. Is a long skirt allowed? All rights reserved. Chogha Zanbil Ziggurat is one of the first tourist attractions in Iran that has been registered in UNESCO. Other than that I really cannot wait for the trip, so I keep reading about it. Which they say we would have to stay in our hotel during our free time unless we go with a male. It houses the revered tomb of the eighth Imam of Shia Islam: Ali al-Ridha (or Imam Reza). But Iran is a historical place and i like to visit this type of places that is why few days ago i read this type of article on another site it contain huge information.