Things to do in Iran

Walk among the colossal staircases, imposing gateways, and exquisite bas-reliefs of the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire, a UNESCO World Heritage site set against a stark desert backdrop.

Visit early morning to see sunlight stream through stained-glass windows, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across Persian rugs and intricately tiled floors, earning it the nickname 'Pink Mosque.'

Stroll this immense UNESCO-listed courtyard, flanked by majestic Safavid-era architecture, where locals picnic, fountains sparkle, and horse-drawn carriages ply the perimeter against a backdrop of blue-tiled domes.

Step inside this intimate masterpiece with its pale golden dome and mesmerizingly detailed interior; the changing light reveals the dome’s peacock-feather centre, a highlight of Safavid artistry.

Stand beneath the soaring blue-tiled portal and discover the stunning acoustics of the prayer hall, where every whisper reverberates under a dome decorated with intricate geometric and floral motifs.

Navigate a labyrinth of covered lanes filled with the scent of spices, the gleam of hand-hammered copper, and the clatter of carpet-sellers under historic brick vaults stretching for kilometres.

Settle into a dimly-lit corner among antique teapots, oil lamps, and Persian miniatures, enjoying a steaming glass of tea and a bowl of ash-e reshteh in the soul of old Isfahan.

Join local families strolling the 33-arch span as dusk colours the Zayandeh River and reflections dance on the water, creating a timeless scene of Isfahani social life.

Roam a opulent Qajar-era complex of mirrored halls, marble thrones, and shaded gardens, a UNESCO site that was the seat of Persian power for centuries in the heart of the capital.

Trace Iran’s epic history from Paleolithic tools to Sasanian silver, including the famed Salt Man mummies, in a building whose entrance arch mimics the great vault of Ctesiphon.

Rise 435 metres above Tehran’s sprawling cityscape to a rotating restaurant and open observation deck, where the Alborz mountains frame the urban horizon on clear days.

Carve through fresh powder at one of the Middle East’s highest and longest ski areas, with lifts reaching 3,600 metres and views of Mount Damavand’s volcanic cone on the horizon.

Trek through wildflower-strewn highlands to Goosfand Sara, the traditional starting point for ascents of Asia’s highest volcano, with sweeping views of the 5,671-metre snow-capped giant.

Spend a night on the vast, otherworldly yardangs and kaluts of the UNESCO-registered Lut Desert, where summer ground temperatures are among the hottest on Earth and the Milky Way blazes.

Get lost in the adobe maze of this desert city, where towering badgirs (wind towers) catch the breeze and rooftops offer sunset panoramas over golden-brown buildings.

Ascend two barren hilltop dakhmas just outside the city, where Zoroastrians historically laid out their dead for sky burial, surrounded by a stark and deeply evocative landscape.

Peer into the sanctuary where a flame said to have burned for over 1,500 years is kept alight, symbolizing eternal wisdom in a simple but profoundly atmospheric temple.

Enter a dazzling world of millions of mirrored shards and chandeliers that refract light into infinite sparkles, burying the tombs of two brothers in a glittering blanket of devotion.

Savour iconic dishes like fesenjan (pomegranate-walnut chicken) and tender lamb shank in a sumptuously tiled historic dining hall that has welcomed visitors for generations.

Navigate a bustling kilometre-long labyrinth of saffron, dried limes, Iranian pistachios and barberries, haggling cheerfully with merchants beneath high vaulted ceilings.

Walk through a russet-hued historic settlement on the slopes of the Karkas mountains, where elderly residents still wear traditional colourful dress and the dialect echoes ancient Persian.

Explore wind-eroded marl and sandstone pillars, arches and canyons that form a Martian-like landscape, especially haunting in the golden hour when shadows stretch across the ridges.

Ride a paddle boat on the crystal-clear underground rivers threading through a vast water cave, one of the world’s largest, with enormous chambers encrusted with stalactites and stalagmites.

Trace over a thousand years of architectural evolution in this UNESCO-listed congregational mosque, a gallery of brick domes, stucco mihrabs, and exquisite Seljuk-era geometric order.

Gaze upon the opulent Darya-ye Noor diamond, the Peacock Throne, and gem-encrusted crowns shielded behind a bank vault door, a dazzling collection reflecting centuries of Iranian monarchy.