The Islamic Republic’s capital is the political, cultural, and economic epicentre, thus no visit to the country would be complete without spending at least a few days there. And have no fear; entertainment options abound in Tehran.
Many visitors to Iran make the mistake of skipping over Tehran on their way to more historic locations, but the city has a lot more to offer than meets the eye. Tehran, with its 14 million residents, is one of the world’s liveliest and most fascinating metropolises.
Top 10 Places to Visit in Tehran
There are magnificent museums, enormous bazaars, fascinating people, and yes — even the infamous former US embassy, which served as the epicentre of the Iranian hostage crisis.
Tehran is now, thankfully, Iran’s most liberal and secular city, with residents who continually challenge authority in places like the city’s many universities, cutting-edge coffee-shops, and cutting-edge art museums.
Tehran provides a glimpse into what life in Iran could be like in the future if the more liberal components of the administration are successful. Tehran is one place in Iran you can’t miss if you want to see a stunning mountain range, some architectural marvels, amazing food, and some of the friendliest people in the world.
1. Tehran Grand Bazaar
Despite its reputation as a historical landmark, the Tehran Grand Bazaar is still a bustling commercial hub where locals and visitors alike gather to buy anything from carpets to electronics.
If you have the patience to explore its mazelike network of covered streets, you are sure to discover anything you are looking for. Go as lost as you like, as long as you know you can always find your way back using the map on your phone.
The Tehran Grand Bazaar is a photographer’s dream, but if you go in the afternoon, you’ll have to contend with scary fast-moving haulage equipment restocking the store, which takes away from the experience a bit.
You can count on carpet salesmen in Iran to attempt to befriend you. Even though they know Europeans can’t afford their high fees, they’re still willing to chat and can make for an entertaining guide if you can get beyond the inevitable hard pitch at the end of the tour.
2. Tabi’at Bridge / Nature Bridge Tehran
The Tabi’at Bridge is the most stunning piece of urban design erected in Tehran after the revolution. It spans 270 metres and has three levels, linking two parks.
The Tabi’at Bridge, or Nature Bridge in Tehran, opened in 2014 and has since been a popular destination for locals looking for a variety of culinary options, views, and places to rest. Amazingly, Tabi’at Bridge was conceived of by a 26-year-old Iranian architecture student named Leila Araghian.
The Tabi’at Bridge, winner of international design contests, is not to be missed, and we eagerly await Leila Araghian’s next creation.
3. Azadi Tower
Located in the Azadi Cultural Complex, the Azadi Tower was once known as the Shah’s Memorial Tower and has become an internationally recognised symbol of Iran. You can either walk up the 45-meter-tall building or take one of two elevators; admission to the underground museum is included in the price of your ticket.
You can only image how amazing it appears at sunset, with its entire exterior covered in carved marble (though the views from the top are impressive in their own right). To celebrate the 2,500th anniversary of the establishment of the Iranian Imperial State, architect Hossein Amanat designed the Azadi Tower in the style of traditional Iranian buildings.
Amanat, a member of the persecuted Bahá’ Faith, escaped Iran for Israel following the 1979 Iranian Revolution, despite the fact that the entire grand design had been funded by the enormous wealth earned by Iran as a major oil-producing nation before the revolution.
The equally well-known Bahá’ Arc complex in Haifa, Israel, and the peculiar House of Worship in Samoa were both designed by him.
4. Golestan Palace UNESCO World Heritage Site
The extraordinarily magnificent Golestan Palace, which fuses Iranian artisan architecture with Western elements, is often recognised as a classic accomplishment of the Qajar dynasty. That’s why UNESCO recognised it as a World Heritage Site; I think the organisation made the right call.
The Palace is one of the oldest structures in Tehran, and it has served as the capital of Iran continuously since the Qajar dynasty took control in 1779. The Golestan Palace is a magnificent and wildly extravagant sight that visitors to Tehran should not miss.
5. HI Tehran Hostel
It’s important to have a dependable venue to interact with other tourists and friendly residents in Iran, as information about the country might be difficult to come by from outside the country.
The HI Tehran Hostel was perfect for me because it was recently remodelled and located on a quiet street close to many of Tehran’s major tourist attractions and a Tehran Metro Station.
What I liked most about the hostel was the staff, who were usually around to interact with guests at the breakfast table and answer any questions they might have. The modern amenities, big dorms, private cooking, and complimentary breakfast were all wonderful.
It’s a terrific location to meet fellow travellers, whether they’re just starting out or winding down their journey, and make friends, share experiences, and learn something new. I started and ended my trip in HI Tehran Hostel, and I would stay there again in a second!
Another perk is that the immigration officers at Tehran International Airport don’t seem to need to call the hostel to confirm the validity of the invitation email provided by HI Tehran Hostel in order to obtain an Iran visa upon arrival.
Hence, I was able to leave the airport before the other tourists, who were still waiting for their hostel to open (though I subsequently contacted the hostel at 3 in the morning when I got lost, and they answered the phone within a few seconds; they truly are open 24/7).
6. US Den of Espionage / Embassy of the United States in Tehran
During the Iranian revolution of 1979, students took 52 US diplomats hostage and held them for 444 days in the infamous former US embassy in Tehran.
The Student Basij Organisation, charged with protecting the revolution, still maintains control of the sprawling compound, which also serves as a museum. Take advantage of the vibrant visual and verbal indoctrination by signing up for the free tour.
You can get a true feel for the work done at the US embassy before the revolution by visiting the once-secret rooms used for spying, which are now painfully on display.
You should not miss the chance to see the famous US Den of Espionage, which is like stepping into a time machine or a movie scene.
7. Museum of the Qasr Prison
Tehran’s new Museum of the Qasr Prison offers a sombre insight at the notorious Pahlavi-era institution, where inmates were subjected to both mental and physical abuse. Ex-inmates who now work as guides occasionally reminisce about being tortured to the point of losing teeth or limbs.
The grounds of the former Qasr Prison have been transformed into a lovely park, but don’t overlook the much darker and newer concrete building at the complex’s rear, where recordings still play the screams of torture victims.
8.Tochal Telecabin Tehran
Tehran’s haze is unavoidable, but when you’ve had enough, take the Tochal Telecabin / Sky Lift to the highlands. Northern Tehran is where you’ll find it. Mount Tochal can be reached after a 45-minute ascent straight up, followed by a brief scrambling (3933m).
The views are spectacular, both of the mountains and back down over the craziness that is Tehran, and there are numerous hiking chances at the various stations along the way for those who are feeling energetic.
Weekends find the Tochal Telecabin crowded with Tehranites, so don’t make our mistake: attempt to go there during the week, when it’s closed for three days straight.
It means you should plan on visiting the Tochal Telecabin on a Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, or Saturday (the location is best accessible by taxi) and getting there early, as the final car back down supposedly leaves at 3 p.m.
9. Skiing In Iran
Despite the fact that much of Iran is made up of desert, the country is home to some of the best skiing in the world at incredibly low prices. Despite the fact that increasing temperatures appear to be cutting into Iran’s ski season, good powder may still be found in Tehran as early as January.
While the Tochal Ski Resort at the end of the aforementioned cable car makes for a fun day excursion, serious skiers and snowboarders staying in Tehran will want to spend a few nights at either the Dizin Ski Resort or the Shemshak Ski Resort.
Surely not what you had in mind when planning your trip to Iran! Ski equipment is not something you can buy in Iran, so make sure you come prepared.
10. Tehran Metro Art
The streets above are almost always congested, but the Tehran Metro, which is constantly being expanded, serves as the city’s lifeline, transporting over 3 million passengers every day. The Tehran Metro is the best site to observe propaganda in Iran, and it’s cheap and easy to use, too, so it’s a win-win for travellers.
Cartoons and artwork showing everything from the values taught by the Quran and daily life in Iran to rather severe and explicit anti-US and anti-Israel pieces can be seen in the platforms and the vast entrance halls, and they are constantly changing.
Compared to the Stockholm Metro Art or the neighbouring Msheireb station in Doha, Qatar, it lacks artistic significance. but it’s more intriguing than the alternative!
While a photo of the cartoons in the Tehran subway would be nice to show off to friends and family back home, keep in mind that they were commissioned by a government agency and do not represent the opinions of most Iranians (or at least the more tolerant ones in the capital).
