Itinerary Tehran, Isfahan & Shiraz

April is an excellent month to visit Iran: pleasant spring weather, lush gardens in bloom, and mild temperatures perfect for sightseeing. This is one of the best periods to experience Iran’s culture, cuisine, and stunning historical sights.

💰 Budget overview

Category	Amount
✈️ Transport	$1300
🏨 Accommodations	$700
🧳 Gear	$100
🗺️ On-site	$800
Total	$2900

🗺️ Activities & landmarks

🇮🇷 Tehran - 2 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏛️ Golestan Palace ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Stunning Qajar-era royal complex, UNESCO World Heritage Site — buy a combined ticket to several halls.
• [ ] 🎨 Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Hosts masterpieces by Warhol, Picasso, and Iranian artists — note rotating exhibitions.
• [ ] 🏛️ National Museum of Iran ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Excellent intro to Persian history and archaeology.
• [ ] 🏙️ Grand Bazaar ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Bustling, atmospheric market — best for crafts, carpets, and people-watching.
• [ ] 🏙️ Tajrish Bazaar & Imamzadeh Saleh Shrine ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Lively northern Tehran neighborhood — mix of shopping, food, and spirituality.
• [ ] 🌳 Mellat Park ⭐ (~1h)
  • Relaxing city oasis, popular for strolls and photos.
• [ ] 🏙️ Darband ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Mountain walk with riverside cafes; try ash soup at a riverside stall.
• [ ] 🏙️ Sa’dabad Palace Complex ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Royal residences set in leafy grounds at the foot of the Alborz Mountains.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Bam-e Tehran (Tochal) ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Nighttime city panorama from cable car area, cafes with shisha (non-alcoholic).
• [ ] 🍽️ Velenjak food street ⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Street food and local restaurants.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Moslem Restaurant ⭐⭐⭐
  • Classic Persian rice dishes, legendary for tahchin — $7-10

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🎨 Reza Abbasi Museum (~1.5h)
  • Persian miniature paintings, jewelry, and calligraphy.

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🇮🇷 Isfahan - 4 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏛️ Naqsh-e Jahan (Imam) Square ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Iran’s iconic square, spectacular mosques, palace, and bazaar — UNESCO.
• [ ] 🛕 Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Unique mosque with stunning tilework and dome.
• [ ] 🏛️ Imam Mosque ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Masterpiece of Safavid architecture; impressive blue tiles.
• [ ] 🏙️ Qeysarieh Bazaar ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Explore handicraft and spice shops — great place for souvenirs.
• [ ] 🏛️ Ali Qapu Palace ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • 17th-century royal palace with unique music room, city views.
• [ ] 🌳 Chehel Sotoun Palace & Garden ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Elegant pavilion famous for painted frescoes and reflecting pool.
• [ ] 🏙️ Jolfa Armenian Quarter & Vank Cathedral ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Distinctive Christian district, vibrant cafes, decorated cathedral.
• [ ] 🌳 Hasht Behesht Palace ⭐ (~1h)
  • 17th-century garden pavilion.
• [ ] 🏙️ Chahar Bagh Boulevard ⭐ (~1h)
  • Historic avenue, lined with shops and teahouses.
• [ ] 🌳 Si-o-Se Pol Bridge ⭐⭐⭐ (~0.5h)
  • Iconic 33-arched bridge — magical at dusk.
• [ ] 🌳 Khaju Bridge ⭐⭐ (~0.5h)
  • Stunning bridge with unique design, social spot for music and picnics.
• [ ] 🌳 Bird Garden ⭐ (~1h)
  • Walk around landscaped garden with birds — pleasant break.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Riverbank Teahouses by Si-o-Se Pol ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Teahouses under historic bridges, lively at night.
• [ ] 🍽️ Abbasi Hotel Restaurant ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Dine in a historic caravanserai setting.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Shahrzad Restaurant ⭐⭐⭐
  • Classic Isfahani fare: Beryani specialty, beautiful interior — $10-15

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏛️ Jameh Mosque of Isfahan (~1h)
  • Oldest extant Friday mosque, UNESCO site.

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🇮🇷 Shiraz - 4 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🌳 Eram Garden ⭐⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Famed Persian garden, UNESCO site when in full spring bloom.
• [ ] 🏛️ Nasir al-Mulk (Pink) Mosque ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Best visited in early morning for kaleidoscopic stained glass.
• [ ] 🛕 Vakil Mosque ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Ornate pillars and decorative tiles.
• [ ] 🏛️ Vakil Bazaar ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Covered market, Persian carpets and spices.
• [ ] 🏛️ Vakil Bathhouse ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Restored 18th-century bath, immersive exhibit.
• [ ] 🏛️ Arg-e Karim Khan Citadel ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Imposing city fortress with historical exhibits.
• [ ] 🌳 Narenjestan Qavam Garden ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Orange trees, mirrorwork and classic Shirazi elegance.
• [ ] 🌳 Hafez Tomb & Gardens ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Revered Persian poet’s mausoleum, tranquil grounds popular with locals.
• [ ] 🌳 Saadi Tomb ⭐ (~1h)
  • Another renowned poet, beautiful setting.
• [ ] 🏛️ Shiraz Art Museum ⭐ (~1h)
  • Local art and temporary exhibits.
• [ ] 🏛️ Qur’an Gate ⭐ (~0.5h)
  • City symbol and scenic viewpoint.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Vakil Bazaar Courtyard Cafes ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Atmospheric; try faloodeh (ice noodle dessert).
• [ ] 🍽️ Haft Khan Restaurant Complex ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Multi-story restaurant: try diverse Persian dishes in beautiful settings.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Sofreh Khaneh “Haft Khan” ⭐⭐⭐
  • Shirazi kebabs, dizi stew, faloodeh — $10-15

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏛️ Shapouri House (~1h)
  • Restored historic house and garden cafe.

🚗 Day excursion from Shiraz

• [ ] 🛕 Persepolis ⭐⭐⭐ (~4h round trip)

  • Ancient ruins of Persian empire, UNESCO. Go early to avoid midday heat.

• [ ] 🏛️ Necropolis (Naqsh-e Rostam) ⭐⭐ (~1h, often combined with Persepolis)

  • Royal rock tombs and impressive bas-reliefs.

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🎬 Films & series to watch

🇮🇷 Tehran

• [ ] 🎬 A Separation (2011) — ⭐ 8.3 — Oscar-winning family drama in modern Tehran — Amazon Prime
• [ ] 🎬 Tehran Taxi (2015) — ⭐ 7.3 — Docufiction exploring everyday life — MUBI

🇮🇷 Isfahan

• [ ] 🎬 Kandahar (2001) — ⭐ 7.0 — Afghan border drama, scenes in Isfahan’s landscapes — Criterion
• [ ] 📺 The Enigma of the Shah (2014) — ⭐ 7.5 — Historical series touching on Isfahan — YouTube

🇮🇷 Shiraz

• [ ] 🎬 Gabbeh (1996) — ⭐ 7.9 — Magical realist exploration of southern Iran’s culture — Amazon Prime
• [ ] 📺 Shahrzad (2015) — ⭐ 8.5 — Period romance, part filmed in Shiraz — Netflix

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🍜 Local specialties

🇮🇷 Tehran

• [ ] Tahchin (crispy saffron rice with chicken/lamb)
• [ ] Dizi (stewed lamb, chickpeas, and potatoes)
• [ ] Khoresht Gheimeh (yellow split pea stew)

🇮🇷 Isfahan

• [ ] Beryani (minced lamb on flatbread)
• [ ] Gaz (nougat with pistachios)
• [ ] Fesenjan (pomegranate & walnut chicken stew)

🇮🇷 Shiraz

• [ ] Kalam Polo Shirazi (herb rice with meatballs)
• [ ] Faloodeh Shirazi (rosewater sorbet with noodles)
• [ ] Ash-e Mast (yogurt soup with herbs)

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📍 Maps - places to pin

🇮🇷 Tehran

1. 🌤️ Golestan Palace
2. 🌙 Bam-e Tehran (Tochal)
3. 🛍️ Grand Bazaar
4. 🏨 Espinas Palace Hotel
5. 🍽️ Moslem Restaurant

🇮🇷 Isfahan

1. 🌤️ Naqsh-e Jahan Square
2. 🌙 Riverbank Teahouses (Si-o-Se Pol)
3. 🛍️ Qeysarieh Bazaar
4. 🏨 Abbasi Hotel
5. 🍽️ Shahrzad Restaurant

🇮🇷 Shiraz

1. 🌤️ Eram Garden
2. 🌙 Vakil Bazaar Courtyard Cafes
3. 🛍️ Vakil Bazaar
4. 🏨 Zandiyeh Hotel
5. 🍽️ Sofreh Khaneh “Haft Khan”

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✈️ Transport to book

• [ ] ✈️ London → Tehran
• [ ] ✈️/🚅 Tehran → Isfahan (recommended: flight or train, ~1h flight/6h train)
• [ ] ✈️/🚅 Isfahan → Shiraz (recommended: flight or comfortable bus, ~1h flight/7h bus)
• [ ] ✈️ Shiraz → London

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🏨 Accommodations

City	Nights	Accommodation	Price (USD)
Tehran	2	Espinas Palace Hotel or similar	$180
Isfahan	4	Abbasi Hotel or similar	$280
Shiraz	4	Zandiyeh Hotel or similar	$240
Total	10		$700