Tehran

Eco-friendly travel guide to Tehran advises how to be a responsible tourist. Learn how to explore the attractions in a sustainable way and how to respect the local people and culture. Make your trip green by supporting locally owned hotels, organic restaurants and other businesses. Read more on how to protect the environment by making conscientious choices and how to travel green in Tehran, Iran.

View of Tehran

Air quality: 2 / 5

Exploring by foot: 3.5 / 5

Exploring by bicycle: 4 / 5

Public transportation: 3 / 5

Parks: 4.5 / 5

Outdoor activities: 5 / 5

Locals' English level: 1.5 / 5

Safety: 2.5 / 5

Accommodation: US$5 - $100

Budget per day: US$15 - $150

Responsible Travel

Tehran, the largest metropolitan city and the capital of Iran, is a significant city in the Middle East part of Europe. The town is homing more than 15 million Iranians and is quite popular amongst travellers that seek to explore the Islamic culture of the Islamic countries in the Middle East. Tehran is also famous for the beautiful mosques and other Islamic monuments that enhance the beauty of the city and attract many tourists. You will find that almost everyone in Tehran follows Islam as their primary religion.

It is a conservative Islamic city, and while travelling, you will need to follow caution so that your actions do not cause any discomfort or insult to the local communities.

There are many restrictions for the public when it comes to alcohol, intimacy, and clothing in public. You need to be aware of such laws so that you don't get in trouble or a bad situation that can ruin your Tehran experience.

The pollution levels are very high in Tehran and the government has put down various measures that the locals and the tourists must follow. While visiting Tehran, you need to pursue such measures and adopt eco-friendly practices to keep your carbon footprint to a minimum and avoid any negative impact on the local environment. By using recyclable and reusable items, proper disposal of waste, saying no to plastic, using public transports, and eco-friendly accommodation options will help you travel responsibly.

Also, if you want to make the best out of your Tehran experience, then you should prefer using the services of the local Iranian businesses. These local businesses offer authentic products and services that will enhance your experience and enlighten you with the local culture and traditions.

Air Quality and Pollution

The pollution levels in Tehran are very severe. Tourists with respiratory problems like asthma, lung cancer, pleural effusion, etc. should avoid visiting the city. The main reason for the high pollution rates is the motor vehicles and natural gas and oil industries.

PM10 – 77

PM2.5 – 32

PM10 Pollution Level – High

Pollution Index – 82.10

Pollution Exp Scale – 154.91

Respect the Culture

While visiting a conservative Islamic city like Tehran, you must act appropriately and pay respect to the local culture and communities. Iranians are very patriotic and conservative when it comes to their culture and traditions. Therefore, avoid any activities that may create a wrong impression of you on the locals.

Top 10 Places to Visit

Tajrish Bazaar: It is located in the northern edge part of Tehran. It is among the oldest places in Tehran and is very popular due to its location, and has a sparse population with a vivid scenery of Tehran's northern hills. It has about 86,000 inhabitants living in its neighbourhood.

Darband: It sits near to the Tajrish Bazar and is a former village which has now reached its metropolitan limits because being close to the Tajrish Bazar on the northern hills. It is also the beginning of the hiking trails in the north hill range which is located in Tehran. The course starting from Darband is about 250 metres long and has several restaurants and cafés attached to the place which makes it a popular place to visit. Zahir-od-dowleh is a cemetery located in Darband where many Iranian giants of art and culture such as Mohammad-Taqi Bahar, Abolhasan Saba, Iraj Mirza, etc. are buried.

Carpet Museum of Iran: Dating back to 1976, it sits beside Tehran’s Laleh Park. It showcases many Persian carpets from different Iranian areas, dating from the 16th century to the present. The museum's exhibition hall is about 3,400 square meters, and it also has a library which contains 7,000 books approximately. Architect Abdol-Aziz Mirza Farmanfarmaian designed this masterpiece museum.

Mount Tochal: It runs adjacent to the metropolitan city of Tehran and is a very famous beautiful mountain for ski and snowboarding. As it also serves as a ski resort which has blue sky during the sunny day and marvellous view experience. Its 46th ranked high peak mountain which located in the centre of the Alborz mountain range. It has a height of about 3694 metres and has a gondola lift which runs from Tehran to ski resort and hotels.

Reza Abbasi Museum: The museum is in Seyed Khandan, and the name is after an Iranian artist of the Safavid period, Reza Abbasi. It is serving as home to the antiques and collectables which dates way before the pre-Islamic provenance and Islamic area considerably around second-millennium B.CB.C. It reopened in 1979 with a change in internal decoration and expansion. And closed again due to internal difficulties and then reopened fifth time after its renovations 4th February 2000.and is now administered as a cultural heritage.

Tehran Bazaar: It is located on the south edge of the Tehran, near to the Golestan place, national museum and many other museums as well. It the grand market in Tehran and dated among the ancient market as far back as the 4th millennium B.C. It has several corridors over 10kilometres in length each has a specializing section, and you may find a magnanimous variety of different articles or anything you are shopping. It contains numbers of mosque, guest house and banks in its alley, and also had direct and rapid access of Tehran Metro system.

Darakeh: It is located in the north Tehran provisional city. It is a hotspot area for tourist as it has a beautiful scenery attached to it and they can enjoy trekking or hiking along with the presence of lovely nature and the sound of the river, they can even take rest at this place too.

Azadi Tower: The Azadi Tower or the Shahyad Tower is a monument on Azadi Square in Tehran. It is a historically significant landmark of Tehran, that marks the western entrance. The tower stands elevated about 45 metres and made with a clad cut marble from top to bottom. The building was designed by the architect Hossein Amanat, who followed ideas based on the classical and post-classical Iranian architectural. The style which has an influence in art during the 1960 era which was. The white revolution followed it. The tower was embodied and sparked with the wealth of Iranian modernization during the period of renaissance.

Glassware and Ceramic Museum of Iran: It is located in former Ghavam Al Saltaneh Street now known as 30 Tir Street. It has served as a private residence to a long time former Prime Minister Ahmad Qavam from 1921 until 1951. After that time it operated for nearly seven years as the Egyptian embassy. It has a vivid poetic architectural feeling of climbing a beautiful staircase up and down, which gives you royalty in its sense. You can find the same type of structural design throughout the corridors which worth watching when you are visiting this ceramic museum. In this beautiful building, you can also find glass and ceramic artefacts from Kashan, Neishabour, Gorgan.and Rey.

Holy Shrine of Emam Khomeini: It is among the grandest architectural endeavours of the Islamic republic. It can be easily reached to place using metro service of Tehran. It was built generously on a wide scale it also contains the tomb of Khomeini wife's, Second son and some other critical well-known personalities. It has a 91m high tower which indicates the age of Khomeini at which he died. It consists of 72 tulips in its vast central dome which represent martyrs of who fought and died alongside Khomeini in Karbala. The main hall, covered with about 12,000 carpets each 12 sq metres wide, the tomb of Khomeini's itself is enclosed in a stainless steel zarih. The complex construction was started in 1989 in an area about 20 square kilometres and is yet to be fully

built. About 10 million mourners were attended the Khomeini's funeral in 1989.

Bazaar of Tajrish

Explore

There are several city parks, national parks, museums, and landmarks that are must-visit places for a foreign tourist. These places will help you understand the local culture, history, traditions, and the livelihood of Iranians.

City Parks

Park-e Mallet: Park-e Mallet is a must-visit park for tourists as it is among the most popular parks in Iran. Since it is centrally located, the park’s expansive green space offers shade and tranquillity and boasts a small and serene central lake. You can find this park on Valiasr Street. Local people visit here for picnics and in-line skating, but it’s just as good for solitary walks and a spot for wandering around. It is said that this park is the perfect inner-city refuge and is best enjoyed when the leaves turn red and gold in fall.

Park-e Jamshidieh: Park-e Jamshidieh is best known for its Hiking Trail. It is located in the foothills of the Alborz Mountains, at the northernmost side of the city. The place is a mere attraction for budding mountaineers, hikers, and anyone who enjoys a good nature view. The park is situated in a mountainside area, the more you climb, the more you get the panoramic view of the city below. This park is popular among young Iranian couples, incredibly picturesque after the first winter snowfall. You can also see some restaurants and teahouse to grab a quick bite and enjoy the view.

Abo-Atash Park: Abo-Atash means "Water and Fire." This park is opened recently in North Tehran. The main attraction points of this park include several water features around the park. It is also ideal for children to play and have fun activities, as well as four imposing fire towers that beautifully blast out large flames skywards. In addition to this, this park is also popular because it hosts many restaurants and cafés, badminton nets, and even has a theatre that regularly houses spectacles of various kinds. You can see a Tabiat Bridge, connected to Taleghani Forest Park.

Park-e Shahr: Park-e Shahr is simply a couple of blocks north of the Grand Bazaar and is one among the oldest parks in Tehran. It's an excellent place to relax around the shady paths and colourful flowerbeds. This park has a superb traditional restaurant within the centre of the park, also as a little aviary garden and a lake, which offers facilities for the pastime of pedalos.

Nahj al-Balagha Park: Nahj al-Balagha Park is claimed to be the simplest of Iranian Public Parks within the city. It is located out in the western side of the town on the road to Karaj. It is mostly visited by locals and tourists nowadays. You may find this park as a valley-sized park, which makes it more pleasing to the eyes. The park is expansive and green with a small river running through its centre, because of which, it is hugely popular with Iranian families. The park also offers ample space for picnicking, as well as other everyday fun/ adventurous activities such as badminton, shisha smoking, and tennis. You may also have the place’s most delicious snack, salty corn-on-the-cob while wandering around the park.

Park-e Jamshidieh

National Parks

Khojir National Park: Khojir National Park, the Motherland of Some Endangered species, located in Tehran, Jajrood protected area, as hefty as 10,000 hectares. You can see many mountain peaks from here such as Zirak Chaal, aseman Kooh, and Sarv Kooh, standing high in the area up to 2,100 meters. You may find the weather there a bit cold, but the humidity range is varied from dry to semi-humid, also is best suited for mountain climbers, and have a stunning top mountain view. Goats with incredible horns, striped hyenas, leopards, red foxes, wild boars, etc. are some staggering species you may see in this national park. This park also provides shelter for wondrous species including flora and fauna, and it also has at least five springs in different spots pouring out water for all its species.

Lar National Park: Lar National Park is known as the Land of Thousand Springs, spread over about 30,000 hectares. It is located at the foot of the sleeping beauty, Damavand covering a vast area by snow during winters. The weather here is excellent, and swift rivers plus the lake behind the dam, create the image of heavens here. The Lar national park is home to a wide variety of animal species such as flamingos, golden eagles, and urial sheep herds, which is hugely thrilling. Fishing is also allowed from June to the end of summer.

Sorkheh Hesar National Park: Sorkheh Hesar National Park is known as a combination of Nature and Entertainment, spread over about 9,500 hectares wide and up to 1,500 meters in height. This park lies in Tehran, Rey city, housing many migrating birds in winter. You may feel a change in the temperature between day and night, and the climate is also semi-dry around here. Tourists visit the park to spot the Persian Fallow Deer, and experience adventure as well as, it has a lot of entertainment complexes including different sports like soccer, shooting, archery, paintball, and game centres. This national park is best suited for history and culture lovers. A two-floor castle, named Yaqoot, being almost 100 years old is also an attraction point for visitors.

Lar National Park

Beaches

There are no beaches in Tehran as it sits quite far away from any sea or ocean. You can visit a coastal region or city to get some beach time in Iran.

Landmarks

Tabiat Bridge: Tabiat Bridge is a multilevel, sculptural, pedestrian bridge, designed by an Iranian Architect, Leila Araghian, who has also won many awards for her brilliant workpieces. People often come here to relax in nice weather because it also provides an outstanding view of the north Tehran skyline against the Aborz Mountains. Various food courts and restaurants are also there to relax or socialize, making it a highly popular place to hang out in the evenings.

Masoudieh Palace: The Palace was built in 1879 and is one of the most beautiful historical buildings of the Qajar Dynasty. It has witnessed many events, including the establishment of the first official library, and the formation of the early ministry of education. Masoudieh Palace's plasterwork, gardens, and mosaics are among the most visited places by tourists; they can also enjoy brunching in its cosy café with stained glass windows, which is an excellent spot for taking photographs.

Saray-e Roshan: It was established in 1932 as one of the first commercial centres, located on Naser Khosrow Street in downtown Tehran. This place is considered as one of the primary retail centres, and the figures or statues of the exterior are reminiscent of European architecture. Also, its Gothic-inspired building is dramatically typical in the setting of Iran. It's the right place for taking photographs, as it a unique place with its extraordinary shapes and architecture, most of which are Zoroastrian and Ahura Mazda symbolism which is derived from Persian myths and tales.

Milad Tower: Milad Tower is a famous tourist spot for visitors; this 435m high tower, including 120m of the antenna, makes it the world's sixth-tallest free-standing building in 2017. You need to pay a visiting fee of IR 350,000 for all areas, timings of which are from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Mar-Sept) and 10 a.m. to 9:15 p.m. (Oct-Feb). It is best suited to visit when the weather is good to get a good view of the place. This place has the Tehran Milad Tower International Convention Centre, where concerts are occasionally held, and it also offers facilities combining information, accommodation, and communication all in one place. The tower has many restaurants at the top with panoramic views of the city.

Golestan Palace: Golestan Palace is claimed to be a significant representation of Iran’s Qajar era, highlighting the combination of earlier Persian architecture and Western influence. It is built around a garden featuring pools as well as densely planted areas, and the Palace include rich ornaments date from the 19th century. It represents a singular style incorporating traditional Persian elements and humanities and crafts of 18th-century architecture and technology.

Tabiat Bridge

Museums

Sa’d Abad Museum Complex: The Museum Complex estate was a summer home to royals since the Qajar dynasty, located across the foothills of Darland, although it was the Pahlavis who expanded it to the site you see today. It covers 110 hectares of land comprising 18 separate buildings which will take you about three hours to complete your tour. While visiting this place, you must also take a glimpse into the luxurious life of the Shahs which include the extravagant 54-room White Palace, built in the 1930s. There is also a classical-looking Green Palace date from the end of the Qajar era. Visitors can visit the place between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, paying an entrance charge of IR 150,000.

Niyavaran Cultural-Historic Complex: This place is found within the Alborz foothills where Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and his family spent most of the last ten years of their royal rule. It is spread over 5 hectares of landscaped gardens and has six separate museums, the best of which is the beautiful 1960s Niryavaran Palace. Its opulent interior, clean lines, and sublime carpets give a different aura inside the Palace; also there's a pleasant café with outdoor seating attached to the museum. You can visit the museum between 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Apr-Sept) and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Oct-Mar) by paying an entrance fee of IR 15,000.

Iran Holy Defence Museum: This museum is present on 21 hectares of land and is a tribute to the Iran-Iraq War. It consists of seven halls that showcase the martyrs and run through the war history of the conflict in detail. To visit the place, you have to pay IR 200,000. It is open for public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. a day. Visitors come to see the displays that depict the glittering vision of heavenly paradise where the soldiers were sent to their deaths believing, and the one that places you at the heart of an aerial bombardment complete with sensory events. The museum includes a separate panoramic screen that depicts the besieged town of Khorramshahr before, during, and after the fight.

White Palace: White Palace was built in the 1930s, is a 5,000-sq-metre complex with 54-room dates from Mohammad Reza Shah’s reign (1942-79). It’s among the highlights of the Sa’d Abad Museum Complex and has changed a little since the revolution. The Palace is filled with several extravagant paintings, furnishings, a tiger pelt, and immense hand-made carpets. The museum also displays one of the most extensive woven rugs in Iran, which is a 143-sq-meter carpet, in the upstairs of Ceremony Hall. The entrance fee is IR 150,000 incl. Nations Art Museum IR 230,000 and therefore the timings to go there are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every particular day.

Cinema Museum: Cinema Museum, located at the Ferdows Garden (Bagh-e Ferdows) on the northern side of Tehran, houses a Qajar-era Mansion surrounded by a well-manicured garden. The monument's balcony, with walls and columns, with detailed floral plasterwork and arched wooden-framed windows, is the most delightful feature of this monument. They also arrange exhibitions about Iran's Century-old film industry, attached to many cafés that allow you to admire the building and enjoy your day.

The National Jewelry Treasury: The dizzying collection of the Peacock Throne (a gem-studded daybed) and the 182-carat uncut pink diamond Darya-ye-Nur (Sea of Light) is a must-see artwork in the National Jewelry Treasury.

Mellat Palace Museum in the Sa'dabad Palace complex, Tehran, Iran

Eat

While exploring the Iranian culture, traditions, and history, you need to explore the drinking and food culture as well. The food and drinks in Tehran will give your deep insights into the lives of the people and the way of living.

Traditional Local Restaurants

Khayyam Traditional Restaurant: It is a Persian restaurant, located in Khayyam Street, Tehran. This restaurant has a traditional brick building which is almost 300 years old with great architecture and decor. People find this place as an excellent restaurant with a beautiful décor interior along with perfect services and traditional dishes. It is open from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. every day (timings may differ). The specials here are the Iranian fare (mainly kabab, chicken, and fish), and also its tea, sweets, and water pipes (IR 50,000) before or after an outing in the bazaar is hard to beat.

Cingari Indian Restaurant: Cingari Indian Restaurant is a popular Indian restaurant with a menu full of curries and kebab dishes. They also make fabulous other Indian dishes, of which Indian naan is liked by most. It is a cosy, clean, expensive, and a high-class restaurant where you have many choices in its menu. Its dim lighting and beautiful interior attract people to experience Indian food and have a great time here.

Tandoor Indian Restaurant: This Indian restaurant is made in the basement of an Indian-owned Hotel named Safir Hotel is a great treat for people who are in the downtown area of the city. The restaurant provides seating in the courtyard at the backside from where you can see a fantastic view of the lightings of the whole town. It is open at different slots of time every day. You can taste the authentic Indian food in this restaurant, providing you with many facilities such as distributing coupons, free Wi-Fi, etc.

Café Shemroon: Café Shemroon is a quiet and charming place in Tehran known for its fantastic breakfasts; some locals even say it has the best cakes in the city. Guests can enjoy their morning with tea or coffee with a slice of carrot cake, iced tea, refreshing ginger lemonade, and a filling burger or lasagna in its picturesque gardens. Also, the café serves a breakfast buffet daily for local people of the city.

Tamasha: It is a famous restaurant located in the Middle Eastern part of the city. The restaurant's comprehensive menu is full of international cuisines, and the restaurant serves some delicious traditional dishes. Locals especially like to have joujeh kebab – grilled chicken often marinated in onion, saffron, lemon juice – or the kabab gang, marinated in olive oil, garlic, onions, saffron, salt, and black pepper. The ornately-decorated ceilings, vibrant artwork, and marble flooring is the key attraction of the people to spend their time here.

Bix: Bix was established as a local counterpart to the increasingly trendy Californian cuisine and is a part of one of Tehran's most successful and well-known restaurant companies, Monsoon Group. Tehran provides a welcoming dining option during summers, and some of its specials include grilled salmon, crème Fraiche on crispy potato pancakes, and avocado, or grilled jumbo shrimp with lemon cilantro pasta. It has a vibrant interior with red sofa-style seating complemented by grey marble floors and contemporary lighting. Bix Restaurant provides ample space in the courtyard area with giant parasols, and white raffia furniture often perfect for an evening al fresco meal.

Vegetarian and Vegan

Charmy’s Pasta: It is a cosy vegetarian restaurant, serving up an array of delicious creamy pasta dishes in a snug setting with an open kitchen, making it feel like you're eating in your own home. They only use fresh and organic ingredients to prepare their dishes and have mastered the various sauces of its simple yet tasty pasta dishes. A highly recommended food item rated by people is the grilled elephant with the combo of virgin grape juice mojito.

Khoshbin: Khoshbin restaurant is famous for its healthy kebab dish, located in the Middle Eastern part of the city. The kabobs marinated in pomegranate molasses is a typical northern dish along with smoked white fish, baghla ghatogh (lima beans with egg), and mirza ghasemi (smoked eggplant with egg), making it ideal for vegetarians. It is open for public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day (timings may differ accordingly). The ambience around here is very cosy, and the food is also excellent. It is a must-visit restaurant for starters.

Tilit: It is an Iraqi vegetarian restaurant, the only place in town that gives a veggie alternative to at least one of Iran’s most-beloved national dishes – dizi (a traditional stew of beans, lamb, and potatoes, cooked in a clay pot). The food here is perfect for visitors after a day exploring downtown Tehran, as they serve in true Iranian fashion, with various pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, yoghurt, and bread. For starters, you must try the restaurant's speciality – the tofu-substituted dizi.

Pure Vegetarian Cuisine: It is an excellent vegetarian Iraqi restaurant that has French-inspired interiors, friendly English-speaking staff, and a comfortable vibe that keeps customers returning more often. You may find this restaurant among the bountiful cafés in the A.S.P.A.S.P. towers. People who run morning shifts or common peddlers often come here as they provide breakfast options. Also, they have this culture of presenting live music for people who visit this restaurant on every Wednesdays. People rated this restaurant as best in the city as its dishes from vegetarian and vegan menu taste so well along with perfect seasoning.

Iranian Artists Forum: This restaurant is also situated in the Middle Eastern part of the city, where people enjoy the atmosphere and ambience more than the food. This restaurant is popular among bunches of people because of its entire meat-free menu, making it a great spot to grab a bite in a beautiful outdoor space, before having its exceptional cuisine either at the theatre or in the gallery.

Banyan Tree: This restaurant is situated on the bustling Shariati Street, where people enjoy its specials with their loved ones. Though this place doesn't provide you with a better ambience, they indeed make up in its dishes. This restaurant has a unique rule of not using any frozen or canned ingredients and choosing only whole grain pasta, brown rice, and bread. One must especially try its vegan-friendly version of the sinfully delicious Persian comfort food, fesenjoon (a sweet-and-sour stew) made with pomegranate molasses, crushed walnuts, and in this case – tofu.

Street Food

zereshk polo ba morgh

Fesenjan

Persian Soups

Falafel

Kashak o badenjan

Drink

Chaiee: Dominant drink you find in Iran is Chaiee, hot black tea, the same as an English breakfast tea. No matter whatsoever the temperature is whether it is 40 degrees Celcius or -4 degree Celcius, tea will considerably be offered anywhere and any time in Iran. Most of the times it is served with sugar cubes, with no teaspoons provided. Gives you the challenge to learn how to put a sugar cube in your mouth first then drink the tea without burning oneself. If you want to play safes, ask for Nabot, a sugar candy on a stick, Iranians would be pleased that you are familiar with this secret medicine!

Sharbat: After having a herbal tea here comes, Sharbat a delight served during hot summer days for the refreshment of mind and claiming the internal heat. Any mix of sharbat and ice water chills you down by tranquillizes your soul with its perfect aroma essence.

Sharbat Albaloo: It is made of sweetened sour cherry syrup and has a beautiful pinkish-red colour. It is the most popular fruit sharbat existing in Iran. Another fruit sharbat is Shahtoot has a richer taste and Tameshk very delicious. Sharbat has another of distillates which are divine!! Surely it would be best if you tried on the street, Sharbat Bidmeshk-Nastaran while in Shiraz, Bahar Narenj (orange blossom), Sekanjabin or Serke-Angebin served with graded cucumber, very much recommended by traditional medicine of Iran. Golab-za'feran is a mix of saffron and rose water,

Tokhm Sharbati: It is made from chia seeds, and Khak Shir is Descurainia. Iranian medicines are based on the nature of the ingredient according are body nature during different seasons; they are using an interesting artistic approach to use their herbal product on the demands of the one body natural needs.

Tokhm Sharbati (chia seeds): The juice is a straightforward drink that can be purchased anywhere around the globe, but surprisingly Iran's most popular juice is made from carrot; Ab Havij. You can order it Sadeh which means straight or as Havij-Bastani in which it contains carrot juice with some amount of traditional saffron ice cream.

Ab Anar: Anar or pomegranate juice is as severed as the Iranian identity! You will find it in small shops either Ab Anar or the various variety which includes torsh which is sour, Shirin which is sweet and malas which has both sweet and sour taste, which never leaves your taste bud to enjoy the richness.

Ab Talebi: It is another popular street drink which is a blended honeydew melon with ice and a little sugar added to it.

Smoothies : You can find different kinds of smoothies in Some upscale cafes. The most popular smoothies are Shir Moz which is made by mixing banana and milkshake, Shir Pesteh which is made by mixing pistachio and milkshake and Shir Nargil which is made up of mixing coconut and milkshake.

Tap-water

Although the pollution rates are relatively high in Tehran, the tap water quality is acceptable and safe to drink. You can use the public sources of water like the drinking fountains to refill your water bottles while exploring the city.

Organic Cafés

Sam Café

Agor Café

Café Tehroon

V Café

Anamo Café

Breweries

As an Islamic country's capital city, the laws for restriction on alcohol are quite strict. The local breweries and brewpubs in Tehran serve non-alcohol drinks only. There is only one brewery in Tehran that produces non-alcoholic beverages that the local people enjoy.

Noushab Manufacturing Co.

Activities

There are many activities apart from the primary tourist places tours. You must make the best out of your Tehran trip so that your money doesn’t go to waste and you can spend a memorable time.

Visit the Nature Bridge (Tabiat Bridge) at sunset

Travel in Tehran’s metro with the locals

Visit Darband

Explore the food and drinking culture

Take a guided tour of Tehran’s mosques

Yoga and Retreats

Yoga and recreational fitness activities are quite popular in Iran. You will find many traditional yoga classes and studios that offer quality services to both locals and tourists at reasonable prices.

Kanoon Yoga

Erfan Yoga Center

Lotus Yoga Studio

Sana Yoga Center

Iranzamin Yoga

Accommodation

From cheap single hotel rooms to luxurious suites and guest houses, Tehran offers different kinds of accommodation options for tourists. You can select any accommodation option according to your preferences and budget. Because of such a vast range of options, there are chances that you encounter with a fake hotel or fraudulent activity. Therefore, always inspect the property properly before paying any sum of money.

Green Hotels

Green hotels or eco-hotels are the new trends in the tourism industry where the hotels follow various sustainable measures like water recycling, solar power panels, hydro and wind energy, rainwater harvesting, etc. These hotels are the ones you should prefer while travelling as they will help you in reducing your carbon footprint.

Hanna Boutique Hotel

Espinas Palace Hotel

Nezamiyeh Boutique Hotel

Eskan Hotel

Hostels and Guest Houses

Hotels can be quite costly when you are travelling alone or with a group of friends or family. Hostels and guest houses are for such travellers. If you are travelling alone, you can opt for staying at a hostel to avoid all the extra charges for amenities and staff charges. If you are travelling with your family or a group of friends, then guest houses are the best options for you.

Seven Hostels

Kargadan Boutique Hostel

Taha Mohamad Hostel

Arian Hostel

Milad Guest House

Shahrzad Guesthouse

Apartments

Apartments are ideal accommodation options for travellers that are staying in Tehran for a long time and want full exposure to the local culture. You can find many apartment buildings all over Tehran that come in different price ranges.

Couchsurfing

Couch-surfing is a popular mode of accommodation in Europe but not as much in Middle-East. The Iranian people are quite welcoming and friendly, but they don't allow a foreign person to live in their house. It is because Iranian families are very conservative and don't let their women interact or be with a foreign man.

Camping

Campsites are the perfect places for travellers that look for an adventure in Tehran. These places will give you an outdoorsy feel, and also give you a chance to explore the local culture, traditions, and wildlife. You can find many campsites in Tehran that offer exceptional services.

Palangchal Camp

Chitgar Forest Park

Shahid Chamran Camp

Bahonar Student Camp

Martyr Mirhosseini Camp

How to Get There

Iran has a well-developed and effective transport system that can help you reach any city without much trouble. If you are already in Iran, you can opt for roadways, airways, and waterways to get to Tehran city. Here, the best option is to prefer public buses or transports that are not harmful to the environment. If you are outside the country, then airways are the best way to reach Tehran.

Air

The Mehrabad Airport and the Imam Khomeini International Airport are the ones that serve the city of Tehran. The Mehrabad Airport serves domestic, military, and private aircraft in Tehran and the Imam Khomeini Airport serves international airlines. You can quickly get flights from inside and outside the country to reach Tehran without any transfer or delay flights.

Bus

Many long-distance buses run in Iran that you can opt for reaching Tehran from any other Iranian city. These buses are not only cheap but also very comfortable mode for intercity travel.

Train

The railway system in Iran is an efficient one, and all major trains pass through Tehran in their routes. You can buy a ticket for a train from any city and enjoy comfortable travel among other tourists and Iranians.

Hitchhiking

Hitchhiking can be quite a challenge in Iran as people don’t offer lift free of charge and the chances are that the drivers that do stop to give you a ride, are looking forward to getting some fee for their services. While hitchhiking in Iran, avoid using a board and stay put to the hand gesture for lift.

Others

Other modes of transport in Iran include rental cars and boats which are not at all cheap and you will need to pay a hefty amount as fare. While travelling in Iran prefer options that are eco-friendly like electronic cars and bikes.

Moving Around

Moving around in Tehran is relatively more comfortable than other Iranian cities as it is the capital city and the transportation network is the best in the country. You may face some trouble in moving around the town as there are many restrictions and the language barrier also comes into effect. But other than these things, you will find the transport system very comfortable and reliant.

Walk

Walking is the healthiest way of travelling and exploring Tehran, but it is not at all safe. Petty crimes like pickpockets and local thugs are common in the streets, and as a tourist, you will want to avoid any such situations. If you are moving around the city on foot, always make sure that your belongings are in a safe and secure place.

Bicycle

Bicycles are better options than walking as the chances of getting bullied by local thugs or encountering a pickpocket gets slim. It is a healthy and safe way of moving around and exploring the city.

Electronic Vehicles

With heightening rates of pollution and the ever-increasing demand for better transportation by the locals and tourists, the Iranian government is starting to promote electronic vehicles. You can find different kinds of electronic cars. These vehicles are essential in the current scenario to protect the environment.

Public Bus

Although buses are a reliant way of travelling inside and outside a city, the buses in Tehran are not a good option for tourists. The sole reason is that they are not safe to use as you may encounter pickpockets and lose your valuables like your wallet and passport.

Tram, Train and Subway

Unlike other public transports in Tehran, the metro train is the safest way of moving around for a tourist. The metro train system is not only fast but very efficient in reaching all areas of the city in time. The trains operate daily from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and are most-preferable by locals for getting to their workplaces.

Sustainable Shopping

With the depletion of the ozone layer, melting of icebergs, and the extinction of many animal species, it is becoming vital for us to realize the need for protecting our environment. Sustainable shopping or eco-shopping is such a way that aims at supporting the use of organic and locally sourced products. These products will not only provide you with good quality and authenticity, but they will also help the local businesses in running.

Food Markets

Bamika Fresh Food Market

Fruit and Leek Market

Eram Food Market

Flea Markets

Multi Wednesday Local market

Khalazir Market

Kholazir Bazaar

Tajrish Traditional Bazaar

Friday market

Second Hand Stores

Semsaridaroos

Ettelagostar

Zaheer Bookstore

Pishtazan Technology Store

Stroke City Store

Eco-Fashion

Robama

Nazanin Ebadi

Afsaneh Rahimian

Artman World

Minusg

Alba Etez

Recycling

The Iranian government has put down various rules to eradicate the heightening pollution and environmental crisis in Iran. The city of Tehran is the top city in Iran to follow such measures. It is the reason why the city has the most efficient recycling system. There are many government and financial institutions in Tehran that offer recycling services.

Waste

While exploring Tehran, you will find that the majority of the waste include vegetable peels and leftover food items. More than 70% of the waste is organic and is easily degradable, but the remaining 25% of the waste include hazardous chemicals, recyclable items, and other substantial waste items. The local government, with the help of Tehran's municipalities, are setting up various waste management units, garbage disposal truck, and garbage containers all over Tehran to make the people dispose of their waste correctly.

Work and Study Abroad

There are many organizations and institutes in Tehran that offer excellent opportunities to international persons to study or work in Tehran. The city homes Iran's best institutions, and they will help you in building your career and personality.

Exchange Student

Many Iranian educational institutes in Tehran offer academic scholarships to international students. If you are willing to study in Tehran, then you can easily register yourself for the program and build a fantastic career.

University of Tehran

Hadith College of Tehran

School of Mining Engineering

Iran University of Medical Sciences

TUMS International College

Au Pair

Au pairing is surprisingly common in Tehran as many Iranian families require help in managing and improving their quality of life. You can register yourself for the program and start helping out a family in Tehran that need your precious help.

Volunteering

The best way to pay respect to the communities of a city that you are visiting is by providing your help to the people that need it. You can do so by participating in the various social service activities of the volunteering organizations in Tehran.

IranVolunteer

Iranian Red Crescent Society

UNICEF

Iran Autism Association

Behnam Daheshpour Charity Organization

Your act of kindness by volunteering in such social service activities may not look like a big difference to you, but it will mean the whole lot more to the person on the receiving end.