Things to do in Tehran: 5 places to visit in Tehran + Photos

Having been the capital of Iran for 225 years, its unique geographical location and outstanding customs and traditions have made Tehran a worthy destination to visit. During the last ten years, Tehran has been set for historical, cultural, and artistic urban tourism. Today, the magnificent Alborz slope with its modern sights is a favorite destination for foreign tourism. Tehran, in the heart of this station, has prepared a clean city with stunning buildings and expanded transportation for the future and our dearest tourists. With easy access to transportation and services, a great environment is prepared for a nice trip with family and friends to spend time in comfort and happiness. Keep up with Iran Doostan to know about Things to do in Tehran.

Milad Tower

Milad Tower is Iran’s tallest tower which plays the role of Tehran’s representative in the modern world. The tower was built in 2008 and it was named Milad to mark the centennial birthday of Imam Khomeini. As a result of its interesting characteristics, the Milad tower became a tourism symbol and cultural center. This multi-purpose telecommunication and broadcasting tower covers an area of 12 thousand square meters in Tehran. The tower’s head structure is considered the biggest telecommunications tower head structure in the world.
The tower contains five main parts of the foundation, lobby structure, shaft, head structure, and an antenna mast. What shines through in the 6-story lobby is the unique arch-shaped concrete ceiling which its geometric design represents an ornamental pattern of the Iranian knot. Inside this amazing tower, you will find an open observation deck, a VIP restaurant, a public art gallery, and a revolving restaurant, all these sections attract visitors and tourists with a variety of tastes and preferences. The cultural and social complex of Milad Tower provides a welcoming atmosphere for the tourists and enthusiasts of cultural activities in its various parts such as the conference center, tourist areas, cinema and museum, coffee shops, exhibition, sports facilities, 5star hotels, and commercial and administrative centers.
You can start your trip to Milad tower by riding bikes or carriages, looking around shops, and buying souvenirs for your family and friends, you can also participate in special events and concerts. Enjoy a movie at the cinema and have a meal at the revolving restaurant and maybe take a look at the Dolphinarium.
Milad tower is located between highways Chamran, Hemmat, and Hakim and is among the best Tehran tourist attractions. If you decided to drive to the tower, you need to know that each of the highways has a convenient exit to Milad Tower, so you can get there from any part of the city. There is also a bus stop named “Milad Hospital Station” next to Milad Tower, you can take a city bus that passes that station.

Opening hours: Every day from 9 am – 11 pm

Things to do in Tehran – Milad Tower is the symbol of modern Tehran.

Azadi Tower

Back in 1969, a competition was planned in order to build up a modern tower for Tehran, and in 1971, the tower was all prepared and ready. After the Islamic Revolution of 1979, the tower and the surrounding square were named Azadi that in Persian means freedom. Azadi Tower is now a modern symbol for Tehran; not only it is a modernized entrance for the latest civilization and tourists, but it is also a memorial for aged locals or guests coming from the west of the city, to be reminded of the history that has occurred there. The tower’s architecture is a combination of both the Sasanid and the Achaemenid dynasties with modern Islamic architecture. The head of the tower was designed in a way that looks like wind catchers in desert regions of Iran, but it actually acts as an air conditioner for the tower. The skylights on the first and second floors are a simulation of Shamseh’s (sun-like) design in traditional Iranian architecture. The blue colors in the designs and ceramics, as well as the designs between the two arches, invoke memories of the atmosphere of the historical mosques in Iran.
Azadi Tower has three floors, four lifts, and two stairways. It also consists of Azadi cultural complex, including a museum, library, science hall, Iranian studies hall, gallery, auditorium, and conference hall. The design of the surrounding square around the tower was inspired by Persian gardens, especially the fountains in Fin Garden.
Azadi Tower is located between the Meydan-e Azadi and Ostad Moen stations on the yellow line of the Tehran metro. By choosing any of the lines and some minutes of walking, you will reach Azadi Tower. Or use Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line #1 which goes from the East of the city to the West, passing Ferdowsi square, Teatr-e Shahr metro station, and Enghelab square. You can take a bus from there to the Azadi stop to reach the tower.

Opening hours: Every day from 9 am – 8 pm except Saturdays.

Things to do in Tehran – The tower’s architecture is a combination of both the Sasanid and the Achaemenid dynasty with modern Islamic architecture.

Golestan Palace

Golestan Palace was founded in the Safavid dynasty and survived until now. Qajar kings, who had chosen Tehran as their capital, planned to make the city more majestic for their royal life. Golestan Palace contains mansions and buildings such as Marble Throne (Takht-e Marmar), Pond House (Howz Khaneh), Gallery (Negar Khaneh), Brilliant Hall (Talar-e Brelian), Ivory Hall (Talar-e Adj), Library, Edifice of the Sun (Shams-ol-Emareh), the wind-catcher buildings (Emarat-e Badgir) and its pond; Diamond Hall (Talar-e Almas); White Palace (Kakh-e Abyaz), Tent House (Chador Khaneh), etc. But among all of these buildings Shams-ol-Emareh, shines bright like a diamond.

The edifice of the Sun (Shams-ol-Emareh) was built following an order by Nasser al-Din Shah Qajar. The king wanted a vast view of the capital from his palace, so they’d come up with the idea of a European multi-story building. So this is how the construction of the Edifice of the Sun began in 1865 and was completed two years later. The edifice of the Sun with three floors and two towers on top was built in 1867 and has a mixture of Persian and western architecture. In addition to the stories, the Clock Tower, high porches, and Wind catchers made the building look like European palaces. The sound of its clock, which was presented by Queen Victoria to king Nasser al-Din Shah, told the time to the people of Tehran for a long time, just like Bing Ben in London. These features along with the mirror and tile works, paintings, and stuccos of walls and ceilings made the building distinct from other buildings back in time. The palace was once the highest building in Tehran; people could see all alleys, and waterfalls running down the mountains around Tehran. But now this beautiful palace is concealed behind the city’s towers and buildings.

One way of going to Golestan Palace is Qurkhane Bus Terminal which is located 10 minutes walk from Golestan Palace. You can try these buses which come from different parts of the city and arrive at this station. But if you want to travel by subway, the closest metro station is Panzdah-e Khordad on the red line. Then you need to walk from the metro to Golestan Palace which will take a couple of minutes

Opening hours: Every day from 9 am – 6 pm

Things to do in Tehran – Golestan palace is among the most eye-catching Tehran tourist attractions.

Niavaran Historical-Cultural Complex

Tehran is such a large and crowded city with lots of traffic and life; but when you enter this breathtaking compound, you’re in another world. Niavaran Complex is another famous heritage of Iran’s culture and history; consisting of museums, the royal library, a pavilion and
Finally, the main palace where the king used to live and work there before the revolution of 1979. Niavaran complex architecture is breathtaking; the Ceiling, walls, and windows are all designed and decorated by famous and talented Iranian artists who used stunning mirrors and tile works, and stuccos. Niavaran Palace, Sahebgharanieh Palace, and Ahmad Shahi pavilion are the three main palaces in Niavaran Complex. In the western part of the Sahebghanieh Palace, you will find the Jahan Nama Museum where there are a lot of valuable items that have been gifted to the royal family from all over the world. Shah Executive Car Museum is full of classic vintage cars that belonged to the royal family with photographs of them with their cars, taking us back to the kingdom dynasty by looking at pictures. Royal Library belonged to Farah Pahlavi who also owned collections of artworks such as sculptures, paintings, and even furniture besides 23 thousand of French and Persian books of Art, Literature, and History.
If you choose to go by subway, get to Tajrish Metro Station on the first line of the Tehran subway, and from there take a taxi or bus to go to the complex. Also if you reach Niavaran Square, it will take 5 minutes of walking to get to the complex. Take your time, the surrounding area is worth sightseeing.

Opening hours: Evey day from 9 am – 5 pm

Things to do in Tehran – Niavaran complex architecture is breathtaking with stunning mirrors and tile works and stuccos.

Sa’adabad Complex

Sa’adabad Complex is a wonderland full of giant and tiny palaces. A green land full of plane trees, taking us all off from the moment to the very beginning of the complex. This stunning complex belonged to the Qajar and Pahlavi dynasties which today is one of the greatest and most important complexes in Iran. There are so many museums from royal clothing and paintings to kitchens and cars. Some of the interesting museums are the white and green palace, the royal car, and the Omidvar brothers Museum. You can enjoy all different types of art from well-known Iranian artists, or you can visit royal clothing and cars, and military outfits from various periods of time. If you are interested, try to visit all the museums because each of them has its own story to tell and a unique history hidden behind them. There are lots of cafes and restaurants by the river in which you can enjoy
your time and be ready for the rest of the trip. You can continue your journey walking through the gardens or take one of the vans on the way.
If you’re going by subway, the Tajrish metro station is the northern station of the red metro line. When you arrived you can walk to the palace or take a taxi. If you decided to go with BRT, take line 7 which follows Vali Asr Street and arrives at Tajrish Square. Hope on any stop and go to the north, and then walk to Sa’adabad Complex or take a taxi.

Opening hours: Every day from 9 am – 4 pm

Things to do in Tehran: Sa’adabad Palace

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