Having decided to travel to Iran? So, an Iran visa is probably one of your main concerns. The Iran visa issuance procedure is quite fast and convenient: We are pleased to offer our services for obtaining a maximum 30 days Iran tourist visa which is extendable in Iran.
All you have to do is to fill in the form to apply for an Iran online visa here.

Visa arrangement is normally done through Iran Doostan Tour Company and it usually takes a minimum of 14 working days in Iran for many applicants including Iran visa for Indians, Iran visa for Bangladeshi citizens, or tourists from other countries.
However, the Iran visa application process for US citizens and also Uk and Canadian passport holders will take a minimum of 60 working days. There is only one form to be filled out with your passport details.

For Iran visa on arrival, the citizens of the following countries can apply for fifteen days of Iran tourist visa upon their arrival in the administration visa office of Ministry of Foreign Affairs situated in Iran’s Imam Khomeini- Mashhad- Shiraz- Tabriz and Isfahan Airports:
Azerbaijan-Albania-Germany-Austria- Armenia-Uzbekistan-Spain- Australia- Slovenia- Slovakia-United Arab Emirates- Indonesia- Ukraine- Italy- Ireland- Bahrain-Brazil- Brunei- Belarus- Belgium- Bulgaria- Bosnia-Herzegovina- Portugal- Peru-Tajikistan- Thailand- Turkmenistan- China-Denmark- Russia- Romania- Japan- Singapore- Sweden- Switzerland- Syria- Saudi Arabia- Oman-France- Palestine- Finland- Philippines- Cyprus- Kyrgyzstan- Qatar- Croatia- Kazakhstan- South Korea- North Korea- Colombia- Cuba- Kuwait- Georgia- Lebanon- Luxembourg- Poland- Malaysia- Hungary- Mongolia- Mexico- Norway- New Zealand- Venezuela- Vietnam- Netherlands- India- Yugoslavia- Greece-Tunisia-Sri Lanka-Yemen-Algeria.

Iran visas on arrival will not be issued for citizens of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Colombia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Somalia.

Required documents for Iran visa application upon arrival include two-way tickets and the passport validity must be of a minimum of 6 months. The applicant is also required to render one photo together with the visa fee for each attendant, and to complete the related visa forms.
Iran visa fee is different for each nationality. You can find out the amount you must pay, by emailing us to info@idt.ir.

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Beautiful landscape-Iran

Why you should visit Iran?

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Yes, you read it right! You should visit Iran. I won’t spend any words on how safe Iran is, or why the Middle East is not like what you think, or how it is not like you expect. I have already written those articles. The gist of it is that Iran is an ordinary country, like what you could say of France or Spain. 

A trip to Iran can teach you a lot, make a better person out of you and, without much effort, improve the whole world by a tiny bit. So no, I will not write another article or why you shouldn’t be afraid of this or worried about that, where I simply dispel wrong commonly held assumptions about this beautiful country. I will instead concentrate on why you should come from the perspective of what you can take from Iran or give to it, through the lens of my own experience here.

Endless Beauties of Iran

First of all, let me state the obvious: Iran is an amazingly beautiful country. Whether you decide to explore cultures and traditions, history, or landscapes, expect to be stunned. You can climb enormous mountains, such as Mount Damavand. You can walk through the lush forests of northern Iran. You can go alone in the unique Lut desert, and experience a sense of freedom you had not fathomed before. You could get addicted to it. In winter, you can even see small villages at the edge of the sand deserts covered in snow. 

Iran landscapes

An amazingly beautiful country.

You can visit Iran to see the old capitals of the Persian empire, more than two and a half millennia old. You can see mesmerizing ceremonies, such as Ashura. You can walk in the kaleidoscope of colors of the Pink Mosque. And I’d rather not start writing about the food… it would take me pages to describe all the best things.

 

The many different mentalities, traditions, and foods that dot Iran are available for you to experience because this country is unmistakably a multicultural society. No, not a multicultural society as in the United States, where racial segregation has only recently been ended, and subcultures cyclically bring racial tensions to a boiling point. And not multicultural like Europe, where huge political rifts form because of a few desperate refugees and migrants. In Iran, nobody uses buzzwords such as “assimilation” or “integration”. No media, in its own limited powers, promotes divisive discussions on these matters in the hope of obtaining more viewers. Here, such concepts are entirely alien.

Persian food

Persian cuisine is enriched with a special aroma and flavor that you will love!

Iran was the first truly multicultural empire in human history, and it adopted the diversity of its people with open arms. Since the 6th century B.C. laws and arts here were promoting unity through diversity. For example, in the ancient Persepolis city, art styles from different and very far apart regions of the empire can be seen. 

Various Tribes in Iran

Kurds, Armenians and Azeri Turks in the West, Afghan and Baluchi in the East, Central Asian Turks in the North, Arabs in the South, Qashqai nomads, and Baluchs live together in harmony in Iran. 

They speak their language at home and speak Farsi in public. All of them maintain, and sometimes publicly display their ethnic traditions. Many of them still wear their traditional costumes everywhere, be it bazaar, office, or place of work. A person from Tehran going to Tabriz will feel like a foreigner in his/her own country, yet will not feel the impulse of insulting the local Turks. Iraqi soldiers tortured, raped, and murdered Iranians just thirty years ago, yet now Iraqi immigrants in Iran aren’t pilloried because of it.

An interesting personal example of how multiculturalism is at the core of Iranian society is my girlfriend and her family, whose origins are in Tehran only. She has a Turkish-Iranian name. Her sister has a Kurdish name, her father an Arab one, while her mother has a European one. 

Needless to say, visiting Iran is an eye-opening experience of what intercultural tolerance is all about. As did I on many other things. From a simple personal well-being perspective, I can say that traveling here has been quite a boon.

south of Iran

A Kid from the south of Iran

In the West life is frenetic, everybody living in a semi-frenzied state of mind, always thinking two things at a time, running from place to place, and then coping through what now genuinely seems to me perverse psychological mechanisms. But visit Iran, spend here a couple of months, and life will slow down. It’s not that there’s no stress. No, on the contrary, cars run amok and you risk getting hit two times a day, the government is sensitive to the discussion of political topics, so you have to watch what you say, some idiot built something the way only an idiot would build it, and you have to multiply your effort to do what would otherwise be very simple. I don’t even want to get into how frustrating it was to get my Visa prolonged. No, things here are stressful. But people are, on average, calmer, or some could say lazier, or some could say careless. At any rate, you might just get imbued with this general relaxation. And suddenly food tastes better, colors are somehow different, you smile more, and the way you look at the world seems different.

Since I got here, in only two months, I have progressed beyond my wildest dreams. Anxiety is at an all-time low and my self-esteem is up. I remember when I was back in Europe I used to go out for a beer two, three, four times a week. Now I am closer to myself. I won’t need to do that ever again. I stopped needing to numb myself. I stopped trying to outrun stress. Whatever may come, life is good!

Visit Iran- Persepolis

The ancient capital of Persia, Persepolis

Of course, everyone is different, and you might not experience the same things. But I can guarantee you that, if you decide to take it easy and give yourself time, Iran will somehow put you in touch with your spiritual self. I say this even though, just a few months back, I used to scoff at the idea.

Speaking of this, Iran is not without its problems. International sanctions have impoverished the population, there is an ongoing struggle with Tehran’s pollution. And there are many other problems.

Sure, there are many things that the Iranians do better than us. For example, there are fewer beggars, and some social problems, such as alcoholism and compulsive gambling, are virtually non-existent. Nevertheless, in the West living standards are, on average, above the Iranian ones. The generations preceding us have obtained for our enviable prosperity. To any sensible person, this difference will constitute a personal awakening. We must come to the understanding that we should visit Iran and meet what history has gratuitously handed to us in the West, not with pride, but gratefulness. No more nagging and complaining about first-world problems like ungrateful losers; if you are to any degree wise, you will have eyes to see what does work well here and what doesn’t, and who knows, maybe you will be, even passively, a successful agent of change for your community, your family, or even simply yourself.

The Famous Hospitality of Iranians

And you can be sure that you will, unbeknownst to yourself, be an agent of change for Iran. When we went to Yazd my girlfriend pointed out a very interesting thing. She had been to the city only five years before, prior to UNESCO accepting the city on the World Heritage List. She told me that at that time people in Yazd used to be conservative and, not being used to any foreign tourists, they avoided making contact when possible. In short, she had described this as a close-minded city. Yet our experience in Yazd was unforgettable. The people were always willing to chat with us, to give us gifts, they always asked where I am from if I like Iran, and so on, and so forth. The warmest people on Earth. In just five years, the tourism that was bound for Yazd as a World Heritage Site had changed the soul of the city. Its citizens demonstrated lovely, if not sometimes even ridiculous levels of xenophilia.

Yazd

The Fascinating Architecture in Yazd City

Traveling to Iran will make people you meet more open, friendly, curious, and better informed about the rest of the world. They will learn from having you around just like you will learn from them. In some sense, the best way you can help Iranians see through their hardships is to travel and visit Iran.

The best thing you will get from such a journey is that you will finally know what Iran is like. You won’t anymore believe the bunch of lies the media is spreading about this country in the West. You will be able to fight those who stand to gain from the general ignorance that Westerners have of the Middle East, and not fall prey to demagogues. 

You will be free!

But all these are secondary benefits. 

The most important reason to visit Iran? You’ll have a lot of fun! 

Freaky rhyme intended :)

Are you planning to travel to Iran? Check out our Iran tours.

Iran visa in Turkey

How to get Iran visa in Turkey? (Istanul and Ankara)

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If you are planning to travel to Iran, then visa is mandatory. Taking a look at international travelers’ reviews reveals that Turkey, compared to other countries, is the easiest and fastest place to get Iran Visa. Here’s an overview of how to get an Iran Visa in Turkey.

If you require any information regarding Iran visa, please fill our Iran online visa form.

Who needs a visa to visit Iran?

Due to Iran’s recent visa policy to facilitate the entry of legal visitors into this country, most nationalities are allowed to receive the visa on arrival except for 10 nationalities that require it in advance including Colombia, Somali, England, Canada, USA, Bangladesh, Jordon, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.
Citizens of seven nationalities are allowed to enter Iran without visa and stay here for the specific decaled time, including Syria, Leboneng, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Bolivia, Egypt, Venezuela, Malaysia, Armenia and Georgia. Holders of USA passport need a guided tour in Iran and holders of Israel passports cannot visit Iran. To avoid fruitless attempts in getting Iran visa, your passport should not show an evidence of traveling to Israel.

Steps to get Iran Visa

Applying for Iran visa in Turkey, you may or may not need an authorization code depend on your nationality, remember to check your own nationality’s situation at the time of applying for Iran visa. To get an authorization code, search through the internet, find a company, fill out the online form that issues authorization code for Iran visa. The cost to get the code depends on nationality, where you want to collect the visa and whether you request normal or fast service.
While filling the form, be sure about your name’s spelling and other details, since they must exactly match your passport information. In addition to your personal information, an important part of this form is your itinerary for Iran and how long you are going to stay.
Getting the authorization code is the most important step in visa application and once you get the code, you can get the visa that day. However, going through the normal visa process including filling in the forms, fingerprints, taking photos and payment is Inevitable. You have 30 days to collect the visa from the date of issue and it is only valid to the mentioned consulate.

Iran visa in Turkey

Where can you apply for Iranian visa in Turkey?

Looking at the reviews by other travelers, suggest that Istanbul and Ankara are usually the easiest to apply for Iranian Visa.

Review1: Iranian visa in Istanbul

Hi
I just picked up 30 day tourist visa. Paid 50eur for Dutch nationality and three working days processing.

All took me three hours at the consulate. Had to wait for the man behind the window to make phone calls and confirm my authorization code. Procedure was straightforward and easy: filling out an application form, giving a passport-size picture and payment at the bank. Three days later, collected my visa in 2 minutes!

Review2: Iranian visa in Istanbul

Hello silk roaders!

Today we got our visas for Iran in Istanbul (Spain nationality)

There were two options:
Express visa: 1 day, 75€
Normal visa: 1 week, 50€

Really easy process, wo passport photos and the authorization code is needed, then you pay at the bank across the street, fill the form and the day after you will get your visa!

Review3: Iranian Visa in Ankara

Hi
I applied for Iran Visa 2 weeks ago with my Portuguese passport. I got the authorization code within 3 days

Th required documents at the Iranian embassy in Ankara are 2 colored photocopies of your passport; a photo and your passport.

There they gave me a simple form to fill in, told me to go to the bank to pay 50E and come back with the receipt. The bank is across the street.

Returning from the bank receipt, they gave me a receipt and kept all the documents and passport, told me to return to collect the visa on the Friday(3 days later). On Friday I collected my Iranian visa valid for 30 days.

Required Documents to get Iran visa

It does not matter which city you are applying for visa; is it in Istanbul, Trabzon or Ankara, try to be at the embassy or consulate before 9 am. Documents you need to have with yourself include:

Passport (with at least 6 months until the expiration date)
Two passport photos (females should cover their head)
Your Authorization Code
Details of your accommodation in Iran
Details of your tour itinerary or cities you plan to visit in Iran (Main tourist spots are recommended to be mentioned which are Tabriz, Isfahan, Shiraz, Persepolis city and Tehran)
Details of your entry point into Iran (most will put Gurbulak to Bazargan)
Enough money in Euros for your payment (You will not pay money in the consulate, you will pay in the bank they give you the details about; only proof of payment is required to collect your visa).

If you are indented to visit Iran, visa arrangement is normally done by Iran Doostan Tour Company through making a phone call or an sending an email and it usually takes a minimum of 14 working days in Iran except for British, USA and Canadian passport holders for whom the visa application process will take a minimum of 60 working days.

Please do not hesitate to send your inquiries to info@idt.ir.

Are you planning to travel to Iran? Check out our Iran tours.

Iran approves visa-free travel for Chinese tourists

iran visa for chinese: Iran Waives Visa For Chinese Tourists

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Chinese tourists will no longer require a visa to travel to Iran. Iran’s government has approved a visa waiver program for Chinese tourists. According to Vali Teymouri, the deputy head of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization (ICHHTO), the decision was made by President Hassan Rouhani’s cabinet and it will be announced officially after due process.

The authorities in the Islamic Republic of Iran have decided to abolish entry visa to Iran unilaterally for Chinese nationals with the purpose of attracting more Chinese tourists to the country.

Iran’s Tourism officials have been trying to take some similar measures to boost the tourism sector to increase revenues under U.S. sanctions. For example, Iran announced earlier that the foreign tourists’ passports will no longer be stamped to skip the U.S. travel ban.

Contrary to all sanctions, ancient Iran witnessed considerable growth in tourist arrivals in the last fiscal year (ended March 20, 2019) comparing the preceding year.

Are you planning to travel to Iran? Check out our Iran tours.

Iran travel guide

Iran travel guide: Culture, Nature, Attractions, Safety & more

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Iran is one of the most ancient countries located in the west south of Asia. Regarding its geographical position, Iran connects the East to the West. The long history and the vast area have led to amazingly variant climatic conditions, cultural attractions, and natural landscapes. That is why Iran is famous for being a destination for all four seasons. Enclosed with the Caspian Sea on the north and the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea on the south while the desert in between, Iran is a proper destination for all nature and adventure lovers who dream of different thrilling experiences of climbing, canyoning, skiing, marine activities, and safari. Embracing 22 UNESCO Heritage Sites and one UNESCO Natural Site as well as 13 Intangible Cultural Heritage registered on UNESCO and many more registered on Iran National Heritage List, Iran looks like a live museum for all enthusiast culture lovers too. It is also one of the best gastronomic destinations for all avid foodies. Travel to Iran at any time and enjoy the attractions and activities of your own favorite season. Stick with us read a complete Iran travel guide.

traveling to Iran

Iran is well known for being a destination for all four seasons.

Iran’s Culture

Iran, as the cradle of one of the most ancient civilizations of the world, is proud of its thousands of year old historical, cultural, and architectural attractions, elegant gardens, pleasant food, and warm hospitable people. With 22 cultural heritage and one natural site inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List, Iran offers a unique diversity of attractions in the world: from Lut Desert to the Persian gardens; the amazing city of Isfahan to the hand-dug rocky houses in Meymand, Kerman; the towering Mount Damavand covered in snow to Kish Island.
Iran, the country of wind catchers, Ab Anbar (water reservoir), Persian gardens, palaces, museums, caravanserais, bathhouses, bridges, mausoleums, castles, mosques, churches, monuments, bazaars, literature, science, history, poets, artists, kings, and scientists is a live museum of the culture, history, art, and architecture. Susa, Shushtar Hydraulic System, and chogha zanbil in Khuzestan as the birthplace of the Elamites, and Burnt City dating back to 3200 BC in Sistan and Baluchestan are among Iran cultural and heritage sites.
Long history, outstanding architecture, elegant gardens, delicious food, hospitable people, astonishing landscapes, and remarkable wildlife all represent Iran as a great destination to explore. The vast area of the country has led to an amazing great variety of cultures, traditions, customs, languages, and lifestyles. Moreover, it is situated in such a geographical location that you can see different kinds of climate in different parts of the country at the same time. Sitting on a critical spot and connecting west and east as a bridge, Iran has always been the center of attention for culture lovers. The unique cultural (as well as natural) features of Iran- as one of the oldest civilized places on the earth- attract many tourists from all around the world.

traveling to Iran - ethnic groups

Iran travel guide: Different iran ethnic groups.

Nature

Iran embraces mountains, deserts, forests, caves, canyons, rivers, Geopark, and national parks. Since Iran covers a vast area, it takes advantage of various landscapes and different climatic conditions resulting in remarkable biodiversity. Therefore, it has the most inspiring places for adventure travelers from around the world. Rafting, hiking, biking, trekking, spelunking, caving, mountain biking, and canyoneering are all the adventurous activities you can enjoy in Iran.

Damavand-Iran travel guide

Iran travel guide: An amazing view of Damavand Mt., the highest volcanic mountain in the Middle East.

Festivals

Different kinds of climate and the vast area of the country during long history have caused great diversity in language, custom, lifestyle, and handicrafts in different parts of the country. All this culminates in different festivals, rituals, events, and traditions in Iran. Nowruz known as the Persian New Year is one of the greatest Iranian festivals celebrated worldwide by Iranians and some other ethnolinguistic groups as the beginning of the New Year. Shab-e-Yalda (Yalda Night) is one of the most ancient Persian festivals annually celebrated on December 21 as the longest night of the year. Tasua and Ashura are respectively the 9th and 10th days of Muharram and Shia Muslims commemorate the battle of Karbala. Chaharshanbe Suri (the Persian Festival of Fire) is another Iranian festival celebrated on the eve of the last Wednesday before Nowruz, and Mehregan is the celebration of light, friendship, kindness, and love. It is also Thanksgiving Day for the Iranian farmers and it is celebrated in autumn.

Haftsin

Nowruz known as the Persian New Year is one of the greatest Iranian festivals celebrated worldwide by Iranians.

Attractions

  • Golestan palace dating back to Qajar dynasty located in Tehran
  • Naghshe Jahan Square in Isfahan, built at the beginning of the 17th century
  • Masjed-e-Jame of Isfahan
  • Pasargadae and Persepolis dating back to the Achaemenid era located in Fars province
  • The historic city of Yazd well-known as the mud-brick city of windcatchers
  • Shushtar historical hydraulic system in Khuzestan province dating back to the 5th century B.C.
  • chogha Zanbil in Khuzestan province dating back to the Elamite era
Iran travel guide

Iran travel guide: St. Thaddeus Monastery, the UNESCO World Heritage Site in West Azarbaijan Province, Iran

  • The Armenian Monastic Ensembles of Iran located in the north-west of Iran consisting of the monastic ensembles: St. Thaddeus (Qara Kelisa), St. Stepanos, and the chapel of Dzordzor
  • Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex, the longest roofed bazaar in the world in East Azerbaijan province going back to the 12th century
  • Sheikh Safi al-din Khānegāh and Shrine Ensemble in Ardabil dating back to the Safavid dynasty
  • Soltaniyeh Dome, the largest brick dome in the world located in Zanjan
  • Bisotun the biggest inscription in the world
  • Takht-e Soleyman in West Azerbaijan province
  • Persian Qanat a hydraulic water system including eleven qanats dating back to six thousand years ago

Persian garden

Susa The ancient city located in the south-west of Iran belonging to the different historical periods especially the Elamite, Persian, and Parthian periods
The Cultural Landscape of Meymand a cave village located in the south-eastern Iranian province of Kerman
Shahr-e Sukhteh or the burnt city in Sistan & Baluchistan province dating back to around 3200 BCE
Bam and its Cultural Landscape

Gonbad-e Qabus

Sassanid Archaeological Sights of Fars Region comprising eight archeological sites in three geographical parts Bishapur, Firouzabad, and Sarvestan in the southeast of Fars Province
Lut Desert or the Dasht-e Lut, a salt desert in Kerman and Sistan and Baluchestan provinces on the east and south-east of Iran
Hyrcanian Forests or the Caspian Forests covering the northern provinces of Iran

Iran travel guide - Iran deserts

Dasht-e Lut, the UNESCO Natural Site in Iran

Safety in Iran

Is Iran a safe country to travel to?

Iran is a safe country for all people especially the families, only women, and solo female travels; Because Iran benefits from a rich culture comprising a combination of different religions, traditions, and beliefs that all emphasize morality, the high position of family as the pillar of a healthy society, and high respect for women. Iran is also one of the safest countries in comparison to other regional destinations. Iran with an extended diverse in culture and nature can offer a vast range of attractions and activities to both genders in different age groups.

The Best Time to Visit Iran

The vastness of the land has provided a diverse nature, from the humid forests on the north to the dry deserts in the central part, and the sub-tropical forests on the south. It has a variable climate too. One can see freezing winter with heavy snowfall in the northwest and mild spring-like weather in the south at the same time. It is possible to ski in the ski pistes in the Alborz and the Zagros Mountains, take a sunbath at the southern beaches and enjoy the desert safari tour all in one travel. It makes Iran a destination for all four seasons of the year. With more than 10,000 plants, 1,140 animals, and 500 bird species identified, Iran could be a great destination for nature and animal lovers. Hyrcanian forests of Iran dating back to the last stage of the ice age as a green biology library, Ali-Sadr Cave in Hamadan, Badab-e Soort travertine terraces in Mazandaran, Gandom Beryan known as the hottest place on Earth and Kaluts of Shahdad in Lut Desert, Nishapur mines of turquoise, Sarv-e-Abarqu as the second oldest species of tree in the world in Yazd, Shamkhal Canyon, Qeshm Island as the only Geopark in the Middle East, mangrove trees and Star Valley in Qeshm Island, mud volcanoes and the Iranian Short-Muzzle crocodile named Gando in Sistan and Baluchestan, the Asiatic Cheetah, the Iranian Ground Jay as the endemic to Iran, Fritillaria imperialis as the endemic flower of Iran known by the name inverted tulip among Iranians, and Narcissus flower listed as a national treasure of Iran are among its natural attractions. There are 26 national parks, 35 national natural sites, 42 wildlife sanctuaries, and 150 protected areas in Iran.

Weather and Climate

Traveling to Iran is always a good idea, at any season, to any location. We cannot agree on just one specific time to enjoy the glory and magnificence of Persepolis or to be fascinated by the dreamy blue tiles of Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque or the eye-catching ancient bridges in Isfahan.
But generally, Iran’s high season is from March to May when the weather is at its best throughout the country, and from late August to October when the weather is a bit warmer. In total, spring in Iran is the high season, summer and winter are low seasons, and fall is the shoulder season. But keep in mind that Iran with its vast area, ancient culture, and amazing diverse climatic conditions has many to offer all year round. Moreover, the low season is the best time to visit Iran’s cultural and natural attractions and communicate with locals without worrying about the crowds of tourists and travelers.

Iran travel guide

Iran travel guide: Spring is the high season and the best time to travel to Iran.

Where to Go in Spring?

From the Caspian shores in the north to the coast of the Persian Gulf and the sea of Oman in the south, Iran is at its best in spring but the unmissable places during your travel in Iran are Alborz and Zagros Mountains. Guilan, Mazandaran, and Golestan- the provinces on the coast of the Caspian Sea- and the north-west side of Iran are magnificent destinations for all seasons but they are at their best during spring.
The endemic plants of Iran such as inverted tulip, Susan-e Chelcheragh (only in the two Guilan and Azerbaijan provinces), and Persian ironwood in the forests of Caspian Sea shores, extracting the world’s finest rose water in Kashan, Citrus aurantium blossoms blooming in Shiraz, ancient Rudkhan castle sitting on a hill in green forests of Guilan, Dehdez village on the shores of Kroon River, deep canyons, gorgeous waterfalls, and soaring mountains are the breathtaking sceneries that you will enjoy throughout your tour to Iran in the spring season.

Where to Go in Summer?

Summer is a great time for traveling to the cooler regions of Iran on the northwest and west parts such as Azerbaijan provinces (eastern and western), Kermanshah, and Zanjan, as well as Fars province on south for remarkable expeditions in canyons, caves, and mountains. It is also a great time for summiting the top three peaks of Iran: Damavand, Alam Kuh, and Sabalan. Also, you can enjoy water rafting in the rivers of Zagros and Alborz Mountains. Hiking, climbing, rafting, biking, rock climbing, and canyoneering are some fun activities you can do in the ever-green Alborz Mountains. In fact, Alborz is a canyon-filled paradise for beginners and expert explorers.
Chakrood canyon in Gilan province, Mor and Kamjel canyons in Mazandaran province on Caspian shores, Raghez canyon in Fars province; Ali Sadr, Parau, and Ghoori Ghal’e castles (all in Kermanshah province); Arasbaran protected area situated on the north of Iran at the border to Armenia; Takht-e Soleyman in West Azerbaijan province (the UNESCO World Heritage Site), Bisotun in Kermanshah, Soltaniyeh Dome in Zanjan (the UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest brick dome in the world), Tabriz traditional Bazaar (the UNESCO World Heritage Site and the biggest ancient covered bazaar in the world,); and Kandovan village (with ice-cream cone-shaped houses carved in the rocks) are just some of the cultural and natural attractions to experience a memorable summer adventure.

Where to Go in Fall?

Fall is the season that nature wears its most fascinating colored gown: the gold, red, orange, purple, brown, and green against a thin layer of grey clouds in the sky!
Hyrcanian forests of Iran in Alborz Mountains; Cloud Forest in Semnan province; the ancient province of Khuzestan in southwestern Iran as the birthplace to Elamites (2400 to 539 B.C.) embracing Chogha Zanbil ziggurat and Shushtar historical hydraulic system (both UNESCO world heritage sites); Bakhtiari, Lor, and Qashqai tribes who live on the foot of the generous Zagros Mountains in Khuzestan province; Yazd, the city of adobe houses and wind towers in the desert as the birthplace of Zoroastrian religion; Kerman province home to Bam Citadel, Kaluts of Shahdad in Lut desert (the only natural UNESCO Site of Iran), Roghe canyon, the cultural landscape of Maymand, and Shazdeh garden, are some destinations you can enjoy visiting when you travel to Iran in the fall.
Fall is the season of pomegranate, Mehregan celebration, and Yalda Night.

Where to Go in Winter?

Iran is renowned for its history, architecture, elegant gardens, scrumptious food, and hospitable people. With twenty-three UNESCO world heritage sites, it is one of the countries with the most tourist attractions in the world. Though Iran is not famous as a ski destination, it has thirteen international ski pistes with a long skiing season and good quality powder snow. If you travel to Iran in winter, you can visit the warm regions of the south of Iran such as Persian Gulf islands: Kish and Qeshm (both are free zone areas with no need of visa), and Sistan and Baluchestan province besides the ski pistes in cold regions covered with snow.
Winter is the only time you can go skiing in Alborz Mountains; also enjoy the sunny beaches of the Persian Gulf on the same day. In winter, you can see one of the most beautiful flowers in the world, the Behbahan Narcissus in Khuzestan province. Qeshm island embraces the only Geopark in the Middle East. Chabahar in Sistan & Baluchestan province is the only habitat of the Iranian Short-Muzzle crocodile that locals call it Gando. Shahr-i Sokhta, meaning the burnt city, is one of Iran’s UNESCO world heritages in this province. You can also visit Hara forests on both Qeshm island and Chabahar (things to do in Chabahar). Miankaleh peninsula, the only Iranian island in the Caspian Sea, hosts thousands of birds from Siberia and thousands of bird watchers who come from all parts of Iran to just get a glance of these lovely guests every winter.

Gastronomy

Iran as a large country embracing different ethnicities with different cultures is so diverse in culinary that every city enjoys a large variety of very delicious and tasty foods. Iranians love spices and a combination of different spices such as turmeric, saffron, black pepper, dried lemon, cumin, and so forth to give a savory smell to the foods and make them really delicious. Though Iranians use spices a lot, their foods are usually tasty but not necessarily spicy. Persian foods are a mixture of the most nutritious ingredients including meat, rice, vegetables, beans, and spices. Iranians love spices and a combination of different spices such as turmeric, saffron, black pepper, dried lemon, cumin, and so forth to give a savory smell to the foods and make them really delicious. Iranians mix all those ingredients in such a balance that they turn into a delicious and nutritious meal as a result. Kebabs, stews, and different kinds of rice (Chelow and Polo) such as Joojeh Kabab (chicken kebab) as the Iranian favorite picnic food, Gheymeh Nesar as a very delicious Persian jeweled rice with succulent pieces of lamb, Khoresh-e-Ghormeh Sabzi (Persian herb stew), Khoresh-e-Fesenjan (Persian pomegranate and walnut stew), Mirza Ghasemi as a vegetarian meal, and Baghali Ghatogh as an easy, healthy, and tasty dish are some of the most popular Iranian foods.

Iran-gastronomy

Persian foods are a mixture of the most nutritious ingredients including meat, rice, vegetables, beans, and spices.

Iran Medical Tourism

Iran’s highly equipped hospitals and rehabilitation centers offer a wide range of state-of-the-art facilities and treatment with experienced expert medical teams at reasonable costs compared to the developed countries, southeastern Asian countries, and Iran’s regional competitors like the Persian Gulf States. Iran enjoys a unique combination of pleasant climate, splendid natural sceneries, relaxing villages, hot (mineral) springs and spas in different parts such as Sar’eyn in Ardabil, highly advanced medical centers and hospitals, up to date medical technology, suitable infrastructure, and well-equipped accommodations. There is also a hotel hospital in Tehran, the capital of Iran. Thousands of visitors from different countries travel to Iran annually for plastic surgery, heart surgery, eye surgery, stem cell treatment, organ transplants, artificial insemination, and other surgeries and medical treatments. Moreover, Iran offers high-quality medical care in rhinoplasty, cardiology, dentistry, rheumatology, nephrology, neurology, dermatology, gynecology, urology, orthopedics, otolaryngology, hematology, gastroenterology, and many other branches of medicine. It is also one of the top countries in biotech. Many private hospitals in cities like Tehran, Shiraz, and Mashhad provide accommodation facilities for the tourists too. Looking for a medical tour to Iran? click here.

Are you planning to travel to Iran? Check out our Iran tours.