Iran, located in the Middle East, has some of the finest and globally acclaimed tourist attractions. These historical and architectural marvels are the fruits of the assorted cultures and civilizations that have grown and evolved within Iran along with time. These sites, therefore, are of great historical importance and ancient significance that are beyond any comparison. The antique sights of Persia, one of the greatest empires of the ancient world, can be witnessed alongside the bustling metropolises and vast mountain ranges. Tehran, the capital, is a busy and modern city; but the best places of historic significance have been preserved. Iran is gradually growing as a popular tourist destination; so it’s possible to visit Iran’s finest tourist attractions without being swamped by other eager tourists.

Best Time to Visit

Iran is a vast country with regions of different temperatures. Thanks to its diverse geography, you can enjoy the fun of experiencing all kinds of climates in one season. Spring and autumn are quite short seasons in Iran. But generally those are the best seasons to visit this country.

Best 5 Place to Visit

Iran is an ancient country. Due to its historical background and sustainable social and cultural development, Iran has a lot of diverse worth seeing sites that satisfy tourists with different tastes. Every tourist, regardless to their incentive, can find plenty of spectacular places suitable to their taste. Many of these sites have been registered in the UNESCO List of world human heritage.

The following are five of the most popular Iranian attractions.

1. Takht-e Soleyman

Takht-e Soleyman or the “Throne of Solomon”, situated in a valley set in a volcanic mountain region, is a popular archaeological site of north-western Iran. The site lies in the middle of Hamadan and Urumieh; it is close to the present-day town of Takab and about 400 km west of Tehran. The place includes a principal Zoroastrian sanctuary partly rebuilt in the Mongol period and a temple of the Sasanian period which is dedicated to Anahita. The site has great symbolic significance. The designs of the fire temple, the palace and the general layout have played a strong influential role in the development of Islamic architecture.

2. Pasargadae

Pasargadae, founded by Cyrus II the Great in Pars, was the first dynastic capital of the Achaemenid Empire. In the 6th century BC, Pars was the homeland of the Persians. The gardens, palaces and the mausoleum of Cyrus are the finest examples of the first phase of royal Achaemenid architecture, art and exceptional testimonies of Persian civilization. Pasargadae spans from the Eastern Mediterranean and Egypt to the Hindus River and is considered to be the first empire to respect the cultural diversity of its different peoples. The same is reflected in Achaemenid architecture where you can find a synthetic representation of various cultures. Particularly noteworthy vestiges here include the Mausoleum of Cyrus II; Tall-e Takht, a fortified terrace; and a royal ensemble of gatehouse, audience hall, residential palace and gardens.

3. Bisotun

On the rocks of Bisotun Mountain, there are some of the most important historical evidences that date back to the Achaemenid period. The principal monument here in this archaeological site is the bas-relief and cuneiform inscription ordered by Darius the Great as he rose to the throne of the Persian Empire in 521 BC. This is the only known monumental text of the Achaemenids that document the re-establishment of the Empire by Darius I and the significance of its cuneiform script is the same as what the Rosetta Stone is to Egyptologists.

4. Bam

Bam is a small town in the middle of the desert on the southern part of the Iranian high plateau and its origin dates back to the Achaemenid period. The enormous citadel in this city, Arg-e-Bam, was built around 500 BC and it was considered to be the biggest and most beautiful mud-brick complex in the world. Bam is surrounded by gigantic walls and that has two mosques, military barracks, a public bath, a caravanserai, a market, water wells, a jail, a stable, about 400 houses and more. The 2003 earthquake destroyed more than 80 percent of this architectural marvel. But the reconstruction of the Bam Citadel is underway.

5. Persepolis

Founded by Darius I in 518 B.C., Persepolis was the capital of the Achaemenid Empire. The surviving ruins of Persepolis today are nothing but a mere shadow of Persepolis’ former glory. Persepolis was built on an immense half-natural, half-artificial terrace where the emperor created a gigantic palace complex inspired by Mesopotamian models. In its heyday the city spread over an area of about 125000 sq meters and was the place where all the people of the empire came over “Nau Ruz” or the New Year to pay homage to the kings. The complex holds in Ceremonial palaces, Halls, small dedicated palaces, royal treasury and tombs. Today this monument consists of the remains of several monumental buildings such as Gate of All Nations, Palace of 100 Columns, Palace of Darius, Xerxes’ Palace, Central Palace, and Apadana Palace. Persepolis was burned to the ground by Alexander in 330 BC.