According to “Destination Iran” and following the “Snapp” website, you can plan and make a visit to Iran during Nowruz holidays to enjoy the lively ambiance of the country. Learn more about the most popular cities of Iran here:
Nowruz, the most important Persian holiday, is the Persian New Year celebration. It means a new day in Persian and happens around the March equinox. There are certain traditions that accompany this 13-day long holiday (march 20 till April 2) including Haft Seen, Hajji Firuz (the Persian equivalent of Santa), and Dido Bazdid (visiting relatives).
Many use this extended holiday and pleasant spring weather as a good opportunity to travel around the country or overseas. Nowruz is also the perfect opportunity for foreigners to travel to Iran and witness this beautiful celebration firsthand.
During this time, the country buzzes with excitement. Various pastime activities such as shows, concerts, and even traditional dances are planned for this holiday. Therefore, traveling around Iran in Nowruz could be an exciting cultural experience.
Since many Iranians prefer to travel during this time, it is better to travel in advance to avoid complications. A lot of the most visited cities like Isfahan, Shiraz, Yazd, Kerman, and Kish become crowded and it might be hard to find last-minute transportation and accommodations.
However, this should not discourage you from visiting. Below, you could find a list of the most visited cities and favorite tourist hotspots in Iran, available means of transportation, expensive and cheap accommodations, pastime activities as well as traditional food.
Isfahan
Isfahan is one of the most favored tourist destinations among Iranian and foreign tourists. This city is not only rich in history but also one of the most modern cities in Iran.
It has a lively atmosphere as well as beautiful historical sights. One of the most notable sights in Isfahan is Naghshe Jahan square. This UNESCO world heritage is the symbol of beauty, harmony, and power of the Safavi Dynasty.
Other notable historical sights are Vank Church, Khajoo Bridge, Si-o-Se-Pol Bridge, the Traditional Bazaar, and Chehel Sotoon palace. Sitting by the famous Zayandeh River at night, listening to the sound of water, and enjoying people’s singing is a magical sensation.
You could travel by plane, car, bus, or train from Tehran to Isfahan. There is a variety of suitable hotels and hostels available for any budget in the city. Parsian Kowsar Hotel and Abbasi Hotel Isfahan are among the most expensive hotels in Isfahan. Ghasr Monshi Hotel, Isfahan Heritage Hostel, and Sarhang Palace Hotel offer better prices. Hotel prices range from 10 and 80 dollars a night, one-way bus tickets cost 4 dollars, and plane tickets around 25. Considering the price of food, a one-day trip to Isfahan costs between 30 and 200 dollars.
You can easily and securely reserve Isfahan hotels online using a platform that allows you to compare different hotels and read reviews for each one.
Shiraz
The historic capital city of ancient Persia and the birthplace of Persian civilization is Shiraz. This historic city is a hotspot for tourists all year round. Shiraz is the birthplace of notable Persian poets Saadi and Hafez.
One of Saadi’s poems is inscribed at the entrance to the United Nations building. Among the most notable historical sights in shiraz are Persepolis, Pasargad, the Tomb of Hafez, the Tomb of Saadi, the Traditional Bazaar, and the Eram Garden.
Shiraz is also known as the city of orange blossoms and you could smell the blossoms from kilometers outside the city in early spring. You could travel to Shiraz by plane, bus, car, or train.
Similar to Isfahan, a variety of hotels and hostels are available to tourists in Shiraz. Shiraz Grand Hotel, Homa Hotel, and Zandiye hotel are among the best hotels in the city. Tuti Hostel, Seven Hostel, and Sohrab Traditional Hostel offer a more economical option to travelers.
Hotel prices range from 8 and 90 dollars a night, one-way bus tickets cost 4 dollars and plane tickets are around 25. Considering the price of food, a one-day trip to Shiraz costs between 25 and 200 dollars.
Yazd
House to the Tower of Silence burial ground, the oldest fire aflame in the world, and the Fire Temple, Yazd is considered the door to the religious path of old Persia as the biggest group of Zoroastrians in Iran inhabit the city. Yazd is located in the central part of Iran amidst beautiful deserts.
The hidden charm of Yazd, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its entirety, is that it has successfully resisted the passage of time. Marco Polo referred to this city as the “noble city of Yazd,” a hidden jewel in the desert.
Aside from Zoroastrian heritage sites, Yazd has many significant mosques and mausoleums such as Masjed-e Jomʿeh and the Amir Chakhmaq Complex. Walking in Yazd’s Traditional Bazaar is pure joy with the smell of different spices and beautiful patterns of termeh.
Yazd is accessible via plane, bus, car, or train. The best hotels in the city are Dad Hotel, Moshir al-Mamalek Garden Hotel, Yazd Arg-E-Jadid Hotel, and Yazd Traditional Hotel.
Yazd Hostel RestUp, Jungle Hotel, and Khesht Abad Hostel are among the best economical options available in Yazd. Hotel prices range from 11 and 70 dollars a night, one-way bus tickets cost 4 dollars, and plane tickets around 25. Considering the price of food, a one-day trip to Yazd costs between 25 and 200 dollars.
Kerman
Kerman, the land of pistachio and Persian carpet, is a former Persian capital. This city is rich with fire temples, mosques, and stone domes. Its population consists of a majority of Persian Muslims and a minority of Zoroastrians.
The historic city of Kerman is a mixture of modernity and ancient history. Shazdeh Garden, the Grand Bazaar, Ganji Ali Khan Complex, Ganjalikhan Historical Square, and Ibrahim Khan Bathhouse are some of the historic sites in the city.
Kerman city is located near the Lut Desert where nothing grows and is known as one of the hottest places on earth. Shahdad Kaluts are spread over 11.000 square meters of space and are among the most famous tourist hotspots in the Lut Desert.
Some people call this place the Legendary City of Kaluts. Kaluts were shaped about 20,000 years ago from dramatic wind and water erosions. Kerman Pars International hotel, Akhavan Hotel, and Shardo Guesthouse are among the best hotels in the city.
Hotel prices range from 10 and 60 dollars a night, one-way bus tickets cost 4 dollars, and plane tickets around 25. Considering the price of food, a one-day trip to Kerman costs between 25 and 200 dollars.
Kish
The Pearl of the Persian Gulf, Kish Island is one of the most famous islands in the Persian Gulf. Kish has been a famous tourist attraction for many years due to its shining coral sand coasts, clear coastal waters, diverse plants, and native trees.
With a 3,000-year-old history, Kish was ranked among the world’s 10 most beautiful islands by The New York Times in 2010. The island’s calm atmosphere and no-visa requirement for foreign tourists make it the perfect vacation spot.
Popular tourist attractions on Kish Island include biking around the island, the anchored Greek Ship, Marjan Beach, Kariz Underground City, Harireh Ancient City, the Twin Water Reservoir, Kish sea turtles, Green Tree Complex, and Ocean Water Park. Kish is accessible by plane and sea.
Dariush Grand Hotel, Vida Hotel TopTours, and Toranj Marine Hotel are among the most luxurious hotels in Kish. Kish Fanoos Hotel, Pars Nik Hotel, and Aftab-e Shargh Hotel offer budget options for tourists visiting this beautiful island.
Hotel prices range from 25 and 200 dollars a night, one-way boat tickets cost 4 dollars, and plane tickets around 28. Considering the price of food, a one-day trip to Kish costs between 40 and 400 dollars.
