Undoubtedly some of the finest tourist attractions all over the world exist in Iran. Hosting plenty of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Iran with all its monuments is primarily the results of the diverse cultures and civilizations evolved over centuries which have yielded to great archeological sites with historical significance, far beyond imagination.
The capital Tehran is one of the most important destinations for sightseeing in Iran. Despite having modern facilities, the city has retained and preserved the oldest of its treasures. The city is showcasing amazing monuments of Qajar and Pahlavi dynasties represented in fantastic palaces of Golestan, Niavaran and Saad Abad as well as several good museums including the Abgineh Museum of ceramics and glassware, the Reza Abbasi Museum of calligraphy and paintings, the National Museum of Iran housing archaeological and anthropological exhibits, and the Carpet Museum which is home to a 450-year-old carpet.
The central city of Isfahan as the jewel of Iran’s tourist attractions and a pearl in the Middle East is the most wonderful city for tourists who intend to spare no time in enjoying various places such as Naghsh-e Jahan Square and Jame Mosque that there is no doubt in their grandeur along with many beautiful boulevards, palaces, churches, mosques, and minarets. Engulfed by many beautiful parks on its both sides, the Zayandeh Rud river is a right place to sit by or have a walk and enjoy the unique views of Isfahan over the magnificent bridges of Marnan, Si-o-Se Pol, Juei, Khajoo and Shahrestan in a very pleasant and moderate weather.
Located in the southwest of Iran and built on a green plain at the foot of the Zagros Mountains, the city of Shiraz is one of the most famous provinces of the Old Persian Empire and modern Iran. During the pre-Islamic period two of the ruling dynasties of the Persia: the Achaemenids and Sassanids settled here, making the city as the splendid capital of the Persian Empire for many centuries and playing a great role in developing the Iranian civilization.
As a city of celebrated poets and fabulous gardens, Shiraz is home to the tombs of Hafez and Sa’di, splendid gardens such as Eram and Narenjestan, exquisite mosques such as Pink and Jame mosque, the Shah-Cheragh mausoleum, Karimkhan Citadel, Vakil Complex and the Pars Museum displaying relics from the Zand era.
The city whispers echoes of the Achaemenid period that reward those who linger longer than it takes to visit nearby Persepolis and Pasargadae, the area’s major tourism monuments. This impressive complex of palaces including the Apadana Palace, the Throne Hall, and the Gate of All Nations is classified among the world’s greatest archaeological sites that along with the tomb of Cyrus the Great, the founder of Persian Empire who ruled from his capital Pasargadae are truly well worth a visit.
Situated in the northwest of Iran, Tabriz, the provincial capital of East Azarbaijan is in a valley to the north of Mount Sahand. The valley opens out into a plain that slopes down gently to the northern end of Lake Orumieh. Traveling to Tabriz means traveling to history; by visiting the historical monuments such as the Grand Bazaar, Kabod Mosque, and constitutional house, one can have a glimpse of history together with the nice Ael Goli resort which should not be missed.
Gonbad-e Qabus (the tower of Kavus) in the northeastern province of Golestan is recognized as one of the most beautiful historical towers and the most imposing ancient monument. Standing on a hill, the 53m high tower is visible from afar in the surrounding lowlands like a skyscraper, dominating the town laid out around its base.
The historical city of Susa as the principal city of the Elamite, Persian, and Parthian empires and an extremely well preserved ziggurat of Chogha Zanbil in the Khuzestan province along with Ecbatana, the Median capital in the late 8th century BC and the summer residence for Parthian and Achaemenid kings on the slopes of Mount Alvand in Hamedan are among other architectural wonders of Iran.
Likewise, the Ali Sadr Cave, the world’s largest water cave with several deep clear water lakes, as one of the unique natural phenomena in Hamedan and the traditional untouched mountain village of Masouleh on steep slopes of the Alborz mountain in Gilan Province near the southern coast of the Caspian Sea with an attractive nature and a wonderful architecture in which "the yard of the above building is the roof of the below building" are truly breathtaking sights.
Thus, visiting Iran with its entire magnificent architectural works survived from various periods is an unforgettable chance to ponder on the grandeur and extraordinary progress of ancient Persia and for those who value sightseeing in a country replete with history and beauty, the Great Iran is indeed a satisfying place with long-lasting happy memories.
