Mashhad City

Located in the northeast of Iran as the capital of Khorasan Razavi Province, the holy city of Mashhad is the second most populous city and the hub of tourism in Iran. Mashhad’s year-round cool temperatures and fascinating sights into the Shi'ite heartland have much to offer visitors.

The city is well known and most respected for housing the shrine of Imam Reza (AS), the eighth Shi'ite Imam welcoming every year millions of domestic and foreign pilgrims to visit the shrine and pay their tributes to this prominent figure. Today the holy shrine and its museums hold one of the most extensive cultural and artistic treasuries of Iran, particularly manuscript books and paintings.

Apart from the Imam Reza shrine, the city is the hometown of some of the most significant Iranian literary figures and artists, such as the tomb of the poet Ferdowsi, the Iranian poet of Shahnameh, the national epic of Iran in Tus, within 24 kilometers away and the tomb of Nadir Shah.

Among the other enchanting sights, Kooh Sangi Park and the summer resorts at Torghabeh, Zoshk, Shandiz and Nishapur are worth visiting. The city’s economy is mainly on dry fruits, an assortment of salted nuts, saffron, Iranian sweets, precious stones like agates, turquoise, intricately designed silver jewelry studded with rubies and emeralds, gold jewelry, perfumes, religious souvenirs, carpets and rugs.

Interesting things to buy in the large bazaars and shopping centers of the city include Khorasan crafts, jewelry, perfume, saffron, and religious souvenirs. A tourist city with accommodation options for all budgets, pleasant springs, mild summers, large beautiful parks, sites and summer resorts all make Mashhad a great place to visit.