Shiraz City

Celebrated as the heartland of Persian culture for more than 2000 years, Shiraz has become synonymous with education, nightingales, poetry and wine. It was one of the most important cities in the medieval Islamic world and was the Iranian capital during the Zand dynasty (AD 1747–79), when many of its most beautiful buildings were built or restored.

Located in the southwest of Iran and built on a green plain at the foot of the Zagros Mountains, the city 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 Sassanians settled here, making the city as the splendid capital of the Persian Empire for many centuries, playing a great role in developing the Iranian civilization.

As a city of poets, Shiraz is home to the tombs of Hafez and Sa’di, both major pilgrimage sites for Iranians. It’s also home to splendid gardens, exquisite mosques and whispered echoes of ancient sophistication that reward those who linger longer than it takes to visit nearby Persepolis and Pasargadae, the area’s major tourism monuments.

Regarding sightseeing excursion in Shiraz, the historical attractions as well as the tourism facilities of different districts can help enjoying the travel that among them Karimkhan Citadel, Vakil Mosque, Vakil Bathhouse, the Qur'an Gate, the mausoleum of the famous poets Hafiz and Sa’di are of paramount significance and must-see destinations.

Considered by many Iranians as the city of gardens, Shiraz and notably the Eram Garden is a striking location for visitors with a variety of plants as well as a historic mansion.

If you like bazaars then welcome to the best one in Iran, selling everything from inlaid mosaic works of triangular design and silver-ware to carpets and spices under a vaulted ceiling dating back 250 years. Shiraz also excels in architecture - indeed many of its finest buildings were built to rival Isfahan.

The city is one of the most facilitated cities of Iran for tourism industry with fine hotels and memorable restaurants of different kinds, particularly Saraye Mehr Restaurant serving traditional food, providing you with a dining experience that takes you to the same traditional ambiance of the past as if you are eating in the Zand Dynasty.

Therefore, by having friendly and hospitable people that an eminent British orientalist Edward Browne in his 1893 book “A Year Amongst the Persians” described them as ‘…amongst all the Persians, the most subtle, the most ingenious, the most vivacious’, as well as moderate climate and plenty of spectacular tourism attractions which are the equal of anything in Athens or Rome, Shiraz will definitely make tourists have an enjoyable stay.