Tehran City
Often overlooked in favor of the glorious tourist attractions of Isfahan, Shiraz and Persepolis, Tehran has numerous draws of its own to keep visitors busy. Its sightseeing spots are spread wide, from the riverside cafes and modern high-rises climbing the slopes of the Alborz in the north to the sprawling suburbs of the conservative south, and from the Old World atmosphere of its grand bazaar to the grandeur of Golestan, Niyavaran and Sa’d-Abad palaces.
Tehran offers tourists a little bit of everything, including the best place in which to feel the pulse of modern Iran. As Iran’s capital, this bustling metropolis of 14 million people situated at the foot of the towering Alborz mountain range with more than 50 museums and 100 art galleries, great parks, a huge choice of hotels, the best range of restaurants in Iran, and warm, welcoming people deserves at least a few days of every tourist’s Iranian itinerary.
This Iran’s most-densely populated province gives a remarkable land and climate varieties which provide the city with significant tourism attractions. While enjoying a moderate weather and beautiful landscapes on the northern highlands in the summer, visiting many historical sites on the southern parts can be very interesting. River-sides and dam-lakes provide valuable tourism sites for walking, and viewing beautiful natural sites as well.
These are in addition to sports facilities provided in the mountainous areas surrounding Tehran, such as climbing and skiing. Moving around the city, one can easily see the huge social and economic gaps between northern and southern Tehran. As a city of contrasts, Tehran is modern and traditional, secular and religious, rich and poor – north and south.
Most of the spark comes from the affluent north, but wander through Valiasr Avenue where most sights are found on either side or the central districts where most of the historical monuments and Tehran’s best and impressive museums including the glittering national jewels museum as well as Golestan palace complex and Tehran Bazaar are found.
Tehran is better to be visited during the two-week Nowruz holidays from March 21 when the usual traffic chaos is replaced by relative calm, providing a due chance not only for having a memorable glimpse on Iran’s past and present but also for enjoying time at its best.
