Masal, Gilan, IranVideo: Reza Rafizadeh, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Find your Bliss in Iran
Iran, explained honestly: Persian gardens, tiled domes and real risks
Iran is one of the great travel countries of the world: the blue domes of Isfahan, the gardens and poets of Shiraz, the desert lanes of Yazd and some of the warmest hospitality anywhere. It is also a country where many governments advise against all travel. This guide gives you the plain facts on safety, visas, cash and culture, so any decision you make is an informed one.
Your trip, step by step
- Before you decideCurrent travel advice, insurance limits and visa rules, answered plainly
- LandingImam Khomeini airport, cash, SIM cards and your first day in Tehran
- Your days in IranBazaars, mosques, gardens, deserts and family visits, planned with care
- Home againDeparture checks so the last day is calm too
Where to go, eat and stay
- Honest firstWe say clearly where governments advise against travel and why.
- Official sourcesVisa, health and safety facts point you to the official pages to confirm.
- No price surprisesWe explain Iran's cash only economy so nothing catches you out.
- Free to useEvery guide and the trip planner are free.
Our promise
A trip to Iran should never be a gamble taken blind. We set out the risks, the rules and the rewards in plain words, so you can decide with confidence and, if you go, find your Bliss with care.
Visiting family in Tehran, Shiraz or Tabriz after years away, or seeing the country of your parents for the first time? This guide was written with you in mind.
How to use this guide
Four steps from first idea to a decision you feel sure about.
- Read the adviceStart with your government's travel advice and what your insurance will and will not cover.
- Sort the essentialsVisa, guide rules for some passports, cash and dress rules, checked against official sources.
- Pick your placesUse our places to visit list for bazaars, mosques, gardens, teahouses and stays in each city.
- Plan your routeUse the free trip planner to shape your days and how you move between cities.
Everything your Iran trip needs
Free tools and guides for every stage of the journey.
Destinations
Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, Yazd and Tabriz, each explained in depth.
Explore destinationsPlaces to visit
More than a hundred bazaars, mosques, gardens, cafés and stays, from classics to quiet corners.
See places to visitFlights and stays
Search flights into Tehran and the regional airports, and stays across the country.
Plan travelPlaces finder
Sights, food and stays mapped around each base.
Find placesFree trip planner
Tell us your dates and interests and build a route that fits.
Plan your trip
The classic Iran route
Tehran, Kashan, Isfahan, Yazd and Shiraz
Most first visits follow one line south from Tehran: the merchant houses of Kashan, the great square of Isfahan, the desert city of Yazd and the gardens of Shiraz with Persepolis nearby. Comfortable buses, trains and short domestic flights connect every stop.
- Golestan Palace and the Grand Bazaar of Tehran
- Naqsh-e Jahan Square and the bridges of Isfahan
- The old town and windcatchers of Yazd
- Persepolis and the pink mosque of Shiraz
Plan with care
A route that respects the risks
In Iran, planning matters more than usual: visa rules that depend on your passport, a cash only system for visitors, dress rules and a security picture that can change quickly. Our free planner helps you think through a realistic pace and order.
- Realistic travel times
- The right season for the desert
- Where to base yourself
Where to go in Iran
From the capital and the old Silk Road cities to the desert towns and the green north west.
North central Iran
Tehran
Iran's huge, busy capital under the Alborz mountains, with royal palaces, a sprawling bazaar and lively northern cafés.
Read the guidePhoto: Mhsheikholeslami, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Central Iran
Isfahan
The jewel of Safavid Persia, with a vast royal square, tiled mosques, old bridges and an Armenian quarter.
Read the guidePhoto: Amirpashaei, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Fars, southern Iran
Shiraz
Iran's city of poets and roses, and the base for the ruins of Persepolis and Pasargadae.
Read the guidePhoto: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Central desert, Iran
Yazd
A mud brick desert city of windcatchers, rooftop views and Iran's living Zoroastrian heritage.
Read the guidePhoto: Mohammad Reza Domiri Ganji, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
East Azerbaijan, north west Iran
Tabriz
The capital of Iranian Azerbaijan, with one of the world's great covered bazaars and a cooler mountain climate.
Read the guidePhoto: Kabelleger / David Gubler, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A note from our founder
A note from our founder
My first time visiting Kenya, I was genuinely surprised with how fast it began feeling like home. The people are so friendly, the food is delicious and familiar, and the accommodations are modern and upscale.
During my travels throughout the continent, I commonly hear tourists share stories about being scammed or taken advantage of, which is both frustrating and disheartening.
Living in Kenya for the last 2 years, I have had the great fortune to meet a network of wonderful Kenyans who have continuously help guide my family's journey. Their shared knowledge has not only greatly enhanced our overall experience here, but it has also saved us tons of time, energy, and resources.
With BlissPoint Travel, my hope is to build a global community that is willing to share useful, uncommon knowledge so that we can all blissfully enjoy the wonders our world has to offer.
Questions we hear most
Is it safe to travel to Iran right now?
Many governments, including the UK, US, Canada and Australia, advise against all travel to Iran because of the risk of arbitrary detention of foreigners and dual nationals and regional conflict. Read your own government's latest advice and check your insurance before deciding anything.
Do I need a visa for Iran?
Most visitors need a visa, usually arranged as an electronic authorisation through the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs e-visa site, and some nationalities have visa-free or on arrival options. Rules depend on your passport and change often, so check the official site and your nearest Iranian embassy.
Can I use my bank card in Iran?
No. International sanctions mean foreign Visa and Mastercard cards do not work in Iran and ATMs will not accept them. Visitors bring enough cash for the whole trip, usually euros or US dollars, and change it at licensed exchange offices.
What should women wear in Iran?
By law women must cover their hair and wear loose clothing covering arms and legs in public. Enforcement has varied in recent years, but visitors should follow the rules: a headscarf, a long loose top or coat, and trousers or a long skirt.
What languages are spoken in Iran?
Persian (Farsi) is the official language. Azerbaijani Turkish is widely spoken in the north west around Tabriz, and Kurdish, Luri, Arabic, Baluchi and other languages are spoken in their regions. English is common among younger people in big cities.
What is the capital of Iran?
Tehran, a huge city spread below the Alborz mountains. It has the main international airport, the best museums, the Grand Bazaar and Golestan Palace, so it is where most journeys begin.
Thinking about Iran?
Use the free trip planner to think through dates, routes and timing, and read the latest official travel advice first.