TEHRAN TRAVEL GUIDE
Things to Do in Tehran– Activities & Attractions
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Tehran has been Iran’s capital since 1778 and is its biggest city, with over 14 million people living within its metropolitan area. It also boasts countless museums and is at the heart of most of Iran’s cultural and artistic events. The city is on an upwards slope going North, with the city centre at about 1,200m and parts of North Tehran rising up to 1,700m.
The National Archaeology Museum of Iran was completed in 1928 by the French architect Andre Godard. It contains ceramics, pottery and other archaeological gems from excavations all over Iran, including Persepolis, Susa and many other significant sites. The exhibition displays are charmingly chaotic, but stuffed with authentic artifacts, including pottery dating back to 6-7th millennium BC. Striking finds include a human-headed capital from Persepolis and some stunning friezes from the Apadana Palace. The museum is an absolute must for anyone interested in archaeology or the history of Iran.
The Crown Jewels Museum houses the largest set of crown jewels in the world. Its displays include splendid crowns and expensively decorated thrones, swords and shields, aigrettes and a vast number of precious gemstones used to make exquisite jewellery. Highlights include the world’s largest pink diamond and the famous Peacock Throne. Open Saturday to Tuesday (afternoons only).
The Grand Bazaar Right in the heart of the city, the Grand Bazaar is an essential visit for any tourist in Tehran. With over 10 kilometres of labyrinthine alleyways filled with covered shops, haggling customers, and general commotion, you will find everything from jewellery to carpets and pots and pans for sale here. One of Tehran’s oldest areas, this commercial centre is teeming with history and character, and there are some exceptional restaurants dotted around. Prepare for a sensual bombardment; not for the agoraphobic! Be sure to check out the nearby Jomeh bazaar for antiques, every Friday on Jomhuri Street.
Tajrish Bazaar & Imamzadeh SalehThe bazaar in the northern district of Tajrish is smaller, prettier, and altogether less stressful than the Grand Bazaar (although prices are higher). There is a colourful market of fresh fruit and vegetables, and some excellent touristy shops selling traditional crafts and kitschy memorabilia. Check out the kebab restaurant in the centre of the bazaar, and the teahouse just off the main drag. It’s also worth visiting the stunning adjacent shrine, the Imamzadeh Saleh.
Milad Tower (Borj-e Milad)The Milad Tower is one of Tehran’s most iconic structures, and the most prominent feature of the city’s skyline. Completed in 2007, it stands at an impressive 435 metres, making it the sixth tallest tower in the world. Trips to the head of the tower are inexpensive and worth the effort on a clear day, for nowhere else can beat it for panoramic views of the city. If you want to push the boat out, the tower also boasts a fancy, revolving restaurant.
Azadi Tower (Borj-e Azadi) Built in 1971 to commemorate 2500 years of Persian monarchy, this iconic tower fuses elements of Sassanian, Achaemenid, and modernist architecture. Literally meaning ‘Freedom Tower’, the ivory-coloured, Y-shaped building is situated in a park in east Tehran, and features a well laid out underground museum. Though not as tall as the Milad Tower, it nevertheless boasts fantastic views of the city from the top floor.
Golestan palace Just a few minutes from the Grand Bazaar, you will find the magnificent Golestan Palace, a 19th century Qajar royal abode. The palace complex consists of 17 structures in total, including reception halls, museums, throne rooms, and royal quarters, and boasts impressive, well-kept gardens too. The intricate tile work, mirrored interiors, symmetrical fountains, and marble thrones demonstrate the pinnacle of Qajar-era architecture, and provide a sense of the level of opulence the monarchs would have enjoyed.
Mount Tochal Mount Tochal sits in the mountain range to the north of Tehran, with its peak reaching a staggering 3,993 metres. An excellent challenge for mountaineers, trails set off from Darakeh and Velanjak, with tea houses staggered along the way. If you lack the time or inclination for the trek, a telecabin service will take you all the way up the mountain for a reasonable fee. The top of the mountain also has a small ski piste, with equipment available to rent. Not as impressive as Dizin or Shemshak ski resorts, but ideal for a quick afternoon getaway.
Tabiat Bridge
is a new walking bridge which is constructed above one of the most beautiful highways in Tehran (Modares Highway). The bridge connects two parks in the area (East side: Taleghani Park, and West side: Ab va Atash (Water and Fire) park).
The design is perfect, Steel Pipes with wooden floor, in some parts it has 3 floors, and there is a great food court on the lowest level. One thing which is unique is the lightning; it is done beautifully and makes this Bridge awesome at Nights.We definitely suggest traveler to experience the enjoyable walk on Tabiat Bridge!
Niavaran cultural-historical complex is located in a large garden with an area of 11 hectares in the north of Tehran, which is a significant natural-historical attraction. The monuments of this complex belong to Qajar and Safavid periods. This garden contains several historical royal monuments including Ahmad Shahi Pavilion, Sahebqaranie Palace, and Niavaran Palace.
There are exquisite artworks from Iranian artists and valuable objects gifted by foreign governments as well as admirable architecture of Iran’s history that attract every tourist and visitor. This cultural-artistic complex is one of the honors of art history of Iran and the world.
The cultural and historical complex of Saadabad covers an area of 110 hectares and is located in the refreshing foothills of Tochal and Darband. Saadabad lies from the north to the Alborz Mountains, from the east to Golabdare, from the west to Velenjak and from the south to Tajrish.
During the Qajar Dynasty (1794-1925), this area was used as a summer palace of the royal family, and after the Pash of 1921 of Pahlavi, it extended a larger area with the addition of new gardens and became the summer residence of the kings Pahlavi Dynasty (1925-1979) ), Reza Shah, Mohammed Reza Shah and their families.
Later, on various occasions, palettes and villas were added to this pallet. In the Pahlavi era, eighteen small and large palaces were built in Saadabad, exhibiting Iranian art and architecture. Sinus 1979 revolution, this plant was transformed into the museum. Two palaces, namely, the (white) palace and the green palace, are open to the public, as palace museums and other buildings have been allocated to their specialty for various types of exhibitions.
The cultural and historical complex of Saadabad consists of 17 palaces, museums and halls.
