Tehran

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Tehran is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With a population of around 8.4 million in the city and 14 million in the wider metropolitan area, Tehran is Iran’s largest city and urban area, and one of the largest three cities in the Middle East (along with Istanbul and Cairo).

In pre-Islamic times, part of the area of present-day Tehran was occupied by Rey. It was destroyed by the Mongols in the early 13th century. In 1796, Agha Mohammed Khan chose Tehran as Iran’s new capital, in order to remain in close reach of Iran’s territories in the Caucasus, at that time still part of Iran, and to avoid vying factions of previous Iranian dynasties. Throughout Iran’s history, the capital has been moved many times; Tehran is the 32nd national capital of Iran.

Large scale demolition and rebuilding took place beginning in the 1920s and 1930s, and Tehran has been the subject of mass migration of people from all over Iran up until the present. The city is home to many historic mosques as well as several churches, synagogues and Zoroastrian fire temples. However, modern structures, notably Azadi Tower and the Milad Tower, have come to symbolize the city. Tehran is ranked 29th in the world by the population of its metropolitan area.[4] Although a variety of unofficial languages are spoken, roughly 99% of the population understand and speak Persian.

The majority of the inhabitants of the city are Persians, but there are also populations of other Iranian ethnicities such as Lurs, Armenians, Kurds, and Azerbaijani Turks who speak Persian as of their second language.[5] The majority of people in Tehran identify themselves as Persians.

There has been a desire to relocate Iran’s capital from Tehran to another area at some point in the future, because Tehran is prone to earthquakes. Shahroud, Esfahan and Semnan have been suggested as alternative sites.

History

Settlement of Tehran dates back over 7,000 years. An important historical city in the area of modern-day Tehran, now absorbed by it, is known as “Rey”, which is etymologically connected to the Old Persian and Avestan “Rhages”. The city was a major area of the Iranian speaking Medes and Achaemenids.

In the Zoroastrian Avesta’s Videvdad (i, 15), Rhaga is mentioned as the twelfth sacred place created by Ahura-Mazda. In the Old Persian inscriptions (Behistun 2, 10–18), Rhaga appears as a province. From Rhaga, Darius the Great sent reinforcements to his fatherHystaspes, who was putting down the rebellion in Parthia (Behistun 3, 1–10).

The Damavand mountain located near the city also appears in the Shahnameh as the place where Freydun bounds the dragon-fiend Zahak. Damavand is important in Persian mythological and legendary events. Kyumars, the Zoroastrian prototype of human beings and the first king in the Shahnameh, was said to have resided in Damavand. In these legends, the foundation of the city of Damavand was attributed to him.[11] Arash the Archer, who sacrificed his body by giving all his strength to the arrow that demarcated Iran and Turan, shot his arrow from Mount Damavand.[11] This Persian legend was celebrated every year in the Tiregan festival. A popular feast is reported to have been held in the city of Damavand on 7 Shawwal 1230, or in Gregorian calendar, 31 August 1815. During the alleged feast the people celebrated the anniversary of Zahak’s death.[11] In the Zoroastrian legends, the tyrant Zahak is to finally be killed by the Iranian hero Garshasp before the final days.

In some Middle Persian texts, Rey is given as the birthplace of Zoroaster, although modern historians generally place the birth of Zoroaster in Khorasan. In one Persian tradition, the legendary king Manuchehr was also born in Damavand.

During the Sassanid era, Yazdegerd III in 641 issued from Rey his last appeal to the nation before fleeing to Khorasan.[10] Rey was the fief of the Parthian Mihran family, and Siyavakhsh, the son of Mihran the son of Bahram Chobin, resisted the Muslim Invasion.[10] Because of this resistance, when the Arabs captured Rey, they ordered the town to be destroyed and ordered Farrukhzad to rebuild the town.

There is also a temple in Rey, which is said to be one of the temples of Anahita, the Iranian goddess of waters. But after the Muslim invasion, it got dedicated to Bibi Shahr Banou, eldest daughter of Yazdegerd III, and one of the wives of Husayn ibn Ali, the fourth leader of the Shia faith.

In the 10th century, Rey was described in details in the work of Islamic geographers.[10] Despite the interest of Baghdad displayed in Rey, the number of Arabs there was insignificant, and the population consisted of Persians of all classes.[10][13] The Oghuz Turks laid Rey to waste in 1035 and in 1042, but the city recovered during the Seljuq dynasty and Khwarazmian era.[10] The Mongols laid Rey to complete waste and according to Islamic historians of the era, virtually all of its inhabitants were massacred. The city is mentioned in later Safavid chronicles as an unimportant city.

The origin of the name “Tehran” is unknown. Tehran was well known as a village in the 9th century, but was less well-known than the city of Rey which was flourishing nearby in the early era. Najm ol Din Razi, known as Daya, gives the population of Rey as 500,000 before the Mongol invasion. In the 13th century, following the destruction of Rey by Mongols, many of its inhabitants escaped to Tehran. In some sources of the early era, the city is mentioned as “Rhages’ Tehran”. The city is later mentioned in Hamdollah Mostowfi’s Nozhat ol Qolub (written in 1340) as a famous village.

 

25 Unmissable Things To Do In Tehran: Iran’s Chaotic Capital

Crazy, chaotic, surprises at every turn – Tehran, the smoggy capital of Iran is more than just an eternal traffic jam.

  • The political, cultural and economic heart of the Islamic Republic, one can not truly experience this dynamic country without spending at least a few days here…And don’t worry, there is no shortage of things to do in Tehran!
  • While many travelers make the mistake of rushing past Tehran in a race to the more historic cities of Iran, there is so much more here than meets the eye. With 14 million inhabitants, Tehran is one of the most dynamic and interesting cities in the world. With glorious museums, huge bazaars, captivating people and yes – even the notorious former US embassy that was the focal point of the Iranian hostage crisis.
  • Thankfully today, Tehran is actually the most liberal and secular place in Iran, a city whose inhabitants are constantly pushing up against authority whether it’s at one of Tehran’s many universities, in a contemporary coffee-shop or a modern art museum. Through Tehran, you can get an idea of what the future of Iran might look like if many of the regimes more progressive elements get their way.
  • Throw in a spectacular mountain range, a few architectural gems, delicious food and some of the friendliest people in the world and you begin to see why Tehran is one destination in Iran you absolutely cannot miss!

1. Tehran Grand Bazaar

  • Characterized as an old historical bazaar, but the Tehran Grand Bazaar is so much more than that, still till this day acting as a vital economic center of Tehran where everyone comes to buy anything.
  • You name it, you can find it here if you wander for long enough through its seemingly endless labyrinths of covered alleys. Make sure you have a map on your phone and then get as lost as you can, safe in the knowledge you will somehow find your way back!
  • Incredibly photogenic, be sure to visit the Tehran Grand Bazaar in the morning before all the stock gets refilled in the afternoon by scary fast-moving haulage equipment which somewhat distracts from the experience.
  • Iranian carpet sellers will undoubtedly try to befriend you and can make an interesting guide if you don’t mind the hard sell at the end (although in our experience they knew Westerners generally couldn’t afford their outrageous prices and were just happy to chat!)

2. Tabi’at Bridge / Nature Bridge Tehran

  • A 270-meter three level bridge connecting two parks in Tehran, the Tabi’at Bridge is probably the most beautiful piece of urban architecture built since the Revolution.
  • Opened in 2014, the Tabi’at Bridge (also known as the Nature Bridge in Tehran) is a popular hang out for Iranian’s who come to enjoy a variety of dining options, views and relaxation areas. Even more incredibly- the Tabi’at Bridge was the brainchild of Iranian architecture student, Leila Araghian, who was only 26 at the time.
  • Winning design competitions all over the world – the Tabi’at Bridge should not be missed, and we can’t wait to see what Leila Araghian comes up with next!

3. Azadi Tower

  • An icon of Iran known around the world, the Azadi Tower – known as the Shah’s Memorial Tower before the revolution – marking the west entrance to Tehran and is part of the Azadi Cultural Complex.
  • There is a museum underground which is included in your ticket are you can either walk or take two elevators up the 45-meter tall structure. And yes, the entire thing is clad in cut marble so you can imagine how incredible it looks at sunset (though the views at the top are pretty incredible too!).
  • The Azadi Tower was built to mark the 2,500th anniversary of the foundation of the Imperial State of Iran by architect Hossein Amanat who based the design upon classical Iranian architecture. The entire grand design was financed by the huge wealth generated by Iran as a major oil producing nation before the revolution, however as a member of the persecuted Bahá’í Faith, Amanat fled Iran to Israel during the 1979 Iranian Revolution.
  • He went on to design the equally famous Bahá’í Arc buildings in Haifa, Israel and weirdly enough – the House of Worship in Samoa.

4. Golestan Palace UNESCO World Heritage Site

  • The incredibly lavish Golestan Palace is considered a defining work of the Qajar era thanks to the marriage of Persian craft architecture with Western influences.
  • That is probably why it was rewarded UNESCO World Heritage Status, and quite rightly I think!
  • The Palace is one of the oldest buildings in Tehran and when the Qajar family came into power here in 1779 they made Teheran the capital of Iran – where it has stayed ever since. Glorious and outrageously excessive the Golestan Palace is one thing to do in Tehran you absolutely cannot skip.
  • However be aware that with a total-ticket price of 850 000 rials (app. 25USD) it is tied with the far less-worthy Sa’d Abad Museum Complex for the most expensive museum in Iran.

5. HI Tehran Hostel


  • Information about Iran can be hard to come by outside the country, so it pays to have a super-reliable place to connect with travelers with helpful locals on hand when you arrive.
  • This is why I loved staying at HI Tehran Hostel, a full-renovated hostel in a quiet street just minutes from many of Tehran’s top tourist attractions and a Tehran Metro Station. While the modern facilities, spacious dorms, and private food and free breakfast were definitely great, what I actually loved most was the atmosphere as the staff would always be chatting at the communal breakfast table and answering everyone’s questions.
  • It’s also a great place to meet other travelers either beginning or ending their trip to exchange money, find companions, get ideas or just to swaps stories! I stayed here both at the beginning and end of my trip and would return to HI Tehran Hostel in a heart-beat!
  • Oh, and another nice bonus: HI Tehran Hostel provide an invitation via email needed to get the Iran visa on arrival at Tehran Airport, and the immigration staff seems to be so familiar with the hostel they didn’t even bother calling to confirm.
  • This meant I was out of the airport while other travelers were waiting for their hostel to answer the phone in the middle of the night (though I later called the hostel at 3 AM when I was lost and they answered in a few seconds – they really are 24/7)

6. US Den of Espionage / Embassy of the United States in Tehran

  • The famous former US embassy in Tehran where 52 diplomats where taken hostage for 444 days by students during the 1979 revolution!
  • Even today the massive compound is still controlled by the Student Basij Organisation who are tasked with defending the revolution and have turned the building into a museum. Be sure to take the free tour to really make the most of the colourful propoganda both visually and spoken. It is also absolutely fascinating to see the previously secret rooms used for spying now embarrassingly on full display and to get a real sense of the work undertaken in the US embassy before the revolution.
  • Truly like walking back in time and straight onto a movie set, you can’t miss the opportunity to visit the historic US Den of Espionage.

7. Museum of the Qasr Prison

  • Newly opened, the Museum of the Qasr Prison in Tehran is a dark look into the Pahlavi-era prison complex, renown for psychological and physical torture.
  • Former prisoners still guide here somedays and will share memories of their torture including broken teeth and amputated limbs. The former Qasr Prison gardens have been turned into a beautiful park, and while the main historic prison building may be the focus (with stunning brickwork none the less) don’t miss the much darker and newer concrete building at the back of the complex where recordings still play the screams of torture.
  • Here you get an intensely real look into what life was like in this prison just before and during the revolution here, but it is not for the faint-of-heart.

8. Tochal Telecabin Tehran

  • If the inevitable smog of Tehran gets a bit too much for you – why not head to the mountains with the Tochal Telecabin / Sky Lift! Located in the north of Tehran.
  • You can make a 45 minutes trip straight up and then couples with a short scramble you can easily summit Mt Tochal (3933m). As you would expect, the views are out of this world – both of the mountains and back down over the chaos that is Tehran – and if you’re really feeling fit there is plenty of hiking opportunities at the different stations along the way!
  • Super popular with local Tehranis during the weekend, but don’t make the same mistake as us and try to visit the Tochal Telecabin during the week – We were told it is closed for the first three days after the weekend, every week?! So that means the Tochal Telecabin opening hours are supposably Wednesday – Saturday, but best to call ahead before making the trip out there (best reached by taxi) and to go early as the last car back down is apparently 3pm…
  • Like many things in Iran, it’s better to not question it!

9. Skiing In Iran

  • Even though the majority of Iran is pretty much a desert, there is still some great skiing in Iran – and some of the cheapest skiing in the world!
  • While global warming seems to be shortening the season for skiing in Iran, you can get some pretty good powder for skiing in Tehran from January..The Tochal Ski resort is located at the end of the above cable car and makes a great day-trip but if you are really serious you are going to want to head to the nearby Dizin Ski Resort or Shemshak Ski Resort from Tehran. Not what you were expecting to do in Iran right!
  • Just make sure you have everything you need for your first time skiing as you won’t be able to buy in Iran.

10. Tehran Metro Art

  • Constantly expanding, the Tehran Metro is the lifeline of Tehran and carries over 3 million passengers a day while the streets above are in near-constant grid-lock.
  • Cheap and easy-to-use, there is also a bonus for tourists – if you pay attention, the Tehran Metro is the best place to see propaganda in Iran! Constantly changing, pay special attention on the platforms or the long entrance corridors to see cartoons and artwork depicting everything from the morals taught in the Quran and daily life in Iran to rather harsh and graphic anti-US and anti-Israel pieces.
  • While these Tehran metro cartoons make a great picture to share with friends back home, be discrete when taking photos and remember that the views expressed are directly from a government department and by-and-large not reflective of Iranian society at large (or at least many of the more liberal Tehranis)…

11. Wander Tehran

  • While each time crossing the road might be a near-death experience, there is no better way to get to experience the social fabric and stumble upon hidden gems in Tehran than to simply wander.
  • Instead of taking a taxi or heading a few stops on the Tehran Metro why not get your walk on and see what you come across! Small parks, street food, intriguing shops and hidden bazaars, there really is no telling! Expect a great many people to stop you and thank you for visiting Iran and to question your experiences so far.
  • Besides, if you ever are really lost these people are great to help you find the nearest Metro, coffee-shop, museum or restaurant!

12. Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art (TMoCA)

  • While Iran might not be a world-leader in contemporary art today you should still make a visit to the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art to see the stunning collection of 19th and 20th century’s world-class European and American pieces.
  • Opened by Empress Farah Pahlavi in 1977 – just two years before the Revolution – TMoCA is said to hold the most valuable collections of modern Western masterpieces outside Europe and North America, although most were hidden away until recently when they have again been put on display.
  • Possibly even more intriguing however is the liberal Tehranis that are drawn to the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art many removing their hijabs and you could easily imagine yourself in an art gallery in Western Europe or the US!

13. Sa’d Abad Museum Complex

  • A sprawling 300 hectare complex built by the Qajar and Pahlavi monarchs in a similar pattern to the oil-rich rulers of Saudi and the Gulf States today…
  • Now open to the public the Sa’dabad Complex, while expensive by Iranian standards, is a beautiful place to wander and admire the natural forest, qanats and buildings. Each museum is individually chargeable and in our opinion – not at all worth it, except for the famous Green House (with its hall of mirrors) which is currently under-renovation. There is also a collection of royal cars if you have a passion for vintage sports cars but you can see them in only a few minutes. Look out for the President of Iran who has taken up residence in a private section of the Sa’dabad Complex.
  • Don’t worry there are plenty of armed guards to stop you accidentally wandering in!

14. Park e Shahr / Tehran City Park

  • A sprawling park in central Tehran near to all the major museums in the district. Take a wander through and admire the bizarre bird park, aquarium and library. The Tehran Peace Museum is also located here with strange opening hours – take a peak in if it actually is open. You can also find plenty of cats roaming round and can join in a game of ping-pong with the locals who gather here to relax and unwind.
  • The Park-e Shahr is probably the only place big enough to really escape the constant traffic and honking in Central Tehran!

15. Museum of Ancient Iran

  • Housing historic objects from Iran’s pre-Islam you would expect the Museum of Ancient Iran to be one of the most glorious in the country – but sadly it is entirely underwhelming and a wasted opportunity.
  • Housing objects from the Shah era, the museum was opened after the revolution and you get the feeling that the government did not want to venerate any part of Iran’s past before Islam… Still, if you’re interested in ancient history you should still take a wander through. Islam’s post-islamic history is displayed next door and charged separately (and weirdly enough the Museum of Ancient Iran is almost twice the price but nowhere near as good…)

16. Museum of the Islamic Era

  • Next door to the above Museum of Ancient Iran and far better, the Museum of the Islamic Era is one of the top museums in Tehran.
  • Recently reopened after a nine year renovation this three story building displays over 1500 items and relics from the early Islamic period as well as Seljuk, Ilkhanid, Teymurid, Safavid, and Qajar eras. Beautifully done, you won’t want to rush through as you take in all the details of the ancient rugs, painting, plates, pots and more .
  • There is also a temporary exhibition space on the ground floor changing every six month.

17. Islamic Revolution & Holy Defense Museum

  • An outsized experiment in glorification with more than a hint of propaganda, the Iran Holy Defense Museum is easily one of the things to do in Tehran.
  • Focussing on the bloody Iran-Iraq war which left over a million lives lost, there are over seven halls here going into minute details of every imaginable aspect of the conflict – though mostly through displays, walk-through models, visual effects and more. This is a very high-tech museum – if a little surreal – after which you might have a better idea of this harrowing episode in modern Iranian history.
  • The bridge of the martyrs here is especially fascinating -and there are the huge tanks, rockets and planes outside.

18. Imamzadeh Saleh / Tajrish Mosque

  • Visit the beautiful Tajrish Mosque officially known as the Imamzadeh Saleh to see the entombed remains of Saleh, a son of the Twelver Shia Imam, Musa al-Kadhim.
  • One of the most popular shrines in Tehran, the interior is particular spectacular and was our favourite mosque in Tehran. Make sure not to visit during prayer as it is far too busy and you are likely not to be let in – but during other times we found foreigners were welcomed and someone is likely to take an interest in you and offer you a tour!

19. Tehran Shopping Malls

  • So as a tourist, you’re probably not going to Tehran for the shopping – and especially not given that you need to bring cash for everything you buy!
  • But a visit to the Tehran Shopping Malls is not just about shopping!
  • With giant food courts, arcades and plenty of Iranian / independent stores, they are a socializing space for Tehran rising middle-and-upper class and a great place to meet young, educated Iranians. Of course the Tehran Shopping Malls are also mega-monstrosities and interesting to wander around for a bit, the best are the Palladium shopping center (with the largest toy store in the Middle East), the Arg Commercial Complex (with its luxury stores and beautiful outdoor interactive facade)and the Sam Commercial Complex.

20. Saint Sarkis Cathedral

  • The largest church in Tehran, the Saint Sarkis Cathedral of the Armenian Apostolic varsity was completed in 1970.
  • While a Cathedral might not be top of your list of things to do in Tehran, you should not miss the opportunity to see Christian life play out in the Islamic Republic – complete with imposing giant walls, barbed wire and strict security, though as a foreigner you will be welcomed in.
  • Forbidden from practising their faith in public, the spires of the church are barely visible outside the compound the surrounding area is intensely covered in pro-Islam murals and billboards.

21. Sharaf Al-Eslami Restaurant

  • A historic restaurant hidden away in the Tehran Central Bazaar but you can find Sharaf El Islam by following the throng of people until you see a line heading into a crowded basement.
  • Here you can try some of the best traditional food in Tehran in a crowded and frantic setting. The service is rushed, and people will hover to get a table but it all adds to the atmosphere and you really know you are ‘in the know’ as it is 99% locals in here!

22. Cinema Museum of Iran

  • Located in the north of Tehran is a stunning Qajar-era mansion complex with historic garden, the Cinema Museum of Iran is a curious mix of equipment, posters and photos from the Iranian movie industry dating back over the last century – and all in English!
  • There is even beautiful working cinema with ornate moulding showing new and classic Iranian films – though without subtitles, but still intriguing.

23. Snapp / Iranian Uber

  • So not really a thing to do, but everyone travelling to Tehran should have Snapp downloaded on their phone as it halves the price of taxi’s – and lets you get where you need to go without language barriers.
  • While it might be blocked on the Apple App store you can still download Snapp for iPhone with this handy work-around. Basically Uber in Iran, Snapp let you explore the more remote attractions of Tehran that are not easily reached via Subway, and is really handy if you’re a larger group – though prices are set and very low!
  • Though you will get a first hand experience of the insane drivng in Tehran.
  • I recommend sitting in the back-seat and potentially blindfolding yourself as some things are better not seen!

24. Tehran Coffeeshops

  • A hot bed of liberalism in Iran, since the removal of sanctions a café culture has exploded across Tehran as many more wealthy Iranians got a taste of Western culture and cosmopolitanism.
  • With some pretty decent views, coffee shops in Tehran are also a great place to meet young Iranians, engage in open discussion or just to watch the unique culture that takes place here. A few years ago many were raided as women were known not to wear hijabs inside, but the authorities seem to be looking the other way again – but the morality police crackdown of 2013 makes for an interesting read. Lamiz Coffee is basically the Starbucks of Tehran with multiple locations (yet annoyingly no WiFi) but you should also stop by the historic Gol Rezaieh Café or the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art Café.
  • To be honest, so many have opened up over the past year its hard to keep track of the best – so just ask your hostel in Tehran for their recommendation nearby, or better yet just stop someone young and trendy on the streets!

25. Tehran Street Food

  • While all over Tehran you will find plenty of traditional street food – and you should try as much as you can (check here for Iranian street food to watch out for) – we are specifically talking about the street food of 30th Tir Steet outside the National Museum of Iran. Trendy and oh-so-cool, swing by here in the afternoon or evening for a lively atmosphere, intriguing food trucks + carts and some nice outdoor seating.
  • You will surely be joined quickly by locals who will be quick to recommend their favourite spots, to help you with an translation and let you know all their favourite things to do in Tehran!

How To Get To Tehran Iran

  • The undeniable hub and main entry point of Iran, getting to Tehran is easy via bus, train, and flight.
  • There are direct flights to Tehran daily from all over the Middle East, Europe and even with Air Asia to Kuala Lumpur if your coming from that direction. You can also find direct flights to most major cities in Iran at least a few times of week, multiple times daily for major cities.
  • You can also get overnight sleeper trains to and from almost every major city in Iran. As a major transport hub in Iran and the greater region, you should have no problem getting in and out of Tehran.