Visit Iran

Iran is one of those countries that quietly overwhelms you. You've got the stone ruins of Persepolis on one end and the sprawl of modern Tehran on the other, and honestly everything in between is worth your time too. What follows is a run through the cities I'd tell any first-timer to prioritise, and a bit about why each one earns its place.

Tehran

Most trips start in Tehran, and that's no bad thing. It's loud, it's fast, and there's more than 8 million people packed into it, so you're never short of company or things to do. I'd give yourself a couple of days here at least. The historical sights alone will fill an afternoon, and then there's the food. Persian cooking done properly in a Tehran restaurant is worth the flight on its own, if you ask me. The locals, by the way, are genuinely some of the friendliest you'll meet anywhere. Don't be surprised if someone insists on helping you find your way and then walks you halfway across town.

Esfahan

Esfahan is the one people rave about, and they're right to. If it's history and architecture you're after, this is where Iran shows off. The Imam Mosque is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and photographs really don't do the tilework justice. Wander the old bazaars while you're there. Take your time. Eat wherever the smell pulls you in.

Shiraz

Shiraz has a softer feel to it. It's a beautiful, historic city, and it draws a lot of visitors for good reason. The Tomb of Hafez is the emotional centre of the place; you'll see Iranians reading poetry aloud there, and it's oddly moving even if you don't understand a word. Beyond the historic sites, the region puts you within reach of the Persian Gulf, so you can pair culture with a bit of coast. If you're building an itinerary, leave a slot for it.

Tabriz

Tabriz sits up in the northwest and it doesn't get the crowds the bigger names do, which is part of the appeal. The mosques and bazaars are the real draw, and the architecture around them is lovely, with a good stack of historical sites to work through besides. You can dig into Iranian culture here without feeling like you're queuing behind fifty other tour groups.

Kashan

Kashan was a stop on the Silk Road once, and you can still feel that trading-town history in its bones. These days it's known for its architecture, its traditional Persian handicrafts, and, again, the food. There's plenty to keep you busy for a day or two. If the geography works out, slot it in between Esfahan and Tehran; it breaks up that stretch of road nicely.

Yazd

Yazd might be my favourite on this list. It's out in the central desert, and the old town is a maze of mud-brick and history that feels genuinely ancient. Make time for the Tower of Silence, the Amir Chakhmaq Complex, and the Zoroastrian Fire Temple, where a flame has reportedly been kept burning for centuries. Yazd is also a good spot for traditional Iranian arts and crafts, so it's where I did most of my souvenir shopping.

Mashhad

Mashhad is the capital of Razavi Khorasan Province and the second most populous city in Iran. It's also one of the holiest cities in Shia Islam, which shapes everything about the place. Every year millions of Shia Muslims travel here to make pilgrimage at the Imam Reza Shrine, and even as an outsider the scale of it is something you won't forget.

There's a strong museum scene too. The Astan-e Quds Museum holds a collection of holy relics of Imam Reza, and the Naderi Museum features artifacts from the Nader Shah Afshar dynasty, so history buffs are well looked after.

While you're in the area, the Mausoleum of Ferdowsi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and worth the trip, as is the tomb of Nader Shah.

Bandar Abbas

Down on the Persian Gulf, Bandar Abbas gives you a completely different side of Iran. It's a port city, so the culture has a coastal, mixed feel to it, and the people are warm and easygoing. You won't run out of things to do. The Bandar Abbas Museum and the Old Mosque are each worth an hour or so, but it's the local bazaars that stick with you; they turn up things you just won't find elsewhere.

Final thoughts

So that's the shortlist. There are plenty of reasons to go to Iran, the culture and history being the obvious ones, but the landscapes will surprise you too. With this many good cities on the table you'll have to make some hard choices about what to leave out. Hopefully this has given you a starting point, or at least a nudge, for your next trip. ###