Visit Chiraz: Discover our selection of 12 things to see or do during your trip to this fascinating Iranian city!
Located in southern Iran, Chiraz is often considered the cultural and artistic capital of Iran! Classified at UNESCO World Heritage, it was the city of poets and great philosophers of the 13th and 14th century, like Saadi and Hafez, whose beautiful city houses the tombs.
Third town of the country, after Tehran and Machhad, it is a must-see destination in Iran for travellers who would like to plunge into the incredible cultural heritage and historical heritage of this fabulous country! From ancient Persia to modern Iran through the era of Zand and Qadjar dynasties, you can discover magnificent monuments, buildings and gardens that testify to the history of the country and the region. To complement these historical and architectural treasures, Chiraz is placed at the foot of the Zagros Mountains, whose summits form a sublime backdrop. This decor also adds to the peaceful and gentle atmosphere of this Iranian city, an atmosphere that seduces both the Iranians, who enjoy the city, as well as travellers!
So what do you do in Chiraz during your trip? What must you discover or see absolutely when you are there? To help you explore the beautiful city, we have listed for you the 12 essential things and more to visit in Chiraz!
1. Mausolée Shah Cheragh
Photo credit: Flickr – method.cosmo
What about Chiraz? To begin your discovery of the city, we can only recommend you to go to the city Mosque and Mausoleum Shah Cheragh a Persian name that means "King of Light". This site houses the tombs of the brothers Amir Ahmad and Mir Muhammad, son of the seventh Shiite imam Musa al-Kazim. This is the most important pilgrimage site in the city.
You will be struck by the rich decoration of this historic and religious place: mosaics sprinkled with mirrors covering walls, vaults and ceilings, doors covered with silver panels and a magnificent fountain in the inner courtyard. Elements that make this mosque one of the most beautiful in the city!
2. The Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque
Photo credit: Wikipedia – MohammadReza Domiri Ganji
Not far from the shrine of Shah Cheragh is the magnificent Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque , the Rose Mosque, probably the most beautiful building in the whole city. Visiting Chiraz without lingering in this exceptional and fairytale mosque would be a shame! Built between 1876 and 1888, under the Qadjar dynasty, it will envour visitors, who can only be dazzled by the magnificence of its colonnades and by its coloured windows. Through them, the sunlight creates a sublime kaleidoscope on the magnificent Persian rugs that cover the mosque floor.
3. The Bazar of Vakil
Photo credit: Wikipedia – Maasaak
If you have planned to visit Chiraz, the Bazar de Vakil must be included on your itinerary! Located in the historic city centre, it is the most important market in the Iranian city.
Highly photogenic, this real labyrinth houses hundreds of stalls and clusters in a picturesque setting. You can buy spices, jewellery, beautiful Persian carpets and other typical craftsmanships! The bazaar is also a magnificent example of the Persian Zand architecture of the 18th century, with its beautifully decorated arches and ceilings!
4. The Garden of Eram
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons – Mohsenhsni
Chiraz is known for its beautiful gardens and the Garden of Eram is certainly one of the most beautiful! Its name in Persian language even means "garden of Paradise". Located not far from the university of the city, it is located around a magnificent palace of the Qatari era. For a moment of calm and rest, this place is perfect!
5. The Tomb of Hafez
What to do in Chiraz during your stay? You must absolutely discover the tomb of the most illustrious Iranian poets during your visit to the city! Located south of the Coran Gate, a pavilion houses the Hafez marble tomb, in the middle of the magnificent Musalla gardens, on the banks of a seasonal river. Small anecdote: the present monuments were built in 1935 and designed by French architect and archaeologist André Godard! Visiting the Tomb of Ha-fez will be an opportunity to relax and discover the writings of this talented poet.
6. The Tomb of Saadi
Photo credit: Wikipedia – Phillip Maiwald
Saadi was also an illustrious poet of Iranian culture, a man appreciated by the inhabitants of the city and a precursor of Hafez. Its grave is located not far from Tomb of Hafe . This place houses some tea houses, surrounded by cypress trees: a space that travelers will enjoy for its peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.
Not far from the Tomb is also the sublime Delgosha gardens , to discover also when you come to visit Chiraz !
7. The Qavam House
Photo credit: Wikipedia – Bernard Gagnon
Directed by Mirza Ibrahim Khan, a descendant of the rich and powerful Qavam merchant family, Narendjestan-e Ghavam is a historical and traditional Persian residence of the 19th century. It perfectly reflects the elegance and refinement of the high Persian society of the time. Today museum, it also houses a beautiful small garden, composed of fountains, palm trees and flowers. For you will have understood it: the beautiful gardens are a speciality of Chiraz!
8. La Citadelle de Karim Khan
Photo credit: Wikipedia – User:Hardscarf
Located in the historic city centre, this fortress fortress was built around 1766 under the reign of the first sovereign of the Zand Dynasty. Transformed into a museum, you can discover rich palaces and apartments, as well as a superb indoor courtyard planted with orange trees!
9. The Pars Museum
Photo credit: Instagram – milica_grujic_
Formerly, it was a palace that welcomed the prestigious visitors under the Zand Dynasty. Today, the building is a museum which houses masterpieces and works of famous Iranian painters, artifacts like handwritten Korans, as well as the superb Nazar garden – one of the oldest in the city!
10. The Hammam-e Vakil
Photo credit: Flickr – Diego Delso
Are you still wondering what to do in Chiraz? Before you go to discover the ancient sites that populate around the beautiful Iranian city, don’t hesitate to visit the Hamman-e Vakil a former public bath in Chiraz. Built in the 18th century, it is a magnificent building whose interior is richly decorated!
11. Persepolis
Photo credit: Flickr – Andrea Moroni
After borrowing the sublime gate of the Koran, the historic northeast gate of the city, direction Marvdasht to discover the famous ruins of the ancient city of Persepolis ! Located at the foot of the Kuh-e Rahmat mountain, it is a must-see site when you come to Chiraz. Inscribed to UNESCO World Heritage, the city was founded by Darius 1 in 521 BC. Partially destroyed by Alexander the Great after his conquest of the Persia, it is today possible to visit this vast complex of palaces, stairs, altars, terraces, tombs and impressive sculptures.
12. Naqsh-e Rostam and Naqsh-e Rajab
Photo credit: Flickr – Andrea Moroni
Not far from Persepolis, you can also discover these two beautiful archaeological sites of ancient Persia. They are home to the tombs of the Chemean kings Darius 1st, Xerxes 1st, Artaxerxes 1st and Darius II, as well as various sculptures and bas-reliefs. These places are to be included in your visit to Persepolis.
More in the North, you can also visit Pasargades , a more ancient place, which houses the tomb of Cyrus the Great – founder of the Persian Empire!
How to go to Chiraz?
To go to Chiraz, you will first have to enter Iranian territory via Tehran Airport. From France and other provincial capitals, the companies Mahan Air and Iran Air - whose flights at best prices are listed among others on our partner's website Ulysses – provide the majority of links.
Once in Tehran or from another Iranian destination, you can reach Chiraz by plane (about an hour and a half), by bus, train or car (less widespread). There are comfortable buses or night trains with bunks that connect different Iranian cities. Although it takes about 15 hours of travel, the train remains the cheapest option to get from Tehran to Chiraz (on average 5€). You will be rested to visit Chiraz in the best conditions!
Good to know. : for internal flights, you will not be able to book online. All you need to do is make your request from a Iran Air office or upon arrival at Tehran Mehrabad Airport.
Where to stay in Chiraz?
If you want to visit Chiraz, you should know that there are plenty of accommodation options. We especially recommend the district of downtown, the surroundings of the Gardens of Eram or the small area around the Azadi Park , not far from the Tomb of Hafez. You will easily find accommodation in Chiraz in these neighborhoods, especially among the inhabitant who promises a full human experience for a modest sum.
To find out where to stay during your stay in Chiraz, visit our article « In which quarter house in Chiraz? "!
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