Overview
This Fars capital layers Zand-era history, Persian poetry, Islamic architecture, and garden culture. Persepolis and Pasargad extend the itinerary into the Achaemenid landscape.
Culture · Day Trips · History · Architecture · Food
Did you know?
- Poetry, Zand-era history, gardens, and nearby Achaemenid ruins fit one itinerary.
- Persepolis lies 60 km north, while Pasargad continues the ancient-sites route.
- At Hafezieh, visitors still draw pages at random for poetic omens.
Why go?
Shiraz is the capital of Fars province and a treasure trove of Persian culture. It was the capital of Iran during the Zand dynasty (1747-79) and is the celebrated birthplace of poets Hafiz and Saadi. The city has a population of about 1,500,000 and offers stunning Islamic architecture, historic gardens, and access to UNESCO sites like Persepolis and Pasargad within day-trip distance.
When to go
Shiraz has a desert climate with cold winters (average 12.9°C in January) and hot summers (average 38.7°C in July). Most rainfall occurs in winter months (79mm in January). Spring (March-May) offers pleasant weather for sightseeing. The city can experience smog, particularly affecting views from high points.
Get in
Shiraz International Airport serves domestic and international flights. Shiraz Train station is located 20 km from the city center; a bus connects arriving passengers to the nearest metro station, while taxis cost 300,000+ rials per person. The main Karandish Bus Station operates long-distance buses (06:30-21:30) with luggage storage and simple eateries. Ali Ibn Hamze Terminal, located south of Karandish, is where minibuses to Persepolis depart.
Get around
For non-Iranian visitors, taxis are the most convenient transport. Use the Snapp app to see exact prices before ordering and to request women drivers. Average taxi fares range 300,000-700,000 rials. Many taxis are unmarked, and private car owners sometimes work as informal taxis. Telephone taxi agencies offer set fees for city touring. The metro has two lines (as of May 2024): Line 1 runs north-south to the airport, Line 2 runs between Imam Hossein and Heroes, intersecting at Imam Hossein Sq. The city also has a reasonable bus service.
Talk
Most young people speak English well enough for conversation and can help with questions. While locals may express frustration with the government, visitors should avoid political discussions out of caution and refrain from condescending views about Iran.
Buy
Shops typically open 09:00-13:00 and 17:00-21:00. Bargaining for discounts is customary and referred to as takhfeef. Currency exchange offices are located near Karim Khan Citadel and Shohada Square. Major shopping centers include Aftab Fars Shopping Centre (MaaliAbaad Blv), Hafez Shopping Centre, Persian Gulf Complex (Sepidan Hwy), Sina Shopping Centre (Tu-Su 09:00-16:00, M 09:00-20:00), and Zaytoon Shopping Centre (08:00-23:00).
Food and drink
Shiraz has restaurants for all budgets. Haft Khan offers buffet dining at 27 USD per person with Iranian and international cuisine. Sharzeh Restaurant (outside Vakil bazaar) has a salad buffet for 180,000 rials. Dragon serves Chinese food at 150,000-400,000 rials per meal. Moshit Restaurant opens at 07:00 for breakfast (60,000 rials) and serves the famous Ash-e-shiraz. Baba bastani (West Ghodoosi Blv) is a popular local ice cream shop. Haiku (Gas Square, 08:00-13:00) serves herb teas and coffee with fresh baked goods. Note that alcohol is banned in Iran since 1979; some Christian and Jewish minorities can ferment limited wine for religious purposes, and black market alcohol exists.
Where to stay
Budget accommodation includes Golshan Hostel (dorm bed 300,000 rials; single 750,000 rials; double 900,000 rials) with traditional courtyard and the owner Parviz who speaks English and can arrange transport. Sohrab Traditional Hostel offers singles for 750,000 rials. Taha Hostel (US$11) is a traditional Qajar-period house close to the Armenian Church. Niayesh Boutique Hotel has dorm beds from US$10 with breakfast. Mid-range options include Golha Hotel (double 600,000 rials) and Darya Hotel (single 180,000 rials; double 250,000 rials).
Museums and viewpoints
Narenjestan Ghavam museum (Qavam House, 200,000 rials) preserves 19th-century upper-class elegance with mirrored porch and gardens. Khan-e Zinat ol-Molk House (150,000 rials) adjoins the Qavam house and houses Fars History museum in its basement. Pars Museum (08:00-13:30, 14:30-17:30) exhibits 30 handwritten Qurans and Persian paintings. Hafezieh contains the mausoleum of Hafez and is where visitors still take omens (faals) by randomly selecting pages from his poetry. For panoramic city views, climb 800 steps to Gahvareh Did observation point or continue to Mortaz Ali well.
Stay safe
Shiraz is described as the safest city in all of Iran, and Fars province is the safest province in Iran. General caution as per Iran travel guidelines is advised.
Go next
Persepolis lies 60 km north of Shiraz and was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire (earliest remains from 515 BC). Pasargad (UNESCO-listed) contains the limestone tomb of Cyrus the Great and is 50 km from Persepolis; entrance was 200 rials. Firouzabad has two Zand-period palaces: Qal'eh Dokhtar and Castle of Ardeshir e Babakan. Margoon Waterfall is a 70-meter-high, 100-meter-wide cascade. Other destinations include Isfahan, Kerman, Jahrom, and Yazd. Minibuses to Persepolis depart from Ali Ibn Hamze Terminal.
Guide text adapted from Wikivoyage contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to start
Eat
Baba bastani
Ice cream shop, more creamy than most other ice cream found in Shiraz. Try the special cone ice cream. The shop is popular with the locals, so expect a queue. No seats but there is a small park beside.
Eat
Dragon
Chinese food.
Price when recorded: 150,000-400,000 rials per meal
Eat
Haft khan
Buffet and classic restaurant, Iranian and international cuisine.
Price when recorded: Buffet 27$ per person
Eat
Moshit Restaurant
A small restaurant that also serves breakfast: fried eggs, tea, and the famous Ash-e-shiraz.
Price when recorded: breakfast 60,000 rial
Eat
Persian Dinner
Not a restaurant, but a house that needs to be booked in advance for an Iranian and Shirazian dinner.
Price when recorded: €15
Eat
Sharzeh Restaurant
A classic old restaurant located just outside the Vakil bazaar. It is often packed with tourist groups.
Price when recorded: 180,000 rials salad buffet
Eat
Shater Abbas
Simple traditional Iranian restaurant with quite average food.
See
Ali Ibn Hamzeh Holly Shrine
Built over the shrine of Emir Ali, a nephew of Shah Cheragh. The building itself is quite new as it had to be rebuilt after an earthquake. However, it can boast of the richly-ornamented interiors, parts of which are made of marble and mirror mosaics.
Price when recorded: Free entrance and free guided tour
Before you go
Connectivity
Internet access may be restricted for some foreign websites. Download offline maps before arrival.
Culture
Respect the Iranian government for political caution. Young people speak English well. Bargaining (takhfeef) is customary when shopping.
Money
Currency is Iranian Rial. Exchange offices are near Karim Khan Citadel and Shohada Square. Cash is king for most transactions.
Safety
Shiraz is considered the safest city in Iran. Standard urban precautions still apply.
Transport
Taxis 300,000-700,000 rials; use Snapp app for transparent pricing. Metro Line 1 connects to airport, Line 2 runs east-west.
Weather
Desert climate: cold winters (12°C Jan) and hot summers (39°C July). Most rain in winter. Spring offers ideal sightseeing weather.