Overview
This vast capital at the foot of the Alborz combines major museums, parks, restaurants, and a cosmopolitan city rhythm. Efficient public transport makes a few days of urban exploring practical.
Museums · Transit Hub · Culture · Mountains · Skiing
Did you know?
- Golestan Palace, the National Museum, and the Treasury reward museum days.
- Falafel stalls offer a quick local bite beside huge-portion bazaar restaurants.
- Five metro lines form the practical backbone for crossing the metropolis.
Why go?
Tehran is the capital of Iran, a bustling metropolis of 14 million people at the foot of the Alborz mountain range. It is a cosmopolitan city with great museums, parks, restaurants, and warm friendly people. It deserves at least a few days of your Iranian itinerary.
Get in
Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) handles all international flights, 55 km southwest. Mehrabad Airport is for domestic flights and connected to Metro Line 4. Major bus terminals include Western (Azadi), Southern (Jonoob, serving cities like Isfahan and Shiraz), Eastern (Shargh), and Beihaghi. Tehran's main railway station (Rahahan) connects to Mashhad, Esfahan, and other destinations.
Get around
Tehran's metro (5 lines) is the most efficient way to navigate the city. Buses are cheap but require understanding Persian line numbers. Taxis are more expensive than elsewhere in Iran but still affordable. Shared taxis (savari) are common.
When to go
Summer temperatures average 33°C (91°F) in July, often exceeding 38°C (100°F), with dry air. Winters are cold with snowfall. Spring and autumn are mild and more pleasant for sightseeing.
Things to do
Visit the Tochal Complex for skiing and gondola rides, hike from Darband or Darake, explore Ab-o-Atesh Park and the Tabiat Bridge. Tehran has numerous museums: the National Museum, Golestan Palace (UNESCO), Treasury of National Jewels, and the former US Embassy (Den of Espionage).
Where to stay
Budget options include Tehran Heritage Hostel (dorms from €5), Firouzeh Hotel (single US$28), and Mashhad Hostel (very cheap). Mid-range hotels like Hotel Hafez (double US$74) and Hotel Saadi offer better comfort. Modern hostels like HI Tehran Hostel and See You in Iran Hostel provide clean dorms and private rooms.
Food and drink
Iranian cuisine includes chelo kebab, dizi (meat stew), and various stews. Try Restaurant Moslem in the bazaar for huge portions, Dizi Sara for traditional dizi, or falafel stalls for 10,000–25,000 rials. Alcohol is illegal; popular non-alcoholic drinks include tea and doogh. Prices often exclude 8% tax and 10–15% service charge.
Connect
Internet is heavily filtered; use a VPN or proxy (e.g., Freegate, Psiphon) to access social media and some websites. Mobile operators include Irancell and MCI. Free WiFi is available in many hotels and cafes.
Stay safe
Tehran is generally safe, with violent crime rare. Watch for pickpockets in crowded areas and avoid South Tehran after dark. Traffic is very dangerous; cross streets with locals. Be aware of fake police requesting to check passports. Drugs and alcohol are illegal; smoking qalyan (waterpipe) is banned in public places.
Go next
Escape to the Caspian Sea at Ramsar (5 hours, taxi round-trip about 500,000 rials), visit the holy city of Qom (2 hours by bus), or ski at Shemshak or Dizin (1–2 hours north). Namakabrud also offers a gondola lift on the Caspian coast.
Guide text adapted from Wikivoyage contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to start
Eat
Alborz Restaurant
Many locals regard this as a fairly good chelo kababi in Tehran.
Eat
Bahar Confectionary
The oldest Confectionary of Iran founded 1938. birthplace of paderazi and sugar bread. Best Known for traditional Paderazi and Shekari cookies. Quality is guaranteed. Diverse range of cookies and pastries are available.
Eat
Barbod Restaurant
Eat
Coffee Shop & Veggie Restaurant at Iranian Artists' Forum
Fantastic place to stock up on those much needed vegetables. The menu is pure veg and very, very good. Also, great coffees and desserts at very reasonable prices. Serves pizza, sandwiches, and salads
Eat
Delsin Sandwiches
Kebab and sandwich joints are found everywhere. This one has interesting salad, and humus (Lebanese mezeh). They have roast beef, chicken, turkey sandwiches that comes with fresh vegetables, like mint and basil.
Price when recorded: andwiches priced between US$2-4
Eat
Divan
Fusion Persian food in a luxurious setting. Consistently ranked as one of the best restaurants in Tehran.
Eat
Dizi
A beautiful Dizisara. With many Miniature paintings on walls and a nice meal of Abgusht (traditional Iranian soup-like food, but way heavier than normal soups), it is worth a visit for lunch. Not open for dinner.
Eat
Dizi Sara
A hangout of the rich and famous.
Price when recorded: Abgosht (meat stew) 400,000 rials
Before you go
Connectivity
Use a VPN or proxy to access blocked sites like Facebook and Twitter.
Culture
Alcohol is illegal; dress modestly in public.
Money
Prices often exclude 8% tax and 10–15% service charge; be prepared to add up to 1/3 to menu prices.
Safety
Traffic is very dangerous; cross streets with locals. Avoid South Tehran after dark. Beware of fake police.
Transport
Metro is efficient and cheap; taxis are pricier than elsewhere in Iran.