Yazd
Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asia · Iran
Did you know?
- Most sights sit within a walkable maze of passages around the Friday Mosque.
- Windcatchers shape the old skyline, channeling air into historic buildings.
- Browse carpets, silk fabrics, cashmere, nougat, and cashews in the bazaar.
See also
Overview
This UNESCO World Heritage city in central Iran's desert is known for windcatchers that cool its historic buildings. Its old-town passages, gardens, bazaars, and Zoroastrian heritage reward slow exploration.
Languages: Persian (Farsi)
Why go?
Yazd is a UNESCO World Heritage city in central Iran's desert, nicknamed the "City of Windcatchers" for its iconic badgirs that channel cool air into ancient buildings. This Sassanian-era city (224-651 AD) offers one of Iran's best-preserved old towns: labyrinthine lanes of mud-brick houses, rooftop alleys, and tranquil courtyards. Unlike tourist-heavy Isfahan, Yazd feels authentic and unhurried, with Zoroastrian fire temples, ancient qanat water systems, and easy access to desert oases like Kharānaq.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Get in
Yazd lies 689 km southeast of Tehran, midway between Isfahan and Kerman. Shahid Sadooghi International Airport (10 km west of old town) handles domestic flights. The train station connects to Tehran (7 hours), Isfahan (4 hours), and Kerman. Main bus station is far from center but has cafes and shops inside. For arrival details: Bus Station (main hub), Shehneh Bus Station, and Train Station (ایستگاه راه آهن یزد).
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Get around
Most sights cluster in the old town near Masjid-e Jame (Friday Mosque), easily explored on foot through the rabbit warren of passages and traditional alleyways. Get a good map from your hotel to navigate the maze. Taxis useful for sites further out like Atashkadeh (Zoroastrian Fire Temple) and the Towers of Silence.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Gardens and escapes
Dowlat Abad Gardens feature a building with Yazd's tallest badgir; one of nine Persian gardens on UNESCO's list (150,000 rials). For desert scenery, drive 40 km south to Pahlevanpour Garden in Mehriz (08:00-21:30) or explore Sar-Yazd Fortress in Saryazd village, a Sassanid-era complex with Seljuk and Safavid caravanserais. Narin Castle and Yakhchals (ancient ice coolers) in Meybod, 50 km northwest toward Isfahan, both cost 150,000 rials and open 07:30-17:00.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Traditional experiences
Pahlevani and zoorkhaneh rituals (150,000 rials, Sa-Th 06:00-21:00, gymnastics 19:00-20:00) near Amir Chaqmaq Square showcase traditional Iranian martial arts practiced in a domed zurkhaneh structure—ritual gymnastics climaxing with submission-grappling called koshti pahlavāni. For cultural immersion, book Traditional Persian Night at Kohan Hotel (USD25 adult, USD23 child 5-12, 19:00-22:00) near Museum of Coin and Anthropology on Imam Street—includes welcome drink, Persian storytelling, live Setar music, fruits, Yazdi cake with bitter orange blossom tea, and three-course dinner. Reservations required.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Buy
Yazd is famous throughout Iran for handicrafts: carpets, silk fabrics, and cashmere. The bazaar offers these plus snacks like nougat and cashews. For sweets, head to Haj Khalife near Chaghmaq Gate—Yazd's signature confectionery. An exchange office with good rates sits in front of the Zoroastrian Fire Temple.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Eat
Persian restaurants offer friendlier atmospheres and regional dishes like fessenjun and gheime. Standard Iranian kebabs available everywhere. For international flavors, a few restaurants serve Italian, Indian, Arabian, and Mexican cuisine. Friends House (No.44, Shah Abolghasem Alley, Seyyed Gole Sorkh St, steps from Alexander's Prison toward Haame mosque) occupies an ancient courtyard with homemade dishes, fresh juice, and renowned coffee from Bialetti Moka express—€4-6 for lunch or dinner. Parsa restaurant on Salman-e-Farsi behind Amir Chakmaq mosque draws locals with good food and busy takeaway. Cafe Angah serves inexpensive handmade burgers and beverages.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Mid-range and desert stays
Kohan Hotel (100m from Alexander's Prison, dorm USD10, single USD35, double USD50) has beautiful courtyard restaurant, underground qanat room, and roof views; staff includes English/German/Spanish speaker who provides bus/train schedules and offers camel rides, desert overnight stays, and bike tours. Kourosh Hotel (100m from Alexander's Prison, dorm USD18, double 1,450,000 rials) combines traditional architecture with modern amenities, free breakfast and WiFi. Farvardinn Desert Inn (30 km southeast toward Bafq, camping USD4, dorm USD7, double USD25) sits on Dasht-e-Lud desert with owner Masoud offering day tours, camel-riding courses, nomad tours to Shiraz, and Mt. Shirkuh hikes (up to 4100m).
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
When to go
Yazd's desert climate means hot summers (38°C July-August) and cold winters (13°C January). Best visiting months are March-May and September-November. Ashura ceremonies occur around the 10th day of Muharram—volunteers organize "spiritual tourism" for tourists to attend securely, with English announcements at major sites and free activities including mosque visits and community lunches. Wear black or dark clothes and respect the religious importance.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Connectivity
Most hotels and restaurants offer free WiFi. Iranian SIM cards available but internet speeds vary. Bring adapters for Type C/F plugs (220V). Check current connectivity options upon arrival.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Go next
Isfahan lies northwest—a culturally richer, more beautiful ancient city. Na'in, a small desert town, sits north. Varzaneh, northeast with beautiful desert 12 km away and historical buildings. All reachable by bus or shared taxi from Yazd's main bus station.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Field guide adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been adapted and organized for this guide. About our sources.
Places to know
A few starting points from the guide. Check current hours and prices before you go.
- sleep
Farvardinn Desert Inn
This guesthouse/hostel is close to Yazd on the Dasht-e-Lud desert. The owner, Masoud, speaks excellent English and a little French, is very nice and very knowledgeable about the area. This hotel offers comfortable beds, a full buffet breakfast, new bathrooms, WiFi, kitchen facilities, dinner with a local family, and camel-riding courses. This hotel is great for both backpackers and traditional travellers looking for a trekking base or an authentic place to relax. There is a bus and train booking service for minimal commission. Tours: from 1-12 days - day tours to surrounding villages from an experienced guide, camel-riding courses, nomad tours from Yazd to Shiraz, one day hikes to Mt. Shirkuh (up to 4100 m), or a tour of your choosing can be arranged.
Recorded price: Camping USD4; dorm bed USD7; double USD25
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Fazeli Hotel Yazd
The hotel's main building was built in the late of Safavid period and in Qajar and Pahlavi period has been restored. Free Internet, public Wi-Fi, non-smoking rooms, laundry service, concierge, air conditioning, minibar, rooftop terrace, breakfast buffet, family rooms, 24-hr front desk, self-service laundry, daily housekeeping, flatscreen TV.
Recorded price: USD45
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Hotel Dad
Hotel Dad is a hotel from the 1930s in the old center of town, with a traditional style, and 54 rooms. Swimming pool with poolside service and a sauna and jacuzzi. It has a traditional Iranian and an international restaurant, along with a coffee shop.
Recorded price: Single USD70; double USD110; triple USD165
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Hotel Toranj
The rooms are comfy and most have a view of the central yard. Free WiFi and buffet breakfast are provided and the coffee shop with its roof view is very atmospheric. The staff members are very professional and have good knowledge of English.
Recorded price: Single USD35, double usd55, triple USD70
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Kohan Hotel
A little pricier and difficult to find, but also worth the effort. They also have a beautiful courtyard restaurant, an underground qanat room (water management system) to explore, and good views of the old city can be had from the roof. The hotel is family run, and also there is a tourist information office, a young man,who speaks wonderfully perfect German, English and a little Spanish, he can provide information about Yazd and other cities of Iran, time table of buses, air planes and trains. Various tours of Yazd are offered including camel rides, overnight stays in desert & bike riding in desert. Laundry service 150,000 rials.
Recorded price: Dorm USD10, single USD35, double USD50
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Kourosh Hotel
Traditional architecture and modern amenities, in the middle of the city. Breakfast and Wi-Fi free.
Recorded price: Dorm USD18, double 1,450,000 rials
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Orient Hotel
From the owners of Silk Road Hotel, which is on the other side of the street. The price of the rooms are all same as the Silk Road Hotel. It is especially tailored to the needs of families and group travelers. Has a glass deck on the second floor with nice panoramas of the city, and the beautiful Jame' Mosque, and a background of desert and mountains. To book your room at the Orient hotel, it is best to call or email the Silk Road Hotel. Good hotel, nice central courtyard. Showers have good pressure and water is hot. You can eat lunch and dinner here.
Recorded price: Dorm bed USD10; single USD20; double USD40; triple USD50
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Restup hostel
The rooms are comfy and have a view of the central yard. Free WiFi and buffet breakfast are provided. The host family is friendly. Mo is enthusiastic and has a good knowledge of English.
Recorded price: Dorm €11, single €23, twin €36 triple €39
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
Before you go
Culture
Iranians are famously hospitable—expect tea invitations and genuine curiosity about visitors. Accept hospitality graciously.
Etiquette
Iran is conservative Muslim society. Women must cover hair with hijab; wear loose clothing covering arms and legs. Remove shoes when entering mosques and homes.
Money
Iran's currency is Iranian Rial (IRR). ATMs scarce for foreign cards; bring cash in EUR/USD for exchange. Exchange office in front of Zoroastrian Fire Temple offers good rates.
Transport
Shahid Sadooghi International Airport is 10 km west. Train connects Tehran (7hr), Isfahan (4hr), Kerman. Bus station is far from center with internal cafes.
Visa
Most nationalities need a visa for Iran. Extensions available at Immigration Office (75m north of Abozar Square on west side of Kashani Road, 08:00-).
Weather
Desert climate: extremely hot summers (up to 40°C), cold winters (13°C average). Dress modestly and stay hydrated.