Shiraz, Iran: travel guide
City of poets and gardens, and the gateway to the Persepolis UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Country
- Iran
- Currency
- IRR
- Time zone
- Asia/Tehran
- Nearest airport
- SYZ
Top places to visit in Shiraz
Eram Garden
UNESCO Persian garden · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A historic Persian garden (part of the UNESCO "Persian Garden" listing) with a Qajar-era pavilion and botanical collection.
Bagh-e Jahannama
Historic garden ruins · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Remains of a once-famous Persian garden dating back centuries, mentioned by classical Persian poets.
Ali ibn Hamzeh Holy Shrine
Mirror-mosaic Shia shrine · 4.6 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A Shia shrine with an elaborately mirrored interior, dedicated to a relative of Shah Cheragh.
Persepolis
UNESCO Achaemenid ceremonial capital ruins · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
UNESCO World Heritage ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire, roughly 60 km / 1 hour northeast of Shiraz by road; best visited as a half/full-day trip with a hired car, taxi or tour.
Necropolis of Naqsh-e Rustam
Achaemenid rock-cut royal tombs · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Rock-cut tombs of Achaemenid kings a few kilometers from Persepolis, usually combined into the same day trip.
Nasir al-Mulk Mosque (Pink Mosque)
Qajar mosque famed for stained glass · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A late-19th-century Qajar mosque famous for the kaleidoscopic light cast by its stained-glass windows onto the carpets, best seen shortly after sunrise.
Tomb of Hafez (Hafezieh)
Memorial garden and tomb of the poet Hafez · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A pavilion and memorial garden housing the tomb of the beloved 14th-century Persian poet Hafez.
Vakil Bazaar
18th-century Zand-era bazaar · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
An 18th-century covered bazaar built during the Zand dynasty, adjoining the Vakil Mosque and citadel.
Karim Khan Citadel (Arg-e Karim Khani)
Zand-era fortress · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
An 18th-century brick fortress built as the residence of Karim Khan Zand, founder of the Zand dynasty.
Vakil Bathhouse (Hammam-e Vakil)
Restored Zand-era bathhouse museum · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A restored traditional bathhouse from the Zand era, now displaying wax figures depicting historic bathing customs.
Shah Cheragh Shrine
Mirrored-interior Shia shrine · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A major Shia pilgrimage shrine known for its mirror-mosaic interior, housing the tombs of two brothers of Imam Reza.
Quran Gate (Darvazeh Quran)
Historic city gateway · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
A historic gateway at the northeastern entrance to Shiraz, traditionally holding a Quran manuscript for travelers' blessing.
Things to do
- Persepolis & Naqsh-e Rustam Full-Day Guided Tour Cultural · 8 h · from USD 45 per person
- Nasir al-Mulk Mosque Sunrise Visit Cultural · 1 h · from USD 10 per person
- Shiraz Poetry Evening at Hafez Tomb Cultural · 1.5 h · from USD 10 per person
- Vakil Bazaar Guided Shopping Tour Cultural · 2 h · from USD 15 per person
- Persian Cooking Class, Shiraz Food · 3 h · from USD 35 per person
- Qashqai Nomad Village Day Trip Cultural · 8 h · from USD 55 per person
- Traditional Teahouse Experience, Shiraz Food · 1.5 h · from USD 15 per person
- Sunset at Quran Gate & Delgosha Garden Activity · 1.5 h · from USD 10 per person
Where to stay in Shiraz
Hotels
- Homa Hotel Shiraz 5-star
- Chamran Grand Hotel Shiraz 5-star
- Zandiyeh Hotel Shiraz 5-star
Where to eat
- Sharzeh Traditional Restaurant persian, iranian · about IRR 15,000,000 per person
- Haft Khan Restaurant persian, iranian · about IRR 15,000,000 per person
- Shater Abbas Restaurant, Shiraz persian, iranian · about IRR 6,000,000 per person
Getting around
- Bus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.