Yazd, Iran: travel guide
Desert city of wind-catchers and mudbrick architecture, centre of Zoroastrian heritage in Iran.
- Country
- Iran
- Currency
- IRR
- Time zone
- Asia/Tehran
- Nearest airport
- AZD
Top places to visit in Yazd
Amir Chakhmaq Complex
Timurid-era symmetrical facade complex · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A multi-story sunken facade complex including a mosque, bathhouse, and bazaar, an iconic Yazd landmark.
Dowlat Abad Garden
UNESCO Persian garden with tallest windcatcher · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A UNESCO-listed Persian garden featuring the tallest badgir (windcatcher) in Iran.
Alexander's Prison (Zendan-e Eskandar)
Historic domed structure, likely a former madrasa · 4.0 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
A domed brick structure traditionally (though not historically confirmed) linked to Alexander the Great.
Fahadan Historical District
Oldest residential quarter of Yazd · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
One of the oldest neighborhoods of Yazd, with well-preserved traditional houses and alleyways.
Jameh Mosque of Yazd
UNESCO mosque with Iran's tallest minarets · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A 14th-century congregational mosque, part of the UNESCO listing, famed for having the tallest minaret portal in Iran.
Towers of Silence (Dakhmeh)
Former Zoroastrian excarnation towers · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Twin hilltop towers historically used by Zoroastrians for sky burial rituals, now open as a heritage site with panoramic desert views.
Yazd Water Museum
Museum of qanat (underground aqueduct) technology · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Housed in a historic house, explaining Yazd's ancient qanat underground water-channel system.
Zoroastrian Fire Temple (Atash Behram)
Active Zoroastrian fire temple · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
One of the few active Atash Behram (highest-grade) Zoroastrian fire temples in the world, said to hold a flame burning since around 470 CE.
Yazd Old City
Historic mudbrick old town · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
A UNESCO-listed historic urban fabric of mudbrick houses, windcatchers and narrow lanes, one of the oldest in the world.
Yazd Bazaar (Khan Bazaar)
Historic covered bazaar · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A historic covered bazaar in the heart of Yazd selling textiles, sweets and handicrafts.
Kharanaq Village
Abandoned mudbrick hill village · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A centuries-old abandoned mudbrick village around 80 km north of Yazd, often paired with Chak Chak on a day trip.
Chak Chak
Sacred Zoroastrian mountain shrine · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A Zoroastrian pilgrimage shrine built into a cliff face, around 70 km northeast of Yazd.
Things to do
- Yazd Old City Guided Walking Tour Cultural · 2.5 h · from USD 20 per person
- Zoroastrian Heritage Tour (Towers of Silence & Fire Temple) Cultural · 3 h · from USD 25 per person
- Traditional Zurkhaneh Show Cultural · 1 h · from USD 10 per person
- Desert Safari to Kharanaq & Chak Chak Adventure · 8 h · from USD 50 per person
- Meybod Day Trip (Narin Castle & Ice House) Cultural · 5 h · from USD 35 per person
- Yazd Rooftop Windcatcher Photography Walk Activity · 1.5 h · from USD 15 per person
Where to stay in Yazd
Hotels
- Silk Road Hotel Yazd 3-star
- Moshir al-Mamalek Garden Hotel 4-star
Where to eat
- Traditional Restaurant, Moshir al-Mamalek Garden Hotel persian, iranian · about IRR 15,000,000 per person
- Silk Road Hotel Traditional Restaurant persian, iranian · about IRR 15,000,000 per person
Getting around
- Car Rental Self 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.