Travel to Iran — everything you need to know
When to go to Iran?
- March–May — Ideal spring : Mild temperatures, blooming gardens and Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in March — the perfect season to explore the country.
- Sep–Nov — Pleasant autumn : Summer heat has eased, golden light falls across the monuments, and the central historical sites are at their best.
- Jun–Aug — Hot, dry summer : Very high temperatures in the central and southern cities (35–45°C). More bearable at altitude in Tehran and the Alborz mountains.
- Dec–Feb — Cold winter : Sharp cold in Tehran and the mountain areas, but milder in Shiraz. Ski resorts near Tehran are in operation.
Weather in Iran
Check the weather city by city, starting with Tehran.
- Téhéran: daytime highs from 9 to 37 °C depending on the season, 20 mm of rain per month on average.
- Ispahan: daytime highs from 10 to 38 °C depending on the season, 15 mm of rain per month on average.
- Shiraz: daytime highs from 13 to 39 °C depending on the season, 27 mm of rain per month on average.
What to do in Iran?
Iran is one of the cradles of world civilisation, heir to the Persian Empire and to millennia of art, poetry and refined architecture. From the turquoise splendour of Isfahan's mosques to the majestic ruins of Persepolis and the fragrant gardens of Shiraz, the country offers an unmatched cultural richness. Despite geopolitical tensions, travellers who venture there discover legendary hospitality and remarkably varied landscapes.
Isfahan
Nicknamed Nesf-e Jahan, or 'half of the world', Isfahan is Iran's cultural capital and one of the world's most beautiful Islamic cities. Imam Square, a vast rectangle lined with turquoise Safavid monuments, ranks among the largest squares on Earth. The royal bazaar, the mosques and the covered bridges over the Zayandeh River form an exceptionally coherent architectural ensemble.
Highlights : Imam Square — a 17th-century Safavid masterpiece, Imam Mosque — iconic turquoise dome, Ali Qapu Palace — six floors of frescoes and muqarnas, Si-o-se-pol Bridge — 33 arches across the Zayandeh.
Persepolis
Founded by Darius I around 518 BCE, Persepolis was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire, one of the ancient world's most powerful civilisations. Its vast terraces, carved stairways and bas-reliefs showing delegations from across the empire are a unique testament to extraordinary political and artistic organisation. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it remains one of the world's most impressive archaeological sites.
Highlights : Gate of Xerxes — monumental gateway with winged bulls, Apadana — grand audience hall with 72 columns, Persepolis Treasury — bas-reliefs of tribute-bearing delegations, Naqsh-e Rostam — royal necropolis with rock-cut tombs.
Shiraz
The city of poets, roses and wine in its pre-Islamic heritage, Shiraz is the romantic soul of Iran. It houses the mausoleums of Hafez and Saadi, two of the greatest poets in Persian literature, still revered by millions of Iranians. Nasir ol-Molk Mosque, with its stained glass casting rainbows of coloured light, is one of the most photographed places in Iran.
Highlights : Nasir ol-Molk Mosque — the mosque of a thousand colours, Hafez's tomb — a poetic place of pilgrimage, Eram Garden — a UNESCO-listed Persian garden, Karim Khan Citadel — an 18th-century Zand fortress.
Tehran
A 15-million-strong metropolis tucked between the snowcapped Alborz and the desert, Tehran is a surprisingly lively and contradictory capital. Its museums hold exceptional treasures: the National Museum of Iran, the Treasury of National Jewels with its Qajar gems, and the Museum of Contemporary Art with a striking Western art collection. The city is also the gateway to ski resorts and villages perched on the slopes of the Alborz.
Highlights : Treasury of National Jewels — imperial diamonds and gemstones, Golestan Palace — UNESCO-listed Qajar royal residence, Grand Bazaar of Tehran — a historic commercial labyrinth, National Museum of Iran — 7,000 years of Persian history.
Lut Desert & Dasht-e Kavir
The heart of Iran is home to two grand deserts, including the Lut, one of the hottest places on the planet, sculpted into spectacular kaluts. Isolated oases, caravanserais and earth-built towns like Yazd evoke the desert's ancient way of life. A timeless journey recognised by UNESCO.
Highlights : Shahdad & the Kaluts, Maranjab Salt Desert, Meybod caravanserai, Garmeh Oasis, Yazd — desert city.
Travel budget for Iran
Iran is extremely cheap for foreign travellers because of the rial's massive devaluation. Warning: international sanctions prevent the use of foreign bank cards. You absolutely need to bring cash euros or dollars and exchange them locally at exchange offices or hotels. Trading in foreign currency is common, and prices are often quoted in tomans (1 toman = 10 rials).
- Backpacker : 25–40 €/j — Hostels, local restaurants, buses and trains. Daily life is very affordable.
- Comfort : 60–100 €/j — Traditional boutique hotels in Persian houses, taxis and quality restaurants.
Practical tips for travelling to Iran
- Flight from Paris : 5–7 hours by direct flight (Iran Air, Turkish Airlines via Istanbul)
- Visa : Visa on arrival may be available for French travellers in Tehran (30 days, about USD 75) — check current rules. It can also be obtained at the embassy in Paris or on arrival at IKA airport.
- Currency : Cash only (€ or $). No foreign bank cards are accepted because of sanctions. Exchange money at the airport or at exchange offices.
- Language : Persian (Farsi). English is spoken in hotels and tourist sites. Iranians are usually very keen to speak with foreigners.
- Electricity : Type C/F (European), 220V — no universal adapter needed for European devices.
- Health : No mandatory vaccines. Tap water is not recommended. Pharmacies are well stocked in the larger cities.
- Safety : Travel is discouraged near the borders with Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Central tourist areas such as Isfahan, Shiraz and Tehran are generally safe. Keep an eye on geopolitical tensions.
- Dress code : Hijab is mandatory for women (headscarf plus clothing that covers arms and legs). Men should avoid shorts in public.
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