48 Hours in Tehran

There are a lot of things to do in Tehran such as historic palaces, bazaar, museums and there is more to see and experience rather than we write in some paragraphs.

Hit the highlights of Tehran in 48 hours. View the spectacular museums and explore the magnificent palaces and amazed by the long history of Tehran. Tehran as capital of Iran, has witnessed many events and has a long history. Some evidences prove that Tehran is an ancient city too. For instant, the skeleton of 7000-year-old lady of Tehran and the discovered Potteries.

So, we are planning to show you the Tehran’s most visited tourist attractions in two energetic days.

The first 24 hours

Visit: Golestan Palace, Grand Bazaar, Imam Mosque (Shah Mosque), National Garden, National Museum of Iran, 30th Tir Street, Abgineh Museum and National Jewelry Museum.

 Golestan Palace:

The adventure starts with one of the historic monuments of the city. Step back in the time with a visit to the Golestan Palace. This exquisite complex is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites that located in the vicinity of the Grand Bazaar. A beautiful garden, fountain pools, charming throne hall, and many other sections are made it a top choice destination in Tehran. We visit the Reception Hall (Talar Salam), Royal Garden, Marble Throne (Eyvan Takhte-e-Marmar) and The Badgir (wind catcher).

• Below, you will find information about Golestan Palace working hours:
   
  • From 9:00 to 17:30 in the spring and summer
  • From 9:00 to 16:30 in the fall and winter

• The entrance fee to Golestan Palace is 150.000 IRR for foreign visitors. As you know, The Golestan Palace is complex of many museums and places. So, you’ve got to pay the entrance fee for visiting each of them. The overall price is 1,020,000 IRR as well.

Note: It takes at least two hours to visit this palace completely, so set your visiting hours according to the museum's working hours.

 Grand Bazaar:

The Grand Bazaar is the most fantastic shopping adventure in the world that you can find many things from delicious Persian dishes into antiquities stuff. Your guide expert at carpets, Kilims, Jewelry, antiquities, and leather will assist you to a store where the best quality handmade rugs are sold for the lowest price and will take you to the most reputable leather shop, the most decent antique store and to a store where you can purchase your jewelry with no doubt.

Note: The Grand Bazaar of Tehran close on Fridays and official holidays.

 Eat: Iranian Traditional Cuisine

Experience the best Iranian dishes in Sharaf al-Islam Restaurant in the heart of Grand Bazaar of Tehran in the yard of the Imam Mosque. It’s undoubtedly one of the delightful moments of your journey to Tehran when a tasty dish will be served, especially after a long shopping expedition in the bazaar. It’s crowded and there is a queue to wait to be served, but the service is quick and without frills. This restaurant is open every day from 11 AM to 3:50 PM except Fridays and official holidays.

 Imam Mosque (Shah Mosque):

Imam Mosque is one of the most famous mosques in Tehran, which located in the heart of the Grand Bazaar and is one of the remnants of Fath Ali Shah Qajar. The history of this mosque dated back to about 180 years ago, and the minarets and its clock added in Nasir al-Din Shah era. It is known as the Shah Mosque and the Soltani mosque as well.

 National Garden:

National Garden is one of the symbols of Tehran and it is visited by many tourists every day. This valuable monument was made at the beginning of this century on Reza’s orders. The picture of 1921 Persian coup d'état, the angels of victory and the soldiers of the Persian Cossack are displayed on the tills.

 National Museum of Iran:

The National Museum is one of the main tourist attractions of Tehran that many historical objects are showcased from various times. This museum was opened in 1937 in two complexes, including the Museum of Ancient Iran and the Museum of the Islamic Era. Furthermore, it’s the oldest, the largest and richest museums in Iran. The collection includes ceramics, pottery, stone figures and carvings, mostly taken from excavations at Persepolis, Ismailabad (near Qazvin), Shush, Rey and Turang Tappeh.

• The entrance fee to Ancient Iran part is 300.000 IRR for foreign visitors and 200.000 IRR for Islamic Era part.
• This museum is open every day from 9 AM to 7 PM in Spring and summer and from 9 AM to 5 PM in Fall and winter.

 30th Tir Street:

Right next to the National Museum, there is a paved street that has a special atmosphere. There are various cafes and restaurant on the street, which is a great place to relax and spend a cup of tea or coffee. Of course, the smell of food on this street brings everyone to its side.

 Abgineh Museum (Optional Activity):

Visiting the Abgineh Museum is optional. You can visit this museum, provided that your speed is high on previous attractions. This Museum located at 30th Tir Street and home to interesting antique crafts including the unique collections of glassblowing arts in Iran. If you are interested to know how ancient people made them, it is the best chance.

• The entrance fee to the Abgineh Museum is 250.000 IRR for foreign visitors.
• This museum is open every day from 9 AM to 6 PM in the spring and summer and from 9 AM to 5 PM during the fall and winter except Mondays.

 National Jewelry Museum (Optional Activity):

Visiting the National Jewelry Museum is optional. You can visit this museum, provided that your speed is high on previous attractions. This museum housed within the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is a collection of the most expensive jewels of the world, collected over centuries.

The Next 24 hours

Visit: Carpet Museum, Sa'dabad Complex, Tajrish Bazaar, Baghe Ferdows and Tabiat Bridge

 Carpet Museum:

The Carpet Museum is one of Tehran's special museums, which houses exquisite and historic rugs. This museum is located in the northern part of Laleh Park, in a beautiful designed building, which was inspired by the carpet loom.

Note: Photography without a flash in this museum is free.

• The Carpet Museum is open every day from 9 AM to 5 PM except Mondays and Religious Holidays.
• The entrance fee to the Carpet Museum is 250.000 IRR for foreign visitors.

 Sa'dabad Complex:

Sa'ad Abad Complex is one of the tourist sights of Tehran, which located in the foot of the Alborz mountain range in the northernmost area of Tehran and Tajrish Square is easily accessible from the south. You will visit many magnificent palaces which dated back to the Qajar and Pahlavi dynasty in this complex. In addition to the history, this complex is the house of Platanus trees that makes a rejuvenating environment.

• The Sa'dabad Complex is open from 9 AM to 6:45 PM during spring and summer, whereas it’s open from 9 AM to 5 PM during the fall and winter.
• The entrance fee for the Sa'dabad Complex is 150.000 IRR for foreign visitors. In order to visit each of the palaces, a ticket must be purchased separately.

 Eat: Kebab, Ash & Haleem

After exploring the Iran Carpet Museum and Sa'dabad Complex, it’s time for having a delicious food. Your tour guide takes you to Shemroon Kabab Restaurant, Right next to the Tajrish Square. This restaurant offers a list of mouth-watering dishes, especially Kebab Koobideh.

Enjoy trying another traditional food in the surrounding restaurant of Tajrish Square. We highly recommend having Ash (a combination of vegetables and beans that look like soup) and Haleem (It includes wheat or barley, and sometimes meat and/or lentils) in Seyyed Mehdi Restaurant which located in the south east of Tajrish Square.

 Tajrish Bazaar:

Tajrish Bazaar is one of the must-see destinations in Tehran. Due to its proximity to Darband, the palaces of Sa'dabad and Niavaran, and adjacent to the shrine of Imamzadeh Saleh (AS), every day host a large number of domestic and foreign tourists. In this bazaar, you will find a variety of handicrafts such as Termeh (It is a type of Iranian handwoven cloth) and Yazd Messi (coppery) dishes and Laljin pottery, as well as Trail mix, sweets, saffron, spices, pickles and fruits. Iranians who have emigrated abroad have always mentioned the Tajrish Bazaar as one of the most memorable parts of northern Tehran.

 Baghe Ferdows (Ferdows Garden):

Baghe Ferdows is one of the old gardens and mansions in Tehran that located in the northern part of the Valiasr Street. Today, the mansion of this garden has changed in the Cinema Museum. So, it’s the best opportunity to explore the history of Iranian Cinema while you enjoy walking through the soaring trees and streams.

• The working hours of Cinema Museum of Iran are as follows:
   
  • 9 AM - 5 PM every day (except Mondays)
  • 2 PM - 5 PM on Fridays and holidays.

• The entrance fee for foreign visitors is 200.000 IRR.

The garden atmosphere and the Cinema Museum are so spectacular and attractive that everyone will enjoy visiting them. Relax many hours in cozy and quiet cafes in this garden, including Cinema Café and Viuna Café.  

You can buy some traditional handicrafts such as ornaments, tablecloths and cushions, from Bahara Gallery that located on the right side of the mansion.  

 Tabiat Bridge:

The Tabiat Bridge is known as one of the symbols of Tehran that provide a unique view of the city. This bridge is a three-story bridge in Abbas Abad district that only pedestrians allow to cross it and no car is seen on it. It is located on the width of the Modares Highway and was built in order to provide a connection passage between Taleghani and Ab-o-Atash parks. Special lighting and unique features of the Tabiat Bridge attract many people, especially at night, and make memorable moments. The cafes and restaurants of this bridge are the best choices for creating delicious moments above the city.