Shiraz is on of the most amazing cities in Iran and the world! No matter how long you are going to stay there, you will face a lack of time to visit its beautiful nature and historic gardens and masons. keep reading to discover more about Shiraz.
Shiraz is one of the most magnificent cities in Iran, with its rich culture handing you the key to an ancient world. It has been the inspiration for many important Iranian poets as they journeyed through this wondrous city.
Shiraz is central to a significant chunk of ancient Persian history, housing many fascinating and important monuments; from tombs of great Iranian poets, fortress structures fit for Kings, glittering mausoleums of mystics, ancient bathhouses, breathtaking Bazaars, the list goes on!
With many glorious gardens to see during your visit, this is probably one of the most beautiful places to go when traveling through Iran. You’ll also be happy to learn that Shiraz is famous for its wine.
What’s not to love?! Many travelers say that Shiraz is truly breathtaking during Springtime, a sweet spot just before Summer arrives
We’ll take you through some of the most important and unique places to visit during your stay in Shiraz.
The ancient city of Persepolis was once the capital of the Achaemenid Empire. Known for its royal ruins, it is one of the most significant archaeological sites in the world.
This huge palace complex was built during the 6th century B.C by the Kings Darius, Xerxes, and Artaxerxes, where they would run their Empire until Alexander the Great eventually battled his way to Persepolis to burn it down in 330.
It wasn’t until the 1930’s that the site was excavated by an inquisitive archaeologist, James Henry Breasted, who uncovered the ancient ceremonial capital of Persia resting beneath the sand.
There are many sites to explore in today’s Persepolis; the ruins of private palaces, the Apadana staircase guarded by stone soldiers, the elaborate tombs of Emperors carved into the surrounding mountains, the ruins of Darius’ Treasury and so much more.
The wistful atmosphere of this site allows tourists to get a glimpse of what it would be like to live among this fascinating civilization.
south of Iran, Fars province is one of the 31 provinces of Iran, known as the cultural capital, and believed to be the original homeland of the Persian people.
Fars province is rich with Persian culture and history and has many hidden gems to offer travelers willing to look a little closer. What’s there to see? An ancient city, a beautiful palace, a fortified castle with breathtaking views, statues and carvings of a powerful Emperor, mountain trekking, a pink lake.
We could keep going. With so many travelers flocking to the most famous sites, Fars is a destination for tourists looking to wander off the beaten track.
Once upon a time in ancient Shiraz, there were six gates. Of those six gates, only one survived, and that was the Qur’an Gate. Located at the northern entrance of the city, near Allah-o-Akbar gorge.
This structure was originally built during the reign of Azad-ol-Dole Deylami.
Its title derives from the book of the Qur’an, which was kept here along with the order of the Amir, and travelers passing by would walk beneath as it was believed to bring protection from harm.
It also became a tradition to host ceremonies here at the start of each lunar month to bless and protect people for the month ahead.
The Qur’an gate’s structure endured some damage over time but was then reconstructed and brought back to life thanks to the famous Shirazi merchant, Hossein Igar.
Many travelers come here to visit the beautiful Khaju Garden, which surrounds a peaceful teahouse where you can relax.
If you’re up for an adventure, you can trek up to the nearby viewpoint and soak up the sights of the city. Lots of tourists recommend going in the evening when the twinkling lights are particularly atmospheric.
You can’t miss Karim Khan Citadel. The huge fortress overtakes downtown Shiraz with its high walls and 14m high towers watching over the city. Built during the early Zand Dynasty by the finest architects in Iran at the time, Karim Khan Citadel was named after Karim Khan (founder of the Zand Dynasty), which he used as his living quarters.
You’ll find Karim Khan Citadel right in the city center of Shiraz, hogging a land area of over 4,000 square meters in the center of a huge 12,800 square meter compound. Four high walls are joined by four 14 meter round brick towers.
Karim Khan Citadel has played many roles throughout history, from being the living quarters of local rulers during the Qajar Dynasty, to a prison in the Pahlavi Dynasty – and today?
This Arg is a registered National Heritage Site and museum for everyone who visits to admire the Iranian artistic architecture. The historic private bath of the King, the old verandas, courtyards filled with citrus trees, and much more.
This Zand-era bathhouse is the most famous and remarkable in Shiraz. It is a part of the royal district constructed during Karim Khan Zand‘s reign. Located near the Vakil Mosque.
Once inside, you’ll be greeted by wax figures representing what life would’ve been like during the 18th century in this historic monument. As the light trickles through the glass roof, you can get close up to the Persian architectural details, from the marble pools and tile work to the candy twist columns.
Come and visit one of the most beautiful traditional Iranian baths, an important part of the Zand Dynasty, and a spectacular experience.
This alluring dome-shaped structure stands at the top of a mountain looking down over the city of Shiraz. Gavareh Did, also known as Gavareh Zeid, dates back to the Dailamites era around the 10th century AD and is located near the Allah-o-Akbar Valley.
Tourists flock here to admire the panoramic views of Shiraz, once used by guards as an observation tower to protect the gorge. It was also used to communicate with the city, where emergency messages would be sent in the form of reflected light, smoke, and mirrors.
Along with its fascinating history, there is a worthwhile view waiting for you after climbing to the top of this historic National Heritage Site.
Now, this is a showstopping site to see. This famous mausoleum houses the tombs of brothers Ahmad and Muhammad, sons of Mūsā al-Kādhim and brothers of ‘Alī ar-Ridhā.
It is the most important shrine to visit in Shiraz, and one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations in Iran. The Shah Cheragh, also known as the ‘King of Light,’ was once a modest mausoleum until the Queen Tashi Khatun came along 200 years later and constructed an opulent mosque. She ordered it to be covered in millions of pieces of colored glass and mirrored tiles, featuring sparkling crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceilings and all that glitters.
The fascinating history and dazzling interior of Shah Cheragh Mausoleum is a memorable experience for any traveler.
The tomb of Saadi is a very popular tourist attraction in Shiraz. Saadi, born in Shiraz, was one of the great Iranian poets whose words have touched many hearts and taught many minds. His work is often quoted globally, and people come to pay their respects at Saadi’s mausoleum from all over the world. His books are admired worldwide, and his words are considered timeless by all who read them.
Saadi Tomb is a wonderfully fitting dedication to this adored poet, featuring traditional Persian gardens, a beautiful pond, and walls inscribed with verses of his poems for you to read as you wander.
You’ll also see people dropping coins into the pond where you can join in and make a wish! You can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere as you walk through the gardens filled with flowers and cypress trees, and watch the fish swimming in the pond by the tomb of one of the great masters of classical Persian literature.
Another must-see site is the Tomb of Hafez located in his hometown Shiraz, in the Musalla Gardens, surrounded by columns and covered with a beautiful mosaic dome.
Hafez, meaning ‘Guardian,’ is one of the most celebrated Persian poets who “lauded the joys of love and wine but also targeted religious hypocrisy”.
He wrote several lyrical ghazals sharing his views on love and spirituality, so lyrical that it’s often sung and mixed with classical Persian music. The 14th-century writer is considered the Shakespeare of Iran, one of the greatest Persian poets of all time with his work known and quoted by many people around the world.
The gardens surrounding his tomb offer a peaceful, poetic and romantic atmosphere for admirers to come and pay their respects. And in true Fal-e-Hafez style (Omens of Hafez), you can even have your fortune told!
Khajou Kermani’s tomb is another important tomb in Iran, visited by many lovers of literature from all over the world. It is the tomb of Khwaja Kermani, whose nickname Khwaju comes from the word Khwaja, which he used as his poetic pen name.
He was born in 1290 in the city of Kerman and went on to become one of the great Persian poets and Sufi mystics. He was laid to rest on the foothills the mountain next door to the Quran Gate, now a popular tourist destination where you can visit the tomb overlooking the Quran Gate with beautiful surroundings.
Shah Jahan, whose name means ‘King of the World,’ was one of the greatest rulers of the Muzaffarid dynasty (1335-1393 A.D). As well as being a courageous ruler, he was also a scholar and patron to the much loved Iranian poet Hafez, who praised Shah Shuja in his poems with much reverence. History tells us that during his reign, a “liberal spirit of freedom and tolerance was in vogue.”
Abdullah Khafif was a great Sufi mystic and founder of the Khafifiye Dynasty. He traveled to many different countries and eventually settled in Shiraz. He lived a simple life free of material things and passed away around 981/2 AD. You can visit his tomb, located in Darb e Shahzade, behind the Vakil Bazaar.
His nickname was Sheikh Kabir.
Born in 1128 AD in Fasa, Sheikh Abu Mohammad Ruzbehan ibn Abi Nasr, lived a famous poet, mystic and master of Persian writing. He suffered a form of paralysis later in life and died at the age of eighty-four in Shiraz, where he was buried in his Khanqah alongside his sons. In 1966, a monument was built over his grave. You can now find the tomb located in the Darb-e Sheikh Neighborhood on Lotf Ali Khan Zand Street. His nickname was Sheikh Shataah!
Born in Bayza, a small town of Fars Province, around 760 AD, Abu Bishr Amr ibn Uthman ibn Qanbar, commonly known as Sibuyeh (Sibawayh in English), was an eminent Iranian scholar and a leading grammarian of the Arabic language.
The controversial Zanbourie debate is well known, and some believe that if Sibuyeh had not written Arabic for syntax, this language would have lost its monotony in dialect.
His Alkitab is the first and most famous book on the subject of Arabic grammar. He passed away and was buried here in Shiraz. Now resting in a mausoleum featuring arches with mosaic tiles by Khorasani artists, and on his grave is in the black stone neighborhood in Kazeroun gate of Shiraz known as the Black Rock in Bahelie crave.
Located in the historic district of the Shiraz, this holy mausoleum protects the grave of Bibi Dokhtaran. You can visit the Bibi Dokhtaran Tomb in Sebaq, Shiraz, where you’ll find a striking square structure featuring elegant balconies and crowned with an eye-catching dome.
This mausoleum has endured a lot of damage and was repaired under the reign of Mohammad Gholi Khan Ilkhani, but the spectacular symmetry remains intact, and its architectural grace is exactly why this is another National Heritage Site in Iran to add to your list.
Astanah (or Tomb of Sayyed Alaeddin Hussein) is located in Astana Square, southeast of Shiraz, in the upper Kafet neighborhood. In the late eighth and early ninth centuries, at the time of the assassination of Khan, the original monument of Sayyed Alaeddin Hussein was built.
The tomb was inside a garden known as the Murder Garden, and after some time, the garden was destroyed, and the tomb of Imamzadeh disappeared. In the mid-Safavid era, a man by the name of Mirza Ali found the tomb of Imamzadeh and repaired it. After that, it was renovated and decorated by Khalil Sultan Zulqadr, ruler of Fars, during the reign of Shah Ismail Safavi, and in 923 A.H completed the tomb.
The inside of the tomb is of marble, surrounded by mirrored walls. In 1329 they removed the dome of the building, which was damaged several times by various accidents, and in 1331 installed a new dome with a steel structure.
The dome is covered with colorful tiles of flowers and beetles. The shrine of Imamzadeh is located in the southern royal palace, and its walls and arches are mirrored.
The metal band of Imamzadeh has been engraved. There are two doors to enter the shrine, both wooden and inlaid. Another door of gold is the work of Isfahan artists was provided for this shrine. At the southeast corner of the tomb, about 80cm above the courtyard, there is a building belonging to the tomb of Sayyid Abdullah Hijab (Zia al-Sultan).
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Atiq Jame Mosque AKA ‘The Mother of All Mosques’ is the oldest Mosque of Shiraz, and another magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site to visit in Iran. This structure has evolved throughout history after many renovations and combines architectural styles of several different eras giving you a unique visual experience.
Located east of the Shah Cheragh Shrine, this mosque was once a fire temple and is said to date back to the pre-Islamic era. You’ll find beautiful tiles and calligraphy work unfold as you explore this is a sublime site, giving you a real glimpse into ancient Iran.
Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, also known as the ‘Pink Mosque,’ is a breathtaking experience filled with light, color, and symmetry, making this one of the most beautiful mosques in Iran.
This mosque was built during the Qajar Dynasty in 1877 and was completed in 1888. Arabesque arches connect the stained glass windows as rainbow-colored light seeps through the building, pouring a magnificent display of light over the walls and carpets.
It opens out into a courtyard that features a pool in the center, surrounded by plants and flowers.
This impressive architecture and remarkable exhibition of color is a memorable experience, indeed.
Don’t miss it in the early morning to visiting and photography.
The Moshir Mosque, named after its founder Moshir al-Mulk, the then Governor of Fars, is a beautiful mosque located in the historic neighborhood of Sang-e Siyah (Black Stone).
It was built during the Qajar rule, starting in 1848 and eventually completed in 1858. It is believed to be second to the Vakil Mosque for its strength, stone pillars, and dadoes.
Located in downtown Shiraz lies the holy shrine of the Imamzadeh (Son of Imam) Seyyed Taj ad-Din, better known by his title Taj ad-Din (the Crown of the Faith).
Inside the silver carvings of this tomb lie two tombs, one belonging to Sayyid Ja’far bin Fazli bin Ja’far bin Abi Talib known as Sayyed Taj al-Din and the other to “Mohammad Hassan Mottani bin Hussein Bin Ali bin Abi Talib.”
You will be greeted by a wonderfully painted door to discover inspiring paintings, colorful tiling, and mirror work.
Just by this shrine is an old Husseiniyah, surrounded by four stone pillars and was once used as a religious school, and to the north of this courtyard is a beautiful royal residence.
Vakil Mosque is an extremely popular tourist destination, located nearby the Vakil Bazaar, and was developed during the Zand Dynasty by Shah Karim Khan in 1773.
The architectural detail of this mosque is spectacular, known for its majestic arches, marble stairs, detailed carvings, and Persian paintings that seem to take on a life of their own.
It’s no wonder this dazzling structure is a registered World Heritage Site, another of many gems shining brightly in Shiraz.
Competing with paradise, this lush garden is probably the most famous and wondrous of all the Persian gardens and a very popular tourist destination. You’ll be greeted by extremely old cypress trees, beautiful flowers, panoramic views, and an enchanting atmosphere (particularly during Springtime!).
You might also be interested to know that the translation of ‘Eram’ is the Persian version of the Arabic word ‘Iram.’ It means heaven in Islam’s most holiest of books, the Qur’an. It is located along the northern shore of the Khoshk River in Shiraz.
It is said that these gardens were built sometime during the Seljuk Dynasty, under the rule of the famous monarch, Ahmad Sanjar. The building is now a registered UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a great example of the Safavid and Qajar architectural style, including tiles decorated with poems from the famous Persian poet Hafez. It has undergone many restorations throughout history and is now open to the public as a botanical museum.
The Afif Abad covered an area of 127000 square meters and was built by Mirza Ali Mohammad Khan Qavam al-Mulk. He was a Qajar nobleman and an important political figure of the time. This Garden is a lovely historical garden featuring an impressive edifice with stone pillars decorated like the ones you find in Persepolis. It also houses a traditional teahouse, a traditional Iranian Bath, and a military museum.
Dating back to the Muzaffarid rule (1335-1393 AD), Jahan Nama Garden is one of the oldest gardens in the city. There is a construction in the middle of the garden called Kolah Farangy (meaning European hat or trilby) because of its shape.
The beautiful huge cypress trees and the brilliantly colored flowers around this structure are ornaments to the garden. It underwent a major renovation under Karim Khan Zand in 1771/2 and is now open to the public for all to see!
Located in the heart of the city, Qavam House is a stunning garden and mansion built during the 18th century and belonged to Mohammad AliKhan Qavam al-Mulk. They call this place Narenjestan because of the sour orange (narenj) trees found in the luscious gardens.
In the middle of these gardens, you’ll find a palace presenting its exquisite architecture and symmetry, a perfect example of the Persian arts. From the southern to the northern wing, your eyes will travel across colorful tiles, pictures of mythological creatures inspired by carvings from Persepolis, paintings, and mirrored ceilings.
Take a walk through the main mirror hall and explore each room surrounding this beautiful walkway.
Haft Tanan (meaning seven figures) is an ancient garden named after the seven mystics buried there. It is one of the oldest historical sites to see in Shiraz, located north of Hafez Tomb and built by the order of Karim Khan. Here you will find masterpieces painted on the ceilings from the Zandiyeh era, decorative plaster moldings and fascinating frescoes recounting mythological and biblical tales. The site was converted into a museum in 1991 and is now home to the largest collection of ancient statues and carved stones.
The Pars Museum is a small but perfectly formed building located amid the Nazar Garden. Founded in 1936 under Reza Shah Pahlavi, the octagonal structure building in which royal guests were hosted during the Zand dynasty of Iran as well as being used for holding official ceremonies.
It is also the burial place of Karim Khan Zand. It was one of the most extensive gardens of Shiraz during the Safavid rule to entertain royal guests from all over the world.
It then became a museum in 1936. The brick designs, tiling, pictures, and big stone dadoes are among the architectural features of Nazar Garden building.
Pars museum is a display of almost 30 handwritten Qurans and several magnificent paintings of famous Persian artists. One of the paintings is the well-known Karim Khan’s Smoking Shisha(ghelyan) created by Jafar Naqash.
This Museum exhibits a collection of life-sized statues made of wax, stone, and wood depicting sixty of the most prominent figures of the Fars Province.
This Museum is one of the biggest in Iran, covering over 5500 square meters, and has two sections.
One section is the Natural History part of the museum, which opened in 1974, and the other is the Technology section, which opened in 1986.
It displays a whopping 2500 specimens of vertebrate and invertebrate animals, and you can explore a variety of different taxidermy animals, fossils, medicinal plants, geological items and anatomy displays (and don’t forget to check out the four-legged hen!)
It is now part of the research center of Shiraz University, and after exploring all 7800 specimens of plants, fossils, stones, and much more, you can sit and enjoy a coffee or have a wander through the library.
Located to the west of the Shohada Mosque, Salehi House is an important historical monument dating back to the Qajar era.
It is now a museum displaying traditional and ritual Iranian costumes. This museum is divided into two main sections; one dedicated to tribes originating from Fars Province and another devoted to tribes belonging to other parts of the country.
Located in the Sange-e Siyah historical neighborhood(Black Stone), Forouq al-Mulk House is another historical monument dating back to the Qajar dynasty.
It was built for residential purposes and includes; Shah’s mansion, indoor swimming pool, bathroom, kitchen, guard room, stables, and two dwelling houses. Paintings on the walls and ceiling reminiscent adapted from the art of the Zand monarchy. This building also has a wooden structure and decoration.
The first museum of the visual arts of the Meshkin-Fam family is located in this house, and it is a place for tourists to become more familiar with Iranian art.
The 260-year-old Ziyaian House in the historical Sang-e Siyah Neighborhood (Black Stone) is a two-story building, elegantly decorated with tiles, plasterwork, and wall paintings.
The Skillfully painted tiles show images of Persian Kings, from legendary Kiyoomars to Ahmad Ali Shah of Qajar.
It now serves as an art-house displaying handicrafts and artworks by local artists.
Another wonderful Qajar house to visit is Zinat al-Mulk house, which sits in the Lotfali Khan Zand Avenue and is another of Iran’s World Heritage Sites.
It was built between 1911-1923 and named after Zinat-ol-Molk, the daughter of Ghavam ol-Molk IV (the Fara governor at the time).
This wonderful house includes a courtyard, mosaic doors, two gardens, a pool right in the center, and 20 rooms filled with beautiful paintings and artwork. The incredible basement of the house is the only house in Shiraz with a brick basement beneath its total surface and has been repurposed as the treasury museum of Persian History, displaying statues of famous figures of Shiraz from different periods so that visitors can get acquainted with Iran’s rich history.
Shirazi cuisine has always been famous for its variety and quality. When you visit Shiraz, you can discover many delicious traditional dishes which will give you an insight into the culture and traditions of Persia.
Some of the most popular and irresistible Shirazi dishes to try are; Do piyazeh Aloo, Kalam polo, Shikar Polo, Koofteh Sabzi, Ash Anar, Ash Sabzi, Yakhni Nokhod,Yakhni Adas and Kalam, Ab Piyazak (Eshkeneh) Shami, DamPokht, Koofteh Holoo, Halvay-e Kaseh,Shekar Panir,Halim Bademjan, Ash-e Mast, Qormeh Sabzi, Ash-e Dough, Sholeh Zardand and Khoresht Qeimeh.
Vakil Bazaar is an architectural masterpiece sitting in the heart of Shiraz, located in the historic neighborhood of Darbe Shahzadeh. Built during the 11th century by Karim Khan, this structure was created as part of the plan to turn Shiraz into a central trading center.
It is now a beautiful and authentic place to shop, where you can buy traditional rugs, antiques, spices, Persian sweets, and everything in between.
Many tourists say this is the most beautiful bazaar they have seen during their travels in Iran, the entrance alone is enough to fill your camera roll.
Once you step inside, your senses will come to life as you walk through the breezy halls of this historic bazaar, filling your nose with scents of spices and colors of fabrics and handicraft catching your eye at every stall.
Once you’ve finished shopping, it doesn’t end there! You can relax at cafes or restaurants – even a bathhouse!
Be sure to experience the bustling atmosphere and meet the friendly locals here at this historic site.
In the vicinity of the south entrance to the Vakil Bazaar, you’ll find a roofed alley lined with stores on both sides. To the left of this alley, you’ll discover an old monument called Saray-e Moshiror or Moshir Carvansarei (also called Saray-e Golshan), built during 1871 AD by Moshir al-Mulk.
It’s a huge space with a beautiful stone pool taking center stage. Popular among domestic as well as international tourists, Saray-e Moshir’s many Stores specialize in local handicrafts, making it the best place in the city to shop for souvenirs.
With so many tourists visiting Shiraz to experience the beautiful gardens and ancient sites, souvenirs are a big deal.
Travelers love to take a piece of Shiraz home with them, and there is so much variety to choose from. If you have a sweet tooth, Shiraz offers a tasty variety of sweets, from candied almonds to Pistachio, Rose, and saffron flavored treats.
With all the beautiful lush gardens in Shiraz, it’s no wonder herbal essences are famous here too.
This is a wonderful souvenir idea to bottle your memories and take home a piece of Persian botany. If you’re looking for something a little more traditional, Shiraz is known for its handicraft production and is home to many talented artists who create the most beautifully designed handicrafts. Get ready to shop!