From ancient artefacts to modern art, Qurans to carpets, Tehran is home to the best of Iran's museums and galleries. And though it doesn't have the long, illustrious history of Isfahan or Shiraz, Tehran is where to discover more about Iran's 20th century upheavals, from the tarnished grandeur of the Pahlavi palaces to the countless fading murals in praise of Khomeini and the Iraq War martyrs.
But history also demands that life goes on. As Tehran's wealthy increasingly look west for cultural leads, ever-widening cultural divisions make walking the city streets a study in social distinctions.
Western brands stamp their mark on the wealthy north of the city with increasing swagger, while, in the south, the impressive, labyrinthine Bazar-e Bozorg (Big Bazaar) continues to heave in and dish out vast quantities of gold, silver, spices, carpets, textiles and Chinese-made consumer goods of dubious quality. Uptown girls let their headscarves drift back over boutique hairdos - a petty but pertinent sign that Islamic restrictions are not to everyone's taste. At the same time chador-wearing women make their own unmistakable statement.
Be sure though to take a Friday walk in Tehran's northern suburbs, where paths leading into the mountains are trod by one and all. In Darakeh, the sense of relief is tangible as Tehranis kick off their shoes to cool hiked-out feet in the cold mountain stream. At Tochal the cable car takes skiers to pistes no more than 30 minutes away from the centre of town.

Azadi Tower
This distinctively shaped arch is situated in the western part of Tehran near Mehrabat International Airport.
The word Azadi means national independence and it was completed in 1971 for the celebrations given by Mohammad Reza Shah to commemorate 2,500 years of Iranian Kings.
The 3 floor, 45m high monument is constructed from large 25,000 granite blocks from Hamedan province. Almost 15,000 differently shaped blocks were used to create the unique shape of the Azadi Tower.
Though modern in style, the design incorporates both pre and post-Islamic architectural styles. The 21m high archway is representative of the pre-Islamic Sassanid period while it is also pointed to represent hands raised in prayer.
Four elevators and two staircases (286 stairs) take you to the top of the tower from where you can see extensive views of Tehran. In the basement is a museum divided into two rooms.
The first contains pottery and glassware from prehistoric through to Islamic Iran as well as bronze artefacts dating back to the 1st and 2nd centuries BC excavated from Lurestan. The second room contains photographs and models depicted traditional life from different parts of Iran.

National Jewels Museum
Located in the basement of the National Bank of Iran on Ferdosi Avenue, in front of the embassies of Germany and Turkey, this is one of the best known museums in Iran. On display is an impressive collection of some of the most famous and spectacular jewels in the world including many priceless pieces.
Many pieces have disappeared over the years but the remaining collection of gemstones, jewellery, royal emblems, ornamental guns and jewel-encrusted furniture is still impressive. The majority of the items on display were given to Safavid kings as gifts but many pieces taken by Nader Shah on his conquest of India are also exhibited. These include the Darya-e Nur diamond, The Peacock Throne and the Jeweled Globe. Other pieces include the crowns of the Qajar and Pahlavi Kings.

Statue, National Museum of Iran, Tehran
Opened in 1937, the National Museum was Iran's very first museum. To this day it houses Irans foremost collection of archaeological and cultural treasures. The main entrance is on Tir Street but it can also be entered from Shahid ra Jai Street.
The museum was designed (and until 1960, also curated) by the French archaeologist and architect Andre Godard. The two-floor building was built to resemble the palace of Ardeshir I in Firuzabad and the red brick entranceway and dome are reminiscent of the Sassanid and Arsakid styles.
The main building houses a collection of artefacts from prehistoric Iran to the end of the Sassanid period, including pottery dating from before 1000BC, Elamite artefacts discovered at Susa and Chogha Zambil and a wealth of Achaemenid period decorations from Persepolis. A copy of the stela carved with Hammurabi's Laws serves as a reminder that the original, now in the Louvre, was discovered in Iran.
An extension built in 1997 houses treasures from the early years of the Islamic era to the present. At the heart of the collection are handwritten copies of the Holy Quran displayed in an atmosphere of quiet reverence and spirituality along with other complementary elements of a mosque, such as an altar prayer chamber.
Other handwritten books include the poetic works of Ferdowsi, Nezami Sadi and Hafez. The uppers floors of the building chart the flourishing of Iranian art in fields such as pottery, glassware, miniature painting, carpets, metal engravings and calligraphy.

The Golestan Palace in Tehran
Located on Khordad Square, the Golestan Palace ("Palace of Flowers") is a collection of buildings set in a walled park veined with canals rushing down from the Tochal mountains. It stands on the site of the historic Arg (citadel) of Tehran which was originally built in the time of Shah Abbas (r. 1588-1629) of the Safavid dynasty.
The Arg became the official royal residence when Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar moved the capital of Iran to Tehran and further palace buildings were constructed during the reign of Karim Khan Zand (r. 1750-1779). Buildings commissioned by Naser Al-din Shah (r. 1848-1896), such as the Shams-ol-Emaneh ("Edifice of the Sun") and the Emarat-e Badgir ("Building of the Wind Towers") show traces of a European architectural style that the modernising king was influenced by on his travels.
The splendour of the interiors of many of the buildings evokes a time when foreign dignitaries were invited to the Qajar court and compared its artistry to the royal buildings of Europe. Both the Eyvan-e Takht-e Marmar ("Terrace of the Marble Throne") and the Talar-e Aineh ("Hall of Mirrors") are famous for the spectacular mirror work that covers their walls.
Elsewhere can be seen fine examples of Iranian stained glass, mosaic tiles and painting. Several buildings house collections of paintings and gifts given to Qajar kings by European dignitaries as well as paintings by Iranian masters.
Though not all of the buildings are open to the public, the park itself is an oasis of calm in the heart of the city.
Jomeh Bazaar (Friday Market)
Tehran's Jomeh Bazaar (Friday Market) has a huge variety of bric-a-brac on display. The Friday Market is held on three floors of a multi-storey car park in central Tehran, on the east side of Joumbouri Avenue. The flea market is open every Friday from around 9am to 4pm.

Tree of Life Motif Carpet, Carpet Museum, Tehran
Not far from the Museum of Contemporary Art and also adjacent to Laleh Park, the Carpet Museum of Iran is one of the most rewarding to visit of Tehran's many museums. Most of the more than 100 carpets on display are from the 19th or 20th centuries but there are a handful of older specimens from as far back as the 16th century.
Photography is permitted though use of flash is not. Hunting and wildlife scenes show off the carpet makers art to the greatest extent.
Corner of Fatemi Street and Kargar Avenue; Admission fee
Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art - Laleh Park
On the west side the very lovely Laleh Park is a low-lying dun-brick building functioning as Tehran's most important museum of contemporary art.

Exhibit at the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art
In the construction itself you see something of the struggle in all Iranian art to reconcile the traditional with the modern. First notice the skylights raised from the roof. Reminiscent of the "badgirs" of Yazd or Kashan, these allow the harsh sun to softly light the central sunken well of inner space itself a modern interpretation of the cool underground havens of desert city residences.
Labyrinthine corridors spin off the central hall and guide you through the history of modern Iranian art. There are many fine pieces and some deep, absurdly comfortable armchairs from which to view them from.
Kargar Avenue; Admission fee
Reza Abbasi Museum - Shariati street
Saad Abad Palace Complex
Niavaran Palace Museum

Accommodation in Tehran
Tehran, as befits the capital of Iran is well served with accommodation options to suit all budgets from five star luxury properties to more budget small hotels.
Top of the range four and five hotels in Tehran include the Espinas Hotel, the Tehran Grand Hotel, with spa, sauna and in-house restaurant, the Ferdowsi International Grand Hotel offering flat-screen TV in all rooms and a restaurant, the Asareh Hotel with fitness center, sauna and free Wifi throughout and the Melal Apartment Hotel. The Tajmahal Hotel Tehran is another five star option with a fitness center, sauna, satellite TV and restaurant.
More budget hotels include the Iran Motel (breakfast included), the Sepand Hotel with airport shuttle, and the three star Karoon Hotel. The Hally Hotel is a 3 star business hotel with continental or buffet breakfast.

Qeshm is the largest island in the Persian Gulf, with rocky coastlines that protects a mountainous and often beautiful interior.
See : Chahkouh Valley at Qeshm Island UNESCO Global Geopark, Qeshm Island is renowned for its natural beauty, and more recently for its designation as a UNESCO Geopark, which promotes, sustainable development alongside preservation of geological heritage. The western park of th island, some hundreds of square kilometres, constitutes the Qeshm Geopark. To get the most from the Geosites, you should book a knowledgable driver, a local tour guide or ask your homestay host. If you're looking at the 2012 Lonely Planet be careful: the Avaye Tabiate Paydar Institute does not exist.
Hara Marine Forests (Mangrove Jungle), (turn right off the main road when you see a boat sculpture). According to environmentalists, about 1.5% of the world birds and 25% of Iran's native birds annually migrate to Hara forests, which is a national park. It's a vast mangrove tree forest that depending on if it's high or low tide partially grows under water. You can rent small open top speed boats there to take you around and into the many water ways in the forest. While it is possible to go at low tide, boats can only actually go inside the forests at high tide so it is advisable to time your visit there. The cost for a boat as of July 2016 is 700.000 Rial, and boats seat up to six people. The boat driver will go at high speeds if you ask! Souvenirs and a small restaurant serving mainly locally caught fish at the site of boat rental. Qeshm desert. A bit west of Qeshm there is a small but beautiful desert part with super soft sand and actual dunes. It's accessible by a 4x4 car, while locals also go in there with their mopeds. Access it from Qeshm city or alternatively it's possible to go from the small street that goes off the main highway towards the Kharbas caves. Follow the street beyond the caves into the flat terrain in the middle of the island and then follow the off road ways eastwards. It turns off-road quickly, but the landscape is stunning to see. Namakdan salt cave & dome. Located in the Geopark on the west of the island, around 100km from Qeshm town, these incredible salt caves are worth a visit. The gate keeper will give you head torches to enter the caves. You can visit the main cave which is near the car park without a guide, but there are numerous other caves in the network which are several km walk away. It is recommended you have a local guide to show you through the caves and the desert between underground sites. Free entry **Visiting Cave #1 is open to the public but for visiting ,Cave #3 you must obtain permission from the Geopark management
Star Valleys. Beautifully surreal valley that is untouched nature. Awesome spot to take photos. It's nice and quiet and a perfect spot to enjoy the sunset. They close at 7 but as sunset usually is not later than 6 there is enough time to get back to the entrance by then. Probably not too accessible in flip flops. As of July 2016, entrance fee is 30.000 Rial pp.
Chahkouh Valley, (Around 15km west of Tabl). One of the most famous Geosites is this spectacular series of valleys. The amazing rock formations were created by water running through the valley at various speeds, resulting in twisted formations, deep holes and narrow passages. The valley is a short walk (~500m) from the car parking but wear proper shoes so you can scramble up the steep sides - a good local guide will show you a route to the top where you have amazing view of the valley, and of the tourists far below. Make sure you drink from the char, a well which has been used by travellers and shepherds for centuries. Free entry.
Laft Historical Port. The historic part of Laft is on the northern part of the island. There are beautiful badgir (wind catching towers like in Yazd) and old houses.
Portuguese Castle. Centrally located in Qeshm Town near the port, this historic castle is partially intact but there is not much to see here.
Naaz islands.
There are no inhabitants on these islands, and only local fishermen have created several shades for their resting place on the islands. It is also worth mentioning that the area is one of the favorite destinations for tourists.
naaz Islands is located 22 km from Qeshm and 1 km from the east coast of the island. The total area of ​​the islands is about 3 hectares, and there are no sandy beaches, as well as rocky walls with a height of five to ten meters around it. The island is completely flat
At the time of the tide, for a short time, slabs of land will connect the cute island to Qeshm Beach. There are no inhabitants on these islands, and only local fishermen have created several shades for their breaks in the islands.
The naaz Island, some 50 years ago, has a residential aspect and is used more as a fishermen's storehouse. But gradually, this aspect of the user has been reduced, and now it is only used as a place for fishing.
The best time to go to the Islands is a little before dusk, so you can see this beautiful island and its sunny day, and also see the underwater swimming of half the naaz island and the sandy island between the naaz island and the beach of Qeshm, because of the fashion at dusk. .
The natives of Qeshm also called these islands. Two, where half a day is inside the water and half a day is connected to the dry land. As it was mentioned, at the time of the tide and with the full recovery of the sea water, for a short time, the slopes of the land, the island naaz to Qeshm Beach. Kharbas caves. The Khorbas cave is placed in 10 km away and south west of Qeshm city. Khorbas Cave is a natural cave and its small passageways are created by erosion. then, in the historical periods, these small passageways have been expanded and improved. According to its architectural and rocky form and numerous historical monuments and sites around it, we can say that it belongs to the historical period of (Parthian and Sassanid most likely), Crocodile farm.
Qeshm roof, Bukhow Mountain, Basira Mountain.

Kish Island is a beautiful island and touristic resort located on the north east of the Persian Gulf (Khalij-e Fars) about 17 km (10.2 miles) from the southern offshore of the mainland Iran. Kish is a free trade zone.
Kish Island, often called the Pearl of the Persian Gulf has an area of 90 square km (36 sq. miles). It is known for being a beautiful resort in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf. Kish Island has relaxed laws in comparison to the rest of Iran. Like mainland Iran, the people of Kish are friendly and hospitable.
Popular tourist attractions : Kish Dolphin & Crocodile Park: The Dolphin Park is the unique ocean atrium in the Middle East, and visitors can enjoy spectacular dolphin and other sea mammal shows in a family-oriented atmosphere. The entrance fee for visitors is $46 USD.The Green Tree Park: The Park with the oldest trees on the island. Entry is free for all. Mysteries of the World Zoo: A small zoo with exotic animals on display. The entrance fee is $5 USD. Greek Ship: The historic and famous old ship resting on one of the shores of Kish Island. It has become a major tourist attraction in recent years. Entry is free. It is a beautiful scenic area, and you can bring food for a picnic and sit in a shaded area. Giant Bird Sculpture: you can climb up inside of it! Underground Town of Cariz:Is more than 2,500 years old, and currently it has been converted into an underground town at a depth of 16 metres below the surface, with an area of more than 10,000 square metres. The entrance fee is $5 USD. The Ancient Town of Harireh:The ruins display mortar masses and stone - made buildings in an area of some 3 by 1 kilometre long. The structures have been built of sand stones with some plaster layers on the walls. Some of the structures that they once ounce used to contain many floors. Harireh town is estimated to be 800 years old. It is also beleive the town was most likely been destroyed by a powerful earthquake. Entry is free for all.
Marjon Beach Park:Entry is free for all.
Do
The beaches: Snorkeling on the beaches of Kish Island is said to be amongst the best in the world, while the scuba-diving offers an even more spectacular insight of life beneath the waters. A variety of other water sports are also available: jet-skiing, sailing, fishing, parasailing, reef walking, coral viewing, boating and water-skiing are just a few of the popular ways to spend the time and enjoy yourself during your visit to the Island. A variety of other water sports are also available. The Kish coastline is one of the least dangerous coasts in the world. Kish has gorgeous white sandy beaches for relaxing walks. Women-only beaches are available for the female tourists to the Island. Women do not have access to most beaches, or to the prime snorkeling areas. There used to be an "international beach" where male and female foreign tourists could swim together, but it has been closed by the government! Contrary to the above information regarding the Greek Ship, there is no restaurant on board what remains of the historic ship. Still, this is a beautiful island - and you could bring food along with you and enjoy the site while sitting at a shaded table nearby.

اهواز مرکز استان خوزستان یکی از کلان‌شهرهای ایران است. این شهر که در بخش مرکزی شهرستان اهواز قرار دارد ، در موقعیت جغرافیایی ۳۱ درجه و ۲۰ دقیقه عرض شمالی و ۴۸ درجه و ۴۰ دقیقه طول شرقی ، در بخش جلگه‌ای خوزستان و با ارتفاع ۱۸ متر از سطح دریا واقع شده‌است.

Shiraz which is known as a city of lovers is a land full of worth seeing things. It is believed that Shiraz is the most beautiful tourist city of Iran. Shiraz is also one of the biggest cities of Iran. It is the provincial center of Fars province and located in Zagros mountainous region with mild climate. Geographically, from the west, the city is surrounded by Derak mountain and from the north,it is limited by Bamu, Sabzpushan, Chehelmagham and Baba Koohi mountains.
It should be said that Shiraz is one of the most beautiful cities of Iran that many titles are assigned to it, for example "city of lovers" and it is due to the matter that Shiraz is the hometown of great poets like Hafez and Saadi. The city also has many historical and natural attractions that you will become interested in them. People of Shiraz are really warmhearted. Traveling to Shiraz can be one of your most memorable trips.

Since people of Shiraz are so kind and warmhearted,there is no place better than people's houses for staying in Shiraz. But if such situation is not provided for you,you can stay at hotel. Shiraz has many nice hotels. For example, Chamran hotel is the highest hotel in Shiraz that you can see the whole view of the city from its cafe, Homa hotel is one of the most luxurious and expensive hotels of Shiraz, Persepolis hotel is a seven-floor hotel with complete facilities, from Shiraz Grant hotel you can easily access to the historical parts of the city, Pars hotel is also one of the most luxurious hotel in Shiraz with special architecture and two towers facing each other. If you prefer to spend less money and stay in a medium quality hotel we recommend you hotels like Jahangardi, Jam-e Jam, Eram, Arg, Shayan and Rudaki hotels. Niyayesh traditional hotel can be the best choice for those who interested in staying at a traditional place.

Kalam polo is the most popular local food of Shiraz and you can eat the best kind of it in Soofi restaurant. In addition to Kalam polo, other local food are cooked in Shiraz such as Shekar polo, Dopiyazeh Alu, Lari Kebab, Ash Sabzi and Ash Kardeh. Don't forget to try them. Ash Sabzi is a kind of vegetable soup that in cooked in Shiraz and served as breakfast. If you want to try this kind of soup and other local soup of Shiraz, you just need to go to Shams restaurant early in the morning.

If you are interested in eating Kebab, you can go Sharze traditional restaurant. Great kinds of Kebabs are served there, the restaurant also has a great environment. Haft khan restaurant is another great restaurant of Shiraz that has seven floors and you can eat different kinds of food there. Haft khan restaurant is also famous because of serving delicious Shirazi Halva. Shater Abbas, Shandiz, Berentin, Bagh-e Raz and Lotus restaurants are among the best restaurants of Shiraz.

Shirazi salad, also referred to as salad Shirazi, is a popular traditional Iranian salad that originated from and is named after Shiraz in Southern Iran.

Faloodeh or Paloodeh is an Iranian cold dessert consisting of thin vermicelli-sized noodles mixed in a semi-frozen syrup made from sugar and rose water that is similar to a sorbet.

Faloodeh or Paloodeh is an Iranian cold dessert consisting of thin vermicelli-sized noodles mixed in a semi-frozen syrup made from sugar and rose water that is similar to a sorbet.

Haft Khan Restaurant in Shiraz - Wildly popular with fashionable Shirazis, this enormous restaurant complex near Quran Gateway offers four types of dining experience: there's a generous buffet

If you prefer to eat fast food we recommend you to go Namak, Zaver and Ayot restaurants. Namak restaurant has a special decoration look like Halite. Restaurant of Shapoori house and Kateh Mas restaurant can be good choices for those who interested in eating food in traditional environment.

Faloodeh is the most popular food of Shiraz that you can eat the best kind of it in Jamshidian ice cream shop. You can eat the best ice cream of Shiraz in Baba Bastani shop that has two branches, one of them is located in Eram st., and the other one is located in West Ghodoosi Blvd. There are also many great cafes in Shiraz such as Cheshmandaz cafe in 23rd floor of Chamran hotel, Baran, Memar, Bahman 57, Street Lounge and Yoga cafes. They are the best cafes in Shiraz that you can go and enjoy your time.

If you want to buy special souvenir of Shiraz, you should go to Vakil Bazaar where you can find different kinds of famous handicrafts of Shiraz like Khatam, Carved wood, Silver, Kilim and Gabbeh. The famous beverages of Shiraz are different kinds of traditional Sharbat, Lemon juice and Verjuice that you can buy them from the stores located in front of Arg of Karim Khan. Masghati and Kaak ( Yukhe bread) are other famous souvenirs of Shiraz that you can buy them from Kamran confectionery cafe and Keshavarz confectionery respectively. Shiraz also has many modern shopping malls such as Persian Gulf complex, Aftab Fars shopping mall, Zeytoon,Hamoon and Soltaniye shopping centers.

Unexpected events and diseases are inevitable during a journey, so you need to have information about the health services of the city that you want to go. Shiraz is one of the biggest cities of Iran and has a lot of equipped hospitals sucha as Shahid Beheshti, Shiraz Pars, Dena, Dr Khodadoost, Namazi, Ghadir, Mother and Child hospitals. These hospitals provide patients with different therapeutic services. Shiraz also has equipped health clinics like Mohamad Rasoala, Motahari and Vali-e Asr clinics that have general, dentistry, radiology, physical therapy and laboratory parts and give services to patients. Dr. Shabab, Amir, Eghbal and Dr. Abedi pharmacies give 24-hour services to patients,too.

Shiraz has a lot of attractive places that you can go and enjoy. Here we introduce some of these places to you: Nasir ol Molk mosque which is a 1000-colour mosque of Iran, Arg of Karim Khan which is one of the most beautiful and unique monuments of Shiraz, Eram garden that has a lot of tall Cypress trees and it is one of the most beautiful gardens in Iran, Maharloo lake that has different colours in different seasons of a year, Shah Cheragh which is the most important religious attraction of Shiraz. The other attractions of the city are Vakil Bazaar, Zinat Al-Moluk house, Jahan Nama garden, Tomb of Hafez, Tomb of Saadi, Afif Abad garden, Saraye Moshir, Quran Gate, Shapoori and Qavam houses. We recommend you to go and visit a beautiful village near Shiraz which name is Qalat and an old church is there.