Tehran
Tehran
The capital: palaces, museums and mountains
8 highlights · tap a pinIran's sprawling capital against the Alborz range; the arrival city where travelers see the crown jewels and great museums, eat across every regional cuisine, and hike or ski straight from the northern suburbs.
Next 5 days
Top places to see
- 1
Golestan Palace
UNESCO 2013Qajar royal complex of mirrored halls, tiled facades and gardens.
- Time needed
- About 2–3 hours (large complex; several ticketed halls)
- 2
National Museum of Iran
Premier archaeology museum; artifacts from Persepolis, Susa and prehistory.
- Time needed
- About 1–1.5 hours
- 3
Treasury of National Jewels
Staggering crown jewels (Darya-ye Noor, Peacock Throne) in the Central Bank vault.
- Time needed
- About 1 hour (limited opening days/hours)
- Opening hours
- Restricted opening hours/days - verify before visiting.
- 4
Grand Bazaar
Vast historic warren of corridors and caravanserais; commerce and tea-houses.
- Time needed
- About 1.5–2.5 hours
- 5
Sa'dabad Cultural-Historical Complex
Former royal summer estate with multiple Pahlavi palaces in forested gardens.
- Time needed
- About 2.5–3.5 hours (multiple museum-palaces + gardens)
- 6
Niavaran Palace Complex
The last shah's residence; mid-century palace and royal library.
- Time needed
- About 1.5–2 hours
- 7
Tabiat (Nature) Bridge
Award-winning 2014 three-level pedestrian bridge linking two parks.
- Time needed
- About 30–60 minutes
- 8
Milad Tower
One of the world's tallest telecom towers, with an observation deck.
- Time needed
- About 1–2 hours (with observation deck)
- 9
Azadi Tower
White-marble 1971 monument and city gateway on Azadi Square.
- Time needed
- About 45–60 minutes
- 10
Darband / Tochal
Northern foothills trailheads and cable car; cafes, hiking, winter skiing.
- Time needed
- About 2–4 hours (café-lined trail / cable car)
- 11
Dizin Ski Resort
Iran's flagship ski resort and the largest, best-equipped in the Middle East — high-altitude powder above the treeline. Largest and most-equipped ski resort in the Middle East; among the highest in the world.
- Time needed
- Full day
- 12
Shemshak Ski Resort
Iran's second-largest resort — steeper, less crowded and less fancy than Dizin, loved for powder. Historic, steep alpine terrain close to Tehran; a locals' favourite.
- Time needed
- Full day
- 13
Darbandsar Ski Resort
Modern resort near Shemshak — the only Iranian resort with snow cannons. Only Iranian resort with snow cannons; modern lifts.
- Time needed
- Full day
- 14
Tochal Ski Resort
The city's own resort — a gondola from northern Tehran to one of the world's highest ski areas. 4th-highest ski resort in the world; directly accessible from the capital.
- Time needed
- Half to full day
- 15
Ab Ali Ski Resort
Iran's oldest ski resort (1953) — beginner-friendly, with nearby hot springs. The birthplace of Iranian skiing (oldest resort, 1953).
- Time needed
- Half day
- 16
Meygun Ski Piste
Small beginner-friendly piste near Shemshak. Quiet beginner alternative in the Shemshak cluster.
- Time needed
- Half day
- 17
Mount Damavand
Iran's highest peak and the tallest volcano in Asia — a non-technical but demanding summit. The iconic national summit; highest volcano in Asia.
- Time needed
- 2–3 days (with acclimatisation)
- 18
Pol-e Khab Crag
The best sport-climbing crag near Tehran — a 200 m wall of high-quality rock. Tehran's premier sport-climbing venue.
- Time needed
- Full day
- 19
Band-e Yakhchal
Iran's number-one bouldering spot — gneiss boulders on Tehran's northern edge. Iran's premier bouldering, right at the capital's edge.
- Time needed
- Half to full day
Where to stay in Tehran
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