Central Iran Travel Information and Travel Guide - Iran

Central Iran

Our Top Picks For Central Iran

1 Imam Square and Qeysarieh Tea Shop

Watch the sun set over Esfahan’s many-splendoured Imam Square from the rooftop Qeysarieh Tea Shop
2 Persepolis

Sit on the hill behind the sublime Persepolis, just soaking it all up
3 Bazar-e Bozorg and Imam Square

Haggle over a carpet or kilim in the vaulted arcades of Esfahan’s Bazar-e Bozorg or Imam Square
4 Yazd

Lose yourself in the historic laneways of Yazd, and find yourself in a traditional hotel
5 Caravanserai Zein-o-din

Treat yourself to a dose of Safavid-era luxury in the wonderfully restored Caravanserai Zein-o-din

Note: Javascript is disabled in your browser.
You need to enable Javascript if you want to see images and video.

Introducing Central Iran

Ever since Cyrus the Great’s dramatic rise from provincial overlord to ruler of the largest empire on earth, central Iran has been something of a showcase for the region’s greatest civilisations. The unrelenting splendour and majesty of Esfahan, the refined elegance of Shiraz and the mud-brick antiquity of Yazd, Abyaneh and Kharanaq are a fascinating contrast, representing the fusion over 2500 years of myriad cultures and starkly different terrains. Then, of course, there’s that monumental expression of artistic harmony commissioned by Darius I – Persepolis.

With so much on offer, it’s no surprise that the towns of Iran’s central provinces are where you’ll probably spend the most time. But it’s not just about ticking off the popular sights, because central Iran has many an unsung gem. Kashan, with its splendid mosques, gardens and magnificently restored traditional houses, is one. If you want to get off the beaten track there’s the desert oasis of Garmeh, the cave village of of Garmeh, caravanserai stops such as Zein-o-din and Toudeshk, or the chance to camp with nomads in the Zagros Mountains.

Show full overview