Accomodation in Tehran

I'm planning travel to Iran at the first decade of May.
Here are my questions:

• are there any hostels in Tehran? I prefer to stay in hostels because of the price and a lot of opportunities for communcations.
• what is situation with alcohol - could I take some with me? How much I can take with me? Could I buy it in Tehran? How much it costs?
• I will have around 8 days in Iran - could you recommend me which cities to visit (not running around - but slow and calm travel)?

Thank you in advance.

Hi I cant help u with the hostel but absolutley no alcohol dont take any with u. You cant buy it there either unless u know who to go to. split u r time between Tehran esfahan and shiraz if its u r first visit or Tehran and just one other city.

Agree, dont try to take alcohol with you into Iran, its not allowed. You can buy it on the black market though if you know where to look. be aware, the when entering an airport or another place with luggagecontrol they often control if you bring alcohol. I have several times experinced my waterbottle being open to check whether it was alcohol in it.
Visit Esfahan, its such a beautiful place, then either Yazd or Shiraz (for the Persepolis). A route could be Tehran-Esfahan-Yazd-Shiraz-Tehran (taking a flight back to tehran).

Tehran has 15-million people. There were 600,000 troops killed in the 1980s Iraq-Iran war, leaving many wounded veterans and "orphaned" broken families. Many young men from the rest of the country there for employment. Therefore, it's not unexpected that there is criminality, alcohol use, alcoholism, drug-use and prostitution -- same as any city in the world.

However as a visitor, you have extremely high visibility. You should not violate the official laws, unless you are extremely discrete and aware, willing to risk harassment, arrest and deportation.

Thank you very much, guys. Really helpful.
But what about hostels or hotels? Are there any to recommend?

Hi I found this link for u

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-hotel-177000121-tehran_hotels-i

look at the hotels u might find one cheap enough. In this site I have also seen people talking about Hotel mashad and Atlas which seems to be at reasonable costs. Aprox $50

Hi also look at this site too
http://www.virtualtourist.com/hotels/Middle_East/Iran/Tehran-1758670/Hotels_and_Accommodations-Tehran-BR-1.html

hope u find something

hi.
You are coming to a country with supposedly Islamic laws! Of course you CAN NOT bring alcoholic beverages with you unless you wish to be interrogated for hours and possibly arrested at the airport. To me hostels and cheap motel are the same if we are talking about prices. and for such inexpensive accommodations ($15-25?) you would have to look for a place and stay in downtown tehran. well, as for recommending you cities to visit, esfahan, yazd and shiraz are a must, but you may also add kerman, hamedan and otehre as well if your time and budget allow.Bye.

Guys, thank you very much again.
ONE STATEMENT - I don't want to violate any laws during my stay in Iran. IT WAS ONLY A QUESTION.
Thank you very much.

to boyracer

thank you for links - really helpful

hi justice ,
do you have any guide book ? there are some budget hotel or hostel ,
how much is your budget for a hotel in tehran ? you can see firouzeh hotel ,
www.firouzehhotel.com
when you get to this hotel , you can meet many travllers for communication too ,
it is recommended in middle east of lonely planet guide book too.
nice4human@yahoo.com
best ,
hamou

Hi!
alcohol is only available at the black market. but there are other, many other things which make from every visit in Iran a nice experience.
You won't be controlled at all. You can also speak what you want.
You have chosen the right destination.
Enjoy
calin

Thank you all, guys.

Alcohol is prohibited however it is not hard to find if you're desperate to buy a bottle of Johnny Walker or Black Death Vodka :-p

As for hostels, a few places have the option of a dorm (kohan kashane in yazd springs to mind) but unless you're seriously broke, you might as well spend five dollars more and get your own room.

The majority of hostels are called moserferkhune's and are aimed at very poor iranian men (travelling labourers, illegal afghan's etc etc) and many won't even accept westerners.

Thank you, guys!