Visiting Iran during new year

Does anythine have experience of visiting Iran during the Iranian New Year holiday (No Rouz). Due to other travel commitments this is the only time I'm able to visit; I don't mind crowds and am happy to get things booked up early, however I don't want eveything to be closed. Does anyone have any experience of being in Iran at this time? The plan is to visit Tehran, Shiraz, Isfahan and either Yazd or Kashan. Thanks

Hi Sue,

Kashan is on the same road that leads to Yazd, the city almost all foreign tourists visit while touring the country. So make sure you dont leave out Yazd especially during the Iranian New Year holiday season, which begins on March 20 and last through at least March 24 ...and usually until April 4 when schools and universities finally re-open and most govt agencies and private corporations get back to work on full force! Well, I should say that on March 21, New Year Day, everywhere is closed; however for the rest of this really long holiday shops, restaurants, supermarkets, shopping malls, and of course museums and historical sites are open ' for business'. Believe ot or not, you would have to start making hotel reservations, especially in cities like Yazd or Shiraz, as early as December or even November! In short, to travel during that period of the year you will need solid planning if you intend to have a good time while not going broke or sleeping in a tent. take care.

Hey sue,

unfortunately its the worst time to visit Iran. Every plane, bus,train,hotel is booked, everywhere is awfully crowded. In Tehran a lot of places are closed (not sure about other cities) If you travel with a car you might have to wait 2-4 hours on the road just to enter Shiraz for example. Try yo come 2 week before or after the newe years eve.

It's true what #2 says about hotels and transport. However, No Ruz is also a great time to watch Iranians having holiday and fun. There're practically no tourists and the locals are relaxed and even more friendly and curious than at other times. We've been to Shiraz and Persepolis during No Ruz and had a wonderful time. Just make sure that you have your hotels and transport booked well in advance and you'll be all right.

The problem is that you can not even book arrangments easily.
All travel arrangments are normally booked off overnight, when they open reservation lists for Norooz holidays.

We arrived in Iran (3rd April this year) just as No Ruz ended but still found it a little busy for some things (reservations of hotels in Tehran etc.) and getting transport out. Still, it was better than being there during NR according to Iranians. They would say: "Oh, you should be here at NR it is great for meeting people" then say "But it is easier for travelling if you miss NR"! Lots of things shut down then.

Given some of the 'hangover' there was in booking things even at the end of NR, I am glad we did not go during the holiday.