Shiraz
Save31 hand-picked places in 9 lists. Tick the categories you want to see on the map.
Only have a day? See 2 ready-made day plans ↓Show on the map
Tips
8 places on the map
Walking Tour
- 1
Fortress citadel built by Karim Khan Zand
3 tips
- Climb to the towers for views
- Courtyard has orange trees
- Entry is cheap
📷 Photos
- 2
Octagonal Zand-era pavilion housing Karim Khan artifacts
3 tips
- Small museum set in Nazar Garden
- Allow 45 minutes
- Near the Arg of Karim Khan
📷 Photos
- 3
Qajar mansion that houses a museum of anthropology
3 tips
- Beautifully painted and mirrored interiors
- Nice courtyard cafe nearby
- Open most days; check hours
📷 Photos
- 4
Mirrored 19th-century house and garden
- Tip: Go early
2 tips
- Famous for its mirror hall and painted ceilings
- Tickets are inexpensive
📷 Photos
- 5
One of the oldest mosques in southern Iran
- Tip: Dress code
2 tips
- Features the Khodakhaneh square structure
- Tends to be quiet
📷 Photos
- 6
Historic covered bazaar of vaulted brick
3 tips
- Good for spices, carpets and copperware
- Bargain politely
- Many shops close on Fridays
📷 Photos
- 7
18th-century mosque with spiral columns and tilework
- Must know: Dress code
2 tips
- Look for the 48 twisted columns in the prayer hall
- Pair with Vakil Bazaar next door
📷 Photos
- 8
Mirrored shrine complex of Shiraz
3 tips
- Women must wear a chador, available at the entrance
- Cameras are checked at the gate; phones are usually fine
- Visit at dusk when the mirrors glow
📷 Photos
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Before you go: Shiraz tips
Transportation
- Use Snapp for rides: Snapp is Iran's main ride-hailing app and is cheap; you need an Iranian SIM card and a local payment method, or pay the driver in cash.
- Ride the Shiraz metro: The metro links several parts of the city and the bus terminal area; it is cheap but less useful for the historic centre, which you can walk.
- Hire a driver for Persepolis: A day trip to Persepolis, Naqsh-e Rostam and Pasargadae is easiest with a hired driver or guide from your guesthouse.
Security
- Check official travel advice: Many governments currently warn against travel to Iran; read your country's advice and check if your insurance covers the trip.
- Bring enough cash: Foreign bank cards do not work in Iran because of sanctions; carry euros or US dollars and exchange at official exchange offices.
- Be careful with photos: Do not photograph government buildings, military sites or people without permission, and avoid political discussions in public.
Saving
- Get a tourist debit card: Some exchange offices and agencies sell prepaid tourist cards, so you can pay by card locally instead of carrying large wads of rials.
- Understand rials and tomans: Prices are often quoted in tomans, which equal ten rials; confirm which one a seller means before paying.
- Eat at local kababis: Small restaurants near Vakil Bazaar serve kebab, rice and Shirazi salad for far less than hotel restaurants.
Weather/Clothing
- Visit in spring: March to May brings mild weather and the scent of orange blossom across Shiraz gardens; pack light layers for cool evenings.
- Prepare for hot summers: June to August is hot and dry, so plan Persepolis visits early in the morning and carry water and sun protection.
- Follow the dress code: Women must cover hair and wear loose clothing covering arms; men should avoid shorts. Bring a light scarf even in summer.
Cultural
- Understand taarof: Iranian politeness may lead people to refuse payment; offer again, and pay if they accept after the third offer.
- Visit Hafezieh at dusk: At the tomb of the poet Hafez, locals recite poetry and open his book for a fortune; visit at sunset for a lively atmosphere.
- Wear a chador at Shah Cheragh: Women visiting the Shah Cheragh shrine are given a chador at the entrance; men and women enter through separate doors.
Local Hacks
- See Nasir al-Mulk at sunrise: The Pink Mosque's stained glass casts coloured light best in the early morning, especially in autumn and winter.
- Taste faloodeh shirazi: This frozen rosewater and noodle dessert is a Shiraz speciality; try it with lime juice from a shop near Vakil Bazaar.
- Explore Qavam House: The Narenjestan Qavam garden house has mirrored halls and orange trees, a quieter alternative to the busy Eram Garden.
1-day itineraries in Shiraz
Only have a day? Each one keeps you in one area, from morning to late afternoon, with lunch nearby.