-
Today 14:47
8 most attractive deserts in Iran for travelers
TEHRAN - Iran's deserts offer far more than endless stretches of sand. Their appeal lies in the contrast between silence and vast open landscapes, unusual geological formations, traditional villages, wildlife and some of the country's clearest night skies.
-
Today 12:37
Ancient iron-smelting site discovered in Hyrcanian forests of northern Iran
TEHRAN – Archaeologists have discovered the remains of an ancient metal-smelting site in the forested highlands of Sowme’eh Sara in northern Iran, a find that could shed new light on the history of metallurgy in the western Alborz Mountains.
-
Yesterday 17:25
Tehran, Tashkent discuss ways to expand tourism ties
TEHRAN - Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri and Tashkent’s ambassador to Tehran, Fariddin Nasriev, have discussed ways to expand tourism and cultural cooperation, revive historic Silk Road links and strengthen ties between the two countries during a meeting on Monday.
-
Yesterday 17:24
Iraq seen as key market for Iranian handicrafts
TEHRAN – Iraq should become a stable destination for Iranian handicraft exports, an Iranian provincial official has said, calling for targeted efforts to turn the neighboring country into a sustainable market for the products.
-
Yesterday 17:16
Newly discovered ‘Sasanian’ rock engravings depict mountain goat, horses in southern Iran
TEHRAN – Needle-engraved rock art depicting a mountain goat and horses dating to the Sasanian period (224–651 CE) have recently been found on the rocky outcrops of the Marvdasht Plain in southern Iran.
-
2026-09-14 17:32
56 cities, 35 villages on Iran’s national list for handicraft hubs
TEHRAN – Iran has so far registered 56 cities and 35 villages as national handicrafts centers, with 18 locations added to the list over the past two years, a tourism ministry official said.
-
2026-09-14 17:31
Iran orders all 31 provinces to hold national tourism events
TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism ministry has called on all 31 provinces to organize national tourism events and exhibitions during the second half of the current Iranian calendar year, as part of efforts to promote domestic travel and support the industry amid continuing challenges, Minister Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri said.
-
2026-09-14 17:31
Iran ranks 10th with 30 UNESCO World Heritage sites
TEHRAN - Iran ranks 10th worldwide with 30 properties inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, according to the UN cultural body, placing the country among the world's leading holders of internationally recognized cultural and natural heritage.
-
2026-09-13 17:14
By Afshin Majlesi
A different way to travel: Azadeh Abedinzadeh explains
TEHRAN - Tourism is often measured by the visitors it attracts and the income they generate. But what if its success could also be measured by the forests it helps protect, the traditions it keeps alive and the opportunities it creates for local communities? This is the thinking behind regenerative tourism, an approach that seeks to move beyond reducing tourism’s negative impacts and toward restoring and strengthening the places people visit.
-
2026-09-12 16:45
Quzlu: A stepped village offering a glimpse of rural Iran
TEHRAN - The stepped village of Quzlu, nestled in the mountainous landscape of northwestern Iran, offers travelers a chance to experience traditional rural architecture, unspoiled nature and a time-honored cultural heritage.
-
2026-09-12 16:45
Iranian women showcase traditional crafts at BRICS exhibition in New Delhi
TEHRAN – A group of female Iranian artisans highlight skills at a handicraft’s exhibition being held on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
-
2026-09-12 16:44
Iran Air seeks to resume flights to Malaysia
TEHRAN - Iran’s flag carrier, Iran Air, has explored the resumption of flights to Malaysia following a lengthy suspension, the airline said after its chief executive met with Malaysia’s ambassador to Iran.
-
2026-09-11 14:37
Demolition of historical building in Sabzevar draws heritage ministry’s legal action
TEHRAN - A historical building known as the Tumanian building, also referred to as the Padegan-e Rusha (“Russian barracks”) has recently been demolished in Sabzevar, northeastern Iran, prompting the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts to blame the city’s municipality and pursue legal action.
-
2026-09-09 16:22
Museum featuring 220 sound and music artifacts opens in Tehran’s Azadi Tower
TEHRAN – A museum, featuring more than 220 musical instruments and objects related to sound and music, has opened at Tehran’s Azadi Tower, bringing together instruments from Iran and other parts of the world as well as vintage sound-recording and playback equipment.
-
2026-09-09 16:21
UNESCO-listed Golestan Palace undergoes emergency restoration
TEHRAN – The second phase of a comprehensive conservation and restoration program at Tehran’s Golestan Palace has begun, with priority given to preventing further damage before the onset of the rainy season, the head of the UNESCO-listed complex said on Wednesday.
-
2026-09-09 16:21
Religious tourism accounts for 56% of foreign arrivals to Iran
TEHRAN – Religious tourism accounted for 56 percent of the two million foreign tourists who visited Iran during the first five months of the current Iranian calendar year, Deputy Tourism Minister Anoushirvan Mohseni-Bandpey has said.
-
2026-09-08 16:49
From sacred spring to stone museum: the long journey of Khusro II's bust
Located north of Kermanshah, the Taq-e Bostan archaeological complex is renowned for its magnificent Sasanian rock reliefs and royal grottoes.
-
2026-09-08 13:14
By Afshin Majlesi
Tehran metro takes on a new role in urban tourism
TEHRAN - Tourism maps have been installed at 24 metro stations in Tehran to help passengers discover historical, cultural and tourism attractions located around the stations, the Tehran Municipality Tourism Headquarters said.
-
2026-09-07 16:23
Qom: A province of ancient beacons along historic routes
TEHRAN - Scattered across the mountains, plains and historic routes of Qom province, a group of ancient Meels, standalone beacon towers once used to guide travelers and caravans, offers a distinctive glimpse into the history of travel and communication in central Iran.
-
2026-09-07 16:02
Iran, Pakistan tourism cooperation discussed at HEGTA meeting
TEHRAN – Ways to expand tourism and investment cooperation between Iran and Pakistan were discussed at a meeting between the head of the Tourism Group of Iran’s Social Security Organization (HEGTA) and Iran’s commercial counsellor in Pakistan.
-
2026-09-06 20:10
From Shiraz to Zanzibar: A look into centuries-old Persian connection
TEHRAN - For centuries, the Indian Ocean served not as a barrier separating Iran from East Africa, but as a maritime corridor linking the two regions.
-
2026-09-06 20:06
Restoration work continues at Sheikh Safi al-Din Ardabili shrine complex
TEHRAN – Conservation, restoration and infrastructure projects are underway at the UNESCO-registered Sheikh Safi al-Din Ardabili Khanegah and Shrine Ensemble in northwestern Iran, the head of the World Heritage site said.
-
2026-09-05 17:24
Echoes of the past: Ceremonial dress of a Safavid noble
The National Museum of Iran preserves a red-ground silk robe whose material and formal characteristics locate it firmly within the Safavid textile tradition.
-
2026-09-05 17:23
Direct Iran-Tunisia flights resume
TEHRAN – Direct flights between Iran and Tunisia have resumed from Imam Khomeini International Airport, with the route now operating once a week, an airport official said.
-
2026-09-05 17:23
Barzin Zarghami appointed deputy minister for handicrafts
TEHRAN – Barzin Zarghami has been appointed deputy for handicrafts and traditional arts at Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts by Minister Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri.
-
2026-09-05 17:22
Ritual marking anniversary of Fatima Masumeh’s arrival in Qom added to national heritage list
TEHRAN – The ritual marking the anniversary of the arrival of Fatima Masumeh (S.A.), sister of the eighth Shia Imam, Imam Reza (A.S.), in the Iranian city of Qom has been inscribed on the national list of Iran’s intangible cultural heritage, a senior cultural heritage official said.
-
2026-09-04 20:09
Ecotourism plans underway in protected areas and wetlands
TEHRAN – Iran’s Department of Environment is working on a series of ecotourism programs in protected areas and wetlands across the country, seeking to expand nature-based tourism without compromising biodiversity and environmental protection, an official said.
-
2026-09-04 20:07
Safavid tilework: From architectural ornament to pictorial art
TEHRAN - Tilework during Iran’s Safavid era was not confined to geometric patterns, arabesques and inscriptions used to decorate religious buildings.
-
2026-09-04 20:03
Sangak bread added to Iran’s national intangible cultural heritage list
TEHRAN — The way of preparing, Sangak, a traditional Iranian flatbread baked on heated pebbles, has been inscribed on Iran’s national list of intangible cultural heritage following a review by the country’s National Council for Intangible Heritage Registration, an official said.
-
2026-09-02 15:32
Mining activity halted near Persepolis following heritage site intervention
TEHRAN – Mining operations at a sand and gravel quarry near the UNESCO-listed Persepolis have been halted following efforts by the World Heritage Site’s office and an order from the prosecutor of Marvdasht county, the head of the site has said.