From labyrinthine bazaars to nomadic landscapes: Feel Iran on walking tours

To offer tourists with new experiences and fresh points of view, a number of tour operators have developed a range of creative “off-the-beaten-track” tours and activities in Iran, in order to explore new tastes of the ancient land, ISNA reported in a recent article.

Damage to Hassanabad Sq. to be compensated soon

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism chief has said that damage to Tehran’s Hassanabad Sq., which was on fire late on Wednesday, will be compensated as soon as possible.

Noruz-e Sayyad celebrated in Qeshm Island

Natives of Qeshm Island, clad in traditional attire, stage a regional performance to celebrate their new fishery year, called Noruz-e Sayyad, July 19, 2019.

Longstanding Sino-Iranian relations could help foster tourism ties

TEHRAN – Iran’s deputy tourism chief has said that longstanding cultural and trade relations between Iran and China could lay a solid ground for developing mutual tourism ties.

Iranian flatbread inseparable from three-course meals in Kuwait

TEHRAN – Iranian flatbread has long been a permanent guest at Kuwaiti tables.

Iran eyes to gain a UNESCO tag for its historical castles, fortresses

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism chief has said the country is developing a dossier for its historical castles and fortresses for a possible inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Foreign visits to Sacred Defense Museum jumps 80 percent

TEHRAN - The number of foreign tourists visiting the Sacred Defense Museum in Tehran in the past Iranian calendar year (March 2018-19) jumped 80 percent compared with a year earlier.

By Afshin Majlesi

Iran travel sector: Ups and downs since U.S. reimposed sanctions

TEHRAN – Last November, the Trump administration reinstated sanctions on Iran, mainly the ones that had been lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal, in order to batter Iran’s economy, however, according to official data, they have so far failed to lessen foreign arrivals to the Islamic Republic.

By Afshin Majlesi

Islamic architecture? Sure, but Na’in’s old mosque offers so much more

Well regarded for its hospitable people, handicrafts, and ancient qanats (manmade subterranean aqueducts that brings water from the mountains), Na’in dates back to nearly 2000 years, which makes it one of the oldest continuously settled towns in the Iranian plateau.

12% rise in foreign tourist visits to historical sites in Fars

TEHRAN – Visits by international travelers to historical sites in Fars province rose 12 percent during the first three months of the current Iranian calendar year (started March 21) compared to the same period a year earlier.

Preliminary studies start on fossilized skull found in western Iran

TEHRAN – Preliminary studies have been started on pieces of a fossilized skull, which was untethered earlier in western Iran. The skull is attributed to Homo sapiens.

Retrospective shows delicacy of mirrorwork in Iranian architecture

TEHRAN – Delicacy of mirrorwork in Iranian architecture is in the limelight at the UNESCO-registered Golestan Palace in downtown Tehran, where a retrospective of a veteran Iranian artisan is underway.

Chinese museum to showcase celadons from Iran, other countries

TEHRAN – On Saturday, a collection of centuries-old celadons, on loan from the National Museum of Iran, reached Beijing’s Palace Museum, which is to host a vast exhibit of such potteries from several countries.

Exhibit to bring together crafters from six provinces

TEHRAN - Tens of crafters and artisans from six provinces will come together to promote skills in a sales exhibit which is to be held in Mahabad, West Azarbaijan province.

Parthian, Safavid-era coins seized in northeast Iran

TEHRAN – Iranian authorities have recently confiscated four historical coins from two smugglers in Bojnourd, the capital of North Khorasan province.

Hacking your way to book a hotel room in Iran

TEHRAN – In spite of U.S. trade and economic sanctions, it still seems easy to get the best hotel deal for your stay in Iran.

Persepolis Museum to close for two weeks for repair work

TEHRAN - Persepolis Museum, which is located in UNESCO-tagged Persepolis, is to close for two weeks for restoration work.

Crafts exhibit spotlights fusion of nomadic, modern styles

TEHRAN – A fusion of traditional and modern principles of designs in women’s wear and personal ornamentation was in the limelight at an exhibit, which came to end on Friday at Tehran’s Niavaran Cultural-Historical Complex.

Turkish airline to launch direct flights to Tabriz, Isfahan

TEHRAN - Pegasus Airlines, a Turkish low-cost airline headquartered in Istanbul, is scheduled to launch routes connecting the city of Izmir in Turkey to the cities of Tabriz and Isfahan in Iran, IRNA reported on Friday.

Turkish company to build vast tourism complex in Kish

TEHRAN – A Turkish company is going to construct a large tourism complex in Iran’s southern island of Kish with making investment as much as $100 million.

Iraqi arrivals in Iran gaining momentum

TEHRAN - The number of Iraqi nationals visiting Iran is gaining momentum this year as the Islamic Republic endeavors to boost its tourism revenues in the face of U.S.-led sanctions. 

Iran to establish visa-free regime for the Chinese on July 16

TEHRAN – As of July 16, Chinese passport holders will no longer need visas to enter Iran, ISNA reported on Tuesday.

15% rise in visits to historical sites in Rey

TEHRAN – Visits to historical sites in Rey surged 15 percent during the first three months of the current Iranian calendar year (started March 21) compared to the same period a year earlier.

Summer festival to highlight rural heritage in Gilan

TEHRAN – Gilan province is to hold a summer festival, which turns the spotlight on rural heritage, traditions, arts and architecture in the northern province.

Kebab festival to bring foodies, meat eaters together

TEHRAN – Tens of chefs will show off skills at a major kebab festival, which is scheduled to be held on August 15 and 16 in Golpayegan, a central Iranian city famous for its tasty kebabs.

No major harm to Khuzestan historical sites by quake

TEHRAN – No serious damage has been reported to museums and cultural heritage sites across Iran’s Khuzestan province hit by a medium-sized quake on Monday, according to the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization.

By Afshin Majlesi

Is Iran safe for Americans to visit?

TEHRAN – The matter of security in Iran is essentially considered as a complex question for any U.S. citizen willing to visit the Islamic Republic.

2,000 pieces of pottery on show at Tehran exhibit

TEHRAN - A vast collection of ceramics and potteries, comprising 2,000 pieces by Iranian crafter Zahra Kavian, is currently on show at the headquarters of the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization in Tehran.

Over 4 million visit Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad in a year

TEHRAN – Over four million people, mostly domestic travelers, toured Iran’s Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province during the past Iranian calendar year (ended on March 20), MP Qolam-Mohammad Zarei, who represents the southwestern province, said on Monday.

Rare dovetail-joints found in UNESCO-tagged Pasargadae

TEHRAN – Personnel of Pasargadae have recently found two rare dovetail-joints, which used to attach massive stone slabs, pillars and columns in the UNESCO World Heritage site that was once the capital of the Achaemenid Empire under Cyrus the Great (559–530 BC), who ordered its construction.