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Popular souvenirs to buy while visiting Iran

One of the traditions of Ancient Persia is handicrafts, which are preserved in the culture of the nation and passed on from generation to generation. 

Bronze Age pottery jar discovered, seized in Alborz

TEHRAN - The commander of the Alborz Province’s Cultural Heritage Preservation Unit announced the discovery and seizure of a Bronze Age pottery jar in the capital city of Karaj.

First boutique hotel in Sistan-Baluchestan to be inaugurated

TEHRAN- The first boutique hotel in the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchestan will soon be put into operation.

Archaeological studies to start at Sassanid-era Sirvan

TEHRAN - The director general of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Department of Ilam announced that the first season of archaeological studies at the historical city of Sirvan, which dates back to the Sassanid dynasty will begin in the coming days.

Some $4.2m paid to corona-affected tourism, handicraft units in Zanjan

TEHRAN - More than 180 billion rials (about $4.2 million at the official rate of 42,000 rials) in loans has been paid to tourism and handicraft businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic in Zanjan province.

Tourism projects create over 1,700 jobs in West Azarbaijan

TEHRAN – In the past Iranian year (ended March 19), 1,767 jobs were created by investing in tourism-related projects in the northwestern West Azarbaijan province.

36 properties, traditions in Ardebil added to national heritage list

TEHRAN -  A total of 36 movable, immovable, intangible, and natural sites in the northwestern Ardebil province have been registered on the national heritage list.

Over 1,000 crafters in Kerman benefit from rural insurance

TEHRAN - The deputy director of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department of Kerman Province has said that 1,082 artisans working in the field of handicraft were introduced last Iranian year (ended March 19) to benefit from rural and nomadic insurance.

Discover 7,000-year-old underground troglodyte

The underground troglodyte of Faridan, central Isfahan province, dates back to more than 7,000 years ago. It was discovered on January 8, 2017 under a hill overlooking a village near the city of Faridan. 

Mirror of the sky: Visit Hoz-e Sultan to be turned into tourism hub

TEHRAN – Tourism directorate of Qom province is set to turn Hoz-e Sultan, a lonely salt lake in the heart of Iran, into a tourism hub.   "Hoz-e Sultan, which is one of the biggest natural mirrors in the country, will be turned into a tourism hub… and one of its goals is to empower the local communities by creating job opportunities," the provincial tourism chief, Alireza Arjmandi, said on Thursday.  

Iconic souvenirs and gifts to bring home from Iran

TEHRAN - Strolling through any bazaar in Iran, you see rich diversity, especially in Persian handicrafts and confectionery, that makes it difficult to choose one. 

Vacation destinations in northern Iran: Gilan awaits you with wonders

TEHRAN - The lush green Gilan province, bounded by the Caspian Sea and the Republic of Azerbaijan on the north, is one of the most picturesque places to visit in Iran.

Police confiscate 254 ancient objects in southern Iran

TEHRAN – Iranian police have seized 254 historical relics from smugglers in the southern Fars province.

Bagh-e Narenjestan: an element of ‘surprise’ while in city of poets and nightingales

TEHRAN – Named after the bitter oranges (called “Narenj” in Persian) that line the courtyard, Bagh-e Narenjestan is one of the most admired destinations in Shiraz.

40 prehistoric, ancient relics restored to closest original states

TEHRAN – A total of 40 Iranian relics, which date from the prehistorical times to the Islamic era, have recently been restored to their closest original states.

Iran suspends flights to and from France

TEHRAN –All flights to and from France have been suspended due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, the spokesman of Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization (CAO) has announced.

From mazy bazaars to nomadic lands: Visit Iran in a slow, no-tech fashion

TEHRAN – Hiking along the southern coasts of the Caspian Sea, discovering secret side streets in a tiny Iranian village, walking through labyrinthine bazaars, or roaming down a rain forest path to rural cottages are some of the most memorable experiences can happen only on foot.

Relic attributed to Neo-Assyrian king discovered in western Iran

TEHRAN – Iranian archaeologists have discovered a portion of a royal memorial inscription, which is attributed to a Neo-Assyrian king, in western Iran.

Archaeological museum to open near mighty Bam citadel

TEHRAN – An archaeological museum is to be established near the adobe Bam citadel, which is a mighty UNESCO-registered site in southeast Iran.

Sarab-e Qandil: a puzzling Sassanid bas-relief in southern Iran

TEHRAN - Sarab-e Qandil (literary meaning “Ice-cold Spring”), is one of many reliefs in southern Iran, which may still bear untold stories. Its isolation from frequented roads might explain its excellent state of conservation: it was not accessible for vandals.

Rock-hewn tomb, bas-relief carvings to undergo restoration in western Iran

TEHRAN – Restoration work is set to commence on a historical rock-hewn tomb and several associated bas-relief carvings, which are situated in Sarpol-e Zahab, western Iran.

Historical clock starts ticking once again in downtown Tehran

TEHRAN – On Monday, a tower-mounted clock, which Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom presented to Naser al-Din Shah in the 19th century, started working once again in downtown Tehran.

Iran to resume UK flights as of May 6

TEHRAN – Iran’s flag carrier IranAir is set to resume flights to and from the United Kingdom as of May 6 after months of suspension imposed to curb the spread of a novel coronavirus variant into the Islamic Republic.

First boutique hotel to make debut in Sistan-Baluchestan

TEHRAN – The first boutique hotel in Sistan-Baluchestan will be officially inaugurated within the next few days. The southeastern Iranian province is home to various lesser-known cultural sites and raw beauties.

Iran, Armenia unveil Saint Thaddeus Church postage stamp

TEHRAN – Iran and Armenia on Sunday unveiled a commemorative stamp of Saint Thaddeus Church on the sidelines of a joint online philatelic exhibition.

Iranian Tour Operators Association pursues tourist visas resumption

TEHRAN – Iranian Tour Operators Association is formulating a proposal for the resumption of tourist visas after months of suspension amid strict government measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Glimpses of traditional skills of carpet weaving in Fars

TEHRAN – Admired for their intricate designs, lavish colors, and peerless craftsmanship, Persian carpets have not only found their way into households, but also onto workplaces and art galleries to name a few.

80 historical objects confiscated from smuggler in western Iran

TEHRAN – Iranian authorities have confiscated a batch of 80 historical objects from a smuggler in western Iran, a senior police official in charge of protecting cultural heritage said on Sunday, ISNA reported.

Museum of traditional sweets set to open in Yazd

TEHRAN – A museum dedicated to confectionery and traditional sweets is set to be launched in the UNESCO-registered city of Yazd, which is famed for its local foods and edible souvenirs.