Iran is a perfect destination to travel to, Dutch filmmaker says

TEHRAN – “Whenever Iran is in the news, it is about something negative. That made me skeptical — can a country be as bad as the media depicts it? I wanted to investigate for myself if Iran is open to foreigners and if it is a safe place to visit, and also share my travel experiences with the world,” Reinier van Oorsouw, a Dutch photographer and filmmaker has said.

Apadana Staircase leads you to mythical arts of Persia

TEHRAN – Apadana Staircase is one of the most striking sections of the UNESCO-registered Persepolis, southern Iran.

Millennia-old coins recovered in northern Iran

TEHRAN – Iranian police have recently confiscated some 1,000 coins, reportedly dating back to three thousand years ago, from two antique smugglers in Miandorud, northern Mazandaran province.

Over 43,000 people tour UNESCO-tagged ensemble of Sasanian cities in H1

TEHRAN – Some 43,650 travelers toured the UNESCO-registered Sasanian-era (224–651) Archaeological Landscape of Fars Region in southern Iran during the first half of the current Iranian calendar year (started March 21).

Exhibit, meeting to put spotlight on Tehran exquisite carpets

TEHRAN – The Carpet Museum of Iran is scheduled to host an exhibit and a special meeting on exquisite rugs and carpets that have been handwoven in Tehran.

How much does it cost to visit Iran as world’s 1st pocket-friendly destination

TEHRAN – Earlier in September the World Economic Forum (WEF) ranked Iran first in the world as a pocket-friendly destination.

Remnants of centuries-old structure found in northwest Iran

TEHRAN – Archaeologists have recently unearthed a vast centuries-old structure during excavation in Rab’-e Rashidi, a 14th-century educational complex in East Azarbaijan province, northwest Iran.

Iran is an amazing and wonderful country for tourists, envoy says

TEHRAN – Iran is an amazing and wonderful country for tourists and [Some] ninety percent of Spanish cultural tourists are willing to visit the country at least for once, Madrid’s ambassador to Tehran has said.

Ancient monument discovered in southwest of Tehran

TEHRAN – Archaeologists have unearthed some remains of an ancient monument in Mehrdasht village, which is situated in Malard county, southwest of Tehran.

UNESCO-invitees tour attractions in Hamedan

TEHRAN – Participants to a UNESCO meeting, which was held in Hamedan, paid visits to several tourist attractions in the ancient Iranian city.

Iran’s 5-month foreign tourist arrivals surge 30 percent

TEHRAN - The number of foreign visitors arriving in Iran surged 30 percent during the first five months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21 – August 22), compared with the same period last year, deputy tourism minister has said.

Exhibition on peace along the Silk Roads opens in Hamedan 

TEHRAN – A cultural exhibition, revolving around peace and friendship along the famed Silk Roads, opened to the public in the city of Hamedan on Monday. 

Ancient Iran: a glimpse of Persian art and architecture under Sassanids

TEHRAN – The Sassanid era (224 CE–651) is of very high importance in the history of Iran. Under Sassanids, Persian art and architecture experienced a general renaissance.

Iran and its enormous potential for religious tourism

TEHRAN – Iran is growing into a major destination for religious tourism despite U.S. sanctions on its economy, some experts say. 

Sapienza University to document historical sites in western Iran

TEHRAN – A team of experts from Sapienza University of Rome is slated to document some historical sites that are scattered across Kermanshah province, western Iran.

New round of restoration starts on 14th-century educational complex

TEHRAN – The third round of restoration work has recently commenced on Rab’-e Rashidi, a 14th-century educational complex in East Azarbaijan province, northwest Iran.

Millennia-old bas-relief found in western Iran

TEHRAN – A bas-relief, estimated to date from over 3,000 years ago, has recently been discovered in Kermanshah province, western Iran.

Iranian caravansaries being assessed for collective UNESCO tag

TEHRAN – Iran is developing a dossier for a select of its historical caravansaries for a possible inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Two camp parks inaugurated in Qeshm Island

TEHRAN – On Wednesday, two coastal camp parks were opened to the public in Qeshm Island in the Persian Gulf.

By Afshin Majlesi

It’s time to rid Iran’s millennium-old brick tower of weeds

TEHRAN – It’s quite natural that weeds spread almost everywhere in a mild and humid climate; they grow, whether we like it or not!

 By Afshin Majlesi

Traveler recommends potential tourists to visit Iran before a “big influx”

Many tourism associates believe that Iran is still somewhat of a lesser-known destination for many avid globetrotters, saying the country, despite having enormous potentials, has a long way to go to occupy a dominant position in world tourism market.

Explore “Everest of all caves” in western Iran   

TEHRAN – Photos show rock climbers rappelling through Iran’s Parau Cave, locally renowned as “Everest of all caves”.

No more ban on foreign travelers riding big motorcycles

TEHRAN - Foreign travelers with motorcycle above 250cc are now allowed to enter and ride in Iran, deputy tourism chief has said.

Silk Road a suitable opportunity to introduce ancient Iran

TEHRAN – The possible inscription of the ancient Silk Road on the UNESCO World Heritage list will open up a suitable opportunity for Iran to present its cultural, literary, historical and scientific achievements to the world, the secretary general of the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO has said.

Archaeologists shed light on early settlement eras of Iran’s Manujan

TEHRAN – A team of Iranian archaeologists has found ancient relics and evidence that could shed new light on early settlement eras of Manujan county in southeastern Kerman province.

By Afshin Majlesi

The ancient art of making ships in southern Iran

TEHRAN – Maritime trade, shipping and shipbuilding have long been practiced in Iran. There have been many small or big shipyards across the northern coasts of the Persian Gulf.

Yazd festival offering local Iranian dishes

TEHRAN – A wide variety of dishes, indigenous to many corners of Iran, are being offered to visitors under one roof in the city of Yazd, central Iran.

UNESCO-tagged Bisotun hosting workshop for tour guides

TEHRAN – Iran’s UNESCO-tagged Bisotun is hosting a 5-day professional workshop for tourist guides as the country is trying its best to draw more sightseers.

By Afshin Majlesi, Mehdi Sepahvand

Belgian globetrotters share us their new perception of Iran

TEHRAN – Last Monday, a Belgian couple, who are on an overland journey to China, paid a visit to The Tehran Times, where they let us share their views, experiences and feelings about Iran in a cozy chat with the daily.

China’s Song Tao visits National Museum of Iran

TEHRAN – Song Tao, the head of the International Liaison Department of the Communist Party of China, toured the National Museum of Iran on Tuesday.