Religious tourism

2025-11-22 17:17

3.5 million religious tourists visited Iran last year

TEHRAN – Tourism Minister Reza Salehi-Amiri has said that 3.5 million religious tourists from Iraq, the Persian Gulf region, Central Asia, and the Caucasus traveled to Iran during the past Persian year (1403), which ended on March 20, 2025.

2025-08-27 17:37

Qeshm-Mashhad direct flights start to boost religious tourism

TEHRAN-- Direct flights to the holy city of Mashhad in Khorasan Razavi province from the Persian Gulf island of Qeshm began this week in a move to the development of religious tourism and economic ties, the director general of Qeshm International Airport has said.

2025-08-26 17:03

Iraq signals readiness to exchange 10 million tourists with Iran

TEHRAN – Iraq’s Minister of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities Ahmed Fakak al-Badrani said on Tuesday that his country welcomes increasing tourist exchanges with Iran to 10 million visitors in a year.

Mashhad welcomes over 4.4 million for major religious gathering

2025-08-23 21:58

Over 4.4 million visit Mashhad for major religious event

TEHRAN - Mashhad, the capital of Iran’s northeastern Khorasan Razavi province and home to the shrine of Imam Reza (A.S.), has hosted more than 4.4 million visitors over a nine-day period that marked one of the largest religious gatherings of the year.

2025-08-16 17:42

Mashhad is to host over 6.5 million pilgrims, governor-general says

TEHRAN – Mashhad, Iran’s holiest city, is expected to host between 6.5 million and 7 million pilgrims during the last ten days of the Islamic lunar month of Safar, the governor-general of Khorasan Razavi province said.

Iran religious tourist destinations go Greek

2024-08-16 17:27

Greek audience gets to know Iran religious sites

TEHRAN - Iran has taken a significant step in promoting its rich heritage to a Greek audience by launching a new section dedicated to religious tourism on the “Iran Culture” website.

2024-07-21 17:54

Kashan to establish specialized museums for Muharram rituals

TEHRAN - Specialized museums dedicated to the intangible heritage of Muharram rituals are set to be established in Kashan, central Iran, according to an official in charge of museums.

2024-07-17 17:48

Muharram rituals in Yazd captivate intl. visitors

TEHRAN – The number of international travelers observing religious rituals in Yazd during the first ten days of Muharram has doubled, according to a local official.

2024-07-13 17:58

Historic Golestan Palace hosts special Muharram events

TEHRAN – Golestan Palace, which is Tehran’s sole World Heritage site, has unveiled an array of cultural and religious programs for Muharram, including a continuation of the Ashura curtain restoration project and staging numerous traditional ceremonies.

2024-07-09 17:53

Yazd welcomes intl. tourists for religious observances

TEHRAN - Yazd is set to welcome international tourists to its renowned Muharram mourning ceremonies through specially organized tours.

2024-06-26 17:57

Mashhad’s air traffic jumps 14%

TEHRAN – Mashhad’s international airport, the second most crowded terminal in Iran, has witnessed a 14% influx in domestic and overseas flights in a month.

Paveh to buttress religious, historical tourism

2024-04-28 16:55

Paveh to buttress religious, cultural tourism

TEHRAN - Paveh, a western Iranian city known for its rich cultural heritage, seeks to lure more travelers with its diverse attractions, particularly in the realms of religious and cultural tourism.

2024-01-15 17:51

Tehran university to host intl. conference on tourism and spirituality

TEHRAN - In a collaborative effort between esteemed scholars and researchers from several Iranian universities, the 4th International Conference on Tourism and Spirituality is scheduled to take place at the University of Science and Culture in Tehran on February 20.

2024-01-05 17:17

Imamzadeh Bibi Hakimeh: a spiritual haven amidst Zagros mountains

TEHRAN - Nestled amidst the rugged beauty of the southern Zagros mountains lies the illustrious Bibi Hakimeh mausoleum, a revered sanctuary deeply entrenched in Shia Islamic heritage.

2023-10-15 17:35

Step back in time: explore the stunning architecture of a 15th-century madrasa

TEHRAN - Constructed in the 15th century, Madrasa Ghiyathiyya was once a center of Islamic learning and scholarship, attracting students from all over the world.

2023-10-07 18:24

Qalishuyan, a UNESCO-designated ancient ritual, observed in central Iran

TEHRAN - On Friday, hundreds of the locals performed one of their religious routines; Qalishuyan.

2023-09-02 18:34

Arbaeen pilgrimage: number of Iranians visiting Karbala up 12% y/y

TEHRAN—The number of Iranian pilgrims visiting Iraq’s Karbala has soared 12 percent over the past few days compared to the same period last year.

2023-08-28 18:13

Arbaeen trek opens new opportunities for Kermanshah tourism, minister says

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism minister Ezzatollah Zarghami has said the long Arbaeen trek should be embraced as a new opportunity for Kermanshah province

2023-08-27 18:19

Mashhad: unforgettable adventures await in northeast Iran

TEHRAN - If you are a traveler seeking a destination that smoothly blends religious, cultural heritage, and natural beauty, Mashhad may be a great choice.

2023-08-16 21:00

Qom Tazieh performances honor legacy of third Shia Imam

TEHRAN—Every evening during the lunar month of Muharram, local communities in Qom organize Tazieh theatrical performances to cherish the memory of the Imam Hussain (AS) through that UNESCO-registered cultural heritage.

2023-07-24 19:11

Iran saw 1.4 million tourists from mid-March to mid-June

TEHRAN – Iran saw some 1.4 million tourist arrivals during the first three months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21 - June 21), which shows 43 percent growth year on year.

2023-07-23 18:43

Foreign travelers in Yazd attend Muharram mourning rituals

TEHRAN – This year, like years before, some foreign travelers in Yazd attend Muharram mourning rituals, in which the locals commemorate the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS) and his loyal companions, slain in 680 CE at Karbala in modern-day Iraq.

2023-07-21 17:56

Home eulogies observing Imam Hussein’s martyrdom gains national status

TEHRAN – Mourning eulogies that Iranian people perform at their homes to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS) and his loyal companions have collectively been registered on the national list of intangible cultural heritage.

2023-07-17 18:49

Tasht-Gozari: a solemn commemoration of sacrifice

TEHRAN – Every year during the lunar month of Muharram, the Iranian people and millions of other Shia Muslims across the globe gather at shrines and mosques to express their grief and reverence for the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS) and his loyal companions.

Christian worshippers observe Badarak ritual in St. Thaddeus

2023-07-15 21:00

Total:37