By Afshin Majlesi

Sarakhieh, Iran’s little Venice

At first, it is hard to believe such a place exists in Iran. But deep inside the vast Shadegan wetland in Khuzestan province, there is a village where water is the main road and boats replace cars. This village is Sarakhieh, often called Iran’s “Little Venice.”

23,000 foreign tourists visited Fars during March-September 2025

TEHRAN—Over 23,000 foreign tourists visited Fars province during the first half of current Iranian year (March-September 2025).

Silversmithing, a potential beyond domestic market in tourism industry

TEHRAN--Silversmithing has a high potential for introduction not only in the domestic market, but also in the tourism industry, so that this art can be introduced to the pilgrims and travelers and, along with it, it can be presented as a capital good that is currently well received.

Turkish consul visits historical and tourism sites in Neyshabur

TEHRAN - Turkey’s consul general in Mashhad, Murad Erkul, has visited some historical and tourism sites in Neyshabur on an informal family trip, local cultural heritage officials said.

17 foreign tour groups visit Fatima Masumeh Shrine in Qom

TEHRAN - Seventeen foreign tour groups from nine countries have paid visits to the Fatima Masumeh Shrine in the city of Qom over the past week, the shrine’s international affairs office said.

Extension of Isfahan subway project awaits UNESCO approval

TEHRAN—The extension of Isfahan’s Metro Line 2 near the city’s UNESCO-listed Jameh Mosque, also known as the Atiq Mosque, is under review at national and international levels and will proceed only after approval from UNESCO, officials said.

Third excavation season of Vigol Fire Temple starts

TEHRAN--The third excavation season of Vigol Fire Temple in Aran and Bidgol county, Isfahan province, has begun with the allocation of national funds, announced Mohammad Javad Abdoli, head of the county’s Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department.

Ardakan MP: Karbafi, a deep-rooted link between livelihood, culture, life of people

TEHRAN—Karbafi, a traditional Iranian weaving art, is not just an art or industry. It is a deep-rooted link between the livelihood, culture and life of the people of Ardakan, Yazd province.

Mend pottery, narrative of 5,000 years of art, culture, life in desert

TEHRAN--Pottery artifacts from the village of Mend with geometric and plant motifs, discovered in excavations conducted around Gonabad, indicate the advanced civilization of people of this region about 5,000 years ago.

Prehistoric discoveries at Falak-ol-Aflak castle strengthen UNESCO bid

KHORRAMABAD – A major archaeological campaign at the historic mound of Falak-ol-Aflak castle has uncovered important evidence that rewrites the site's history, significantly strengthening Iran's proposal for its expansion on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

By Afshin Majlesi

Shushtar residents call for UNESCO listing of historical urban fabric

SHUSHTAR (Khuzestan province) - Residents of the historic city of Shushtar in Iran’s southwestern Khuzestan province have launched a public campaign calling for the inscription of the city’s historical urban fabric on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, citing its cultural, architectural and living heritage value.

Restoration of Amin Lashkar house in Oudlajan neighborhood begins

TEHRAN--Restoration and strengthening of the historical house of Amin Lashkar, a middle-ranking Iranian official under Qajar king Naser al-Din Shah, has begun in cooperation with Tehran Municipality Cultural Spaces Development Company and under the supervision of Tehran Cultural Heritage Department.

Khor and Biabanak could emerge as desert tourism hub

TEHRAN--The Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts has launched a targeted approach to strengthen the desert tourism, support the Sassanid heritage, and improve the residential and service infrastructure of Khor and Biabanak county in Isfahan province. The balanced development of desert tourism will be one of the future drivers of Iran's cultural economy.

Kaleybar handicrafts, a legacy that still exists

TEHRAN--Kaleybar handicrafts and souvenirs are living narratives of Arasbaran culture; a narrative that still exists but needs attention.

Folk artist known as ‘Father Geppetto of Iran’ dies at 68

TEHRAN - Iranian folk artist Osman Rahmanzadeh, widely known as the “Father Geppetto of Iran” for his wooden figurines depicting Kurdish life, died on Friday after a period of lung illness.

Archaeological evidence indicates 10th-century Persian settlement in Madagascar

TEHRAN - The mysterious archaeological site of Teniky, hidden within the remote rainforests and canyons of Madagascar's Isalo National Park, has long puzzled scientists with its unique rock-cut niches and stone walls.

Armenian community, genuine part of Iranian nation

TEHRAN--The Armenian community of Iran is not a minority, but a genuine and deep-rooted part of the Iranian nation, Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Reza Salehi-Amiri said during his visit to the Saint Sarkis Cathedral in Tehran on Tuesday,

Farming in Persepolis buffer zone limited to protect ancient site, official says

TEHRAN - Iran has imposed strict limits on agricultural activity within the primary buffer zone of Persepolis, the head of the UNESCO-listed site said, as authorities seek to protect the ancient complex from potential damage.

Restoration and protection of historical sites planned on Qeshm Island

TEHRAN--Following field and expert visits after the monsoon rains with the aim of diagnosing the damages of the historical sites and monuments on Qeshm Island, Hormozgan province, a series of serious hazards and damages were identified and restoration measures were planned.

Iran overcomes tourism recession faster than many countries

TEHRAN— Iran has been able to overcome the tourism recession faster than many countries in a few months after the 12-day Israeli war against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Iranian artisans to showcase handicrafts at Muscat Nights

TEHRAN – A group of Iranian artisans will present a wide range of traditional handicrafts and visual arts at Muscat Nights 2026, a month-long cultural festival to be held in the Omani capital from Jan. 1 to Jan. 31, organizers said.

Chabahar airport to resume intl. flights in mid-January

TEHRAN - International flights from Chabahar Airport in southeastern Iran will resume in January, 2026 with services to Muscat, Karachi and Sharjah, the head of the Chabahar Free Trade-Industrial Zone said on Monday.

Sightseeing along ancient spice route added to Iran’s tourism calendar

TEHRAN – Sightseeing tours along sections of the ancient spice route located in Iran have been officially added to the country’s tourism calendar, a move aimed at highlighting Iran’s historical role in regional and global trade networks, a local tourism official said on Sunday.

Cultural Heritage Ministry establishes AI department

TEHRAN – The Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts has established a new department dedicated to artificial intelligence (AI), aiming to integrate emerging technologies into its operations in a gradual, practical and goal-oriented manner.

Ilam province expands handicraft exports to Persian Gulf markets

TEHRAN - Iran’s western province of Ilam has begun exporting its handicrafts to the Persian Gulf littoral countries, marking a new phase in efforts to expand international markets for locally made products, a provincial official said on Sunday.

Tehran to host Nowruz summit with ministers, ambassadors from 18 countries

TEHRAN – Iran is set to host an international Nowruz summit with ministers from 18 countries in Tehran from March 27 to 29, 2026, a senior official from the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts said on Sunday.

Iran to hold international tourism content festival

TEHRAN - Iran will hold the International Tourism Content Festival (ITCF) in February, 2026, aiming to promote the country’s cultural and historical capacities through creative digital storytelling, organizers said.

Preserving Jiroft site vital to Iran’s civilizational identity

TEHRAN – Efforts to safeguard and preserve the archaeological site of Jiroft in Kerman province are essential to protecting Iran’s civilizational identity, said Morteza Nikrou, head of the Kerman Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department.