tripadvisor - Tehran Times

2026-02-06 17:00

Iran tourism has potential to rebound quickly, guides’ head says

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism industry has the capacity to recover quickly if security, stability and policy coordination are strengthened, the head of the Iranian Tourist Guides Association said on Thursday.

Then-director of the Tchogha Zanbil World Heritage site speaks with a Tehran Times correspondent at the UNESCO-listed site on December 25, 2025.

2026-01-18 17:00

By Afshin Majlesi

At Tchogha Zanbil, a living monument to Elamite faith and engineering

On a serene plain in southwestern Iran, the stepped ziggurat of Tchogha Zanbil has stood for more than 3,500 years, making it the best-preserved ziggurat outside Mesopotamia and one of the rare surviving monuments of the Elamite civilization.

2026-01-06 17:12

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.”

2025-12-31 18:15

By Afshin Majlesi

Iran, a paradise for nature lovers

TEHRAN - A land of remarkable natural diversity, Iran boasts a great range of natural diversity. From high mountain peaks and peaceful forests to golden deserts and vibrant wetlands, the country has something unique to offer every nature lover.

A visitor looks at the remains of a double bull-headed capital from the Apadana Palace in Susa, displayed at the Susa Museum in southwestern Iran. (PHOTO: Saeed Fotouhi)

2025-12-28 17:38

By Afshin Majlesi

Susa: Walking through one of the world’s oldest cities

Visiting Susa was like stepping into a living history book. From the moment I arrived in this ancient city in southwest Iran, I felt I was walking through layers of time, each step revealing traces of civilizations that shaped human history.

A view of Alangdarreh Forest Park in Iran’s Golestan province

2025-12-19 17:09

By Afshin Majlesi

Golestan at a glance: forests, ancient monuments and Caspian landscapes

GORGAN - Golestan is one of the least visited provinces in Iran, yet for many travelers who take the time to explore it, the region may quickly become a favorite destination.

2025-12-12 08:40

Persian art of Ayeneh-Kari added to UNESCO intangible heritage list

TEHRAN — Ayeneh-Kari, the art of mirror-work in Persian architecture, was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on Thursday following a decision by the Intergovernmental Committee meeting in New Delhi.

Sa’dabad director outlines major restoration, conservation push at former royal complex in Tehran

2025-12-09 17:07

By Afshin Majlesi

Sa’dabad director outlines major restoration, conservation push at former royal complex in Tehran

TEHRAN – The director of the Sa’dabad Cultural-Historical Complex says the former royal residence in northern Tehran has accelerated restoration and conservation work, completing a long-delayed digital inventory of its holdings while advancing new projects to safeguard thousands of stored objects.

An aerial view of the Jameh mosque of Ardestan located in the north of Isfahan province, central Iran.

2025-11-12 17:23

Iran seeks UNESCO recognition for 17 historic mosques showcasing ‘Persian Mosque’ legacy

TEHRAN – Iran has placed 17 of its most iconic mosques on UNESCO’s Tentative List under the collective title “Persian Mosque,” paving the way for a possible future inscription on the World Heritage List.

2025-10-24 16:58

TACI joins Presiding Board of affiliate members of UNWTO

TEHRAN-- Touring & Automobile Club of the Islamic Republic of Iran (TACI) has been elected as a representative of the South Asia region to the Board of Directors of the United Nations World Tourism Organization for the four-year period from 2026 to 2029 by the members.

Aran and Bidgol emerges as a must-visit desert destination

2025-10-19 18:09

By Afshin Majlesi

Aran and Bidgol emerges as a must-visit desert destination

ARAN AND BIDGOL, Isfahan Province - Nestled just beyond the renowned city of Kashan, Aran and Bidgol county is rapidly emerging as one of Iran’s captivating travel destinations, offering a mesmerizing blend of vast desert landscapes, ancient history, and vibrant local culture.

Rural heritage, global meaning: Iran’s villages as beacons of cultural sustainability

2025-10-18 09:12

By Seyed Reza Salehi Amiri, Minister of Cultural Heritage and Tourism

Rural heritage, global meaning: Iran’s villages as beacons of cultural sustainability

Today, as the UN Tourism Organization inscribed the three Iranian villages of Shafi’ Abad in Kerman, Kandolus in Mazandaran, and Sohaili on Qeshm Island among the Best Tourism Villages of the World 2025, a new chapter opened in the cultural diplomacy of our nation — a chapter in which rural life itself becomes a message to the world.

Rageh Canyon: A natural wonder, photographer’s paradise near Rafsanjan in southern Iran

2025-09-20 10:38

By Afshin Majlesi

Rageh Canyon: A natural wonder, photographer’s paradise near Rafsanjan in southern Iran

RAFSANJAN (Kerman province) - Nestled just 20 kilometers southeast of Rafsanjan in Iran’s Kerman province, Rageh Canyon is one of the country’s most striking natural landscapes.

A view of Shams Tabrizi mausoleum in Khoy, northwest Iran.

2025-09-06 16:42

Iran-Turkey co-op help boost tourism around Shams Tabrizi mausoleum, expert says

TEHRAN - Joint tourism cooperation between Iran and Turkey could increase the number of visitors to the northwestern Iranian city of Khoy, a local tourism expert said on Thursday.

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.

Lost opportunities: The untapped potential of Iran’s tourism industry

2025-08-10 16:57

By Hani Rastegaran

Lost opportunities: The untapped potential of Iran’s tourism industry

Over the past two decades, despite Iran’s significant natural and cultural potential, attracting foreign tourists—especially leisure travelers interested in historical and cultural tourism from Europe and North America—has faced serious obstacles.

Iranian archaeologist Sonia Shidrang speaks during an exclusive interview with the Tehran Times on July 15, 2025.

2025-07-16 19:05

By Afshin Majlesi

Exclusive: The story behind Iran’s first Paleolithic World Heritage site

TEHRAN – In a landmark moment for Iran’s cultural heritage, the Prehistoric Sites of the Khorramabad Valley have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, marking the first time Iran’s Paleolithic heritage has received such recognition.

A view of the UNESCO-listed Monastery of Saint Thaddeus, an ancient Armenian monastery in a mountainous area of West Azarbaijan province, northwest Iran.

2025-06-25 19:54

By Afshin Majlesi

West Azarbaijan: a journey through history, nature, and diversity

URMIA – Tourists arriving in West Azarbaijan province are immediately drawn into a world where every hill and ancient ruin narrates a story of past empires and cultural exchanges.

Local residents of Soheili village sit on the deck of a traditional Lenj boat near the coast of this southern Iranian village, located on Qeshm Island in the Persian Gulf. The swaying mangroves of the Hara Forest can also be seen in the background.

2025-06-06 17:26

By Afshin Majlesi

Soheili village: a model of sustainable tourism in southern Iran

QESHM ISLAND - As a journalist focused on tourism and cultural heritage, my recent journey to Soheili village, located on the sun-kissed Qeshm Island in southern Iran, felt less like a reporting mission and more like uncovering a hidden gem with astonishing potential.

Preserving the past, building the future: Kandelous and the path to sustainable tourism

2025-05-09 17:21

By Afshin Majlesi

Preserving the past, building the future: Kandelous and the path to sustainable tourism

KANDELOUS (Mazandaran province) – Nestled in the heart of Iran’s Alborz mountain range and just 35 kilometers from the Caspian Sea, the ancient village of Kandelous offers an authentic rural escape for those in search of tradition, tranquility, and natural beauty.

Iran celebrates Intl. Day for Monuments and Sites amid rich cultural legacy

2025-04-18 17:18

By Afshin Majlesi

Iran celebrates Intl. Day for Monuments and Sites amid rich cultural legacy

TEHRAN - Each year on April 18, many countries across the globe celebrate the International Day for Monuments and Sites (IDMS) — a date dedicated to recognizing and protecting the cultural treasures that connect us to the past.

Nowruz in Tehran embraces tranquility amidst urban splendor

2025-03-17 17:36

By Afshin Majlesi

Nowruz in Tehran embraces tranquility amidst urban splendor

TEHRAN - As Nowruz approaches, Tehran’s hustle and bustle gives way to serene tranquility, offering visitors a unique perspective on the Iranian capital.

2025-03-08 18:13

Hasht Behesht Palace: a jewel of Safavid architecture

TEHRAN – Nestled in the heart of Isfahan, Hasht Behesht Palace stands as one of the most exquisite remnants of the Safavid era. Known as one of the last royal residences of the Safavid kings, this majestic palace has long been celebrated as one of the most beautiful of that epoch.

2025-03-04 18:15

Qazvin’s Jameh Mosque: a testament to centuries of architectural brilliance

TEHRAN - The Jameh Mosque of Qazvin, also known as the Friday Mosque of Qazvin, stands as one of Iran’s oldest and most historically significant mosques.

International tour operators pose for a photo during their visit to the 17th-century Ali Qapu palace in the UNESCO-registered Naghsh-e Jahan Square, Isfahan, February 20, 2025.

2025-02-25 18:11

By Afshin Majlesi

Tour operators express surprise over the real image of Iran

ISFAHAN - In a striking revelation that counters long-standing negative perceptions, 100 international tour operators from 25 countries recently visited Iran’s ancient city of Isfahan and expressed their astonishment at the reality they encountered.

A view of the Sassanid-era Qal’eh-ye Azhdaha Peykar (“Dragon’s Body Fortress”), situated beside a domed structure that according to narratives was constructed centuries ago in commemoration of Nader Shah Afshar’s mother.

2025-01-04 17:31

By Afshin Majlesi

Lar: a journey through time and culture

Lar is a city where history whispers through its traditional bazaars, centuries-old caravanserais, mosques, ancient ramparts, bizarre-shaped cisterns, and above all, the warm hospitality of its residents. The city’s amalgam of new and old constructions creates a unique rhythm that makes every corner worth discovering.

2024-11-12 17:18

Hasht Behesht: a jewel of Safavid architecture in Isfahan

TEHRAN – Standing tall in the heart of Isfahan, Hasht Behesht (“Eight Paradises”) is a must-see historic mansion and a captivating reminder of Iran’s Safavid era.