Photos are taken by Mani Ghahremani, Ehsan Niroumand & Annukka Sakkinen
What are the best things to do in Tehran?
If Iran is still on your bucket list, may this short blog inspire you to plan and organize your enchanting trip. In this post, we make suggestions for the best things to do in Tehran on your first days.
Firstly, we highly recommend you join two free walking tours run by Persian Walk: Old Tehran and 20th Century Tehran. We tell you about Iran and Tehran’s long history and the practical information you need to know for your journey: the currency knowledge of two different currencies and the concept of Taarof. Based on your interest in nature, history & culture, food, and modernity, you can spend your time in Tehran in four categories.
1- Nature
Skiing, hiking, and mountain climbing
Skiing is one of the best things to do in Tehran from November to March. You can ski in Dizin Ski Resort (the biggest ski resort in the Middle East), Shemshak Ski Resort & Complex, and Tochal Telecabin at a very reasonable price. The area around Tochal Telecabin is called Bame Tehran and it is an excellent place to walk at night to have a panoramic view of Tehran. However, you can also hike or climb the mountains there and enjoy a pleasant vibe and fresh air. High-quality restaurants and hotels are ready to host you. You can email us to have reasonable offers based on your request, either skiing or hiking.
- Parks, Tabiat Bridge, National Botanical Garden of Iran, and Chitgar Lake
Tehran has many parks, some of which have prominent attractions. Ab-o-Atash Park & Taleghani Forest Park are connected via the Tabiat Bridge. It is a beautiful modern bridge with many cafes and restaurants inside and around it.
The National Botanical Garden of Iran is another vast, spectacular place with different gardens, the diverse nature of Iran, Asia, America, Europe, etc., and the insect museum.
Chitgar Lake is the biggest lake in Tehran that has an excellent nightlife. You can also find an amusement park, restaurants, cafes, the Bam Land shopping mall, or rent a boat for some boating or fishing. Persian Walk runs the Super Modern Tehran Tour there and shows you another part of the Iranian lifestyle.
2- History & Culture
- Museums, Bazaars & Galleries
Tehran has many galleries, bazaars, and over 60 museums and palaces. National Museum of Iran, The Treasury of National Jewels, Golestan Palace, Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art (The most extraordinary collection of modern European and American paintings outside of North America and Europe), Malek National Library and Museum, Niavaran Palace Complex, Saadabad Historical Complex, Azadi Tower, and Glassware and Ceramic Museum of Iran (Abgineh Museum) are the top favorite things to do in Tehran. Please keep in mind that the information is not described well in English, and there is no Audio or personal guide in all museums.
Consequently, in The Museum Tour which is provided by Persian Walk, we provide you, professional guides for any museums you are interested in. Please write to us about your needs; we are at your service.
- The only embassy museum in the World
When the name of Iran-US is mentioned in the Western media, the image of horror is the stereotype. Let’s avoid the imposed stereotype and listen to the other side of the conflict. By joining The Revolution on Train Tour, our storytellers disclose essential information regarding the Islamic revolution, hostage crisis, and Iran-Iraq war and reveal the daily life under international sanctions, which is missing in Western media. So far, this tour is one of the favorite things to do in Tehran for travelers in our start-up.
- Zurkhaneh
The ancient sport of Iranians in ancient gymnasiums originates in Mithraism and the most profound times in Iran’s long history. Nowadays, many of them are still active, and the athletes exercise there with exceptional music. Persian Walk runs the Zurkhaneh Tour.
3- Food Exploring
- Bab Homayoun Street food
The pleasure of eating and also exploring new tastes, new dishes, and new fruit is one of the best parts of travel. wandering Bab Homayoun Street, especially after sunset, is highly recommended to touch local street food’s vibes (you can walk through the street on 20th Century Tehran free tour).
- Tajrish
Also, do not miss this opportunity to discover the food and fruit market and check out the hidden corner in the north of Tehran by locals in the Once Upon a Time in Tajrish Tour by Persian Walk.
- Darband
Moreover, hiking in the Darband area and eating Kebab in open restaurants are must-dos in your spare time in Tehran. You can reach there from Tajrish easily.
- Historical houses and cafes
Tehran’s nightlife can be experienced through having dinner at cafes and restaurants that are located in restored houses from the Qajar and Pahlavi Dynasties. In this way, you get the opportunity to imagine yourself stepping back into the past and dining with our ancestors. Persian Walk runs a Tehran Nightlife tour for you. Please send your request online or via email, and we’ll provide you with the best!
4- Modernity:
Tehran also has a very modern face. In Tehran, you can easily find modern malls, skyscrapers, cars & hobbies on different corners of Tehran.
- Milad Tower is a multi-purpose tower in Tehran. It’s the highest tower in Tehran and Iran and the fourth tallest telecommunication tower in the world. You can have a panoramic view of Tehran and enjoy a nice meal in a modern structure.
- Iran Mall is one of the enchanting places in Tehran which is not known well by travellers. The biggest mall in Iran and one of the vastest in the world, where you can find many Iranian brands in clothes (maybe it is interesting for you to know that Iranian brands bloomed after sanctions imposed by Trump, it’s one of our biggest pride). Also, there are many cafes, restaurants, and several lovely places to spend your time there and see Tehran’s nightlife. Playing ice hockey & bowling, and visiting the giant magic library can be a distinct experience you could never have thought about you may touch it in Tehran.
Persian Walk runs the Super Modern Tehran Tour and shows you another part of the Iranian lifestyle.
Our team is at your service based on your wishes, either free walking tours or even a Personalized Tour. Quickly write us an email, and we’ll help you as far as we can.
Azadi Tower- Persian Walk’s Personalized Tour
We also recommend you to read the article Why spending longer than a day in Tehran is worth your while to know more things to do in Tehran.
See you soon.
Persian Walk Team
