Shiraz, Iran: travel guide
Poets, rose gardens and the road to ancient Persepolis
City of poets and gardens, and the gateway to the Persepolis UNESCO World Heritage site.
About Shiraz
Shiraz is a southern Iranian city long associated with poetry, wine-making legend and gardens. It has a gentler, more leisurely feel than the capital, and it is the usual base for visiting the ancient ruins nearby.
In the city, the tombs of the poets Hafez and Saadi draw visitors and locals alike, and the Vakil Bazaar and the pink-tiled Nasir al-Mulk mosque, known for its stained glass, are favourites. Gardens such as Eram show off the Persian love of water and trees. A short drive away lie Persepolis and the royal tombs at Naqsh-e Rustam, which make a rewarding day trip.
Shiraz suits history and poetry lovers. Spring, when the gardens bloom, and autumn are the best seasons to visit.
- Country
- Iran
- Currency
- IRR
- Time zone
- Asia/Tehran
- Nearest airport
- SYZ
Last updated
Top places to visit in Shiraz
Eram Garden
UNESCO Persian garden · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A historic Persian garden (part of the UNESCO "Persian Garden" listing) with a Qajar-era pavilion and botanical collection.
Bagh-e Jahannama
Historic garden ruins · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Remains of a once-famous Persian garden dating back centuries, mentioned by classical Persian poets.
Ali ibn Hamzeh Holy Shrine
Mirror-mosaic Shia shrine · 4.6 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A Shia shrine with an elaborately mirrored interior, dedicated to a relative of Shah Cheragh.
Persepolis
UNESCO Achaemenid ceremonial capital ruins · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
UNESCO World Heritage ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire, roughly 60 km / 1 hour northeast of Shiraz by road; best visited as a half/full-day trip with a hired car, taxi or tour.
Necropolis of Naqsh-e Rustam
Achaemenid rock-cut royal tombs · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Rock-cut tombs of Achaemenid kings a few kilometers from Persepolis, usually combined into the same day trip.
Nasir al-Mulk Mosque (Pink Mosque)
Qajar mosque famed for stained glass · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A late-19th-century Qajar mosque famous for the kaleidoscopic light cast by its stained-glass windows onto the carpets, best seen shortly after sunrise.
Tomb of Hafez (Hafezieh)
Memorial garden and tomb of the poet Hafez · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A pavilion and memorial garden housing the tomb of the beloved 14th-century Persian poet Hafez.
Vakil Bazaar
18th-century Zand-era bazaar · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
An 18th-century covered bazaar built during the Zand dynasty, adjoining the Vakil Mosque and citadel.
Karim Khan Citadel (Arg-e Karim Khani)
Zand-era fortress · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
An 18th-century brick fortress built as the residence of Karim Khan Zand, founder of the Zand dynasty.
Vakil Bathhouse (Hammam-e Vakil)
Restored Zand-era bathhouse museum · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A restored traditional bathhouse from the Zand era, now displaying wax figures depicting historic bathing customs.
Shah Cheragh Shrine
Mirrored-interior Shia shrine · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A major Shia pilgrimage shrine known for its mirror-mosaic interior, housing the tombs of two brothers of Imam Reza.
Quran Gate (Darvazeh Quran)
Historic city gateway · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
A historic gateway at the northeastern entrance to Shiraz, traditionally holding a Quran manuscript for travelers' blessing.
Things to do
- Persepolis & Naqsh-e Rustam Full-Day Guided Tour Cultural · 8 h · from USD 45 per person
- Nasir al-Mulk Mosque Sunrise Visit Cultural · 1 h · from USD 10 per person
- Shiraz Poetry Evening at Hafez Tomb Cultural · 1.5 h · from USD 10 per person
- Vakil Bazaar Guided Shopping Tour Cultural · 2 h · from USD 15 per person
- Persian Cooking Class, Shiraz Food · 3 h · from USD 35 per person
- Qashqai Nomad Village Day Trip Cultural · 8 h · from USD 55 per person
- Traditional Teahouse Experience, Shiraz Food · 1.5 h · from USD 15 per person
- Sunset at Quran Gate & Delgosha Garden Activity · 1.5 h · from USD 10 per person
Where to stay in Shiraz
Hotels
- Homa Hotel Shiraz 5-star
- Chamran Grand Hotel Shiraz 5-star
- Zandiyeh Hotel Shiraz 5-star
Where to eat
- Sharzeh Traditional Restaurant persian, iranian · about IRR 15,000,000 per person
- Haft Khan Restaurant persian, iranian · about IRR 15,000,000 per person
- Shater Abbas Restaurant, Shiraz persian, iranian · about IRR 6,000,000 per person
Getting to Shiraz
Airport: Shiraz (SYZ)
Getting around
- Bus
- Taxi
- Walking