Discover Isfahan
Hotels, halal food, prayer spaces, things to do, and itineraries in Isfahan.
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Must-see attractions in Isfahan
From headline landmarks and heritage icons to parks, waterfronts, and major museums, discover 24 standout sights to build into your time in the city.
Known popularly as “Nesf e Jahan” (half of the world), Isfahan has grown, over the years, into a splendid architectural and cultural marvel set amidst a modern day metropolis. The city has seen Zoroastrian, Muslim, Turkic, and Mongolian settlers and rulers, and has adapted to the new ideas, technology, and architecture brought in by each invading nation. It has been plundered, razed, rebuilt, ornamented, and updated as the years have rolled on, and today houses relics from all the nations that set foot within it, either to embrace or disgrace the city. In fact, a large portion of the city has been declared as a permanent UNSECO World Heritage
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Muslim travel planner
Plan a Muslim-friendly trip in Isfahan
Halal restaurants in Isfahan
Isfahan’s food scene is part of the city experience. Choose from 25 restaurants and food districts with location notes and planning tips.
isfahanImam Square Teashop
Address: south side, Naqsh e Jahan Square
isfahanAbbasi Restaurant (European/Middle Eastern)
Address: inside Abbasi Hotel, Shahid Medani Street Timings: 4pm to 11pm
isfahanSadaf Restaurant (Local/International)
Address: located inside Sadaf Hotel, Hafez Street Phone: 220 2988 Timings: open for dinners only
isfahanNaqsh e Jahan (Traditional)
Address: Naqsh e Jahan Square Timings: open daily 7am to 11pm
isfahanShahrazad Restaurant (Traditional)
Address: Abbas Abad Street, near Pars Hotel Phone: 220 4490 Timings: 1130am to 1030pm
isfahanBastani Restaurant (Traditional)
Address: Naqsh e Jahan Square Phone: 220 0374 Timings: 1130am to 430pm, 630pm to 1030pm
Isfahan masjids and Muslim travel
Landmark masjids and prayer-aware notes for visitors planning salah, family movement, and halal-friendly days.
Imam Mosque
Address: south side of the Naqsh e Jahan Square Timings: 8am to 1130am, 1230pm to sunset, closed on Fridays Tickets: IRR 4000
Sheikh Lotfullah Mosque
Address: east side of the Naqsh e Jahan Square. The grandeur of the Imam Mosque, located on the South side of the Naqsh e Jahan Square, is a sight to behold – and yet, the Sheikh Lotfullah Mosque achieves the very same impact with simplicity and an understatement of imposing expression.
Ali Mosque
Address: Haruniyeh, near Dibai House Hote. Another one of the centuries-old mosques dotted around the city, this architectural gem echoes with impressive brickwork masonry reminiscent of the Seljuk period. Layers of brown bricks laid out in graceful geometrical designs might not stand out as prominently as the blue and green tile work of most other mosques, but they present a stunning visual experience nevertheless. The mosque contains a number of large portals, or iwans, that give the interior a rich, spacious ambience. The 48m tall elegant minaret of the mosque, dwarfing the small precinct, can be seen from a good distance – check out the view of the minaret from the courtyard of the Dibai House Hotel if you happen to stay there. It contains splendid bands of Kufic calligraphy, one in brick, and three in glazed blue tiles. A must-visit for culture-craving tourists!
Jameh Mosque
Address: Allameh Majlesi Street, old city center Timings: open daily 8am to 11am, 1pm to 5pm Tickets: IRR 5000
Where to stay in Isfahan
Choose where to stay by trip style, from landmark luxury and family bases to central, airport, and neighborhood-led stays.
isfahanAbbasi Hotel
Originally a 300 years old mehmansarai (guesthouse for travelers) built by the Safavid ruler Shah Hussein as a tribute to his mother, the building of this hotel has been magnificently restored. It has been transformed into a splendidly nostalgic hotel that echoes with legacies of palatial life that are sinking into oblivion in today’s modern, fast-paced world. The hotel is built around a courtyard plan, a typical feature of public building planning by the Safavids. It contains four arcades that surround the central courtyard (a Chahar Bagh arrangement). The garden itself blossoms with colorful varieties of local flora, and contains fountains and stone sculptures that add to an almost magical, fairytale like setting. The very delicate detailing of this courtyard space can be used to compare it to the much larger, much grander Naqsh e Jahan Square in the city center.
isfahanKowsar Hotel
Address: Millat Boulevard, near the Si-o-Seh Bridge, Isfahan Phone: Tel: +98 311 240 2309 Fax: +98 311 249 975 Website: http://www.hotelkowsar.com/en/
isfahanSafir Hotel
Address: Amadegah Street, Chaharbagh e Abbasi Avenue, Isfahan Phone: +98 311 222 2640, +98 311 222 9412, +98 311 221 9931 Fax: +98 311 223 2176 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.safirhotel.net/
isfahanAli Qapu Hotel:
Address: Chahar Bagh Avenue, Isfahan Phone: +98 311 222 7929 Fax: +98 311 221 6049 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.aliqapuhotel.com/enhome.html
isfahanDibai House
Address: 1 Masjed Ali Alley, Harunieh, Isfahan Phone: +98 311 220 9787 Fax: + 98 311 220 9786 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.dibaihouse.com/
History and today in Isfahan
Read the city today, its history, residents, culture, and character before planning your route.
Isfahan Today
Known popularly as “Nesf e Jahan” (half of the world), Isfahan has grown, over the years, into a splendid architectural and cultural marvel set amidst a modern day metropolis.
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Isfahan History
Isfahan is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world – it has witnessed the rise and fall of civilizations that have had the some of the deepest impacts on world history.
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Public Holidays
Religious (subject to appearance of moon): Arbaeen Demise of Prophet Mohammad Martyrdom of Imam Reza Victory of Islamic Revolution Birthday of the Prophet Mohammad Birthday Imam Ali Prophet Mohammad receives his calling Birthday Imam Mahdi Martyrdom Imam Ali Eid-e Fitr Martyrdom Imam Jafar Sadiq Eid-e Ghorban Eid-e Ghadir Khom Islamic New Year Tassoua Ashura
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Annual Temperature
January low temperature: -4 °C high temperature: 8 °C precipitation: 15 mm
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Currency and Exchange Rates
The currency used is the Iranian Riyal (IRR). Banknotes are present in denominations of 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, 20000, 50000, 100000 Riyals.
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Fast Facts
-Location:: Isfahan, Iran -Dialing code: +98 311 X (where +98 is the international code for Iran, 311 is the regional code for Isfahan, and X is the local number) -Emergency numbers; Police:: 110; Ambulance:: 115
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When to go
You can compare the weather in Isfahan to the Mediterranean European states. Isfahan has a mildly hot, dry summer from around May to October, and a cool winter with lots of snow between December and February.
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Isfahan Residents
Isfahan has produced some of the Muslim world’s finest intellectuals – poets, philosophers, religious scholars, academics, architects, polymaths, artists and craftsmen. The city, with its rich cultural legacy, is home to a variety of ethnicities, the intermingling of which creates opportunities for its citizens to indulge in a range of productive activities.
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Shopping in Isfahan
Explore 18 shopping stops, from malls, markets, and book bazaars to fashion streets and souvenir finds.
isfahanMojtame Park Shopping Mall
Address: Chahar Bagh Bela Street Timings: 9am to 8pm
isfahanHonar Gold Bazaar
Address: Chahar Bagh Avenue Timings: 9am to 8pm
isfahanMellat Gold Bazaar
Address: Chahar Bagh Avenue Timings: 9am to 8pm
isfahanKowsar Shopping Mall
Address: Chahar Bagh Bela Street Timings: 9am to 8pm
isfahanAli Qapu Shopping Mall
Address: Chahar Bagh Abbasi Street Timings: 9am to 1pm, 3pm to 9pm
Signature sights in Isfahan
A curated pick of the city's standout sights, led by the strongest editorial recommendations.
Festivals and events in Isfahan
Plan around 7 festival seasons, public events, Ramadan/Eid periods, book fairs, art cycles, and winter food activity.
isfahanJashne Sade
This is an ancient ritual that has its roots in Zoroastrian tradition. A mid-winter get together and banquet is arranged in homes as well as official guesthouses to cherish the gift of Fire. Great bonfires are lit up at open grounds or public squares, and a large number of Zoroastrians as well as people from other religions gather around to witness the roaring and leaping flames.
isfahanChaharshanbe Suri
This is the last day in the Persian calendar, celebrated somewhere around mid-March, just before the festival of Nowruz. It marks the end of the past year’s darkness, and a resolve to welcome new light and new hope into the lives of Persians.
isfahanNowruz
Nowruz marks the first day of spring, and the first day of the Persian calendar. It is celebrated in accordance with ancient Zoroastrian theology.
isfahanSizdah Bezar
This day marks the end of the Nowruz festival, and is celebrated to evade the bad luck that a 13th day brings. Sizdah Bezar aims at appreciating the beauty of nature and the great outdoors to ward off evil presences and ideas.
isfahanRamadan
The holy month of Ramadan is marked with respect and adherence to the fundamental beliefs of Islam, and there is a general air of non-indulgence and goodwill around the city. Eateries all around Isfahan are closed from early morning till sunset, as eating and drinking is forbidden during the daytime – a month of fasting and refraining from all evil acts and thoughts to attain salvation.
Isfahan tours and experiences
Heritage walks, food crawls, coastal trips, museum circuits, family days, and guided ideas for an easier day out.
isfahanAzade Kazimi
Phone: 0913 327 9626 Email: [email protected]
isfahanMaryam Shafiei
Phone: 0913 326 6127 Email: [email protected]
isfahanLocal guides
Address: Imam Square
Isfahan Safar Tour & Travel Agency
Address: opposite the Eastern Gate of the University, Hezar Jarib Avenue
Isfahan Tourist Guides Association
Address: City Centre Imam Square Phone: 0311 221 3840 Fax: 0311 221 6831
The Irhal city file
Isfahan travel guide sections
Focused sections for articles, directories, maps, and trip planning.
