City Information

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 Site.

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.

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

January low temperature: -4 °C high temperature: 8 °C precipitation: 15 mm

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.

-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

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.

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.

The best way to spend a day in Isfahan is to head to Meydan Shah. This is a large open square in the centre of Isfahan. Here you can see many landmarks and get to know the people, culture, tastes and art, as well as bargain over prices. You will find a rich mixture of all these things to help you explore Isfahan. You can explore the chahar iwan in the Shah Mosque and see the magnificent dome and the blue and gold glazed tiles on the dome of the Lotfollah Mosque. Do not miss the splendid Ali Qapu Palace, which has retained its glory for a long time. You can also enjoy wonderful panoramic views from the incredibly high talar. Spend the afternoon wandering through Bazar Bozorg to pick up a souvenir or stroll along the way, and watch skilled craftspeople engraving precious metals and wooden objects. In the evening, return to the central square for a cup of local tea. You can watch the fiery orange sky at sunset; after sunset, small lamps light up along the alleys. The scene is truly magical. Bring your camera to take wonderful photographs! Another option for the day, if architecture interests you less and you prefer scenery as a form of recreational sightseeing, is to head to Chahar Bagh Palace. It is a complex very close to Meydan Shah, and the palace features wonderful architectural designs. It houses a small museum, and there is a garden with beautiful scenery around the buildings surrounding the palace. Then head to Chehel Sotoun, a royal palace with 20 columns at the entrance, or Hasht Behesht, another guesthouse with a symmetrical architectural design. It has green spaces that are a haven for amateur photographers. If families or tourists feel tired and want to beat the heat and escape the crowds, they can head to Meydan Shah for dinner and another cup of tea! On the way there, you can stroll along Chahar Bagh Street. If you have more time, head to the three museums along Ostandari Road. Among them is the Natural History Museum, which is not for the faint-hearted, although many tour groups prefer to visit it. Do not let your visit to the museum spoil your peaceful day! If you would like a wonderful evening in Isfahan, there is no better way to relive your memories than to head to Pol Khaju. You can have wonderful tea there and chat with the locals. As you sit, you will feel the rise and fall of the stones on the water, enjoy the sound of flowing water and the orange lamps reflected in it. It is a magical outing that will leave you relaxed and content before returning home.

A visa is required for people of any nationality wishing to enter Iran for any purpose.