Tehran

City Information

Explore city history, fast facts, climate and practical visitor information for Tehran.

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City Information

When to go

City Information

Fast Facts

-Location:: Tehran city is located in the central north part of Iran, and is the administrative capital of the Tehran municipal district. It is separated from the Caspian Sea by the Alborz mountain range.; -Dialing code: country: +98: : city: 021 followed by an five to eight-digit subscriber number. Mobile phone numbers begin with a three-digit code 91x or 93x. -Emergency numbers; Police:: 110

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Currency and Exchange Rates

The Iranian Rial (IR) is the currency in Iran

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Public Holidays

Iran has a slew of public holidays, some according to the Persian, some lunar and others according to the Gregorian calendar. Islamic New year, Prophet’s birthday, Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, Arbaeen, Tassoura and Ashoura are all dependent on the Persian and lunar calendars and are changeable every year. The Victory of Islamic revolution (11th Feb), Martyrdom of imam Reza (15th Feb), The Martyrdom of Imam Ali (31st Aug), the Martyrdom of Imam Jafar Sadegh (4th Oct) and Oil Nationalisation Day (20th March) are based on the Gregorian calendar.

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Annual Temperature

Month High Low January 5°C -1°C

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Tehran Residents

The people of Tehran are very friendly with tourists and the city has a fairly young population. Most residents are Persian and speak Farsi. There are many Armenians, Jews, Assyrians and Kurds. Some descendants of Punjabi traders, Iraqi and Lebanese Arabs and Afghans make up the remaining minorities. Most are Shi’ite Muslims. Some followers of Sunni Islam, Christianity, Judaism and Zoroastrianism are also found. A fairly high degree of religious freedom and tolerance is practiced in Tehran.

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Visa Information

Obtaining visas to enter Iran is relatively easy. Passport holders from Europe and the Gulf countries can get a 15-day extendable visa at Tehran airport. Other nationalities, including UAE citizens, can apply for a visa at the Iranian consulate in the country of residence. Your passport (valid for atleast 6 months from the current date), 1 passport photograph, visa fees and a ‘no objection’ letter from the parents (if the applicant is below 18 years of age), are required to be taken to the embassy, where the applicant is usually interviewed and an application form is required to be filled. Entry into Iran is denied if any evidence of visiting Israel is visible on the passport. Visa extensions of up to two weeks will generally be granted without too many problems, if the visa offices are visited early and all documentation is available.

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Tehran today

The city of Tehran is not described as ‘pleasant’ by most but a few days getting to know the place will allow you to unearth unexpected treasures. It is clearly divided into the affluent north and the gritty south. Both parts of the city have experiences to offer the keen tourist. Southern Tehran with its maze-like roads and many impressive squares has many traditional and unique restaurants, teahouses and places to stay as well as interesting museums. The vast sprawl and pollution may be undesirable however. The northern suburbs boast more luxurious housing, parks and galleries and very friendly locals who aren’t as busy as those in the south. There are a few architectural sites to see in Tehran but not as many as some other cities in Iran. The city is alive in the daytime with crowds gathering in every eatery and public spot. Not much nightlife is seen and the city is ‘closed’ after midnight.

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Tehran History

‘Tehran’ in the local Farsi language means ‘at the foot of the slope’ which is obviously a description of the city’s location at the foot of the majestic Alborz mountains. It has been the capital of Iran for 200 years, making one of the oldest and most populous capital cities in Asia. According to geographical writings from the 10th century AD, Tehran was a small village where the people from the neighbouring town of ‘Rey’ fled to in order to avoid capture by the Mongols. The town grew steadily from then on. In the Safavid dynasty, Shah Tahmasb built up the city as an administrative center with walls, gates and large buildings.

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