Iran Tours & Holidays

Small Group Tours & Tailor-Made Holidays

Overview

Everywhere you look in Iran, there are reminders of the rich history and vibrant traditions of the Persian Empire, from the remains of King Darius’ palace at Persepolis to the Zoroastrian ‘Towers of Silence’ in Yazd. Our Iran tours and holidays highlight some of the finest ancient architecture found anywhere in the world. Isfahan was described as “half the world” and with its stunning mosques, bridges and squares it’s not difficult to see why. Other architectural ...

Read More

Meet the Expert

Speak to a specialist to start planning your trip to Iran

Start your journey

Group tours

Travel to Iran with like-minded people on one of our small group tours (usually max size 12), featuring knowledgeable local guides and an expert tour leader.

HIGHLIGHTS OF IRAN

BEST EXPERIENCES

Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art

Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art

Tehran is home to paintings by the likes of Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet, Degas and Kandinsky. After the 1979 Islamic revolution many of its priceless paintings were hidden in the museum’s vault and only recently put back on display.

Visit the Royal Square of Isfahan

Visit the Royal Square of Isfahan

The city is a masterpiece of Islamic architecture, considered to be the most beautiful in Iran. Visit Imam Square, the huge central square of Isfahan, surrounded on three sides by two exquisite mosques (Imam and Shaikh Lutfallah) and the Ali Qapu Palace.

Explore the Old Town of Yazd

Explore the Old Town of Yazd

Easily one of the most architecturally striking and atmospheric cites of Iran, wandering through the labyrinthine alleyways of the Old Town is one of the best things to do. Get lost in the myriad gardens, bazaars and timeless buildings.

Visit Nasir al-Mulk Mosque

Visit Nasir al-Mulk Mosque

Visit the stunning but intimate Nasir al-Mulk Mosque between 9.30am - 11am and watch the beautifully stained glass wash the prayer room in a kaleidoscope of colours.

Wander through Eram Gardens

Wander through Eram Gardens

Shiraz's famous gardens were introduced at the time of the first Persian Empire and became the model for gardens throughout the Muslim world. Take a wander through the Eram Gardens and listen to some poetry at the tomb of Hafez, the Persian Mystic poet.

Dine with the locals in Darband

Dine with the locals in Darband

In the evening visit Darband to the north of the city, where Tehranis go for an evening out. Follow the locals up the mountain alongside a rushing stream to visit the tea houses on the mountainside. Have a bite to eat or enjoy a cup of tea under the trees.

TOP PLACES TO VISIT

Isfahan

Isfahan nesf-e-jahan Isfahan is half the world. So goes the old Persian saying and without a doubt Isfahan's charms continue to beguile and fascinate visitors. Its magnificent mosques, palaces and bridges ...

Shiraz

Shiraz is a city of sophistication and has always been celebrated as the heartland of Persian culture. It is the capital of Fars province and is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Shiraz came ...

Tehran

Tehran is a modern, bustling, overcrowded metropolis with a population of 12 million people. It became the capital of Iran in the 18th century under the Qajar rulers and despite the traffic and the pollution ...

Yazd

Yazd is one of the oldest cities in the world and the centre of the Zoroastrian religion. Zoroastrianism was the main religion across the Iranian plateau until the Arabs brought Islam to the people in ...

OUR FAVOURITE PLACES TO STAY

Premium | Hotel

Abbasi Hotel, Isfahan

Built during the reign of Shah Sultan Hussein in the 18th century, the four-star Abbasi Hotel was once a caravanserai meeting the needs of travelling merchants. The building is 300 years old and the…
Premium | Hotel

Dad Hotel, Yazd

In the centre of Yazd close to the old city, the four star Dad Hotel is an historic building with a large courtyard garden. The site was first created in 1928 by Haj Abdolkhalegh Dad and then renovated…
Superior | Boutique Hotel

Manouchehri House, Kashan

A beautifully renovated historic house in the centre of Kashan in a peaceful network of alleyways. All aspects of the hotel show the original features in their restored stucco and stained glass…
Premium | Boutique Hotel

Hannah Boutique Hotel, Tehran

The stunning Hannah Boutique Hotel is a new and entirely unique boutique design hotel located in the heart of Tehran. The hotel was completed in 2018 and was created by renovating a 90-year-old…
| Boutique Hotel

Darb-e-Shazdeh Traditional House, Shiraz

Located in the historical Zand Royal District of Shiraz, and within walking distance of Vakil Bazaar, Darb-e-Shazdeh is a stunning boutique Qajar era historical hotel. There are only 9 individually and…

Discover more

WHEN TO GO

The weather conditions can be extremely varied, however, May and September tend to be the best time to visit when the days are mainly warm and sunny.

Meet the expert, Dan

Dan is our Middle East expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.

Speak to Daniel by calling
+44 (0)20 3944 6258

Despite the unapparelled number of 'big ticket' sights there are to see in Iran, for me the greatest joy is walking the streets, sitting in tea houses, eating kaboob and shooting the breeze with the wonderfully friendly Iranian people.

USEFUL INFORMATION

Health and Vaccinations 

There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Iran though you should be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. We recommend you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments. 

Currency 

In Iran the official unit of currency is the Iranian Rial, but Toman are also referred to often. 1 Toman is the equivalent of 10 Rials, so essentially you knock off a ‘0’. 

To check out the latest exchange rate for the places that you are visiting you can go to www.oanda.com

Cultural Sensitivity 

On our tours you will frequently interact with local people, each with their own distinct customs and traditions. We therefore ask you to be considerate and to treat them with respect. Your tour-leaders and guides will always be able to advise you accordingly.  

Being an Islamic Republic, Iran has a dress code for women by law that applies everywhere outside your hotel bedroom. Please note the advice given on this in the “packing list” section that follows. Note that in many mosques we visit it will be necessary to remove your shoes before entering. Women will sometimes be required to wear a chador at holy sites and this will be provided where necessary. In some mosques there are separate areas for men and women which should also be respected. 

Language & Religion 

The official national language is Persian, also referred to as Farsi, of which its oldest records date back to the Persian Empire of the 6th Century BC.  

The large majority of the population are Islamic and belong to the Shi’a branch of Islam, which is the official state religion. There are minority groups of Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians. 

Time 

Iran is 3.5 hours ahead of GMT. A useful website to check the time zone differences is www.worldtimezone.com.  

Food and drink 

As an Islamic Republic almost, all alcohol is banned in Iran. The import, sale, manufacture and consumption of alcohol in Iran is strictly forbidden on religious grounds, with the only exceptions for certain recognised Iranian religious minorities (NB. not foreigners).  Penalties can be severe so do not attempt to bring alcohol into the country or try to buy it during your trip. 

In Iran you will find the meals are mainly rice-based and that shashlik (kebab) is very popular, with lamb and chicken widely served. Many varied salads are also available, along with some tasty stews of meat, vegetables and pulses. Picnics are also a popular Iranian pastime.

Travelling Solo In Iran

All of our small group tours are designed to cater for solo travellers: the number of solo travellers will vary from tour to tour, but usually over half will be travelling alone. Get all of the excitement of discovering new places combined with the security of travelling with an organised group, with like minded people.