The reasons to visit Iran

Iran has made a comeback on the travel scene in recent years, being listed as one of the hot spot destinations, and certainly with good reason. And although it may not rank as high with some travelers as it does with others, here is the reasons for traveling to Iran at least once in your lifetime.

Travel to Iran to learn about its long history

Hardly in need of any introduction, Persepolis is possibly Iran’s most famous ancient site, even though not the only one. From ancient Persia to modern Iran, from the Achaemenid Empire to the Sassanian era, from the Safavid period to the Qajar dynasty, to finally the Pahlavi family and the Islamic Revolution, Iranian history is as stormy as it gets.

With so many historical places to visit in Iran, travelling all around the country you can soak in every period and delve into the nation’s tangled past. After you enjoyed your Persepolis tour, don’t forget to add to the list also other Iran points of interest such as the Golestan Palace in Tehran, Ali Qapu Palace in Isfahan and the Fire Temple in Yazd, just to mention some.

The people and hospitality

Iran tends to get a lot of bad press, but somewhere in the mix, the good word about Iranian hospitality somehow got out. It is not only the remains of Persepolis, mosques of Esfahan, and windcatchers of Yazd that have drawn travelers in, but also that unshakable curiosity about this renowned hospitality. This centuries old tradition has only intensified in recent years, solidifying that initial curiosity for travelers, and leaving a lasting impression much stronger than any tourist attraction ever could.

Visit Iran for its architecture

Be it a mosque, a palace or a bazaar, Iranian buildings are finely decorated and glow with ornamental elegance. Pastel colours gracefully interact with bright hues, tapering minarets and seemingly ubiquitous domes outline the landscape, symbols and traditional calligraphy coexist in a charming interplay. Whether inside or outside a building, the sophisticated Persian architecture is always something tourists marvel at every time they visit Iran.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

From exquisite mosques to stunning feats of engineering, Iran boasts twenty-one UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including 20 cultural and one natural. While they are scattered around the country, you can easily cross off six by visiting the areas in and around Shiraz and the Khuzestan province. For those interested in Persian culture, there are also a number of intangible cultural heritage elements in Iran that are worth exploring during your stay.

Plan a trip to Iran to try Persian food

From pistachio to black tea, from saffron to kebab, from Mirza Ghasemi to Ghormeh Sabzi, the heavy presence of aromatic herbs makes Iranian cuisine appetizing and addictive, especially when it comes to pistachio and baklava if you ask me.

While there are national dishes that you can find everywhere, like herb stew Ghormeh Sabzi, there are others that are exclusive, or at least typical of a particular region. Among these are the aforementioned eggplant-based Mirza Ghasemi, typical from Gilan province, or Dizi, too meaty and heavy for me but still a national treat, typical from Ardebil.

See more: 7 best street foods you should try in Tehran, Iran

Source Internet