7 Most Famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Iran Iran has 29 UNESCO World Heritage Sites as of July 2025. In overall 27 of which are cultural heritage sites and 2 are natural sites. The first Iranian sites registered with UNESCO were Persepolis and Chogha Zanbil, which were registered in 1979. The latest registered sites are the Prehistoric Sites of the Khorramabad Valley registered in July 2025, Hegmataneh registered in July 2024 and the Persian Caravanserai, registered in September 2023 and the Cultural Landscape of Hawraman/Uramanat, registered in June 2021. Iran has proudly secured its place among the top 10 countries with the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a remarkable achievement that highlights its rich cultural and natural heritage. With all recognized sites, Iran stands as a testament to millennia of history, from the grandeur of the ancient Persian Empire to the artistic brilliance of the Islamic Golden Age. Iconic landmarks like Persepolis, Naqsh-e Jahan Square, and the Lut Desert showcase the country’s unique blend of architectural mastery, historical significance, and breathtaking natural beauty. This recognition not only underscores Iran’s importance as a global heritage destination but also invites travelers and history enthusiasts to explore its unparalleled treasures. For adventurers seeking to connect with the roots of human civilization, Iran is a must-visit destination that continues to inspire awe and admiration. These 28 Iranian UNESCO sites are located throughout Iran, 7 of which are situated along the Iran Classic Tourism route. The Iran Classic route crosses through 5 main tourist destinations which are Tehran, Kashan, Esfahan, Yazd, and Shiraz. Most travelers start this route in Tehran as the majority of international flights land in the capital, although a minority of visitors commence their trip from Shiraz. There are also a few other international airports in Iran as well as the
7 Most Famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Iran Iran has 29 UNESCO World Heritage Sites as of July 2025. In overall 27 of which are cultural heritage sites and 2 are natural sites. The first Iranian sites registered with UNESCO were Persepolis and Chogha Zanbil, which were registered in 1979. The latest registered
Vali Asr Street: The Beating Heart of Tehran Stretching over 17 kilometers from the foothills of the Alborz Mountains to the heart of the Iranian capital, Vali Asr Street is the longest and most iconic avenue in Tehran. Lined with thousands of towering plane trees, it is not just a road—it is a cultural, historical, and social artery connecting the north and south of the city. Vali Asr Street is on the tentative lists of UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2019. A Walk Through Time Originally commissioned during the reign of Reza Shah Pahlavi in the early 20th century, Vali Asr Street was once called Pahlavi Street and later Mossadegh Street before adopting its current name after the Islamic Revolution. It has witnessed decades of transformation, from the royal era to the modern-day hustle and bustle of Tehran. Avenue of Contrasts One of the most fascinating aspects of Vali Asr Street is the contrast between its northern and southern ends. The northern part, starting from Tajrish Square, is home to upscale boutiques, modern shopping malls, and cozy cafés where Tehran’s youth and intellectuals gather. As you move southward towards Rah Ahan Square, the street transitions into a more traditional and commercial atmosphere, bustling with street vendors, old cinemas, and historic buildings that reflect Tehran’s layered past. A Green Corridor The avenue is famous for its lush canopy of plane trees, which were planted nearly a century ago. In spring and summer, they provide a refreshing shade, while in autumn, they create a mesmerizing golden tunnel. Winter, too, brings its charm, as snow dusts the branches and adds to the street’s cinematic appeal. Cultural and Historical Landmarks Vali Asr Street is home to several cultural and historical landmarks that offer a glimpse into Tehran’s rich heritage: Tajrish Bazaar &
Vali Asr Street: The Beating Heart of Tehran Stretching over 17 kilometers from the foothills of the Alborz Mountains to the heart of the Iranian capital, Vali Asr Street is the longest and most iconic avenue in Tehran. Lined with thousands of towering plane trees, it is not just a road—it is a cultural, historical,
Golestan Palace: Jewel of Tehran's Cultural Heritage I. Introduction: A Regal Oasis in Tehran Nestled in the heart of Tehran, Golestan Palace stands as a testament to Iran's rich history and cultural legacy. This opulent complex, with its stunning architecture and lush gardens, offers visitors a captivating journey through the country's royal past. II. Historical Background: Echoes of Persian Royalty A. Origins Golestan Palace, meaning "Palace of Flowers," traces its origins to the Safavid era in the 16th century, undergoing expansions and renovations under subsequent dynasties, including the Qajars. B. UNESCO World Heritage Site Recognized for its historical significance, Golestan Palace was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013, solidifying its place as a cultural treasure. III. Architectural Marvels: A Symphony of Persian Design A. Brilliant Mosaic of Styles Golestan Palace showcases a harmonious blend of Persian, European, and Russian architectural styles. From intricate tilework to grand halls adorned with mirrors, every corner exudes regality. B. Nane-Saraj Pavilion The Nane-Saraj Pavilion, a highlight of the palace, captivates with its delicate stucco, mirror work, and painted decorations, exemplifying the artistry of the Qajar period. IV. The Grand Complex: Golestan Palace Highlights A. Takht-e Marmar (Marble Throne) One of the most iconic features, the Marble Throne, dates back to 1806 and serves as a symbol of royal authority. The throne's canopy, adorned with mirrors and paintings, adds to its grandeur. B. Shams-ol Emareh (Edifice of the Sun) A striking edifice with two towers, Shams-ol Emareh offers panoramic views of Tehran. Its architecture seamlessly fuses Persian and European elements. C. Hall of Mirrors (Talar-e Aineh) The Hall of Mirrors, adorned with intricate mirrorwork, crystal chandeliers, and vibrant stained glass, reflects the grandeur of ceremonial gatherings during the Qajar era. V. Beautiful Gardens: Serenity Amidst Grandeur A. Emarat Badgir (Wind Towers)
Golestan Palace: Jewel of Tehran’s Cultural Heritage I. Introduction: A Regal Oasis in Tehran Nestled in the heart of Tehran, Golestan Palace stands as a testament to Iran’s rich history and cultural legacy. This opulent complex, with its stunning architecture and lush gardens, offers visitors a captivating journey through the country’s royal past. II.
Dena Mountains and National Park Trek Dena is the name of a mountain chain located in the middle part of the Zagros mountain range in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province of Iran which is in the north of Shiraz province. The length is about 90 km with 40 mountains above 4000m and it's one of the best locations for Trekking in Iran. On the foothills of the chains, there is a national park with the same name (DENA) which is a protected area and home to a lot of wild animals with a rich environment as it has a lot of plants and a huge oak forest. It's under the conservation of the Iran Environment Organization. Dena region is a very important destination as it is between the two main touristic cities of Shiraz and Isfahan and it’s a marvelous location for those who are interested in hiking in Iran and would like to combine it with Iran Classic Routes. It's the perfect itinerary for Iran first-timers who want to do Cultural and historical tours along with Iran's main UNESCO Heritage sites. Adventure Iran is the first company to create different trekking routes in this region for different fitness levels from a 2-day moderate trek up to a one-week challenging trek on the ridgeline to ascend a few peaks above 4000 m. We have also made a few trips which are a combination of trekking and cultural explorations. Some tours start from Shiraz and some of them start from Tehran. The clip is a short slideshow from a few of our trips that we performed in different years for hikers from different countries and it just gives you an idea about the scenery and landscape of this amazing destination. For those who are interested in moderate treks, we recommend our trip
Dena Mountains and National Park Trek Dena is the name of a mountain chain located in the middle part of the Zagros mountain range in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province of Iran which is in the north of Shiraz province. The length is about 90 km with 40 mountains above 4000m and it’s one of the
Top Tehran Mountains and Trekking Trails Top Tehran Mountains are located in the central Alborz mountain and has a lot of amazing and Trekking Trails. Tehran is the capital city of Iran and it is the first entry point for the majority of travelers who visit Iran. The IKA airport in Tehran is the most important Iran airport where the majority of international planes land. Moreover, access to other cities from Tehran with buses, domestic flights, and trains is more convenient compared to the other parts of the country. Tehran is also on the list of 5 Major Iran cities located on Iran’s most visited path of Classic Iran, and most travelers spend a few days in this metropolitan capital. For all mentioned reasons, many travelers pass Tehran but they do not have any idea about potential trekking regions near the capital. The majority of Iran’s visitors travel far away from the capital to experience trekking tours in Iran while Tehran is one of the most important mountain regions of the country for trekking activity giving you many choices in different seasons for various Levels of Difficulty. The reason is that most of Iran’s guide books didn’t attention to this important fact and they offer other mountain regions in different mountain regions of the country. In this post, we will explain the most important trekking regions and National Parks around Tehran to give you a better image of the possibility of short and long hiking in Tehran province. Alborz Mountains range, as you may know, is Iran’s major mountain range located in northern Iran with 900 km in length. It begins in the northwest of Iran and stretches to the northeast of the country. This range has made a massive wall between the Caspian Sea and Iran Plateau. This
Top Tehran Mountains and Trekking Trails Top Tehran Mountains are located in the central Alborz mountain and has a lot of amazing and Trekking Trails. Tehran is the capital city of Iran and it is the first entry point for the majority of travelers who visit Iran. The IKA airport in Tehran is the most
Iran 5 Best Touristic Destinations In this article, you can read about Iran best touristic destinations and all the activities you can do in them in detail. These tourist cities are in the most popular travel itinerary of travellers during the spring season and is on the Best Iran Tours list. Iran has proudly secured its place among the top 10 countries with the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a remarkable achievement that highlights its rich cultural and natural heritage. Iran, with 28 UNESCO world heritage sites, (as of JULY 2024), is the tenth country in the world with regard to the number of such sites. Contrary to the perception of many tourists who haven’t read about Iran, it’s too much to even see its major highlights in a month. For this reason, most travelers prefer to make the main touristic cities of the country their main priority which includes Tehran, Kashan, Esfahan, Yazd, and Shiraz. Also, Lonely Planet’s travel guide book, which is a reference for many travelers, has chosen these cities for Iran’s first-time visitors. Also, Lonely Planet uses the term “CLASSIC” to describe a short travel itinerary for each country where travelers wish to visit a famous site. CLASSIC IRAN route is an overland journey that includes the main 5 urban tourist destinations of Tehran, Kashan, Esfahan, Yazd, and Shiraz with 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites along with a couple of other attractions on the route. You need two weeks to visit these 5 major cities but depending on the holiday time you have available, the season of travel and your interests, you may want to extend your visit to see more attractions or even if time is a problem, make it shorter. Along with the historical and cultural attractions of this major cities, this route
Iran 5 Best Touristic Destinations In this article, you can read about Iran best touristic destinations and all the activities you can do in them in detail. These tourist cities are in the most popular travel itinerary of travellers during the spring season and is on the Best Iran Tours list. Iran has proudly secured
Lar National Park Mountain Biking Lar National Park MTB video is about one of Adventure Iran’s mountain biking trips in one of the most beautiful national parks of Iran. it is located in the northeast of Tehran province, only 70 kilometers (43 mi) from the capital. Lar national park is a protected region so it is not open to the public. About Lar National Park It’s managed by the Iranian Environmental Organization. Travelers need to get a permit for entering the park and the mentioned organization issues them for interested travelers. We apply for the certificate one month in advance as it takes a couple of weeks of paperwork. The gates of the park are open only during the summertime. Stockbreeders and cattlemen enter for their summer KOOCH from lower altitudes to upper altitudes, their seasonal move. KOOCH is a Persian word meaning seasonal relocation of accommodation and most tribes, nomads, and villagers of Iran still do this to this day. They relocate with their hordes of animals like sheep, jotas, dogs, hens, and roosters along with their family for better weather conditions and food for their animals. Lar is the key location for most tribes around Tehran capital during the summertime. At the end of the summer when the weather is getting cold, they will move again to warmer locations in lower altitudes till the end of spring of the next year. Lar National park with 30,000-hectare pf property is home to a wide range of flora, fauna, and wild animals. Along with its rich nature, there is a big dam inside of the park called Lar dam. it is created by the high mountains of central Alborz and is fed by many spring waters of the surrounding region. This reservoir of water is a source for a huge
Lar National Park Mountain Biking Lar National Park MTB video is about one of Adventure Iran’s mountain biking trips in one of the most beautiful national parks of Iran. it is located in the northeast of Tehran province, only 70 kilometers (43 mi) from the capital. Lar national park is a protected region so it
Cycling from Shiraz to Tehran 3rd Trip This video is the third and final video of another group we had for this famous cycling trip that year which started from Shiraz and finished in Tehran. Like the other trip, it’s a combination of Iran Classic route sites alongside cycling from south to the north of Iran. They passed the two main Iran mountains of Alborz and Zagros as well as Dasht-e Kavir desert. This time we performed it in November which is the end of autumn and we had rain in some parts of our trip in high mountains. Hope you enjoy the video and if you like it subscribe to our channel to see more of the beauty of our country. https://youtu.be/XhIDJS07Xpw https://www.adventureiran.com/10-best-cycling-routes-in-iran/ https://www.adventureiran.com/best-time-for-cycling-in-iran/ https://www.adventureiran.com/all-about-cycling-in-iran-questions-and-answers/
Cycling from Shiraz to Tehran 3rd Trip This video is the third and final video of another group we had for this famous cycling trip that year which started from Shiraz and finished in Tehran. Like the other trip, it’s a combination of Iran Classic route sites alongside cycling from south to the north of
South West of Iran The video is about a special expedition journey to south west of Iran with Adventure Iran colleagues who came from France. They had two intensive weeks starting from the capital and after having cooking classes in Tehran, took a first class night train to Shiraz. Our guests have been to Iran before and they explored Iran Classic destinations, So on this trip they visited some unexplored parts of Shiraz and had another cooking class to learn Shirazian Traditional foods. From there they continued their journey towards Bishapur which was an ancient city in Sassanid Persia and the Ruins of Shapour Palace. The ruins and the site were registered on the list of UNESCO sites in 2018, and then continued towards Bushehr which is one of the unreachable Off the Beaten Tracks in Iran and spent a couple of nights there. The fish market, old Bazaar and historical part of the town with exceptional architecture are the most attractive parts of the city that needed to be visited. They continued the trip through the coastal road towards the west and visited a lot of attractions on their way to Genaveh. The amazing view of the Persian Gulf, the date trees and Siraaf town (Iran’s historical sea port) were some of the places they saw. In Genaveh they had a boat trip through the sea port and saw a couple of old boats which were for fishing and the old fresh market is one of the must see in this region. They also had an unforgettable trek through a canyon near the beach which was superb as it had an amazing view of the sunset on the Persian Gulf. With a night bus towards Ahvaz and a short ride they reached Shooshtar which is famous for
South West of Iran The video is about a special expedition journey to south west of Iran with Adventure Iran colleagues who came from France. They had two intensive weeks starting from the capital and after having cooking classes in Tehran, took a first class night train to Shiraz. Our guests have been to Iran
Cycling from Shiraz to Tehran 2nd Trip This video is another video of our famous cycling trip from Shiraz to Tehran. The first video you may see in our channel is created in spring, and this trip was performed in October. So we face different climates and weather. The group was made of German speakers from Switzerland, Austria and Germany and they were first timers in Iran. So they did Iran Classical destinations on their cycling trip to Iran as well. Hope you enjoy the video and if you like it subscribe to our channel to see more of the beauty of our country. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rq4nlsKF9I
Cycling from Shiraz to Tehran 2nd Trip This video is another video of our famous cycling trip from Shiraz to Tehran. The first video you may see in our channel is created in spring, and this trip was performed in October. So we face different climates and weather. The group was made of German speakers
