30 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Iran - Atlas Obscura

Unusual
Attractions
in Iran

Shah Cheragh

Shah Cheragh

Mirrors and glass shards cover every inch of this arrestingly beautiful mosque.

29.6093, 52.5435

Added by ahvenas

The ruins of Persepolis

Fars Province, Iran

The Ruins of Persepolis

The palace of the King of Kings, burned by Alexander the Great.

29.9349, 52.8902

Added by emdrichardson

The Tower of Silence in Yazd

Zoroastrian Towers of Silence

Putrefaction plateaus in Iran, where the dead were sent for decontamination before going to their final resting place.

31.8220, 54.3569

Added by rogerbcn

Badab-e Surt.

Badab-e Surt

Iran's colorful terraces are a rare geologic masterpiece.

36.3552, 53.8540

Added by Kerry Wolfe

Alamut Castle.

Roudbar Alamout, Iran

Alamut Castle

This ruined fortress was the stronghold for a persecuted medieval leader and his infamous Assassins.

36.4454, 50.5859

Added by Andrasta

The entrance to the underground city

Nushabad Underground City

A 1,500-year-old, 3-story subterranean city where ancient Persians took refuge in times of war.

34.0800, 51.4375

Added by Shervin

Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System

Shooshtar, Iran

Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System

This beautiful system of tunnels built into natural rock serves as a centuries old plumbing system.

32.0450, 48.8587

Added by EricGrundhauser

Yakhchāl in Yazd, Iran

Yakhchāls

Ancient structures used to make and preserve ice in the deserts of Persia.

32.2273, 54.0086

Added by AaronNetsky

See All 30 Things to Do in Iran See All 30 Places

Unique
Food & Drink
from Iran

Faloodeh

Gastro Obscura

Faloodeh

This crunchy, sweet, and tart noodle sorbet is one of the world's oldest frozen desserts.

Gastro Obscura

Added by susarm

Medlars

Gastro Obscura

Fruits & Vegetables

Medlars

The anus-shaped fruit tastes like cinnamon applesauce.

Gastro Obscura

Added by Anne Ewbank

Stinging Nettles

Gastro Obscura

Fruits & Vegetables

Stinging Nettles

Boil away this plant's poisonous hairs, and you're left with a tasty, spinach-like leaf.

Gastro Obscura

Added by rachelrummel

Sumalak

Gastro Obscura

Ritual & Medicinal

Sumalak

A sweet and simple pudding traditionally made in a joyous, spring ritual.

Gastro Obscura

Explore Iran

Iran Leaderboard

Places Added

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Recent Iran Activity

zac1zac wants to go to Stone Garden

andeelk wants to go to Shah Cheragh

katherinehillier wants to go to Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System

jacksonhotaling wants to go to Sheikh Lotfallah Mosque

Feather wants to go to Alamut Castle

Stories
About Iran

Two Iranian teenagers drink Pepsi and eat at a fast food restaurant in Tehran.

How Bootleg Fast Food Conquered Iran

Mash Donalds, Sheak Shack, and Pizza Hat are very popular.

by Sarra Sedghi

Watch the Walls Shimmer at Iran's Emerald Mosque

Shah Cheragh is one dazzling funerary monument.

January 30, 2017

The Temple of Apollo, Delphi.

Nine Places To See the Ruins of Ancient Religious Cults

Ancient religion was strange and fierce.

by Edmund Richardson

September 06, 2013

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