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

Unusual Attractions in Iran

Shah Cheragh

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

Fars Province, Iran

The Ruins of Persepolis

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

Badab-e Surt

Iran's colorful terraces are a rare geological masterpiece.

Nasir al-Mulk Mosque

A spectacular rainbow of stained glass makes the "Pink Mosque" one of the most beautiful in Iran.

Yakhchāls

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

Roudbar Alamout, Iran

Alamut Castle

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

Nushabad Underground City

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

Zoroastrian Towers of Silence

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

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Unique Food & Drink in Iran

Persian Ice Cream Sandwich

Saffron, rose water, and pistachios combine in a fragrant, sweet-savory treat.

Stinging Nettles

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

Medlars

The anus-shaped fruit tastes like cinnamon applesauce.

Desert Truffles

So strong is Kuwaitis’ love for this seasonal delicacy that an entire market gets set up just for its sale.

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A deep, cosmopolitan archive appears online for the first time.

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

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Watch the Walls Shimmer at Iran's Emerald Mosque

Shah Cheragh is one dazzling funerary monument.

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The Temple of Apollo, Delphi.

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