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.

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Fars Province, Iran

The Ruins of Persepolis

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

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Badab-e Surt

Iran's colorful terraces are a rare geological masterpiece.

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Nasir al-Mulk Mosque

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

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Roudbar Alamout, Iran

Alamut Castle

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

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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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Nushabad Underground City

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

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Yakhchāls

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

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See All 40 Things to Do in Iran See All 40 Places

Atlas Obscura Trips

Ancient Persia, Modern Iran: Civilizations Old and New

Oct 13—Oct 24, 2019

On the overland route from Tehran to Shiraz, experience some of the oldest sites of civilization, tap into local secrets, and explore the myriad influences that have shaped Iran into one of the most fascinating places on the planet. (And yes, most Americans can currently get visas!)

Unique
Food & Drink
in Iran

Persian Ice Cream Sandwich

Gastro Obscura

Persian Ice Cream Sandwich

Saffron, rose water, and pistachios combine in a fragrant Nowruz treat.

Gastro Obscura

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Medlars

Gastro Obscura

Fruits & Vegetables

Medlars

The anus-shaped fruit tastes like cinnamon applesauce.

Gastro Obscura

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Faloodeh

Gastro Obscura

Faloodeh

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

Gastro Obscura

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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

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Added by rachelrummel

See all 10 things to eat in Iran See all 10 things to eat in Iran

Explore Iran

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Launch Map

Iran Leaderboard

Places Added

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Places Visited

Recent Iran Activity

greetingsitsmejulie wants to go to Deir-e Gachin Caravanserai

kchiasson2500 wants to go to Nasir al-Mulk Mosque

kchiasson2500 wants to go to Badab-e Surt

kchiasson2500 wants to go to Shah Cheragh

nproft wants to go to Yazd Atash Behram

Stories
About Iran

William E. Whitehouse, surrounded by images of pistachios.

America's Pistachio Industry Came From a Single Seed

A "plant explorer" helped establish the crop in California.

February 11, 2019

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