All citiesTehran Things to do and walking itinerary
Iran Tehran travel guide
30 things to do in Tehran, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Tehran
- Golestan Palace — palace in Tehran, Iranian national heritage site (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Azadi Tower — tower in Tehran, Iranian national heritage site (visit ≈ 40 min)
- National Museum of Iran — museum in Tehran, Iran (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art — art museum in Tehran, Iran (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Marble Palace — palace in Tehran, Iranian national heritage site (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Carpet Museum of Iran — art museum in Tehran, Iran (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Yusef Abad Synagogue — synagogue in Tehran, Iran (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Saint Sarkis Cathedral — cathedral in Tehran, Iranian national heritage site (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Shah Mosque — mosque in Tehran, Iranian national heritage site (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Vahdat Hall — concert hall In Tehran, Iran (visit ≈ 20 min)
- City Theater of Tehran — theater in Tehran, Iranian national heritage site (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Laleh Park — park in Tehran, Iran (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Dowlat Tekiyeh — destroyed tekiyeh in Tehran, Iran (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Malek National Library and Museum — national museum and library in Tehran, Iranian national heritage site (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Treasury of National Jewels — museum in Tehran, Iran (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Shams-ol-Emareh — palace in Tehran, Iran (visit ≈ 90 min)
- City Park — park in Tehran, Iran (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Abgineh Museum of Tehran — museum in Tehran, Iranian national heritage site (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Sepahsalar Mosque — mosque in Tehran, Iranian national heritage site (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Saint Mary Armenian Church — church in Tehran, Iranian national heritage site (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Jameh Mosque of Tehran — mosque in Tehran, Iranian national heritage site (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Imam Khomeini Square — square in Tehran, Iran (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Haim Synagogue — synagogue in Tehran, Iranian national heritage site (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Abrishami Synagogue — synagogue in Tehran, Iran (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Tehran Peace Museum — museum in Tehran, Iran (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Khorasan Square — square in Tehran, Iran (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Cathedral of the Consolata (Tehran) — cathedral in Tehran, Iran (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Saint Joseph Cathedral — cathedral in Tehran, Iran (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Lorzadeh Mosque — mosque in Tehran, Iran (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Argentina Square — square in Tehran, Iran (visit ≈ 15 min)
2-day Tehran walking itinerary
Starting point: Grand Bazaar / Golestan Palace. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 7.4 km · 9,990 steps · 1 h 39 min on the way): Shah Mosque → Dowlat Tekiyeh → Golestan Palace → Malek National Library and Museum → National Museum of Iran → Vahdat Hall
- Day 2 (≈ 7.9 km · 10,700 steps · 1 h 45 min on the way): City Theater of Tehran → Marble Palace
Where to stay in Tehran
- Grand Bazaar / Golestan Palace: Golestan Palace and the bazaar are within walking distance; cheap hotels.
- Ferdowsi / Downtown: The old centre near museums and the metro.
- Valiasr / Vanak: Modern northern districts full of cafés and restaurants.
- Tajrish: Cooler, near the mountains; Tajrish Bazaar and Saadabad Palace.
- Enghelab: Tehran University and bookshops; good metro links.
Getting from the airport to Tehran
- Imam Khomeini International (IKA): Taxi or Snapp ≈ 60 min; there is a metro link but it is slow.
Getting around
The metro is extensive and cheap; use it to avoid traffic. Snapp (the local Uber) is handy for short hops.
Classic places to eat
- Moslem Restaurant: Next to the bazaar; long queues for tahchin and kebab.
- Sharafol Eslami: Famous kebab house inside the bazaar; open at lunchtime.
- Akbar Mashti: Traditional saffron and rosewater Persian ice cream (bastani).
- Café Naderi: Open since 1927; a historic haunt of writers and intellectuals.
- Gol Rezaieh: Old-style ice cream and faloodeh on Ferdowsi Street.
Romantic views
- Tabiat Bridge (Evening): The multi-level pedestrian bridge between parks is lit at night.
- Darband (Evening): The mountain path follows a stream past little tea gardens.
- Bam-e Tehran (Evening): The hillside lookout shows the whole city lit up at night.
- Golestan Palace Garden (Early morning): Tiled pavilions and a pool garden make a quiet corner.
- Milad Tower (Sunset): The observation deck looks over the city and the Alborz mountains.
Football stadiums in Tehran
- Azadi Stadium: Home of Persepolis F.C., Esteghlal F.C.
Good to know before visiting Tehran
- Fine: Women must cover their hair and wear loose clothing in public; men shouldn't wear shorts.
- Fine: Alcohol is illegal.
- Fine: Photographing official or military sites and flying drones is prohibited.
- Fine: Drug offences carry extremely severe penalties, including death.
- Fine: Eating or drinking in public during Ramadan daylight hours is illegal.
- Warning: Many governments advise against travel and warn of arbitrary detention of foreigners.
- Emergency: police 110, ambulance 115, fire 125
- Plugs: C/F, 230V
- Tap water: Don't drink tap water; use bottled.
- Tipping: About 10% is customary.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Iran, Wikivoyage — Iran, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Tehran travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Tehran?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 4 days for the top 20 places within walking distance.
- What are the top things to do in Tehran?
- Highlights: Golestan Palace, Azadi Tower, National Museum of Iran, Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art and Marble Palace. The map has 30 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Tehran?
- Grand Bazaar / Golestan Palace: Golestan Palace and the bazaar are within walking distance; cheap hotels. Other options: Ferdowsi / Downtown, Valiasr / Vanak, Tajrish and Enghelab.
- How do you get from the airport to Tehran city centre?
- Imam Khomeini International (IKA): Taxi or Snapp ≈ 60 min; there is a metro link but it is slow.
- How do you get around Tehran?
- The metro is extensive and cheap; use it to avoid traffic. Snapp (the local Uber) is handy for short hops.
- What is the emergency number in Tehran?
- Emergency: police 110, ambulance 115, fire 125.
- Do you tip in Tehran?
- About 10% is customary.
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