THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN TEHRAN IN 2 OR 3 DAYS

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This comprehensive guide gives you an overview of the best things to do in Tehran in 2 or 3 days. It is based on my suggestion as an international guide and that of my local Iranian colleague, Amir who grew up in Tehran. So here is a list of some practical advice and the best things to do in Tehran. 

Read also the ultimate guide about the palaces, museums and religious places to visit in Tehran

What is Tehran like?

This city is not as spectacular as other capitals like Paris, London, or Rome at first sight. You may get scared by the crazy traffic seeing that Iranian drivers never slow down to let you cross the road. Tehran is not easygoing. The city structure is not practical at all, and sometimes it is hard to find your way. And forget about timing during rush hours when it takes an eternity to cross the city. Many tourists use Tehran as a starting point to head to touristic cities like Yazd, Isfahan, or Shiraz.

For some destinations, you need guidance to find their charm and understand what is under the surface. In such places, it is advisable to take a local tour. I remember when I visited Medellín in Colombia. Apart from its hilly location, it is not a charming city at all. But once I got to know the history and mindset of the town through a local tour, it just turned to be one of the most interesting places. Medellin became special to me when I understood its history.

Tehran reminds me of that. Once you get the guidance, you can easily fall in love with this seemingly unattractive city. 

Tip: Book a Tehran trip with a local guide

Transport in Tehran

How to get from the Teheran International Airport to the city center

1. You can take a taxi to get to the city from the airport. It has a fixed price and costs approximately 1 700 000 IRR (7$).
2. You can also use the new metro that they extended to Khomeini Airport in 2017. It works between 05:00- 22:00, and the 1 1/2 hour ride costs 90,000 IRR. But the metro on this line is not as frequent as in the city, so you may have to wait.

How to get around in the city

1. The best way to travel in a city of 14 million is to take the metro (15,000 IRR). It is an experience itself, and as a woman, you can use the “only-women” compartments.
2. For shorter distances, you can also use a yellow or green taxi. You always have to negotiate the price first.
3. Or you take a bus, but in a traffic jam, it is slow (which is very common), and the first time in Tehran, you are probably not very familiar with the lines. The cost of the bus ticket varies, but it should be around 15,000 IRR.

The cheapest way to get a taxi is through ”the Iranian Uber”, the Snapp or Tapsi applications.

How to go to other cities from Tehran

Tehran has four main bus stations depending on where you continue your journey. Buses depart to many cities from all four bus terminals.

The West Bus Terminal: mainly serves the cities in the North, West, and Southwest.

The East Bus Terminal: mainly serves the cities in the North, Northeast, and East.

The South Bus Terminal: mainly serves the cities in the south.

Beyhaghi Bus Terminal: serves cities in the Northeastern, Western and Central Iran, sometimes in the south.

Book your bus, train, or flight to other cities in Iran

Money change in Tehran

You can change money upon arrival at Khomeini airport. Unlike in other countries, the airport rates in Iran are fair. Some hotels also can change money for you, but they usually offer lower rates.

Another option is to change money in the city center around Ferdowsi square in one of the exchange offices.

Read: All you need to know about the Iran currency, the Rial

You also find changers in the street. It is up to you, not that I have never done that, but you should know that it is illegal and not always reliable.

It is easy to change money in most cities, so do not change too much. For a ten-day trip, it is enough to start with 100$. 

Tip: They determine the daily rates at 11:30 am. So you should go to the exchange office after this time.

In January 2021: 1 US dollar~260,000 IRR, in September 2021: 1 USD ~285, 000 IRR, but it can be very different some months later. 

Suggested two days itinerary for your visit to Tehran

Due to the enormous distances inside Tehran, your program depends on your hotel’s location.

If your hotel is in the city center: 

1st day: 

• Visit the Golestan Palace Complex (2 palaces)
• Stroll around in the Tehran Grand Bazaar and visit the Shah mosque
• Visit the historical section of the National Museum of Iran
• Visit the Treasury museum (only possible Saturday-Tuesday)
• Take a photo of the Azadi tower
• Go to the Artist Park with galleries, bookshops, and cafés

Read the ultimate guide about the best museums, palaces and religious places to visit in Tehran

2nd day: 

• 13th Aban Museum ( The former US Embassy)
• Saad Abad Palace complex (2 palaces)
• Relax at Darband with cafés and restaurants
• Go shopping or just look around in Tajrish Bazaar
• Imamzadeh Saleh shrine
• Abo-o Atash Park (Water and Fire Park with Tabiat bridge)

Suggested three days itinerary for your visit to Tehran

If the hotel is in the north or you have three days to stay

1st day: 

• Golestan Complex (2 palaces)
• Tehran Grand Bazaar (Imamzadeh Zayd and Shah mosque)
• The Gate of National garden
• Iran National treasury Museum
• Take a photo of the Iran National Theater building in the Student Park
• Walk around the famous landmark of the city, the Azadi tower

2nd day: 

• Visit the Niaravan Palace, the former residence of the Pahlavi Shah
• Visit the Musical Instrument Museum
• Relax at one of the cafés and restaurants of the Darband area
• Walk around or go shopping in the Tajrish Bazaar
• Visit the Imamzadeh Saleh holy shrine near the Tajrish Bazaar
• Have dinner in one of the great restaurants in Bam-e Tehran

3rd day:

• Visit the shrine of Ayatollah Khomeini
• 13th Aban museum (the former US Embassy) about the hostage crisis
• Relax in the Artists Park with galleries and cafés
• Check out the biggest church of Tehran, the Saint Sarkis Church (and the infamous US graffiti nearby)
• Enjoy the Abo-o Atash Park (Water and Fire Park with Tabiat bridge)

The best things to do in Tehran

Azadi Tower (Independence Tower) – The landmark of Tehran 

Queen Farah, the wife of Mohamed Reza Pahlavi ordered to build it in 1971 for the 2500th anniversary of Iran. The 45-meter high tower, decorated with ancient pre-Islamic and Islamic motifs, is a symbol of modern Persia and a landmark of Tehran. The structure reflects the ambitions of a rising Iran that is rich in oil revenues and culture. The arch and the top are decorated with motifs of turquoise color (the Persian national color). The Azadi Tower, right next to the domestic, Mehrabad airport of Tehran in the center of a park, is where demonstrations take place too.

The best time to see the tower is at night with light.

The National Garden Gate – a historical and governmental compound in Tehran

Pahlavi Reza Shah ordered Iranian artists and German architects to build the structure before World War II. Before the construction of the Freedom Tower (Azadi Tower), it was the landmark of Tehran. Two corridors and a room occupy the upper center part. The tiles and paintings decorating the building depict the conquest of Tehran, soldiers, and weapons of the war. The National Garden was the army training ground during the first Pahlavi ruler, Reza Shah. Most of this collection now belongs to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. To the right of the National Garden Gate stand the Post and Stamp Museums.

Cable car to the Tochal – the best view of Tehran, you can go hiking or skiing

One of the best things to do in Tehran is to take either the 7500 m long cable car (one of the longest in the world) or climb a bit to enjoy the best view of the capital. It is one of the must things to do in Tehran! 

Iranians love going to the mountains to get away from the noise and pollution of the capital. You can take the cable car or chairlift to different stations. Tochal is a popular destination for hiking from spring to autumn and a ski paradise in winter.

As a woman, do not forget to keep the clothing rules while hiking too. 

You can book your skiing trip from Tehran here.

Cost of cable car: Thursday- Friday 1,800,000 IRR 

Sunday- Wednesday: 1,500,000 IRR

Saturday: 1,100,000 IRR till the last, 7th station (3 700m) and back, but prices can be different during holidays.

Open: from 8 am to 3 pm from Tuesday to Friday, given that the weather is good.

More about possible hiking trails at Tochal: https://cheetah-adventures.com/iran-destinations/mount-tochal/

Walk along Valiasr Street- with 18 kilometers the longest Avenue in the Middle East

The 18 kilometers long street is the capital’s longest and most attractive street that crosses the whole city from south to the north. The Plane trees on two sides give a unique charm to the oldest Avenue in Tehran. Historical monuments, the Mellat and Saei Park, and the Railway Station are all located along the nicest street of Tehran. Reza Pahlavi Shah originally built it to connect his palaces with the railway. 

Go to one of the popular bazaars of Teheran

Despite plenty of shopping malls in every big city, Iranians love shopping in the Bazaars. Iran is the country where you can enjoy walking around in traditional vaulted Bazaars, find eye-catching handicrafts, carpets, go to a restaurant or café, and all that with nobody pushing you for buying. Visit the bazaar in every city. The ones in Isfahan, Shiraz, and Tabriz are the most unique.

1. Tehran’s Grand Bazaar in the historical center

Tehran Grand Bazaar is a historic bazaar covering over ten km², like a small town in the city. The oldest parts, divided by many streets and mosques, are 400 years old. The bazaar has always been an important social place. It became the center of preparations for the 1979 revolution too.

You book a walking tour to the Tehran Grand Bazaar here.

2. Tajrish Bazaar in the North of Tehran

The Tajrish Bazaar is in the mountains on the outskirts of Tehran. Because of the clean air in the area, more and more people are moving there. Tajrish Square is one of the busiest parts of Tehran. It is where the longest and one of the most important, the Valiasr Street ends. 

Opening hours: The stores are usually open from 9 am to 8 pm in winter and till 9 pm in summer

Tip: Visit the Imamzadeh Saleh shrine next to Tajrish Bazaar

Visit some of the fascinating museums, palaces and religious sites of Tehran

Without trying to fit all the information in one post, I wrote another one only about the museums, palaces and religious sites. Please check out that article to have a complete overview of all the places you can visit in Tehran.

The ultimate guide about the best museums, palaces and religious places in Tehran

The best things to do in Tehran at night

Let’s not forget that Islamic rules define the life of Iran. You cannot expect sparkling nightlife like in many other countries. Iranians love going to have a picnic in one of the many parks instead, go to restaurants (Persian food is incredibly delicious), shopping, or watch a movie in the cinema. Traditional restaurants have live music, and Iranians enjoy loud music. In the meantime, young people find a way to enjoy private parties behind the walls… 

1. Darband – the best place for entertainment in Tehran, do not miss it!

Once you are at the Tajrish Bazaar, continue to the North to Darband, which means “the door of the mountain”. After a short walk, you reach the narrow rocky valley, where you escape from the noisy city with plenty of restaurants, fruit stalls, cafés, and teahouses along a stream. It is a favorite place for young Tehrani to meet up here and visit one of the many hookah lounges. The hiking trail to the famous mountain Tochal also starts here.    

2. Bam-e Tehran – the high-class area

Bam-e Tehran is a well-off region in the North, at the foot of the Tochal Mountain. A hyped district with excellent restaurants and cafes and entertainment such as sled, zip line, and bungee jumping. On top of that, you have a great view of the city from there.

3. Go for some street food at 30th Tir Street in Tehran

Located just next to the National Museum, you find several wooden stalls selling local Persian food. Just a great place to grab something during the day, and if you do not have any program for the evening, it is always a good option.

Book your tour to try street food, visit museums and palaces, or learn how to cook Persian food

4. The Milad Tower – the 6th largest telecommunication tower in the world (435m)

I am sure you never heard about that, but it is with a height of 435 meters, the 6th largest telecommunication tower in the world. It was part of the Pahlavi shah’s plan for modern Tehran in the 1970s, but it was completed only in 2007. The revolving restaurant and café at the top offer excellent panoramic views of the city.

Opening hours: every day 9 am – 11 pm

Entrance to open view platform: 390,000 IRR

5. The Tabiat (Nature) bridge 

Designed by the 26-year-old Iranian Leila Araghian in 2014, the unique bridge that spans over the Tehran highway has been a real success. Locals are happy to hang around on the bridge and take a seat on one of the uniquely designed banks in the adjacent Water and Fire Park.

Visit one of the top shopping malls in Tehran

Iranians like strolling around in one of the 400 shopping malls. But due to the American sanctions, the world-renowned brands cannot open shops in Iran. You will still see some of them, but they are non-official branches. Foreign brands have to close their shops in Iran, and due to the pandemic, foreign products do not even get smuggled into the country. As a tourist, it is interesting to stroll around shopping malls. The biggest ones are mostly in the North of Tehran.

Opening hours of shopping malls: 10: 00 – 23:00

1. The Iran mall 

The Iran Mall was opened in 2018 as one of the biggest shopping malls in the world. Just imagine that it covers 1 710 000 m². Parts of that are still under construction. The Fashion Avenue, food courts with more than 200 restaurants and a 3,300 square meter book garden, a cinema complex with 40 rooms, an Iranian Bazaar, two 5-star hotels, a large mosque, a conference hall, a large car showroom, sports facilities (tennis courts, swimming pool and ice rink) are all part of the plan. They constructed the Mahan garden in the center of the shopping mall. 

It is located in the west of Tehran, close to the Kharazi Highway.

2. The Palladium Shopping center

This shopping center has more than 150 shops with the most prestigious brands. Excellent restaurants, cafés, and bakeries are some of the pros of this shopping center. 

The Palladium Shopping center is also in the North in the Zafaranieh area. 

3. Arg shopping center

It is one of the modern high-end malls close to Tajrish square. It offers three cinemas, amusement parks, good restaurants, and an open café.

Book a tour to go shopping in Tehran’s top shopping malls

4. Galleria shopping center

Galleria is also one of the best shopping centers in Tehran for the higher class. Wealthy customers come to get the fanciest clothes, jewelry, cosmetics, and accessories from reputable brands. And they take a break in one of the elegant restaurants. 

It is located in the Velenjak area near Bam-e Tehran.

5. Milad Noor shopping center

This large shopping center is one of the oldest shopping centers in Tehran. With 350 commercial units, it offers an endless choice of goods and has many restaurants and cafes. 

The Milad Noor shopping center belongs to the upscale Shahrak Gharb area. The district is one of the most affluent parts of Tehran with American-style villas and luxurious apartments.

6. Sam Center Shopping Center

Another posh shopping center in Tehran opened its doors in 2011 to cater to the high-class. Here you find the best clothes, luxurious accessories, jewelry, and cosmetics of reputable brands. Sam Center Shopping Center is in the North of Tehran, on Fereshteh Street.

7. Megamall

It offers everything you can desire in a shopping mall. Five glass elevators and numerous escalators take you around the mall from an amusement park to a cinema complex and more than 200 shops. Besides offering great shopping facilities, the mall dedicated 85% of the surface to cultural and recreational purposes. 

You can find in this mall leather goods, cosmetics, electronics, food courts, and cinemas. Megamall Shopping Center is located in the west of Tehran, next to the Sattari Highway.

8. Bamland shopping center

No other shopping mall in Tehran has a location as spectacular as Bamland. It stands right next to the popular Chitgar Lake, close to the forest and the Alborz mountains. They combined traditional and modern design to construct this shopping mall. 

9. Other remarkable shopping centers 

Tandis Shopping Center in Tajrish, Rosha Shopping Center and Atlas Shopping Center in Niaravan, and Aren Shopping Center in Saadat Abad.

The nine best parks in Tehran – do as Iranians do!

Thanks to a surprising number of parks in Tehran, 20% of the city is green. There are around 2100 parks in Tehran, according to the statistics. Visiting some gardens gives you the chance to get closer to local Iranians whose favorite pastime is having a picnic in nature.

1. The Jamshidie Park 

It is in the far north of Tehran at the foot of the Alborz mountains. The former private garden of a prince from the Qajar period (1874–1926) is a popular place for young Iranians to meet. 

2. The Chitgar Lake 

The largest artificial lake in the westernmost point of Tehran did not exist before 2004. 

The idea to build this lake came first in 1968, but due to a lack of technical facilities, the project came to a standstill for several decades. They used the Kan River near Tehran and a dam to construct this 130-hectare lake, an impressive technical project. 

They planned commercial and recreational complexes around the dam. The lake bears the name of a large park on the south side of the lake.

Iranians go there to exercise, fish, take a boat ride, or have a picnic. It is an ideal place to go shopping and dine in one of the restaurants around the lake.

3. The City Park (Park-e Shahr)

It was the first public park in Tehran (opened in 1960). It is still popular among locals due to its artificial lake, birdcage, and walking trails. You can also visit the Tehran Peace Museum here. 

4. The Student Park (Park-e Daneshju) 

A principal hub in the very center of Iran. The park is close to two reputed universities in Tehran, hence its name. It is a popular meeting place for Iranian students. This small park also gives home to the round-shaped City Theatre. 

Read the ultimate guide about the best museums, palaces and religious places to visit in Tehran

5. Saei Park 

It occupies the hillside in a canyon-like setting. Only a few people know that Saei was the father of modern forestry in Iran. Apart from the Saei Park, he was the one to plant the peculiar plane trees on both sides of the longest street of Tehran, the Valiasr street. 

A perfect place for families and children to visit the small zoo with rabbits, goose, peacocks, and wild parrots.

It offers some activities, such as table tennis, a playground, and a skating rink.

6. Laleh Park

The Laleh Park is one of the more extensive public parks in Tehran. The last Queen of Iran, Farah Diba, ordered to convert the former military parade area into a public park. It was the Farah Park for every Iranian till the Islamic revolution in 1979. 

You can combine a stroll in the park with a visit to the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Arts and the Carpet Museum. Both are located next to the park. The massive Laleh hotel encloses the park from one side.

7. The Water and Fire Park (Park-e Ab-o Atash)

It is a new park just next to the famous Tabiat bridge. It got its name after the large torches and nearby water features that become activated during special events. In this park, multiple artists designed benches in different shapes. There are a public amphitheater and a natural bridge (Pol-e Tabiat) that connects the park to Taleghani Park. In the western corner of the park, there are good restaurants and cafes.

8. The Mellat Park 

The former Imperial park is just next to the famous Valiasr street in the north of Tehran. One of the biggest (34 hectares) and most historical parks in Tehran. You can spend your time actively here. You can play table tennis, football, or take one of the trekking routes. There is a children’s playground, a small zoo, a skating rink, a badminton court, a volleyball court, and chess tables.

The lake has a musical fountain (the music fountain is active at specific and limited times).

Everybody knows the famous Cinema Complex in Mellat Park, where you can watch among other 4D movies every day from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunglasses are available on the spot.

The first steam locomotive of Iran still stands on its rail as an attraction in the southern part. 

9. The Artists Park (Park-e Khane Honarmandan) – the most unique park in Tehran

It was named after the Iranian Artists’ forum building on the south side. It belonged to a private garden during the Qajar period and became an ammunition depot during World War II. 

The Iranian Artists forum building includes art galleries, a theater, shops, and cafeterias. The park is decorated with contemporary artwork.

The second most important theater hall of Tehran is also part of the park. 

Hope the above information about the best things to do in Tehran is useful for your visit. As I mentioned, it is hard to find the charm of Tehran without some guidance. It is crowded, messy and unless you have a deeper knowledge of Tehran, you will probably not like it. I made this mistake when I was the first time there and got a completely different aspect once I visited it with a guide.

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