
City in Fars province, Iran
Photo: Azbddk, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Shiraz (Persian: شیراز) is the capital city of the Fars province and a treasure trove of Persian culture. It was the capital of Iran during the Zand dynasty's era (1747–79), and is the celebrated birthplace of the great Persian poets Hafiz and Saadi. The city has a population of about 1,500,000. In previous centuries, Shiraz was famous as a locally produced wine, although this has no connection to the modern Shiraz (or Syrah) wine, which is of French origin.
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Karim Khan Citadel
This former a prison is an architectural wonder on exhibit. The design of the citadel combines military and residential architecture, for it was the home of Karim Khan and the military centre of the dynasty. Tile works depicting legendary tales were added at the entrance gate of the citadel during the Qajar period.
شاه چراغ
A funerary monument and mosque, housing the tomb of Seyed Amir Ahmad, known as Shah-e Cheragh, the brother of Imam Reza, came to Shiraz in the latter half of the 8th century. He died in the city and his tomb is now a place of pilgrimage. The structure, tile work and the dome of the mausoleum have been rebuilt several times over the centuries. The tomb, the beautiful silver doors and the exquisite mirror work are the handicrafts of masters and contemporary artists of Shiraz. Regarded as the holiest place in Shiraz. Besides, it houses a small museum exhibiting about 30 very old and rare Qur'an books. No big cameras allowed.
pink mosque
Built during the Qājār era, the mosque has extensively colored glass in its façade, and other traditional elements such as panj kāseh-i (five concaves) in its design. One of the most photographed mosques in southern Iran. Visit before 10:00 to see its beautiful mosaic glasses lit up by the background sun light.
A 9th-century mosque.
Built between 1751 and 1773, during the Zand period; however, it was restored in the 19th century during the Qajar period where its exuberant floral decorative tiles date from. Parts of the mosque is still under construction so it's barely used as a mosque by locals.
Qavam House
Both traditional and historical house, it was built in the mid-to-late 19th century by Mirza Ibrahim Khan. The Qavam "Naranjestan" preserves the elegance and refinement enjoyed by the upper-class families during the 19th century. The mirrored porch was a focal point of the house, overlooking onto gardens lined with date palms and flowers. The house today is a museum open to the public.
Historical house and adjoining gardens that used to be connected to Narenjestan Ghavam by underground tunnel. Now it works as a separate museum which besides of the traditional Iranian house houses Fars History museum in its basement.
It holds shrine of Sayyed Alaeddin Hossein, one of the sons of the seventh imam. Mosque's walls and ceilings are covered with intricate mirror mosaics and coloured glass.
Museum's pavilion was the place in which royal guests were hosted during the Zand dynasty. It was also used for holding official ceremonies and later became the burial place of Karim Khan Zand. Now it exhibits 30 handwritten Qurans and paintings of Persian artists.
Madrese Khan
It's been fully reconstructed where only its facade belongs to the original structure.
17th-century Armenian church, which survived from the Safavid era.
Huge ancient bazaar specializing in fine carpets, textiles, antiques and handicrafts, and spices. There is also a wonderful courtyard with a pool located in the bazaar, perfect for photographs. Caravansarais, bath houses, and old shops where hundreds of vendors are housed.
Caravansary at the south entrance of Bazaar Vakil, which now functions as exhibition space for Iranian handicrafts.
An old public bath which has been remodelled into a museum of waxworks.
Mausoleum of Hafez (1324–1391), the greatest master of Persian lyric poetry and the literary giant of the 14th century in the west and central Asia, was born in Shiraz, lived all his life here, sang its praises in unsurpassed verse and was buried in a garden known after him as the Hafezieh, in the northeast part of the city. The wide appeal of this poet among all Persian-speaking people make his tomb a cherished placed, visited by all. This mausoleum was rebuilt in the early 1950s. A flight of stone steps reaches to the tomb under a tiled cupola resembling a dervish’s hat. The tombstone is beautifully inscribed with two of Hafez’s poems or Ghazals. Visitors to the tomb can still, as they have done for centuries, take the omens, or faals, by picking a page at random from a volume of Hafez, kept for this purpose.
Here lie the earthly remains of one of Iran’s greatest poets. Even from the very early days after the poet’s death, the mausoleum of Sa’di became a place of pilgrimage to lovers of poetry and literature. In 1808 AD Karim Khan Zand renovated the mausoleum. The tomb was rebuilt in the early 1950s. The porch with its tall columns of pinkish marble is a traditional feature of Iranian architecture.
Built over the shrine of Emir Ali, a nephew of Shah Cheragh. The building itself is quite new as it had to be rebuilt after an earthquake. However, it can boast of the richly-ornamented interiors, parts of which are made of marble and mirror mosaics.
Tomb of Shah Shoja', the Mozafarid emir of Persia, and patron of Hafiz.
The Tomb of Baba Kuhi sits atop a mountain overlooking the city.
Dar vazeh Quran
The city's main entrance. The original gate was built as an ornamental decoration by the Buwwayhids (Buwayhid dynasty) about 1000 years ago, but this was replaced 60 years ago by new gate, which is considered one of the finest architectural designs in Iran and has won numerous awards. From the gate walk up the stone stairways to enjoy picturesque and panoramic views of Shiraz. The tomb of Khajooyeh Kermanee, a famous poet, is also located here (entrance ticket 115,000 rials). Hidden in the alleys on the hill-side are numerous restaurants that serve the finest chelo kabob. It is an excellent place for picnics and taking photographs.
It's a mausoleum, where seven Sufi mystics are buried. Besides, there is a museum of stones that were collected from historical sites in Fars province.
People say this is the place where a guard tower was located in the old days, nowadays it has a stone replica of it. Besides, it's a fantastic observation point. Be prepared to climb up 800 steps to get there. Or be lucky that one of the guards at the gate will drive you up the hill. Even further up the road you'll end up at Mortaz Ali well, where you'll have an even more impressive overview of Shiraz (if there is no smog).
Abu-Nasr Palace or Takht e Sulayman [Throne of Solomon]
Fortress built in Parthian Empire and was important and strategic location in Sassanid Empire. Archaeologists found various drachmas and art crafts belonged to different historical periods there. There is almost nothing left from those times, just stones.
Bagh-e-delgosha
Enjoy a walk in this lovely old garden with flowers and bitter orange trees.
Bagh-e-afifabad
Garden and houses owned by the Ghavami family. It contains a former royal mansion, a historical weapons museum, and a Persian garden that is one of the oldest gardens in Shiraz, all open to the public.
Bagh-e-eram
Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, this stunningly beautiful complex contains a vast network of gardens, a colorful palace, and a system of small artificial rivers flowing throughout the entire area. It houses wonderful flora, and you can follow the little canals' intricate system. Make sure the weather is sunny before coming here!
Buffet and classic restaurant, Iranian and international cuisine.
Simple traditional Iranian restaurant with quite average food.
A classic old restaurant located just outside the Vakil bazaar. It is often packed with tourist groups.
Chinese food.
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A small restaurant that also serves breakfast: fried eggs, tea, and the famous Ash-e-shiraz.
Not a restaurant, but a house that needs to be booked in advance for an Iranian and Shirazian dinner.
بابا بستنی
Ice cream shop, more creamy than most other ice cream found in Shiraz. Try the special cone ice cream. The shop is popular with the locals, so expect a queue. No seats but there is a small park beside.
Special herb teas and coffee with fresh baked cakes and desserts.
Small guest house run by a very friendly owner.
8 room hostel with courtyard
Awesome traditional court to hang around, drink tea and have a shisha. There is a five-bed dorm room. The owner, Parviz, is an honest and good host, who speaks English fluently. He knows all transport possibilities and can book you a hotel he likes in another city at a fair price.
Seven Hostels in Shiraz
A new hotel with a nice inner courtyard and an OK restaurant serving standard fare. There is a dormitory, but it only sleeps four (with two single beds and a double bed). Great value for money. Very good buffet breakfast. Optional extras like tea and laundry are quite expensive, so make sure you settle on a price before agreeing to use additional services. There are reports of private car drivers booked through this hotel overcharging, and the hotel is not responsible for that.
Good location. Clean and very cheap. They speak no English, though. No breakfast.
Traditional house with high walls and orange trees. Rooms with old brick and stone and wooden doors, preserved from the Qajar period. Hostel with small traditional courtyard.
Clean.
Close to the city center.
Between the tomb of Hafez and the Zandiyeh Complex, and close to the city center. Included breakfast and free Wi-Fi. It's better to send an email for reserve and confirmation and get info about hotel.
Tallest hotel building in Shiraz. 250 rooms and suites on 30 floors.
Housed in the former Intercontinental.
By train
There are several trains per day to Tehran, travel time is 10-15 hours, and costs 10,00,000 rials, as of 2025.
By bus
From Tehran, many buses depart from South Terminal. Costs around and takes around 12 hours.
By car
Motorways connect the city to Isfahan, Kerman, Bushehr, Ahvaz and Yasouj, and Bandar-e Abbas is reachable by highway.
For non-Iranian visitors, taxis are probably the most convenient means of transport. However be sure to haggle for a good price prior to getting into the car.
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