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City in Yazd province, Iran
Photo: StewartMcDowall - User: (WT-shared) MrStew at wts wikivoyage, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Yazd is a desert city in central Iran and the capital of the Yazd province. It is an ancient city dating back to the Sassanian period (224-651 AD). It is nicknamed "the City of Windcatchers" in Persian, and in 2017, this city of 530,000 people (2016) was listed by as a .
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Friday Mosque
Dating to the 14th century, it is well worth a visit. It is an example of finest Persian mosaics and excellent architecture. Its minarets are the highest in the country. Admire it at night when it is lit up.
House converted to a museum with a lot of information about the Canat water distribution system. Contains nice cool underground rooms.
Amir Chakhmagh Complex
Built as a mosque, it served as a caravanserai, a tekyeh, a bathhouse, a cold water well, and a confectionery. This imposing structure fronts a square in the old town, opposite the water museum. You can pay a small amount to go inside and climb to the top, giving good local views, including of a nearby badgir (water reservoir with wind towers). The square has interesting fountains and is nice at night.
Easily-viewed reservoir with 4 badgirs (wind towers).
Old Mosque
Mosque next to the Amir Chakhmagh Complex.
Atash Behram
Zoroastrian Fire Temple built in 1934. The fire on the inside has supposedly been burning since AD 470. It is believed to be one of the nine worldwide Atash Behrams or "Victorious Fires".
Zoroastrian Towers of Silence
Huge circular walls on top of hills, where the dead were left to be picked clean by vultures. A quiet, serene place. Two hills can be walked up, Golestan and Mankeji.
Also known as Ziaiyyeh school
Neither built by Alexander the Great nor a prison, but a 15th-century domed school. Guides say the deep well in the middle of its courtyard was built by Alexander the Great and was used as a dungeon although this is not confirmed. Apart from the well there is nothing else to see, so it can easily be skipped.
With a building with a beautiful large badgir. One of nine Persian gardens inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Makes an emphasis on cultural aspects of daily life of Zoroastrianism followers in Iran.
Yet another world heritage-listed Persian Garden.
Saryazd village dates back to Sassanid era (3rd-7th AD) and apart from the fortress has two caravanserais (Seljuk and Safavid ones), a water reservoir and a number of other historical building, all in half-destroyed state. Besides, there is a traditional restaurant in Safavid Caravansary and a hotel named 'Najari House' offering 6 simple rooms.
One of the last remaining mud cities in Iran. Quite touristy place.
A pilgrimage center for Zoroastrians.
A mud-brick fort or castle built some 2,000 years ago, giving nice lookout on Meybod.
Ancient evaporation coolers used to make and preserve ice in the desert
It's a traditional Iranian martial arts which practiced in a domed structure called zurkhaneh, training sessions consist mainly of ritual gymnastic movements and climax with the core of combat practice, a form of submission-grappling called koshti pahlavāni.
You will get familiar with Persian traditions, literature, music and some of the customs associated with the Iranian night gathering. Welcome drink, Persian storytelling, live Persian classical music (the Setar playing), fresh fruits, Yazdi cake with bitter orange blossom tea, narrating Persian anecdotes, and a three course dinner are included in this nightly event. It is held in a quiet and pleasant atmosphere. Reservations are necessary and sufficient bookings are required for the event to be held.
A cosy little bistro located in an ancient courtyard. Home made dishes, fresh juice and local drinks is served. Best known for its amazing coffee, made by Bialetti Moka express. €4-6 for a lunch or dinner
A modern type restaurant with not a very great exterior, but frequented by locals, and has a busy takeaway. Good food.
A cosy cafe perfect for a short break. Serves beverages and delicious, inexpensive hand-made burgers.
From the owners of Silk Road Hotel, which is on the other side of the street. The price of the rooms are all same as the Silk Road Hotel. It is especially tailored to the needs of families and group travelers. Has a glass deck on the second floor with nice panoramas of the city, and the beautiful Jame' Mosque, and a background of desert and mountains. To book your room at the Orient hotel, it is best to call or email the Silk Road Hotel. Good hotel, nice central courtyard. Showers have good pressure and water is hot. You can eat lunch and dinner here.
This is undoubtedly the most popular and affordable of the backpacker hotels in Yazd. They off private rooms with ensuite bathrooms as well as a comfortable dorm. An excellent buffet breakfast and free wireless internet is included in the price. They also serve traditional food in the lovely courtyard restaurant. They also offer a number of interesting tours in and around Yazd - including overnight trips to the desert oasis Kharanaq, where they run another guesthouse. In 2019, Silk Road Hotel offered free accommodation for bicycle travelers in their basement dorm.
A little pricier and difficult to find, but also worth the effort. They also have a beautiful courtyard restaurant, an underground qanat room (water management system) to explore, and good views of the old city can be had from the roof. The hotel is family run, and also there is a tourist information office, a young man,who speaks wonderfully perfect German, English and a little Spanish, he can provide information about Yazd and other cities of Iran, time table of buses, air planes and trains. Various tours of Yazd are offered including camel rides, overnight stays in desert & bike riding in desert. Laundry service 150,000 rials.
Traditional architecture and modern amenities, in the middle of the city. Breakfast and Wi-Fi free.
هتل فاضلی یزد _ هتل یزد
The hotel's main building was built in the late of Safavid period and in Qajar and Pahlavi period has been restored. Free Internet, public Wi-Fi, non-smoking rooms, laundry service, concierge, air conditioning, minibar, rooftop terrace, breakfast buffet, family rooms, 24-hr front desk, self-service laundry, daily housekeeping, flatscreen TV.
The rooms are comfy and have a view of the central yard. Free WiFi and buffet breakfast are provided. The host family is friendly. Mo is enthusiastic and has a good knowledge of English.
The rooms are comfy and most have a view of the central yard. Free WiFi and buffet breakfast are provided and the coffee shop with its roof view is very atmospheric. The staff members are very professional and have good knowledge of English.
Hotel Dad is a hotel from the 1930s in the old center of town, with a traditional style, and 54 rooms. Swimming pool with poolside service and a sauna and jacuzzi. It has a traditional Iranian and an international restaurant, along with a coffee shop.
This guesthouse/hostel is close to Yazd on the Dasht-e-Lud desert. The owner, Masoud, speaks excellent English and a little French, is very nice and very knowledgeable about the area. This hotel offers comfortable beds, a full buffet breakfast, new bathrooms, WiFi, kitchen facilities, dinner with a local family, and camel-riding courses. This hotel is great for both backpackers and traditional travellers looking for a trekking base or an authentic place to relax. There is a bus and train booking service for minimal commission. Tours: from 1-12 days - day tours to surrounding villages from an experienced guide, camel-riding courses, nomad tours from Yazd to Shiraz, one day hikes to Mt. Shirkuh (up to 4100 m), or a tour of your choosing can be arranged.
Office with a good exchange rate.
By bus
Buses come from Shiraz (300,000 rials, 5-6 hours), Na'in (150,000 rials, 2½ hours), Isfahan (260,000 rials, 4 hours).
By plane
There are International flights to Dubai, and daily flights to Tehran and Mashhad.
By train
Yazd stands on the railway line connecting Tehran and Kerman (6 hr), passing Kashan (3-4 hr). Several trains per day including one overnight one.
By taxi
Taxi to Na'in costs 1,200,000 rials (besides, it's possible to go there via Chak Chak and Meybod sights which will cost then - about 2,000,000 rials), to Isfahan - 2,200,000 rials.
By foot
Most places in the old town are within easy walking distance from each other.
By bus
Local buses are also available, work with a pre-paid card.
By taxi
Taxis are inexpensive, 50,000-100,000 rials per ride anywhere inside the city. Motorcycle taxis are another fast and cheap way to move around the city but try to settle on a price beforehand.
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Yazd · Regional · AZD
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