Tehran | Capital of the second Large Country in the Middle East

Iran Tour Packages | Tehran, the most populous city in Western Asia and the second largest metropolitan area in the middle east.
The capital has been moved for several times during the history of Iran and Tehran is the 32nd capital city. It was first chosen by the king of Qajar dynasty, Agha Mohammad Khan, in 1796. We know 6th of October as the day of Tehran! On this day Tehran officially became the capital city of Iran. On this day you can buy cinema tickets with 50% discount; and also, visit all museums and monuments located in Tehran for free.
Large scale demolition and rebuilding began in the 1920’s; and Tehran has been a destination for mass migrations from all over Iran since the 20th century.

Tehran tourism attractions

Tehran is home to many historical collections and beautiful landmarks such as Niavaran complex, Sa’dabad complex, Golestan place, Azadi tower, Tabiaat bridge and Milad tower.

Sa’dabad Complex

It is a 300 hectare complex which natural forests cover more than 180 hectares of it.
Qajar and Pahlavi monarchs built the complex, located in Greater Tehran, Shemiran.
Building the complex was during the Qajar dynasty and it was the residence of Qajar kings during the summer – quarts.
Reza Shah of the Pahlavi Dynasty resided there in the 1920’s and His son, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, moved there in the 1970’s. The latest building of the complex is “Leila palace“; they named it after the youngest daughter of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. The complex became a public museum after the 1970’s revolution.

Shahvand Palace

Shahvand palace, or the Green palace, goes back to 1922, and the architecture of this palace was Mirza Ja’afar Kashi. It took 6 years to complete the palace. It is located in North west of Sa’dabad complex and it was residence of Reza Pahlavi. The outward appearance was built with marble stones; and that’s why some people also know it as the Marble palace. Hossein Behzad have illuminated the walls. And the beautiful fact that you can see in this palace is that the pattern of the rug, located in the center of the hall, that have harmony with the ceiling’s motif.

White Palace

White palace or Nation palace is the biggest palace in the whole complex. It was Mohammadreza and Farah Pahlavi’s Summer-quart residence. The outward color of the palace has given the name “White palace” to it. The appearance is in Iranian-Roman style; and there are some paintings around the first floor’s balcony with the content of Iranian mythology, Shahnameh.

Azadi tower

Azadi tower, also known as Shahyad tower, is a memorial building. They built it under the order of Mohammad Reza Shah, to mark the 2,500th year of the foundation of the Imperial State of Iran.
This monument is located on Azadi square in Tehran; and it was built by Hossein Amanat in 1971.
He had won an award do design the tower in 1966. According to an interview he had with BBC World News, he was inspired to design the tower in the way that “it starts from the base and moves up towards the sky”; because of the feeling he had that Iran “should move towards a higher level”.

At first they planned to name the building Darvāze-ye Kuroš (“Gate of Cyrus”); but Bahram Farahvashi, a scholar and professor of ancient Iranian languages who worked with the Council of Celebrations, came up with the officially designated name of the structure, Šahyād Āryāmehr. They finally named the structure “Shahyad” (means: (“Shah’s Memorial”) in honor of the Shah (Mohammad Reza Pahlavi). They opened it to public in 1972; and after 1979 Revolution the building’s name changed to Azadi tower.

Milad Tower

Milad tower or ,Tehran tower, built in 2000 in order to be a new symbol for Tehran city instead of Azadi tower. With 435 meters tall, it is the sixth-tallest tower and the 24th-tallest freestanding structure in the world. Milad Tower was part of the Shahestan Pahlavi project, a vast development for a new government and commercial center for Tehran. They designed the project in the 1970’s but never got the chance to materialize it, except for the Tower.
In 1997 they finally commenced the construction of the tower; but building it officially started in 2000 and it took about 7 years to finish. In October 7, 2008 people could finally visit the new symbol of the capital. Milad tower has 5 main parts:

1. The foundation
2. Transition (lobby) structure
3. Shaft
4. Head structure
5. The antenna mast

The lobby structure consists of six floors. The first three floors consist of 63 trade units, 11 food courts, a cafeteria, and a commercial products exhibition which is supposed to be about 260 square meters .
Milad Tower has an octagonal base, symbolizing traditional Iranian architecture.

Tajrish bazaar

Tajrish neighborhood, is located in the northern edge of Tehran and it is one the oldest neighborhoods in Tehran. The most famous part of this region is “Tajrish bazaar”, consisted of fruit and vegetable bazaar, malls and restaurants. As the bazaar is next to “Imam zadeh Saleh mosque”, there are some shops where you can find some interesting stuff such as colorful scarfs and different kinds of stone; specially a traditional Iranian stone called “Cheshm nazar”.

Tajrish bazaar is one of the best places to buy souvenirs from; and also to try edible souvenir of Tehran such as different fruit roll ups and Samanoo. This bazaar starts from “Qods square” and it finishes at “Tajrish square”

In addition to the beautiful bazaar, there is a big mall called “Arg”. The mall is located on the northern side of Tajrish square. You can go shopping and roving in Arg mall, or eat in the food court; or if you are travelling with child, there is a funfair in the mall.
If you want to go sightseeing don’t forget to visit the magnificent Saadabad Palace. You can see cafes and sandwich sellers on every corner of the square; and the south side of the square is the place where the longest street in the Middle East, Vali-easr, starts.

Vali-easr street | A street full of fun!

Vali-easr street starts from “Tajrish square” and ends in “Rah Ahan square”. And connects the north part of Tehran to it’s south part. They build the street in 1921 by the order of Reza Shah Pahlavi. The street is so famous for it’s plane trees which were planted in 1939; a number for every two meters.
If you are a fan of taking long long walks, you can plan a day to walk all the street long and have fun. In this case you will be able to see the culture changing district by district! and enjoy the differences and the view of plane – trees every time you look up to the sky.
The most popular parts of the street are “Ferdows garden” at the beginning of the street, “Saei Park”, “Vali-easr junction” and “Monirieh square”.

Ferdows Garden | If I were you, I would have spent a whole day here!

Ferdows garden is located at the beginning of Vali-easr street; and it is one of the popular places for teenagers in Tehran. Also cinema museum is located in this garden; and there are also some restaurants located in it, which makes this place a good choice for a rest stop. People come and sell jewelries, scarfs and aloes there from afternoon till midnight; and if you are a fan of hippie style, you can find interesting thing there. If you visit the garden at night you can also see people, playing instruments and singing songs, which is a Phenomenal experience.

Ferdows garden is one of those places that is very alive from the time sun rises till it goes down! In every corner something is happening in this place! So it doesn’t matter what time of the day you are going to visit this place, it’s all about fun!

Vali-easr junction | The most happening spot of Tehran!

Vali-easr junction is the intersection of Enqelab street with Vali-esar street, located in the center of Tehran. It is also, the most populated part of Tehran.
The junction is full of cafes, restaurants and sandwich sellers. The most popular cafes of this area are “Lamiz”, “Andora” and “Godo“. You can find different kinds of drinks and cakes in them.

You can see people from different group standing outside on the pavement, talking, drinking coffee, smoking cigarettes and having fun all day in this most populated spot of Tehran! There are also peddlers on the sides of pavements, selling socks, jewelries and hats which some of them can be a lovely memento of your trip; so we recommend you to take a look at their stuff!

The city theater is located on the south side of the junction; and next to it is “Daneshjoo park” where you can chill and eat food.
The “City theater” subway station is located in the junction. There are plenty of shops in the passageways of the station; and you can also see people sitting on the platforms of the station, talking together and eating confections or food.

Tabiat bridge | A place to stay and ponder, not simply pass …

Tabiat bridge is a two floor bridge built in 2009 which connects “Taleqani park” to “Ab o Atash park“. The bridge is one of Tehran signs. Tabiat bridge it is a structure with an organic design inspired by tree design and combined with traditional Iranian architecture.
It is more crowded at night and there are some restaurants and cafes on the second floor of it; so you can go there and eat while you’re enjoying the spectacular view.

30 Tir Street | Don’t forget to visit the food street!

Are you a food lover?! If your answer is yes, you have to visit 30 Tir street! 30 Tir is located near Golestan palace and next to National garden. So due you will have to pass this street during you sight seeing; but pay attention to stop on the street and have an adventures rest among all the food available in all the restaurants, cafes and food carts in 30 Tir.

The national museum of Iran is also in 30 Tir; so you can continue the museum adventure after visiting time museum in Ferdows Garden.

Tehran grand bazaar | Now it’s time for the real bazaar!

You can find everything in Tehran grand bazaar, it is located between “Molavi – Khayyam – 15^th Khordad – Sirus” streets. The important parts of bazaar are: “Charsough”, ”Sabzeh Meydan” and “Timche Mahdieh”.
The other reason that the grand bazaar is so famous and important is because of the buildings and places around it. “Shah mosque” and “Golestan palace” are the most famous buildings, located in 15^th Khordad street on the North side of bazaar.

There are also some famous restaurants in the street too, where you can enjoy the delicious Iranian food. If you walk Naser Khosrow street to the North, you can see beautiful old buildings and different shops; and also “Marvi bazaar”, where you can buy cosmetics. There are some sellers, selling “Faloodeh Shirazi”, an Iranian dessert – black cherry and barberry juice in Summer; and hot beetroot – turnip and broad bean in Winter on the side of the street.
When you arrive at Imam Khomeini square, if you walk a little to the North West, you will arrive to “30th Tir street” which people call it the food street too! So it is strongly recommended to go there if you are a foodie!

Chitgar Lake | Do you like modern malls and luxurious restaurants? Here they are!

Chitgar lake is an artificial lake, located on the north side of Chitgar park. The lake was built in 2012 and you can go boat riding on it. Chitgar lake has got a beautiful view at night; and there is a shopping and recreational complex near it called “Bam Land”. The complex is divided to three A, B, C zones; each have four floors. You can all kind of shops and restaurants in this complex.

Milad Tower | Visit the modern symbol of Tehran!

Milad Tower is one of the most famous attractions of Tehran. With 12 floors and 5 main sections this tower is the sixth-tallest tower and the 24th-tallest freestanding structure in the world. The first three floors consist of 63 trade units, 11 food courts, a cafeteria, and a commercial products exhibition which is supposed to be about 260 square meters. Which all can be a new and sun experience.

References: Wikipedia
BBC World News