Top 15 Things to Do in Shiraz

One of the most popular travel destinations in Iran is Shiraz, capital of Fars province and a member of Tourism Golden Triangle of Iran. Shiraz is famous for being the hometown of Sa'di and Hafiz, the great poets of Iran. Shiraz also has a moderate climate and is known as the city of poets, literature, wine and flowers.  Having housed kings and empires in different eras, it attracts that many tourists from all over the world come to this city every year to learn about the history of one of the earliest civilizations in the world. Shiraz is not only popular among the foreign tourists, but also among Iranians who visit this city every year in large numbers. There are many natural and historical attractions and places to visit shiraz, however following is the list of the most visited and most popular places to see:

Nasir al-Molk Mosque or The Pink Mosque 

Nasir al-Molk Mosque or Masjed-e Nasir Al Molk is one of the oldest mosques and one of the most popular attractions in Shiraz. It is famous for its colored lights reflected from colored glasses in sun shine through the day and create a special beauty in the mosque that attracts many visitors to watch this stunning scene or take photos. The Pink Mosque is regarded as a masterpiece of architect. Owing to the pink tiles used in the building, it is called The Pink Mosque and this is what at first attracts the visitors.

Passing the vestibule and getting into the rectangular courtyard, we will face a mosque that looks like other mosques in Iran: the beautiful tiling designs, the rectangular pool in the courtyard, etc., but when you go to the Shabestan, you will feel the difference. The colored glasses reflect the sunlight into the building which creates a scenic atmosphere for photography or just enjoy this beauty. This Islamic-Iranian masterpiece dates back to the recent Qajar dynasty. Nasir al-Molk Mosque is still used by people to pray even it is more than 150 years old.

Persepolis

Persepolis is located in the north of Marvdasht city in the north- east of Shiraz. It is one of the ancient cities of Iran where used to be the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire. Persepolis, which is a symbol of Achaemenid style of architecture, is located in this ancient city. Persepolis was founded by Darius I, Xerxes I and Artaxerxes I and it was used for holding ceremonies and celebrations, especially Nowruz for about 50 years. A great deal of information about Achaemenes Empire and their culture is available owning to the inscriptions that were engraved in Persepolis palaces and on the walls and plaques. Historians believe that by Alexander the Great’s attack to Iran in 330 BCE probably most of the Achaemenes’ books, art, culture and even the buildings especially Persepolis was destroyed. However, ruins of Persepolis are still in the city of Marvdasht in Fars province and archaeologists confirm the signs of fire and invasion on it. Although Persepolis is ruined, it still can show a little of majesty and magnificence of Achaemenid Empire. Persepolis was registered in UNESCO’s world heritage list in 1979. 

Pasargadae

The Pasargadae world heritage site is a collection of ancient structures, dating back to the Achaemenes. Pasargadae was used to be the first capital of the Achaemenid Empire. It was founded by Cyrus the Great in the 6th century BC. It is located in Pasargadae city in Fars province and reflects an entire view of the history of Iran. Undoubtedly, it is one of the most beautiful and attractive historical attractions in Iran. Pasargadae includes the Tomb of Cyrus the Great, Pasargadae Royal Garden, The Gateway Palace, Gate of All Nations, The Bridge, The Audience Hall, the Residential Palace, Caravanserai of Mozaffari, Tall-e Takht or "throne hill, etc.

Tomb of Hafez 

Tomb of Hafez or Aramgah-e Hafez which locals know as the Hafezieh is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Shiraz and Iran. Hafez is a famous Persian poet who was born in 1326 A.D. Goethe, the great modern German literature genius, had inspired his West–Eastern Divan by Hafez thoughts. Hafez’s Tomb is located in a beautiful garden. The structure of Hafez Mausoleum illustrates some information about the century he lived. Iranians respect Hafez and his poetries a lot and believe the they can be informed about the future as Hafez predicts it in his poetries. They refer and read Divan of Hafez in different situations like Yalda night, New Year. Hafez’s Tomb was registered in Iran national monuments with registration no. 1009 in 1975.

Arg-e Karim Khan

Arg-e Karim Khan or Karim Khan Citadel was built in 1766 A.C. during the Zand dynasty and is named after Karim Khan, the founder of Zand Dynasty. Karim Khan invited the best architects to build this monument. The outer part of the building is made from bricks. Above the entrance gate, there is a spectacular tile work bearing a scene of Rostam’s battle, the protagonist character of Shahnameh, against Satan. Arg-e Karim Khan includes two residential and military parts. The inner part of the arg includes iwans and the painted rooms, waterfalls and gardens. Also each one of its northern, southern and western part includes one iwan and six residential rooms on both sides. The private Hammam/bath and some other parts used to play the defensive role of the building. The thickness of the walls at the base is 3 meters and the height of them is 14 meters. Arg of Karim Khan was registered in the list of Iran national monuments with registration no. 918 in 1972, and now it is managed by the Iran’s Cultural Handicrafts and Tourism Organization as a museum.

Tomb of Saadi 

  Tomb of Saadi or as Iranian call it Aramgah-e Saadi (Saadieh) is an octagonal monument located in a big garden in Shiraz. He was one of the great and famous Persian poets who lived in Shiraz in 7th century AH. He is known for his social and moral fables and due to his skills and quality in writing, he is nicknamed as Master of Speech. Saadi’s Tomb is located in a very big garden where Saadi used to live in. The garden is very green with water fountains in the middle. In one part of the garden, there is a water flow which comes from the mountains beside with some big fishes in it passing through a pool called Hoz-e Mahi meaning Fish Pool.

Vakil Complex 

Vakil Complex which is located at the downtown of Shiraz is a collection of historical monuments dating back to Zandiye Dynasty including the followings:

Hammam-e Vakil

 Vakil Bathhouse or Hammam-e Vakil, is a Zand-era bathhouse which was built as a public bath in the center of Shiraz under the direct command of Karim Khan Zand. Hammam-e Vakil is famous for its aesthetic beauties and architectural art. The paintings on the wall of Vakil bathhouse show the beliefs, culture and customs of that time. This historical structure was registered in Iran monuments with registration No. 917. 

Masjed-e Vakil

Vakil Mosque or Masjed-e Vakil is a religious structure and another building of Vakil Complex. It is located in the adjacency of Vakil Bazaar and Vakil Bath and situated to the west of the Vakil Bazaar. The Masjed-e Vakil includes the façade of entrance, corridor, yard, large Shabestan, winter Shabestan, two iwans, tile works of the cieling, a mihrab, and a marble minbar. The Iranian art can be seen on the walls, tiling. Moreover, the colors used in this building make Jami Vakil Mosque become a popular tourist destination catching the attention of all the visitors. 

Bazar-e Vakil 

Vakil Bazaar or Bazar-e Vakil is another element of Vakil Complex. The bazaar includes some courtyards, caravanserais, bath houses and stores. Its buildings are made of brick, stucco and lime. One of the special features of the Vakil Bazaar is the height of its ceiling which is about 10 meters also it is slightly wider than other Bazaars in Iran. The structure of the ceiling regulates the temperature of the bazaar especially in hot days of summer. It must be mentioned that there used to be holes in the ceiling acting an air conditioner which were block in renovations. Moreover, there are some windows above each Hojreh (small store) functioning as an air conditioner. Also the Bazaar is constructed at a lower level than the ground and you need to go down six stairs to enter the Bazaar. Bazaar-e Vakil includes three passing space, the first for customers to pass, the second is the area where stores are located, two steps above the ground and the third, and the third is the salesroom which are at higher level than the stores. Vakil Bazaar was registered in Iran National monuments in 1972.

Eram Garden 

Eram Garden or Bagh-e Eram in Persian is one of the nine Persian gardens registered as a UNESCO’s world Heritage site in 2011. Like the other Persian gardens, it includes a pavilion, a pond and a lots of trees. It is supported by the Shiraz University as a botanical research center. The exact date of its construction is not clear but historical evidence show that it dates back to the Seljuq dynasty. The current situation of the Eram Garden owes to the changes made by Karim Khan Zand. 

The three-floor mansion in the garden, is constructed with the architectural style of the Zandy period. Then, the building was rebuilt in Qajar Era and is considered as a masterpiece of the of Qajar era regarding to its architecture, painting, tiling, chiseling, lithography, and tori.

Pars Museum

Pars Museum or Kolah Farangi is an octagonal monument constructed during Zand Dynasty and under the direct command of Karim Khan Zand. The museum is located in the Nazar garden and is considered the oldest museum in the Fars province. There are many worthy things from different historical eras including unique objects, books and the spectacular paintings by famous painters of Zandy Period like Aqa Sadeq, Mirza Baba Naqash-Bashi, etc. alongside the works of contemporary painters like Sadro- Din Shayeste and Mir Mansour which are kept and shown here. Bagh-e Nazar or Nazar Garden, and example of Persian gardens, is located near the other ancient attractions of Shiraz such as Vakil Bathhouse, Arg-e-Karim Khani and Vakil Bazaar. 

Aramgah-e Shah-e Cheragh

The Shah Cheragh Shrine or Aramgah-e Shah-e Cheragh is a mosque and muslim shrine which covers the tombs of the brothers: Ahmad and Muhammad, sons of the 7th Shia Imam, Musa_al-Kazem. It was first constructed during the 12th century, but most of the current structure dates to the Qajar and the Islamic Republic periods. The interior space of the mosque is decorated with green, yellow, red and blue tiles mixed with mirror works and silvered garnishments and doors to enhance the brightness of the monument’s interior. Regarding to religious tourism, Shiraz is also one of the most important destinations in Iran and many pilgrims travel to Shiraz to pilgrimage to the Shah-e Cheragh holy shrine. 

Delgosha Garden

Shiraz is the city of gardens. Delgosha Garden is a historical garden with beautiful tall trees and dates back to the ancient era of the Sassanian Empire. It is located beside Tomb of Saadi, the famous Iranian poet. It can be said that it was maintained importantly during nearly all eras. It was in a good condition during Safavid and Afsharid eras. Karim Khan and Lotf Ali Khan had played important roles in the flourishment of Delgosha Garden during Zandy era. A majestic three-floor pavilion with wooden ceilings was added to the garden during Qajar dynasty. The pavilion includes two main gates on two different sides and a hall with four rooms. There is a big iwan in the second floor. Delgosha Garden has changed a lot during different ages. The pavilion is used as a museum displaying items from the ancient times to the Pahlavi era. Delgosha Garden was registered in Iran National Monuments in 2002.

Afif-Abad Garden

Afif-Abad Garden or Baq-e Golshan is a historical garden constructed during Safavid era and was used as a promenade. The Golshan Garden is a collection of a royal palace, a traditional coffee house, a traditional bath and a museum. The second and biggest weapon museum in Iran is located in the Golshan Garden. Many valuable military objects and weapons since old times time are kept in Afif-Abad Museum. The lower floor of the pavilion is now a military museum. The second floor of the royal palace consists of a long hall with some rooms on both sides which are furnished with fashionable furniture from France, and the wooden ceiling decorated with images of flowers, plants, hunting and festivity. The architectural features of the royal palace indicate that of the Achaemenid, Sassanid, and Qajar eras.

Saraye Moshir

Saraye Moshir is a Sarai situated at the end of Vakil Bazaar and dates back to the Qajar era. Saraye Moshir was founded by Mirza Abolhassan MoshirolMolk, a governor of Shiraz Province in Qajar period, to act as a bazaar. Its portal is a marble inscription describing about it. Saraye Moshir including a large courtyard with a large pool in the middle, is an octagonal monument with a tiled dome. The architecture of the saray is mostly like that of Vakil Bazaar, beautiful Islamic-Persian tiles with stunning designs. Saraye Moshir is a great place to wander in an active cultural lace and buy for souvenirs, especially handcrafts. 

In addition to these touristic attractions, Shiraz is famous for Faloode (Faloudeh), a delicious frozen dessert made with thin noodles in a rose water syrup, which is very popular in the summer and you can buy it nearly in any ice cream store. Do not miss tasting this cool local dessert.