Shiraz

Hafeziyeh 0457 - |Hafez Tomb

Shiraz (شیراز) is the capital city of the Fars province and a treasure trove of Persian culture. It was the former capital of Iran during the Zand dynasty's perioid (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.

Travel to Shiraz

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Shiraz

Shiraz International Airport (IATA Code: SYZ) has regular Flights to all major and some smaller cities in Iran. There are International Flights to Istanbul, Kuala Lumpur, Dubai, Sharjah, Bahrain, Kuwait, Doha.

Turkish Airlines is operating weekly 4 direct connecting Flights from Istanbul to Shiraz and back.

By Rail

There are several trains per day to Tehran, travel duration 10-15 hours, costs 700,000-1,500,000 rials (as of 2022).

Shiraz Train Station - Shiraz Train Station

Shiraz Train station - Station is 20 kilometers away from the city. Getting there: there is a bus waiting for the passengers on their arrival to Shiraz which brings them to the closest metro station. Taxi costs 150,000 rials per person from the downtown.

Travel on a Bus in Shiraz

From Tehran, many buses depart from South Terminal. Costs around 600,000 rials and takes around 12 hours.

From Isfahan, many buses depart from Soffe Terminal (southern terminal of Isfahan). Costs around 300,000 rials and takes around 6 hours.

From Yazd about 10-15 buses a day, 5 hours.

From Kerman several buses per day, 8 hours.

Karandish Bus station - ترمینال کاراندیش | The main bus station from where departs most of the long-distance buses. It's a big building with lots of shops, simple eateries and a luggage storage (06:30 - 21:30).

Ali Ibn Hamze Terminal - ترمینال علی بن حمزه | A smaller terminal located at the south of the bigger Karandish domestic bus terminal (dont go inside the big terminal). Minibuses to Persepolis depart from there.

By car

Motorways connect the city to Isfahan, Kerman, Bushehr, Ahvaz and Yasouj, and Bandar-e Abbas is reachable by highway.

Get Around

For non-Iranian visitors, taxis are probably the most convenient mean of transport. However be sure to negotiate for a good price prior to getting into the car, average fare inside the city 50,000-100,000 rials (as of 2022).

If an unmarked vehicle stops while you are hailing a taxi, don't be alarmed. Many taxis in Shiraz are unmarked and also as a means to supplement their income, is not uncommon to find private vehicle owners touting themselves as taxis.

However, it is always best to find a taxi through a reputable "telephone taxi" agency. For a set fee, drivers of these agencies will take passengers to their destination, drive them around town and also wait for them while they shop or run errands. All hotels and local residents will have a phone number of one these agencies. There are also taxis driven by women that specifically cater to women passengers.

The city also has a reasonable bus service.

A metro runs between Ehsan on the north side of the city and the airport in south of the city.

Local Languages

Don't hesitate to talk to people, especially youths. Almost all of them speak English well enough to talk to you, answer your questions and chat with you. Respect Iranian government and do not air condescending views of Iran.

What to see in Shiraz

Old quarters

Arg of Karim Khan - Karim Khan Citadel | Formerly a prison, but now an architectural wonder on exhibit. The design of the fortress 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 fortress during the Qajar period.

Shah Cheragh - شاه چراغ | A funerary monument and mosque, housing the tomb of Seyed Amir Ahmad, known as Shah-e Cheragh and 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 and 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.

Mezquita de Nasirolmolk, Shiraz, Irán, 2016-09-24, DD 69-71 HDR - Interior of Nasir al-Mulk Mosque

Nasir al-Mulk Mosque - Built during the Qājār era and 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 masjids in southern Iran. Visit before 10:00 to see its beautiful mosaic glasses lit up by the background sun light.

Jame’e Atigh Mosque - A 9th-century mosque.

Vakil 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 local residents.

Narenjestan Ghavam museum - 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.

Khan-e Zinat ol-Molk House 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.

Sayyed Alaeddin Hossein Mosque - 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.

Pars Museum - 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.

Khan school - Madrese Khan | It's been fully reconstructed where only its facade belongs to the original structure.

Armenian Church - 17th-century Armenian Church, which survived from the Safavid era.

Bazaars

Bazaar-e Vakil - Huge ancient bazaar specializing in fine carpets, textiles, antiques and handicrafts, and spices. There is also a wonderful courtyard with a swimming swimmingpool located in the bazaar, perfect for photographs. Caravansarais, bath houses, and old shops where hundreds of vendors are housed.

Saray-e-Moshir - Caravansary at the south entrance of Bazaar Vakil, which now functions as exhibition space for Iranian handicrafts.

Vakil Bath - An old public bath which has been remodelled into a museum of waxworks.

Mesgarha Bazaar

Northern parts near Baba Kuhi and Chehel Maqam mountains

Hafez Tomb - Mausoleum of Hafez (1324–1391) and 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.

Saadi Tomb - Saadi Thomb

Saadi Tomb - Here lie the earthly remains of one of Iran’s greatest poets. Even from the very early days after the poet’s death and 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.

Ali Ibn Hamzeh Holly Shrine - 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.

Shah Shoja Tomb - Tomb of Shah Shoja' and the Mozafarid emir of Persia, and patron of Hafiz.

Baba Kuhi Tomb The Tomb of Baba Kuhi sits atop a mountain overlooking the city.

Qur'an Gate - 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.

Haft Tanan Museum - It's a mausoleum, where seven Sufi mystics are buried. Besides and there is a museum of stones that were collected from historical sites in Fars province.

Gahvareh Did - 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.

Qasr e Abu Nasr - Abu-Nasr Palace or Takht e Sulayman | 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.

Further afield

Ancient City Bishapur

Best things to do in Shiraz

Gardens

Delgosha Garden - Bagh-e-delgosha | Enjoy a walk in this lovely old garden with flowers and bitter orange trees.

Afif abad garden,shiraz - Afif Abad Gardens

Afif abad Garden - 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.

Baghe Eram Shiraz - Eram Garden

Eram Garden - 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!

Jahan Nama Garden - 115,000 rials plus separate ticket (20,000 rials) is required for the garden's museum

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Shiraz

Shops usually open 09:00-13:00 and 17:00-21:00. It is customary to negotiate for a discount, which is referred to as a takhfeef.

Shopping malls

Aftab Fars Shopping Centre

Hafez Shopping Centre

Persian Gulf Complex
Setareh e Fars Shopping Centre, Afifabad Blv.

Sina Shopping Centre

Zaytoon Shopping Centre

Money exchange

Exchange rates offered in local safaris are 10-15% higher than the official bank rate.

Currency exchange offices - near Karim Khan Citadel and Shohada square

Halal Restaurants in Shiraz

Local specialties

Unmixed-shirazi-salad-iran-flag - Unmixed Shirazi salad, forming an Iranian flag

Kebab with rice - Like elsewhere in Iran and the mighty old y- Halal Kebab with Rice is a common fare, though Shiraz does offer a local variation on the national dish.
Shirazi salad - A delicious and famous salad available throughout Iran, made with cucumbers, tomatoes, onions and a simple lemon juice and Olive oil dressing.
Kalam polo - Traditional food cooked only in Shiraz. Some delivery food restaurants serve this food, but it can hardly be found in normal restaurants. It is made of Rice, meatballs, chopped cabbage and some other vegetables and spices.
Ash-e Shirazi - This is a kind of soup made of vegetables and meat. It is served all over the city, but only early in the morning, 05:00-07:00
Masghati Halva - A great dessert and Snacks.
Nokhod (Chickpea) Cookie - Delicious cookie made of chickpeas, it makes for great souvenirs.
Shirazi Faloodeh - Paloodeh/Faloodeh is an ice cream made of Rice starch, which takes the form of noodles. It is flavored with "sharbat" (sugar water), which can be of different flavors. Shirazi paloodeh is the best of its kind, especially when mixed with Bahar-e-Naranj Distill.

Restaurants

Many of these places have live music playing.

Haft khan - Buffet and classic restaurant, Iranian and international cuisine.
Lotus Restaurant, on the 13th floor of Pars International Hotel
Lotus Restaurant, on the top floor of Setareh-e-Fars Shopping Centre

Shater Abbas - Simple traditional Iranian restaurant with quite average food.

Sharzeh Restaurant - A classic old restaurant located just outside the Vakil bazaar. It is often packed with tourist groups.
Soofi Restaurant, traditional restaurant located at Sattarkhan St.

Dragon - Chinese food.

Noor, Lebanese restaurant, Chamran Blv

Fast food

You can find at least one fast food parlor in every street of Shiraz.

Bagro, experience the real taste of pizza and sandwiches in a lovely place
Givani, modern restaurant offering Burgers, FC, Pizza
Safir SFC, another Modern themed restaurant
Exis, Italian and Mexican fast foods
Sand, a lovely fast food with a unique interior design
Zaver, great Italian pizzas

Baba bastani - 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 local residents, so expect a queue. No seats but there is a small park beside.

Cafés

You can find coffee shops of every size, at shopping centres and on the main streets.

Brentin, Sattarkhan Blv
Blensi, Dena Building, Moali abad Blv
Wafi, Dena Building, Moali abad Blv
Parmin, Parmin Building, Moali abad Blv
Tulip, Khakshenasi st
Safir, Ghasr dasht st
Soofi, Chencheneh Intersection

Food gardens

There are a lot of gardens out of Shiraz, and many have been remodeled as restaurants. Most have live music playing in the evenings and offer great view.

Nakhlestan Garden
Padra Garden, relatively new
Darband Garden
Silvia Garden

For more information on typical drinks in Iran, see Iran#Drink

Distills - Shiraz has many kinds of aromatic distills.

Haiku - Special herb teas and coffee with fresh baked cakes and desserts.

Taropood Art Gallery, behind the national museum. Art gallery with a nice cafe attached to it. Regular free exhibitions as well (updated Oct 2022).

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Shiraz

Shiraz - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Shiraz, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Shiraz. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Shiraz and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Shiraz. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Shiraz. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inShiraz: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Shiraz.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Shiraz: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Shiraz, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Shiraz.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Shiraz, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Shiraz, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Shiraz and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Shiraz, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Shiraz, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Shiraz without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Shiraz is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Shiraz.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Shiraz is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Shiraz, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Shiraz Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

There are a few hotels about 200 m south of the roundabout at Arg-é Karim Khan.

Darya Hotel - Clean.

Golshan Hostel - 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.

Niayesh Boutique Hotel - 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 vehicle drivers booked through this hotel overcharging, and the hotel is not responsible for that.

Golha Hotel - Good location. Clean and very cheap. They speak no English, though. No breakfast.

Taha Hostel - 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.

Apadana Hotel

Aryo-Barzan Hotel

Eram Hotel

Parseh Hotel

Parsian Hotel

Chamran Grand Hotel - Tallest hotel building in Shiraz. 250 rooms and suites on 30 floors.

Homa Hotel - Housed in the former Intercontinental.

Pars International Hotel

Persepolis International Hotel

Stay safe

Emergency services

Police: 110
Fire Assistance : 125
EMS: 115
Road EMS: 115 or 112

Cope

Immigration office - Shiraz passport office | on a side street off Modares Boulevard, 300 m east from Valiye-asr Plaza 29.6059, 52.5631 20 minutes walk from central Shiraz. Visa extensions for foreign tourists.

News & References Shiraz

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