Here lies the capital of the Safavid empire, in the country's centre. Magnificent monuments from the 16th and 18th centuries, arranged like a huge garden. The stop not to miss in order to discover all Iran's splendour.

Middle East

It needs to be said: Iran is not the first tourist destination that springs to mind when travellers are planning their next trip. The events of the last few decades have horribly tarnished the image of the country, to the extent of making it into a place which has been deserted by tourism. However, nothing but riches and wonders await those who have the courage to go beyond the clichés and the adverts. Along with the legendary hospitality of the Iranian people, is the thousand-year-old culture, which is both rich and precious, interior designs of unexpected beauty and archaeological heritage which will make any history enthusiasts interested in ruins tremble in anticipation. Iran is also a country that is half the size of Europe at the crossroads of Mediterranean and Asian civilisations, of inspirations, a subtle mix which will eternally surprise the traveller by its richness, its diversity and the beauty of the encounters which will be in no short supply during your journey! Put what other people say aside and leave, as others have, on the trail of the Persian empire, Persepolis, Shiraz or even Isfahan on a journey to Iran.

Iran

Isfahan

At one time Iran's capital, Shiraz is home to the tombs of the greatest Iranian poets, Hafez and Saadi, and was once famous for the wine formerly produced here from the well-known grape variety that today shares the city's name.

Shiraz

A metropolis with 15 million inhabitants, Tehran is an essential destination while on holiday in Iran. With the variety of its museums, its many bazaars, and its hiking trails that wind around the 3,900 metre tall Mount Tochal which overlooks the city, you won't get bored there.

Tehran

One of the largest towns in the country and the capital of the Azeris (a Turkish speaking ethnicity), the largest minority in Iran, Tabriz has been an important gateway town for centuries, at the crossroads of Turkey, the Caucasus and Iran.

Tabriz

Hamadan is a city that has been occupied since the second millennium BC at least and was an ancient capital that went by the name of Ecbatana. It houses several historic sites and will serve as a junction for those who want to get to know the western part of the country.

Hamadan

Europe

Central America

Africa

North America

South America

Asia

Oceania

Hamadan has a good number of historic sites that span several thousand years of Iranian history . The rock inscription of Ganj Nameh, etched on the side of Mount Alvand outside the city, just like the ruins of Ecbatana, bear witness to its ancient origins. As for the tomb of Esther and Mordechai, it bears witness to the history of the Jews in Iran, one that goes as far back as earliest antiquity. Lastly, the tomb of Avicenna pays homage to the scholar of medieval times, well-versed in philosophy and astronomy and whose treatise on medicine would be used in Europe until the 17th century.
To escape the sun or the wind which can be rife, I enjoyed going on an excursion to the Ali Sadr cave , 2 h away by road and whose underground lake can be visited by pedal boat.
For those who want to visit Western Iran , the city is a crossroads between Teheran, Mount Zagros, Kurdistan and Iranian Azerbaijan.

Hamadan is a city that has been occupied since the second millennium BC at least and was an ancient capital that went by the name of Ecbatana. It houses several historic sites and will serve as a junction for those who want to get to know the western part of the country.

Hamadan Vacations

Hamadan: How to get there?

Hamadan: When to go?

Hamadan: For how long?

Hamadan: What to see in the surroundings?