Isfahan
Table of Contents: Culture and History / Travel to Isfahan, visa requirements Flights to Isfahan, airtickets By train By car Buses to Isfahan / Get around / Isfahan attractions and sightseeing / Squares and Streets / Mosques / Palaces / Schools / Caravanserais / Bridges / Churches and Cathedrals / City tours / Learn / Work / Shopping, Isfahan souvenirs / Good restaurants and cheap meals / Budget / Isfahan nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs. / Hotels, youth hostels, lodging / Budget 2 / Splurge / Contact / Stay safe / Get out More from Isfahan (province): Isfahan, Kashan More from Iran: Azerbaijan (Iran), Fars, Isfahan (province), Kerman (province), Khorasan, Khuzestan, Kish Island, Lorestan, Mazandaran, Qom, Qom (province), Sistan va Baluchestan, Tehran, Yazd (province) More from Middle East: Bahrain, Dead Sea, Empty Quarter, Golan Heights, Holy Land, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Levant, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Yemen More from Asia: Caucasus, Central Asia, East Asia, Middle East, Southeast Asia |
Isfahan's (Es·fa·han (ĕs'fə-hän') or Is·fa·han (ĭs'-)(Persian: اصفهان) is a city of central Iran south of Tehran, and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. An ancient town and capital of Persia from 1598 to 1722, it was long noted for its fine carpets and silver filigree. Today it has textile and steel mills. Its stunning architecture, tree-lined boulevards and relaxed pace make it the undisputed highlight of Iran's cities. The capital of Isfahan Province, and once the country's capital, the Persians call it "Nesf-e-Jahan", meaning "Half The World". (Population in 2000: 2,040,000.)
Culture and History
The city is 340 km south of Tehran at the foothills of the Zagros mountain range. The city enjoys a temperate climate and regular seasons. Isfahan is located on the main north-south and east-west routes crossing Iran. It is similar to Denver, Colorado in terms of altitude and precipitation.
Travel to Isfahan, visa requirements
Flights to Isfahan, airtickets
By train
There are train routes from Tehran and the main cities in Iran.
By car
There are automobile routes from the capital Tehran and from other main cities in Iran as well.
Buses to Isfahan
There are regular buses to Tehran and Shiraz.
Get around
Isfahan attractions and sightseeing
Squares and Streets
- Naqsh-e Jahan Square also known as shah square or imam square-1602.
- Meydan Kohne (Kohne Square)
- Shahshahan square
- Chaharbagh Boulevard - 1596.
- Chaharbagh-e-khajou Boulevard
Mosques
The stunning mosques of Isfahan are among the most beautiful and interesting in the world.
- Imam Mosque (it was called Shahcmosque before Iran's Revolution)
- Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque
- Jame Mosque
Palaces
- Ali Qapu (The Royal Palace) - Early 17th Century
- Talar Ashraf (The Palace of Ashraf) - 1650.
- Hasht Behesht (The Palace of Eight Paradises) - 1669.
- Chehel Sotoun (The Palace of forty columns) - 1647.
Schools
- Madreseye Sadr
- Madreseye Shah (Imam Jafar Sadegh after revolution)
- Madreseye Khajoo
Caravanserais
- Carvanserai Shah
Bridges
- Pol-e Shahrestan (The Shahrestan Bridge) - 11th Century.
- Pol-e Khaju (Khaju Bridge) - 1650.
- Si-o-Seh Pol (The Bridge of 33 Arches) - 1602.
- Pol-e-Joui or choobi(Joui bridge)
- Pol-e-Shahrestan (Shahrestan bridge)
Churches and Cathedrals
- Vank Cathedral - 17th century.
- Kelisaye maryam (maryam church)
others include :
- Atashgah - a Zoroastrian fire temple.
- Buqe'h-ye Ibn-Sina (Avicenna's Dome) - 12th Century.
- The Tombs of Nizam al-Mulk & Malek Shah - 12th & 18th Century.
- Jolfa (The Armenian Quarter).
- The Bathhouse of Sheikh Bahai.
- Pigeon Towers - 17th Century.
- Be aware that some tourist attractions will have double pricing standards - one for national citizens and another for tourists. You cannot haggle this price, which is slightly more expensive than the citizen rate.
- You could spend a happy week exploring the bazaar, the entrance is on Naghsh e jahan.
City tours
Take a walk in any of Esfahan's beautiful and well kept gardens, or go and take a look at the bazaar of Esfahan.
Learn
Work
There is a technology university known as IUT and there are a lot of technology towns like Sheikh bahaee, Jay, Shahpoor jadid and many others which all are active in industry. Qualified people would like work in these towns or Foolad mobarakeh or Melt Iron comanies, both active in the steel industry.
Shopping, Isfahan souvenirs
- Isfahan carpets are world-famous, among the vey finest Persian carpets. They are also often extremely expensive. Carpets from the nearby town of Nain are similar in style, also well-known, and also expensive. For those who are interested, it is possible to buy the highly decorative and brightly coloured traditional dress of Isfahan, but such clothing can be expensive, haggle for a reasonable price.
- For a real treasure trove, shop in the famous bazaar.
Good restaurants and cheap meals
As with most of Iran, the standard national dish of Chelo kebab is a must. Try regional variations of this dish in the numerous restaurants in Isfahan. Food is usually of high standard. In some parks in Isfahan, you can simply obtain a carpet and tea from the park warden, and have a picnic on the grass. You may find that famalies will gather in these parks, and bring barbecues and cook freshly made kebabs, which smell delicious.
Another favorite meal is Beryani which you can eat for lunch. It has made with sheep meat and lung. Although Iranians love this meal, it is very fatty. Therfore some westerners may dislike Beryani.
Budget
For visitors to Iran, the exchange rate usually makes for a well-budgeted experience. Your main expense in Isfahan will probably be accomodation. For real bargains shop in the bazaars. Food is of a reasonable price and is usually of very good, fresh quality.
Isfahan nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.
Alcohol is illegal in Iran. It is advised by international health agencies that visitors to Iran drink bottled water. Pay a visit to tea houses, for a great variety of teas, and a relaxing atmosphere.
Hotels, youth hostels, lodging
Budget
- The Amir Kabir Hotel is a favorite among backpackers.
Splurge
- Abbasi Hotel, [1] was built at the time of king Sultan Hossein of Safavids about 300 years ago. King Soltan Hossein attributed this magnificent complex of building to his mother. That is why; it is called "the school and caravansaray of Madar-shah" (which means king's mother).
- Kowsar International Hotel, overlooking Zayandeh Rood River, [2].
- Hotel Ali Ghapou is one of the best 4 stars Hotels in Isfahan.
Contact
There are various Internet cafés in Isfahan.
Stay safe
Do your as best as possible,to stay away from the "fake police" who have been targeting a few of Esfahan"s foreign tourists past the few years who have been responsible for thefts or muggings.But your chances of this are slim. Be especially careful of your wallet in the bazaars as there are some pick pockets (frequently children).
Get out
Qom is a holy city a few hundred kilometers away.
More from Isfahan (province): Isfahan, Kashan More from Iran: Azerbaijan (Iran), Fars, Isfahan (province), Kerman (province), Khorasan, Khuzestan, Kish Island, Lorestan, Mazandaran, Qom, Qom (province), Sistan va Baluchestan, Tehran, Yazd (province) More from Middle East: Bahrain, Dead Sea, Empty Quarter, Golan Heights, Holy Land, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Levant, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Yemen More from Asia: Caucasus, Central Asia, East Asia, Middle East, Southeast Asia |
China travel tips: Language / pensions culture in Barcelona / cheap youth hostels singapore / hotels and hostels in Trastevere in Rome / Major Morocco tourist attractions / South Africa political attractions / Vancouver visitors guide, culture & youth hostels / Las Vegas hotels, top casinos, tours and shows
