آرش, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Shiraz

Poetry, Gardens and Persian Splendor

Shiraz stands out as a major cultural center in Iran, known for its historic gardens and ancient architecture. The city is home to famous landmarks like the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque with colorful stained glass that fills rooms with soft light during morning hours. Persepolis ruins lie nearby, once serving as the ceremonial capital of the Persian Empire. Local bazaars provide everyday goods alongside traditional sweets such as faloodeh and saffron-based desserts. Shiraz also serves as a gateway to the Zagros Mountains, where hiking trails pass through villages preserving centuries-old customs.

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City in Iran

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 4.3

General Safety:	2
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	6
Tap water:	8

Read details

3/5

English is spoken at most hotels, by some guides, and in major tourist areas. In bazaars and local neighborhoods, English is less common, but people are friendly and willing to help with basic communication.

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There is a travel warning issued for this country. Please check the website of your country's foreign office for the latest information.

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Shiraz Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

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Read how our scores work

Excellent for Persian culture and poetry history. Visit grand mosques and gardens, explore historic bazaars and tour nearby ancient ruins.

Place score

6.2

Best at:

Walkable

Local cuisine

Architecture

Historic sites

Religious sites

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

❤️ 8

Couples

🛡️ 7

Travel Beginners

Iran – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F Type C: Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Iranian Rial (IRR) £1 ≈ IRR 1,756,040
Cashless info:	Rating 3/5 Foreign credit and debit cards do not work in Iran because of international sanctions, so travellers must bring enough cash (euros or US dollars) to exchange. Locals mostly pay with domestic bank cards, and ride-hailing apps like Snapp are popular. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	We cannot recommend an eSIM provider for this country. We advise getting a local SIM card.

Tipping:	Tipping is not mandatory but appreciated in Iran. In restaurants, leaving a small tip of around 5-10% is common. Taxi drivers do not expect tips, but rounding up fares is appreciated.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is illegal in Iran, and alcohol consumption is strictly prohibited. Alcohol is only available in private or special non-public establishments for non-Muslim minorities.
Public smoking:	Smoking is generally allowed in outdoor public spaces and designated areas, but it is prohibited in many indoor public areas such as shopping centres and restaurants.

Nowruz (20 March)	Iranian New Year, a major holiday celebrated with family gatherings and festivities
Ashura (Varies)	A religious holiday observed with mourning ceremonies, especially in Shia communities

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 110 (Police), 115 (Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Snapp, Tap30
Other:	Iran is home to a rich history and culture, including ancient sites like Persepolis and Isfahan. Travellers should be aware of the country's conservative social norms and regulations, particularly concerning dress code and behaviour.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Shiraz, Iran

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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High season:	March - May, Oct.
Shoulder season:	June, Sep., Nov.
Crowdedness:	6 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Nowruz (Persian New Year) from 20 March to early April: domestic tourism peaks, hotels book out and many shops close in the first days

Ramadan: daytime food options limited, many restaurants closed until sunset

Tasua and Ashura (Muharram): sights, shops and restaurants mostly closed, processions fill the streets

Don't miss

🌈 Visit the stunning Nasir al-Mulk Mosque at sunrise
🌺 Stroll through Eram Garden’s Persian paradise
🛍️ Explore the vibrant Vakil Bazaar and shop local crafts
📜 Pay respects at the Tomb of Hafez and read poetry
✨ Discover the grandeur of Shah-e-Cheragh Shrine
🏛️ Wander the historic Vakil Mosque and admiring tilework

You've been here?

Why travel to Shiraz?

Traveling to Shiraz means stepping into a world of colorful mosques, tranquil gardens and centuries-old poetry. The city is home to masterpieces like the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque (the famous 'Pink Mosque'), the lush Eram Garden and the tombs of legendary poets Hafez and Saadi. Shiraz’s bazaars are a delight for the senses, filled with spices, handicrafts and the hum of local life. The city is also a gateway to Persepolis, one of the world’s most important ancient sites. Shiraz is generally safe and friendly, but there are a few things to keep in mind: summers can be extremely hot, so spring and autumn are the best times to visit. Dress modestly to respect local customs and stick to bottled water to avoid stomach upsets. Some neighborhoods are less tourist-friendly at night and city traffic can be chaotic.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Vakil Mosque
2 Tomb of Hafez
3 Ali Ibn Hamzeh Holly Shrine
4 Vakil Bath

🎡Places for activities

1 Citadel of Karim Khan-e Zand
2 Afifābād Garden

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Eram garden

🛍️Shopping

1 Vakil Bazaar
2 Saraye Moshir

🎈Events

Shiraz Spring Festival
Persian New Year (Nowruz)
Hafez Commemoration Day
Local poetry nights
Religious festivals

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Visit Pink Mosque early morning. Stained glass creates magical light displays.
Respect strict dress codes; women need headscarves, long clothing at all religious sites.
Hire local guide for Karim Khan Citadel, Vakil Bazaar and hidden garden gems.
Spring (Nowruz time) brings flower blooms to Eram Garden, UNESCO Persian paradise site.

How to travel to Shiraz

Shiraz International Airport (SYZ) connects to major cities in Iran and some regional destinations. Most travelers arrive via domestic flights or long-distance buses from Tehran, Isfahan or Yazd. The airport is about 20 minutes from the city center by taxi.

Access summary

From Shiraz Airport (SYZ): Taxi or transfer to center, about 15–30 min.
From Tehran: Direct domestic flight about 1.5 h; overnight bus around 10–12 h.
From Isfahan: Domestic flight under 1 h or long‑distance bus about 6–7 h.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Shiraz

Shiraz offers a range of accommodation, from boutique hotels in restored mansions to modern international chains and budget guesthouses. Many hotels are centrally located, making it easy to explore on foot. Book ahead during festivals and spring.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

We couldn't find any nearby hotels for now.

How to get around Shiraz

Shiraz’s main sights are clustered in the city center and easily explored by foot or short taxi rides. Public buses and taxis are affordable, but traffic can be hectic. Rideshare apps are available and signage is often in both Persian and English. Avoid driving yourself unless you’re used to busy city conditions.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-83 %

Daily expenses in Shiraz are around 83% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-97 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to IRR) is 97% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is a lot cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£17	£34	£83
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£8	£19	£45
🍝 Food per day	£8	£13	£35
🚕 Transportation per day	£1	£2	£3

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£4.50
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£3
🍟 Fast food combo	£2.60
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£3.10
☕ Cappuccino	£0.75
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£0.60

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.15
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£1.70
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.55

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£1.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£70
🤧 Cold medication	£3.30
💇 Basic haircut	£22

Safety information overview

General safety

Shiraz is generally safe, with low crime rates in tourist areas. Avoid poorly lit neighborhoods at night and keep valuables secure in crowded places. Respect local customs and dress codes, especially in religious sites.

Health & Medical

Medical care is good, with clinics and hospitals in the city. Bring any prescription medications and stick to bottled water to avoid stomach issues. Pharmacies are common and staff are usually helpful.

Accessibility

Main sights and hotels are accessible, but some gardens and bazaars have uneven paths or steps. Public transport is basic and not always wheelchair-friendly. Plan ahead if you have mobility needs.

Tap water

Tap water is treated and safe for locals, but visitors should stick to bottled or filtered water to avoid stomach upsets. Bottled water is cheap and widely available.