Negin Mohamadi Fard, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Yazd

Desert Windcatchers and Timeless Alleys

Yazd stands as a living museum of Iran’s desert heritage. Its mud-brick architecture rises from the sand, designed to keep homes cool in extreme heat. Wind towers channel breezes through courtyards where families once gathered around water basins. The city preserves ancient fire temples and Zoroastrian traditions still practiced today. Caravanserais line narrow streets that lead to bustling markets selling spices, textiles and handmade ceramics. Yazd’s quiet resilience shows in its gardens, qanats and stone pathways that connect past and present without fanfare.

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City in Iran

$$$

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

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Safety: 4.3

General Safety:	4
Health & medical:	6
Accessibility:	3
Tap water:	3

Read details

3/5

English is spoken at most hotels, by guides, and in tourist restaurants, but less so in local shops or with older residents. A few Persian phrases are helpful, but you’ll get by in main tourist areas.

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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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Yazd Summary

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Outstanding for desert architecture and Persian heritage. Walk ancient mud-brick alleys, visit historic mosques, climb wind towers and explore traditional bazaars.

Place score

6.1

Best at:

Walkable

Deserts

Architecture

Historic sites

Religious sites

Personal score

Suited for

👶 6

Families

🧓 5

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 Yazd, Iran

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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Jun

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Jul

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Aug

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Sep

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	March - April, Oct. - Nov.
Shoulder season:	Feb., May, Sep.
Crowdedness:	5 (Moderate tourist numbers)

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

Desert camps and dune trips are best October to April, summer heat makes them unpleasant

Don't miss

🌃 Visit the ancient Amir Chakhmaq Complex at night for stunning views
🌬️ Explore the historic Dowlat Abad Garden’s tallest windcatcher
🔥 Experience Zoroastrian rituals at the Fire Temple of Yazd
🏘️ Stroll through Yazd’s Old City’s winding alleys and mudbrick houses
☀️ Climb the tower of silence early morning to avoid the heat

You've been here?

Why travel to Yazd?

Yazd is a UNESCO World Heritage site that feels like stepping into another era. The city’s old town is a labyrinth of earthen lanes, domed rooftops and wind towers designed to catch the desert breeze. Highlights include the dazzling Jameh Mosque, the evocative Towers of Silence and the lush Dowlat Abad Garden with its record-breaking wind tower. Yazd is also a center of Zoroastrian culture, with sacred fire temples and unique burial sites. The city’s bazaars, teahouses and rooftop cafés invite you to linger and soak up the atmosphere, while desert excursions and camel rides offer adventure just beyond the city. A few cautions: Yazd’s summers are scorching, with temperatures soaring above 39°C and even in winter, nights can be chilly. Respect local customs – modest dress is essential and women must cover their hair in public. Wi-Fi can be slow and English is not widely spoken outside tourist areas, so a phrasebook helps. Petty theft is rare but keep valuables secure in busy markets.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Persepolis
Ancient Persian capital of Persepolis, now part of Iran's Yazd province. The site features grand staircases and ruins spanning vast grounds, offering a glimpse into imperial history amidst desert landscapes.
2 Water Museum
3 Amir Chaqmaq Complex
4 Towers of Silence

🎡Places for activities

1 Old Adobe City of Kharanaq
2 Jameh Mosque
3 Art House
4 Zoroastrian Fire Temple

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Dowlat Abad Garden

🛍️Shopping

1 Lotfali Khan Zand Street

🎈Events

Ashura Processions
Nowruz (Persian New Year)
Zoroastrian Sadeh Festival
Ramadan Night Markets
Local handicraft fairs

Explore on map

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Knowledge before you go

Dress modestly; cover shoulders and knees.
Visit Amir Chakhmaq Complex at dusk when lights illuminate stunning facades.
Explore ancient windcatchers and qanats cooling desert mud-brick architecture.
UNESCO Zoroastrian center features Atash Behram fire temple burning over 1,500 years.

How to travel to Yazd

Yazd is well connected by bus, train and plane. Daily buses run from Isfahan, Shiraz and Tehran; the train station links to Tehran, Kerman and Kashan. Shahid Sadooghi International Airport (AZD) has flights to Tehran, Mashhad and Dubai. The main bus station is outside the center, but city buses and taxis provide easy access.

Access summary

From Yazd Airport (AZD): Taxi or transfer to old town, about 20–30 min.
From Tehran: Domestic flight about 1 h or overnight train/bus 8–10 h.
From Isfahan: Intercity bus or shared taxi across desert, roughly 4–5 h.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Yazd

Yazd offers everything from atmospheric boutique hotels in restored caravanserais to budget hostels and modern hotels. Many traditional hotels are in the Old Town, with beautiful courtyards and rooftop terraces. Book ahead in high season or during festivals.

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 Yazd

The old city is best explored on foot – expect winding alleys and some uneven ground. Taxis and official ride services are widely available for longer trips. Public buses connect major sights and the bus station, but schedules can be irregular. Choose official taxis or reputable guides for safety and comfort.

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.

-81 %

Daily expenses in Yazd are around 81% 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	£18	£38	£109
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£9	£23	£68
🍝 Food per day	£8	£14	£38
🚕 Transportation per day	£1	£2	£4

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£4.80
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£2.70
🍟 Fast food combo	£3
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£2.90
☕ Cappuccino	£0.80
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£0.80

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.19
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£2.60
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.42

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£0.95
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£70
🤧 Cold medication	£3.10
💇 Basic haircut	£4.30

Safety information overview

General safety

Yazd is considered very safe for tourists. Petty theft is rare, but keep valuables secure in crowded places. Always respect local laws and customs, especially regarding dress and behavior in public.

Health & Medical

Medical care is good, with hospitals and clinics in the city. Pharmacies are widespread. Bring prescription meds and sun protection. Tap water is treated but not recommended for drinking — stick to bottled or filtered water.

Accessibility

Main attractions are accessible, but the Old Town’s alleys and some historic sites have uneven surfaces and steps. Not all hotels are wheelchair-friendly-check ahead for accessibility needs.

Tap water

Tap water is treated but not recommended for drinking. Use bottled or filtered water, which is widely available. Hydration is crucial in the dry climate — carry water with you, especially in summer.