What is Shiraz is all about KAKO?

Shiraz is a dream destination for nature lovers, historian that curious about the great Persepolis, home to some of the greatest poet of the past eight centuries.

Shiraz is a must see place for everyone at least once in their life time.

Shiraz is the fifth-most-populous city of Iran and the capital of Fars Province (Old Persian as Pars).

The population of the city is 1,869,001 guest loving and hospitable people.

Shiraz is located in the southwest of Iran.

It has a moderate climate and has been a regional trade center for over a thousand years.

Shiraz is one of the oldest cities of ancient Persia.

Shiraz is known as the city of poets, literature, and flowers.

Things To Do in Shiraz And Interesting Places to Explore

We spent three days hanging out in the city of poets, and really enjoyed our time there.

While Shiraz is best known for the stunning Pink Mosque and the historic Persepolis, there’s so much more to see.

Here is our list of some of the best things to do in Shiraz.

Visit The Pink Mosque For Sunrise (Nasir al-Mulk Mosque)

This Qajar-era mosque was built in 1888, and even though it is not a big mosque, it is by far the most popular place to visit in Shiraz.

The Nasir-al-Mulk, better known to tourists as the Pink Mosque, is an incredible piece of architecture and has been made famous thanks to viral pictures of sunbeams breaking into the prayer room.

Arrive early to see the sunrise seeping through the beautiful stained glass windows, and you will see why dozens of photographers and visitors flock to this mosque every day – It is amazing.

Once you’ve captured your photos head outside and explore the beautiful courtyard.

This mosque is different to the others found in Iran thanks to the beautiful pink tiles that adorn the walls, giving it a calming and peaceful atmosphere.

There are multiple rooms to wander through besides the prayer room with the stained glass, so make sure you walk around.

In one corner is an excellent little museum and art gallery, and the curator is very friendly.

If he invites you to join him for a cup of tea, do it. He also speaks excellent English.

The Pink Mosque is one of the best places to visit in Shiraz, but take our advice and make sure you get there before it opens to beat the crowds!

• • • Opening Hours: 6:30 to 8pm
    • Entrance Fee: 200,000 Rials

Rent House near Nasir al-Mulk Mosque

Go On A Tour To Persepolis

Remnants of the capital of the mighty Persian Empire are only 45 min drive away from Shiraz.

King Darius the Great founded the city in 518 BCE and used it primarily as a reception centre and for ceremonious festivities.

Persepolis today is a UNESCO world heritage site.

Even by looking at today’s ruins, you can see the wealth of the Persian Empire reflected in its construction.

At the time, Persepolis was the richest city under the sun!

Some of the reliefs are in excellent condition while the other parts of the site do show signs of devastation made by Alexander the Great.

What remained of Persepolis even after the fire and centuries of sand covering is still majorly impressive.

Revel in the 2,500-year-old architecture, beautiful staircase decorated with bas-reliefs, several palaces, a government treasury, guard houses and imposing gates.

To make the most out of your visit book a tour! You will not have the time to read a whole book while you are on site, and the stories behind the reliefs are worth knowing.

Having a guide will show you some peculiarities that you could otherwise miss.

Plan your visit for the morning, as the sun is scorching as the noon approaches.

It is mandatory to bring something to cover your head to protect yourself from the heat.

Comfortable shoes are also more than welcome if you want to see the best view.

Walk up the hill to the tomb of Artaxerxes!

• • • Opening Hours: 8:00am-8:00pm in Summer;8:00am-6:00pm in Winter
    • Entrance Fee: 200,000 Rials

Looking out over the ruins of Persepolis at sunset.

Rent House near Persepoli

Walk Through Shah-e-Cheragh Shrine

Shah-e-Cheragh Shrine is a famous pilgrimage center, well-known for being home to the tombstones of the brothers Ahmad and Muhammad.

The brothers escaped here during the Abbasid persecution of Shia Muslims.

In the 14th century Queen Tashi Khatun erected a mosque and a theological school thus transforming it into a pilgrimage centre.

It’s one of the most important pilgrimage centres in Iran – after the shrines of Imam Reza in Mashhad and Fatima in Qum.

Walking around the outside of the Shah-e-Cheragh Shrine.

The interior of the mosque is beautiful – there are at least a million small pieces of glasswork which will leave you in amazement.

The exterior is equally stunning – the tomb is famous for its onion-shaped dome made from thousands of pieces of crafted tiles.

There are also two short minarets, located at both ends of the main column of the temple, which contribute even more to its grandeur.

The shrine is surrounded by a spacious courtyard.

The beauty of the temple is the most evident in the evening when the lights of the temple attract the attention of passers-by.

The mausoleum of Mir Muhammad is also part of the complex. But unfortunately, the entrance is not allowed to non-Muslims, unless you know a local who’d be willing to arrange your visit.

• • • Opening Hours: 9:00am to 10:00pm
    • Entrance Fee: Free

Inside the Shah-e-Cheragh Shrine, otherwise known as the Mirror Mosque.

Rent House near Shah-e-Cheragh Shrine

Wander Around The Streets Of

Once you visit all the main spots in the city, take some time to wander its streets and soak up the atmosphere.

Shiraz is really beautiful and its streets are brimming with activity.

There are a lot of interesting shops and places to eat, and everything is within walking distance!

You’ll be enveloped in this city’s strong culture.

The gardens, mansions, tombs all laced with intricate details of remarkable history.

Do not hesitate to talk to locals, especially youths.

Almost everyone speaks English well enough to hold a conversation.

Everybody is more than welcoming and they are usually interested in getting to know you.

They are very hospitable, so don’t be surprised if some of them even invite you to be their guest.

So don’t be afraid to get lost in the chaos of the streets, smell fresh herbs and spices at the markets, and don’t forget to try their pistachios!

Don’t miss out on all the spices in Shiraz!

Rent House near Shiraz

Do Some Shopping In The Vakil Bazaar

Vakil Bazaar is the biggest and the most famous bazaar in Shiraz.

According to some sources, the bazaar was established in the 11^th century AD (yes, you’ve read that right!), but today’s appearance it got somewhere around the 18^th century after it was completed by the Atabaks of Fars.

The bazaar was commissioned by Karim Khan, who wanted Shiraz to become a well-known trading center.

It was built of brick, limestone, and chalk, and as such it’s one of the most beautiful in Iran.

It’s going to be a little bit difficult to focus on merchandise that’s being sold here when there’s so much history around!

The bazaar has beautiful courtyards, bathhouses and old shops.

As for the merchandise, here you’ll find anything from Persian rugs, spices, sweets to antiquities.

You will also be able to test your bargaining skills here and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.

When you’re done exploring bazaar you can talk a walk to see some of the most beautiful buildings.

There are a few mosques in close vicinity to the bazaar, which is typical for Middle Eastern markets.

If you get tired of exploring and shopping, you’ll also find a number of cafes and restaurants located within the bazaar.

You can rest with a cup of tea or taste some traditional delicacies of Shiraz.

Don’t forget to do some shopping at the Vakil Bazaar in Shiraz.

Rent House near Vakil Bazaar

Explore The Vakil Mosque

The Vakil Mosque is located just next to the Vakil Bazaar and was built between 1751 and 1773 during the period of Zand dynasty.

Vakil means regent, a title Karim Khan used during this rule.

The mosque was restored in the 19^th century during the Qajar period.

The mosque is an architectural jewel – it simply amazes the viewer with its size and art.

There’s a large courtyard with a pool in front of the mosque, which even more emphasises its beauty.

The entrance gates are decorated with colourful tiles in floral-shape patterns.

The floral tiles are characteristic for the Qajar period.

What’s unusual about this mosque is that it only has two iwans instead of the usual four.

The Night prayer hall is one of the most impressive areas of the mosque, which contains 48 monolithic pillars.

Before entering the mosque, women will be asked to wear the chador a full head-to-toe covering, which will be provided at the entrance.

• • • Opening Hours: 8:00am to 8:00pm
    • Entrance Fee:150,000

The Vakil Mosque is definitely one of the best things to do in Shiraz.

Rent House near Vakil Mosque

Smell The Flowers At Eram Garden

One of the most stunning tourist attractions in Shiraz is undoubtedly the historic Persian garden called Eram.

The garden is located in the northern part of the Khoshk river.

Some sources show that the gardens were built between 11th-14th century during the rule of Seljuk Dynasty, and were later restored by the Zand Dynasty.

Today, the Eram garden is part of the Shiraz Botanical Garden which was established in 1983.

The botanical garden is run by the Shiraz University and it’s listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Eram is Persian for Arabic word ‘Iram’ which translates to heaven in Islam’s holy book Quran.

With its beautiful flowers and trees that date back to 3000 years ago, it’s no surprise why the gardens wear this name.

Mohammad Qoli Khan, a Qashqai tribal chief, commissioned the construction of the beautiful mansion, which takes the central part of the garden.

The mansion is one of the most impressive parts of the garden.

Spend a whole day in Eram garden and enjoy the blossoming flowers and the shade of the towering cypress trees.

• • • Opening Hours: 8:00am – 7:00pm
    • Entrance Fee: 250,000

The palace inside the Eram Garden of Shiraz.

Rent House near Eram Garden

Read The Love Poems At Tomb Of Hafez

The tomb of Hafez and the nearby memorial hall, were built in the memory of the famous Persian poet Hafez.

They were built in 1935 by the French architect Andre Godard, at the site of the previous structure built in 1773.

The tomb is one of the most important tourist attractions in the city of Shiraz.

It is surrounded by beautiful rectangular pools, trees, and paths.

Many of the items in the garden are engraved with Hafez poetry, much of it in the exact parts of the garden that the poems themselves were written about or written in.

The tomb of Hafez is one of the most popular meeting places in the city for locals.

You can understand why while you stroll through Musalla Gardens which were mentioned often in Hafez’ poetry.

Hafez is considered the greatest poet in Persian culture.

He wrote about love, faith and was an excellent satirist – critiquing politicians and rulers of his time.

It’s a truly important place for the locals, they feel immense pride of Hafez who was a Shirazi like themselves.

If you want to understand the meaning of the poems, ask anyone around you.

Everyone would be more than happy to help you with the translation and explain the meaning to you.

• Opening Hours: Friday 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM; Saturday – Thursday 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
• Entrance Fee: 200,000

The Tomb of Hafez, the famous Persian poet.

Where To Stay In Shiraz

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