Heritage Persia · Curated Destinations
Pick your cities — see your price.
"Half the World" — the city Safavid shahs built to humble the imagination
City of Roses, Poetry & Ancient Empire — home to Hafez, Saadi and Persepolis
Salt lake, Silk Road caravanserai and skies so clear the Milky Way reflects in the desert floor
Ancient forests older than the last Ice Age — a UNESCO ecosystem unchanged for 25 million years
The Rainbow Island — where geology becomes art and the soil itself is edible
The ceremonial heart of the Achaemenid Empire — where Darius and Xerxes received the world
Gateway of the Silk Road — where Mongolian grandeur meets Azerbaijani vitality
UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy — where the Alborz meets the Caspian in a riot of green
The geological wonder of the Gulf — mangrove forests, salt caves & an ancient Portuguese fortress
The holiest city in Iran — a pilgrimage capital where 20 million visitors seek the shrine of Imam Reza
The rock that changed history — Darius I's trilingual proclamation that deciphered cuneiform writing for the world
The Eagle's Nest — fortress of the Assassins, set in a valley of impossible beauty above the Alborz snowline
Gateway to the great deserts — where the Lut's world-record heat creates a landscape like no other on earth
The turquoise jewel of the Gulf — coral reefs, an ancient underground city and the Persian Gulf's finest seafood
The world's oldest continuously inhabited city — where Elamite, Achaemenid and Sassanid layers lie exposed in open air
Contradictions made beautiful — Qajar palaces beside modernist boulevards, Alborz peaks above the skyline
Iran's only ocean port — where Martian mountains meet the open Arabian Sea
Safavid capital and gateway to the Eagle's Nest — where history meets mountain adventure
One of the world's oldest cities — where Avicenna rests and Achaemenid kings wrote their names in stone
The shrinking pink sea — one of the world's largest salt lakes, turning blood-red in late summer
Rosewater, merchant mansions & the oldest human settlement in Iran
The living museum — a Zoroastrian desert city unchanged for three millennia
The volcanic crown of Iran — the Middle East's highest peak and the heart of Persian mythology
Ancient bridge city on the Dez River — where Sassanid engineering and Iran-Iraq War memory converge
Before You Go
Most nationalities need a visa authorization code arranged in advance, after which the visa itself is issued on arrival or at an embassy. We handle the full authorization process for every Heritage Persia traveller — typical processing runs 5–10 business days, faster during quieter seasons.
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) offer the most comfortable weather across central Iran, with mild temperatures for walking historic cities. Summer suits the cooler north and mountains; winter is ideal for the southern deserts and Persian Gulf islands.
Modest dress is expected for all visitors: loose-fitting clothing covering arms and legs, with a headscarf required for women in public spaces. Most hotels and restaurants are relaxed about this outside religious sites; we brief every guest before departure so nothing comes as a surprise.
Domestic flights connect major cities quickly and affordably, while private drivers and guides handle the road sections between historic towns — all arranged as part of your itinerary, with no separate booking needed on your end.
Iran runs on cash and the Iranian Rial, and foreign bank cards do not work anywhere in the country. Bring your home currency in euros or US dollars — our Bank Card & Exchange service (below) takes care of converting it as soon as you arrive.
The moment you land, our team exchanges your home currency into Rial and loads it onto a valid Iranian bank card — letting you pay securely across the country without carrying large amounts of cash. Need more funds mid-trip? We handle additional currency exchanges whenever you need, anywhere along your route.
Every traveller receives a free local SIM card with 100GB of data right at the airport on arrival, so you're connected from the moment you land. Wi-Fi is also widely available in hotels and cafés in major cities, though speeds and access to some international apps can be inconsistent — we share workaround tips before departure.
Travel insurance covering Iran is required for entry and is included in our tour packages. No mandatory vaccinations are needed for most travellers, though routine immunisations should be up to date. Iran is widely regarded as a safe destination for tourists, with low rates of petty crime in the cities we visit.
Plan Ahead
A fast-paced introduction covering the country's must-sees, ideal for a first visit on a tighter schedule.
The most popular route among our travellers, balancing desert cities, Persian gardens and ancient ruins with time to slow down.
For travellers who want more than the highlights — adds the north's lush Caspian villages and Tabriz's Silk Road heritage to the classic central route.
Every itinerary above is fully customizable — get in touch and we'll tailor the route, pace and destinations to your time and interests.
Get a Free Tour
Book any itinerary above and get one full day of touring — completely free.
Common Questions
Alcohol is illegal in Iran for both residents and visitors, and is not served or sold anywhere in the country. We're happy to recommend excellent non-alcoholic alternatives, from saffron-infused drinks to traditional Doogh, throughout your trip.
Yes — solo female travel to Iran is common and generally considered safe, provided the standard modest dress code is followed. Many of our past travellers have been solo women, and our guides and drivers are experienced in supporting independent travellers of all backgrounds.
Most historic sites, mosques and bazaars welcome photography freely. Military installations, government buildings, airports and some bridges are off-limits — our guides will flag any restricted areas as you go, so you never need to second-guess it.
Independent travel is possible, but a local guide adds significant context to sites where signage is often limited, and removes the friction of arranging transport, accommodation and the visa process. Most of our packages include a private English-speaking guide and driver throughout.
Iranian cuisine is naturally accommodating to many diets, with abundant rice, grilled meats, fresh vegetables and herbs. Vegetarian options are increasingly common in tourist-frequented restaurants; let us know your requirements in advance and we'll plan accordingly.
Our specialists craft itineraries that move through these destinations with purpose and pace — never rushed, always immersive.
Plan Your Iran Journey