Fars Tour Packages & Travel Information

Fars Province – Shiraz City

Shiraz City

History of Shiraz

The city of Shiraz, the provincial capital of Fars Province, is home to the tombs of great Persian poets like Saadi and Hafez. This city is known as the cultural capital of Iran and is also called as the “City of Gardens”.

Shiraz was of great importance in the past, and it was the capital city of Iran during the reign of different dynasties at different times.

The first dynasty whose name associates with the name of Shiraz is Achaemenid dynasty.

The current city of Shiraz did not exist in Achaemenid era but some places in the vicinity of the current city were considered prominent and precious by the Achaemenids, including Pasargadae and Persepolis.

Many stunning historical sites in this city are attributed to this period.

There is disagreement over when this city was founded exactly. According to some, Fars Province in Sassanid era included the current Fars Province, Yazd, some coastal parts of the Persian Gulf and Khuzestan Province, and its provincial capital was a city named Estakhr. After the Arab invasion in the 7th century, Shiraz was established as the provincial capital of the region and the Islam military base and command center.

The importance of the city of Shiraz increased by the birth of Safarian dynasty and the disappearance of the old city of Estakhr.

In Buyid period, the city was established as the capital city again, and got more and more important. A variety of places such as libraries and mosques were built in the city then.

In different periods, such as periods of the Mongols and Timur, when the whole country of Iran was invaded and plundered, the city of Shiraz was safe from invasion due to the rulers’ wisdom and submission, and as a result this city was the city of knowledge and art in the thirteenth century.

By the establishment of the Zand dynasty in the eighteenth century, Shiraz was chosen as the capital city and it throve and prospered again.

Many beautiful places in Shiraz are also attributed to this period.

Shiraz Elevation

The city has an altitude of 1480 to 1670 meters above sea level in different parts.

Weather in Shiraz

Located in the southern Iran, the city of Shiraz has a high average annual temperature of around 18°C.

The best time to visit this city is spring and autumn because of both the moderate temperature of the city and its spectacular gardens.

How to reach Shiraz

The city of Shiraz is easily accessible by land, rail and air:

Shiraz International Airport is one of the major airports in Iran, with the most domestic and international flights after Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport.

You can also reach Shiraz using train. Shiraz not only connects to most cities in Iran through railway, it also connects to Istanbul and Ankara in Turkey.

The main land route from Tehran to Shiraz is:

Tehran, Qom, Kashan, Isfahan, Shiraz: approximately 930 km.

Another land route is:

Tehran, Qom, Kashan, Isfahan, Yasuj, Shiraz. Since this route is passing through Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, it could be full of stunning natural wonders.

Tourist Attractions

Shiraz, is one of the main tourist destinations for tourists who plan to take Cultural & Historical Tours to visit Iran.

There are many historical tourist attractions in Shiraz including:

Persepolis, Pasargadae, Naqsh-e Rostam, Tomb of Hafez, Tomb of Saadi, Arg of Karim Khan, Nasir-ol-molk Mosque (The Pink Mosque), Vakil Mosque, Vakil Bazaar, Eram Garden, Jahan Nama Garden, Delgosha Garden, Afif-Abad Garden, etc.

Shiraz Souvenirs

Buying souvenirs is part and parcel of an exciting trip. Regarding this, you are required to get familiar with the souvenirs you can buy in each city.

Souvenirs of Shiraz are mainly crafts and delicious sweets, drinks, etc.

Among the delicious edible products in Shiraz are Maskati, Shirazi Faloodeh, Lari Maskati, cookies, drinks and herbal tea, orange blossom.

The name “orange blossom” associates with the name “Shiraz”.

One of the best types of the orange blossoms is found in the gardens of Shiraz. In Shiraz, different products are derived from the orange blossoms, such as sour orange flower water, orange blossom jam, orange blossom lollipops, etc.

Darab City

Darab is one of the historical cities in Fars province. It dates back to the Achaemenid period. The name Darab is derived from the name of Darius II. Darab is at an altitude of 1170 meters above the sea level.