Tehran Tour Packages & Travel Information

Tehran province

Tehran Province is the most important province in Iran. This province is bordered by Mazandaran Province to the north, Qom Province to the south, Markazi Province to the southwest, Alborz Province to the west, and Semnan Province to the East. Tehran has different altitudes of more than 5000 meters to less than 1000 meters above sea level. There is also a variety of weather types in Tehran for different reasons including:

• Alborz Mountain Range
• Desert in the southern part
• Moderate and rain-bearing winds

Tehran has a mountainous climate at an altitude of over 3,000 meters, a mild climate at an altitude of between 3,000 to 2,000 meters above sea level, and a desert climate at an altitude of less than 2000 meters above sea level.

The City of Tehran

The city of Tehran is the provincial capital of Tehran Province and the political capital of the country. It is also Iran’s most populous city, first industrial zone, and tourism and economic center that makes it more important.

Origin of the Name Tehran

There is much controversy about the origin of the name of Tehran.

Some believe that the name ‘Tehran’ refers to the ‘flat area’, beside the name of Shemiranat region in the north of Tehran, that refers to the ‘high area’ (Shemiranat region consists of mountains and waterfalls).

Others believe that, as mentioned in some history books, the word ‘Tehran’ refers to the underground location, and since people in this city used to live underground in the past, it is named ‘Tehran’.

However, since Tehran is surrounded by highlands and mountains, it also means a region on the hillsides.

After Arab invasion of Iran and Muslim conquest of Persia, the spelling of name ‘Tehran’ was changed. Then by the Persian Constitutional Revolution and the changes in Academy of Persian Language and Literature, the spelling changed again to its original form.

History of Tehran

The skeleton found in one of the neighborhoods of Tehran shows that the city dates back to more than 7,000 years ago.

According to one of the first documents regarding the city, Tehran belongs to BC, when Alexander the Great attacked Iran.

Not until the Safavid era was Tehran of great significance. However, Shahr-e-Rey (a district in Tehran) was much more important and Tehran was known as one of its suburban areas.

During Safavid era, when Qazvin was selected as the capital city, Tehran became more important because it was located near Qazvin.

Due to the changes occurred in Tehran over time, this city was identified as one of the major Iranian cities and in 1782, by the beginning of the reign of Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar, it was selected as the capital of Iran, and it has been the Capital over the years.

Tehran Elevation above Sea Level

Tehran elevation is different from 900 to 1800 meters above sea level, but its elevation inside the city is about 1100 to 1300 meters.

Weather in Tehran

The average temperature in Tehran varies around the year. It is 40 to 45 degrees Celsius in summer, and minus 5 degrees Celsius in winter. Since Tehran is located in the Alborz mountains slopes and there is desert in south of Tehran, this temperature is also different in different regions.

The city of Tehran enjoys hot, dry summers and mild winters, but due to the differences in elevation, its proximity to the desert to the south, and its proximity to Alborz Mountains to the north, it has mild summers in north of the city.

How to Reach Tehran

Tehran is easily accessible by land, rail and air.

Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran is the biggest and the main airport for international flights to Iran. The Islamic Republic of Iran Railways also connects Tehran to the cities like Ankara in Turkey, providing a low cost trip through beautiful landscapes.

In addition to railway and airplane, Iran is also accessible through land routes from countries that have a common border with Iran.

One of the reasons why tourists do not prefer taking road trips in Iran and enjoying nature of different cities and countries is the dangers and risks that the trip may have. However, Iranviva Group assures you that it is not dangerous at all using land routes in Iran, and you can experience a safe and comfortable land trip in Iran.

All tourist cities of Iran are easily accessible from Tehran by air and rail.

However, some tourists in Iran prefer land routes to air and rail routes because of its beautiful nature.

Land routes from Tehran to Iran’s main tourist cities are as follows:

Tehran to Yazd:

The main route from the capital of Iran to the city of Yazd is: Tehran, Qom, Kashan, driving toward Isfahan and changing the route to Nain, Yazd: about 630 km.

It should be noted that you can travel to Isfahan or Kerman first and after visiting these cities you can travel to Yazd. This route needs more time.

Tehran to Isfahan:

The main land route is: Tehran, Qom, Kashan, and Isfahan: about 450 km.

Tehran to Shiraz:

The main land route is: Tehran, Qom, Kashan, Isfahan, and Shiraz: about 930 km.

Another land route is: Tehran, Qom, Kashan, Isfahan, Yasuj, and Shiraz. This route is passing through Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, so it could be full of stunning natural wonders.

Tehran to Kerman

Tehran, Qom, Kashan, Naein, Yazd, Rafsanjan, Kerman: about 980 km.

Route from Tehran to Kerman is long, so you can stop at one of the beautiful cities of Isfahan or Yazd to make it more enjoyable:

Tehran, Qom, Kashan, Isfahan, Yazd, Rafsanjan, Kerman: 1120 km.

Tehran to Tabriz:

Tehran, Alborz, Qazvin, Zanjan, Tabriz: about 630 km.

Traveling from Tehran to Tabriz, you can have a visit to the historical city of Qazvin, a city with the most monuments in Iran. Qazvin is also one of the best destinations for those interested in Ecotourism and Canyoning.

Tehran to Mashhad:

Tehran, Semnan, Shahroud, Sabzevar, Neyshabur, Mashhad: about 900 km.

This route is through the desert and tourists do not choose it and they use the alternative route. However, this route is a beautiful one and tourists can visit the beauties of the desert and the historical monuments on this route.

The alternative route is: Tehran, Amol, Qaemshahr, Sari, Behshahr, Gorgan, Aliabad-e Katul, Azadshahr, Bojnurd, Shirvan, Quchan, Chenaran, Mashhad: about 950 km.

This route is highly recommended to those who are interested in unique and lush nature of northern Iran. On this route after Azadshahr, there is Golestan National Park waiting for you.

 Tehran Tourist Attractions

Since Tehran has been the capital of Iran for many years, it has witnessed so many historical events, and it can be a great destination for those who are interested in political historical attractions.

Among the tourist attractions in Tehran are Sa’dabad Complex, Golestan Palace, the traditional Grand Bazaar, Niavaran Complex, Treasury of National Jewels, Museum of Time, Azadi Tower (landmark of Tehran), Moghadam Museum, Masoudieh Palace, Negarestan Garden, Kazemi House Museum, Oudlajan historic neighborhood, House of Doctor Mosaddeq (the former Prime Minister of Iran), Saba Home Museum, Carpet Museum, Abgineh Museum, National Museum of Iran, Milad Tower, National Botanical Garden of Iran, etc.

In addition to the historical tourist attractions and museums, Tehran and its surroundings are rich in natural attractions, mountains and beautiful waterfalls that make it a perfect destination for tourists interested in nature too.

Damavand City

Damavand city is located in Tehran province. The city lies on the slopes of the highest volcanic mountain in Asia and in the Middle East. It is located at an altitude of 2050 meters above the sea level.

Firuzkuh City

Firuzkuh city is located in Tehran province. The city is located at an altitude of 1930 meters above the sea level. Because of the special geographical location, the city of Firuzkuh has been always attractive for different tribes from the past.

Shemiranat City

Shemiranat is the northernmost city in the province of Tehran. The center of this city is Tajrish region in the north of Iran. Shemiranat is located at an altitude of 1600 meters above the sea level.
If you’d like to know more about Tehran province, read Iranviva articles “Top 20 museums of Sa’dabad complex in Tehran, Part 2” and “Top 20 museums of Sa’dabad complex in Tehran, Part 1” and “Best 6 tourist attractions in Tehran Grand Bazaar”.

If you’d like to know more about Damavand mountain, read Iranviva article “Climbing in Damavand mountain”

If you’d like to know more about Shemiranat, read Iranviva article “Mountain climbing in Shemiranat”