TEN TOP EXPERIENCES
Golestan Palace
This beautiful Qajar-era (1785-1925) royal palace is decorated with hand-painted tiles on the outside, and stunning faceted mirror-work inside. Dozens of crystal chandeliers and 19th-century treasures from around the world furnish the many ornate, high-ceilinged rooms.
Grand bazaar
Around the corner from the palace is a 10km network of shopping arcades, where you can buy everything from sour cherries and fresh pistachios to carpets and copper pans. The vaulted roofs and pointed archways are an evocative example of traditional Persian architecture. It’s crowded but you won’t get the hassle of Marrakech or Cairo.
Daf Traditional restaurant
This subterranean venue is an atmospheric place to try dizi (also known as abgoosht), a stew of lamb, white beans, potatoes, tomatoes and chickpeas. The broth is strained and consumed first with flatbread, while the rest is mashed in a stone pot.
Treasury of National Jewels
Housed in the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran, this mind-blowing collection of crown jewels is the most valuable in the world. There’s the 242-carat Daryaye-Nur pink diamond – the largest on the planet; the Nadir Throne, which is encrusted in more than 26,000 precious stones; and the Globe of Jewels, which is made from 34kg of gold and more than 50,000 emeralds, sapphires and rubies.
Niavaran Palace Complex
Set in 11 hectares of gardens to the north of the city, the site has various museums and former royal residences, including the Ahmad Shahi Pavilion, which was the home of Shah Reza Pahlavi. You can still see his childhood bedroom, where there is a polar bear rug and a piece of moon rock gifted to him by US president Richard Nixon.
Saadabad Complex
A 180-hectare oasis of forests and lawns, Saadabad has 17 museums (once royal households) connected by winding paths. The Shah took up residence in the White Palace in the 1970s – perfectly preserved behind bulletproof glass windows, you can peer into the bedrooms, living rooms, banqueting halls and private cinema he used to entertain in.
Azadi Tower
Built in 1971 to commemorate the 2,500th anniversary of the Persian Empire, this awe-inspiring 45-metre-tall, white marble edifice is one of the most recognisable structures in Iran. There is a museum below and a lift that takes you to the top for panoramic views.
Milad Tower
Opened in 2009, the 435-metre-tall tower has a shopping centre at its base, a wrap-around viewing platform near the summit and a rotating fine-dining restaurant.
Darband
Set into the base of the Alborz mountain range in northern Tehran is the village of Darband. Narrow paved paths take you past dozens of colourful restaurants and stalls selling pickled walnuts and sticky dried fruit rolls (lavashak), while waterfalls and streams rush down either side. Continue onwards and a hiking trail will take you to Mount Tochal.
Farahzad Abshar restaurant
Eat traditional Irani barbecue and smoke shisha at this garden restaurant in the Farahzad neighbourhood. People recline against cushions under the trees on wooden beds draped in rugs, while platters of grilled meat, saffron rice and crisp salads are delivered. Alcoholfree beer is available.