Shiraz

Rose gardens, mirrored shrines, a Zand-dynasty bazaar and the tombs of Persia’s greatest poets

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Shiraz is the historic heart of Iran’s Fars province, capital of the 18th-century Zand dynasty under Karim Khan, and the city Persians call home to their two best-loved poets, Hafez and Saadi. Its skyline mixes mirror-tiled shrines with rose gardens and a covered bazaar that has traded carpets and spices since 1758. Our local picks run from the Pink Mosque’s morning light to faloodeh stalls and the old caravanserai shops of Vakil Bazaar. More hand-picked recommendations are on the way – filter by category and budget below.

Shiraz at a glance

Ideal stay: 2 to 3 days
Best time to visit: March to May
Highlights: Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, Eram Garden and Vakil Bazaar
Where to stay: the old city around Vakil Bazaar
Local picks: a growing set of hand-chosen tips
Getting around: a walkable old city, with taxis for longer trips across town

Where to stay in Shiraz

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Ali Ibn Hamza Mausoleum

Ali Ibn Hamza’s shrine gets a fraction of the visitors that Shah Cheragh does, despite mirror mosaics covering practically every wall and the domed ceiling above. The effect is every bit as…

★ 4.6

Arg of Karim Khan

The Arg of Karim Khan was Karim Khan Zand’s own residence, begun in 1766 when he made Shiraz his capital, and its high brick walls and four corner towers still dominate the…

★ 4.5

Baba Bastani

Baba Bastani, near Eram Garden in the Jahad Sazandegi area, is where Shirazis go for faloodeh, the rosewater-and-noodle sorbet the city is famous for, alongside classic Persian ice cream. It gets properly…

★ 4.3

Cafe Hedayat

Named after the writer Sadeq Hedayat, this cafe on Hedayat Street has the feel of a mid-century literary hangout, with simple wooden tables and quiet corners for reading or talking. The food…

★ 4.2

Darb-e Shazdeh Boutique Hotel

Darb-e Shazdeh turned a Qajar-era house into a hotel in 2018, keeping the original carved wooden doors, coloured glass and ornate plasterwork, plus an old water tank in the middle of the…

★ 4.4

Della Steakhouse Restaurant

Della sits on Hafez Street opposite Jahan Nama Garden and serves something you will not find on many Shiraz menus: proper steak, alongside pasta and other Italian and American dishes. The dining…

★ 4.3

Doosi Restaurant

Doosi hides inside a historic house just off Piroozi Street, with a small pool in the open courtyard seating and a cosier lower dining room for families. The kitchen leans traditional with…

★ 4

Eram Garden

Eram Garden traces its layout back to the Seljuk era, though the palace at its centre is Qajar, built for Haj Nasir-ol-Mulk. It follows the classic charbagh design, four quarters divided by…

★ 4.6

Forough Hotel

Forough Hotel is tucked into the lanes of Sang-e Siah, one of Shiraz’s oldest quarters, inside a renovated Qajar house with the district’s characteristic tilework. Its rooms are simple but full of…

★ 4.3

Golbahari Mansion

Golbahari Mansion occupies a restored old house in District 8, with wooden beams, decorative tilework and comfortable seating giving the dining rooms a warm, lived-in feel. The kitchen serves Persian classics with…

★ 4.3

Haft Khan Restaurant

Haft Khan is really seven restaurants under one roof near Shiraz’s Quran Gate, each floor built around a different cuisine and mood.

★ 4.1

Holy Shrine of Shahecheragh

Shah Cheragh is one of Iran’s most important Shia shrines, and entry is free, day or night. Step inside and the interior glitters with mirror-tile work, a dazzling effect especially once the…

★ 4.5

House of Elephant Boutique Hotel

The House of Elephant hides behind an unassuming door on Zand Street, reputedly Shiraz’s oldest street, inside a mansion pushing 260 years old. Rooms are named for the historical eras they represent,…

★ 4

Iranian Carpet Center

The Iranian Carpet Center on Amir Kabir Boulevard has grown into one of the bigger carpet markets in southern Iran, working with dealers across the region. Expect thousands of designs on show,…

★ 4.1

Joulep Bistro

Joulep sits on Taleqani Street directly across from Vakil Bath, its clean, contemporary look contrasting nicely with the historic buildings around it. The menu leans vegetarian, with breakfast dishes that hold their…

★ 4.2

Nasir al-Mulk Mosque

Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, better known as the Pink Mosque, was built in the late 1800s for the Qajar nobleman it is named after, and pink tilework on its exterior gives it its…

★ 4.7

Niayesh Traditional Hotel

Niayesh occupies a cluster of restored houses over a century old, in the older part of town not far from the Old City. The city’s literary association once met here, and rooms…

★ 4.1

Quran Gate

The Quran Gate is the oldest of Shiraz’s city gates, built under the Buyid ruler Adud al-Dawla over a thousand years ago, though what stands today owes more to a Zand-era rebuild.…

★ 4.5

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Shiraz travel FAQ

How many days do you need in Shiraz?

Two to three days covers the old city, Vakil Bazaar and the Zand-era monuments, with half a day spare for Eram Garden or a Persepolis day trip.

Where is the best area to stay in Shiraz?

The old city around Vakil Bazaar keeps the bazaar, mosques and shrines within walking distance.

What are the best things to do in Shiraz?

Browse the local picks above, from the Pink Mosque and the Arg of Karim Khan to Eram Garden and the covered corridors of Vakil Bazaar.

What is the best time to visit Shiraz?

Spring brings mild days and the gardens into bloom, while summer turns hot and dry. Please check current travel advice before planning a trip.