What’s in… Iran?

What’s in Iran? More Than You Think.

Almost every time I excitedly told someone I was headed to Iran, I was met with puzzled looks.
Reactions ranged from, “Are you nuts?! You’re gonna get yourself killed!” to the slightly calmer, “Iran? What’s in Iran?”

Funny — no one ever asks that when you say you’re going to Thailand or France.

It seems like war, nuclear bombs, danger, terror, and veiled women are the first things that come to mind when people hear the word “Iran.”
But having seen and experienced it for myself, I can say with confidence: the way popular media portrays Iran is wildly off the mark.

So, what’s in Iran? Why travel there?

Let’s bust some myths.

So what’s in Iran worth travelling for?

Divine architecture

Even if you’re not into architecture, Iran will stop you in your tracks.
Palaces, mosques, and historic mansions — with ornate facades, mirrored halls, intricate mosaics, and domes painted in a thousand shades of blue — are everywhere.

No matter which city or village you visit, you’ll find yourself staring at a building in awe at some point. Guaranteed.

Tea and delicious treats

Since alcohol is officially unavailable, Iranians have perfected the art of the tea break.
We stopped for tea at least twice a day — always served in beautiful glass cups, often accompanied by an assortment of regional sweets.

In pretty tea gardens or peaceful courtyards, those little breaks became moments to savour.
No beer or wine needed.

Warm and welcoming people

I was recently asked where I found the friendliest people during my travels. It’s a hard question to answer as I’ve encountered so many friendly nations but, Iran is undoubtedly in my top three.

Not friendly in a “trying to sell you something” way.
Just genuinely curious, kind, and welcoming.

People on the street would approach us just to say “Welcome.”
Strangers invited us for dinner. Some even paid our bus fare — just because.

No hidden agendas. Just hospitality.

In fact, you could go to Iran and not visit a single site, and the people alone would make the trip worth it.

Rooftops magic

One of my favourite things to do in Iran? Climb onto rooftops.

Unlike any I’ve seen before, Iranian rooftops are a maze of domes, towers, and mysterious structures — all with a purpose, you’ll discover that soon enough once you are there.

They also happen to be the best place to watch the sun set over the city.
Sometimes it felt like stepping onto another planet.

Lively bazars without hassle

I love browsing markets, and I’ve come to expect a certain amount of hassle with it.
But in Iran, the bazaars are surprisingly peaceful.

Every town boasts at least one bazar featuring some top notch goods. The best part however, is that they are pretty much hassle free! You can browse the stands in peace without feeling pressure from the salesman to buy every item you glance at. The shopkeeper will take his time to explain things if you ask, to show you other options if you’re interested and to give you a taste if you seem puzzled. All the while giving you a genuine smiling nod if you walk away. This is bazar shopping at its best!

A great variety of landscapes

You can’t put Iran in a box when it comes to landscapes. You’ll find snowy mountains (where you can ski in winter!), flower covered hills, arid desert plains, moon landscapes, palm-fringed islands, forest and woodlands… You’ll find it all within the borders of the country.
If you love nature, be warned: choosing where to go will be the hardest part.

UNESCO heritage sites

There are currently 17 UNESCO sites in Iran, and chances are you’ll quickly have an opinion of other sites schould be added to the list;

The most famous? Persepolis.
Just hearing the name evokes wonder, but walking through its ancient ruins — listening to the tales of Persian glory — brings it to life in a way no history book ever could.

An exciting food adventure

Persian cuisine was a complete surprise to me.

 — but the flavours?
Totally unique. I couldn’t compare them to anything I’d tasted before.

The Persian cuisine is unlike any of the cuisines I have tasted so far. The ingredients aren’t unusual — rice, herbs, saffron, pomegranates, meat, but the way they are combined results in flavours that were entirely new to my tastebuds.
Sure, the fast food (pizza, burgers, kebabs) is easy to find, but dig a little deeper and you’ll discover dishes that take you on an exciting, unfamiliar food journey.

3000+ year old mud castles to explore

Some of Iran’s mud castles are over 3,000 years old — no typo.

Many are still standing, waiting to be explored. No guards. No ropes.
You’ll likely have the whole place to yourself, Indiana Jones-style (minus the booby traps).

A refined and interesting culture

Persian culture is refined, poetic, and often misunderstood. It has a very distinct identity which, contrary to what many people believe, is nothing like the Arab or Ottoman culture.

You’ll find echoes of elegance in the art, the architecture, the music, the poetry.
Even as a tourist only scratching the surface, it’s captivating.

Telling the Real Story

Iranians know the world sees them in a negative light. They often asked us what people back home thought of their country. Sadly, we had to confirm their fears and admit most people didn’t have a great image of the country.

But almost every time, they followed up with one simple request:
“Tell our story. Show people what Iran is really like.”

So here I am, doing just that.

If this post convinces even one person to see Iran differently — or even better, to go and see it for themselves — I’ll consider it a success.

Because what’s in Iran?

Beauty. Kindness. Surprise. And a story that deserves to be heard.

Would you give Iran a chance? 

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