Oh Yazd, I fell in love with you! This charming and dusty desert city quickly became my favourite place in Iran. I spent three days visiting all of the things to do in Yazd and its surroundings, but I already missed it as soon as I took an onwards bus. I probably should have extended my visit to Yazd with a day.
When I visited Yazd I lost myself in exploration, imagining the lives of those who had walked the streets of the old town centuries ago. I did not just have that feeling while in the city itself, but also when I stayed overnight in the tiny village of Dorbid. And on my day trip to the seemingly deserted town of Kharanaq and Meybod.
So, in this article I will take you along to all of the best things to do in Yazd. And after reading this Yazd travel guide I hope you can let me know if it inspired you to also visit this desert city.
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1. Amir Chakhmaq Mosque Complex
The Amir Chakhmaq Mosque Complex sits at the heart of Yazd. Because of its central location you will visit the place quite a few times during your time in Yazd.
Approaching the complex I was immediately struck by its facade, that’s decorated with geometric patterns. And on top of the complex you can see towering minarets that seem to reach for the sky.
Apart from the architectural beauty of the complex, inside you also find a mosque, a caravanserai and a bathhouse. At night it’s beautifully lit adding an extra layer of beauty to the stunning building.
2. Yazd Water Museum
Now you can imagine water being a primary source of concern in a desert city such as Yazd. So it’s quite intriguing to know more about how the people of Yazd manage water.
When you visit the Yazd Water Museum you can learn about various aspects related to water management, conservation, and the historical significance of water in the desert city of Yazd.
I found the most interesting displays about the ancient underground water channels known as qanats. These qanats have been vital for supplying water to Yazd for centuries.
Furthermore, the displays about the underground reservoirs (ab anbars) and rooftop catchment systems (badgirs) were fascinating, since they demonstrate how these innovative techniques have helped communities manage water scarcity.
You can find the Yazd Water Museum opposite the Amir Chakhmaq Complex.
3. Explore the Old Town of Yazd
The absolute best thing to do in Yazd is to explore the old town of the city, which is like stepping back in time into a world of ancient wonders.
As you wander through the labyrinthine streets, you are bound to get lost, but don’t worry since the old town is not that big. As you get lost you’ll see traditional adobe buildings, carved wooden doors, and wind-catchers that are so typical for the Yazd skyline.
Everywhere you look, there are examples of Yazd’s rich history and cultural heritage, such as centuries-old mosques with intricate tile work, ancient caravanserais, and quiet squares that are perfect for a pause.
4. Jameh Mosque
Another must on this list of things to in Yazd is a visit to the Jameh Mosque. You can expect to see a magnificent display of Islamic architecture as you walk through the grand entrance.
The portal is richly decorated with fine tile work and calligraphy. These calligraphic texts feature verses from the Quran and other religious scriptures.
What I enjoyed most inside the mosque was to just sit down and discover that the mosque is almost like a living room for the community. People are praying, kids are playing, that kind of stuff.
5. Alexander’s Prison
Despite its name, Alexander’s Prison is not actually believed to be a prison associated with Alexander the Great. Rather it’s a historical complex that served various purposes over the centuries, including as a school, a caravanserai and a reservoir.
As you visit the site, you can explore the winding corridors and hidden chambers. Enjoy the traditional Persian architecture, including adobe walls and more stunning tile work.
6. Lari’s House
Lari’s House offers insight into the daily life and customs of traditional Persian households. Inside the house you can find more beautiful Persian architecture. The house is built around a central courtyard with some greenery and a fountain.
Guided tours are often available and can tell you more about the house’s past and its place within the broader context of Yazd’s heritage.
7. Badgirs and Evening Prayers from Yazd Art House’s Rooftop
Yazd is the city of badgirs and it’s not a difficult task to see them up close as you wander through the old town. But what better way to view them than from rooftop level? You’ll find quite a few places around the old town where you can hit the roof.
My favourite time for this activity was during evening prayers when the sun was about to set. The sounds of the prayers in the warm evening felt like a blanket being wrapped around you, truly magical. Sitting on the rooftop and taking it all in was certainly one of the best things to do in Yazd.
Probably the best place in town is the Yazd Art House, where they have a pretty good menu as well. I stayed at Narenjestan Traditional House where you can also go up for some excellent views.
8. Zoroastrian Fire Temple of Yazd
Zoroastrianism is an Iranian religion and is one of the world’s oldest organised faiths. In Yazd Zoroastrianism has historically been significant, and nowadays it’s a minority group that still preserves their traditions and sacred sites. To learn more about Zoroastrianism, you can visit two sites in Yazd, the Fire Temple and the Towers of Silence.
At the Fire Temple the Zoroastrians are keeping the religious fire burning. And they have kept it burning for many centuries now. This eternal flame is also called Atash Bahram, which translates to victorious fire.
9. Zoroastrian Towers of Silence
Head to the Towers of Silence first thing in the morning, because during most of the year the site gets scorching hot as the day progresses.
It’s a bit weird to visit here actually, because Zoroastrians used to carry their dead here, in order for the elements to take over. Read: let the dead bodies burn in the sun and let vultures and other scavengers get rid of the fleshly remains. The bones would later be thrown into a central pit. Yikes!
10. Dowlat Abad Garden
Tired of the dusty old town and in search of a place with some greenery? You can find just that a few km west of Yazd. The Persian Gardens of Dowlat Abad are full of citrus trees, flowering plants and water features.
The star of the garden complex is the badgir though, which is the tallest in the world. Furthermore, you can enter the building and admire the stained glass windows and the geometrical pattern ceilings.
11. Go on a Day trip to Kharanaq, Chak Chak & Meybod
Yazd is without a doubt one of my favourite places in Iran. And it’s not just the city, but also the surrounding region of Yazd that offers plenty of things to do. When you decide to go on this tour you will visit Meybod, Kharanaq and Chak Chak.
A tour to all these places will take up pretty much all day and you’ll need a driver. At Narenjestan Traditional House they can set you up with a driver. Alternatively, you can book a tour with TAP Persia online.
You will start the day in the mud-brick village of Kharanaq where you see the Qajar-era mosque and a beautiful minaret. The whole village is crumbling down, so mind where you place your feet.
Afterwards, continue to the Zoroastrian Pir-e-Sabz Fire Temple in Chak Chak. From the parking lot you need to ascend about 230 stairs, so carry some water with you. The eternal flame inside the cave here is interesting to see. But in all honesty I preferred the views of the landscape from up there.
Finally, head to the town of Meybod, which is at least 1,800 years old. There are a few sites here that you should visit, such as Narin Castle, the caravanserei, the 400 year old ice house and the architectural gem that is the Pigeon Tower.
12. Stay Overnight in Dorbid village
When I contacted Narenjestan Traditional House to book 3 nights in Yazd they could only accommodate me for two nights. And those nights were not consecutively. Needless to say, I thought I was unlucky, but it turned out I was actually very lucky. That’s because they offered me to stay overnight at Dorbid village just outside of Yazd.
This small village that doesn’t have more than a few hundred inhabitants is home to a 2,500 years old tall cypress tree. Also you can see an actual qanat here. A qanawhat? A qanat is a channel or tunnel constructed to lead water from the interior of a hill to a village below.
Best all on this overnight trip is that you get to meet the locals and spend some time with them, such as with the oldest people of the village. Furthermore, you can help out with cooking and baking bread in a traditional egg shaped oven. The Persian dish dizi that is served for dinner was really delicious!
The unexpected stay in Dorbid Village became one of the highlights of my trip to Iran, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. You can book it with Narenjestan Traditional House by contacting Pooria (WhatsApp +98 913 455 6598).
Where to Stay in Yazd
My favourite place to stay in Yazd is without a doubt Narenjestan Traditional House. It has only three rooms, so book ahead. Manager Pooria will attend to all your needs such as arranging onwards transportation, and a driver/guide for a trip to Kharanaq and Meybod.
He can also arrange an overnight stay in Dorbid village. On top of all of that the location inside the city centre is perfect and within walking distance to most of the things to do in Yazd.
Some other suggestions to consider for your stay in Yazd:
- BUDGET – Delkhash Traditional Guesthouse
- MID-RANGE – Narenjestan Traditional House
- LUXURY – Moshir Al Mamalek Garden Hotel
How to get to Yazd
Train to Yazd
I only took the night train from Tehran to Shiraz, but Yazd is also serviced by train. Popular destinations from Yazd are Tehran, Kashan, Esfahan, Bandar Abbas, Kerman and Mashad. Taking the train in Iran is a convenient and comfortable way of getting around in Iran.
You can search for train tickets and book them with your international card on Austrian owned iranrail.net.
Also read: 10 Best Things To Do in Shiraz
Take the bus to visit Yazd
Yazd is very well connected with long distance buses that mostly depart from the bus station 10km west of the city centre. The destinations with the best connections are to Shiraz and Esfahan, which is perfect for travelers.
There’s regular buses, but also VIP buses that offer more space. The price difference for most westerners should be negligible, so the VIP bus is the way to go, especially considering the distances between destinations.
You can get tickets by just showing up at the bus terminal and board the next bus, or have your hotel book a ticket for you. It used to be possible to book bus ticket with 1stQuest, but that service is currently suspended. Do check their website to see if the service is available again.
Also read: 10 Best Things To Do in Esfahan
How to get around in Yazd
Yazd is quite easy to get around, especially if you stay within the city centre. You can reach most of the things to do in Yazd on foot, although some sights are a little further out.
You can visit the first eight sights in this list of best things to do in Yazd simply by walking there. The final two sights are a little further afield, so you best take a taxi to reach them. A taxi is also the best mode of transportation to reach your accommodation from the train station or the bus station.
If you want to visit Kharanaq, Chak Chak and Meybod northeast of Yazd, then it’s best to book a tour, or ask your hotel for a driver/guide. Narenjestan Traditional House can organise that tour for you. And they can also organise an overnight stay in Dorbid village for you.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Yazd
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Yazd, because there is plenty of things to see and do both within Yazd as well as in the surrounding region. I hope you’ll have a similar experience as I did when you decide to visit too.
Have you been to Iran, or do you have any questions? Then leave a comment below, or contact me on Instagram. If you enjoyed reading this article, don’t forget to sign up to my newsletter for regular updates.
Planning your trip to Iran? Make sure to include to Shiraz in your itinerary. If you want to continue reading, then check out the articles below for more inspiration, or visit my Iran Travel Guide.
