I can still remember the words of pretty much everyone when I said I was going to travel to Iran independently on a two weeks itinerary. They all asked me whether I was crazy?!?!
The country that publicly advertises “Death to America” is not a country that pops into most people’s minds when they plan for their next vacation. When you are reading this article to Iran you probably aren’t ‘most people’ though.
In this article you can follow in my footsteps as I take you along on the Iran itinerary that I did independently for two weeks. You’ll visit some of the most beautiful cities in Iran and I will tell you how to get there.
“Are you CRAZY?!?!”
My family & most of my friends
But, please keep in mind that visiting Iran is not just about seeing all the beautiful sights. Set aside plenty of time to interact with the Iranians and discover Iran is a foodie heaven!
I hope that after reading this two weeks in Iran article you will see that Iran is more than its foreign politics. Now, without further ado, let’s get started on how to travel Iran independently for two weeks.
If you look at the travel advice of your country’s government, most likely they will tell you not to travel to Iran under any circumstance. This is mainly due to the political situation and the protests in 2022/2023 after the death of Mahsa Amini. Locals I have recently spoken with all reported that it’s calm in Iran now though. Tourists that have travelled to Iran recently confirmed that it was indeed ‘back to normal’. Still, if you decide to go make sure to plan your trip carefully and to stay safe by e.g. avoiding large gatherings of people (protesting) and to adhere to the local rules.
Iran Itinerary Map
Iran is a huge country and you would need months to visit everything. However, the two weeks in Iran itinerary below gives you a great illustration of what this country is all about and how to discover it independently.
You get to visit ancient sites, religious temples, the desert and more. But apart from the sites, take your time to interact with the people of Iran.
Take a look at the map below that includes all the stops mentioned in this article.
Day 0 | Arrival in Iran
Most flights arrive late at night, so when you’ve gone through all the immigration hassles check in to Rexan or Remis hotels. These former Ibis and Novotel hotels are opposite the terminal and it only takes a few minutes to walk there.
Day 1 | Tehran – Itinerary Start in Iran’s capital
After breakfast take the metro or a taxi to the centre of Tehran. Tonight you’re taking the night train to Shiraz so head to Tehran Railway Station (line 3 metro to Rahahan) to drop off your bags. You can easily leave your baggage inside the station for the day (for a small fee) while you’re sightseeing.
Start your day at the Mashq Complex
With your bags out of the way hop back onto the metro and get out at ‘Daneshgah-e Emam Ali’. From there it’s about a 20 minute walk to the Mashq Complex of buildings.
This national heritage site houses some ministerial buildings, but also the National Museum of Iran. For me it was the perfect place to learn something about Iran’s history. But mostly to see a lot of Islamic Art.
Other than the National Museum of Iran, the Malek National Library & Museum is noteworthy. And don’t forget to look around here, because there’s a lot to see. Some signs are even in English.
From the Mashq Complex make your way down to your lunch stop at Moslem, which is about a 20-minute walk. Take the route through the Park-e Shahr which is a nice green area.
Lunch with Tahchin at Moslem
Moslem is kind of an institution and very well known for their chicken tahchin. Especially during lunch time it’s very busy at Moslem, so be prepared to queue for a seat at a table. Instead of trying to get a seat you can also opt for take out, like I did. The chicken tahchin is just divine and a perfect entry food to the Iranian kitchen. Continue reading and I will tell you more dishes you must eat on this independent two weeks in Iran itinerary.
Visit the Grand Bazaar and UNESCO-listed Golestan Palace
After lunch head to the adjacent Grand Bazaar to take in all the smells and colours on offer here. You will find a lot of jewelry, herbs and spices, loads of plastic stuff, but also many Persian carpets. In short, the bazaar is a feast for the senses.
Finish your afternoon of sightseeing by heading to the Golestan Palace. This UNESCO-listed royal palace and museum are beautifully decorated both inside and outside. Admire the marvelous mosaics and the painted tilings as you make your way through the 17 structures you’ll find on the site.
Board the sleeper train to Shiraz
Take the metro back to the Tehran Railway Station, pick up your bag and then board the train. The train takes about 12 hours to reach Shiraz, but it’s modern, quite comfortable and affordable. Your two weeks in Iran itinerary is now really getting started!
Tip: You can book your train ticket in advance on iranrail.net. The Austrian owner takes care of your ticket and you can pay with your Visa or MasterCard.
Day 2 – 4 | Shiraz & Persepolis
After your arrival at the train station take a taxi to your hotel for an early check-in when available. Otherwise drop off your bags and head out.
Where to stay in Shiraz
BUDGET – Taha Traditional Hostel
MID-RANGE – Alan Boutique Hotel
LUXURY – Darbe Shazdeh Boutique Hotel
Start your first day in Shiraz at the Pink Mosque
Start your first day in Shiraz at the Nasir al-Molk mosque, which is also known as the Pink Mosque. You shouldn’t miss out on this mosque, since it’s one of the highlights on this independent Iran travel itinerary.
The light that shines through the stained glass windows of the prayer hall creates a beautiful dreamy atmosphere. To see this stunning illuminated prayer hall you have to visit the mosque in the morning.
Visit Shiraz Historical Houses
Close to the pink mosque you’ll find a few of Shiraz’ historical houses. Most notable are the Qavam House and Zinat al-Molk. The Qavam House has a collection of regional art that’s interesting to see. Both houses have stunning tiling, ceilings and woodwork. And just like in the pink mosque you’ll find some stained glass windows. Also take some time to wander the gardens of both houses.
Spend the afternoon in and around the Vakil Bazaar
From the mosque continue to the Vakil Bazaar for some shopping. The bazaar is also a great place to find some lunch. For the best bazaar experience I advise you to wander around aimlessly and see what you stumble upon.
Visit the adjacent Vakil Mosque and Hamman (bath house) afterwards for some more stunning Persian architecture.
Finish your first day in Shiraz at Eram Garden and Quran Gateway
At the end of the afternoon make your way to Eram Garden. The UNESCO-listed Eram Garden is just a short taxi ride away and is famous for its cypress trees and palm trees. Inside the garden you will also find a palace which is closed to the public.
Around sunset head to the Quran Gate and take a walk in the park. The views here are pretty cool and the gardens become very lively at night. We visited here with a small group of the couch surfing community and smoked some shisha with a fruity flavour.
Further reading: Best Things To Do In Shiraz
Start day 2 in Shiraz at the Nazar Garden & Pars Museum
After a good night sleep on your second day in Shiraz head back to the city centre. Start with a visit to the Nazar Garden. The formal gardens also house the octagonal shaped Pars Museum.
The collection inside the museum is quite interesting, but if you’re an architecture lover, then the building will steal the show. Especially the ceiling is a real show-stopper and worthy of a visit in and of itself.
Visit the Citadel of Karim Khan
Your next stop is the Citadel of Karim Khan, which is the most prominent building in the centre of Shiraz. The large fort has four towers and you’ll notice one tower is leaning. Unlike the tower of Pisa, the fourth tower here in Shiraz was the fort’s bath house and purposefully built like this. I guess it helps with the draining of the water.
For lunch you can opt to visit nearby Sharzeh Restaurant for some delicious kebab. Or try to find a restaurant that serves dizi if you’re very hungry.
Continue to the Tomb of Hafez
In the afternoon you can learn more about Iran’s most famous poet Hafez. The poet died in 1389, but his tomb was erected in 1773 by Karim Khan. Almost every Iranian you’ll meet as you independently travel through Iran for two weeks on this Iran itinerary will be able to quote some of his work. Both young and old visit the Hafez Tomb and it’s the perfect place to strike up a conversation with the locals.
You can reach the Tomb of Hafez by means of a short taxi ride outside of the city centre. Or just walk there from the city centre if it’s not too hot outside.
Finish your day at the Mausoleum of Shah-e Cheragh
I didn’t have this mausoleum on my initial itinerary for Iran, but I’m glad I did make it there. I mean a mausoleum doesn’t usually take my fancy when I visit a city. The Mausoleum of Shah-e Cheragh, however, appears to have been lifted straight from one of Scheherazade’s stories in One Thousand and One Nights.
The blue tiled dome and the towers look amazing. At night the whole site is beautifully illuminated and probably the best time to visit. This is also the most popular time for worshippers tov visit, so do keep that in mind.
Go on a day trip to Persepolis
Finish the Shiraz section of your Iran itinerary with a day trip to Persepolis. In 1979, UNESCO listed the sight, but even now after years of research, Persepolis remains shrouded in a bit of mystery. That’s because it’s still largely unclear what exactly Persepolis was used for.
Most likely it was a ceremonial sight, maybe used for Nowruz, the celebration of Iranian New Year. I found it pretty fascinating to wander between the ancient stelae of the site. Also take a look at the perfectly preserved reliefs. And if you’re here at the end of the day climb up the hills for a stunning sunset.
Continue to Naqsh-e-Rostam
Persepolis is not the only ancient site northeast of Shiraz. While I loved my visit to Persepolis I was perhaps even more impressed by the tombs of Naqsh-e-Rostam.
These larger than life tombs were carved out of huge rock formations. I guess I could only compare them to Petra in Jordan, or Hegra in Saudi Arabia. Although I haven’t been to those sites yet. But, what do you think?
The four tombs here at Naqsh-e-Rostam are believed to be created for Darius II, Artaxerxes I, Darius I and Xerxes I. And that’s in the order from left to right as you face them.
If time permits visit Pasargadae
Some 60km further down the road you can visit another ancient site, Pasargadae. The only significant sight here is the lonely looking Tomb of Cyrus.
Unfortunately I wasn’t able to visit, because we left Shiraz too late and decided for sunset at Persepolis. But if you leave Shiraz early enough you should have sufficient time to include Pasargadae on your day trip to Persepolis and Naqsh-e-Rostam.
Or admire the Pink Lake (Maharloo Lake)
If it’s the right time of year – usually at the end of summer – you could include a visit to Maharloo Lake to your Iran itinerary. When this salt lake is drying up a natural process makes the salt turn pink. Hence, the lake is also called the Pink Lake.
Day 5 – 7 | Yazd
Today it’s time to head in a northeastern direction to reach the next destination on this two weeks in Iran itinerary. It takes you about 6 hours in the VIP bus to get to Yazd, the city of badgirs (wind towers).
After your arrival in Yazd on day 5 of your Iran itinerary, check in to your hotel. My suggestion is to stay in the Narenjestan Traditional House. This small accommodation has just 3 rooms situated around a central courtyard. It’s a little bit hard to find, but then so is everything in Yazd’s narrow and winding streets.
Where to stay in Yazd
BUDGET – Delkash Traditional Guesthouse
MID-RANGE – Narenjestan Traditional House
LUXURY – Moshir Al Mamalek Garden Hotel
Experience the evening prayers from a Yazd rooftop
I arrived quite late in the afternoon and decided to head up to the rooftop of the Narenjestan Traditional House. From there you have an amazing view of the city and can see why Yazd is called the city of badgirs.
Try to be on the rooftop around the prayers at sunset for an even more magical experience. If you’re not staying at Narenjestan, you could also visit the Yazd Art House rooftop.
Finish your first day in Yazd with a wander around the old town by night
The whole old town of Yazd is simply magical with its narrow streets and courtyards. And at night it’s maybe even more special. So tonight just walk around here and see what you find.
Particularly interesting are the Imam Zadeh Jafar shrine and the Amir Chakmaq Mosque Complex. Both are beautifully lit at night. Around the latter you can also find many places to eat, so take your pick for a delicious lamb or chicken kebab. Or perhaps you can also find Ghormeh Sabzi, a delicious Persian stew with some rice or flatbread.
Read next: Best Things To Do In Yazd
Start with Zoroastrian highlights on your 2nd day in Yazd
To learn about Zoroastrianism, this morning you can visit two of these sacred sites, the Fire Temple and the Towers of Silence.
Head to the Towers of Silence first thing in the morning, as during most of the year the site gets scorching hot during the day. All done at the Towers of Silence, then take a taxi back to the city to visit the Fire Temple. At this site the Zoroastrians are keeping the victorious fire burning for centuries now.
Continue to the water museum and explore the old city centre
Back in the city centre, take some time to learn more about the qanats, or underground aqueducts, in the Yazd Water Museum. And revisit the Amir Chackmaq Mosque Complex before heading back into the narrow streets of the old town.
The desert city of Yazd can get really hot, especially during the summer time. But somehow the streets in the old town remain quite comfortable to navigate. I guess because the streets are so narrow, not much sun can reach the ground.
One of the best things to do on this Iran itinerary is to get lost in the old town of Yazd. But, don’t worry, since the old town is actually quite small. And you will eventually end up on one of the main roads surrounding the old town.
The narrow streets are very charming and you will discover something new around every corner. Some of the highlights that you should try to find include:
- Jameh Mosque to enjoy the spectacular tiling and to sit down and people watch
- Lari’s House which is one of the best Qajar-era houses
- Yazd Art House for its excellent rooftop views and delicious menu
- Shrine of Prince Fazel for the impressive decoration
- Clock Tower considered the first of its kind in Iran
- Alexander’s Prison to explore the tiny pathways inside the complex
Stay overnight in Dorbid Village
When I contacted Narenjestan Traditional House to book 3 nights they could only accommodate me for two nights. And those nights were not consecutively. I thought I was unlucky, but turned out I was very lucky when they offered to let me stay overnight at Dorbid village just outside of Yazd.
On the overnight stay you can see a qanat and a 2,500 year old cypress tree. You get to meet locals and also meet the oldest people of the village. Furthermore, you can help out with cooking and baking bread in a traditional egg shaped oven. The dizi served for dinner was simply delicious.
You can add this tour to your independent Iran travel itinerary by contacting Pooria (WhatsApp +98 913 455 6598) from Narenjestan Traditional House.
Day trip to Kharanaq, Chak Chak & Meybod
The final full day in Yazd you will go on a day trip to Meybod, Kharanaq and Chak Chak. A tour to all these places will take up pretty much all day and you’ll need a driver. Again they can set you up with a driver at Narenjestan Traditional House, or you can book a tour with TAP Persia.
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. The eternal flame inside the cave here is interesting, but I preferred the views of the landscape from up there. Finish the day heading to Meybod, where you can visit Narin Castle, a 400 year old ice house and the Pigeon Tower.
Day 8 – 10 | Esfahan
Time to dive into the second week of your two weeks in Iran. On day 8 you will spend most of your time travelling from Yazd to Esfahan.
My bus left at 1pm from the bus station, so in the morning I decided to visit the beautiful Dolat Abad Garden. The gardens are UNESCO-listed, but the pavilion is worth it to explore as well. The stained glass windows here are stunning.
Where to stay in Esfahan
BUDGET – Isfahan Heritage Hostel
MID-RANGE – Armenia Hotel
LUXURY – Abbasi Hotel
Arrive in Esfahan late afternoon
The day is pretty much over when you arrive in Esfahan, so tonight just head to the main square of the city and walk around. The main square is called Naqsh-e Jahan, or Imam Square and is one of the largest squares in the world. Each side of the square has important and impressive buildings, but you will explore those in the coming two days.
The square itself is one of the best places for independent travellers on this two weeks in Iran itinerary to meet Iranians.
Start day 9 at the Bozorg Bazaar
Start your first full day in Esfahan back at Imam Square and head through the Qesarieh Gate on the northern side of the square. This gate is the entrance to the Bozorg Bazaar, a true maze of lanes where you can easily get lost.
Try to keep your bearings and see if you can find the Hakim Mosque as your first stop. If not, then maybe you can shop for some souvenirs.
Continue to the impressive Jameh Mosque
Continue your way to the Jameh Mosque, the most impressive mosque of Esfahan and perhaps even on this two weeks in Iran itinerary. And even if you don’t find it to be the most impressive, with its 20,000 sq metres it is Iran’s biggest mosque.
You enter the mosque on the eastern side of the building. In the centre of it all you can find the courtyard with on each side of this courtyard a different entrance, or iwan. Venture through each of the iwans and explore the whole mosque, which will take you at least an hour.
Shehel Sotun Palace and Garden
From the Jameh Mosque retrace your steps through the bazaar and grab lunch in one of the many eateries. After lunch, continue to the Shehel Sotun Palace and Garden. I really enjoyed my visit to this palace, mainly because of the beautiful throne hall that is decorated with frescoes and ceramics.
When you step outside of the palace, you’ll find yourself in UNESCO-listed gardens. Explore the garden and then walk back to Imam Square to eat some saffron flavoured ice cream. Park your behind on a bench and chat with the locals that want to practice their English with you.
As the sun sets the square gets more alive with every passing minute. When the lights are turned on Imam Square is even more spectacular than during the day.
Walking along the river to round off the day
At night go for a walk along the (usually) dried up river. There some beautiful bridges across the river, Khaju Bridge and Si-o-Seh bridge. Both are beautifully illuminated and when you travel Iran independently these are the perfect places to meet more Iranians.
Further reading: 10 Best Things To Do in Esfahan
Start day 10 back on Imam Square
In the past couple of days you’ve crossed the Naqsh-e Jahan Square multiple times and what a sight it is. Yesterday you visited the Bozorg Bazaar on the northern end of the square, but today it’s time to visit the other 3 significant buildings.
On the southerns side of the square you can visit the Shah Mosque, which I think has the most beautiful entrance to any building I’ve ever seen. The level of detail of the geometric patterns is one of a kind. Go inside to explore more of this mosque.
Back outside continue to the grand cream colour domed mosque on the eastern side of Imam Square. This is the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, the father in-law of Shah Abbas I that reigned at the time. He built the mosque so that the women of his harem had a place to worship. It’s the reason you don’t see any minarets here.
All done checking out the floral tilings of the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque? Then it’s time to cross over to the western side of the square. Enter the Ali Qapu Palace and enjoy the 6-storey building that features beautiful decorations. It took a long time to restore this 16th century building and if you see the level of detail, you surely understand why.
The highlights of the building for me are that the walls that feature stunning wood carvings in the shape of instruments. And the terrace overlooking the square, with the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque perched directly opposite Ali Qapu Palace and the mountains in the background.
Visit a Traditional Teahouse and continue to the Vank Cathedral
After all that sightseeing it’s time to escape a little into the lovely traditional teahouse Azadegan. The teahouse is inside the Bazaar area and could be a little difficult to find. Ask around and you’ll be rewarded when you find it.
All refueled it’s time to continue to the Armenian Quarter of Jolfa. It took me about an hour to walk there, but you can also easily grab a taxi to take you.
Your first stop should be the Armenian Vank Cathedral. To be honest it didn’t look like much on the outside after all the spectacular architecture in Naqsh-e Jahan Square. However, once you get inside you will be blown away by the stunning interior.
Next to the cathedral you can also visit the museum that has some interesting artifacts, such as bibles with golden laminated pages.
From Vank Cathedral continue to the Isfahan Music Museum
Close to the Vank Cathedral you can also visit another religious building, the Holy Bethlehem Church. It’s not always open, but do check it out.
From there make your way to the Isfahan Music Museum. For me this was an unexpected highlight not just for my visit to Esfahan, but really on this whole Iran itinerary. The museum has a large collection of Persian and regional instruments. Many of which I had never even seen or heard of.
After a tour of the museum there were a whole bunch of musicians that gave an amazing performance. It was the perfect finish to my days in Esfahan! For your dinner stop by Arc A Restaurant.
Day 11 – 13 | Kashan & Maranjab Desert
Next morning, take the VIP-bus from Esfahan to Kashan. After arrival check in to your accommodation for 2 or 3 nights, depending on whether you want to stay overnight in the Maranjab Desert.
In all honesty you can see all that Kashan has to offer in one day, so three days out of your two weeks in Iran here sounds like a bit much. I stayed with a couch surfer and was able to spend some time with him and his family and friends. But if you don’t need that extra time you can add Qom to this itinerary, or go on a day trip to Abyaneh.
Where to stay in Kashan
BUDGET – Sana Historical Hostel
MID-RANGE – Mahinestan Raheb Hotel
LUXURY – Manouchehri House
Start at Agha Borzorg Mosque and the Bazaar of Kashan
After arrival in Kashan you can start your exploration of the city at the Agha Borzorg Mosque. The mosque is a beautiful mud-brick one and is unlike all the others on this Iran itinerary. Afterwards, walk a few minutes to the bazaar of Kashan.
The bazaar of Kashan to me was the most beautiful I’ve seen in Iran. The ceiling and tile work is truly next-level, a real architectural wonder!
On day 12 visit the Kashan Traditional Houses
Spend the morning of day 12 of this two weeks in Iran itinerary on and around Alavi Street. Here you’ll find three traditional houses, one even more impressive than the other. They are the Boroujerdi House, Tabatabaei House and the Abbasian House. Tickets to enter the houses are quite cheap, and there’s even a combination ticket.
All done at the houses then you can also visit the Sultan Mir Ahmad Hammam (bathhouse). The interior is full of beautiful tiling, but you can also visit the roof. From the roof you have a great view of the town and its badgirs.
Now is also the time to book an overnight trip to the Maranjab Desert. There are some places you can book this trip around Alavi Street, or at Sana Historical House closer to the bazaar and mosque.
Visit the Fin Garden in the afternoon
For lunch I suggest to sit down in the courtyard of the traditional Mozaffari restaurant. Afterwards head to the Fin Garden which is just east of the city. The garden is in the middle of the desert so it’s a little miracle that the gardens are so green.
Take your time to admire the 500 year old cypress trees and visit the two pavilions. Furthermore, you’l find a bathhouse here, as well as a tea garden and the small Kashani National Museum. The Fin Garden is open until sunset.
Further reading: Best Things To Do in Kashan
Overnight tour in the Maranjab Desert
The next day you can take it easy, or you can go shopping for a Persian carpet in the bazaar. Kashan has a great selection of beautiful carpets, so if you’re in the market to buy one now is your chance.
In the afternoon you’ll be picked up to go on your tour to the Maranjab Desert. On the way there you stop at Nushabad underground city and also at the Mohammed Helal Shrine in Aran o Bigdol.
Finally you arrive in the Maranjab Desert and you can wander around on the sand. It was my first time in a sand dune desert and I totally loved it. Next to the dunes you can also stop at the Namak Salt Lake.
After all this we stayed overnight in the caravanserai which was an amazing place for star gazing. And to imagine what it must have been like when the caravans were following the Silk Road to Central Asia back in the day.
Day 14 | Wrap Up Your Iran Itinerary in Tehran
After my night in the desert it was time to head back to Kashan and then onwards to Tehran. I had arranged the return to Tehran as part of the tour, which was pretty convenient.
After arrival in the city it’s time to visit some of the sights you didn’t get to on your first day of this Iran itinerary. I didn’t have enough time to go there, but many people visit the former US embassy.
Alternatively, you can go to the Azadi Tower on Azadi Square. Afterwards you can visit the Tabiat Bridge that’s a popular place for the locals to visit. The bridge is illuminated at night in bright neon colours. It’s a little tacky, but the atmosphere here is lovely. It’s the perfect end to your two weeks in Iran independent travel itinerary.
Where to stay on your two weeks in Iran Itinerary
Book your accommodation on 1stQuest
I always recommend to book accommodation through booking.com, but in Iran this website and other western hotel booking sites are unavailable. An alternative that specialises in Iran and other destinations in the region is 1stQuest. I find 1stQuest the perfect resource for the independent traveller in Iran.
You can book your accommodation on their website, but you can also book day trips with them. Or even have your whole two weeks in Iran itinerary arranged by them.
Couch surf your way around Iran
If there was ever a place in the world for independent travellers to use Couchsurfing, then it has to be Iran. Iran has some of the most hospitable people in the world. So, having the opportunity to stay with them in their home is perhaps the best experience you can have on this Iran itinerary.
When you create a public trip on the couch surfing website people will approach you and ask you to stay with them. It’s really heartwarming that Iranians are so hospitable towards independent travellers.
How to get around independently on this two weeks in Iran Itinerary
Getting around in Iran on this two weeks itinerary is quite easy and straightforward. To get where you need to be it’s convenient to use a mix of buses, trains and taxis. And you can book the occasional driver or a tour guide for the day to take you around.
Take the train for longer distances
Iran has a pretty extensive train network. I’ve used the train only once from Tehran to Shiraz. But I can tell you it was modern, with comfortable seats and great service. The train left on time and also arrived in Shiraz on time.
You can book your train ticket in advance on iranrail.net. The website is owned by an Austrian guy and communication with him was without any hassles. You can pay for your tickets with your Visa or MasterCard credit card.
Bus or VIP Bus
Buses in Iran are more frequent than trains, and you can really rely on them as you travel Iran independently. Bus tickets usually cost around 6-10 euros between the cities on this two weeks in Iran itinerary. For that amount you get a comfortable seat, water and some snacks. There’s regular buses, but there’s also VIP buses for a bit more comfort and leg space.
A good thing to know is that bus stations are usually situated quite a bit out of town. To get there you can use a taxi. Each time I arrived at a bus station I was approached and offered help to get my ticket. It brings a smile back to my face just thinking about how friendly Iranians are. Another smile for the amount of people in the process for you to get your ticket.
Taxi
I mostly find taxi drivers to be the scum of the earth. Is it the same in Iran? I don’t think so.
All the drivers I encountered as I traveled Iran independently were very friendly. Now I’m not a big football fan, but Dutch football players are known around the world, and always seemed to spark a conversation.
To help you determine the correct price, or to order a ride you can also use the Snapp! app.
What to eat on this two weeks in Iran Itinerary
I didn’t have any bad food experiences during my two weeks in Iran. But if you’re unfamiliar with Persian cuisine then you’re in for a treat, because Iran is a foodie heaven!
Below you’ll find a list of all the dishes you absolutely must try as you travel independently through Iran. Really tick them all off your list!
- Fesenjoon | Chicken in a pomegranate and walnut sauce
- Dizi | Bread dipped in a thick sauce
- Kebab | Especially the lamb variant served with saffron rice
- Shashlik | Delicious stick with grilled meat and vegetables
- Eggplant dishes | Always a good choice
- Ghormeh Sabzi | A Persian stew dish
- Chicken tahchin | You cannot miss this!!
- Faloodeh | Some sort of stringy icecream
- Saffron icecream | Delicious and you get it topped with honey usually
- Nougat | This is really big in Iran, so bring a box home as a souvenir
Practical Information for two weeks in Iran independent travel itinerary
When is the best time to visit Iran independently?
Generally the best time to plan an independent two weeks in Iran itinerary is during spring and autumn, so from mid-March to mid-June and from mid-September to November. Do note that Iran is a huge country and that climate differs from region to region. The south is mostly warm to hot year-round, where the mountainous northern regions get their fair share of rain and during the winter even snow.
If you want to follow the suggested two weeks in Iran itinerary in this article then you best visit during spring and autumn since the weather will mostly be pleasant everywhere in Iran.
How to get a visa for Iran?
Visa on Arrival (VOA)
Getting a Visa on Arrival currently seems unavailable, so don’t travel to Iran without having arranged a visa.
Get a visa authorisation code
The best way to get a visa for Iran is to use the visa service of 1stQuest. You fill out all the details on their website and they will arrange a visa authorisation code for you. With this authorisation code you can pick up your visa at an Iranian embassy near you. Or, you can pick it up when you arrive in Iran.
US, UK, Canada passports
It’s a little trickier for you to organise a visa for Iran if you’re a US, British or Candadian passport holder. You cannot travel to Iran independently and need a tour guide. Check with 1stQuest to set up a (private) tour for you and help you with arranging your visa.
Keep this in mind when you want to travel to the US after Iran
If you can normally travel to the USA with an ESTA, do realise that when you’ve been to Iran after 2011 you can no longer do so. To travel to the USA after your visit to Iran you need a regular USA visa. That means you need to apply for a USA visa and go to an US-embassy in your country for an interview. Good to know is that at the US-embassy in Amsterdam it was super easy to get the visa.
Money Matters
Currency in Iran
The currency used in Iran is the Rial (IRR), although locals use toman. It’s the same money, but 10 rials is 1 toman. When you’re agreeing on a price for something it’s always good to make sure it’s rials or toman.
The inflation in Iran is horrible, which is sad news for the people living in Iran, but great for visitors. For western tourists this means that the price level in Iran can be perceived as very affordable or perhaps even be considered cheap.
Western debit and credit cards don’t work in Iran
Important to know is that Iran is totally disconnected from western payment services. This means that your VISA, Mastercard or American Express credit cards will not work. The same goes for debit cards. So, when visiting Iran independently for two weeks, make sure to bring a sufficient amount of cash in euros or US dollars.
When you follow this independent Iran travel itinerary you’ll find plenty of places in all the cities visited to exchange currency. My advice is to not exchange too much, because especially hotels and guesthouses are happy to receive euros and US dollars.
Set up a local Travel Card with DaricPay
Don’t feel like carrying around a lot of cash as you travel Iran independently, then you can also set up an account with Daric Pay. This allows you to pay with a debit card all over Iran. Check their website to see how it works and if this is something for you.
Staying connected to the internet in Iran
Get a sim card at the airport
When you arrive at Tehran (IKA) airport there’s a stand where you can by a sim-card. They will help you install and you’re immediately good to go.
Install an esim before you depart to Iran
If you prefer to arrange connectivity before you leave for Iran, then install an esim with Airalo. Check your phone’s compatibility for esim before you purchase though. As soon as you get off the plane and take your phone out of flight mode, the esim will connect to the network of Iran. Super easy!
VPN is a must in Iran
Without a VPN your internet connection in Iran is pretty useless, since most western websites and apps are blocked. So to access google, gmail or facebook it’s important to install 1 or 2 VPN apps on your phone.
My preferred VPN provider is ExpressVPN, but I also used NordVPN while in Iran. Both had good service while I was travelling around. Another one I used was Turbo VPN, which was a little hit and miss.
Final Thoughts on Travelling in Iran
I really fell in love with Iran as I travelled through the country independently for two weeks. The sights are simply amazing, but most of all I loved the Iranians that I met.
It can be complex to visit Iran, but if you have the chance then you cannot go wrong by visiting the two week itinerary that I took through the country.
Have you been to Iran, or do you have any questions? Then let me know in the comments below, or reach out to me on Instagram. To receive updates on new articles on Next Journey Ahead, please subscribe to my newsletter.
Are you planning your trip to Iran? Then continue reading with more articles below, or visit my Iran Travel Guide.
