Esfahan, one of Iran’s most beautiful and well-groomed cities, was the Persian capital under 17th-century royalty prized by travelers. Many call it “half the world”. The handicraft museum town struts its stuff with its historic bazaar, its bridges and richly decorated mosques. The Muslims, Jews and Christians of the city of blue domes live in harmony. According to Jean Chardin seventeenth century, described it as: “the largest and most beautiful city in the Orient” and “solely for pleasure and delight”. Looking for things to do in Esfahan? You’ve come to the right place! Stay tuned with us.
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Among the things to do in Isfahan, a visit to the majestic Naqsh-e Jahan Square, also known as Imam Square, is an ideal place to start, masterpiece of the Safavid era, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the royal square was the meeting place of the Shah and his people. It is surrounded four “must-see” sites: the Imam Mosque, the Sheikh Mosque Lotfolah, the Alighapoo building, the bazaar.
Among the things to do in Isfahan, a visit to Naghsh-e Jahan Square is a must: built with blue mosaic decoration, it features extremely well-proportioned architecture from the Safavid era and is a true showpiece. The beauty of this mosque’s architecture cannot be described; it must be visited in person.
a monumental jewel on Naqsh-e Jahan Square, the first of four buildings constructed around the square. Very simple in design compared to the Imam’s Mosque, the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque adorns its interior and exterior in an unrestrained manner. The richly decorated exterior of its single dome is made up of fine, attractive earthenware tiles.
The main entrance is opposite the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque. It was precisely in the heart of this marvellous edifice that Shah Abbas celebrated Norouz (Iranian New Year). The palace’s 18 monumental columns are adorned with mirrors, and the ceiling is splendid. On the sixth floor, the concert hall features deep circular niches in the walls, used to enhance the acoustics of the music. It is said that the Shah used to sit on the terrace to watch the horses during polo matches.
Isfahan’s historic market is one of the oldest and most spectacular in the Middle East.If you like artisan shopping, the historic bazaar is one of the best things to do in Isfahan. It’s a two-kilometer-long street that links the old city to the new. Each aisle of the bazaar is dedicated to a particular product, the most sought-after being the famous Iranian carpets, but also hand-woven rugs, shoemakers, spices, gold and silver, not forgetting handicrafts such as Moarraq, ancient woodwork, Khatam, intricate wooden objects inlaid with fine pieces of wood, bone, and metal fitted into precise geometric patterns. There are also a number of workshops where you can watch the crafts being made.
Jolfa Armenian Square in Isfahan is the place where Christians peacefully practice their religious rites. The ancestors of the Armenians emigrated from the northern Iranian town of Jolfa in Safavid times to this trendy part of town, with its Armenian churches, lively old cemetery and music museum. In the afternoons and evenings, you’ll find plenty of strollers enjoying Armenian coffee in a relaxed atmosphere.
Another remarkable work of art with splendid architecture, Vank Cathedral, on Armenian Square, combines 17th-century Safavid style with high arches and a dome with Islamic motifs, where the biblical story is represented by paintings on the brick ceiling. Its museum holds precious collections from the Armenian world, including Safavid costumes, tapestries, European paintings, embroidery and a small seven-gram Bible, considered the smallest text written in seven languages.Among the things to do in Isfahan, exploring the Armenian quarter Jolfa is a great cultural immersion.
Over 300 Persian instruments, including kamancheh, tar, ney, majestic harp and nomadic camel bells, are on display. The museum is not just about discovering musical instruments; you can also try your hand at music, with master interpretations of traditional Persian love songs.
This historic monument was built in the Ilkhanid period. The building was already decorated with blue tiles and bricks. The building has a remarkable feature: if you shake one of its minarets, the other, opposite, also shakes. This unique phenomenon of synchronized shaking can be observed from the ground.
Exploring the ancient bridges is one of the things to do in Isfahan, especially for architecture enthusiasts. One of the outstanding attractions of the city of Isfahan has to do with its bridges; five ancient bridges crossing the seasonal Zayandehrood River, which can be traced back to Safavid times and earlier.
This ancient bridge, undoubtedly the most famous in Isfahan, consists of 33 arches spanning the river. In Safavid times, the bridge was the site of the Armenian Abrizan (or water fountain) ceremonial celebrations, and is one of the finest examples of bridge architecture and construction in Iran and the world. A visit to Si-o-Seh Pol is a must in Isfahan at sunset.
With its beautiful architecture, it has become one of Iran’s most famous bridges, built in the Safavid era and used mainly as a public meeting place and tea room.
Although it is not known exactly when it was built, remains in its foundations date back to the Sassanid period. In Safavid times, this bridge was part of the western bridge of the city of Isfahan.
The pillars are made of cement and ballast. The foundations of the bridge were built under the Sassanids and Achaemenids; Islamic architecture for all the buildings surrounding the bridge.
Another of Isfahan’s famous bridges, it was built by Safavid king Shah Abbas II during the Safavid era to water the nearby royal Safavid gardens.
If you’re wondering what to do in Esfahan at the end of the day, a stroll over its ancient bridges is one of the most memorable experiences.
Popular Iranian cuisine is ancient, rich and tasty, diversified by the vastness of the country and the heterogeneity of its climate. Isfahan’s traditional restaurants serve up local specialties that are sure to please.
This best-known traditional dish dates back almost 400 years and can only be eaten in Isfahan’s iconic restaurants. It’s a combination of lamb meat, saffron and herbs, kneaded into a patty or hamburger shape, wrapped in traditional bread.Tasting the local cuisine is undoubtedly one of the tastiest things to do in Isfahan, between traditions and unique delights.
Gaz is the traditional name for Persian nougat, a type of confectionery originating from Ispahan and Boldaji, adorned with small pieces of pistachios or almonds to give it a special nutty taste, and which you can also buy to take home as a souvenir of the country, accompanied by the traditional glass of saffron tea.
this azure city, like a sparkling diamond on the surface of the Iranian plateau, is distinguished by its magnificent gardens, which reveal a fresh, innovative yet urban take on the beauty of the landscape. A famous historic avenue, Chahar Bagh, or Four Gardens, built during the Safavid dynasty, runs for 6 km between the north and south of Isfahan.
This superb palace of Safavid architecture boasts a large terrace in a vast garden, at the end of a long swimming pool. It’s a famous jewel of the Safavid era, listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The Safavid kings held their most important meetings and festivals here. “Chehel Sotoun” means “forty pillars”, meaning twenty real wooden pillars, projected in the image of their reflection in the long pool in front of the palace. The site is also home to some famous and remarkable painted ceramics.
The Hasht-Behesht is a magnificent building set in a splendid garden. In Safavid times, it was actually a garden paradise, proudly bearing the name “Hasht”, meaning Eight, and Hashti Behesht, the Golden GateThis park, illuminated by magnificent light and sumptuously decorated, has captured the hearts of many a visitor.
the 5-hectare Bird Garden is said to be one of the most beautiful in the world. It is home to almost 5,000 animals of 130 different species, 17% of which are endangered. A haven for nature lovers, especially bird lovers, the park combines recreation, research and conservation work.
The Flower Garden is a veritable festival of color, featuring a variety of gardens: roses, an area dedicated to edible and medicinal herbs, ornamental cabbages, chrysanthemums, irises, as well as an area with magnificent fountains. This garden thrives in a meadow dotted with grasses, summer flowers and small ornamental trees.
The aquarium is huge and home to a wide variety of marine and freshwater animals. Visitors can also admire marine and freshwater animals such as carp and sharks. Its most impressive feature, the region’s largest tunnel, is built into a six-metre-high cave.
This town lies 140 km east of Isfahan. Here, you can visit a mosque whose architecture is among the oldest in Iran, as well as the gigantic Nareni fortress, the typical Pirnia house, the souk’s artists’ bazaar, the qanat water drainage system and attend a training session in the perfume of the 1000 and one nights of ancestral strongmen: the Zurkhaneh (traditional Persian gym). The city is also renowned for the quality of its carpets.
Varzaneh is 105 km southeast of Isfahan in Iran. It is famous for its beautiful sand dunes and unique cultural experiences. What’s more, located less than 3 hours by bus from Isfahan, Varzaneh is one of the most easily accessible deserts in Iran. A trip to the desert is one of the most popular things to do in and around Isfahan.
Whether you’re passionate about history, gastronomy or architecture, you’ll always find things to do in Esfahan to enrich your trip. This city is a gem to be discovered without moderation.
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