"Aadil's new Teheran Page" Tehran by aadil
Tehran Travel Guide: 516 reviews and 1,662 photos
Teheran was the first stop on my tour to Iran for the Total Solar Eclipse of 1999. We were a small group of six amateur astronomers from Mumbai and were travelling with Mohammed Owtad, our guide and also the proprietor of Otad Travels, who became our friend by the end of our lovely trip.
Teheran's Meherabad Airport is not a very inviting place but good enough for your arrival. The Iran Air flight from Mumbai landed in the night and we were escorted out of customs and immigration by our guide without much of a problem. We were expecting a lot of problems due to the rush for the eclipse but were surprised at the efficiency of the staff at the counters. After a short drive from the airport we reached the Teheran Grand (4 star) hotel in the city centre for a good nights sleep.
We saw the Jewels of the crown, the Peacock Throne and a lot of precious stones and jewellery at the National Jewels Treasury which is a part of the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic Of Iran. A lot of people miss seeing these splendours of the world but we were lucky enough to speak to the person in charge of the whole collection for a short introductory tour.
Damavand, highest mountain peak in Iran is visible from the city itself but you have to go to the mountain to enjoy it! The Azadi (Freedom) Monument is a nice looking monument which can be seen on the way from the airport. The Ayatollah Khomeini Memorial and also his simple one room home in Teheran are worth visiting and offer a different perspective to a ruler who lived in the most simple manner.
The people in Iran are very friendly but there is a communication problem as many may not understand or speak fluently in English. Normally if you have a guide along with you or carry a calculator you can get around to fixing the prices for any thing you want to buy and bargaining is possible in most places. The dry fruits are one thing that you cannot avoid eating in Iran especially since it is so very cheap. Chello Kebab is the most famous dish in Iran along with lamb, chicken and fish, but vegetarians beware: there is no such thing as vegetarian food in Iran!! The only thing you may get is rice, canned beans and salad with yogurt.
All restaurants are very cheap and some even have live traditional music playing. Sorry, but there are NO alcoholic drinks served and discos or western music and dance allowed in Iran! Tea is a favourite drink at any time and is normally had without milk and the sugar cubes or small pieces are to be placed in the mouth while you sip your tea! Do not refuse to have it if offered by your host. Do not shake hands with a member of the opposite sex. Wear sensible clothes with long sleeves and long trousers (no shorts allowed even for the men!!). Women should have a scarf covering their hair and cover their legs. The hijab or chaddor is only required when you enter the mosques or religious shrines in Iran.
Things are changing quite a lot for the better and a lot of improvements are taking place to make things easier for the tourist in Iran. So get your bags, visa and take a trip to one of the most beautiful places on this planet.
Reviews (4)
National Jewels Museum
Things to Do
(1)
National Jewels Museum (1960), Collection of National Jewels. Contact: Manager Mr. Sanaei. Open on SAT SUN TUE WED... more travel advice
Packing List
What to Pack
(1)
Carry small sized suitcases if on a flight inside Iran as the aircraft are very small and it is not possible to take... more travel advice
I stayed at the Teheran Grand...
Hotels
(1)
I stayed at the Teheran Grand Hotel which was a four star hotel according to Iranian standards. Approximately USD 40.00... more travel advice
Beware of small children who...
Tourist Traps
(1)
Beware of small children who try to ask for money and stay clear of them especially when visiting religious places like... more travel advice
Tehran Travel Guide
Member Travel Pages
- "Tehran"
- "TEHRAN ,THE CITY OF LIFE"
- "TEHRAN"
- "Tehran - Museums, murals and much more......"
- "Tehran 'The end of the Road'"
- "Tehran - The Throbbing Heart of Iran"
- "Tehran"
- See All...
Explore the World
Badges & Stats in Tehran
- 4 Reviews
- 0 Photos
- 1 Forum posts
- 24 Comments
- 2,443PageViews
- See All Stats
- See All Badges (13)
Have you been to Tehran?
Share Your TravelsLatest Activity in Tehran
- Posted in Travel Delhi Forum "Re: female travelling alone"
- Commented on one of iwys's Tehran travel pages
- Wrote a Review National Jewels Museum in Tehran Things to Do
- created a Tehran Travel Page "Aadil's new Teheran Page"
Top 10 Pages
-
Top 5 Page for this destination
Mumbai
Intro, 43 reviews, 48 photos, 4 travelogues
-
Top 5 Page for this destination
Elephanta Island
Intro, 23 reviews, 18 photos, 1 travelogue
-
York
Intro, 7 reviews, 14 photos, 1 travelogue
-
Liverpool
Intro, 10 reviews, 10 photos
-
Jaisalmer
Intro, 6 reviews, 13 photos
-
Livingstone Game Park
Intro, 8 reviews, 10 photos, 1 travelogue
-
Nagpur
10 reviews, 6 photos
-
Egypt
Intro, 11 reviews, 3 photos
-
Zambia
Intro, 5 reviews, 7 photos, 1 travelogue
-
Top 5 Page for this destination
Al Khubar
Intro, 9 reviews, 3 photos
Friends
See All Friends (115)Latest Tehran hotel reviews
- Kowsar Hotel
- 18 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jan 26, 2013 - Pariz Apartment Hotel
- 15 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jul 17, 2012 - Azadi Grand
- 7 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Dec 22, 2012 - Sepehr Apartment Hotel
- 14 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 8, 2013 - Escan Hotel
- 51 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 20, 2013 - Laleh
- 60 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 7, 2013 - Esteghlal Grand Hotel
- 64 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 4, 2013 - Olympic Hotel
- 2 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 25, 2012 - Taj Mahal AP Hotel
- 20 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 23, 2013 - Howeyzeh Hotel
- 7 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 21, 2013 - Ferdossi Grand Hotel
- 14 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Apr 22, 2013 - Mashhad Hotel
- 7 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Dec 13, 2012 - Engelab
- 13 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Feb 24, 2013 - Tehran Grand
- 15 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jan 23, 2013 - Tehran Enghelab Hotel
- 13 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 6, 2013

Hiking and Walking
Castles and Palaces
Architecture
Comments (21)
tehran is nice, too bad its filled with ignorant people like aadil or should I say A- hole.
seems pretty oppresive, they would hate me for being an american rebel lol. still, im intrigued by this place and would really love to visit some day.
Great introduction into Teheran. Too bad there aren't some photos...
namashkar, desai-jee! aap kaise hain? i see u've been touring my pages! can always count on u to be one of the first visitors! ;)))
Teheran is in my wish list, maybe one day.. Useful tips, Aadil. Any pics? ciao
Excellent information on Iran Aadil, I would very much like to visit this country at some time in the furture.
good advices Aadil :))))))))) thank youuu u:))))))
I just read a book based in Tehran. Was scary... is the place really that strict or one can go around and enjoy the place? I don't mean drinking, partying and all that, but just enjoy the culture and feel of the place? Must be a beautiful place.
Lovely intro! Any pics? I might wanna go some day, but the fact that I'd have to wear a chador puts me off!
A very good presentation !! :) Any pictures to show us?