Sightseeing places in Shiraz

Sightseeing Places in Shiraz: An Exciting and Historical City with a Rich Culture

Iran is a beautiful canvas filled with historical and natural landmarks. If you wish to witness this diversity all in one city, undoubtedly, Shiraz is your best choice for experiencing these beauties. Shiraz is one of the most significant literary and historical cities in Iran. Its captivating nature, ancient cultural monuments, and pilgrimage sites have made it one of Iran’s most valuable tourist destinations. The attractions of Shiraz are endless.

If you haven’t yet visited this city, we recommend getting acquainted with Shiraz’s attractions before traveling so that your trip becomes a sweet and memorable experience. Stay with the Sepahran Weblog to learn more.

The Most Important Attractions of Shiraz

• Shiraz Attractions on the Map
• Tombs of Shiraz’s Notables
• Shiraz Attractions during Nowruz
• Best Attractions of Shiraz
• Night Attractions of Shiraz
• Quiet Places in Shiraz
• Luxury Spots in Shiraz
• Historical Sites in Shiraz
• Attractions Around Shiraz

Shiraz Attractions on the Map

Tombs of Shiraz’s Notables

Shiraz, a city rich in history and culture, houses many tombs of notable figures in Iranian literature and history. Below, we introduce some of these famous tombs along with their addresses and visiting hours.

Shiraz Attractions During Nowruz

So, shiraz, the city of poetry, history, and culture, is one of Iran’s most beautiful tourist destinations during Nowruz. In spring, Shiraz possesses a unique beauty and becomes the destination for many Nowruz travelers. The Nowruz atmosphere combined with the city’s attractions makes the trip twice as appealing.

During Nowruz, people visit the tombs of the city’s notable figures, especially Hafez and Saadi. Apart from the tombs, you can witness the joy and festivities of the people in the city’s markets. The old bazaar and streets are filled with the aroma of fruits and traditional snacks during these days.

Must-Visit Sites in Shiraz During Nowruz:

• Hafeziyeh (Tomb of Hafez)
• Saadiyeh (Tomb of Saadi)
• Eram Garden
• Quran Gate
• Narenjestan-e Qavam
• Nasir al-Mulk Mosque
• Persepolis
• Margoon Waterfall
• Vakil Bazaar

Best Attractions of Shiraz

Shiraz is filled with countless natural, cultural, and historical attractions, with some even being globally recognized. The diversity in its tourist and historical landmarks, along with the presence of valuable artifacts, has made Shiraz the top tourist destination in Iran.

1. Quran Gate of Shiraz (Darvazeh-e Quran)

This structure was built by the order of Adud al-Dawla in the northern part of the city, serving as the main entrance to the old bazaar of Shiraz. Visiting it allows you to enjoy beautiful, ancient architecture that takes you back centuries. Today, this gate has become a symbol of the history and culture of Shiraz. At the top of the Quran Gate, there are beautiful statues of the most famous poets and writers of Iran, highlighting the history and culture of the country. This structure was registered as a national heritage site in 1996.

Address of Quran Gate, Shiraz: Shiraz-Marvdasht Road, Entrance to the city of Shiraz

2. Eram Garden (Bagh-e Jahan Nama) / Eram Garden (Bagh-e Eram)

Shiraz’s Eram Garden, also known as Bagh-e Jahan Nama, is a prominent tourist attraction in the city. Covering an area of approximately 2.8 hectares with 3,500 square meters of green space, it’s considered one of the largest and most beautiful gardens in Shiraz.

With its historical age and diverse plant cover, it attracts many tourists every year. In Eram Garden, you can enjoy viewing grand and beautiful fountains, flower gardens, various plants, and huge trees. Additionally, from the top of the garden’s ancient towers, you can have a wonderful view of the natural landscapes and the city of Shiraz. This garden was registered as a national monument in 1972.

Address of Eram Garden, Shiraz: Azadi Boulevard, Hafez Street.

3. Ardashir Papakan Palace

This historical structure, with a foundation covering over 5700 square meters, consists of various sections such as ivan complexes, three domed halls, courtyards, and vaulted halls, constructed using materials like stone, plaster, and sarooj by its builders. The mansion is also considered one of the earliest examples of Iranian domed architecture, which later became very common in Iranian-Islamic architecture.

So, the square stone columns, made from limestone at the base, astonishing and sturdy plaster decorations, architectural style, and interpretations, especially inspired by the Throne of Jamshid, along with the innovative dome construction method, make this ancient palace incredibly fascinating. The exterior facade of the palace, due to its lack of windows, appears fortified like a stronghold. This façade, similar to the Kasr-e Khorshid in Bisotun, features columns attached to the walls.

The Ardashir Papakan Palace, as a valuable example of Sassanian architecture, was registered as National Heritage No. 89 on 15 Dey 1310 (Persian calendar).

Address of Ardashir Papakan Palace: The palace is located 2 kilometers from Firuzabad city in Fars province (Ardeshir Khoreh) and is situated next to a village called Atashkadeh. Hence, it is sometimes referred to as Atashkadeh Firuzabad, and some believe that this mansion is not a royal palace but rather the grand fire temple of Fars.

4. Khwaju Kermani Tomb, Shiraz

Khwaju Kermani Tomb features Shia architecture and contains various sculptures, indicative of the beauty and cultural diversity of the region. The appearance of this mausoleum is quite grand and elegant, and the attention to details like carpet and glass decorations makes this site an architectural masterpiece. This mausoleum was registered as a national monument in 1351.

Address of Khwaju Kermani Mausoleum: Shiraz-Marvdasht Road, behind the Quran Gate.

5. Shah cheragh Holy Shrine

The Shah Cheragh Holy Shrine is the sacred burial site of Imamzadehs Ahmad bin Musa (Shah Cheragh) and Mohammad bin Musa, who are brothers of Imam Reza. While on their way to join their brother in Khorasan, they were killed by the agents of Ma’mun, the Abbasid, in the city of Shiraz. Their holy bodies were buried at the current site. The mausoleum was discovered in the early 7th century AH, and Abu Bakr bin Sa’d bin Zangi, one of the Atabegs of Fars, ordered the construction of the first shrine there.

Shah Ismail I, also ordered the renovation of the mausoleum in 885 AH.

Nader Shah had a special interest in this sacred mausoleum and ordered not only its renovation but also the installation of a 720-mithqal golden chandelier under the dome. This chandelier was sold during the earthquake of 1290 AH in Shiraz, which led to the complete destruction of the mausoleum, to finance its reconstruction.

The mausoleum’s courtyard has two main entrances, two secondary doors, and features a large fountain in its center. The Shah Cheragh shrine is located on the west side of the courtyard, while the shrine of Seyyed Mir Mohammad is on the northeast. Rooms are built around the courtyard, their facades and arches adorned with tile work. Within the compound, there are units like a police station, a post and telecommunications office, a library, and a museum.

Address of the Shah Cheragh Holy Shrine: 9 Dey Street, Shiraz.

6. Arg of Karim Khan

One of the prominent architectural masterpieces of the Zand dynasty era is the Arg of Karim Khan, which was constructed in 1766 on a land covering 12,800 square meters with a built-up area of 4,000 square meters, designed in a trapezoidal shape.

The royal citadel combines both residential and military architecture.

• The inner section of the citadel, used by the royal family, has a portico and six living rooms on each of the north, south, and west sides. The walls of these rooms are beautifully painted. On the eastern side, there is a private bath and some utility facilities.

The communal area of this section is complemented by a series of fountains and gardens. To maintain the privacy of the royal family, all rooms are interconnected internally, allowing inhabitants to move inside without stepping into the courtyard. On each side of the inner structure, besides the portico, there is a main hall and two smaller rooms, connected by a corridor to the main hall. Although these rooms have similar external decorations to the main hall, the quality of materials used and the paintings on the walls are of slightly inferior grade. Also, each room extends to a balcony at the back.

Royal Seating Architecture

The main or summer seating is located on the western front of the building, where single-piece wooden columns made of cypress trees with spiral decorations on the ivan, along with beautiful muqarnas, constitute the major decorations. During the Qajar era, these columns were replaced by stone columns made of a homogeneous stone known as Gandomak, adorned with Shah Abbasi floral motifs. These columns can now only be seen in the winter seating, which is located on the northern side of the citadel.

A large basin with several fountains is located in front of the main mansion, connected to a waterway that extends along the north-south length of the building and ends in a cuboid stone reservoir. The water of this basin used to be supplied through this channel until the destruction of the Roknabad aqueduct.

military and administrative section

• In the military and administrative section, the citadel building was protected by four brick towers, 15 meters high, a barrel-vaulted congress chamber, 12 meters high and 3 meters thick at the base and 2.8 meters at the top, and also a moat that was previously dug around it. Stone gutters on the walls were installed for rainwater drainage, and numerous embrasures were designed for shooting and defense against possible attacks. The northwest tower of the citadel, due to soil settlement and the inability of the ground to bear its weight, was not placed parallel to the other towers during construction. Its displacement towards the west led to the inability to preserve the rectangular structure of the citadel. Even in its new location, due to the aforementioned reasons, the tower subsided, resulting in its tilting.

Address of the Karim Khan Citadel: Shohada Square, Karim Khan Zand Boulevard.

Night Attractions of Shiraz

The nights in Shiraz, with its ancient landmarks and romantic ambiance, offer a unique experience to tourists. This city possesses numerous attractions that especially shine at night, showcasing their beauty and allure. The day and night cycle of Shiraz, with its diverse colors and lights, creates a romantic and pleasant environment for visitors.

At night, Shiraz’s attractions, especially its historical landmarks such as Nasir al-Mulk Mosque and Vakil Mosque, can provide tourists with an unparalleled experience of the city’s nocturnal beauty, transporting them back to Iran’s glorious cultural and artistic past. In these avenues, apart from admiring historical buildings and magnificent gardens, you can stroll through the streets and alleys of Shiraz and enjoy its nightly beauties.

Moreover, visiting Eram and Naranjestan gardens at night offers an unparalleled experience for tourists. In these gardens, the sight of captivating illuminations amidst trees and scenic nocturnal landscapes transports you to a world of tranquility and beauty. The exquisite architecture and authenticity of the gardens, coupled with local legends, transform the night in Shiraz into an unmatched experience.

Where are the Cozy Place in Shiraz?

The answer to this question depends on your mood and interests.

If you want the opinion of a tourist rather than a local, I must say that one of the coziest spots in Shiraz for sitting, chatting, reading poetry, and taking a solitary stroll or with loved ones is the corners around Hafezieh (the tomb of Hafez). You just need to choose days of the year or hours of the day for your Hafez excursion when it’s not crowded with tourists, so you can enjoy some moments in seclusion.

Saadi’s mausoleum ranks second on the list of cozy spots in Shiraz. The vast Saadi Garden and its small fishpond witness many secrets and desires and attract numerous lovers to its secluded nook every day. If you enjoy walking in lush gardens, the delightful Delgosha Garden, located near Saadi Tomb, is a lovely and cozy place to spend a tranquil and carefree afternoon. This garden is so spacious that even on the busiest days in Shiraz, you can find a secluded corner and enjoy a cup of bitter orange blossom tea.

Another cozy corner is in the Eram Garden. If you have visited this garden, you must have come across its small café. This café can be the safe haven you are looking for. Another café-garden with the same address but a different atmosphere exists in the Eram Garden, where you can relax in its beautiful surroundings with the sound of Iranian music and the scent of thousands of flowers.

What cozy spots do you know in Shiraz?

Where are the luxury places in Shiraz?

If you want to go to the most stylish and luxurious places in the city during your trip to Shiraz, the following list is for you:

Historical Sites in Shiraz

Are you passionate about following the history?

Then Shiraz is the perfect destination for you. There are so many historical sites in this city that you can be sure you won’t be able to see all of them in just one trip to Shiraz.

Below is a list of these attractions:

Attractions Around Shiraz

The nature surrounding Shiraz is so diverse and beautiful that you really can’t even imagine it. From the pink-colored Maharloo Lake to the snow-capped mountains, from the lost paradise to the historic village of Ghalat, there are plenty of wonders to experience around Shiraz.

Below, you’ll find a list of the best attractions to see around Shiraz:

Conclusion

The attractions of Shiraz offer a blend of ancient history, architectural wonders, and a vibrant culture. From poets to kings, from gardens to markets, this city promises an unforgettable journey.

We hope that by reading this article, we have provided you with valuable information about the must-see places in Shiraz.

Frequently Asked Questions