Iran
Islamic Republic of Iran
Southern Asia · IRN
Editorial Snapshot
Why Go To Iran
Iran is one of the world's richest trips for travelers who care about architecture, poetry, archaeology, and distinctive city culture. It works best as a focused route through Tehran, Isfahan, Yazd, and Shiraz rather than trying to cover the entire country at once.
Popular For
Things To See
- Tehran
- Isfahan
- Shiraz
- Yazd
- Persepolis
- Kashan
Best Months
Best Months For Winter Travel
Know Before You Go
- Spring and fall are the most comfortable broad travel windows.
- A classic first route can stay inside a few major heritage cities.
- Check current entry requirements and advisories before planning.
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Flights
Hotels & Accommodations
Compare stays across major booking options
Open hotel and accommodation options for Iran.
Guidebooks
📚Browse Iran Guidebooks on AmazonTours & Activities
Country Data
Stats At A Glance
Practical travel, safety, climate, and quality-of-life stats for Iran.
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Tehran
- Population
- 85,961,000
- Area
- 1,648,195 km²
- Region
- Southern Asia
Languages
- Persian (Farsi)
Currency
Iranian rial (﷼)
IRR
Exchange rate unavailable for USD.
Cost of Living (World Bank)
26.1
Price level index (US = 100)
- Groceries
- 20.7
- Restaurants
- 16.2
- Rent
- 8.0
Safety & Peace
lower score = more peaceful · 1.0–3.5 scale
Monthly Climate Averages
These weather averages are based on data for Tehran (35.70°N, 51.42°E).
LGBTQ+ Friendly
15/100
Traveler LGBTQ score
- Legal protections
- 0/100
- Lived safety
- 42/100
This score blends legal protections with lived-safety context so strong laws alone do not automatically push a country to the top of the ranking.
- Homosexuality legal❌
- Relationship recognitionNone
- Adoption recognition❌
- Anti-discrimination laws❌
- Employment protections❌
- Legal gender recognition❌
- Conversion therapy ban❌
Human Development Index (UNDP)
0.799
High human development
- 5-year change
- +0.009
- 10-year change
- +0.005
- Trend
- stable
- Data year
- 2023
- Gender Dev. Index (GDI)
- 0.875
- Gender Inequality Index (GII)
- 0.482
- Planetary-adjusted HDI (PHDI)
- 0.725
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (29)
- 🏛️
Prehistoric Sites of the Khorramabad Valley
Inscribed 2025
- 🏛️
Hegmataneh
Inscribed 2024
- 🏛️
The Persian Caravanserai
Inscribed 2023
- 🏛️
Trans-Iranian Railway
Inscribed 2021
- 🏛️
Cultural Landscape of Hawraman/Uramanat
Inscribed 2021
- 🌿
Hyrcanian Forests
Inscribed 2019
- 🏛️
Sassanid Archaeological Landscape of Fars Region
Inscribed 2018
- 🏛️
Historic City of Yazd
Inscribed 2017
- 🌿
Lut Desert
Inscribed 2016
- 🏛️
The Persian Qanat
Inscribed 2016
- 🏛️
Cultural Landscape of Maymand
Inscribed 2015
- 🏛️
Susa
Inscribed 2015
- 🏛️
Shahr-i Sokhta
Inscribed 2014
- 🏛️
Golestan Palace
Inscribed 2013
- 🏛️
Gonbad-e Qābus
Inscribed 2012
- 🏛️
Masjed-e Jāmé of Isfahan
Inscribed 2012
- 🏛️
The Persian Garden
Inscribed 2011
- 🏛️
Sheikh Safi al-din Khānegāh and Shrine Ensemble in Ardabil
Inscribed 2010
- 🏛️
Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex
Inscribed 2010
- 🏛️
Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System
Inscribed 2009
- 🏛️
Armenian Monastic Ensembles of Iran
Inscribed 2008
- 🏛️
Bisotun
Inscribed 2006
- 🏛️
Soltaniyeh
Inscribed 2005
- 🏛️
Pasargadae
Inscribed 2004
- 🏛️
Bam and its Cultural Landscape
Inscribed 2004
- 🏛️
Takht-e Soleyman
Inscribed 2003
- 🏛️
Meidan Emam, Esfahan
Inscribed 1979
- 🏛️
Persepolis
Inscribed 1979
- 🏛️
Tchogha Zanbil
Inscribed 1979
Natural Beauty (World Bank)
- Protected land area
- 8.6%
- Forest cover
- 6.6%
Source: World Bank.
Wildlife & Birdwatching
- Threatened mammal species (IUCN)
- 18
- Threatened bird species (IUCN)
- 29
Source: World Bank / IUCN Red List. Higher counts indicate richer biodiversity, typically in tropical rainforest, island, and savannah ecosystems.
Food & Cuisine
49/100
Food and dining score
Built from two layers: dining-scene breadth and open prestige signals. We combine restaurant density, cuisine diversity, distinguished restaurants, and gastronomy-city recognitions from open data sources.
Winter Sports
32/100
Ski infrastructure & alpine pedigree
Combines ski resort depth, ski resort density, and Winter Olympic skiing results. Separate from climate comfort.
Luxury Infrastructure
89/100
Luxury & premium accommodation score
Based on OpenStreetMap luxury hotel density and World Bank international tourism receipts.
US Travel Advisory
Do not travelto Iran due to the risk of terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, arbitrary arrest of U.S. citizens, and wrongful detention. Do not travel to Iran for any reason. U.S. citizens in Iran should leave immediately. There is no U.S. Embassy in Iran. Review our information on Travel to High-Risk Areas. U.S. citizens in Iran face serious dangers including terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, arbitrary arrest, and wrongful detention. Some U.S. nationals have been held for years on false charges, subjected to torture, and even sentenced to death. No U.S. embassy in Iran The U.S. government does not have diplomatic or consular relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Swiss government, acting through its Embassy in Tehran, serves as the protecting power for United States interests in Iran. The Embassy of Switzerland’s Foreign Interests Section in Tehran is temporarily closed due to the security situation in Iran until further notice. U.S. citizens in Iran in need of help should contact the U.S. Embassy in Bern, Switzerland by email at BernACS@state.gov or by phone at +41-31-357-7011. This change reinforces the travel advice to U.S. citizens: Do Not Travel to Iran. For routine consular services, U.S. citizens should visit the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate or return to the United States. Detention, kidnapping, and hostage-taking The U.S. Department of State has determined that U.S. nationals are at serious risk of wrongful detention by the Government of Iran: Iranian authorities continue to unjustly detain U.S. nationals without warning or any evidence they committed a crime. This includes dual U.S.-Iranian nationals, students, journalists, business travelers, academics, and people with U.S. military or government experience. Charges include espionage and posing a threat to national security. U.S. nationals are at significant risk of questioning, arrest, and detention in Iran. Having a U.S. passport or connections to the United States can be reason enough for Iranian authorities to detain someone. Iranian law allows authorities to punish individuals for “collaboration with a hostile state.” This includes having any real or perceived connection with a government or organization that Iranian authorities consider as acting against Iranian interests. Prior travel to Israel by an Iranian citizen can result in a prison sentence of two to five years. Review our information on U.S. Citizens Missing Abroad and for Victims of Crime. Arbitrary enforcement of local laws Some U.S. citizens have been detained for several months or more. Offenders can face many years in prison. The Government of Iran has imposed exit bans on U.S. citizens that prevent travelers from leaving. Dual citizenship Iran will not recognize your U.S. citizenship if you are a dual U.S.-Iranian citizen or have a claim to Iranian citizenship. Iran will not permit Swiss consular officers to visit detained U.S. citizens who also hold Iranian citizenship. Terrorism There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Iran. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more. Review our information on Terrorism and Travel to High-Risk Areas. Unrest Demonstrations are common and unpredictable. They may take place in response to political or economic issues. They may also occur on significant holidays and during large events. Past demonstrations have turned violent. Have a plan to leave in an emergency that does not depend on U.S. government help. Review our information on Crisis and Evacuations. Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) and surrogacy Companies providing surrogacy services in Iran are misrepresenting the security situation. They downplay the risks of the unregulated surrogacy tourism industry: Private companies that organize these visits and services put U.S. citizens in danger. Iranian surrogacy providers have also been known to misrepresent U.S. citizenship law. A child born abroad to a surrogate will not automatically acquire U.S. citizenship if they are not genetically or gestationally linked to a U.S. citizen parent or their spouse. This means the child cannot get a U.S. passport to leave Iran. Aviation Safety Oversight The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) or a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR). This is due to risks to civil aviation operating within or nearby Iran. For more information U.S. citizens should consult the Federal Aviation Administration's Prohibitions, Restrictions and Notices.
Read full advisory →Data current as of May 2026 and subject to change. Travel advisory information is sourced from the U.S. State Department and reflects conditions at the time of data collection, not real-time conditions. Do not rely solely on this information for travel decisions. Always check current government advisories for your nationality. Terms of Use · About our data