15-Day Family-Friendly Itinerary in Tehran, Iran

  • Day 1: Golestan Palace
    20 minutes (6.5 km) from Tehran Grand Bazaar

    The Golestan Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a magnificent example of Iranian architecture. With its beautiful gardens, intricate tilework, and stunning mirrored halls, it's a must-visit place for any tourist in Tehran.

  • Day 2: National Museum of Iran
    15 minutes (5 km) from Golestan Palace

    The National Museum of Iran is the perfect place to learn about the country's history and culture. With its impressive collection of ancient artifacts, including pottery, coins, and sculptures, visitors can travel back in time and discover Iran's rich history.

  • Day 3: Tehran Grand Bazaar
    10 minutes (3 km) from National Museum of Iran

    The Tehran Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest and largest bazaars in the Middle East. With over 10 kilometers of labyrinthine alleys and thousands of shops selling everything from spices to carpets, it's a paradise for shopaholics and those interested in Iranian handicrafts.

  • Day 4: Milad Tower
    30 minutes (10 km) from Tehran Grand Bazaar

    The Milad Tower is the tallest tower in Iran and a symbol of modern Tehran. With its observation deck and revolving restaurant, visitors can enjoy stunning panoramic views of the city while dining in style.

  • Day 5: Sa'ad Abad Palace
    10 minutes (3 km) from Tajrish Bazaar

    The Sa'ad Abad Palace is a complex of museums and royal palaces that once served as the summer residence of the Pahlavi dynasty. With its beautiful gardens and opulent decorations, visitors can get a glimpse of Iran's royal history.

  • Day 6: Darband
    20 minutes (7 km) from Sa'ad Abad Palace

    Darband is a popular hiking trail in the mountains on the outskirts of Tehran. With its fresh air, scenic waterfalls, and charming tea houses, it's the perfect place for a family-friendly outdoor excursion.

  • Day 7: Tabiat Bridge
    20 minutes (6 km) from Darband

    The Tabiat Bridge is a modern architectural gem that connects two parks on either side of a highway. With its stunning design, pedestrian walkways, and cafes, it's a great place to go for a walk and enjoy the city from a different perspective.

  • Day 8: Carpet Museum of Iran
    15 minutes (5 km) from Tabiat Bridge

    The Carpet Museum of Iran is a museum dedicated to the country's rich tradition of carpet weaving. With its colorful and intricate carpets from different regions of the country, visitors can appreciate the beauty and complexity of this art form.

  • Day 9: Mellat Park
    20 minutes (8 km) from Carpet Museum of Iran

    Mellat Park is the largest park in Tehran and a popular destination for families. With its playgrounds, artificial lake, and cultural events, visitors can enjoy a relaxing day in the outdoors.

  • Day 10: Niavaran Palace Complex
    25 minutes (9 km) from Mellat Park

    The Niavaran Palace Complex is another royal palace that once belonged to the Pahlavi dynasty. With its beautifully decorated rooms, manicured gardens, and art exhibitions, visitors can feel like royalty for a day.

  • Day 11: Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art
    10 minutes (3 km) from Niavaran Palace Complex

    The Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art is a museum dedicated to modern and contemporary Iranian art. With its impressive collection of paintings, sculptures, and installations by famous Iranian artists, visitors can discover the vibrant and diverse art scene of Iran.

  • Day 12: Azadi Tower
    10 minutes (3 km) from Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art

    The Azadi Tower is another iconic symbol of modern Tehran. With its unique architecture, museum, and observation deck, visitors can learn more about the history and culture of Iran while enjoying breathtaking views of the city.

  • Day 13: Tehran Zoological Garden
    30 minutes (11 km) from Azadi Tower

    The Tehran Zoological Garden is a popular destination for families with children. With its variety of animals from different continents, visitors can get up close and personal with wildlife while learning about animal conservation.

  • Day 14: Tehran Book Garden
    20 minutes (6 km) from Tehran Zoological Garden

    The Tehran Book Garden is a modern cultural center that houses a library, museum, and bookstore. With its events, exhibitions, and cafes, visitors can explore different aspects of Iranian culture and literature.

  • Day 15: Darakeh
    15 minutes (5 km) from Tehran Book Garden

    Darakeh is another hiking trail in the mountains of Tehran. With its traditional restaurants, fresh air, and scenic views, it's the perfect way to end the trip and reflect on the experiences of the past two weeks.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Golestan Palace (2-3 hours, 15,000 rials)
  • National Museum of Iran (2-3 hours, 10,000 rials)
  • Tehran Grand Bazaar (2-3 hours, 0 rials)
  • Milad Tower (2-3 hours, 300,000 rials)
  • Sa'ad Abad Palace (2-3 hours, 20,000 rials)
  • Darband (4-5 hours, 50,000 rials)
  • Tabiat Bridge (1-2 hours, 0 rials)
  • Carpet Museum of Iran (2-3 hours, 10,000 rials)
  • Mellat Park (3-4 hours, 0 rials)
  • Niavaran Palace Complex (2-3 hours, 50,000 rials)
  • Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art (2-3 hours, 0 rials)
  • Azadi Tower (2-3 hours, 20,000 rials)
  • Tehran Zoological Garden (2-3 hours, 100,000 rials)
  • Tehran Book Garden (2-3 hours, 0 rials)
  • Darakeh (4-5 hours, 30,000 rials)
  • Total Estimated Costs: 605,000 rials (~$14 USD)

Transportation

Getting around Tehran can be challenging due to heavy traffic and lack of public transportation. Taxis are the most convenient and affordable option, but visitors should negotiate the fare beforehand to avoid being overcharged. Uber and Snapp are also available, but may be more expensive during peak hours. Visitors should also consider hiring a private driver or joining a guided tour to make the most out of their time in Tehran.

Estimated travel costs: Taxi fare (10,000-50,000 rials per ride), Uber (20,000-50,000 rials per ride), Private driver (200,000-500,000 rials per day), Guided tour (500,000-1,000,000 rials per day)

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider visiting other cities in Iran such as Isfahan, Shiraz, or Yazd. Each city has its own unique history, culture, and attractions that are worth exploring.

If you have less time, consider skipping some of the museums and focusing on outdoor activities such as hiking and visiting parks. Tehran has many beautiful green spaces and mountains that can provide a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Airports

Tehran has two international airports: Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) and Mehrabad International Airport (THR). IKA is the main international airport located 30 km southwest of Tehran, while THR is a smaller airport located within the city limits. Visitors can choose to fly to either airport depending on their travel plans and availability of flights.

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