15 Days Family-Friendly Travel Itinerary for Tehran, Iran

  • Day 1: Visit Golestan Palace Complex and Tehran Grand Bazaar
    15 minutes (4 km) from Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport

    Golestan Palace Complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with stunning architecture, historical significance, and beautiful gardens. Tehran Grand Bazaar is a great place for shopping, bargaining, and trying traditional Iranian foods.

  • Day 2: Explore Sa'dabad Complex and Darband
    30 minutes (12 km) from Golestan Palace Complex

    Sa'dabad Complex is a former royal summer residence with multiple museums and beautiful parks. Darband is a trendy mountain village with a variety of restaurants, cafes, and hiking trails.

  • Day 3: Visit National Museum of Iran and Tehran Book Garden
    20 minutes (8 km) from Sa'dabad Complex

    National Museum of Iran has a wide range of artifacts and displays from prehistoric times to contemporary eras. Tehran Book Garden is a modern cultural center with a vast library, exhibitions, and events.

  • Day 4: Experience Milad Tower and Mellat Park
    45 minutes (15 km) from National Museum of Iran

    Milad Tower is the highest tower in Iran with impressive panoramic views and various activities such as a revolving restaurant, a skywalk, and a museum. Mellat Park is a popular green space with many attractions like a lake, a cinema, and a zoo.

  • Day 5: Wander around Tehran's Street Murals and Tabiat Bridge
    30 minutes (10 km) from Mellat Park

    Tehran's Street Murals is a fascinating open-air art gallery that showcases the talent and creativity of Iranian artists. Tabiat Bridge is a modern architectural marvel that connects two parks and provides a breathtaking view of Tehran's skyline.

  • Day 6: Visit National Jewelry Museum and Niavaran Cultural Center
    1 hour (20 km) from Tabiat Bridge

    National Jewelry Museum exhibits a dazzling collection of precious gems, jewels, and artifacts from Persian Empire's treasury. Niavaran Cultural Center is a multifunctional complex with art galleries, theaters, and cafes.

  • Day 7: Interact with Wildlife at Pardisan Park and Tehran Zoological Garden
    40 minutes (15 km) from Niavaran Cultural Center

    Pardisan Park is a vast nature reserve with diverse wildlife, gardens, and lakes. Tehran Zoological Garden has hundreds of animal species from all over the world, as well as a botanical garden and a butterfly house.

  • Day 8: Relax at Eram Amusement Park and Water Waves Land
    1 hour (30 km) from Tehran Zoological Garden

    Eram Amusement Park is a fun destination for families with thrilling rides, arcades, and food stalls. Water Waves Land is a water park with multiple pools, slides, and activities for all ages.

  • Day 9: Discover National Botanical Garden of Iran and Carpet Museum of Iran
    30 minutes (15 km) from Water Waves Land

    National Botanical Garden of Iran showcases Iran's diverse flora and fauna in a picturesque setting with educational programs and gardens. Carpet Museum of Iran displays a magnificent collection of Persian rugs from different regions and periods, as well as other handicrafts.

  • Day 10: Visit Azadi Tower and Tehran's Ab-o-Atash Park
    20 minutes (8 km) from Carpet Museum of Iran

    Azadi Tower is an iconic monument that symbolizes Iran's independence and modernity, with a museum and observation deck. Tehran's Ab-o-Atash Park is a recreational complex with water attractions, cafes, and green spaces.

  • Day 11: Experience Tehran's Art Scene at Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art and Holy Defense Museum
    30 minutes (10 km) from Ab-o-Atash Park

    Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art has an impressive collection of modern and contemporary artworks from around the world, including Iranian artists. Holy Defense Museum showcases the history and artifacts of Iran's revolution and Iran-Iraq war.

  • Day 12: Explore Tehran's Religious Sites at Imamzadeh Saleh and Shah Abdol Azim Shrine
    40 minutes (15 km) from Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art

    Imamzadeh Saleh is a popular pilgrimage site for Shia Muslims with a mausoleum, a mosque, and a bazaar. Shah Abdol Azim Shrine is another significant Shia shrine with beautiful architecture, history, and spirituality.

  • Day 13: Enjoy Park-e Shahr and Iran Science and Technology Museum
    30 minutes (10 km) from Shah Abdol Azim Shrine

    Park-e Shahr is a vast park with many recreational facilities such as a ferris wheel, a teahouse, and a lake. Iran Science and Technology Museum is an interactive museum that showcases Iran's scientific achievements and discoveries.

  • Day 14: Visit Mellat Palace and Tehran Museum of Glass and Ceramics
    25 minutes (8 km) from Iran Science and Technology Museum

    Mellat Palace is a historic mansion that has been converted into a museum with art collections, sculptures, and exhibitions. Tehran Museum of Glass and Ceramics displays a fascinating collection of glassware and ceramics from Iran and other regions.

  • Day 15: Take a Food Tour of Tehran's Best Restaurants
    20 minutes (6 km) from Tehran Museum of Glass and Ceramics

    Tehran is a culinary destination with a rich and diverse cuisine that reflects Iran's culture, history, and geography. A food tour is an excellent way to sample the best dishes, sweets, and drinks that Tehran has to offer.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Golestan Palace Complex (2-3 hours, 200,000 IRR)
  • Tehran Grand Bazaar (2-3 hours, 100,000 IRR)
  • Sa'dabad Complex (4-5 hours, 300,000 IRR)
  • Darband (3-4 hours, 150,000 IRR)
  • National Museum of Iran (2-3 hours, 100,000 IRR)
  • Tehran Book Garden (2-3 hours, 50,000 IRR)
  • Milad Tower (2-3 hours, 500,000 IRR)
  • Mellat Park (2-3 hours, 50,000 IRR)
  • Tehran's Street Murals (2-3 hours, free)
  • Tabiat Bridge (2-3 hours, free)
  • National Jewelry Museum (2-3 hours, 300,000 IRR)
  • Niavaran Cultural Center (2-3 hours, 50,000 IRR)
  • Pardisan Park (3-4 hours, 50,000 IRR)
  • Tehran Zoological Garden (3-4 hours, 200,000 IRR)
  • Eram Amusement Park (4-5 hours, 500,000 IRR)
  • Water Waves Land (4-5 hours, 800,000 IRR)
  • National Botanical Garden of Iran (2-3 hours, 50,000 IRR)
  • Carpet Museum of Iran (2-3 hours, 200,000 IRR)
  • Azadi Tower (2-3 hours, 100,000 IRR)
  • Tehran's Ab-o-Atash Park (2-3 hours, free)
  • Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art (2-3 hours, 50,000 IRR)
  • Holy Defense Museum (2-3 hours, 50,000 IRR)
  • Imamzadeh Saleh (2-3 hours, free)
  • Shah Abdol Azim Shrine (2-3 hours, free)
  • Park-e Shahr (3-4 hours, free)
  • Iran Science and Technology Museum (2-3 hours, 100,000 IRR)
  • Mellat Palace (2-3 hours, 100,000 IRR)
  • Tehran Museum of Glass and Ceramics (2-3 hours, 50,000 IRR)
  • Food Tour (3-4 hours, 500,000 IRR)
  • Total Estimated Costs (excluding accommodation and transportation): 4,300,000 IRR

Transportation

Getting around Tehran can be challenging due to heavy traffic, lack of parking spaces, and limited public transportation options. Taxis are widely available but make sure to negotiate the fare in advance or choose reputable taxi companies like Snapp or Carpino. Metro is a fast and inexpensive way to travel, especially during peak hours, but it covers limited areas. Car rental is also an option, but it requires an international driving license, a deposit, and insurance. Expect to spend about 1,000,000 IRR per day on transportation.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider visiting nearby attractions like Kashan, Isfahan, or Qom. If you have less time, prioritize the must-see places like Golestan Palace Complex, Sa'dabad Complex, Milad Tower, and Tehran's food scene. Remember to dress modestly and respect local customs and traditions, especially in religious sites. Don't forget to sample Iranian sweets like saffron ice cream, baklava, and faloodeh, and drink chai (tea) or doogh (yogurt drink) with your meals.

Airports

Tehran has two main airports: Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) and Mehrabad International Airport (THR). IKA is the primary airport for international flights and is located 30 km southwest of Tehran's city center. It has four terminals, modern facilities, and various transportation options such as taxis, metro, and buses. THR is the secondary airport for domestic flights and some international flights and is located 10 km west of Tehran's city center. It has three terminals, limited facilities, and mostly serves regional destinations.

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