When we decided to visit Iran, we knew that choosing the best of the many Iranian travel agents would make or break our experience. Lets face it, being a passport holder from one of the ABC countries (America, Great Britain or Canada) makes it much more complicated to visit Iran. So, we knew that the process of getting a visa would potentially be difficult.
Initially, one of the Iranian travel agents that was recommended to us was a female independent tour guide. We were excited to support a woman operator in Iran. However, she never did file our paperwork and turned out to not even be in the country! As a result, we lost our flight tickets and had to cancel our entire trip. This was incredibly unsettling.
Thankfully, we found Tap Persia, one of the best Iranian travel agents in the country. Unlike our previous experience, Tap Persia handled everything efficiently and professionally. From the visa pre-authorization to travel insurance for Iran, they took care of all the logistical details, allowing us to focus on enjoying our 14-day journey through this fascinating country.
In this post, we share a candid review of what we consider to be one of the best Iranian travel agents, our full itinerary, logistics information and tips along the way.
As always, this is an honest review of this service provider. We never receive any type of compensation or discount when providing our personal opinion on products or services.
Why Tap Persia are the Best Iranian Travel Agents?
Tap Persia is one of the most reputable travel agencies in Iran, known for its start to finish comprehensive support. They helped us with:
Visa Pre-Authorization: Unlike the previous agency, Tap Persia successfully obtained our visa, even though our application was more complex – given the screw up of the previous agent. They’ve even helped American Jewish travelers, such as a Rabbi, navigate Iran’s entry process with VIP treatment.
Travel Insurance for Iran: They provided us with the obligatory travel Insurance for Iran. All we had to do was print the document (which was part of the overall fee).
SIM Cards: Tap Persia arranged Iranian SIM cards through Iran Cell, making it easier for us to stay connected. Let’s face it, Iran is not known for it’s amazing connectivity. However, we had data in all of the major cities (even when, at times, the wifi at the hotel was poor).
In addition, we had intermittent data on the major highways. Keep in mind you need to have a VPN to be able to access some apps including social media ones. We use SurfShark, but other commercially available VPNs work here as well e.g. Norton (unlike in Eritrea and Turkmenistan).
Currency Exchange: We were able to exchange foreign currency at competitive rates. When we landed, the airport provided a 723,000 tomans to 1 Euro exchange. We then exchanged some additional funds at 780,000 tomans to 1 Euro privately.
However, a big devaluation happened a few days later and the official exchange became 1,022,500 tomans to 1 Euro. However the 500 Euros that we exchanged at the beginning of our trip was plenty for both of us for the full 14 days.
Customized Itinerary: Tap Persia (our Iranian travel agents) planned a comprehensive 14-day journey that took us through some of Iran’s most iconic places. In addition, our guide added a few bonus stops along the way which were included due to our love of nature and hiking.
Professional Guides: We had just spent a month in India, where our guides were hit and miss. A few spoke English passably, but most we had a hard time understanding or communicating with. The Tap Persia guides (our Iranian travel agents) that we interacted with spoke English very well and even understood the all so important nuances.
Hotels: Most of the hotels that we stayed in were traditional Iranian homes that were renovated into “Traditional Boutique Hotels”. These are usually 5-12 room places that have a beautiful courtyard in the middle with a garden and a pond.
We found that the Google ratings in Iran were appropriate – don’t worry if there are only a few ratings.
PRO TIP: Ask Tap Persia or your Iranian travel agents to provide you with the names of the hotels in advance. We found the hotel in Tehran to be a poor choice, and the google ratings supported that. So do your research before committing. The rest of the boutique traditional hotels were great!
Our 14-Day Iran Itinerary with the Best Iranian Travel Agents
Below is our honest account of our 14 day Itinerary with Tap Persia – in our opinion the best Iranian travel agents. With that said, you will see a lot of gardens, bathhouses, qanats (water systems), etc., Many of these look very similar to each other.
Therefore, if you are on a tight schedule, then we recommend that you have a conversation with your Iranian travel agents to find out which ones of these attractions are the best examples to spend time in. We have also included some notes below so that you can decide which monuments are must see ones and which ones can be skipped.
Day 1-2: Tehran
We started our journey in Tehran, the full throttle and at times congested capital of the country. Although we had 2 days here, in our opinion, one full day would have been enough.
For us, the highlights were riding the metro to Tabiat Bridge. We had so many interesting conversations with locals on the train! In addition, the bridge itself and the Park are worth the time as is the Golestan Palace. The rest of the attractions are interesting, but only if you have time.
Golestan Palace
Golestan Palace was built in the 16th century and is a UNESCO-listed royal complex showcasing Persian architecture and intricate mirror work. It served as the seat of the Qajar dynasty. While there, an Iranian woman sang beautifully in one of the alcoves (please note that this is against Iran’s laws).
Tabiat Bridge & Ab-o Atash Park
A modern pedestrian bridge with stunning views of the city and the snow capped mountains surrounding it. The park is also a good place to watch locals interact and do sports. In addition, there is a large exhibition of war captured military equipment (including: tanks, helicopters, planes). These are on display after the bridge (if you are into that kind of thing). Most of these items are from the USA and Britain.
National Museum of Iran
This museum was established in 1937 and has many artifacts spanning millennia of Persian history, including relics from the Achaemenid, Parthian, and Sassanian empires. Our favorite part of this museum were the large maps that allowed our guide to show us our itinerary at large scale.
In addition, some of the large sculpture reliefs were quite extraordinary as well.
Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar is an ancient labyrinth of various stalls, offering everything from spices to carpets, gold and food. Many vendors wanted to offer us gifts as we passed along.
Tajrish Bazaar
A lively traditional market in the northern part of the city, featuring fresh produce, spices, and handicrafts. Many prefer this bazaar over the Grand one.
Saadabad Palace
The Saadabad Palace was built in the 19th century and is a vast complex of palaces and museums set in beautiful gardens, once used by the Pahlavi royal family. This complex can be skipped if you are running low on time as this is quite a bit north of Tehran.
American Embassy (now a museum)
The former US embassy, famously known as the “Den of Espionage,” stands unchanged since the 1979 hostage crisis. Everything here is just as it was then. When we visited, the government was shooting a film inside (a comedy), so we were only able to take a peek into the first part of the building and walked the grounds. Such an eerie feeling there.
Day 3: Kashan
Our drive from Tehran to Kashan took approximately 4 hours due to some heavy traffic leaving Tehran. Kashan is a lovely city known for it’s ancient handicrafts such as carpet weaving, Mesgari (hand made copper items), tiles, pottery, silk weaving and zillu weaving (simple cotton carpets). Here we saw the following highlights:
Tabatabaei House
This 19th century house is an example of Persian residential architecture, featuring intricate stucco work, stained-glass windows, and wind towers.
Agha Bozorg Mosque
An 18th century mosque with a unique sunken courtyard and symmetrical domes, known for its impressive brickwork.
Sultan Amir Ahmad Bathhouse
This 16th century traditional bathhouse was restored and has intricate tile work and domed ceilings. This is a very pretty bathhouse, however in our opinion, once you have seen one of them, then the rest all look alike.
Fin Garden
Fin Garden was designed in the 16th century and is meant to be an oasis with pretty fountains and cypress trees. The garden is famous for its abundant flowing water, fed by a natural spring, which creates a network of beautiful pools, fountains, and waterways that run throughout the meticulously planned landscape.
Our favorite Traditional Boutique Hotel was in Kashan. It is owned and run by Maryam who is the best hostess possible. The hotel is called Ashkoob Traditional Hotel.
Day 4: Exploring Meybod & Kharanaq on the way to Yazd
Our route from Kashan to Yazd took us through the ancient towns of Meybod and Kharanaq. These were the highlights that we saw along the way:
Kharanaq Village (over 1,000 years old) – This maze of narrow alleyways and crumbling houses, offers a glimpse into rural Persian history and life here years gone by. Today this is a ghost town, but is a great place to explore, especially at sunset for the views from the rooftops. Just don’t get lost or fall through.
If you have time for only one place between Kashan and Yazd, we recommend stopping here.
Narin Castle (built over 2,000 years ago) – An ancient mud-brick castle is located in Meybod. There are good views from the top, however there is not much here. In our honest opinion, entering this monument can be skipped.
Meybod Yakhchal (ancient ice house) – A centuries-old structure used for storing ice in the desert using evaporative cooling techniques. Our recommendation is to stop here for a look from the outside and skip going in. Inside it is just a large room which rarely has any ice.
Chak Chak Fire Temple (a major Zoroastrian site) – An important pilgrimage site for Zoroastrians, where legend says a Sassanian princess took refuge. It is a bit of a drive and then a climb up the mountain.
You will hear a Zoroastrian prayer chant loop from the temple itself as you walk up. In the parking lot you will see a few of the local street cats – so any extra food for them would be appreciated.
Day 4-6: Yazd
Yazd is a desert city known for its unique architecture, Zoroastrian heritage and windcatchers. Zoroastrian religion dates back 3,000 years and they worship air, water, earth, and fire which are believed to be “sacred” elements.
Jameh Mosque of Yazd
This 12th century mosque has towering minarets and pretty turquoise/blue tile work.
Amir Chakhmaq Complex
Dating back to the 15th century this centerpiece of Yazd has a symmetrical facade and an adjoining bazaar.
Towers of Silence
Ancient Zoroastrian burial grounds (believed to date back 3,000 years and used through the 20th century) are structures on top of 2 hilltops where dead bodies were left to decompose naturally. One of the hilltops is accessible to tourists while the second is more difficult to climb.
Zoroastrian Fire Temple
This 1,500 year old sacred site has a burning flame which has been burning continuously for 1,500 years. There is also a rectangular pond in front of this temple that folks like to photograph.
Day 7: Saryazd & Kerman
A stop in Saryazd along the way to Kerman was worth it, in our opinion.
Saryazd Castle
This fortress dates back to the 7th century (Sassanian era). Currently crumbling, this castle was used as a safe deposit box for valuables like gold, grain, wine, oils and the like. Rob and I enjoyed climbing around the labyrinth of walkways leading to rooftops. There was no one else here.
Continuing to Kerman, we explored:
Ganjali Khan Complex
This historical complex was built in the 17th century. It has a festive bazaar, bathhouse, and a mosque.
Day 8: Lut Desert Tour
From Kerman, we drove to the Lut Desert, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its towering sand dunes and surreal landscapes. We spent a night here at the Payab Hotel.
In the afternoon we took a thrilling 4×4 tour through the desert and watched a disappointing sunset – which could have been fantastic. Our jeep driver set up a table at a high point of the dunes and served hot tea and cookies – which was lovely.
Day 9-11: Shiraz
Shiraz is a city of poets, literature and flowers (there are many gardens here as wel). Our favorite spots in Shiraz include:
Quran Gate (Darvazeh Quran)
Quran Gate (Darvazeh Quran) is the symbol of Shiraz and stands at the northeastern entrance of the city. While the original gate was built in the 10th century, the structure you see today was mostly rebuilt in the 1950s.
The significance of the Quran Gate lies in the belief that passing beneath it would bring travelers good fortune on their journey. Originally, two hand-written Qurans were kept in a chamber above the arch, lending to its name and this auspicious tradition.
Nasir al-Mulk Mosque
Otherwise known as the Pink Mosque, this structure was built in 1888 and is known for it’s colorful stained-glass windows that cast multi colored light shades on the floor of the mosque. Unfortunately when we visited it was raining, so we had to take our guide’s word for this light play.
Arg of Kharim Khan
The Arg of Karim Khan is a citadel built in Shiraz in the late 1700s by Karim Khan Zand. It was his royal home and a military base, featuring high walls and towers. Inside were once fancy courtyards and living areas and then the structure was used as a prison.
In our opinion, this is a nice place to see from the outside, but isn’t worth the entry ticket to go inside.
Qavam House
The Qavam House was built in the late 19th century, during the Qajar era, for the wealthy and influential Qavam family.
This elegant house showcases classic Persian residential architecture with its intricate tile work, use of mirrors for decoration, and painted ceilings. A central courtyard, filled with fragrant orange trees and a long, narrow pool, provides a tranquil and picturesque setting.
The various rooms around the courtyard, once used for different purposes by the family, are now open to the public, offering a glimpse into the lifestyle of upper-class Persians during that period.
Vakil Mosque
The Vakil Mosque, built in 1773, is part of the overall Vakil Complex. It is famous for its 48 carved columns and pretty tile work. It represents the Zand dynasty’s architectural and cultural contributions to the city of Shiraz.
Vakil Bazaar
The Vakil Bazaar was built in the 18th century and is a fun bazaar to stroll as it is filled with the usual Iranian traditional crafts and aromatic spices.
Tomb of Hafez
The Tomb of Hafez is a memorial dedicated to the renowned Persian lyric poet Hafez, who lived in the 14th century. While Hafez himself died in 1389 or 1390, the current memorial structure was largely designed and built during the mid-20th century.
Hafez’s poetry is deeply ingrained in Persian culture, and his work is still widely read and recited today. Our guide awed some of the locals by reciting one of Hafez’s poems while standing at his tomb. His poems often focused on love, mysticism, and the human experience.
Locals would use one of Hafez’s books to ask him a question (fortune teller like). They would think of a question, open the book to a page and try to understand the answer to their question in his writing.
Eram Garden
The Eram Garden dates back to the 13th century. It is a Persian garden featuring a central pool, cypress trees, and a grand Qajar-era mansion (which visitors cannot enter). In our opinion, this garden can be skipped.
PRO TIP: While walking around Shiraz we highly recommend visiting the Haft Khan Restaurant, an upscale multi story cafe (each level has a different cuisine focus) with good prices and delicious food. They even have vegan options which are very difficult to find in Iran.
Day 12: Persepolis, Passargad & Necropolis
On our way from Shiraz we stopped in Persepolis, Passargad and the Necropolis. This was a long day of driving!
Persepolis
Persepolis was established by Darius the Great around 518 BC. It served as the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire. This complex used to have extensive palaces (now just a few columns still stand). However, there are some intricate bas-reliefs that have been preserved and remain quite beautiful.
Though subsequently sacked by Alexander the Great, the ruins of Persepolis remain a significant historical site, offering invaluable insights into the architectural and cultural achievements of ancient Persia.
Necropolis
Necropolis, also known as Naqsh-e Rustam, dates back to 1,000 BC. It functioned as a royal burial ground, encompassing the rock-cut tombs of several Achaemenid monarchs, including Darius the Great. The reliefs are beautiful, but there is not much there, so if you are short on time, then skip this.
Passargad
Passargad, was founded by Cyrus the Great around 550 BC. Currently the site has the tomb of Cyrus the Great which in our opinion was not worth the visit.
Day 12-14: Isfahan
Isfahan is the true jewel of Iran! This is the city that foks talk about when they say how beautiful Iran really is! Here are the highlights:
Naqsh-e Jahan Square
Built in the early 17th century this UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the largest city squares in the world. The Imam Mosque, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, the Aali Qapu Palace and the bazaar are all located in this square.
Horse drawn carriages and golf carts take tourists around this large square which has a garden and fountains in the middle.
Imam Mosque
Completed in 1629, this very large mosque is a good example of Safavid architecture. It has intricate blue tile work. Inside, the master who is restoring the ancient tiles also sells some of his pottery and some handmade ornate tiles. If you have an opportunity, try to meet this master and purchase something from him.
Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque
This mosque also known as the Women’s Mosque was built in the eary 17th century and is believed to be the most beautiful one in the world. It has a mesmerizing dome with turquoise blue green colors and the way that the light plays inside is really pretty.
Aali Qapu Palace
The Ali Qapu Palace, built in the late 16th century by Shah Abbas I and later Safavid rulers, is a six-story palace inside Naqsh-e Jahan Square. It’s famous for its acoustically designed music room, intricate stucco decorations, miniature paintings, and panoramic views.
It served as a grand entrance and a place for royal events, showcasing the artistic and cultural richness of the Safavid era.
Jame Mosque of Isfahan
The Jame Mosque of Isfahan, with its construction spanning from the 8th century through the Safavid era (17th century), is a very large mosque with many areas within it that you can wander through as if a museum.
Si-o-se-pol Bridge
A historic 33-arch bridge built in 1602 AD spans the Zayandeh River. Locals sit under the bridge every night and serenade each other with famous Iranian songs. Many pass the home brew as they “perform”.
Khaju Bridge
Built in 1650 AD, this is another beautiful bridge which has intricate arches and pavilions.
Armenian Neighborhood of Isfahan
The Armenian neighborhood of Isfahan, known as New Julfa, was established in the early 17th century by Shah Abbas I, who relocated thousands of Armenians there after the Ottoman wars. He wanted their skilled artisans and merchants to boost Isfahan’s economy. This community has preserved its unique culture and heritage for centuries.
Top places to see in New Julfa include:
Vank Cathedral (Holy Savior Cathedral): Built between 1606 and 1655, this cathedral is a masterpiece of Armenian-Persian architecture. Its interior is decorated with frescoes, intricate tile work, and gilded carvings, blending Christian and Islamic artistic styles.
Bethlehem Church: Constructed in 1628, it has beautiful paintings and tile work. This is a working church and we preferred it over the Vank Cathedral due to it’s more authentic looking frescoes.
The Armenian Museum: This museum houses a collection of valuable manuscripts, religious artifacts, and historical documents, providing insights into the history and culture of the Armenian community in Isfahan.
Day 14 – Isfahan to the Airport
Leaving Isfahan we made a few additional stops, as our flight out was actually at 03:12 the following day. Our amazing guide Moji (one of the best Iranian travel agents) found a few extra things for us to do that were terrific.
Monar Jonban
The Shaking Minarets, properly known as the Monar Jonban, in Isfahan, were constructed in the 14th century. This unique structure is famous for its pair of minarets that, when one is shaken, cause the other to vibrate as well, a curious architectural phenomenon.
Our guide Moji was allowed to go up to the right hand minaret and start the shaking. This caused the other to start shaking as well. However he was quite spent after this exercise as it is quite difficult to do this.
Atashgah of Isfahan
The Atashgah of Isfahan, a Zoroastrian fire temple, is believed to have been constructed during the Sasanian Empire, likely between the 3rd and 7th centuries AD. This ancient structure, built of mudbrick, sits atop a prominent hill overlooking the city, offering panoramic views.
Historically, it served as a significant religious site for Zoroastrians, who consider fire a symbol of purity and divinity. The hike to the Atashgah, takes about 20 minutes of a moderately challenging vertical climb. However, the views from above are worth the effort.
Chal Nakhjir Cave
The Chal Nakhjir Cave, is located near Delijan in Iran, which is a nice stop between Isfahan and the IKIA airport south of Tehran. This fascinating natural wonder was discovered relatively recently by a goat farmer.
This limestone cave, estimated to be millions of years old, is renowned for its spectacular formations, including colorful stalactites and stalagmites that create, otherworldly scenes. The cave’s extensive network of chambers and passages has a depth of 1 km and has different lights installed to illuminate the highlights of the cave.
IKIA Airport Hotel
Across the street from the IKIA Airport are 2 hotels in one building. We chose the 4 star version which was 30 Euros for 6 hours or 38 Euros for 10 hours. The 5 star hotel is slightly more expensive. However, since we only had 3.5 hours to kill, we were quite happy with the 4 star version.
Get your Iranian travel agents to book a room in advance if you need one.
Costs of our Iran Trip with the Best Iranian Travel Agents
I know that for many of us the costs of a trip like this are very important to understand. Below please find the prices that we paid in March of 2025:
- 14 day Trip for 2 people (per person) through Tap Persia (our Iranian travel agents): 1578 Euro per person. This included the visa pre-authorization, travel insurance, guide/driver, gas, tolls, accommodations with breakfast and SIM cards.
- Costs for food: These varied from $1 – $2 USD for a sandwich to $8-$15 USD for multi course meals at high end restaurants (per person).
- Entry tickets to Monuments: This price is very dynamic. As the Iranian currency devalues, the cost of entry goes up. On average an entry ticket to a mosque or a palace was approximately $3 USD – $7 USD per person. Golestan Palace was $15 USD per person.
Wrap Up – Best Iranian Travel Agents
Choosing one of the best Iranian travel agents was one of the most important aspects of our trip to Iran! Lets face it, traveling to a highly sanctioned country (especially as a passport holder of ABC countries) is not the easiest decision to make.
Tap Persia proved to be one of the best Iranian travel agents, making our trip seamless and unforgettable. They arranged everything for us from the visa pre-authorization, SIM card, money exchange, travel insurance for Iran, etc.,
Our favorite aspect of Iran were the amazing, generous and gracious people of this complicated country. We were blown away by how giving, open and happy everyone was to meet us, take pictures with us, invite us to their house, etc.,
As we have said many times in our Lessons Learned post, governments do NOT define a country; it’s people do. And this could not have been more true in Iran.
Have you been to these parts of the world? What was your favorite place? Or are you planning to go but are worried about your trip? We would love to hear from you in the comments – perhaps we can answer some questions or share information. Drop us a line in the comments and we will be happy to help if we can.
