How to spend 11 days in Iran
For those Who Has Been In Iran Once

Most travelers who are eager to travel to Iran by an initial search on various tourism websites identify main tourist cities such as Isfahan, Shiraz, Yazd, Kerman, and Tehran and prepare 7 up to 10-days plans. In these programs, you can just visit the most important and highlighted historical monuments. However, you are not able to visit all the historical monuments completely. Iran, with a deep history and thousands of different historical sites, is one of the countries that should be visited many times.

If you are planning to travel to Iran again, in this article, have a journey to the northwest of Iran and discover its sights more.

Visit Tehran

Most travelers stay in Tehran for less than 2 days, and even the locals recommend having a visit from the other historic cities such as Isfahan and Shiraz. However, Tehran as a cultural and historical center has various places and opportunities to offer. If you have visited Golestan Royal Palaces and its surroundings on your first trip, we suggest you visit the Carpet Museum with the most exquisite Iranian women hand woven made, Tehran Jewelry Museum with the most valuable historical jewelry, Pahlavi family summer palaces, Tajrish traditional bazaar in the north of Tehran and finally the most beautiful recreational area of Tehran in the foothills of Alborz Mountains. We would like to guide you to stroll, eat, drink, watch, and get to know the capital of Iran. Although it is not possible to visit all the sights of Tehran during this short period, you can visit the main historic and tourist places.

Tehran Free Walking Tour

Qazvin city

Qazvin is the second capital of the Safavid dynasty, and as one of the important historical cities of Iran, has many tourist attractions inside and outside that are very attractive to tourists. Qazvin can be introduced as Little Isfahan. Qazvin is a historical city with the pleasant weather,  amazing historical sites like the Jame mosque(constructed by the orders of Harun al-Rashid in 807CE), Traditional Safavid Bazzar, Cantor Church, Ali Gapoo Gate, Hasht Behesht Palace, Imamzadeh Shahzadeh Hossein(The brother of 8th Shiite Muslims leader Imam Reza), Caravanserai of Sa'd al-Saltaneh, Castles of the Assassins and various mouth-watering food can attract all visitors and Iran lovers.

A Journey to the Safavid capitals

Zanjan City

Zanjan is one of the most important Mongol capitals in Iran. This city protects one of the most important buildings of the King Oljaito era(Soltanie Dome"the second tallest one in the world") and is also one of the 23 UNESCO world heritage sites in Iran. walking around the historical sites like Jame Mosque, Qeysariye Bazaar, Soltanie Dome(Oljaito tomb), is an enjoyable chance to discover Zanjan and its history. Discover the Zanjan archaeological museum, Saltman Museum, and finally enjoy the delicious pastries

Takab

On the way, from Zanjan to Ardabil and close to Takab city the Royal Complex of Takht e Soleyman is a unique monument that can attract and amaze all visitors. Takht-e Soleyman is a universal heritage that is in a valley set in a volcanic mountain region in north-western Iran. The site includes the principal Zoroastrian sanctuary partly rebuilt in the Ilkhanid (Mongol) period (13th century) as well as a temple of the Sasanian period (6th and 7th centuries) dedicated to Anahita. The site has important symbolic significance. The designs of the fire temple, the palace, and the general layout have strongly influenced the development of Islamic architecture

Ardabil province

Ardabil province is one of the most important tourist cities in Iran with a set of different tourism potentials. Only when you visit Ardabil tourist attractions, you will believe how much there is to explore in this Iranian city up in the northwest. The amazing Nature around this city with colorful mountains, hot springs, and mineral waters, is a part of natural landscapes and natural tourism. Ardabil is one of the popular tourist summer destinations in the spring and summer. Visit the Sheikh Safi al-Din Khānegāh & Shrine Ensemble a great Sufi leader, bargain in the bazaars, and sample tasty souvenirs.

Urmia the city of religions

Throughout its 5,000-year history, the people of this city have coexisted in indescribable tolerance with their different ethnicities, religions, and sects. There are Shiite mosques, Sunni mosques, numerous churches, Zoroastrian fire temples, and even a synagogue with a mosque. All and all is a sign of the biological peace of the citizens of that land. Urmia, with its first Eastern Assyrian church in Iran, is one of the most important Christian bases in Iran. While you are visiting this beautiful city, the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary - the Grand Mosque - the Bazaar, and Lake Urmia are the most important tourist destinations that will fascinate you with their beauty.

Tabriz

Tabriz, the first capital of the Safavid dynasty in northwestern Iran, with a collection of various historical monuments such as mosques, inns, old houses, museums, and unique natural features is known as one of the most important tourist destinations in Iran. Tabriz contains different historical monuments from the Iron period up to the Qajar period that represents Iran’s architectural art throughout its deep history. The role of the Ilkhanid, Safavid, and Qajar dynasties is very highlighted in them.
Don't miss the Blue Mosque, Jame mosque, Bazar, and museum of Tabriz in your journey.

A Journey to the Safavid capitals

Kandovan village

A historical trip to the Paleolithic era and an exciting stay in stone houses and ancient rock Villages will be the most important part of your trip to the amazing village of Kandovan. There are two other rocky villages with similar structures in Cappadocia in Turkey and the United States Manitou Cliff Dwellings in Colorado but this historic village with its magnificent architecture and antiquity is the only habitable stone village in the world where life is still going on. Kandovan with 800 years of history has hosted about 670 people who still choose this lifestyle. Kandovan village is part of the volcanic remains caused by the strong eruptions of Mount Sahand hundreds of years ago.

The Most Famous Iran's Churches

Julfa
Your last exciting destination in this 11-day tour is the Jolfa region in northwestern Iran, where you can discover the most beautiful and breathtaking historical Armenian churches. The Armenians in Iran have 600 churches, among them, 90 are recorded as National heritage sites, and 3 are inscribed on the UNESCO list which all are located in Northwest Iran.
Don't miss to visit:
- Saint Stepanos Monastery 9th century, near Jolfa city.
- Ghara Kilise (the "Black Church") is located about 20 kilometers from the town of Chaldiran.
- The church of St. Mary (Armenian: Chapel of Dzordzor) is a church located in Mako County, West Azerbaijan Province, 12 km northwest of Monastery of Saint Thaddeus (Qarah Church), near the village of Barun. This church is one of the historical monuments of Iran, which is also registered in the list of national monuments of Iran and the UNESCO World Heritage List. In 1988, due to the flooding of Baron Dam, the church was moved to a higher point, 600 meters from the main site.