Best Things to do in Isfahan 2024 | Best Cities #68: Isfahan

50. Isfahan IRAN 🇮🇷 Score: 181.20

by Fariborz Alagheband (image cropped) / [CC BY-SA 4.0

A Timeless Jewel of Persian Art and Architecture

Table of Contents

A. About Isfahan
B. Best Things to Do in Isfahan in 2024 (Detailed List with Photos and Information)
C. Other Notable Sights and Attractions in Isfahan
D. Best Day Trips and Excursions from Isfahan
E. Top 10 List of the Best Things to Do in Isfahan 2024 (including close-by excursions)

A. About Isfahan

Isfahan, a metropolis of two million inhabitants, situated in the heart of the country is the most popular tourist destination in Iran.

The city features not only its numerous historical sights but also breathtaking landscapes and is therefore considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

The perfect times for a trip to Isfahan are the months of April and October. During these months, pleasant temperatures of about 25 degrees Celsius and an extremely low chance of precipitation are expected.

➕ The Good

First of all, Isfahan is scoring remarkably high for its sights while being an extremely cheap city.

Next, it enjoys a fine climate and is a very safe destination with extraordinarily little crime.

Finally, Isfahan enjoys an idyllic location in a large river oasis in the river valley of Zayandeh Rud on the edge of the Zagros Mountains.

➖ Negative Aspects

Due to the traditional Islamic culture, conservative dress is expected also from visitors and female visitors should cover their hair and body (excluding hands and feet.). Therefore, the rating for ease of travel is low.

Since there aren’t any nightclubs or discos and alcohol is illegal, Isfahan scores badly in nightlife.

B. Best Things to Do in Isfahan in 2024 (Detailed List with Photos and Information)

In total, we count thirty sights in Isfahan. The following sights and attractions contribute to a remarkably high score of 6.90/10 in this most important category:

# NAQSH-E JAHAN SQUARE (Imam Square) 8

Constructed between 1598 and 1629 as the masterpiece of Safavid era, Naqsh-e Jahan Square is recognized as one of the most beautiful squares in the world.

Moreover, the second largest square in the world (after China’s Tian An Men) is surrounded by numerous main attractions of Isfahan, namely Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque, Shah Mosque, Grand Bazaar, Ali Qapu Palace, Chehel Sotoon Palace and Garden, and Hasht Behesht Palace.

Square 🌏 World Heritage: since 1979

by Arad Mojtahedi / CC BY-SA 3.0

# Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque (Imam Mosque) 7

Standing on the eastern side of Naqsh-e Jahan Square with its striking brown dome, this masterpiece of Islamic architecture is small as it was meant to be a private worship place for the royal family.

Mosque

1 by seier+seier / CC BY-SA 2.0

2 by Bernard Gagnon / CC BY-SA 4.0

3 by Omid Jafarnezhad / CC BY-SA 3.0

# JAMEH MOSQUE (Friday Mosque 7

Classified as a UNESCO-designated World Heritage site, Jameh Mosque is the biggest and certainly one of the most impressive mosques in Iran.

The mosque is situated at Iman Ali Square and Jameh Mosque was built from around 771 to the end of the 20th century and represents a condensed history of Iranian Architecture.

Mosque 🌏 World Heritage Site: since 2012

by Thorsten / CC BY-SA 4.0

# SHAH MOSQUE (Imam Mosque) 6

Located on the south side of Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Shah Mosque is regarded as a masterpiece of Persian architecture and considered one of the most beautiful mosques in the world.

Mosque 🌏 World Heritage Site: since 1979

1 by Nicolas Garon / CC BY-SA 4.0

2 by Thorsten / CC BY-SA 4.0

3 by Diego Delso / CC BY-SA 4.0

# Khaju Bridge 6

Constructed in the 17th century, this 132-meters-long and twelve meters wide double-decker bridge was selected as one of the ten most beautiful bridges in the world.

Bridge Completed: 1650 | Length: 137 meters / 449 feet

by Gire 3pich2005 / Public domain

# Si-o-se Pol 6

This picturesque double-deck arch bridge is the most important bridge in Isfahan.

Bridge Completed: 1602 | Length: 297 meters / 976 feet

by Reza Haji / CC BY-SA 3.0

# Vank Cathedral 6

This Armenian cathedral features beautifully painted frescoes and a fine museum.

Church and Museum

by Antoine Taveneaux / CC BY-SA 4.0

# Chehel Sotoon Palace and GARDEN 6

Completed by Shah Abbas II in 1647, Chehel Sotoon (literally: "Forty Columns") is a beautiful pavilion in the middle of a UNESCO-enlisted park at the far end of a long pool.

Palace Complex | Gardens 🌏 World Heritage Site: since 2011 (Gardens only)

by Bernard Gagnon / CC BY-SA 4.0

# ĀLĪ QĀPŪ PALACE 6

Created in 1597 at the west of Naqsh-e Jahan Square, this palace – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – is forty-eight meters high and there are six floors, each accessible by an elaborate spiral staircase.

Palace 🌏 World Heritage Site: since 1979