The Best Things to Do for Free in Tehran. Nicknamed the City of Museums, Tehran can keep a person pretty busy. But between palaces, museums, breaks for delicious Persian food and cool drinks, you’ll soon find that it can be a pricey city. Not to fret though because we’ve got the best things you can do to explore the capital city for free!
Conquer Vali Asr Street
At nearly 12 miles (19 km) long, Valiasr St. is said to be the longest street in the Middle East. It runs north to south, dividing Tehran into east and west. Unlike other parts of town, the sidewalks are quite wide making it ideal for a stroll. Start at Rah Ahan Square in the south and head north to Tajrish Square to pass Saee Park, Mellat Park, City Theater, and Ferdows Garden, some of the best sites and places to rest. Snap shots of the street sculptures and art projects along the way. If you’re not feeling up to walking the entire way, consider taking the bus.
Stroll through Tabiat Bridge and surrounding parks
The award-winning Tabiat (Nature) Bridge crosses over Modares Highway and connects two parks. Start at Ab-o-Atash (Water and Fire) Park where locals come for a stroll, a picnic, and perhaps a friendly game of badminton, before heading to the multi-tiered, beautifully manicured Tabiat Bridge to snap some amazing shots of Tehran against a backdrop of mountains. Watch cars speeding (or stuck in stand-still traffic) below and then cross over to Taleghani Park, a lush forest right in the middle of the city, and enjoy the atmosphere.
Stand on the ‘roof’ of Tehran
Baam-e Tehran literally means ‘the roof of Tehran,’ and while there are a few places you can see it, we recommend Tochal in the northern Velenjak neighborhood. Walk up the inclined road winding around the mountain or take the shuttle bus to the ‘roof’ where spectacular views of Tehran await you. A popular hangout during weekday afternoons, it gets even more crowded on weekends when Tehranis wake up in the wee hours to get in a vigorous hike.
Brush up on some culture at Iranian Artists’ Forum
The Iranian Artists’ Forum is a great place to check out, whether you’re into art or not. A popular hangout for university students, the artsy crowd, and cats who call it home, this locale offers a wonderful sense of contemporary art in Iran. Stroll through the exhibition, before relaxing on a shady bench outside and perhaps meeting and chatting with a few friendly folk.
Hike up Darband
This quiet village is located in northern Tehran and is a perfect getaway from the hubbub of the city. Another popular route for weekend hikers, Darband is also busy with those who come for some delicious kebabs or who are in need of a little nature but don’t have the time to venture too far. Numerous restaurants and cafes dot the mountainside and are popular with tourists and locals alike. Sample the street snacksalong the way, relax on a traditional bed inside the river, and enjoy the cooler climate.
Greet Azadi Tower
When Mehrabad was Tehran’s international airport, it was Azadi Tower which greeted all who entered the city. Since the airport has changed, it’s now tourists who must go to visit this iconic landmark. In fact, these days this ivory-colored, inverted ‘Y’-like tower has become a favorite spot for visitors to Instagram their arrival in Tehran. The one-of-a-kind architecture, pristine landscaped lawn which mimic traditional Persian gardens, and streaming fountains make this a must-see in the capital city.
Get lost in the Grand Bazaar
No trip to Tehran is complete without a run through the Grand Bazaar. Just footsteps from Golestan Palace, it’s the perfect place to witness the hustle and bustle of the buying and selling of goods. The best time to visit is in the morning when business is up and running, but not so frantic so as to be daunting. Get lost in the maze of alleys, discover the tiniest teahouse in Tehran, and snap shots of the photogenic carpets, nuts, and spice bazaars.
Discover architectural treasures
Architecture enthusiasts will love southern Tehran’s impressive masterpieces. Start at Bagh-e Melli, or National Garden, a historical and government compound in Tehran. During the Qajar era, it served as a military shooting range and now houses such buildings as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a couple of museums, but it’s the grand gate with its mosaic tiles that’s the highlight. Head east toward Nasser Khosrow Street where you’ll find Saraye Roshan, with its mix of medieval European and Persian styles, and the twin peaks and clock tower of Shams-ol-Emareh.
Keep your eyes out for street art
Who doesn’t love a little street art? And Tehran’s got some great stencils and murals around town that change according to current events. Keep your eyes peeled around Valiasr Street and the back streets around Tarjish Square, which are hot spots, as are the midtown and southern parts of the city.
Visit a romantic Persian Garden
Deh Vanak is a peaceful little neighborhood just north of hectic Vanak Square. One of Tehran’s oldest localities, this area once had grand gardens, but it’s charm lies nowadays in the narrow alleys (some just wide enough for one person) and wooden doors. While Tehran has plenty of parks, The Iranian Garden is a lesser visited one and is modeled after the traditional Persian gardens. Spring is the best time to visit when it’s drowning in a sea of colorful tulips.
Iranian souvenirs to buy in Tehran:
#1 Scarves
Where’s the best place to buy? We think Tehran is the best place to find unique and elegant scarves. Forget about bazaars if you’re looking for something chic. You’d have to look into boutiques for the best ones and for that it’s best to go to Haft-e Tir square or check out the many shopping malls of Tehran or any other city.
#2 Nuts
Nuts are relatively cheap in Iran compared to other parts of the world. Buying packs of mixed nuts that come with cashews, pistachios, almonds, raisins and walnuts are highly recommended.
How much does it cost? Depends on so many things but I suppose 10$ and above for a kilo.
Where’s the best place to buy? Grand bazaar or Tajrish bazaar in Tehran or other bazaars in big cities.
#3 Everything that you didn’t buy in other cities.
Since Tehran is usually the last stop for many people, it’s not a bad idea to buy most of your Iranian souvenirs here instead of carrying them around the country. You’d find good quality products of almost anything in the capital but at a higher price.
Best places to buy Iranian souvenirs in Tehran:
– Vila Street in Karimkhan st near the St. Sarkis cathedral: Here you’ll find handicrafts of great quality but expect them to be more expensive than their city of origin.
– Safavid market in front of Mellat park in Vali-e asr street: High-quality handicrafts and probably one of the most expensive places to buy them.
– Jome bazaar (Friday market).Jome bazaar is part of tehran tours
– Laleh bazaar in Laleh park close to the Contemporary Arts Museum: A Cheaper version of handicrafts but with lower quality.
– Grand Bazaar of Tehran: It’s huge and has almost anything except fresh products. Not a great place to go searching for handicrafts but perfect for buying nuts, saffron, spices and dried ingredients.
– Tajrish Bazaar: The only place you’ll find fresh food and all the other foodie products.
Tip on avoiding scams:
We always advise travelers to ask prices in Rials/Tomans especially for bigger purchases like carpets. There are probably many shops that would accept dollars/euros but with crazy exchange rates. Since the exchange rate in Iran is not stable and changes on a daily basis, it has become an easy way to take advantage of tourists. Especially because they’re usually unaware of the real market rate every day. What We recommend is getting a Mahcard (a trusted Iranian debit card) and avoiding the hassle. It’s extremely easy to use and can be used everywhere in Iran. They also have relatively better rates than anywhere else. Check out their website for all the info and also use the code MAH40 for 40% discount.
