Geography
Iran, also known as Persia, is the fourth-largest country entirely in Asia and has an area of and the second-largest country in West Asia behind Saudi Arabia. It consists of the Iranian Plateau, with the exception of the coasts of the Caspian Sea and Khuzestan and one of the world's most mountainous countries, its landscape dominated by rugged mountain ranges that separate various basins or plateaus from one another.
Tehran or Teheran, capital and largest city of Iran. Located in the northern part of the country. It is Iran’s administrative, economic, cultural centre, major industrial and transport centre of the region.
Geographically, much of Iran consists of a central desert plateau, which is ringed on all sides by lofty mountain ranges that afford access to the interior through high passes.
 
Best Time to Visit
Iran's climate is diverse, ranging from arid and semi-arid, to subtropical along the Caspian coast and the northern forests. The country is divided into 4 climatic regions (Mediterranean, Dry and cold, Arid and semi-arid, Hot and humid continent). Depending on the interest, the decision when to visit the country will vary.
Most visitors arrive in Iran in spring or autumn, when the climate is more favorable. In winter, sporty people can devote themselves to skiing. The heat can be stifling in summer, especially in the desert regions and near the Persian Gulf. Numerous sites and museums are closed for the New Year (Nowruz), between 20th March and 5th April.
It is not recommended to travel in Iran during Ramadan as most of all the restaurants will close throughout the day.
 
Dress Code
Compared to the dress codes of Western countries, the dress code in Iran may be more relaxed that expected. However, it is important for women to wear a headscarf, known as a hijab, at all times in public. The hijab should cover the hair and neck, and it is advisable to pair it with loose-fitting clothing that covers the arms and legs. Men should also dress modestly, refraining from wearing shorts and sleeveless shirts as well as loud, bright shirts or tops.
 
Health and safety
Iran is generally a very safe place to travel and enjoy the attractions of this country. Many travelers describe Iran as the “safest country in Middle East”, and the country is attracting more and more travelers including solo traveler.
To enter Iran, travel insurance is mandatory for the period of stay. If you don’t have a valid travel insurance, you will have to buy it at the airport.
Stay informed about the current security situation before and during your trip. Follow any travel advisories issued by your government and local authorities. Political discussions can be sensitive. It's best to avoid engaging in such conversations with strangers, as opinions can be strong and varied. Avoid participating in or getting too close to political demonstrations or protests. They can escalate quickly and become unsafe. Public transportation is generally safe, but be vigilant, especially in crowded areas. Keep an eye on your belongings and be cautious of pickpocketing. Know the local emergency numbers as well.
 
Currency
The currency of Iran is the Iranian rial or IRR. The Iranian rial (IRR) is divided into banknotes and coins, with the banknotes being the most commonly used. The banknotes come in denominations of 1,000,000, 500,000, 100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, and 5,000, rials. Estimated allowable budget per day per person is about IRR 1,956,608 = USD 46.
Don’t forget to bring a lot of cash when travelling to Iran as none of the ATMs in the country accepts foreign credit or debit cards. It is recommended to have a mix of banknotes and coins in smaller denominations for ease of transactions.
 
Tipping
Tipping as a tourist / traveler is a common practice in Iran. In general, it is advisable to have Iranian Rials as tips are paid in cash and separately from the main bill. If using a foreign currency, kindly ensure to use banknotes for the transaction. It is important to respect and follow these local customs to show appreciation for the provided services.
Tipping is generally appreciated; it is crucial to approach it will crucial sensitivity and respect. Here are some etiquette considerations to keep in mind:
*Be discreet to avoid embarrassing the recipient
*Use Cash
*Observe Tarof: Keep in mind the concept of Taarof. Initially, a polite gesture of refusal may be exchanged, but if the recipient insists, it is acceptable to proceed with the tip. Be gracious when giving or receiving tips.
*Tailor the tip amount as it may vary on the service provided
For Restaurants: When dining, it is not mandatory to give a tip but certainly appreciated. The service charge is often included in the bill, around 5 – 10% of the total bill. If satisfied or received an exceptional service, small additional tip is much appreciated.
For Tour Guide and drivers: If booked a multi-day tour or full-time guide, a tip of 5-10 euros or dollar per day is considered appropriate for the tour guide. For driver, it is good practice to offer the driver a slightly lower amount compared to the tour guide. This is due to driver’s responsibility may primarily revolve around transportation. However, this will still depend on how satisfied you are with the services provided by the tour guide. Feel free to adjust the tip accordingly to reflect the level of service and attentiveness of the tour guide.
For Hotels: Hotel staff including bellboys, concierge, and housekeeping may expect a tip for their assistance. It is advisable to tip these staff members directly using local currency.
For Transportation and Other Services: When taking taxis, it is customary to round up the gesture of appreciation. For example, the taxi fare amount is 250,000 Iranian Rials, rounding it up to 300,000 Iranian Rials is considered appropriate. When receiving services like hairdressing, spa treatments or other personal services, offering a small tip is appreciated.
 
Photography
Photography is allowed in Iran, however, there are certain rules that should be follow. Avoid photographing and filming government buildings, military sites and checkpoints, and military vehicles, nor post photos and videos of these on social media. Don’t take photos of locals without permission. Flash photography is not allowed in museums. It is not advisable to bring your drone into the country unless you are able to obtain permission before entering. And, never leave your belongings unattended.
 
Communications and Internet Access 
The international dialing code for Iran is +98. In Iran, there is almost no free Wi-Fi in public areas, and almost none of the tourist attractions or sites have free/chargeable Wi-Fi. Iran cellular providers offer prepaid SIM cards for tourists that include data packages. If you use internet a lot then you will need portable internet, and you should go for solutions other than SIM cards. Companies such as Mobinnet, Shuttle, High Web and Asiatec offer good quality portable internet in Iran. Having a local SIM card allows you to use mobile data for navigation, communication, and other online activities.
 
Alcohol and Smoking 
Alcohol is legally banned in Iran. Visitors to Iran should not expect to find alcohol in hotels, restaurants, or any public establishments.
There is no specific restriction on smoking in Iran. It’s authorized in most cafes and restaurants that offer designated smoking areas and is completely fine in the hotel common area.
 
Climate 
There are four distinct Iran seasons. The four seasons endure about the same length of time. It varies according to the weather and environment in various regions of the nation. All seasons of the year could be experienced within one day in different regions of the country. It is best to decide on what climate you prefer to spend vacation.
Spring (April to June): Characterized as blooming flowers and mild weather. It is one of the greatest seasons in Iran for traveling. The majority of rainfalls falls throughout spring and winter. The weather is normally rather pleasant.
Summer (July to September): Hot and dry but full of adventures season in Iran. High humidity is particularly on the southern Persian Gulf coast and temperatures can easily get up to 40°C or higher on some days.
Fall / Autumn (October to December): It is a cool and colorful season in the country. Majority of Iran’s visitors comes from late September to December through the fall as the weather is just right (neither too hot or too cold).
Winter (January to March): This season is the Ski and Snowboarding season in Iran. Mountainous areas are the most probable places in Iran to have snow and it is undoubtedly need to pack winter gear if visiting the country.
 
Electricity
In Iran, the standard voltage is 220V and the frequency is 50 Hz. There are two associated plug type C and F.  Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins and plug type F is the plug which has two round pins with two earth clips on the side.
 
Hotels’ Check in / Check out time and Room Types
The general check-in time in Iran is 14:00-15:00 and check out time is 12:00. Request for early check-in and/or late check-out, depends on the availability of the hotel and it is not guaranteed. Additional charges will be made according to hotel’s rules and policies. Double room, twin bedded and single room are available to most hotels. For triple sharing, it is either double or twin room with 1 extra roll away bed or a sofa bed.
 
Domestic Flights
Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport (IATA: IKA, ICAO: OIIE) is the primary international airport of Tehran, the capital city of Iran. It is close to the localities of Robat-Karim and Eslamshahr, 30km southwest of Tehran city center. IKA Airport is a hub for Iran Air and Mahan Air.
 
Holidays in Iran
Nowruz
Nowruz means “new day” in Persian and is the most important festival of the year in Iran. Nowruz marks the spring equinox, when night and day are of equal length, It's the day when winter changes into spring in the northern hemisphere, and it feels like a new beginning. In Iran it is followed by four days of public holidays, and schools and universities close for two weeks.  
 
Kashan Rosewater Festival
Kashan Rosewater Festival is best known for its momentous houses, but it’s in this desert city that the fragrant pink Mohammadi rose blooms in great quantity, spreading to the region of Ghamsar as well. To enjoy this festival of Iran you can visit between May and June when you can peek in on the distilleries removing water from these delicate flowers.
 
Ashura
Ashura is the famous Iranian festival coinciding with the martyrdom of Imam Hussein. The gloomy performance art known as ta’zieh rebuilds this martyrdom in the Battle of Karbala and is pervasive across cities. In the city of Khorramabad, people engrossed in the symbolic ceremonial of kharrah mali or mud rubbing. Ashura, much like Tasua, requires an open mind and visitors’ greatest respect.
 
Saffron Harvest
Saffron Harvest, the world’s most expensive spice, is used open-handedly in the Persian cooking. After picking the flower, then gently plucking the red stigmas and then letting them dry, you’ll determine just how labour-intensive procurement this spice is and lament removing the subtle honey-scented petals.
 
Yalda
Yalda is the longest night of the year and is renowned as a victory of light over darkness and of good over evil. All this as you crunch on the variety of nuts mixed together and red fruits such as watermelon and pomegranates, symbolic of the red of dawn and dominance of light henceforth.
 
Responsible Travel
-Sight-seeing tours are operated and led by a local guide and/or local drivers.
-Be sensitive in discussing politics and religion. It is better to do research or some readings prior you travel in Iran.
-Always follow security warning from the authorities. Always best to carry with you your passport as ID.
-Women should keep hair tucked under their headscarves and as little skin should be shown as possible. And no public displays of affection.
-Alcohol and pork products are illegal, and if you are traveling during Ramadan, don’t eat or drink in public during daylight hours. There may be places you can consume food – your tour leader will let you know if so.
-Iran is a largely desert nation, so please conserve water where possible. In many places the tap water is safe to drink (check with your tour leader or guide) – so bring a refillable water bottle and cut down on plastic waste if possible.
- When entering a mosque, all visitors will need to remove their shoes, and women will need to wear headscarves. Occasionally, more conservative dress will be required, so do check before entering.