My first impressions of Shiraz
Last updated: October 24, 2026
Of all the Iranian cities, my favourite is Shiraz. I fell in love with it, even before I visited there. Located in the charming southwestern Fars province, Shiraz is one of the oldest cities of ancient Persia. The seasonal Roodkhaneye Khoshk (Dry River) flows through and the city is blessed with a mild, moderate. It was the regional trade center for more than a thousand years and it served as Iran’s capital twice briefly. The beautiful historic city flourished under the rule of the Zand dynasty from AD 1747-49 and it became known as the center for art, literature, and architecture. Shiraz is also considered to be the origin of Syrah, one of the best wines in the world and the city is truly intoxicating.
Shiraz Quick Facts
| Known as | The city of poets, gardens, roses and nightingales; capital of Fars province |
| Famous for | The tombs of Hafez and Saadi, Persian gardens and the Pink Mosque |
| Day trips | Persepolis (about 60 km), Naqsh-e Rostam and Pasargadae |
| Best time | March to May (spring blossoms and Nowruz) and October to November |
| Time needed | 2–3 days including Persepolis |
| Travel advice | Check your government’s latest travel advisory for Iran before planning a trip |
A city of beauty and poets
I simply love Shiraz. There’s something about the city’s languorous vivacity, architectural style, and romantic aura, that makes it very enchanting. In fact, it is known for being the home to the most beautiful highlights of Persia and the city is like poetry in motion. Birthplace of Iran’s most celebrated poets Hafiz and Saadi, Shiraz is synonymous with the richness of Persian culture, roses, and gardens. Bedecked with lovely mosques, splendid gardens, and well-kept erstwhile Christian and Jewish architectural jewels, it is the perfect place to unwind after Iran’s visa on arrival stress. Apart from having probably the worst immigration officers in Iran, Shiraz has never let me down and the city’s gentle pace always lured me into staying longer than planned. My closest Iranian friend hails from Shiraz and she is another reason why I love the city so much.
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My memories of an Iranian family friend
People make places and because of my friend, Tiam, Shiraz became a permanent feature of my Iran itineraries. She always welcomed me to her house and I never stayed at a Shirazi city hotel again. Iranians are one of the friendliest people in the world and they take hospitality very seriously. Tiam’s family were a happy, welcoming bunch and I consider myself lucky to have experienced such world-class hospitable warmth. It was at her house, that I learned to speak a few words in Farsi, cook delicious Chelo Kebabs and create beautiful designs on her mother’s carpet-weaving loom. Nickseresht family took me into their folds in a most natural way and I experienced a few months as their guest. Those were very pleasant days and personally, I found the Iranian life to be a far cry from the projected global image. Even today, the slightest mention of Iran brings forth gentle Farsi dinner conversations and I can still smell the roses in Tiam’s garden.
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Shiraz, the city of rosy smells and flowers
Flowers are another Shirazi specialty and the city is famous for its roses. Delicate, beautiful, and highly fragrant, the whole city buzzes with its heady perfume and it was the first thing that I noticed about Shiraz. It was a warm April day when my delayed Air Aseman flight finally landed in Shiraz and the moment the airplane door opened, sunshine and soft sweet smelling came through. While most cities have a signature smell, never before had fragrance preceded an actual destination and very few can rival Shiraz’s rosy breeze. It was a great mood lifter and I remember standing on the tarmac, breathing in the fresh air as long as I could linger. That remains one of my most vivid memories of Shiraz and with so much beauty, fragrance and mysticism, the city is one of the most irresistible places in Iran.
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Top Things to Do in Shiraz
- Tomb of Hafez (Hafezieh) – visit at sunset when Iranians come to recite his poems and seek a ‘fal’ (fortune) from his verses.
- Nasir al-Mulk (Pink) Mosque – go early morning for the stained-glass light.
- Eram Garden – a UNESCO-listed Persian garden with cypress avenues.
- Vakil Bazaar, Vakil Mosque and Vakil Bath – Zand-era architecture and shopping for spices and carpets.
- Karim Khan Citadel (Arg) – the brick fortress in the city centre.
- Shah Cheragh Shrine – dazzling mirror-work interior (visit with a shrine guide; women must wear a chador).
- Tomb of Saadi – the resting place of Shiraz’s other great poet.
- Narenjestan-e Ghavam – an elegant mansion with orange-tree courtyards.
- Persepolis – the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire, an easy half-day trip.
2-Day Shiraz Itinerary
- Day 1: Pink Mosque at opening time, Narenjestan-e Ghavam, Vakil Bazaar and Mosque, Karim Khan Citadel; Shah Cheragh in the evening.
- Day 2: early start to Persepolis and Naqsh-e Rostam, return for Eram Garden and sunset at the Tomb of Hafez, followed by faloodeh (Shirazi frozen dessert).
FAQs
What is Shiraz famous for?
Shiraz is famous as the city of the poets Hafez and Saadi, its Persian gardens, roses, the Pink Mosque and as the gateway to Persepolis.
How many days do you need in Shiraz?
Two to three days is ideal to see the city’s highlights and take a day trip to Persepolis.
What is the best time to visit Shiraz?
Spring (March to May) is best, with blossoms and pleasant weather. October and November are also good.
How far is Persepolis from Shiraz?
Persepolis is about 60 km from Shiraz, roughly an hour by car.
Beautiful pictures. . . .. namaste
Namaste Anne
Thank you.
Namaste,
Realling amazing pictures madame ! 🙂
Thank you
Very interesting destination and fantastic (as always) photos! Bye. K
Thank you very much Kamila.
Beautiful post, thank you!
Thank you very much.
Beautiful post! Loved this piece on Iran, esp ‘coz it comes from the eyes of a solo female traveler as it is not so common a sighting. I had almost seen you going grumpy on our Badami ride at the weather and irritating people, haha, but this must have been of another level!! 😀
Ha ha. Thank you. I hate unwanted creepy attention. I could have thrashed those creeps in Badami and heat is not my thing. But it had been one of my best travel experiences. Do you remember the sunflower field, breaking your glasses, those horrible hotel people, and driving like blind people on the highway at night. That was epic, just like the flush. Good memories. Imagine what that flight must have done to my psyche! God saved those people from me that day.
Hahaha, yea!! Riding with sunglasses at night, that was awesome, you just could not control your laughter! Heat, creeps and unclean hotels are always turn offs. God saved those people, I can imagine… 😀 But yea, Badami was mind blowing esp Aihole temple and the carvings!
Yeahhh to us, the original “quirky travelers”.
“Original!!” 😀
Beautiful pics.
Thank you
Beautiful pictures and lovely posts…….
Thank you very much
Your photography is simply excellent. You have such a sense of photography. Everytime i look at the pictures, I feel spellbound. Great.
Wow. You made my day. Thank you very much.
Beautiful pictures …do share the recipe of chelo kebabs sometime 🙂
Thank you. Will do. The Chelo Kebabs were delicious, but not my samples though.
As usual a lovely post…you travel to such far off and exquisitely oriental places that I literally envy you…
Thank you. Iran had been exceptionally beautiful.
you travel to such exquisitely oriental places that I literally envy you…keep travelling and blogging so that we can get a glimpse of far off places through your eyes…
Thank you very much.
You’re lucky to have found such wonderful hosts. Must have taken the whole trip to another level itself. 🙂
Yes I am blessed to have found such amazing friends who are also gracious hosts. Shiraz remains close to my heart because of them.