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A Badgir, a wind cooled water reservoir
Dowlat Abad garden

Yazd is a city in central Iran and the capital of the Yazd province. It is an ancient city dating back to the Sassanian Period (224-651 AD).

Get in

Yazd is located midway between Isfahan and Kerman, 689 km (427 miles) south east of Tehran. Yazd is well connected to the rest of the country by planes, trains and buses.

By bus

From the bus station {GPS 31°52'37.5"N, 054°17'04.0"E}, take a local bus (the bus stop is by a little white hut on the highway in front of the main bus station) to the local bus station, then another to the bazaar. This is in the centre of town; from here you can find your hotel.

By plane

There are International flights to Dubai and Damascus and daily flights to Tehran.

Get around

Map

Most sights are in the old town near the Friday Mosque. You can easily walk between them on foot and enjoy the rabbit warren of old passages and buildings as you do so. Get a good map from your hotel.

By foot

Most places in the old town are within easy walking distance from each other.

By bus

Local buses are also available.

By taxi

Taxis are inexpensive. Motorcycle taxis are another fast and cheap way to move around the city but try to settle on a price beforehand.

See

Masjid-e Jame
Atashkadeh – Zoroastrian fire temple
Amir Chakhmakh Complex
A traditional roofed alley, represents the old fabric of the city
  • 1 Masjid-e Jame (Friday Mosque), Masjid-e Jame street, which runs off Imam St. Dating back to the fourteenth century, it is well worth a visit. It is an example of finest Persian mosaics and excellent architecture. Its minarets are the highest in the country. Admire it at night when it is lit up.
  • 2 Yazd Water Museum, Imam St corner. House converted to a museum with a lot of information about the Canat water distribution system. Contains nice cool underground rooms. Free.
  • 3 Takyeh Amir Chakhmagh (Amir Chakhmagh Complex). Originally a mosque, a caravanserai, a tekyeh, a bathhouse, a cold water well, and a confectionery, this imposing structure fronts a square in the old town, opposite the water museum. You can pay a small amount to go inside and climb to the top, giving good local views, including of a nearby badgir (water reservoir with wind towers). The square has interesting fountains and is nice at night.
  • 4 Cistern of Fatemeh-ye-Golshan. Easily-viewed reservoir with 4 badgirs (wind towers).
  • 5 Amir Chakhmagh Mosque (Old Mosque). Mosque next to the Amir Chakhmagh Complex.
  • 6 Market Square Clock, Imam St.
  • 7 Atashkadeh (Zoroastrian Fire Temple), Kashani Road (a few kilometres from the old town; a taxi might be best). The fire on the inside has supposedly been burning since AD 470. Free but donations appreciated.
  • 8 Dakhmeh (Zoroastrian Towers of Silence). Huge circular walls on top of hills, where the dead were left to be picked clean by vultures. A quiet, serene place.
  • 9 Alexander's Prison. Neither built by Alexander the Great nor a prison, but a 15th-century domed school which is quite an interesting sight with a cafe in the 'prison room'. Guides say the deep well in the middle of its courtyard was built by Alexander the Great and was used as a dungeon although this is not confirmed. Also called Ziaiyyeh school.
  • 10 Dowlat Abad Gardens. With a building with a beautiful large badgir. One of nine Persian gardens inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Do

  • Walk around in the historic neighbourhoods and relax in the parks. You can also hike up in the beautiful mountains of Yazd and enjoy a spectacular view of the city. If you are the more social type, relax in the cafes and chat with local Iranians. Most likely, they will be very interested in talking with you.

Buy

Yazd is famous in Iran for its various handicrafts, such as carpet, silk fabrics and cashmere. A good place for these is bazaar, where also can be found snacks such as nougat and cashews.

Eat

For a friendlier and more cultural atmosphere try Persian restaurants. Many restaurants serve the standard Iranian kebabas. There are a few international restaurants in Yazd which serve Italian, Indian, Arabian and Mexican food.

The traditional restaurant and tea house of Kohan Hotel serves various Iranian traditional dishes such as fessenjun, gheime as well as some European and Indian dishes. It has a nice atmosphere and is located near the Alexander Prison.

Drink

For typical drinks available in Iran, see Iran#Drink

Sleep

It is best to stay in the old town near the Friday Mosque, from which you can walk to most sights. There are many descent hotels to choose from. A number of traditional houses have been recently converted into atmospheric hotels. Some are good and others not so much. Many of them offer clean comfortable rooms encircling peaceful central courtyards where you can eat, drink tea or puff away on a ghalyan while gazing at the sky.

Budget

  • 1 Orient Hotel (6th Alley at Jame Mosque St.), +98-351-626 7783. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. From the owners of Silk Road Hotel, which is on the other side of the street. The price of the rooms are all same as the Silk Road Hotel. It is especially tailored to the needs of families and group travelers. Has a glass deck on the second floor with nice panoramas of the city, and the beautiful Jame' Mosque, and a background of desert and mountains. To book your room at the Orient hotel, it is best to call or email the Silk Road Hotel. Good hotel, nice central courtyard. Showers have good pressure and water is hot. You can eat lunch and dinner here. Dorm bed: $5; Single: $15; Double: $20; Triple: $25.
  • 2 Silk Road Hotel, No 5, Tal-e Khakestary Alley, Masjed Jame St (Conveniently hidden in an alley near the Jameh Mosque; look for the signs pointing the way on the wall.), +98-351-625 2730, fax: +98-351-6217703, . Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. This is undoubtedly the most popular and affordable of the backpacker hotels in Yazd. They off private rooms with ensuite bathrooms as well as a comfortable dorm. An excellent buffet breakfast and free wireless internet is included in the price. They also serve traditional food in the lovely courtyard restaurant. They also offer a number of interesting tours in and around Yazd - including overnight trips to the desert oasis Kharanaq, where they run another guesthouse.. Dorm bed: $7; Single: $20; Double: $30; Triple: $40.
  • 3 Kohan Hotel (100 metres from Alexander's Prison), +98-351 6212485, fax: 621 0393. Is a little pricer and difficult to find, but also worth the effort. They also have a beautiful courtyard restaurant, a underground qanat room (water management system) to explore, and good views of the old city can be had from the roof. The hotel is family run, and also there is a tourist information office, a young man,who speaks wonderfully perfect German, English and a little Spanish, he can provide information about Yazd and other cities of Iran, time table of buses, air planes and trains. Various tours of Yazd are offered including camel rides, overnight stays in desert & bike riding in desert. From $28.
  • 4 Kourosh Hotel (100 meters from Alexander prison), +9835-36203560-70, . Traditional architecture and modern amenities, in the middle of the city. Breakfast and Wi-Fi free.

Mid-range

  • 5 Hotel Dad, #214, 10th Farvardin Ave, +98-351-6229400, fax: +98 351 6229449, . Hotel Dad is an 80-year old hotel in the old center of town, with a traditional style, and 54 rooms. Swimming pool with poolside service and a sauna and jacuzzi. It has both a traditional Iranian and international restaurants, along with a coffee shop. Single: $70; Double: $110; Triple: $165.

Outside of Yadz

  • 6 Farvardinn Desert Inn, 30km south east of Yazd en-rout to Bafq, Fahraj-Yazd (There are local buses to Fahraj every hour on the hour from the local bus station. A taxi costs US$5. The hotel is about 100m to the left of the main street.)Across the old Fortress of Fahraj village), +98 9133524723, fax: +98 351 6229449. Check-in: flexible, check-out: flexible. This is a new guesthouse/hostel close to Yazd, that is right on the Dasht-e-Lud desert. The owner, Masoud, speaks excellent English and a little French, is very nice and very knowledgeable about the area. This hotel offers comfortable beds, a full buffet breakfast, new bathrooms, WiFi, kitchen facilities, dinner with a local family, and camel-riding courses. This hotel is great for both backpackers and traditional travellers looking for a trekking base or an authentic place to relax. There is a bus and train booking service for minimal commission. Tours: From 1-12 days - day tours to surrounding villages from an experienced guide, camel-riding courses, nomad tours from Yazd to Shiraz, one day hikes to Mt. Shirkuh (up to 4100m), or a tour of your choosing can be arranged. Camping: $4; Dorm bed: $7; Double: $25.

Go next

  • Meymand — population 60 in summer, 130 in winter, continuously occupied for more than 3,000 years
  • If you feel like visiting a place more cultural and beautiful, the ancient city of Isfahan is near Yazd.
  • Kavir National Park. The magnificent Iranian deserts is ideal for those who are interested in adventurous journey or trekking. The white vast salt flats, the golden dunes as well as the striking mounds in bright green, yellow and red create a marvellous spectrum.
  • Yet another world heritage-listed Persian Garden, the Pahlevanpour Garden is about 40km to the south.
This city travel guide to Yazd is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.