Isfahan Attractions
Isfahan is a city of outstanding architectural wonders and turquoise domes. It is Iran’s third-largest city and one of the must-visit destinations. Isfahan is called “Half of the World” regarding the ancestor belief that the city has half of a whole world’s beauties in itself. There are three Iran UNESCO sites and tree-lined boulevards as the Persian garden symbol in this ancient city. It is also famous for its picturesque old bridges across the Zendehrood river. Join us to introduce you to the most important Isfahan attractions.
Isfahan Tourist Attractions List
Naghsh-e Jahan Square
Naghsh-e Jahan is one of the largest squares of the world located in the center of Isfahan. It belongs to the Safavid dynasty and of the UNESCO world heritage sites and one of the most visited Isfahan attractions. The square is a complex of historical monuments includes a vast yard surrounded by Shah (Imam) mosque, Sheykh Lotfolah mosque, Ali Qapoo Palace, and Qeysariye bazaar. Moreover, there is a large pool in the middle of the courtyard. Naghsh-e Jahan, you can enjoy riding a carriage pulling by horses around the square. Also, there are many cozy cafes and restaurants around the square where you can taste Isfahan traditional foods such as Gushfil & Dugh and Gaz, a traditional Persian sweet.
Opening Hours
Open 24 Hours
Entrance Fee
Free
Visit duration
2 to 8 Hours
Shah Mosque - Imam Mosque
This everlasting masterpiece located on the south side of the square is a symbol of the Islamic architecture in Iran and one of the must-see Isfahan points of interest. The building consists of a marvelous entrance gate between two minarets, and the other part has a big blue dome and minarets as well. The mosque is designed with marvelous seven-color (haft rang) mosaic tiles.
Opening Hours
Every day
9:00 to 12:30 and 14:00 to 18:00
in spring and summer.
9:00 to 11:30 and 13:00 to 16:00
in fall and winter.
Entrance Fee
6€
Visit duration
30 min to 1 Hours
Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque
The Sheikh Lotfollah mosque stands on the eastern side of Naghsh-e Jahan square and is one of the most recognizable Isfahan points of interest. During the Safavid era, the royal family used to pray in this private mosque while Imam mosque was for public praying. In the term of beauty, the seven-color (Haft Rang) tiles, paintings, and poetry make the dome and walls picturesque.
Opening Hours
Every day
9:00 to 12:30 and 14:00 to 18:00
in spring and summer.
9:00 to 11:30 and 13:00 to 16:00
in fall and winter.
Entrance Fee
6€
Visit duration
30 min to 2 Hours
Ali Qapu Palace
This grand palace at the western part of Naghseh Jahan square was the residence of the royal family. The building has six floors with several halls and a huge balcony with eight wooden columns. The king was used to watch Polo games that were played in the square from the balcony. Notably, what makes Ali Qapu one of the top Isfahan points of interest is its Music hall. This room’s walls are acoustic, so it was an excellent place for holding parties and music concerts. Furthermore, Ali Qapu palace and Sheikh Lotfollah mosque are connected through an underground tunnel that was a passage for the royal family.
Opening Hours
Every day
9:00 to 18:00 in spring and summer
9:00 to 16:30 in fall and winter
Entrance Fee
6€
Visit duration
1 to 2 Hours
Qeysarie Bazaar - Isfahan Grand Bazaar
Qeysarieh bazaar or Isfahan Grand Bazaar stands at the north side of Naghsh-e Jahan square. It connects to the square through Qeysarie historical gate and has become a part of this UNESCO site. The gate was built on three floors, but the last one vanished.
Interestingly, Qeysarie Bazaar, a live market that reflects Persian merchants’ power, attracts many tourists from around the world.
You can also find various handicrafts in this Persian Bazaar, including Persian carpet and rugs, Khatam, Ghalamkari, Minakari, gold, silver, hand-made shoes, and more. Consequently, it takes several hours to stroll in this unique bazaar and choose colorful Iran souvenirs Definitely, this old bazaar is one of the most popular must-see Isfahan attractions.
Opening Hours
Every day except Friday
9:00 to 18:00 in spring and summer
9:00 to 16:30 in fall and winter
Entrance Fee
Free
Visit duration
1 to 4 Hours
Chehel Sotoun Palace
Chehel Sotoun Palace or Kakh-e Chehel Sotoun, a UNESCO heritage site, is one of the top Isfahan points of interest near Naghsh-e Jahan square. This Safavid palace is inside a charming garden at a far end of a long pool. Its design is a mixture of Persian, Chinese, and European architectures.
It is noteworthy that the term “Chehel Sotoun” means “forty columns.” This name refers to the pavilion’s twenty wooden columns that, along with the reflection of the pool’s water, make the illusion of forty columns existence. Furthermore, there are several halls in the place. Among these rooms, The Great Hall at the center of the building is masterly designed with paintings and ceramics. Each picture describes a historical event such as battles and ceremonies.
Opening Hours
Every day
9:00 to 20:00 in spring and summer
9:00 to 17:00 in fall and winter
Entrance Fee
Free
Visit duration
1 to 3 Hours
Hasht Behesht Garden
Hasht Behesht Palace belongs to the Safavid dynasty is one of the most spectacular Isfahan attractions. Its special decoration dazzled the visitors that even it was supposed as the most beautiful palace in the world. King Solomon built this palace for the residence of his eight wives, which four of them accommodated. The rooms, chambers, and corridors are decorated with colorful plaster works, Muqarnas, delicate mosaics, paintings, mirrors, and windows. Moreover, the mansion has a porch facing a small marble pool. Besides, the exterior design includes Persian tile works.
Opening Hours
Every day
9:00 to 20:00 in spring and summer
9:00 to 17:00 in fall and winter
Entrance Fee
6€
Visit duration
1 to 2 Hours
Chahar Bagh-e Abbasi
Without a doubt, Chahar Bagh-e Abbasi is one of the most charming streets in the world. This historical street connecting Darvazez Dolat to Sio Se Pol was built during the Safavid era by Shah Abbas I.
The term “Chahar Bagh” means “Four Gardens.” It is noteworthy that Persian Four Gardens are one of the most ancient garden models. In this kind of garden, some passages divide the area into four smaller gardens.
This paved street with lines of trees on each side, creating a legendary view, has become one of the most popular Isfahan attractions. Moreover, there are some monuments along this ancient street that the most important one is Hasht Behesht Palace. These days, Chahar Bagh is a place for hiking and enjoying the beauty of the city. It has become a nostalgic place for city dwellers and tourists
Opening Hours
Open 24 Hours
Entrance Fee
Free
Visit duration
30 Min to 2 Hours
New Julfa Quarter
Among Isfahan attractions, this district is so unique. New Julfa (Jolfa) is the Isfahan Armenian quarter founded by Shah Abbas I for Armenians’ accommodation during the Safavid era. He treated them nicely and let them keep their religion as Christian and their costumes as well. There are churches, Armenian schools, libraries, cafes, and many other places dedicated to serving the Armenian residents in this district. For sure, you can enjoy your time strolling through the alleys, visiting youngsters’ gatherings. So, don’t forget to have an Armenian coffee in one of the neighborhood’s cozy cafés. Besides, Jolfa quarter house two magnificent Isfahan points of interest, Vank cathedral and the Music Museum.
Opening Hours
Open 24 Hours
Entrance Fee
Free
Visit duration
1 to 3 Hours
Vank Cathedral (The Holy Savior Cathedral)
Vank Cathedral is the first Armenian church built in Jolfa quarter and the most visited attraction of the district. Its exterior design is modest and the mixture of western and Islamic. But the interior, particularly the central dome, is genuinely fantastic covering with frescoes, carvings and tiles. The paintings on the ceiling and walls artfully demonstrate religious, historical events. Accordingly, they express biblical stories, some parts of Jesus’ life and Armenian tortures during those times. Furthermore, there are also a museum, a library and some graves in the courtyard of the church.
Opening Hours
Every day
8:30 to 18:30 in spring and summer
8:30 to 17:30 in fall and winter
Break for praying from 12:30 to 15:00
Entrance Fee
6€
Visit duration
1 to 2 Hours
Isfahan Music Museum
The music museum of Isfahan is the best of its kind in Iran. Also, this museum is the forth suggested attraction of Iran on TripAdvisor. There are 300 Iranian music instruments on this site that you cannot see some of them anywhere else. Another thing that makes this site so unique among Isfahan attractions is its live shows. Accordingly, besides discovering how these instruments are made, you will enjoy the sounds of them played by masters.
Opening Hours
Every day
9:00 to 21:00
Entrance Fee
7€
Visit duration
2 to 5 Hours
Jameh Mosque of Isfahan
Masjed-e Jame of Isfahan or the Jame Mosque of Isfahan is an Iran UNESCO site and an important Isfahan attraction that had a magnificent effect on the other mosques’ architecture in Iran and Central Asia. It is also called Atigh Mosque or Jomeh Mosque. The mosque has four porches that the biggest one is in the direction of Mecca. It is noteworthy that this kind of architecture is called Chahar Ivani (four-iwans) in Islamic architecture.
Opening Hours
Every day
9:00 to 18:00 in spring and summer
9:00 to 16:30 in fall and winter
Break for praying from 12:00 to 14:00
Entrance Fee
6€
Visit duration
1 to 2 Hours
Si -o -se - pol Bridge (Allah Verdi Khan Bridge)
The ancient bridges in this city are popular Isfahan attractions. Si-o-se Pol, the bridge of 33 arches is a stone double-deck arch bridge is one of them. The bridge was built across Zayandehrud river during Safavid era. The bridge is 298 meters long and about 14 meters wide.
Opening Hours
Open 24 Hours
Entrance Fee
Free
Visit duration
1 to 2 Hours
Khaju Bridge (Pol-e Khaju)
Khaju Bridge is One of the Safavid bridges across Zayandeh Rud River. This 2-deck bridge is about 132 meters long and 12 meters wide. The construction is the most beautiful bridge in Isfahan. Moreover, it is somehow a meeting place for residents who gather under the arches to sing at nighttime.
Opening Hours
Open 24 Hours
Entrance Fee
Free
Visit duration
1 to 2 Hours
Menar Jonban (Shaking Minarets)
The Menar-Jonban is one of the famous and mysterious historical monuments in Isfahan. The building belongs to Ilkhanian dynasty in 14th century. The edifice covers the grave of Amu-Abdullah Soqla. The mystery about Menar Jonban is behind its shaking minarets. In this regards, If either of Minarets moves, the other one and even the whole edifice will start vibrating. The reason for this phenomenon had been a great secret for centuries. Nowadays we know that The wooden beams on the upper part of the minarets and the light structure of the building facilitate the shaking of the minarets. The porch is 10 meters high and 10 meters wide and the minarets are 7 meters taller.
Opening Hours
Every day
9:00 to 18:30 in spring and summer
9:00 to 16:30 in fall and winter
Entrance Fee
6€
Visit duration
1 to 1.5 Hours
Atashgah - Zoroastrian Fire Temple of Isfahan
This Zoroastrian Fire temple of Isfahan belongs to the Sassanid era and is the most ancient monument in this city. This adobe fire temple has an octagonal tower that stands on a 210-meter hill. This archaeological complex is at the western part of Isfahan in the vicinity of the Zayandeh Rood river.
Opening Hours
Open 24 Hours
Entrance Fee
Free
Visit duration
1 to 1.5 Hours