Welcome to Yazd, the UNESCO Heritage town and the adobe city of windcatchers. Here is an ultimate Yazd travel guide where you can find all essential information about how to travel to Yazd and what to do in this must-see Iran destination.
Yazd at a Glance
UNESCO Heritage Sites
The UNESCO Heritage City
Capital of Yazd
The Capital of Yazd Province
Yazd Population
With the population of 500,000 inhabitants
City of Windcatchers
Also known as "The City of Windcatchers"
Zoroastrianism
The home to the largest community of Zoroastrians in Iran
Handmade Carpet
Famous for its handmade carpet, Termeh silk and delicious sweets
Where is Yazd?
Yazd is the Yazd Province capital and a dessert city in central Iran. Its neighbor Provinces are Kerman, Fars, Isfahan, etc. Furthermore, the flying distance between Yazd and Tehran is equal to 502 km, while its land distance is about 624 km. On the other hand, Yazd oasis lies at the edge of the Dasht-e Lut Desert, the UNESCO Heritage Natural Site.
Yazd History
Getting information about the destination’s history, especially a historic destination like Iran, is essential for every tourist. Hence, in this Yazd Travel Guide, we present a brief introduction to Yazd History.
Evidence from excavations indicates that Yazd dates back to over 3,000 years BC. Moreover, the adobe city of Yazd is on the list of Iran UNESCO Heritage Sites and is the second historical city on the earth after Venice.
So, regarding its antiquity, Yazd houses many historical monuments. On the other hand, Situated between the two significant deserts, Dasht-e Kavir and the Dasht-e Lut, the desert dwellers have applied mud-brick architecture, domed roofs, and high windcatchers. Consequently, these methods have helped the inhabitants to avoid the hot and dry climate of Yazd. Also, to gain and save the precious water in the desert, the locals used the Qanat system and water reservoirs. In other words, Yazd is the living evidence of human’s adaption to nature.
Besides, Yazd has been the home to Zoroastrians from the ancient time. So, you can visit their footprints in the Yazd historical attractions. Notably, Marco Polo has titled the city of Yazd as “the noble city of Yazd.”
Interestingly, Yazd’s sister cities are Venice, Lyon, Toledo, Jászberény, Jakarta, Holguín, Nizwa, and Homs.
Where to stay in Yazd?
(Price, Facilities, Distance from attractions , Map, Photos, Testimonials & ...)
How to Get to Yazd
As Yazd is one of the tourist destinations in Iran, there are several ways to get to this city. Hence, in this Yazd Travel Guide, we introduce you to different ways to get to Yazd.
You can enter Yazd through Shahid Sadooghi International Airport. This airport covers some international flights from/to Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
On the other hand, there are daily domestic flights between Yazd and two important Iran, Tehran and Mashhad cities. Also, there are weekly flights between Yazd and Shiraz, Bandar Abbas, Ahvaz, Kish, etc.
Finally, note that Yazd International Airport, located 10 km from the city, has convenient access to Yazd and downtown important parts. Accordingly, you can use a taxi to reach the airport. For your record, internet taxi costs about 200000 rials from the city center to Yazd airport.
Travel to Yazd
by Plane
The most economical way to travel to Yazd is by using a bus. And, you can get to Yazd from most cities of Iran on a bus. However, although riding a train is the safest option, many passengers choose the bus because it is faster, and there are plenty of VIP buses from different parts of Iran to Yazd.
There are several bus terminals in Yazd that the most important one is Yazd Ghadir Bus Terminal. Also, there are plenty of buses that arrive in/depart these bus terminals from/to different Iran cities from early in the morning until midnight.
Travel to Yazd
by Bus
You can travel to Yazd from numerous Iran cities by train in different classes from the standard class to a 5-star one. The Yazd train covers the routes to Tehran, Mashhad, Kerman, Bandar Abbas, etc.
Finally, Yazd railway station is located not far from the city center and under the best possible conditions, you can reach the Yazd Old Town in about 15 minutes by taxi.
Finally, to reach Shiraz railway station, you can use a private car, taxi, or bus. For example, the distance from Shiraz railway station to the city center is about 27 km, and internet taxi costs about 250000 rials on this route.
Travel to Yazd
By Train
Main motorways connect Yazd to all parts of Iran. So, many passengers choose to travel in a private car as its schedule is flexible and is faster and more convenient than bus and train.
Travel to Yazd
By Car
What Do You Know about Yazd Attractions?
How to Move around Yazd
Although most Yazd points of interest are in the city old district, the information about transportation in Yazd is essential for every tourist. Hence, in this Yazd Travel Guide, we introduce you to different ways to move around Yazd. In any case, you can rent a private car with a driver, use taxis or buses.
Get around Yazd in Taxi
You can use internet Taxi called “Snapp” for Transportations in Yazd. These kinds of Taxis work like Uber. You can download the application on your phone and easily take an internet taxi within a few minutes wherever you are. Also, you can pay the taxi fee in cash (Rials).
Another option is to get a taxi through a “telephone taxi agency”. These taxis will get you to the destination and also wait for you whenever you want. To get this kind of taxi, you can ask your hotel reception or your Iranian friend to do it for you.
Get around Yazd in Bus
Although the bus system covers all Yazd parts, the bus stations are sometimes confusing for a foreign traveler. However, you can get complete information about your destination station and the bus that you should get from the locals and use this kind of transportation. You can also use the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRT) in some parts of the city. Notably, there are separate men’s and ladies’ sections on each bus.
Get around Yazd in Private Car with Driver
Although renting a private car with a driver is the most expensive option to get around Yazd, it is the fastest and most convenient choice. Besides, you can rent a car with a driver for one day to go to the tourist attractions that are located around Yazd like Meybod, Taft, Kharanagh, Chak Chak, Fahraj, Bafgh Desert, etc. Finally, the expense of renting a private sedan car with a driver per day starts about 3000000 rials.
What to Eat in Yazd?
Where to Eat in Yazd
Best Restaurants in Yazd
In recent years, visiting restaurants and tasting different foods have become one of the most attractive activities during a trip. It is interesting to know that this issue has been taken very seriously in Iran and you can find excellent and even international restaurants in the cities of this country. However, you are in Iran for a short time, and it is better to go for the best options in this limited time.
Accordingly, selecting a good restaurant in Yazd, where there are restaurants on every corner, is very difficult. So, if you want to taste delicious and quality food in the best restaurants in Yazd during your trip, join us in this Yazd travel guide.
Moshir-al-Mamalek Resturant
Moshir-al-Mamalek Garden Hotel houses four different restaurants serving various Persian, French, and seafood dishes in a pleasant environment with lovely decorations. After finishing your food, you can go to the hotel’s coffee shop on the rooftop and from there watch the historical texture of Yazd beside enjoying your tea.
Termeh & Toranj Restaurant
Termeh & Toranj Restaurant is one of the best restaurants in Yazd located in the old context of Yazd in Fahadan district. This restaurant is a good option for enjoying traditional Iranian quality dishes. One of the best meals in this restaurant is Chelo Kabab. Finally, based on travelers’ reviews, Termeh & Toranj Restaurant staff is friendly and ready to help you.
Talar Restaurant
Talar Restaurant, formerly known as “Haji Ahpaz” and Agha “Qahvechi,” is one of the best restaurants in Yazd. The best dishes of this restaurant include Baghali Polo ba Mahicheh, Kabab Koobideh, Fesanjan Stew, Shirin Polo, Tahchin, and Gheimeh Yazdi. Besides, Talar Restaurant is located on Jomhuri Blvd, near Haj Khalife, one of the most popular confectioneries in Yazd.