Isfahan Province
Iran's core tourist province, where Imam Square in Isfahan and the traditional houses and gardens of Kashan are the highlights.
Isfahan Province lies in central Iran, between the eastern foothills of the Zagros Mountains and the desert. The capital, Isfahan, was the capital of the Safavid dynasty, and Imam Square and the mosques, palaces and bazaar around it are a World Heritage Site; the Si-o-se-pol (Thirty-Three Arches Bridge) and Khaju Bridge over the Zayandeh River, and Vank Cathedral in the Armenian Quarter, are equally famous. Kashan to the north is known for Fin Garden, exquisite traditional houses and rose water, and the red-clay village of Abyaneh nearby and the desert to the east are also popular. The best times to visit are spring (March–May) and autumn. The gateway is Isfahan International Airport.