Classic Persia Route
Running from Tehran through Kashan, Isfahan and Yazd to Shiraz, this route brings together Persepolis, Imam Square, the Pink Mosque and desert mud-brick cities. It is the classic first trip to Iran.
The Classic Persia Route is the itinerary most first-time visitors follow in Iran. It starts in the capital, Tehran, passes through Kashan, Isfahan and Yazd, and ends in Shiraz (or runs in reverse). The whole route covers about 1,100 km and links the heritage of several eras of Persian civilization, including the Safavid, Seljuk and Achaemenid. Highlights: in Isfahan, Imam Square (the world's second-largest square), Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque and the Si-o-se-pol (33-Arch Bridge); in Kashan, Fin Garden, the traditional merchant houses and the nearby red-earth village of Abyaneh; in Yazd, the mud-brick old town, wind towers, the Zoroastrian Towers of Silence and the fire temple; in Shiraz, the colored light of the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque (the Pink Mosque), the Tomb of Hafez and Eram Garden; and just outside the city, Persepolis and the royal tombs of Naqsh-e Rustam. The classic itinerary takes 10–14 days: Tehran 2 days → Kashan 1 day → Isfahan 3 days → Yazd 2 days (with an optional night in a desert caravanserai) → Shiraz 2–3 days (including a day trip to Persepolis), then fly from Shiraz back to Tehran or onward out of the country. Between cities, long-distance VIP buses and domestic flights are the main options and are inexpensive; there are also trains from Tehran to Isfahan and Yazd. International bank cards do not work in Iran, so bring enough foreign cash. Women must wear a headscarf. The situation in the Middle East can change quickly, so check your government's travel advisory before you go.