Arg-e-Karim Khan

Arg-e-Karim Khan was built in 1180 AH (1766-7). Karim Khan invited the best architects and artists of the time and bought the best materials from other cities and abroad for the construction of the citadel of Karim Khan, which was quickly constructed. During the Zand dynasty, it was used by the king as living quarters. During the Qajar period, it was used as the governor's seat.

Prince Abdolhosein Mirza Farmanfarma, governor of Fars Province, ordered the miniatures in the citadel to be renovated. After the fall of the Qajar Dynasty, it was converted into a prison and the paintings were plastered over. In 1971 it was given to Iran's Cultural Heritage Organization.

Bathhouse of Arg-e-Karimkhani

On the very southeastern part corner of the courtyard, there’s a door that leads to the Arg-e-Karimkhani’s bathhouse, Hammam. This magnificent bathhouse has got all the architectural sections of any similar structures, which make it worth a visit.

Vakil Bazaar

Bazaar-E-Vakil of Shiraz is one of the most famous historical and traditional bazaars of Iran. This bazaar had been built with the order of Karim Khan Zand (Iranian King) at about 200 years ago. The Bazaar has beautiful courtyards, caravansarais, bathhouses, and old shops which are deemed among the best places in Shiraz to buy all kinds of Persian rugs, spices, copper handicrafts, and antiques. All the financial, business, internal, and external exchanges have been taken place in this bazaar and it had been the financial heart of Shiraz and now it still serves people’s demands and one can buy Shiraz souvenirs and handicrafts out here. Vakil Bazaar is a must-visit spot in Shiraz. Even if you don’t want to buy anything, you’ll be mesmerized by the beauty and atmosphere of this market.

Eram Garden 

Visiting the historic Eram Garden is one of the top things to do in Shiraz. In the center of the garden, there is an old pavilion, and it is one of the best examples of Persian Gardens. Eram garden was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011 -the symbol of Persian gardens-and found worldwide fame. Fortunately, at present, it attracts visitors from all walks of life, not only for its historical identity but also for its beauty and as a botanical research center.

Additionally, the garden bears a favorable environment for over 45 plant species and many cultivars to be grown identified and labeled accordingly. It has a vast area allocated to fruit trees including pomegranates, sour oranges, persimmons, olives, and walnuts. In the rock garden part, a wide range of beautiful sub-tropical plants are on display. The beautiful 200-year-old towering cypress trees are globally known as (Sarv-e- Naz) attract visitors from around the world to the garden.

The building within the garden is regarded as a masterpiece of Qajar era concerning its architecture, painting, tiling, chiseling, lithography. The columns of the building are covered by monolithic Gandomak slabs of more than two meters high on which poems by famous Iranian literary figures Hafez, Saadi, and Shourideh Shirazi are carved.

Afif-Abad or Golshan Garden

Afif-Abad or Golshan Garden has been built by Mirza Ali Mohammad Khan gave al-Mulk. It’s one of the most beautiful historical gardens of Shiraz, south of Iran that covers a 127000 square meters ground. Its building has an area of 1700 square meters. This garden was very important in the Safavid era and was the recreation place of the king. The Afif Abad was called Baq-e Golshan (the Gulshan garden) at that time. It was located in the affluent Afif-Abad district of Shiraz; the complex was constructed in 1863. It contains a former royal mansion, a historical weapons museum, and a Persian garden, all open to the public. It's an old and beautiful garden with its residence in the middle of the city. A very quiet and pleasant place to visit and take lots of photos even for couples.

Pasargad

Pasargad was the first dynastic capital of the Achaemenid Empire, founded by Cyrus II the Great, in shiraz. Its palaces, gardens, and the mausoleum of Cyrus are outstanding examples of the first phase of royal Achaemenid art and architecture and exceptional testimonies of Persian civilization. Particularly noteworthy vestiges in the 160-ha site include The Mausoleum of Cyrus II; Tall-e Takht, a fortified terrace; and a royal ensemble of gatehouse, audience hall, residential palace and gardens. Pasargadae was the capital of the first great multicultural empire in Western Asia. Spanning the Eastern Mediterranean and Egypt to the Hindus River, it is considered to be the first empire that respected the cultural diversity of its different peoples. This was reflected in Achaemenid architecture, a synthetic representation of different cultures.

Founded in the 6th century BC in the heartland of Fars province, Pasargadae was the earliest capital of the Achaemenid (First Persian) Empire. The city was created by Cyrus the Great with contributions from the different peoples who comprised the first great multicultural empire in Western Asia. The archaeological remains of its palaces and garden layout as well as the tomb of Cyrus constitute an outstanding example of the first phase of the evolution of royal Achaemenid art and architecture and exceptional testimony to the Achaemenid civilization in Persia. The “Four Gardens” type of royal ensemble, which was created in Pasargadae, became a prototype for Western Asian architecture and design.

Perspolis 

The World Heritage Listed center of the great Persian Empire, the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenians, and the showpiece of Achaemenian art, Persepolis (Capital of Persia in Greek) is a historic site in Fars Province, 60 km to the northeast of Shiraz. Iranians call it Takht-e Jamshid (throne of Jamshid), Jamshid being the first, probably mythical, ruler of Iran. This magnificent court was the summer residence of the Achaemenian emperors and their official reception quarters. It must be by some strange accident of history that Persepolis was never mentioned in foreign records, for it was here that representatives of all the varied peoples of the empire gathered to pay homage, and bring tribute, to the King of Kings, probably each spring, at the time of the ancient Nowruz festival. Although set on fire and destroyed by Alexander in a gesture symbolizing the destruction of Persian imperial power, it’s still impressive ruins permit a fairly complete reconstruction of its original appearance.

Hafezieh

Hafez is the 14th-century poet of Iran who was born, lived, and died in Shiraz. Iran was ruled by the Ilkhanid era. The love poems of Hafiz with their mystical interpretations can be specifically assigned to anybody when reading them.

Hafiz was born in 1326 A.D.He believed that life is too short and human beings should enjoy their lives so that they will not regret anything. Hafiz and his beliefs were greatly admired by Goethe, the great modern German literature genius.

The tombstone of Hafiz lies in a beautiful garden which is another sample of Persian gardens. The architecture of this monument is amazing. The mausoleum has 8 pillars which signify the century when he lived.

Iranians love Hafiz and his poetry and respect him a lot. During the feasts and ceremonies such as Yalda night when families gather together, they read lines of poetry from Hafiz.

Quran gate

Quran gate is one of the old gates in Shiraz and today is known as a historical monument. This gate is located on the North East side of the city. Initially, this gate was built by Adud al-Dowla and there was a Quran placed on top of the gate that moles believe that anyone who exits the city is blessed by it. This gate was renovated during the reign of Karim Khan Zand and a small room was added to the top of the gate.

Like many other gates in Iran, Quran Gate has an outstanding arch that is decorated with some verses of the Quran. Quran is kept in the small room above the gate with delicate latticework on its windows. There is also colorful tiling on the structure of the gate that keeps it eye-catching. The gate is also decorated with lights at night and its visual effect on the spectator seems to be multiplied. The majestic view of the gate leaves everyone in deep appreciation.

Saadieh

Tomb of Saadi is one of the tourism attractions of Shiraz city. Saadi is one of the great Iranian poets who has many lovers. The mausoleum of this great poet, like other poets of this city, is a very beautiful example of unique Persian gardens.

The grave is inside an octagonal edifice on top of which stands an amazing azure blue dome and inside the mausoleum all around the walls are inscribed with verses of Saadi’s poems. Inside the mausoleum yard and in front of the entrance of the tomb lies a beautiful pond. People throw coins into the pond so that their wishes would come true. Inside the gorgeous atmosphere of the garden, you can listen to traditional Persian music which is played in the garden. Across from the entrance of this garden, stands a traditional ice cream shopping stall which is very popular.

There is a poem from Saadi written on top of the entrance of the United Nations:

Human beings are members of a whole, In the creation of one essence and soul.

If one member is afflicted with pain, Other members uneasy will remain.

Shah Cheraq holy shrine

This third holiest shrine of Iran is the funerary monument hosting the brother of Imam Reza, one of the 12 Shia Imams. The tombs with their remarkable onion-shaped domes were pilgrimage centers in the 14th century. This place is one of the most significant places of pilgrimage inside the city of Shiraz. Its new architecture follows the architecture of shrines with a big yard and has a picturesque, breathtaking design. The entrance to this holy and impressive shrine is free. Inside the building is decorated with numerous mirror works that make you dazzle. This shrine is one of the most elegant and charming ones even in Iran. At night the sparkling lights make an amazing spectacle in this eye-catching manmade attraction site. The shrine is beautiful at any time of the day but especially at dawn and night time when you can admire the beauty of the reflected colors and lights of the tiles. You will not be able to grasp the splendor of this architectural work of art if I explain just in words; so please when you travel to Shiraz, Iran, do pay a visit to this gorgeous religious site.

Nasirol Molk mosque

Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque or Pink Mosque is located in the city of Shiraz and was built in Qajar era by Nasir Al-Mulk that is the most colorful and wonderful mosque in Iran. its porch is festooned with colorful tile working and has the highest number of different colors in its construction using colors caressing the eyes. This gorgeously colorful place of worship is filled with relaxation as you enter it. In fall and winter seasons when sunlight shines through the colorful glasses, it presents as exemplary beauty to the interior of the bedchamber, making this mosque outstandingly aesthetical among other mosques of Iran. The tiling and paintings of the bedchambers are of exceptional beauty as well. You will surely be mesmerized by the beauty of this simple mosque in Iran. This mosque is one of the most frequently visited attractions inside the city of Shiraz and it is among the top list of sites visited daily by tourists in Iran as its architecture is unique employing many colors each having a different purpose.

Vakil Mosque

Vakil Mosque is a spectacular mosque that had been constructed for the people of Shiraz to do their daily religious duties and say their prayers. This mosque’s entrance has a portal with great tile works in colors of green, blue and yellow which gives everybody a relaxing effect. The mosque is colossal with a central pond inside its yard which reminds the religious people when doing ablution of the temporary world in this transient life when their faces fade away in the reflection of water waves and they attest to the greatest power in the universe that is the Almighty.  

Narenjestan Garden

Narenjestan or Qavam Garden of Shiraz dates back to Qajar era and is located on the eastern side of the end of Lotfali Khan Zand Avenue. Narenjestan building has been a place where ordinary people went for administrative purposes and public meetings, as well as meetings among Qajar dignitaries and nobles, were held there. Construction of the building started by Ali Mohammad Khan Qavam-ol-Molk in 1257-1267 AH and was completed by Mirza Mohammad Reza Khan, the building has been rehabilitated once by Ebrahim Qavam and has been decorated with mirrors, paintings, tilework, plasterwork, and inlay. It is an architectural feat of Qajar period.

Narenjestan building has been constructed by artisans of Shiraz over 3,500 square meters of land with a total foundation area of 940 square meters in two northern and southern wings. The building stands two meters above the yard and is mainly made of bricks. Its ceiling is covered with beautiful paintings in warm colors and varied patterns. Outside the building, you can see bas-reliefs of Achaemenid soldiers, lions, tombs, and pictures of fighting mythological creatures that have been inspired by carvings at Persepolis. A stone pool in addition to the date and sour orange trees are facing the building. Ebrahim Khan Qavam-ol-Molk dedicated this beautiful building to the University of Shiraz in 1966. It is now Narenjestan Museum which is affiliated to the Faculty of Architecture of the same university.

Naqsh-e Rajab

Naqsh-e Rajab is an archaeological site just east of Istakhr and about 12 km north of Persepolis in Fars province, Iran. Together with Naqsh e Rostam, which lies less than a kilometer away, the site is part of the Marvdasht cultural complex. Together, the two sites are a tentative candidate for UNESCO world heritage status. Naqsh-e Rajab is the site of four limestone rockface inscriptions and bas-reliefs that date to the early Sassanid era. One of the carvings is the investiture inscription of Ardeshir 1, the founder of the dynasty. The second investiture inscription is Ardeshir’s successor, Shapour 1. A third bas-relief, known as ‘Shapur’s Parade’ celebrates the king’s military victory in 244 over the Roman Emperor Valerian and Philip the Arab. A fourth bas-relief and inscription is attributed to Kartir, a high priest under Shapur I and his sons Hormizd1 and Bahram1.

Naqsh-e Rustam

Naqsh-e Rustam is one of the most spectacular and awe-inspiring ancient sites of the Achaemenid Empire, consisting of the colossal tombs of Persian kings dating back to the first millennium BC.  It stands as a lasting memory of a once-powerful empire that ruled over a significant portion of the ancient world

Naqsh-e Rustam (meaning Throne of Rustam) is located approximately 5 km (3 miles) to the northwest of Persepolis, the capital of the former Achaemenid (Persian) Empire in present-day in Iran. Engraved on the façade of a mountain range considered sacred in the Elamite periods are the rock-cut tombs of Achaemenid rulers and their families dating to the 4 th and 5th centuries BC, as well as richly decorated reliefs carved by the Sasanians in the 3 rd century AD.

In addition to being a royal necropolis, Naqsh-e Rustam became a major ceremonial center for the Sasanians until the 7 th century. According to some sources, it was this figure that locals associated with the mythical hero of the Shahnameh writings in the “book of the kings”, named Rustam, hence the name of the site.  

Miankaleh peninsula