Yazd
Overview
Yazd is in my opinion the most beautiful city in Iran. In terms of seeing, of people, accomodation, food, teahouses… Yazd has everything, so it is really a must. In addition, what makes it so special is that it is set in the middle of the desert and all the old town is made from mudbricks with are plenty of badgirs or windtowers making it even more beautiful.
We only stayed there 2 days, but 4, 5 or even a week is recomendable to fully enjoy the city.
We only stayed there 2 days, but 4, 5 or even a week is recomendable to fully enjoy the city.
Sightseeing
Walking around the old town is Yazd’s biggest attraction. Plenty of mudbrick buildings and narrow streets make you feel being centuries ago in a really Persian city in the desert. If to this you add mosques, palaces, windtowers and nice teahouses you get an almost perfect city.
-Jameh Mosque: The main mosque in Yazd is a huge building with beautiful blue-tiled interior. Get inside in the evening and go to the mihrab for an Islamic experience. Free entrance.
-Bogheh-ye Sayyed Roknaddin Shrine: Nearby the Jameh Mosque, it was undergoing some renovations when we visited it. It’s nice from outside but nothingspecial from the inside. Free entrance.
-Alexander Prison and the Tomb of the 12 Imams: Deep into the old town and set in a beautiful square you find these 2 buildings made, of course, of mudbrick. You have to paya n entrance fee but it is enough to admire them from the outside.
-Amir Chakhmaq complex: Set in a square outside the old town, this complex cannot be visited inside (some renovations going on), but from the outside, especially at night, is really worth seeing. There’s a fountain with nice sculptures lit at night and four badgirs, that together with a nakhl (wooden structure used in religious processions) makes it pefect. Just arund a corner from the complex, there’s a Zurkhaneh “stadium”, where 3 times per day for 50000 rials you can enjoy a performance of this Iranian traditional sport. Really reccomendable!
-Zoroastrian Fire Temple: Quite far away from the old town, this temple is not worth the trip. Inside it there’s nothing else than a fire supposed to be burning from centuries. Don’t go there.
-Yazd Bazaar: The most interesting bazaar in Yazd is the covered one in the old town that spreads out into the new town. Nothing realy special but the setting, with mudbrick covered streets.
-Water Museum: Right next to the complex, this museum is quite interesting to learn about the system of qanats, some kind of underground Canals that take care of all the wáter system in the city.
By walking around the Old Town, you will likely come accross a 4 windtower water reservoir, nice handicraft shops, beautiful streets and stuff, so just get lost!
-Jameh Mosque: The main mosque in Yazd is a huge building with beautiful blue-tiled interior. Get inside in the evening and go to the mihrab for an Islamic experience. Free entrance.
-Bogheh-ye Sayyed Roknaddin Shrine: Nearby the Jameh Mosque, it was undergoing some renovations when we visited it. It’s nice from outside but nothingspecial from the inside. Free entrance.
-Alexander Prison and the Tomb of the 12 Imams: Deep into the old town and set in a beautiful square you find these 2 buildings made, of course, of mudbrick. You have to paya n entrance fee but it is enough to admire them from the outside.
-Amir Chakhmaq complex: Set in a square outside the old town, this complex cannot be visited inside (some renovations going on), but from the outside, especially at night, is really worth seeing. There’s a fountain with nice sculptures lit at night and four badgirs, that together with a nakhl (wooden structure used in religious processions) makes it pefect. Just arund a corner from the complex, there’s a Zurkhaneh “stadium”, where 3 times per day for 50000 rials you can enjoy a performance of this Iranian traditional sport. Really reccomendable!
-Zoroastrian Fire Temple: Quite far away from the old town, this temple is not worth the trip. Inside it there’s nothing else than a fire supposed to be burning from centuries. Don’t go there.
-Yazd Bazaar: The most interesting bazaar in Yazd is the covered one in the old town that spreads out into the new town. Nothing realy special but the setting, with mudbrick covered streets.
-Water Museum: Right next to the complex, this museum is quite interesting to learn about the system of qanats, some kind of underground Canals that take care of all the wáter system in the city.
By walking around the Old Town, you will likely come accross a 4 windtower water reservoir, nice handicraft shops, beautiful streets and stuff, so just get lost!
Accomodation
Yazd is the place in Iran with the most beautiful accomodations. Normally they are traditional houses in the old town set in a beautiful patio with a pool in the middle and plenty of tables and sofas to chill out. We stayed at the Silk Road Hotel, one of the cheapest options but definitely good. At 20 USD per night the place is really worth it. If you have a higher budget, try some more luxurious option, you won't regret!
Food & Drink
Yazd is also the best place in Iran to eat. Here you can have a break from your kebab, pizza, hamburger diet and try camel stew, pasta and even Indian food. Go to any of the hotels gardens, sit down in one of the tables and enjoy your meal, as most of the hotels are also restaurants and they are the best in whole Iran.
Besides, Yazd is very famous for its sweets, which you can find in plenty of sweet shops all over the city. Make your choice and don't miss them, they're really good and cheap!
Transportation
We got to Yazd after a 3-hour bus ride from Toudeshk. From Yazd we took a bus to Shiraz, which takes some 6 hours. the bus station in Yazd is 12 km from the city center (Iranian cities have this strange tradition of having bus and train stations next to airports) but you can get to the center by minibus (you have to change, but the driver will tell you when).
To sightsee, you can walk everywhere, as Yazd is small enough.
Safety
No issues at all, perfectly safe as all Iranian cities. Normal precautions to be taken when crossing the street.
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