Location: Esfahan
Top Things to do in Esfahan
Top 10 Sights & Landmarks in Esfahan, Isfahan Province
Isfahan (Persian: اصفهان, translit. Esfahān [esfæˈhɒːn] ( listen)), historically also rendered in English as Ispahan, Sepahan, Esfahan or Hispahan, is the capital of Isfahan Province in Iran, located about 340 kilometres (211 miles) south of Tehran.
Restaurants in Esfahan
1. Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 806 reviews
Reviewed By Freedom780195 - Iran, null
Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque is one of the most beautiful monuments in Isfahan, Specially about color combination in tiles,perfect light distribution,Geometrical glorious arcs, and the shiniest point "mysterious reflect of the voices",between buildings of its own kind kinds
2. Naqsh-e Jahan Square
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,160 reviews
Reviewed By DominicDeBurca - Dunmore East, Ireland
Definitely one of the highlights of my entire Iranian itinerary. Just loved this place and the wonderful atmosphere (particularly at night) when a lot of local families come to socialize and have outdoor picnics or take a ride around the square in one of the many horse-drawn carriages.
3. Houyeh Village
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By mohammadrezamokhtari - Tehran, Iran
Love to spend some time far from cars and tall bulidings? You may need to spend a day or two in Houyeh village. Houyeh is located near Isfahan city center ( about 20 minutes by car) and benefits from several cultural and natural attractions. Zayandehrood river passes through Houyeh during its way towards Isfahan. There are also seven pigeon towers with more than 200 years of age. These buildings were built by local farmers centuries ago in order to collect pigeon feces which is proved as an effective organic fertilizer. Houyeh is also well-renowned for its traditional,religious ceremony called "Ta'zeeyeh" which is held in Moharram (the first month of the year in arabic lunar calendar) every year. This is a religious ceremony to show and rememeber how Imam Hussein and his family were killed by enemy troops in Karbala more than one thousand years ago. In recent years, a Zurkhaneh (a special place for doing Iranian traditional sport) has been built in the village, and it is worthwhile to spend some time in the evening at Zurkhaneh watching Houyeh's people performing some unique sport activities. After spending about half a day in the village, you may feel a bit hungry. Well, do not worry! Houyeh's women are famous for their cooking! You will be hosted by a local family and will enjoy a healthy, traditional food which is cooked with fresh and mostly organic ingredients. That's it! Enjoy your stay at Houyeh village:)
4. Ali Qapu Palace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 697 reviews
Reviewed By NiliTravel
Ali Qapo is located on the west side of the Naqshe Jahan square and in front of the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, which was in fact the residence of Shah Abbas Safavid. He invited high-ranking and high- powered guests to this mansion. During the Safavid period, Aali Qapo was known as the "Palace of the State House" and the "Government House of the Holy Role of the World".
5. Khaju Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 953 reviews
Reviewed By Taffoolie - Paris, France
This is again another amazing architecture gem in Isfahan , both day and night this place is amazing. At night time you have the singers coming singing under the bridge.the bridge from one side does a barrage for the water and from the other side it is a beautiful sound of water going to the river. So peaceful so beautiful.
6. Si O Se Pol Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 996 reviews
Reviewed By DominicDeBurca - Dunmore East, Ireland
This bridge is clearly a great favourite with locals, many of whom congregate there to take photos, meet, have picnics and cool down by wading in the shallow waters.
7. Royal Mosque (Masjid-i-Shah)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 135 reviews
Reviewed By RodF428 - Royal Wootton Bassett, United Kingdom
We had just visited the beautiful Sheikh Lotfullah mosque, but even that pales before the grandeur of the Royal mosque, which was built from 18,000,000 sun-dried bricks, and 475,000 tiles. The entrance portal ensemble has been described as the finest in all of the Islamic world. The arch is an immense structure, some 90 feet high, flanked by minarets some 120 feet tall. This is mostly decorated with true, individually cut mosaic tiles, but is flanked by a mixture of true mosaics, and haft-rangi (7-coloured) tiles. The use of this technique allowed for much faster tile production, and thus completion of the complex. The main courtyard and prayer halls are coloured in tilework lacks the richness of true tilework, and is a paler blue than the gentian blue of Timurid tilework. With so much of the walls coloured in tiles, that probably softens what would otherwise be a riot of bright colours. If you stand in the centre of the sanctuary and clap, the acoustics are extraordinary. One big surprise was the inclusion of animal figures on some sanctuary tiles. I didn't expect that! A truly amazing complex.
8. Chehel Sotoun
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 521 reviews
Reviewed By rasoolzabihi91 - Isfahan, Iran
Beautiful garden, breathtaking paintings & wonderful architecture has made this palace one of the nicest one in Isfahan.
9. Shah Mosque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 474 reviews
Reviewed By NiliTravel
Highlight: history and architecture Worth a visit?? Absolutely yes Need a tour guide: yes. Every corner is a complete mystery that can be solved by a tour guide. Time of visit: during the daytime Recommended length of visit: 1 hour Photogenic views: yes. Take photograph to your heart’s content. Located in a touristic area? Yes Public transport accessibility? Yes. On a trip to Isfahan, the first suggestion is to visit Naghsh Jahan Square. The Imam Mosque of Isfahan is one of the most significant buildings of the Safavid era, formerly known as the Shah Mosque, the New Soltani Mosque and the Jame Abbasid Mosque. This magnificent mosque dates back to four hundred years ago. Shah Abbas I built this spectacular mosque in the famous Naghsh Jahan (Imam) Square in Isfahan to be a symbol of the science and art of Iranian architecture in the world. A magnificent square to the south of which stands a large turquoise colored dome. In the seven-color tiles of Imam Mosque, blue color is superior to other colors, and the tiles have been used in designs, colors and patterns that give the mosque a heavenly and spiritual atmosphere. Another important and of course interesting point is, a 3D perspective view of this mosque is also available on "Google Earth".
10. Vank Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 865 reviews
Reviewed By DubaiYogini - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The Armenian Quarter is simply stunning! The Vank Cathedral surprisingly has so many valuable artifacts. By the time we got here I was so tired of staring at art on ceilings I was just too exhausted to take in more incredible history lessions so perhaps keep a day for Armenian Quarter. Visit the Music Museum (trust me its more interesting than it sounds) and then eat, eat ,eat. Walk around and check out the charming restaurants and then perhaps go for dessert elsewhere because there are too many spots to choose from. The Vank Cathedral architecture indicates co-existance thousands of yrs back as u see the Islamic dome and the Christian pointed arch.
