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3 Days in Kermanshah: Itinerary 2026
Start your first day at the Grand Bazaar of Kermanshah, open from 9 AM to 8 PM, where you can wander through spice stalls and carpet shops. From there, walk five minutes toβ¦ πΊοΈ Day 1: Old City Core
Start your first day at the Grand Bazaar of Kermanshah, open from 9 AM to 8 PM, where you can wander through spice stalls and carpet shops. From there, walk five minutes to the Tekyeh Moaven al-Molk, a stunning Qajar-era building with mirror work and tile panels, open 8 AM to 5 PM. In the evening, head to the nearby Jameh Mosque of Kermanshah, built in the 12th century, and enjoy a traditional dinner at the Haj Hossein Restaurant on Modarres Street.
ποΈ Day 2: Taq Bostan and Beyond
Dedicate the morning to Taq Bostan, a UNESCO-listed site with rock reliefs from the Sassanid era, located about 5 kilometers northeast of the city center; take a taxi for around 150,000 rials (about $3) and arrive by 9 AM to beat the crowds. After exploring the site, visit the nearby Museum of Anthropology, housed in a traditional bathhouse, open 8 AM to 4 PM. In the afternoon, drive 20 minutes to the Moaven al-Molk Tekyeh, which you may have missed, but if you saw it, instead visit the Emad o Dolah Mosque, a hidden gem with intricate brickwork.
β°οΈ Day 3: Nature and Local Life
Spend your final day at Bisotun, a UNESCO World Heritage site with the famous inscription of Darius the Great, located 30 kilometers east of Kermanshah; take a shared taxi (savari) from the main terminal for about 200,000 rials per person, and plan to spend 3 hours there. On your way back, stop at the Tagh-e Gara, a natural cave with a small waterfall, just 10 minutes off the main road. In the evening, stroll through the Park-e Shahr (City Park) and try local sweets like koloocheh at the Shater Abbas bakery on Jomhouri Street.
π Getting Around
Kermanshah's city center is compact, so walking is the best way to explore the old bazaar and nearby sights. For longer distances, use the city's bus network, with fares at 10,000 rials, or hop in a taxi; short rides within the center cost around 100,000 rials, while trips to the outskirts like Taq Bostan run 150,000 to 200,000 rials. For Bisotun, shared taxis depart from the Kermanshah Bus Terminal on Modarres Boulevard every 30 minutes from 7 AM to 6 PM.
π½οΈ Where to Eat
For authentic Kermanshahi cuisine, try Dizi (a lamb and chickpea stew) at the traditional restaurant Saraye Sefid, located inside the bazaar, open noon to 4 PM. For a quick lunch, grab a kebab sandwich from the popular Javad's Kebab on Shariati Street, priced around 120,000 rials. In the evening, head to the upscale Shandiz Restaurant on Ferdowsi Boulevard, which serves grilled meats and local appetizers, with mains starting at 300,000 rials.
π° Money and Prices
Kermanshah is one of Iran's more affordable cities; a budget traveler can get by on about $20 per day, including a hostel bed, meals, and local transport. Entrance fees are low: Taq Bostan costs 200,000 rials, Bisotun 150,000 rials, and the Tekyeh Moaven al-Molk 100,000 rials. Carry cash, as credit cards are not accepted; exchange money at the official exchange offices on Modarres Street, where rates are better than at hotels.
π Evening Strolls
As the sun sets, join locals at the Moaven al-Molk Tekyeh courtyard, which is beautifully lit until 9 PM, and often hosts cultural events. For a more relaxed evening, walk along the Simeryeh River promenade, where street vendors sell roasted corn and tea. If you're up for a lively scene, head to the Cafe Naderi on Jomhouri Street, open until midnight, for strong Persian coffee and people-watching.
π Planning Tips
Book your accommodation in advance, especially during the Persian New Year (Nowruz) in late March, when hotels fill up quickly; the Parsian Hotel on Modarres Boulevard is a reliable mid-range option. Dress modestly, as Kermanshah is a conservative city, and women should carry a headscarf for visits to religious sites. Finally, learn a few phrases in Kurdish, as many locals speak it, and they'll appreciate your effort.
The itinerary is well put together, and I'd back the call on Taq Bostan in the morning, the light on the reliefs is much better before noon. One thing the guide doesn't mention: the bazaar has a separate coppersmiths' lane, just off the main spice corridor, where you can watch them hammering trays and pots. It's free, it's loud, and it's a better souvenir stop than the carpet shops if you want something small and real.
For the Bisotun day, don't skip the little spring-fed pool at the base of the cliff, it's where the locals picnic and the water is shockingly cold even in summer. And if you're there on a Friday, the savari back to town fills up fast, so either leave by 1 PM or be ready to wait an hour at the terminal.
yeah the guide nailed the essentials but one thing it glosses over is the food scene outside the tourist spots. skip shandiz honestly, it's fine but overpriced for what it is. instead hit the kebab place on shariati street near the bazaar, the one with the yellow sign, it's called something like abbas's grill and the koobideh there is insane, like 80,000 rials and they give u free yogurt with it. locals queue there at noon for a reason.
also for the bisotun trip, if u got time after the inscription, walk up the little path behind the caravanserai, there's a second smaller relief hidden up there that most people miss. it's not marked or anything, just a worn stone face, but it's way more intimate than the big one and u'll have it to yourself. takes like 15 mins extra and worth it. i found it by accident last spring and it was the highlight of my day.
this guide is solid, especially the bazaar route. one thing i'd add: skip the museum of anthropology if you're tight on time and instead grab a glass of doogh at the little stand right outside taq bostan, it's the best in the city and the guy there has been running it for like 20 years. also, the haj hossein restaurant is good but it gets packed with tour groups, if u want the real local vibe try the dizi at saraye sefid for lunch instead, it's way quieter and the bread is fresher. oh and for the simeryeh promenade at night, it's lovely but watch ur step near the river, some of the paving stones are loose, i almost ate it there last year lol
Things to Do in Kermanshah (2026)
Begin your visit at Taq-e Bostan, the ancient rock reliefs carved into a cliff face just northeast of the city. The site is open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and the entβ¦ ποΈ Start at Taq-e Bostan
Begin your visit at Taq-e Bostan, the ancient rock reliefs carved into a cliff face just northeast of the city. The site is open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and the entrance fee is around 200,000 rials (about $2). Arrive early to beat the tour groups and enjoy the intricate Sassanian carvings in quiet light.
πΊ Explore the Bazaar
Wander through the historic Bazaar-e Tarikeh, a covered market that dates back to the Qajar era. You'll find everything from handwoven Kurdish carpets to saffron and local sweets. Haggle politely, but keep in mind that prices are already fair compared to Tehran. The bazaar is busiest in the late morning, so go around 10 AM for the best atmosphere.
π½οΈ Taste Kurdish Cuisine
Don't leave without trying dandeh, a slow-cooked lamb shank dish that is a Kermanshah specialty. Head to Restaurant Haj Nader, located on Modarres Street, where a full meal costs about 500,000 rials per person. Pair it with a glass of doogh, a tangy yogurt drink, and finish with nan-e berenji, a local rice cookie.
ποΈ Visit Bisotun
Take a half-day trip to Bisotun, a UNESCO World Heritage site about 30 kilometers east of the city. The main attraction is the famous inscription of Darius the Great, carved high on a limestone cliff. A shared taxi from Kermanshah costs around 300,000 rials, and the site is open from 8 AM to 5 PM. Allow at least two hours to explore the archaeological remains and the nearby spring.
π See the Moaven al-Molk Tekyeh
This 19th-century religious complex is a hidden gem in the city center, known for its dazzling mirror work and tile panels. It's located on Hajiizadeh Street, and the entrance fee is 150,000 rials. The tekyeh is especially atmospheric in the late afternoon when the light filters through the colored glass windows.
π Getting Around
Kermanshah has a reliable network of city buses and shared taxis, but the most convenient way to get around is by using ride-hailing apps like Snapp or Tapsi. A typical ride within the city costs between 50,000 and 100,000 rials. For day trips to nearby sights, negotiate a price with a taxi driver or rent a car from agencies near the central square.
π Evening Stroll at Park-e Shahr
As the sun sets, join locals at Park-e Shahr, the city's central park, where families gather for picnics and tea. The park is free to enter and stays lively until late evening. Grab a saffron ice cream from a nearby kiosk and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, especially during the warm summer months.
ποΈ Shop for Local Crafts
For authentic souvenirs, visit the handicraft shops around the Bazaar-e Tarikeh, where you can find traditional Kurdish felt hats and woven textiles. The Kermanshah Handicrafts Center on Modarres Street offers workshops where you can watch artisans at work. Prices are fixed here, so no haggling is needed, and they accept both cash and cards.
The guide is solid, especially the tip about getting to Taq-e Bostan early. I'd add that if you're there on a Friday, the park around Bisotun fills up with local families having picnics, so the atmosphere is livelier but the spring can get crowded. For dandeh, Haj Nader is good, but I actually prefer the version at Saray-e Haji Khan, a smaller place tucked inside the old caravanserai near the bazaar; it's a bit more rustic and the meat falls off the bone even easier. One thing the guide doesn't mention: the bus to Bisotun from the central terminal is cheaper than a shared taxi, about 100,000 rials, and it drops you right at the site entrance, so you don't need to negotiate. Also, don't skip the little museum at Taq-e Bostan, it's tiny but has a good model of the Sassanian court that makes the carvings make more sense.
solid write up, the bazaar tip is spot on. if ur there on a friday, the bazaar-e tarikeh gets a bit chaotic but that's when the real local stuff shows up, like fresh nan-e berenji straight from the oven stalls. also, for the tekyeh, check if the caretaker is around, he sometimes unlocks the upper balcony, that view of the mirror work from above is way better than ground level. one thing i'd add: grab a kermanshahi roghan (clarified butter) from the dairy shops near the bazaar, it's a weird souvenir but locals swear by it for cooking, tastes nothing like the stuff u find elsewhere. and if ur doing bisotun, bring water, the climb up to the inscription is no joke in summer heat, there's a tiny spring at the base but the path itself is exposed.
nice guide, covers the big ones well. the bazaar-e tarikeh tip about morning is smart, i'd actually say go even earlier, like 9, before the shopkeepers fully open their shutters, you can see the old tile work on the facades that gets hidden by all the hanging goods later. also, if you're into photography, the rooftop of the tekyeh is worth asking for, the caretaker there is usually chill about it, you get a great angle on the minarets and the whole courtyard. for a cheap meal that's not dandeh, try the kaleh pacheh spots near the central square around 7am, it's a whole different experience, super local, and you'll be the only tourist there. one thing nobody mentions: the bus from the airport into town is like 30,000 rials and takes 40 minutes, way cheaper than the taxi, and it drops you near the main terminal so you can hop straight to bisotun from there if you're efficient.