Create meetup in Qomchevron_right
Select a place on the map to change the location.
I want to meet
Verified required?
explore Qom Guides
Things to Do in Qom (2026)
The Fatima Masumeh Shrine is the spiritual heart of Qom, drawing pilgrims year-round. The golden dome and mirrored courtyards are stunning, and non-Muslims can enter the o… 🕌 Visit the Holy Shrine
The Fatima Masumeh Shrine is the spiritual heart of Qom, drawing pilgrims year-round. The golden dome and mirrored courtyards are stunning, and non-Muslims can enter the outer precincts respectfully. Arrive early morning to avoid crowds, especially during religious holidays.
📚 Explore the Theological Seminaries
Qom is Iran's center of Shia learning, with historic seminaries like the Fayzieh School. You can join a free guided tour in English arranged through the Qom Seminary Visitors Center. Dress modestly and expect separate entrances for men and women.
🏛️ Discover the Qom Bazaar
The traditional bazaar near the shrine offers saffron, pistachios, and religious souvenirs. Haggle politely, and stop for a glass of fresh pomegranate juice at one of the juice stalls. The bazaar is busiest in the late afternoon after prayer times.
🏞️ Hike in the Surrounding Mountains
Just 20 minutes south of the city, the Kuh-e Khargushi trail offers panoramic views of Qom and the desert. It's a moderate 2-hour hike best done at sunrise or sunset. Bring water and a hat, as shade is scarce.
🕌 See the Jamkaran Mosque
Located 6 kilometers east of Qom, the Jamkaran Mosque is a major pilgrimage site associated with the Twelfth Imam. The vast complex includes prayer halls and a well where devotees toss written wishes. Free shuttle buses run from the shrine area every 30 minutes.
🍽️ Taste Local Qomi Cuisine
Try the regional dish 'dizi' (meat and chickpea stew) at traditional restaurants like Sofreh Khaneh Sonnati. For a sweet treat, sample 'sohan', a saffron brittle, from the bazaar's confectionery stalls. Most eateries near the shrine serve lunch from noon to 3 PM.
🏛️ Visit the Qom Museum
Housed in a former bathhouse, the Qom Museum displays Islamic ceramics, coins, and calligraphy. It's located on Moallem Street, a 10-minute walk from the shrine. Entry costs about 50,000 IRR and it's open from 9 AM to 5 PM, except Fridays.
🌃 Stroll the Shrine at Night
After sunset, the shrine complex is beautifully illuminated, creating a serene atmosphere. The courtyards stay open until midnight, and you can join the evening prayers. This is a peaceful time to reflect and photograph the intricate tilework without daytime crowds.
fwiw the museum tip is right but if you walk 5 mins past it on moallem street there's this little hidden tea house called chaikhaneh golha that's basically a secret among locals. no sign outside, just a green door with a faded number 23. they do this mint and rosewater tea that's perfect after the shrine crowds, and the guy who runs it makes his own gaz (the iranian nougat) that's way better than anything in the bazaar. 30k toman for tea and a piece of gaz, cheapest thing you'll find in qom
the museum is worth a quick stop but don't expect more than 30 mins there, the calligraphy is the best part. if you're at the shrine at night, grab some faloodeh from the little cart outside the main gate on safa'iyeh street, it's way better than the ones inside the bazaar and only 15k toman. dizi at sofreh khaneh sonnati is solid but honestly the portions are huge so share one between two people unless you're starving
honestly the night time shrine tip is the best advice in there, i went around 10pm and it felt like a completely different city, so calm you almost forget there's millions of pilgrims there during the day. also if you're into photography the reflections in the courtyard pools after dark are gorgeous
3 Days in Qom: Itinerary 2026
Start your first day at the Fatima Masumeh Shrine, the spiritual heart of Qom. The shrine complex opens at 6:00 AM and is free to enter, but women must wear a chad… 🗺️ Day 1: Holy Shrine & Old City
Start your first day at the Fatima Masumeh Shrine, the spiritual heart of Qom. The shrine complex opens at 6:00 AM and is free to enter, but women must wear a chador (provided at the entrance). Spend the morning exploring the golden dome, mirrored halls, and the adjacent Qom Bazaar, which comes alive by 9:00 AM.
🕌 Jameh Mosque & Timcheh
After the shrine, walk 10 minutes south to the Jameh Mosque of Qom, a 9th-century structure with stunning brickwork and a peaceful courtyard. Nearby, the Timcheh-e-Bozorg (Grand Caravanserai) offers a glimpse of traditional trade; it's open daily until sunset. Grab a kebab at the adjacent Sabzi Square food stalls for lunch.
🏛️ Day 2: Museums & Parks
Begin day two at the Qom Museum of Islamic Arts, located inside the shrine complex. It houses rare Qurans and ceramics; entry is 50,000 IRR (about $1 USD). Then take a 15-minute taxi (100,000 IRR) to the Park-e-Mellat, a large green space with a lake and walking paths, perfect for a midday break.
⛰️ Kuh-e Khajeh & Evening
In the afternoon, drive 20 minutes south to Kuh-e Khajeh, a hill offering panoramic views of the city and surrounding desert. The climb takes 30 minutes and is best before sunset. For dinner, head to the Shahr-e-Ghods neighborhood, where local restaurants serve traditional dizi (meat stew) for around 200,000 IRR.
🚌 Day 3: Nearby Villages
Take a 45-minute bus from Qom's terminal (departures every hour from 7:00 AM) to the village of Qahan, known for its ancient qanats (underground water channels). A guided tour costs 300,000 IRR and includes a traditional lunch. Return to Qom by 3:00 PM for the afternoon.
🛍️ Shopping & Souvenirs
Spend your last afternoon in the Bazaar-e-Bozorg (Grand Bazaar), located just north of the shrine. Look for saffron, rosewater, and handmade carpets; bargaining is expected. The bazaar closes around 8:00 PM, so plan to finish your shopping by then.
🚕 Getting Around Qom
Taxis within the city cost 50,000-150,000 IRR per ride; agree on the fare before starting. The bus network is cheap (10,000 IRR per ride) but routes can be confusing for non-Persian speakers. Walking is feasible in the central area, but for longer distances, use ride-hailing apps like Snapp or Tapsi.
💰 Budget & Practical Tips
A 3-day budget of about $50-70 USD per person covers food, transport, and entry fees. ATMs are scarce near the shrine, so carry cash. Most attractions close on Friday mornings; check hours in advance. Dress modestly at all times, especially near religious sites.
I spent a good chunk of my last trip just sitting in the courtyard of the Fatima Masumeh Shrine around sunset. The tile work catches the light in a way that photos never really capture, and it's much quieter than the morning rush. If you're into photography, bring a zoom lens because you can't take pictures inside the main hall but the outer iwans are fair game.
For the dizi in Shahr-e-Ghods, I'd recommend Haj Mahmoud over the others near the main square. It's the one with the blue sign and no English menu, but the staff are used to pointing at what you want. They'll bring the mortar and pestle to your table so you can mash it yourself, which is half the fun. Just don't go after 9 PM because they often run out of bread by then.
The guide's right about Snapp being useful, but the app sometimes doesn't work well with foreign SIM cards. If you're having trouble, just flag down any passing taxi and say "Snapp nist" as a joke, most drivers will laugh and give you a fair price anyway.
the timing on the shrine is good advice but i'd add that the best time to go is right after fajr prayer around 5am when it's nearly empty and the lighting inside is incredible. also worth noting that the chadors they provide at the entrance are often used so bring your own if you can
for food skip the sabzi square stalls and walk five minutes east to chelo kababi yekta on 15 khordad street instead. their barg is the best in the city and costs about 250,000 IRR but the portions are huge
one thing the guide doesn't mention is the jamkaran mosque about 6km east of the city. it's a major pilgrimage site especially on tuesday nights and the free shuttle from the shrine runs every 30 minutes after maghrib. the well there is something else even if you're not religious
the bus to qahan is fine but honestly the village itself is a bit touristy now. if you have time take the same bus route another 20 minutes to veshnaveh instead. the qanats there are less restored but more authentic and the locals are friendlier about showing you around for free
cash is definitely key but there's a reliable exchange office on safaie street just west of the shrine that gives better rates than the banks. they're open 8am to 4pm saturday through wednesday
One thing the guide doesn't mention is that the Qom Bazaar has a dedicated section for turban fabric and religious scrolls on the second floor, near the entrance closest to the shrine's east gate. It's a quiet corner where you can watch scribes hand-painting prayer texts, which makes a more unique souvenir than the usual saffron.
For the Park-e-Mellat break, I'd suggest walking to the northeast corner where there's a small tea house tucked under the trees. They serve a strong, cardamom-laced chai for 15,000 IRR and the owner usually puts out free dates if you're sitting there for a while. It's a good spot to rest before heading to Kuh-e Khajeh.
If you end up at the Jameh Mosque, look for the small inscription on the southern iwan's left pillar. It's a 14th-century tile marking the spot where a local scholar used to teach, and most guides walk right past it. The caretaker will point it out if you ask, but he only speaks Persian.