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3 Days in Shiraz: Itinerary 2026
Start your morning at the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque (Pink Mosque), located at Lotfali Khan Zand Street. Arrive by 7:30 AM to catch the stained glass light show. From there, wa… 🗺️ Day 1: Historical Core
Start your morning at the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque (Pink Mosque), located at Lotfali Khan Zand Street. Arrive by 7:30 AM to catch the stained glass light show. From there, walk 10 minutes to the Narenjestan-e Ghavam (Qavam House) at 9 AM, then head to the Vakil Complex (mosque, bazaar, bathhouse) nearby.
🍽️ Lunch in Vakil Bazaar
For a quick lunch, try the traditional dizi (meat stew) at Saraye-e Mehr in Vakil Bazaar, around 50,000-80,000 IRR per person. After eating, explore the bazaar's carpet and spice sections. The bazaar is open 9 AM to 9 PM, but shops close for Friday prayers.
🌹 Afternoon: Gardens and Poetry
Take a 15-minute taxi (about 100,000 IRR) to Eram Garden, a UNESCO site with stunning cypress trees and a historic mansion. Spend an hour there, then walk 20 minutes to Hafez's Tomb (Hafezieh). The tomb complex is open until 9 PM and costs 200,000 IRR for foreigners.
🌆 Evening: Vakil Bazaar Area
Return to the Vakil area for dinner at Haft Khan Restaurant (Khalili Street), serving Persian classics like kebabs and stews. Afterward, stroll through the beautifully lit Vakil Bazaar and the nearby Vakil Mosque. The bazaar stays lively until 10 PM.
🏛️ Day 2: Persepolis and Necropolis
Hire a taxi for the full day (around 2,000,000 IRR) or join a group tour. Leave Shiraz by 8 AM for the 1-hour drive to Persepolis (open 8 AM to 5 PM, entrance 500,000 IRR). Spend 2-3 hours there, then drive 15 minutes to Naqsh-e Rostam (Necropolis) to see royal tombs and reliefs.
🍲 Lunch Near Persepolis
Eat at the Persepolis Restaurant just outside the site, offering set lunches for about 150,000 IRR. Try the local specialty, kalam polo (cabbage rice with meatballs). After lunch, visit the nearby Persepolis Museum (included in the ticket) for artifacts.
🌿 Afternoon: Return and Relax
Drive back to Shiraz by 3 PM and head to the Tomb of Saadi (Saadieh) in the northeast. The garden tomb is open until 8 PM and costs 150,000 IRR. Spend an hour here, then take a taxi (50,000 IRR) to the Quran Gate (Darvazeh-e Quran) for sunset views over the city.
🎭 Evening: Cultural Performance
For dinner, visit the traditional restaurant Shater Abbas (Lotfali Khan Zand Street), known for its live music and Persian ambiance. Afterward, catch a performance at the Hafez Hall or the Shiraz Art House, both near the city center. Check schedules in advance.
🕌 Day 3: Shah Cheragh and More
Start at Shah Cheragh Holy Shrine (Ahmad ibn Musa Street), a dazzling mosque with mirror work. Non-Muslims can enter from 8 AM to 12 PM and 2 PM to 5 PM; dress modestly. Then walk 10 minutes to the Pars Museum (Nazar Garden), a small museum with artifacts from the Zand era.
🍧 Lunch and Sweet Treats
Have lunch at the popular cafe Faloodeh-e Shirazi (Hafez Street), famous for its faloodeh (frozen noodle dessert). A bowl costs about 30,000 IRR. Afterward, visit the nearby Moshir al-Molk Caravanserai, now a handicraft market, open until 8 PM.
🌄 Afternoon: Khajoo and Departure
In the late afternoon, visit the Khajoo Bridge (Pol-e Khajoo) on the Khoshk River, a beautiful Safavid-era bridge with stone platforms. Spend 30 minutes here, then head to the airport or bus terminal. Taxis to the airport cost around 150,000 IRR and take 20 minutes.
honestly this is a solid itinerary, you've covered the big ones well. one thing i'd add is that the timing for shah cheragh can be tricky - the morning slot is way less crowded but the mirrorwork hits different in the late afternoon when the sun streams through those windows, around 3:30-4pm. also, if you're up for it, skip the persepolis restaurant lunch and grab a kalam polo from one of the stalls near the entrance instead, it's about half the price and tastes more authentic imo
for day 3, consider swapping the pars museum for a quick stop at the arg of karim khan if you have time - it's literally a 5 minute walk from the vakil complex and gives you a good feel for the zand dynasty's scale without the museum fee. the courtyard there is usually empty and has nice shade for a break
one thing you didn't mention that's worth checking: the nasir al-mulk mosque gets packed by 8am so arriving at 7:30 is smart, but the light show is really best around 8:15-8:30 when the sun is higher. you can sit in the prayer hall and watch the colors shift for a good 20 minutes before the tour groups roll in
the itinerary's solid, covers the essentials without being too rushed. one thing i'd tweak is day 2's lunch - skip the persepolis restaurant entirely and grab a kalam polo from the stalls near the entrance. they're tiny places with plastic chairs but the cabbage rice is way better, about 70,000 IRR, and the lady running the one on the left side usually throws in extra bread if you smile.
for day 1, if you're at the pink mosque by 7:30, you'll have it mostly to yourself until 8. the light shifts fastest between 8 and 8:30, so don't leave right away. sit in the far corner of the prayer hall near the eastern wall, that's where the stained glass hits the carpet in overlapping colors.
on day 3, the faloodeh at faloodeh-e shirazi is good but the original shop on lotfali khan zand street near the vakil complex is better. it's a hole in the wall with no sign in english, just a green awning. get the saffron faloodeh with extra lemon juice, they mix it right at the counter.
I've done this route a few times and the itinerary is spot on, but I'd suggest swapping the Pars Museum on day 3 for a walk through the Vakil Bathhouse instead. It's already part of the complex you're near, and the wax figures and architecture give you a real sense of how people lived back then, plus it's included in the same ticket as the mosque and bazaar.
For the evening on day 1, if you're not set on Haft Khan, try the little dizi joint called Dizi Sara right inside Vakil Bazaar's Saraye-e Mehr. It's nothing fancy, just a few tables, but the owner lets you mash the stew yourself with the pestle, and it's maybe 30,000 IRR cheaper than the sit-down places. The bread there is fresh off the tandoor too.
One thing that's easy to miss: the Quran Gate at sunset is nice, but the real trick is to walk up the hill behind it, about five minutes past the gate. There's a small park with benches where locals hang out, and you get a clear view of the whole city lighting up without the crowds. Bring a water bottle, it's a bit of a climb.
Things to Do in Shiraz (2026)
No trip to Shiraz is complete without a visit to Persepolis, the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire. Located about 60 kilometers northeast of the city, it opens dai… 🏛️ Start at Persepolis
No trip to Shiraz is complete without a visit to Persepolis, the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire. Located about 60 kilometers northeast of the city, it opens daily from 8:00 AM to sunset. Hire a taxi for the day or join a guided tour to fully appreciate the ancient ruins and the nearby Naqsh-e Rostam necropolis.
🌹 Wander the Gardens
Shiraz is famous for its lush Persian gardens, and Eram Garden is the most iconic. This UNESCO World Heritage site features a stunning mansion, tall cypress trees, and fragrant flowers. Admission is around 500,000 IRR for foreign visitors, and it is best visited in the morning when the light is soft.
🕌 Visit the Pink Mosque
Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, known as the Pink Mosque, is a masterpiece of stained glass and colored tiles. Arrive before 9:00 AM to see the interior bathed in rainbow light. It is located at Lotf Ali Khan Zand Street, and the entrance fee is about 200,000 IRR.
🍽️ Taste Local Flavors
For an authentic Shirazi meal, head to Haft Khan Restaurant on the outskirts of the city. Try the classic dish of kalam polo (cabbage rice) or the famous Shirazi salad. A full meal costs around 1,500,000 IRR per person, and reservations are recommended for dinner.
📚 Explore Hafez's Tomb
The tomb of the beloved poet Hafez is a serene spot in the city center, surrounded by a beautiful garden. Locals come here to read his poetry and make wishes. The site is open until 9:00 PM, and entrance is about 200,000 IRR. Visit in the evening for a magical atmosphere.
🏺 Shop at Vakil Bazaar
Vakil Bazaar is a historic marketplace dating back to the 11th century. You will find everything from Persian rugs and spices to handicrafts and jewelry. Bargaining is expected, and the bazaar is open from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, except Fridays. Try a glass of fresh pomegranate juice at one of the stalls.
🚌 Getting Around
Shiraz has a reliable metro system with one line connecting key areas like the city center and the airport. Taxis are affordable, with short rides costing around 150,000 IRR. For Persepolis, consider a private driver for about 2,000,000 IRR round trip, or join a shared tour.
🌃 Evening Strolls
As the sun sets, head to the Quran Gate (Darvazeh-e Quran) for a panoramic view of the city. The area is popular for evening walks and has small tea houses. Alternatively, walk along the Khoshk River promenade, where locals gather to relax and enjoy the cool breeze.
This is a really solid list, you've covered the essentials well. One thing I would add is to not skip the Vakil Complex, which includes the mosque and the bathhouse right next to the bazaar. The Vakil Bathhouse has some incredible wax figures showing what a traditional hammam looked like, and it's usually much quieter than the main bazaar itself.
For a different meal, try Saraye Mehr in the old part of the bazaar for lunch. It's a small place tucked away in a courtyard and they do a fantastic dizi, which is a meat and chickpea stew you mash up yourself. It costs about half what you'd pay at a big restaurant like Haft Khan and feels more authentic.
If you're at the Pink Mosque, the best light is actually in the winter months when the sun is lower in the sky. In summer, even at 8 AM the light can be too harsh for those famous photos.
Nice list, covers the main spots well. If you have an extra day, drive out to Pasargadae, about 130 km north, to see Cyrus the Great's tomb. It's a lot quieter than Persepolis and you get a real sense of history standing there alone in the plain. The site is free and open from 8 AM to sunset, but there's not much shade so bring water.
For a sweet treat, stop by Faludeh Shirazi at the old shop on Zand Street near the Vakil Bazaar. It's a frozen rosewater and vermicelli dessert with lemon juice, costs about 50,000 IRR a bowl, and is way better than the touristy versions you'll find elsewhere.
solid list honestly, the only thing i'd add is to check out the Shah Cheragh shrine at night. the mirror work inside is insane, way more impressive than the Pink Mosque imo. they let you in for free and it's open late, just cover up properly. also if you're at Hafez's tomb, grab some tea from the little stall outside, it's super cheap and the vibe is perfect