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3 Days in Tehran: Itinerary 2026
Start your morning at the Golestan Palace (Panzdah-e Khordad Ave, 8:00-16:30, 500,000 IRR). Then walk to the Grand Bazaar (open 9:00-18:00, closed Fridays) for a… 🗺️ Day 1: Downtown & Grand Bazaar
Start your morning at the Golestan Palace (Panzdah-e Khordad Ave, 8:00-16:30, 500,000 IRR). Then walk to the Grand Bazaar (open 9:00-18:00, closed Fridays) for a chaotic but fascinating maze of shops. Have lunch at Moslem Restaurant (inside the bazaar, chelo kebab from 300,000 IRR). In the afternoon, visit the National Museum of Iran (30 Tir St, 9:00-17:00, 400,000 IRR) and end at the Treasury of National Jewels (Ferdowsi Ave, 14:00-16:30 Sat-Tue, 200,000 IRR).
🏛️ Day 2: North Tehran & Tajrish
Take a taxi (30-45 min, ~500,000 IRR) to the Sa'dabad Complex (Valiasr St, 8:00-17:00, 300,000 IRR for main palace). Explore the lush grounds and several museums. For lunch, head to Darband (Tajrish Square, hike up the trail for restaurants like Koohpaye, meals from 400,000 IRR). In the afternoon, visit the Tajrish Bazaar (open 9:00-21:00) and the nearby Imamzadeh Saleh shrine. End the day with dinner at a traditional restaurant like Alborz (Valiasr Ave, 600,000 IRR per person).
🎨 Day 3: Modern Art & South Tehran
Begin at the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art (Kargar Ave, 9:00-17:00, 200,000 IRR, closed Mondays). Then walk to Laleh Park for a relaxing stroll. Take the metro (line 1, 15 min) to the Azadi Tower (Azadi Square, 9:00-18:00, 250,000 IRR). For lunch, try the nearby Shandiz Restaurant (Azadi St, mixed grill from 350,000 IRR). In the afternoon, visit the Behesht-e Zahra Cemetery (south Tehran, metro line 1 to Haram-e Motahhar, free) to see the Martyrs' Section. End your trip with a sunset view from the Milad Tower (Hakim Highway, 9:00-22:00, 300,000 IRR).
🚇 Getting Around Tehran
Tehran's metro (lines 1-7) is cheap (8,000 IRR per ride) and covers most major attractions. Taxis (Snapp or regular) cost 200,000-600,000 IRR for short trips. Avoid rush hours (7:00-9:00 and 16:00-19:00) when traffic is heavy. For airport transfers, take the metro line 1 to Mehrabad (20 min from downtown) or a taxi to Imam Khomeini (45 min, 1,000,000 IRR).
💰 Budget & Money Tips
Carry cash (Iranian rials) as international cards don't work. Exchange money at licensed exchange offices (e.g., Ferdowsi Ave) for better rates than hotels. A budget of 5,000,000 IRR per day covers food, transport, and entry fees. Tipping is not expected but rounding up is appreciated. Avoid street money changers.
🍽️ Where to Eat
For authentic Persian food, try Divan Restaurant (Valiasr Ave, dinner from 800,000 IRR) or Sharaf El Islam (Grand Bazaar, traditional dizi from 250,000 IRR). For fast food, sample the local chain Super Star (sandwiches from 150,000 IRR). Vegetarians should look for kookoo sabzi or mirza ghasemi at most traditional restaurants. Always drink bottled water.
🌙 Evening Activities
After dark, walk along Valiasr Street (the longest in the Middle East) or visit the Tabiat Bridge (Modarres Highway, free, open 24h) for city lights. For a cultural evening, catch a performance at the Vahdat Hall (Shahid Motahhari Ave, tickets from 500,000 IRR). Alternatively, enjoy tea at a traditional teahouse like Azari Teahouse (Grand Bazaar, open until 22:00).
Nice itinerary, covers the essentials well. For day 1, if you have the energy after the National Museum, skip the jewel treasury (the queue is brutal) and walk five minutes to the Negarestan Garden instead. It's a quiet Qajar-era garden with a small art museum inside, entry is about 150,000 IRR, and there's rarely more than a handful of people there. The courtyard has a decent little cafe for a break from the bazaar chaos.
On day 3, the Contemporary Art Museum's permanent collection is world-class but they rotate what's on display, so check if anything specific is showing before you go. The basement vault alone is worth the ticket, they've got Picassos and Warhols just sitting there. Also, the Azadi Tower has a small museum inside the base that most people miss, it covers the tower's construction and has a nice model of old Tehran.
i appreciate the effort put into creating this itinerary, it's really helpful for anyone planning to visit tehran, the suggestion to visit the grand bazaar on day 1 is a great one, i personally loved getting lost in the maze of shops and finding unique souvenirs, one thing i'd like to add is that on day 2, after visiting the sa'dabad complex, consider taking a short taxi ride to the nearby niavaran palace, it's a bit off the beaten path but the palace and its gardens are really beautiful and peaceful, also the guide mentions the vahdat hall for cultural performances, but it's worth noting that the roudaki hall is another great option, they often have traditional music and dance performances, and it's located on shahid motahhari ave, tickets are usually around 400,000 iranian rials, the guide is really comprehensive but i think these suggestions could enhance the experience
this guide is solid, i'd just add that the treasury of national jewels line can get wild, go early or on a weekday. also for day 2, if you're up for it, skip the darband restaurant and hike further up to a place called shirin for some doogh and a view that beats the crowds. the metro is great but watch your phone on line 1 during peak times, pickpockets are a thing in the crush. one thing missing is the glassware and ceramics museum near the national museum, it's small but has some stunning pieces and is usually quiet
Tehran on a Budget: Tips 2026
Budget travelers can find dorm beds in hostels like Tehran Hostel (near Baharestan Square) for around $10-15 per night. Private rooms in guesthouses such as Mashhad Hos… 🏠 Affordable Accommodation
Budget travelers can find dorm beds in hostels like Tehran Hostel (near Baharestan Square) for around $10-15 per night. Private rooms in guesthouses such as Mashhad Hostel start at $25. Book through local sites like Jabama for better rates.
🚇 Cheap Transportation
The Tehran Metro is the cheapest way to get around, with single rides costing 5,000 IRR (about $0.12). A day pass is 30,000 IRR. For short trips, use the BRT buses (10,000 IRR). Avoid taxis unless sharing a line taxi (savari) which costs around 50,000 IRR per person within central areas.
🍛 Eating on a Budget
Street food like dizi (stew) at traditional eateries costs 150,000-200,000 IRR ($3-4). A full meal at a local cafe such as Cafe Naderi (near the Grand Bazaar) runs about 300,000 IRR. For the cheapest eats, head to the food court at the Bazaar-e Bozorg where a kebab sandwich is 80,000 IRR.
🎟️ Low-Cost Attractions
Many museums like the National Museum of Iran have entrance fees of 200,000 IRR ($4). The Golestan Palace complex costs 500,000 IRR for the main section. Free attractions include the Tabiat Bridge, walking in Laleh Park, and the Grand Bazaar (no entry fee).
🆓 Free Things to Do
Visit the Azadi Tower from outside for free, or explore the street art in the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art's sculpture garden (free entry). Join locals for a picnic in Jamshidieh Park. The Holy Defense Museum has free entry on certain days (check their website).
💰 Money-Saving Tips
Always carry cash in small denominations (10,000 and 20,000 IRR notes) as many places don't accept cards. Use the exchange offices near Ferdowsi Square for better rates than hotels. Avoid buying SIM cards at the airport; get them at shops in the city for half the price.
🛍️ Shopping Smart
Bargain at the Grand Bazaar for souvenirs like saffron and pistachios. A kilo of saffron can be negotiated down to $500. For handicrafts, visit the Friday Market (Jomeh Bazaar) in Tajrish for second-hand goods and antiques at low prices.
🌙 Evening on a Dime
Enjoy free concerts or poetry readings at cultural centers like the Niavaran Cultural Center. Walk along the pedestrian-friendly Valiasr Street at sunset. For a cheap meal, try the dizi at Moslem Restaurant (near the Grand Bazaar) for 150,000 IRR.
solid breakdown, really covers the budget bases. the metro day pass is a steal if you're doing multiple sights, just remember you need a refillable card from the machines, they take cash only and don't give change so bring small bills.
one thing i'd flag is the times for the holy defense museum free days. last time i checked it was tuesdays but that can change with holidays, better to ask your hostel front desk the morning of. also the niavaran cultural center evening events are hit or miss, check their instagram before heading out because sometimes it's just a closed private thing.
for the dizi at moslem restaurant, it's good but be prepared for a line at lunch, like 20 minutes sometimes. worth it though, and they bring out the second course of the strained broth with bread, that's the real treat.
honestly this is a solid guide, pretty much covers the essentials. one thing i'd add is that the metro gets insanely packed during rush hour, like 7-9am and 4-6pm, so if u have the time just wait it out or walk if it's close. also the bazaar food court tip is gold, that kebab sandwich is legit and the price hasn't changed much in years.
for the free stuff, the museum of contemporary art's sculpture garden is a hidden gem, most tourists walk right past it. there's a Henry Moore piece out there and the whole vibe is chill, no crowds. and if you're near valiasr at sunset, grab a seat at one of the juice stalls on the side streets, a fresh pomegranate juice is like 40,000 IRR and way better than anything bottled.
one thing i'd push back on is the sim card tip. airport shops are overpriced but the city shops can be a hassle if you don't speak farsi, they'll try to upsell you. just go to an Irancell or Hamrahe Aval store near Ferdowsi Square, they have fixed prices and english menus on the terminals.
the metro card machine thing is real, they're all over but the one at tehransro station always has a line. also if you're near the bazaar around noon, skip the food court and hit the little alley behind the mosque, there's a guy who does lamb head and trotters for like 100k, it's called kale pache and locals swear by it. not for everyone but it's the cheapest protein in the city and they give you unlimited bread.