Imam Reza Shrine
Vast shrine complex around the tomb of Imam Reza, the eighth Shia imam, and Iran's most important pilgrimage destination. Access for non-Muslims is limited, and modest dress is required, so check locally first.
Mashhad
Visitors keep this Shia pilgrimage city, a major one, busy all year; it grew around the vast shrine complex of Imam Reza.
Attractive locations
Ferdowsi Mausoleum
Monument at Tus, outside Mashhad, to Ferdowsi, the poet who wrote the Persian epic the Shahnameh around the year 1000. Steps lead up to the tomb, set in a quiet park.
Nader Shah Mausoleum
Tomb of the 18th-century Persian ruler Nader Shah, standing in a public garden. A museum inside covers his life and the history of his era.
Astan Quds Razavi Museum
Museum run by the foundation that manages the Imam Reza Shrine, displaying Qur'ans, manuscripts, coins and carpets collected over the centuries.
Kuh-e Sangi Park
Large hillside park with rocky slopes and walking paths on the edge of the city, where local families come to walk and picnic.
Goharshad Mosque
Fifteenth-century mosque in the Imam Reza shrine complex, known for its blue-tiled dome and lavish tilework around a large courtyard. Access for non-Muslims is limited, so check locally first.
Airports
Mashhad International Airport MHD
It is about 8 km in a straight line from Mashhad.
Scams and safe taxis
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan-0.6 °C21 mm
- Feb1.3 °C29 mm
- Mar6.3 °C42 mm
- Apr11.6 °C31 mm
- May17.5 °C18 mm
- Jun21.9 °C3 mm
- Jul23.6 °C2 mm
- Aug21.8 °C1 mm
- Sep17.7 °C2 mm
- Oct12.1 °C7 mm
- Nov5.1 °C18 mm
- Dec0.9 °C15 mm
Driest months: Jul, Aug, Sep. Wettest months: Feb, Mar, Apr.
Who can help
Emergency
Police 110. Ambulance 115. Fire 125.
ngo
Iranian Red Crescent Society: tracing services
Helps with: The ICRC lists the Iranian Red Crescent's tracing service, which helps people inside Iran look for relatives. It can also be reached at any IRCS branch.
Who qualifies: People inside Iran trying to trace or restore contact with family members.
Phone: +98 21 85632447
Email: [email protected]
Address: No. 2654 Valiasr Ave., Building of Peace, Tehran
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Iran
Helps with: The UN migration agency in Iran. It supports the government and communities with migration patterns, humanitarian aid, protection, health services and disaster preparedness.
Who qualifies: Migrants and communities in Iran. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +98 2122058269
Address: No. 93, West Nahid Blvd, Valiasr St, Tehran
local government
Police emergency number 110
Helps with: Reaches the police in Iran. The number comes from UK government travel advice.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 110
local government
Ambulance emergency number 115
Helps with: Reaches the ambulance service in Iran. The number comes from UK government travel advice.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 115
local government
Fire emergency number 125
Helps with: Reaches the fire service in Iran. The number comes from UK government travel advice.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 125