Iran

The most comprehensive travel guide to Iran – now in its sixth edition, thoroughly updated with the latest travel information, security details, and cultural insights.

Discover the jewels of Central Asia with expert guidance on everything from the exquisite mosques of Esfahan and the grand museums of Tehran to hidden gems like Nishapur, Qaleh Rudkhan, and remote Kurdish villages along the Silk Road Trail. This edition features expanded coverage of western Iran, particularly the largely unexplored Khorasan Province, plus new detailed maps of key destinations including Tabriz, Kerman, Shiraz, and Tehran's city centres. Whether you're interested in trekking through the Alborz and Zagros Mountains, exploring caravanserai, or discovering Iranian Kurdistan, you'll find comprehensive practical information tailored for independent travellers.

Beyond the famous attractions, delve into Iran's rich cultural heritage through chapters on traditional arts, Persian rugs and handicrafts, regional cuisine, and recommended Iranian cinema. The guide also covers outdoor pursuits from skiing and swimming to desert and eco-tours, plus practical details on where to stay, eat, and shop – from enjoying a traditional hamam experience to browsing the bazaars of Kerman for authentic souvenirs.

Written and updated by Middle East expert Maria Oleynik, a fluent speaker of ten languages including Persian and Arabic, this is the most detailed and culturally informed guide available for visitors to Iran.