Travel advisory · IranGovernments advise against all travel to Iran.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Afghanistan border zones · avoid all travel · Spain, US
- Iraq border zones · avoid all travel · Spain, US
- Abu Musa and Tunb islands · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, Italy
- Sistan-Baluchistan · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, Italy
Also named by one government: East of Bam–Bandar Abbas line (US), Pakistan border zone (Spain), Turkmenistan border zone (Spain), Areas near Nagorno-Karabakh (Spain), Border localities with Armenia and Azerbaijan (Italy), Ilam Iraq border strip (Italy), Kerman province (Italy), Kermanshah Iraq border strip (Italy), Khuzestan Iraq border strip (Italy), Kordestan Iraq border strip (Italy), Kurdistan (Spain), Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman coast (Spain), South Khorasan Afghanistan border zone (Italy), West Azerbaijan Iraq border strip (Italy)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | advises against all travel | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Do not travel to Iran for any reason | Oct 23, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Avoid all travel | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Reisewarnung – unterlassen Sie Reisen | Oct 29, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Do not travel | – | Read the advice |
| Ireland (Department of Foreign Affairs) | Do Not Travel | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Formellement déconseillé de se rendre en Iran | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Esfahan
Esfahan is known for Safavid-era squares, palaces, tiled mosques and old bridges over the Zayandeh River.
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Esfahan, also spelled Isfahan, is a city in central Iran and the capital of Esfahan Province. It is the country's third-largest city and was Iran's capital under the Safavids, after Shah Abbas the Great moved the court here from Qazvin in 1598. The main draws are Naqsh-e Jahan Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the Shah Mosque on its south side, the Ali Qapu and Chehel Sotoun palaces, and Chahar Bagh Boulevard, lined with gardens and palaces.
The old bridges over the Zayandeh River, Si-o-se-pol and Khaju, are good places to spend an evening. Si-o-se-pol links the city to the Armenian quarter of New Julfa, with churches including Vank Cathedral from 1664. The Grand Bazaar sells carpets, textiles and handicrafts, and gaz, a nougat-like sweet made with pistachios or almonds, is worth trying. Spring and early autumn are the most comfortable seasons, since summers are hot and dry and winter nights can be very cold. Two to three days covers the main sights. Women must observe the country's hijab law in public.
Esfahan in five
- Check your visa before you book flightsMany nationalities need a visa for Iran. Check entry rules with an Iranian embassy or consulate, and read the UK and Canadian advice before you book.Visas and entry
- Carry cash for the whole stayBring enough rials in cash for the whole stay, and check the currency rules before you fly.
- Set up data before you landDownload offline maps and save your hotel address before you land, since some apps are restricted in Iran. Compare eSIM options at home.Phones and eSIM
- Book rides in Snapp or TapsiSnapp and Tapsi are the main ride-hailing apps in Isfahan, and city buses also serve the center.
- Pack a headscarf and loose clothingWomen must wear a headscarf in public under Iran's mandatory hijab law, and Isfahan has enforced this dress code strictly. Read the dress code guide before you pack.Dress code and conduct
Need to know
- Currency
- Iranian rial (IRR), often quoted in toman (10 rials)
- Entry
- Visa needed by many nationalities; check with an Iranian embassy
- Emergency
- 110 police, 115 ambulance, 125 fire
- Tipping
- Varies by place; check locally
- Time
- UTC+3:30, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear3 rainy daysHigh10°Low-1°Cold, some snowJanuaryClear
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 16 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, some snow
- FebruaryClear4 rainy daysHigh13°Low1°Cool, hazeFebruaryClear
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 21 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, haze
- MarchClear5 rainy daysHigh18°Low5°Nowruz, mildMarchClear
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 24 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Nowruz, mild
- AprilClear6 rainy daysHigh24°Low11°Mild, pleasantAprilClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 18 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, pleasant
- MayClear3 rainy daysHigh30°Low16°Warm, dryMayClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 11 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, dry
- JuneClear1 rainy dayHigh36°Low22°Hot, dryJuneClear
Mixed
- High
- 36°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry
- JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh38°Low24°Very hotJulyClear
Poor
- High
- 38°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- AugustClear0 rainy daysHigh36°Low23°Very hotAugustClear
Poor
- High
- 36°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- SeptemberClear0 rainy daysHigh33°Low18°Warm, easingSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, easing
- OctoberClear1 rainy dayHigh26°Low12°Haze, inversionsOctoberClear
Mixed
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 3 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Haze, inversions
- NovemberClear4 rainy daysHigh17°Low5°Cool, pleasantNovemberClear
Good
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 22 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, pleasant
- DecemberClear3 rainy daysHigh12°Low1°Cold, snowDecemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 17 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
Average daily high and low in Isfahan, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Esfahan
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
16
- Feels like
- 14°
- Humidity
- 48%
- Wind
- 2 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 15%
Esfahan
11:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today22°10°15%Monday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 15%.
- Tue23°9°10%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Wed22°9°3%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Thu16°10°39%Thursday: Rain. High 16°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 39%.
- Fri22°7°16%Friday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Sat14°8°45%Saturday: Rain. High 14°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 45%.
- Sun19°7°45%Sunday: Fog. High 19°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 45%.
Updated 09:51 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1,674,550 IRR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Kolah Ghazi National Parknorth of the cityA protected area with deer, goats and eagles, a trip north of the city.
- Soffeh Mountainjust south of the cityA hill just south of the city.
- Tehranabout 435 km by roadA long road trip rather than a day trip, so better as a separate stop.
Before you go to Esfahan
Rules for Esfahan, checked
- Women must wear a headscarf and loose, covering clothing in public under Iran's hijab law. Check the UK and Canadian advice before you travel.Source
- Alcohol is banned in Iran, and drug offences carry severe penalties. Check the UK government travel advice for current detail.Source
- Photographing government or military sites can lead to detention. Check the UK and Canadian advice on photography before you travel.
- Dual nationals may not get full consular help inside Iran. Read the consular limits in the insurance guide and check Canadian advice.Source
Esfahan FAQ
Is Isfahan safe for tourists?
Iranian official sources describe Isfahan as one of the safer big cities in Iran, citing high public security and close cooperation between residents and police. Read the UK and Canadian guidance before you book.
How many days do you need in Isfahan?
Two to three days covers Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Chehel Sotoun, Ali Qapu, the bridges and the Armenian quarter of New Julfa. Add a day if you want a slower pace or a trip out of the city.
Do women have to cover their hair in Isfahan?
Yes. The hijab, or head covering, is mandatory for women in public under Iranian law, and Isfahan enforces the dress code strictly. Pack a headscarf and loose clothing for the whole stay.
How do I get from Tehran to Isfahan?
Isfahan is about 435 to 440 km south of Tehran, and freeways connect the two cities. Check current train and bus timetables before you travel, since they change.
Does Isfahan have a metro?
Isfahan's metro opened its first line in 2015, and more lines are under construction. Most sights are in the center, so Snapp and Tapsi rides and city buses cover most trips.
What is gaz?
Gaz is a nougat-like sweet made with sugar, pistachios or almonds, rosewater and egg white. About 90% of Iran's gaz is made in Isfahan, so it is worth trying locally.