Western Iran

Region

The Zagros mountains and the plains below. Hamadan is one of the oldest cities in the world, Kermanshah has the Bisotun inscription and Taq-e Bostan reliefs, Kurdistan has the stepped village of Palangan, and Khuzestan has the Elamite ziggurat of Chogha Zanbil, ancient Susa and Shushtar's water system. Qazvin leads to the valley of the Assassins.

Western Iran Zagros MountainsBehistun InscriptionEcbatanaGundeshapurBand-e KaisarTaq-e BostanZard-KuhAlvandGanj DarehGanjnamehMusasirTomb of Esther and MordechaiAli-Sadr CaveJameh Mosque of QazvinTomb of DanielZiwiye hoardZrebar LakeAlamutKharraqan TowersAl-Nabi Mosque, QazvinAvicenna MausoleumGodin TepeMinu IslandMount BehistunPalace of Darius in SusaAli KoshFalak-ol-AflakGhadir StadiumHaft TepeJameh Mosque of BorujerdQazvinAhvazKermanshahAbadanSanandajHamadanAlamut CastleChogha ZanbilArakKhorramabadShahr-e KordSaqqezIlamKhorramshahrBorujerdSavehMasjed SoleymanMalayerAndimeshkIzeh

Western Iran essentials

Country: Iran
Driest months: Jul-Sep
Pay in: Rial (﷼)
Emergency: 110

Where to Go in Western Iran

City Hamadan HamadanAncient Ecbatana, one of the world's oldest cities City Ahvaz AhvazCity in Khuzestan province, Iran City Kermanshah KermanshahCity in Iran with historical significance Island Minu Island Minu IslandTidal island in Khuzestan province, Persian Gulf History Chogha Zanbil Chogha ZanbilAncient Elamite ziggurat and UNESCO World Heritage site History Alamut Castle Alamut CastleMountain fortress and Ismaili stronghold with dramatic ruins History Behistun Inscription Behistun InscriptionAncient multilingual rock relief and bilingual inscription History Ecbatana EcbatanaAncient Median capital near modern Hamadan with historical ruins Nature Zagros Mountains Zagros MountainsExtensive Iranian mountain range with folded geology Nature Zard-Kuh Zard-KuhHigh Zagros mountain with glaciated peaks Nature Alvand AlvandProminent mountain massif near Hamadan, Iran Nature Ali-Sadr Cave Ali-Sadr CaveExtensive water-filled cave famous for boat tours
Regions & Cities
Qazvin Explore Qazvin Archaeological layers define Qazvin: a Seljuk-era Jameh mosque, timbered merchant houses near the bazaar, and nearby Alamut Valley with its hilltop Ismaili fortresses. Ahvaz Explore Ahvaz On the Karun River, Ahvaz offers riverside bridges and lively fish markets; visitors use it as a base for Khuzestan’s archaeological sites like Susa, the marshes, and to sample date palms and spicy local kebabs. Kermanshah Explore Kermanshah Kermanshah’s cliff reliefs and Taq-e Bostan mark ancient Persian narrative; bazaars sell Kurdish breads and herbs, Bisotun lies within reach and mountain passes invite summer treks. Abadan Explore Abadan Abadan’s name sits alongside Iran’s oil history; refinery infrastructure and riverfront promenades tell that story. Sanandaj Explore Sanandaj Kurdish rhythms and mountain air define Sanandaj: visitors drift through a tight bazaar of woven crafts and teahouses, catch live Kurdish music, and use the city as a launch for hikes into the Zagros foothills. Hamadan Explore Hamadan Ancient stones and Anatolian echoes mark Hamadan; visitors explore Hegmataneh ruins, the Ganjnameh inscriptions on Alvand, Avicenna’s tomb, and lively bazaars selling local dairy and walnut pastries. Alamut Castle Explore Alamut Castle Perched in the Alborz foothills, Alamut Castle’s ruins recall the Nizari Ismaili fortress associated with Hassan‑i Sabbah; hikers and history buffs visit for exposed fortifications, mountain vistas and medieval archaeology. Chogha Zanbil Explore Chogha Zanbil Chogha Zanbil is an Elamite-era ziggurat complex near Susa, founded in the 13th century BCE; tourists explore its mud-brick terraces and UNESCO-listed archaeological ruins.

Western Iran at a Glance

Local Time
3:44 AM
GMT+3:30
Population
16,709,046

Best Things to Do in Western Iran