Yazd
Discover Yazd
Yazd is a desert city in central Iran and the capital of the Yazd province. It is an ancient city dating back to the Sassanian period (224-651 AD). It is nicknamed "the City of Windcatchers" in Persian, and in 2017, this city of 530,000 people (2016) was listed by as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Yazd is midway between Isfahan and Kerman, 689 km (427 miles) south east of Tehran. Yazd is well connected to the rest of the country by planes, trains and buses.
What to Experience in Yazd
Taste of Yazd...
For a friendlier and more cultural atmosphere try Persian restaurants. Many restaurants serve the standard Iranian kebabas. There are a few international restaurants in Yazd which serve Italian, Indian, Arabian and Mexican food. The traditional restaurant and tea house of Kohan Hotel serves various Iranian traditional dishes such as fessenjun, gheime as well as some European and Indian dishes. It has a nice atmosphere and is located near the Alexander Prison. For typical drinks available in Iran, see Iran#Drink It is best to stay in the old town near the Friday Mosque, from which you can walk to most sights. There are many decent hotels to choose from. A number of traditional houses have been converted into atmospheric hotels. Some are good and others not so much. Many of them offer clean comfortable rooms encircling peaceful central courtyards where you can eat, drink tea or puff away on a ghalyan while gazing at the sky.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsYazd is midway between Isfahan and Kerman, 689 km (427 miles) south east of Tehran. Yazd is well connected to the rest of the country by planes, trains and buses. Buses come from Shiraz (300,000 rials, 5-6 hours), Na'in (150,000 rials, 2½ hours), Isfahan (260,000 rials, 4 hours). 31.87668254.2844121 Bus station. This is the main bus station, and is quite far out of the city centre. There are several cafes and shops inside of the building. (updated Mar 2017) Getting there: public buses depart every 15 min and cost 10,000 rials (the bus stop is by a little white hut, in front of the bus station) to the 31.90144254.348762 Shehneh Bus Station pretty close to the city centre. From there you can get a bus virtually to any part of Yazd, including old town area. Taxi: there is a taxi booth in front of the bus station, taxi to the old town costs 45,000 tomans (as of 2025). There are International flights to Dubai, and daily flights to Tehran and Mashhad....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Most sights are in the old town near the Friday Mosque. You can easily walk between them on foot and enjoy the rabbit warren of old passages and buildings as you do so. Get a good map from your hotel. Most places in the old town are within easy walking distance from each other. Local buses are also available, work with a pre-paid card. Taxis are inexpensive, 50,000-100,000 rials per ride anywhere inside the city. Motorcycle taxis are another fast and cheap way to move around the city but try to settle on a price beforehand. Yazd is famous in Iran for its various handicrafts, such as carpet, silk fabrics and cashmere. A good place for these is bazaar, where also can be found snacks such as nougat and cashews. It is also famous for its sweets and confectionery most notable of which is haj khalife located near the chaqmaq gate. For a friendlier and more cultural atmosphere try Persian restaurants. Many restaurants serve the standard Iranian kebabas.
Where to Stay
It is best to stay in the old town near the Friday Mosque, from which you can walk to most sights. There are many decent hotels to choose from. A number of traditional houses have been converted into atmospheric hotels. Some are good and others not so much. Many of them offer clean comfortable rooms encircling peaceful central courtyards where you can eat, drink tea or puff away on a ghalyan while gazing at the sky.
Money & Budget
Yazd is famous in Iran for its various handicrafts, such as carpet, silk fabrics and cashmere. A good place for these is bazaar, where also can be found snacks such as nougat and cashews. It is also famous for its sweets and confectionery most notable of which is haj khalife located near the chaqmaq gate. For a friendlier and more cultural atmosphere try Persian restaurants. Many restaurants serve the standard Iranian kebabas. There are a few international restaurants in Yazd which serve Italian, Indian, Arabian and Mexican food. The traditional restaurant and tea house of Kohan Hotel serves various Iranian traditional dishes such as fessenjun, gheime as well as some European and Indian dishes. It has a nice atmosphere and is located near the Alexander Prison.
Safety Information
Glimpses of Yazd
The city of windcatchers
a large building with towers with Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque in the background
a view of a city with tall buildings
Photo: Amir Pashaei
brown concrete building during daytime
swimming pool near building and trees
Yazd, Iran
Blue Tiles of Jame Mosque in Yazd, Iran
YAzd: la ville est entourée de lacs salés, et dominée par le mont Shir Kuh au sud-ouest, haut de 4 055 m. Photo : @saharbashi
white and blue concrete building under blue sky during daytime
The city of windcatchers
a large building with towers with Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque in the background
a view of a city with tall buildings