- Local time
- 16:09
- Currency
- Iranian Rial (IRR)
- Capital
- Tehran
- Calling code
- +98
- Drive on the
- right
Overview
Persepolis, Isfahan, Shiraz and the deserts of ancient Persia. In 2026 the UK, Canada and the US advise against all travel to Iran, with a very high risk of arbitrary detention.
The UK, Canada and the United States advise against all travel to Iran. In 2026 Canada tells its citizens to leave if they can do so safely. The UK warns that British nationals, and British-Iranian dual nationals above all, face a very high risk of arrest, questioning and detention, that people accused of security offences risk the death penalty, and that it cannot provide face-to-face help or evacuation. Infrastructure across the country has been hit by strikes, and the internet and phone networks can be cut without warning. See the Safety section for the details.
Iran is the heart of ancient Persia, with some of the greatest monuments of the Middle East: the ruins of Persepolis, the tomb of Cyrus the Great at Pasargad, the mosques, bazaar and boulevards of Isfahan, and Shiraz, city of poets and gardens. The country ranges from snowy mountains, including Mount Damavand at 5,610 m, to two vast deserts and the humid forests of the Caspian coast. Persian (Farsi) is the official language.
- Persepolis: The ruins of a vast city-like complex built over 2,500 years ago, near Shiraz.
- Isfahan: A former capital of fine architecture, a great bazaar and tree-lined boulevards.
- Shiraz: The city of the poets Hafez and Saadi, known for its gardens.
- Pasargad: The first capital of the Achaemenid Empire, with the tomb of Cyrus the Great.
- Tabriz: A former capital with a great historic bazaar.
Places to visit
- City
Cities
- Tehran: The capital, a large and lively city.
- Isfahan: A former capital with remarkable architecture and a great bazaar, the most visited city in the country.
- Shiraz: A former capital, home of the poets Hafez and Saadi, known for its gardens and roses.
- Tabriz: A former capital in the north-west with a great historic bazaar.
- Mashhad: The largest city of the east, with the shrine of Imam Reza, an important Shia pilgrimage site.
- Kerman: One of the historic cities of the south-east.
- Hamedan: One of the oldest cities in Iran.
Beyond the cities
- Persepolis (site): The ruins of an immense complex built over 2,500 years ago, near Shiraz, the symbol of Iranian identity.
- Pasargad (site): The first Achaemenid capital, with the tomb of Cyrus the Great.
- Susa (site): One of Iran's most ancient cities, with the ziggurat of Chogha Zanbil and the palace of Darius nearby.
- Alamut (site): The castle of the legendary Assassins, near Qazvin.
- Qeshm Island (island): The largest island in the Persian Gulf, known for the Hara marine forests and their birdlife.
- Dizin (mountain): One of the highest ski resorts in the world, about two hours north of Tehran.
Climate and best time to visit
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max °C | 7 | 10 | 15 | 22 | 28 | 34 | 37 | 35 | 32 | 24 | 17 | 10 |
| Min °C | -1 | 1 | 5 | 11 | 16 | 21 | 24 | 23 | 19 | 13 | 7 | 1 |
| Rain mm | 37 | 34 | 37 | 28 | 15 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 21 | 36 |
Iran's climate varies with altitude and region. The north-west has cold winters with heavy snow and temperatures below zero in December and January; the south has mild winters and very hot summers, with July averages above 38 °C and up to 50 °C in the deserts, and the Khuzestan plain is also humid. Most of the little rain falls between October and April, while the Caspian coast is wet all year. In Tehran the average maximum ranges from 7 °C in January to 37 °C in July. Spring and autumn are the mild seasons. Floods can hit some provinces in spring, and many parts of the country are at risk of earthquakes.
Entry requirements and visas
| Passport validity | At least 6 months after the date you arrive |
|---|
| Passport | Entry | Max stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Visa required | Visa needed in advance, only as part of an organised tour or with a sponsor in Iran; the process is long and unpredictable. |
Other nationalities: check the official source below.
Most visitors need a visa, applied for well in advance; the UK says British citizens can only get one as part of an organised tour or with a sponsor in Iran. Women and girls aged 10 and over should wear a headscarf in visa photos. You may be refused entry with Israeli stamps or stamps from crossings with Israel. Iran does not recognise dual nationality: dual nationals are treated as Iranian and must enter and leave on an Iranian passport. Rules depend on your passport and can change: check the official link before you book.
You need a yellow fever certificate if you arrive from a country with a risk of the disease, and a polio certificate if you come from a polio-affected country. Pork products cannot be imported. Satellite phones and drones need permission. Kish Island requires a visit arranged through an Iranian travel agency.
Money and payments
| Currency | Iranian Rial (IRR) |
|---|---|
| Cards | Rare |
The currency is the rial (IRR), but prices are often quoted in toman (1 toman = 10 rials). Because of sanctions, foreign debit and credit cards do not work in Iran, and using them or checking your bank account online can get them blocked. Getting cash is extremely difficult: bring euros or US dollars, which are easier to change than pounds, and exchange them only at official exchange offices, as changing money on the street is illegal. Work out before you travel how you will obtain enough rials legally.
Health
| Required vaccines | Yellow fever certificate, if you arrive from a country with a risk of yellow fever, Polio certificate, if you arrive from a polio-affected country |
|---|---|
| Recommended vaccines | Routine vaccines, including measles (MMR) and polio, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, for some travellers: ask a travel clinic, Rabies, for some travellers |
| Malaria | Some areas |
Ask a travel health professional about vaccines and malaria at least 8 weeks before you go: the UK lists malaria, dengue and schistosomiasis among the risks, and altitude sickness in the mountains. Medical care is reasonable in the big cities but poor in remote areas, and some basic medicines have been in short supply. Methanol in illegally made alcohol has killed people. For an ambulance, dial 115.
This is general information, not medical advice: check with a travel health professional before you go.
Safety
- United States: Level 4: Do Not Travel (2026-10-20)
- Canada: Avoid all travel (2026-10-20)
- United Kingdom: Advises against all travel (2026-10-20)
The UK, Canada and the US advise against all travel to Iran. Canada tells its citizens to leave now if they can do so safely. According to the UK, the US and Israel have struck infrastructure across Iran, including ports, roads, railways, bridges, energy facilities and airports; airspace, ports and borders can close at short notice, and leaving overland requires checking the rules of each neighbouring country in advance. The UK cannot provide face-to-face consular help or evacuation.
The UK warns of a very high risk of arbitrary arrest and detention for British and dual nationals: a British passport or perceived links to the UK can be reason enough. Foreigners have been arrested for carrying cameras near sensitive sites, for contact with people of interest to the authorities, for links to civil society, journalism, academic institutions or social media posts about Iran, and anyone near a protest risks mass arrest. Detainees can face years in prison and, for security charges, the death penalty. Terrorist attacks have killed many people, including in Kerman in 2024 and at a shrine in Shiraz. Border areas with Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan, Sistan and Baluchistan and the area east of Bam are particularly dangerous. Thieves sometimes pose as plain-clothes police: ask for ID and a uniformed officer, and never hand over documents or money. The authorities often cut internet and phone services, so do not rely on mobile data for your safety.
Customs and etiquette
Islamic codes of dress and behaviour are strictly enforced, and enforcement campaigns can lead to mass arrests at any time. In public, women must cover their hair with a headscarf and wear trousers or a long skirt with a long-sleeved tunic or coat reaching at least mid-thigh; men should wear long trousers and long sleeves. Women may have to wear a chador, covering the whole body except the face, at religious sites. Alcohol is illegal for visitors, and drug offences have led to executions, including of foreigners.
Sex outside marriage and same-sex relations are illegal and carry the death penalty, and relationships between non-Muslim men and Muslim women are also illegal; hotels may ask couples for a marriage certificate. During Ramadan do not eat, drink, smoke or chew gum in public in daylight. Never photograph military or government buildings, ask before photographing people, and be careful even using a laptop in public. Carry copies of your passport and visa. Netflix and other Western streaming services are banned.
Language
| Official languages | Persian |
|---|---|
| English | Limited |
| Hello | سلام salâm |
|---|---|
| Please | لطفا lotfan |
| Thank you | خیلی ممنون xeyli mamnun |
| Excuse me | ببخشید bebaxšid |
| Goodbye | خداحافظ xodâhâfez |
| Do you speak English? | میتوانید انگلیسی حرف بزنید؟ mitavânid Engelisi harf bezanid? |
| How much is it? | چند است؟ chand ast? |
Quick reference
Country facts
| Capital | Tehran |
|---|---|
| Population | 92,417,681 (2025) |
| Area | 1,622,500 km² |
| Time zone | Asia/Tehran (UTC+3.5) |
| Calling code | +98 |
| Driving side | right |
Emergency numbers
| Police | 110 |
|---|---|
| Ambulance | 115 |
| Fire | 125 |
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to travel to Iran?
The UK, Canada and the US all advise against all travel to Iran in 2026, and the UK warns of a very high risk of arbitrary detention for British and dual nationals.
Can I use my bank card in Iran?
No. Because of sanctions, foreign cards do not work; bring cash in euros or US dollars and change it only at official exchange offices.
What is the dress code in Iran?
Women must cover their hair and wear loose clothing with long sleeves and a coat or tunic to mid-thigh; men should wear long trousers and long sleeves. The rules are strictly enforced.
Do I need a visa for Iran?
Yes, applied for in advance; the UK says British citizens need to join an organised tour or have a sponsor in Iran.
Sources This guide was last checked on · 17 sources
- Wikivoyage: Iran · Overview, Places to visit, Climate and best time to visit, Entry requirements and visas, Money and payments, Health, Customs and etiquette, Language, Frequently asked questions
- UK FCDO: Iran warnings and insurance · Overview, Safety, Frequently asked questions
- Government of Canada: Iran travel advice (updated 13 October 2026) · Overview, Entry requirements and visas, Health, Safety, Frequently asked questions
- WMO World Weather Information Service: Tehran · Climate and best time to visit
- UK FCDO: Iran safety and security · Climate and best time to visit, Money and payments, Safety, Customs and etiquette, Frequently asked questions
- UK FCDO: Iran entry requirements · Entry requirements and visas, Health
- Wikidata · Money and payments, Country facts
- ISO 4217 (SIX), published 2026-09-17 · Money and payments
- UK FCDO: Iran health · Health
- US CDC: Travelers' health, Iran · Health
- US Department of State: Iran travel advisory · Safety
- UK FCDO: Iran travel advice · Safety
- Wikivoyage: Persian phrasebook · Language
- World Bank, SP.POP.TOTL · Country facts
- World Bank, AG.LND.TOTL.K2 · Country facts
- IANA Time Zone Database, zone.tab · Country facts
- UK FCDO: Iran getting help · Emergency numbers
Suggest an update
Travel rules, prices and timetables change. If something in this guide is out of date, tell us: we check every suggestion against an official source before changing the page.