Book flights to Tehran

Tehran’s most significant monument is Azadi Tower, built to commemorate the 2,500th anniversary of the Persian Empire. Gold and precious gems had strong associations with that empire, and the finest examples of the skills of Iranian and Persian goldsmiths can be seen at the Treasury of the National Jewels. Highlights include the world’s largest uncut ruby, and a globe made from 34kg of gold.

More heritage can be found at the Golestan Palace complex, which harks back to the extravagances of the Qajar rulers. And the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art is a strikingly modern building that houses one of the world’s most eclectic collections of modern art.

Round off your trip to Tehran with a visit to its souqs, including the Tehran Grand Bazaar, which has been operating on its current site for over a thousand years.

A trip to Tehran is a chance to explore the varied Iranian countryside of towering mountains and dense forests. The walking trails of Darakeh and Darband, at the base of the Alborz Mountains, offer a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of the city, while the Park-e Jamshidiyeh (also known as the Stone Garden) offers spectacular views and some more challenging hikes.

Back in the city, a wide range of museums house everything from stunning collections of Persian and Islamic art (check out the Time Museum in particular) through to modern paintings and sculptures. For quirkier exhibits, check out the Safir Office Machines Museum, dedicated to equipment of all types.

Any trip to Tehran has to include at least one course of chelow kabab, which is rice served with roasted-meat variants, such as barg, koobideh, jujeh, shishleek, soltani or chenjeh.

Iranian cuisine includes a wide variety of foods, such as khoresh (stew, served with white Iranian rice). Other stews you might encounter are ghormeh sabzi, gheimeh and fesenjān.

Āsh is more of a thick soup than a stew, and if you want to branch out, kuku (a vegetable soufflé), polo (rice mixed with meat, vegetables and herbs) are a must-try. Varieties include loobia polo, albaloo polo, sabzi polo, zereshk polo and baghali polo.

Different parts of Iran also offer salads, pastries, and drinks, specific to their locale. One traditional drink is doogh, a combination of yogurt, still or carbonated water, salt, and dried mint. Other drinks include sherbets (locally “sharbats”), such as khakshir.

Tehran has plenty of souqs apart from its eponymous bazaar, but the city also offers several high-end outlets selling designer brands. Head for the Golestan and Milade Noor shopping centres for designer goods and couture clothes.

If you want to add to your jewellery collection, then the boutiques of Geisha Street, Milade Noor Shopping Centre and Karim Khan Street should be your destination.