The most visited city of Iran, Isfahan, the capital of the central region of the country, is located four hundred kilometers south of Tehran ."Isfahan-nefs-e-dzhehan" - says a short but capacious couplet, well known already from the 16th century - "Isfahan - half of the world" .Arriving here, you understand that the unknown poet did not bend his heart: the pearl of ancient Persia and one of the most beautiful cities of the Islamic world, Isfahan is buried in luxurious gardens, fascinates with azure domes of mosques, and at its bazaars offers to the traveler absolutely everything that his heart desires .Here you can buy chic carpets and the finest inlay, visit the important Zoroastrian temple and in the company of the local dine delicious kebabs in the central square of the city .
08.03, 29.03, 12.04, 27.09, 18.10, 01.11, 22.11 - 13 days / 12 ncs
Author's tour "Journey to the Ancient" from 151 000 rubles.
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How to get to Isfahan
Although Esfahan has its own international airport, it's easiest to get to Russia from here, having landed in Tehran (IranAir or Aeroflot direct flights almost every day), from where a mass of domestic flights to the airport of Isfahan daily depart. Time of flight - an hour with a little.
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By train
In Isfahan you can also arrive by train, departing every evening from Tehran. The journey time is 7, 5 hours, the fare is from 35000 IRR. Keep in mind that the Isfahan Railway Station is some distance from the city center. You can reach it by bus (stop at the Kowsar International Hotel, the driver needs to clearly sound the direction to avoid landing on the wrong bus) or taking a taxi, the trip will cost about 45000 IRR.
By bus
Between Tehran and Isfahan also buses regularly run (almost every 15 minutes). Take the class "super" and enjoy air-conditioned air, snacks, drinks and wonderful views outside the window. The cost of such a trip is about 11000 IRR.
Climate
Clearly +19 ° С in the day 0 ° C at night ° С water |
Clearly +15 ° С in the day +2 ° С at night ° С water |
Overcast +16 ° С in the afternoon +1 ° C at night ° С water |
| Isfahan weather forecast for 10 days | ||
Transport in the city
According to Isfahan, you can travel by bus or taxi. The bus network runs through the whole city and overlooks the outskirts, so that a stop is guaranteed near any landmark. The central bus station is located at the palace of Shekhel Sotong. To navigate in the numbers and destinations of the routes, it is recommended to ask, ask and ask again! The fare is from 200 to 500 IRR, tickets or booklets can be bought at kiosks at stops.
The streets of Isfahan also regularly run a taxi, with drivers who need to mercilessly bargain about the fare price .Within the city, the trip should cost between 6000 - 15000 IRR .By the consuls and rude flattery of a taxi driver, you can also be tempted by an acceptable amount of hourly payment (indispensable for a survey of Isfahan attractions) .In this case, count on 20,000 - 40,000 IRRs per hour .Along the popular streets of Isfahan (for example, along the central Shahar Bagh) there are also collective taxis; the approaching machine needs to vigorously wave its hand and bark the desired direction .Per kilometer of the path taken in the region of 1000 IRR .
Kitchen and restaurants in Isfahan
As in all of Iran, the most popular dish in Isfahan are various variations of kebab - a long sausage-cutlet, garnished with a variety of salads, sauces and vegetables..They can be eaten in numerous eateries, generously scattered throughout the city .Thanks to the presence of wonderful parks in Isfahan, you can arrange an "American lunch" - buy food in kebabs and come to the open air, where you can comfortably sit on soft grass or even on the carpet (in popular city parks a similar service is offered: carpet plus tea - and settle down where you want) .Esfahans, by the way, like to come to the park for a Sunday barbecue: homemade kebabs are cooked here, and from the appetizing appetizing smells the mind can get confused .
Of the drinks pay attention to a thick liquid called "fereni" - a mixture of water and milk with the addition of flour to the consistency of thin yogurt. Fereni perfectly quenches thirst and maintains "afloat" the stomach, attacked by the aforementioned Berjani. The cost is from 3000 to 5000 IRR.
Shopping and shopping
Isfahan is first and foremost stunning carpets - hand-made multi-day work, silk, with a weave of the finest lines and lush patterns. Carpets are not cheap, a modest bedside copy "on two feet" will cost in the amount of $ 200. The main place of their concentration is the famous bazaars of Isfahan, where you can go for other Persian masterpieces and colorful trinkets.
Another popular craft of Isfahan is hutam, inlaid wood and ivory with the inclusion of gold and silver wire. On one centimeter of the surface can fit up to two hundred minute inlaid parts! Popular items are caskets, home accessories, walking sticks, pipes and furniture. As with carpets, the cost of the hatham corresponds to the spent effort.
Entertainment, excursions and attractions of Isfahan
Considering the fact that Esfahan was the capital of Persia for almost a century and a half, it is no surprise that there are enough secular and religious monuments here almost any era of long Persian history.
The heart of Isfahan is the square of Imam (also called "Naqsh-e-Jehan" - the image of the world) and the Imam Mosque with a beautiful azure dome. The square was designed in the 17th century and includes a complex of markets, mosques and administrative buildings. On the opposite side of the square is located not less than a remarkable mosque of Sheikh Lotfalla. In the middle - a cool reservoir with fountains and green plantations.
Isfahan conceals many beautiful palaces within the city walls. Among the pearls is the former Shah's residence Ali Kapu, built at the beginning of the 17th century, the palace Hasht Behest, in which the monarch's harem was billeted, the palace Shehel Sotun ("40 columns") and the elegant Talar Ashraf.
One of the highlights of Isfahan is magnificent bridges, most of which date back to the 17th century, and the oldest, the Shahrestan bridge, was built in the 11th century. The most famous are the Haju Bridge with two rows of arches, Sea-o-Sech (33 arches), Haju, Maarnan and Jui.
A fine example of residential architecture is the house of Borojerdi, which belonged to a wealthy merchant. Pay attention to the multicolored stained glass and skilful stucco, as well as painted ceilings.
Walk on the open air (and also sit with a picnic on the grass) you can in the wonderful Garden of birds or the vast Garden of flowers with lush vegetation and skillfully broken ponds. For an evening walk, choose the embankment of the river Zayanderud - ancient bridges are very beautifully illuminated.
On top of Mount Soffe, towering on the southern outskirts of the city, you can climb the cable car (40,000 IRR) and enjoy a beautiful view of the ancient Isfahan.
All prices are given for April 2011.
Photo of Isfahan (6)