Plizio Visual Lab

Shiraz

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

State capital

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Practical info — Shiraz

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🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

Visit the Tomb of Hafez in the late evening when locals gather to recite poetry and socialize.
Dress modestly according to local laws: women must wear a headscarf and loose clothing, and men cannot wear shorts.
Download the Snapp app for cheap and reliable taxi rides around the city.
Bring enough cash (Euros or USD) to exchange, as international credit cards do not work in the country.

🍽 Food

🍽

Faloodeh Shirazi

A traditional frozen noodle dessert with rose water and lime, best grabbed from parlors near the Arg of Karim Khan.

🍽

Kalam Polo

Shirazi cabbage pilaf with small meatballs and aromatic herbs. Try it in traditional downtown restaurants.

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Ash-e Sabzi

A thick, hearty soup with herbs and meat, traditionally eaten for breakfast by locals at small soup shops.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

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Vakil Bazaar

A historic bazaar great for buying Persian rugs, spices, and handcrafted copperware. Remember to bargain.

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Khatamkari (Inlaid Wood)

Shiraz's famous marquetry craft. Look for intricately designed jewelry boxes and frames in artisan shops.

🧘

Eram Garden

A gorgeous botanical garden featuring tall cypresses and historic pavilions, great for a quiet stroll.

🧘

Qavam House (Narenjestan)

Relax in the peaceful orange tree courtyards of this historic traditional Persian home.

Shiraz, the city of roses, nightingales, and poets, is the spiritual heart of Iran and the administrative capital of Fars Province. Set in a fertile valley surrounded by the southern Zagros Mountains, Shiraz has been a center of Persian civilization for over two millennia, reaching its zenith as the national capital during the Zand Dynasty in the 18th century. The benevolent rule of Karim Khan Zand left an indelible mark on the city, seen in the Vakil complex featuring a grand mosque, a traditional bathhouse, and one of Iran's most atmospheric covered bazaars. Shiraz is immortalized in global literature as the home of the legendary poets Hafez and Saadi; their mausoleums are not merely tombs but sanctuaries of Persian culture where visitors reflect on themes of love and mysticism. The city is a masterpiece of landscape architecture, exemplified by the Eram Garden, a UNESCO World Heritage site that embodies the Persian 'Chahar Bagh' concept of paradise on earth. Just 60 kilometers away lie the ruins of Persepolis, the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire, which serves as a poignant reminder of the region's ancient imperial glory. Religious artistry is showcased in the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, famous for its 'pink' tiles and kaleidoscopic stained-glass windows that transform the prayer hall into a sea of light. Modern Shiraz is a bustling metropolis of nearly 1.5 million people, serving as a primary hub for the electronic and medical sectors, with its university being a top-tier research center. The city's identity is deeply tied to the scent of bitter orange blossoms (Bahar Narenj) that fill the air every spring, creating a romantic atmosphere. Famous for its liberal spirit, exquisite handicrafts like Khatam (marquetry), and unique culinary delights like Kalam Polow, Shiraz remains an essential destination that captures the poetic and intellectual essence of the Persian soul.

Location: Iran
Top sights: Haj Maktabi Mosque · Sahebalzaman Mosque
Population: ~1.249.942 (2024)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May, Sep, Oct.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	4	6	10	15	21	27	29	28	24	18	11	6
Rain mm	53	41	41	25	7	4	5	4	1	4	40	49

Geography

Population

1,249,942 (2024)

Coordinates

29.59180, 52.53110

Facts

Shiraz served as the capital of Persia during the Zand Dynasty (1750–1794).
Home to two of the most visited poet mausoleums in the world: Hafez and Saadi.
The Eram Garden features a palace dating back to the Qajar era.
The city is located in a valley 1,540 meters above sea level.
Known for its high-tech industry, specifically IT and electronics manufacturing.
The Pink Mosque (Nasir al-Mulk) contains 12 massive carved stone columns.
Shah Cheragh is a major pilgrimage site and funerary monument in the city.
Shiraz has a population of 1.57 million as of the 2016 census.