Iran Travel Advisory

Iran Travel Advisory

Things You Need to Know Before Traveling to Iran

The customs and beliefs of the destination country, are among the things that are very important for the people of the area you are traveling to. In Iran Travel Advisory, we will discuss the things you should pay attention to when traveling to Iran as a tourist, including Iran’s common customs, dress codes, safety, and religious beliefs.

Using the experiences and opinions of other travelers can improve travel quality and reduce the risk of potential hazards. So, we are going to look at some of those comments as well. Here, we will provide some useful information about traveling to Iran for foreign tourists.

 

Iran Climate – How to Dress for Different Seasons

Iran Travel Advisory - Dress code for men and women

As you might know, choosing the right travel clothes can be different depending on the purpose of the trip, travel destination, means of travel and travel season, etc. One of the most important things that come to mind before travel to Iran is Iran’s clothing.  In the following section, we shall cover what clothes are suitable for you when you travel to Iran in general, in different seasons and different areas and situations.

Iran has a variety of climates which makes it a four-season country. It has the lush cities of the north and the beautiful palms of the south, from the desert in the middle and the mountains with the snowy peaks at the north and west. The north of Iran is green and often pleasant throughout the year, in the center of Iran, it is more desertic and the weather is usually very hot. In the northwest and west of the country, there is a mountainous climate with cold and icy weather conditions. And finally, in the east, it is mostly dry and the weather is often hot during the day and cold at night.

 

How to Dress in Spring and Summer in Iran

In the spring, which starts on March 21 and ends on June 21st, the Iranians celebrate the New Year, which is called Nowruz also known as the Persian New Year. The spring climate in Iran is neither winter nor summer and at the same time has the characteristics of both; for example, in early April, the weather is still sometimes rainy and cool; while the weather in June is usually very hot. It is necessary to mention that temperature changes in various regions of Iran, as mentioned before, are different in the springs. For this reason, you should be careful to protect yourself from the cold and heat. Try to include the following options in your list of spring clothes: raincoat, cap, sandal, trainers, close-front shoes, and of course an umbrella!

When traveling to Iran in late spring and summer, it is preferable to wear light, loose, thin, and cotton clothes in most areas. Furthermore, for preventing sunburn, it is recommended to wear cool long-sleeved clothes. Let’s not forget that sunglasses, sunscreen, and hats are very important as well.

 

Essential Autumns and Winters Clothes

If you are planning to travel to Iran in the fall (September 23 to December 21st), you should know that autumn weather in Iran can change from cool to cold with incredible speed. For this reason, we suggest that you put the following items in the list of practical and essential autumn clothes when traveling to Iran. Thin long-sleeved tonics are one of the practical choices of autumn. Having a simple raincoat or a warm piece of clothing is another option. Warm and knitted scarves and shawls are a good idea for middle or late December. Also in mid-autumn, as in spring, there is rain in most parts of Iran, so please do not forget your umbrella!

All winter days are very cold in northern, eastern, western, and central regions of Iran except the south. Therefore it is clear to do have warm clothes with you in winter. In desert areas like Kerman, Yazd, Isfahan, etc. it is cold and dry and there is rarely snow and rain. Conversely, for mountainous areas located in the northwest and west, as well as some central areas of Iran, the opposite is true. In such areas, it can be very cold. Therefore, do not forget to bring warm clothes in this season of the year, such as woolen hats, gloves, and coats.

As mentioned, Iran is a country of four seasons. And if you want to travel to Iran in winter and enjoy a mild pleasant climate, the southern parts of Iran are just perfect for you! Areas such as Bandar Abbas and Khuzestan provinces as well as Sistan and Baluchistan and Kish and Qeshm Island are relatively warm and delightful. So you can also consider thin and cotton clothes for traveling to these areas in the winter.

 

Type of Clothing and Dress Code in Iran for Tourists

Special clothing and dress codes have always been a confusing challenge for tourists traveling to Iran. On the other hand,  travel sites and manuals have sometimes led to misunderstandings about how to choose clothes. So in this section, we will discuss proper clothing for men and women in Iran as a tourist, do’s and don’ts, and what to wear and not to wear in Iran.

Iran is an Islamic country where Islamic law is strictly enforced and travelers should respect local customs, religious rules, and rituals, especially during religious months such as Ramadan. It is good to mention that, different ethnic groups live in Iran who have different local clothes and costumes according to their culture, religion, and customs. As a tourist, after entering Iranian territory, the authorities will ask you to dress following Iranian laws. Below we will mention some information related to the dress code for tourists who travel to Iran.

 

Dress Code for Female Tourists in Iran

Iran Travel Advisory - Dress code for women

Iran is a country with Islamic rules including “Hijab” in public areas for women. It is good to mention that women’s indoor clothing follows fashions similar to those in the west like T-shirts, slacks, denim jeans, pants, and skirts. In other words, you should follow the rules only in public. As a matter of fact, you will see that tradition is mixed with modern fashion and it is not as distressing as it is depicted in the media. Although Hijab rules are not very strict for tourists, they have to comply with them to some extent.

 

Dress Code in Public Places for Women

In public places, women are not allowed to wear short skirts, tops, short-sleeved blouses, and shorts. Also, they should cover their hair with a scarf or shawl. Women wear pants or a long skirt or a long-sleeved tunic or knee-length coat outdoors. Clothing that accentuates the body curves and has an open collar is prohibited.

 

Dress Code in Religious and Holy Places

Dress code for women in holy places

In religious and holy places like mosques and holy shrines, women should wear ‘Chador’ which is long clothes before entering.

 

Iran Travel Advisory on Clothing for Women

In public places, you need a scarf and a medium-length dress to cover your arms. If you do not know exactly what to wear, be sure to wear long-sleeved clothes that are not short and have a scarf with you. In Iran, you can wear any kind of shoes and pants you want.

 

Iran Travel Advisory on Male Tourists Dress Code in Iran

Men can wear T-shirts, but they should not wear short pants in public even when it is very hot. It is appropriate to wear long pants. Apart from that, you will be fine.

 

Safety and Things to Avoid When You Are in Iran

Safety should be one of the main points, no matter where you go. According to Iran travel advisory in the 2020 travel risk map, you should not be concerned about your safety in Iran. This country is listed in the medium-risk category launched by global risk experts International SOS in collaboration with Control Risks.

Iran travel advisory- Is it safe to travel to Iran

Iran is located in the Middle East and some of its neighbors such as Afghanistan are at war. Nevertheless, there is nothing to worry about for you as a traveler to Iran. Referring to Iran travel advisory in foreign travel advice (FCO), the province of Baluchistan and the areas bordering Iraq and Afghanistan are advised no to travel, for distinct grounds. Apart from that, the rest of Iran is entirely safe for tourists.

 

Do Not Look Too Much Like a Tourist!

Dress in such a way that you do not look too much like a tourist. Avoid using expensive and glamorous jewelry abroad. Unless you want your diamond ring, pearls, and watch in someone else’s collection. Since you do not need to impress anyone during your trip, it is better to leave your valuables at home.

 

Iran Travel Warning on Alcohol in Iran

Drinking alcohol is illegal in Iran. It cannot be served in hotels, restaurants, and cafes. It is also better not to bring or even carry liquor chocolates and alcoholic beverages with you when traveling to Iran. Legal drinks in Iran include tea (Chai), coffee, non-alcoholic beer, dough (a traditional Iranian drink based on yoghurt, water, and salt), etc.

 

Iranian Currency, Exchange, Credit Cards and ATMs

The official currency in Iran is Rial (IRR). However, you will often use Toman which has the value of 10 Rials.

Iranian currency

International debit or credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard do not work in Iran. So, you have to bring some cash with you (Exchange offices accept both Dollars and Euros) to make purchases. In case of exchanging cash, you could easily go to the exchange offices. You can get prepaid debit cards from Iranian banks. You will need to show your passport for withdrawing cash from any ATMs or purchases in Iran.

 

Iranian Weekend is Friday

In many countries, Friday (Adineh) is the last working day before the weekend, but in Iran, Thursdays and Friday are the weekend. However, some offices are open until Thursday noon.

 

More about Iranians and their traditions:

Yalda Night

Chaharshanbe Suri

Ashura

Ramadan

Iran Travel Advisory

Iran Travel Advisory

Things You Need to Know Before Traveling to Iran

The customs and beliefs of the destination country, are among the things that are very important for the people of the area you are traveling to. In Iran Travel Advisory, we will discuss the things you should pay attention to when traveling to Iran as a tourist, including Iran’s common customs, dress codes, safety, and religious beliefs.

Using the experiences and opinions of other travelers can improve travel quality and reduce the risk of potential hazards. So, we are going to look at some of those comments as well. Here, we will provide some useful information about traveling to Iran for foreign tourists.

 

Iran Climate – How to Dress for Different Seasons

Iran Travel Advisory - Dress code for men and women

As you might know, choosing the right travel clothes can be different depending on the purpose of the trip, travel destination, means of travel and travel season, etc. One of the most important things that come to mind before travel to Iran is Iran’s clothing.  In the following section, we shall cover what clothes are suitable for you when you travel to Iran in general, in different seasons and different areas and situations.

Iran has a variety of climates which makes it a four-season country. It has the lush cities of the north and the beautiful palms of the south, from the desert in the middle and the mountains with the snowy peaks at the north and west. The north of Iran is green and often pleasant throughout the year, in the center of Iran, it is more desertic and the weather is usually very hot. In the northwest and west of the country, there is a mountainous climate with cold and icy weather conditions. And finally, in the east, it is mostly dry and the weather is often hot during the day and cold at night.

 

How to Dress in Spring and Summer in Iran

In the spring, which starts on March 21 and ends on June 21st, the Iranians celebrate the New Year, which is called Nowruz also known as the Persian New Year. The spring climate in Iran is neither winter nor summer and at the same time has the characteristics of both; for example, in early April, the weather is still sometimes rainy and cool; while the weather in June is usually very hot. It is necessary to mention that temperature changes in various regions of Iran, as mentioned before, are different in the springs. For this reason, you should be careful to protect yourself from the cold and heat. Try to include the following options in your list of spring clothes: raincoat, cap, sandal, trainers, close-front shoes, and of course an umbrella!

When traveling to Iran in late spring and summer, it is preferable to wear light, loose, thin, and cotton clothes in most areas. Furthermore, for preventing sunburn, it is recommended to wear cool long-sleeved clothes. Let’s not forget that sunglasses, sunscreen, and hats are very important as well.

 

Essential Autumns and Winters Clothes

If you are planning to travel to Iran in the fall (September 23 to December 21st), you should know that autumn weather in Iran can change from cool to cold with incredible speed. For this reason, we suggest that you put the following items in the list of practical and essential autumn clothes when traveling to Iran. Thin long-sleeved tonics are one of the practical choices of autumn. Having a simple raincoat or a warm piece of clothing is another option. Warm and knitted scarves and shawls are a good idea for middle or late December. Also in mid-autumn, as in spring, there is rain in most parts of Iran, so please do not forget your umbrella!

All winter days are very cold in northern, eastern, western, and central regions of Iran except the south. Therefore it is clear to do have warm clothes with you in winter. In desert areas like Kerman, Yazd, Isfahan, etc. it is cold and dry and there is rarely snow and rain. Conversely, for mountainous areas located in the northwest and west, as well as some central areas of Iran, the opposite is true. In such areas, it can be very cold. Therefore, do not forget to bring warm clothes in this season of the year, such as woolen hats, gloves, and coats.

As mentioned, Iran is a country of four seasons. And if you want to travel to Iran in winter and enjoy a mild pleasant climate, the southern parts of Iran are just perfect for you! Areas such as Bandar Abbas and Khuzestan provinces as well as Sistan and Baluchistan and Kish and Qeshm Island are relatively warm and delightful. So you can also consider thin and cotton clothes for traveling to these areas in the winter.

 

Type of Clothing and Dress Code in Iran for Tourists

Special clothing and dress codes have always been a confusing challenge for tourists traveling to Iran. On the other hand,  travel sites and manuals have sometimes led to misunderstandings about how to choose clothes. So in this section, we will discuss proper clothing for men and women in Iran as a tourist, do’s and don’ts, and what to wear and not to wear in Iran.

Iran is an Islamic country where Islamic law is strictly enforced and travelers should respect local customs, religious rules, and rituals, especially during religious months such as Ramadan. It is good to mention that, different ethnic groups live in Iran who have different local clothes and costumes according to their culture, religion, and customs. As a tourist, after entering Iranian territory, the authorities will ask you to dress following Iranian laws. Below we will mention some information related to the dress code for tourists who travel to Iran.

 

Dress Code for Female Tourists in Iran

Iran Travel Advisory - Dress code for women

Iran is a country with Islamic rules including “Hijab” in public areas for women. It is good to mention that women’s indoor clothing follows fashions similar to those in the west like T-shirts, slacks, denim jeans, pants, and skirts. In other words, you should follow the rules only in public. As a matter of fact, you will see that tradition is mixed with modern fashion and it is not as distressing as it is depicted in the media. Although Hijab rules are not very strict for tourists, they have to comply with them to some extent.

 

Dress Code in Public Places for Women

In public places, women are not allowed to wear short skirts, tops, short-sleeved blouses, and shorts. Also, they should cover their hair with a scarf or shawl. Women wear pants or a long skirt or a long-sleeved tunic or knee-length coat outdoors. Clothing that accentuates the body curves and has an open collar is prohibited.

 

Dress Code in Religious and Holy Places

Dress code for women in holy places

In religious and holy places like mosques and holy shrines, women should wear ‘Chador’ which is long clothes before entering.

 

Iran Travel Advisory on Clothing for Women

In public places, you need a scarf and a medium-length dress to cover your arms. If you do not know exactly what to wear, be sure to wear long-sleeved clothes that are not short and have a scarf with you. In Iran, you can wear any kind of shoes and pants you want.

 

Iran Travel Advisory on Male Tourists Dress Code in Iran

Men can wear T-shirts, but they should not wear short pants in public even when it is very hot. It is appropriate to wear long pants. Apart from that, you will be fine.

 

Safety and Things to Avoid When You Are in Iran

Safety should be one of the main points, no matter where you go. According to Iran travel advisory in the 2020 travel risk map, you should not be concerned about your safety in Iran. This country is listed in the medium-risk category launched by global risk experts International SOS in collaboration with Control Risks.

Iran travel advisory- Is it safe to travel to Iran

Iran is located in the Middle East and some of its neighbors such as Afghanistan are at war. Nevertheless, there is nothing to worry about for you as a traveler to Iran. Referring to Iran travel advisory in foreign travel advice (FCO), the province of Baluchistan and the areas bordering Iraq and Afghanistan are advised no to travel, for distinct grounds. Apart from that, the rest of Iran is entirely safe for tourists.

 

Do Not Look Too Much Like a Tourist!

Dress in such a way that you do not look too much like a tourist. Avoid using expensive and glamorous jewelry abroad. Unless you want your diamond ring, pearls, and watch in someone else’s collection. Since you do not need to impress anyone during your trip, it is better to leave your valuables at home.

 

Iran Travel Warning on Alcohol in Iran

Drinking alcohol is illegal in Iran. It cannot be served in hotels, restaurants, and cafes. It is also better not to bring or even carry liquor chocolates and alcoholic beverages with you when traveling to Iran. Legal drinks in Iran include tea (Chai), coffee, non-alcoholic beer, dough (a traditional Iranian drink based on yoghurt, water, and salt), etc.

 

Iranian Currency, Exchange, Credit Cards and ATMs

The official currency in Iran is Rial (IRR). However, you will often use Toman which has the value of 10 Rials.

Iranian currency

International debit or credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard do not work in Iran. So, you have to bring some cash with you (Exchange offices accept both Dollars and Euros) to make purchases. In case of exchanging cash, you could easily go to the exchange offices. You can get prepaid debit cards from Iranian banks. You will need to show your passport for withdrawing cash from any ATMs or purchases in Iran.

 

Iranian Weekend is Friday

In many countries, Friday (Adineh) is the last working day before the weekend, but in Iran, Thursdays and Friday are the weekend. However, some offices are open until Thursday noon.

 

More about Iranians and their traditions:

Yalda Night

Chaharshanbe Suri

Ashura

Ramadan

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