What is the Best Time to Visit Iran?

Iran is a land of contrasts and extremes: the 17th largest country in the world, with 1,648 million square kilometres of territory. Thus, the diversity of landscapes is as wide as the variety of climates. That's why it's hard to tell what the best time to visit Iran is: the good news is that Iran is a 4-season country and it all depends on your taste!

However, tourists are usually recommended to visit Iran during spring and autumn. Indeed, during those months the temperatures are good quite all over the country: not too hot, not too cold. In a country whose temperatures can reach 50 degrees Celsius as well as minus 32 degrees Celsius during rare extreme events, finding the right balance makes sense. Yet, there are also some disadvantages to travelling during the high season, such as crowded places and advanced bookings.

So to find the time that suits the best your travel plans to Iran, carefully look at the calendar.

Spring, from March to late May: the high season with the best temperatures

Spring is often considered the best season to visit Iran. Whether you want to visit Persepolis, go into the desert, chill out on the Caspian Sea, anything is possible during springtime in Iran. In Shiraz, it's the magical time of the year during which the scent of orange blossom spreads over the air. Everywhere else, it's the perfect season for hiking and appreciating the pristine nature of Iran, from its Hara forests to parks filled with colourful tulips.

However, spring is the high season in Iran, which doesn't come without some inconveniences. First, note that the arrival of spring marks the first day of the Persian Year. During two to three weeks around the 21st of March, the whole country celebrates the New Year, "Nowruz". This is a really busy time, during which Iranians travel a lot, in particular in the north of the country. You'd better come to Iran during Nowruz if you intend to join Nowruz celebrations, which is a wonderful event. And be careful to book your accommodations and transportations in advance.

May also coincide with the holy month of Ramadan, during which Muslims fast all day long. As a tourist, you will find plenty of places to eat and drink, but be aware that it can have some specific impact on your trip. Read our article about travelling to Iran during Ramadan to know everything about it.

Averages temperatures in spring in the main cities:

City	Min to Max C° in March	Min to Max C° in April	Min to Max C° in May
Tehran	5 to 15	11 to 22	16 to 28
Isfahan	4 to 17	9 to 22	14 to 28
Shiraz	5 to 19	9 to 24	13 to 31
Yazd	8 to 21	14 to 27	19 to 32
Kerman	4 to 19	8 to 25	13 to 30
Rasht	5 to 13	10 to 19	14 to 24
Tabriz	0 to 10	6 to 17	11 to 23
Ahwaz	12 to 26	18 to 32	23 to 39
Bandar Abbas	14 to 24	21 to 32	24 to 34

 

September to early November: The Soft Fall of Iran, a Perfect Season

If you prefer to avoid the crowd of spring while keeping lenient temperatures, fall is the perfect season for you. The weather slowly gets cooler after the hot temperatures of summer. As for spring, you can easily visit any place in Iran during autumn, and enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, rafting, and canyoning.

Going out of the rude months of summer, life slowly resumed its course as schools reopens in late September. The more November approaches, the more you should bring your woollies with you though. Nights and days can start to be fresh in the north and central Iran.

Averages temperatures in fall in the main cities:

City	Min to Max C° in September	Min to Max C° in October
Tehran	19 to 32	13 to 24
Isfahan	15 to 31	9 to 24
Shiraz	14 to 34	9 to 28
Yazd	19 to 35	13 to 28
Kerman	11 to 32	6 to 26
Rasht	18 to 27	13 to 22
Tabriz	14 to 28	8 to 20
Ahwaz	23 to 42	19 to 36
Bandar Abbas	28 to 37	21 to 33

 

From November to Early March: Between Beaches and Ski Resorts

Winter is a great moment to visit Iran. It's the perfect time to discover the south coast of Iran, with the beautiful Persian Gulf islands of Qehsm and Kish, and their pristine sand beaches. For those who prefer powder snow, be aware that Iran is an amazing ski destination! Almost one-third of the country is covered with snow during winter, and more than a hundred peaks are over 4000m. You can even ski without leaving the capital city, Tehran!

As spring has Nowruz, winter has Yalda, another ancestral tradition of the Persian culture. Contrary to Nowruz, this celebration which marks the first day of winter on the 21st of December, only last for one evening. No major consequences to expect on travelling then, simply the opportunity to celebrate this unique event with Iranians.

Averages temperatures in winter in the main cities:

City	Min to Max C° in November	Min to Max C° in December	Min to Max C° in January	Min to Max C° in February
Tehran	7 to 17	1 to 10	-1 to 7	1 to 10
Isfahan	4 to 17	-1 to 11	-2 to 9	0 to 12
Shiraz	4 to 21	1 to 14	0 to 12	1 to 15
Yazd	6 to 20	2 to 14	1 to 13	3 to 16
Kerman	0 to 20	-3 to 15	-3 to 12	-1 to 15
Rasht	8 to 17	4 to 14	2 to 11	3 to 11
Tabriz	2 to 12	-3 to 5	-7 to 1	-5 to 4
Ahwaz	13 to 26	9 to 19	7 to 18	9 to 20
Bandar Abbas	16 to 27	12 to 21	12 to 24	11 to 20

 

July to August: The Hot Months of Summer

Summer is the best to be avoided in Iran, as most parts of the country are too hot to travel to. Keep in mind that the hottest spot on earth has been recorded in the Kerman Kaluts desert, in Iran! From July to August, the temperatures on the south coast make a trip there difficult. If it's also hot in Central Iran, around Shiraz, Isfahan, and Yazd, it can still be experienced as long as you're not afraid to sweat!

If you choose to travel to Iran during the summer, we recommend you to experience summer, as Iranians do. Gilan and Mazandaran Provinces, which are along the Caspian Sea, have a cooler climate. With more rainfall than anywhere else in the country, nature is greener with lush forests which are home to many birds and rich flora. North West cities like Tabriz, Ardabil, Hamedan, Kermanshah, Lorestan and Kordestan would also have good weather in summer with a lot to visit.

Averages temperatures in summer in the main cities:

City	Min to Max C° in June	Min to Max C° in July	Min to Max C° August
Tehran	15 to 29	20 to 33	23 to 35
Isfahan	19 to 34	22 to 36	20 to 35
Shiraz	17 to 36	20 to 38	19 to 37
Yazd	24 to 38	26 to 40	24 to 38
Kerman	16 to 35	18 to 36	15 to 34
Rasht	18 to 28	20 to 30	20 to 30
Tabriz	15 to 29	20 to 33	19 to 32
Ahwaz	26 to 45	28 to 46	27 to 46
Bandar Abbas	26 to 36	28 to 38	30 to 38

As a land of four seasons, Iran has various experiences to offer to visitors, from lush forests to hot deserts and cool mountains. The best time to visit Iran is simply the one which suits the best the kind of experiences you’re looking for during your travel!