Golestan palace in Tehran, Iran: a tiled beauty

A wall with colorful tiles in the Golestan Palace in Tehran

The Golestan Palace in Tehran is on top of the list when it comes to must-sees in Iran. The “Palace of flowers” is a true masterpiece of the Qajar era, one the oldest of all historic monuments in the capitol of the Islamic Republic and since mid 2013 listed as UNESCO world heritage site. Believe me, from all the enchanting places that I visited on my travels through the beautiful country of Iran (and there are tons!), this place is definitely one, that deserves this title.

A beautiful wall with tiles in the Golestan Palace in Tehran in IranAn alley in the Golestan Palace in TehranA high wind tower in the Golestan Palace in TehranA panoramic view of the Golestan Palace
A panoramic view of one of the building of the Golestan Palace in Tehran.

Just a short walk from Imam Khomeini Square, the lavish and impressive Golestan palace (Persian: کاخ گلستان‎, pronounced “Kakheh Golestan”) and Golestan palace museum is made up of several grand buildings that were once owned by the Persian ruling family, the ancient citadel of Tehran and are set around a carefully manicured garden featuring some nice pools as well as planted areas (Golestan means “floral”).

Covering 17 palaces, museums, and halls in total, this place with all its detailed ornaments, massive wind towers and golden cupolas embodies the successful integration of earlier Persian crafts and architecture with Western influences.

Or in other words: it is a result of roughly 400 years construction and renovations. The buildings at the contemporary location each have a unique history.

A ceiling made of mirrors in the Golestan Palace in Tehran
The Golestan Palace in Tehran is stunning: With walls and ceilings made out of mirror

Inside the pageantry is just incredible: spacious rooms, the most beautiful paintings, massive wooden dining tables, mirrored walls, marble-carvings, tile-work, stucco, enamel, woodcarvings, lattice windows, gold and glitter simply everywhere.

It’s just a huge wow-factor wherever you look at. That’s the good news…

A impressive golden luster in the Golestan Palace in TehranA detailed wall made of mirrors and mosaics in the Golestan Palace
Stunning Golestan Palace in Tehran: What you see here is a mosaic made of glass

The bad news is, that in most buildings of the Golestan Palace your are not allowed to take pictures. Therefore, unfortunately, I had no chance to capture all the beauty of this place from the inside for you. Sorry for that!

But no worries. I’ve found something else that is no less impressive: THE INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL FACADES!

A walkway in the Golestan Palace in Tehran
A walk through the park of Golestan Palace in Tehran

I pretty sure, that even from the outside the buildings of the Golestan Palace will leave a long lasting impression on everyone that comes to visit. With countless colorful motifs of hundreds of glazed tiles in all conceivable colors.

Some are small and rich in detail, other really magnificent, some tell stories or just have a pattern that you could use directly as wallpaper. Or as a gift wrap. Timeless. Beautiful.

There is no other thing to say, but the Golestan Palace in Tehran is definitely the most perfect place to take a stroll in this huge city full of people and traffic hams and just enjoy all the beauty. I’m pretty sure the following images speak for themselves.

A little framed ornament with colorful tiles in the Golestan Palace in TehranDetailed shot of colorful tiles in the Golestan Palace and MuseumA modern looking wall with tiles in the Golestan Palace in TehranHeavy wooden door in the Golestan Palace in TehranA fisheye view of a tiled wall in the Golestan Palace in TehranA tiled frame in the Golestan Palace in TehranAn long wall with colored tiles in the Golestan Palace in TehranA colorful motif with a lion in the Golestan Palace in TehranShadows on a tiles motif in the Golestan Palace in TehranA little wooden door in the Golestan Palace in TehranTwo beautiful works of tiles in the Golestan Palace in TehranA wall full of motifs in the Golestan Palace in IranA close shot of tiles showing a dragon and a lion fighting in the Golestan Palace in TehranA wooden door in the Golestan Palace in TehranAn oranament in the Golestan Palace in TehranMany archways in the Golestan Palace in TehranA massive metallic door in the Golestan Palace in TehranA very detailed ornament with tiles in the Golestan Palace in TehranA close shot of colourful tiles in the Golestan Palace in Tehran
Tiles, tiles, tiles: details of the Golestan Palace in Tehran

Hard Facts about the Golestan Palace in Tehran, Iran:

Address of the Golestan Palace in Tehran:
Street Ark Sq, at the heart of old Tehran. The complex is bordered on the north by the Ministries of Finance and Justice, on the east by Naser Khosrow St, on the west by Davar Street, and along its southern edge, it’s one block from Panzdah-e Khordad Ave.

Underground to Golestan Palace in Tehran:
Panzdaeh Khordad

Entrance & Entrance fee of Golestan Palace in Tehran:
Main access to the complex is from Panzdah Khordad Square on the southwest corner.
Admission is not expensive but you must buy a separate ticket for each building at the front gate.
It costs 50.000 Rial for each building. (Prices can change of course.)

Opening hours of Golestan Palace in Tehran:
Fri, Sat & Mon-Wed from 9am – 3.30pm

Planning a trip? Check out my favorite Iran travel guides:

I had good experiences with Lonely Planet Iran – I think it is still the best traveler’s bible for backpacking Iran. Besides another very useful Iran travel guide by Bradt, there are two interesting books called Revolutionary Iran: A History of the Islamic Republic and Iran Empire of the Mind: A History from Zoroaster to the Present Day that gives you a good overall understanding of Iran and Old Persia.

More Articles on Iran Travel:

Backpacking in Iran: All you need to know

Best Sights and Cities in Iran: Hightlights of 1001 nights

• Solo Travel in Iran? Traveling the country as a Western Woman

Should anyone travel to countries that violate human rights?

Shiraz in Iran: Anekdotique of the Day

  1. I have to say that Tehran was not on our radar/bucket list at all but after reading this I am going to investigate visiting here! Thank you for sharing really gorgeous photos , the palace is beautiful!

    Reply
    • Clemens says:

      Hi Stacey, you’re welcome! There is so much to experience in Iran, you will love it. If you’re interested, I’ll publish more stories, photoessays and much more soon!

      Reply
  2. Corinne says:

    Those tiles are stunning. I would love to go to Tehran!

    Reply
  3. Wow, amazing photos! I would love to go to that area in general and hopefully one day I get a chance. Although I have to wait for a new passport as my current one has some stamps that they would not like…But a bucket list destination for later for sure.

    Reply
    • Clemens says:

      Thanks Annika, you should really be aware of that passport thing. But if you have the chance to visit Iran, definitely go for it! I will write more about it the upcoming weeks, in case you interested.

      Reply
  4. Rahman says:

    I particularly like the blue color of your photos. I live in Tehran and have taken several photos of this palace, but yours are really soft and gorgeous! Thanks for haring them.

    Rahman Mehraby
    Destination Iran

    Reply
    • Clemens says:

      Hi Rahman, thank you so much for that compliments. The Golestan Palace made it very easy for me to capture it in photos. Such a lovely place! I need to go back there soon!

      Reply
  5. Loreto says:

    I went there in Golestan, already my second time in Tehran…I love the mirror work and the tiles…try also to visit the Niavaran Palace complex…

    Reply
    • Clemens says:

      Oh, I haven’t been there! Will check the Niavaran Palace complex next time I will be in Tehran. Thanks for the tip, Loreto!

      Reply
  6. Brooke says:

    I would love to visit Iran and see the beautiful mosaics, especially from this palace! I can see why everything is amazing and has a “WOW” factor to it. Golestan Palace looks incredible and I’m sure it’s even more amazing in person.

    Reply
  7. gashta berahman says:

    marvelous…

    Reply

Leave a reply.