As a Western woman in Iran: Leave emancipation at home

Can you travel to the Iran as a Western woman? What are the Do’s and Don’ts? How should you behave? Do you have to wear a headscarf as a Western woman in Iran? Here is my field report after 5 weeks backpacking in Iran.

Well-dressed woman in Iran

“Salam!” It’s just one single word and yet I have heard it so many times last May when travelling to Iran as a woman. Or Hello, hey, hi, good Morning! When in Persia, it seems like everybody welcomes you to the country. I mean everybody! I am not completely certain, if this is the famous Persian kindness or pure pleasure about the fact to spot a tourist that are rarely seen in a country of a very old high culture, but also a country that unfortunately is often mixed up with Taliban boot camps.

It’s just amazing to recognize all these friendly faces around you. This kindness is something I have never experienced during my travels ever before. I know that open-minded friendliness towards tourists is certainly very common in many tourist regions throughout South East Asia or in Turkey or South Italy, but the experience that I made in Iran has topped everything else. The Iranian people seemed to really like the fact that a western woman is traveling through their country. Maybe that is why they let me feel their joy about it at every opportunity and in all possible situation.

To say it straight, I would have never expected this response. Unknown people started to talk to me on the street and immediately welcomed me to their country. Even better, they invited us home for dinner and sometimes even payed our taxi bills. The people do not only want to get to know you as a person, but always want to tell you the history of their cities and villages – not wanting to receive anything back in return like money or buying stuff. The list of humanity and friendliness is endless! One of the guys me and Clemens have met in Tehran, for example, even took over the relatively high costs of the admission to the famous Golestan Palace in Irans capital. Just imagine that in the end of our backpacking Iran trip we didn’t even have to pay a hotel, because one of our new friends invited us over to stay at his place. I guess this is oriental hospitality at its best. Thanks a million, guys!

But despite all the positive responses, I have always been vigilant as a woman in Iran, about what my presence as a halfway emancipated woman in this country (what ever that means nowadays…) could cause. In short, Iran is an Islamic state in which the Sharia is law. In other words, Islam – the religion – is embodied in the law and everyone who lives there has to comply with these laws. Of course, tourists should also act according to these laws, even if for the most of us, it might be “just a religion”. For the government it is the law, the truth, a duty.

In the end of this post I will tell you shortly about what the major part of the population thinks about the topic. But first of all, here are the most important rules of etiquette or better said Dos and Don’ts when it comes to the Iran dress code for women. Please remember: These are r-u-l-e-s! So in other words, you have to follow them as a female tourist. Do not let the fact confuse you that (unlike what I had expected) public behavior in general seems quite loose. If you don’t want to come in conflict with the vice squad, these rules should better be respected.

Iran Dress code for a woman travelling:

1. Hijab – The headscarf

As a western woman in Iran, you should wear a hijab everywhere: on public places, in hotels, cafés, in the metro, in buses and on airplanes. So really everywhere, where you cannot close the door behind you and just be on your own. To be honest, due to the fact that in the first days of my trip we had 35° celsius, wearing a hijab was just annoying. While in Germany or other states a scarf is a nice accessory, that you wear at the neck, in Iran you wear it on your head.

The good news is, you get used to wear it. It depends on the situation and the place or city, how many or how few hairs you should cover. In some regions like the Capitol Tehran you can wear the scarf just loose over your topknot like I did and show your hairline. In the beginning of my Iran backpacking trip I always took care of not showing too many hair (blond – OMG!!!), but you will get more confident with the time and will get a feeling for the situation. Most of the younger Persian women also are very easy in wearing their hijabs. Could that be a their little revolution…?

As I said, in most places there is no problem to wear it loose. However, please remember that you have to wear a hijab. I don’t think that you would like to stay at a Persian police station for a couple of hours to be given a sermon or even worse things. In the end, how many hair you should show just depends on your courage and the situation. But that is just my opinion. So better watch out!

Woman in Iran: Woman in Iran: Colourful Hijabs at the bazaar
When traveling to Iran as a woman you may sometimes show hair.

Woman in Iran: Two fashionably dressed women in Esfahan
Nearly every younger woman in the big cities of Iran has a good taste and shows that on the street.

2. Manto – The jacket

Another part of the female dress code is a Manto, a longer jacket that reaches to the mid of your legs. Not tapered, not skinny. My advice is to take a few tunika or a longer, light cardigan with you.

I was lucky to know that already before my flight to Iran, so I ordered a very light one from the Monki store. Surprisingly most of the women I have met during my trip liked my dress and wanted to know immediately where I have bought it. Just like anywhere else, nearly every younger woman in Iran is totally into fashion, so it is no wonder that you can see many very well-dressed girls on the street.

However, whether hip or not hip, it’s a fact that you need a long dress you can wear in public. Otherwise not doing it can the same consequences than not wearing a hijab. But don’t panic, many persian women in the bigger cities like Tehran also wear tighter, more colorful and more stylish trench coats. Chapeau to that!

A little advice: Don’t mix up a Manto with a Chador, these black, huge cloaks, where the only thing that is uncovered is the woman’s face. You really don’t have to wear that!

Woman in Iran: Two fashionably dressed women in Shiraz
Women in Iran – More hair then we expected!

 3. Long clothes

The most important thing first: No legs, no arms, no skin! Leggings, jeans, linen-pants, skirts, dresses, everything is allowed. Important is to wear it in a long version, because every dress has to reach down to the ankles. And I REALLY MEAN to the ankles. My worst experience was in the extrem hot and sandy city of Yazd in the south of Iran, where I made the “mistake” to wear a black dress, which was 4 cm too short to cover my ankles and feet. As a result everybody just starred at me and at my feet, from man to woman, from children to elderlies. That was not so nice.

But then again the dress code can be very different from place to place. While in one city something is completely forbidden, it might be tolerated in the next. In any case, I would recommend to try every piece of clothing at home first, just to see how long and covering it really is.

Actually there is something you can choose more loose: the upper-wear. Of course it should never be tight or transparent, but long. Here is a little tip: roll up your sleeves at anytime just as I did. A little bit entertainment is essential, you know.

Woman in Iran: Brashly colorful woman clothes at the bazaar
Traveling to Iran as a woman: colorful dresses for the small, non-alcoholic party at home

4. Women to women, men to men

Although the intercourse between the sexes is quite easy, in some situations it is better for an equal western woman in Iran to just shut up and stay on the sideline.

For example, a man welcomes women in Iran usually only verbally, not by handshake. In case they know each other better men give each other a hand or even a hug.

That is actually a kind of behavior that you can see nearly everywhere: In the bus a woman in Iran just sits next to another woman, next to her husband or nobody. In the subway there are even special train compartments for women, but they are also allowed to use the normal ones if they want to.

Another thing is that any physical contact between a men and a woman in Iran, and even more between unmarried couples, is officially forbidden in public!

Also for unmarried couples it’s not easy to meet in public and act out their relationship. Even better: Unmarried Persian couples are not able to get a hotel room. Maybe only with fake rings… That is why in Iran, as long as you are not married, you usually live at home with your parents, what is driving the marriage rate and the divorce rate rapidly in height. On the other hand, Clemens and me, as a Western unmarried tourist couple, had no problems to get a hotel room at all. When someone asked us, if we were married, we just answered with a smile and a friendly nod.

Woman in Iran: Me with Persian friends
Together with new friends in the Golestan Palace in Tehran.

5. Female intuition is not prohibited

For any woman who wants to travel to Iran or go backpacking in Iran this small set of rules is, of course, something unusual and at first it might look quite awkward. Basically, I would still suggest to just comply with these rules.

Of course it is annoying, but you will get used to it quite fast. Above all, you’ll know when to relax the rules a bit and what reactions you have to expect. Similarly, to speak to unknown guys in public is not really a problem. You are allowed to talk to each other, you are allowed to laugh together, you are allowed to order your coke in the restaurant by yourself.

And this brings me to the last big question: Why are the people of Iran doing all this? Do they like it at all? And what has a headscarf to do with religion?

Conclusion: It’s all a question of female intuition

Every man and woman in Iran, everyone with whom I have spoken on my trip about all these practices has spoken out against many of the regulations and laws – and there were many who spontaneously came up with the topic of politics & religion by themselves. For my part, I would love to have a closer look. However, I would also love my trip to Iran not to be the last one in my life. Therefore, I will refrain in this article and in any comments from other remarks on critical aspects of Iran, as I was given the advice not to publish a too critical article on a website. This might sound absurd or overcautious but I hope you can understand.

The population, however, definitely deserves my applause. I have got to know very intelligent, open-minded and courteous people who have large share in the fact that I will always remember this backpacking trip to Iran as one of the best trips in my life.

Hard Facts about traveling to Iran as a woman:

Time of my trip: 3 weeks in late May / early June
Places visited: Tehran, Kashan, Esfahan, Yazd, Shiraz
New Facebook friends: 11
Worn headscarves: 3
Lost headscarves: 1

Hooked? Check out the complete Guide to Backpacking Iran – all you need to know. Also don’t miss the best Sights and Cities in Iran: Highlights from 1001 Nights.

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

I made good experiences with the Lonely Planet Iran and I think it is still the best traveler’s bible for backpacking Iran. But there is also another very useful Iran travel guide by Bradt in English language that is a good deal. t

Furthermore, if you are interested in the history and background of Iran and Old Persia, have a look at Revolutionary Iran: A History of the Islamic Republic and Iran Empire of the Mind: A History from Zoroaster to the Present Day. That give you a good overall understanding of the country.

More Articles about Iran Travel:

Backpacking in Iran: All you need to know

Iran Highlights: Best Sights and Cities – Hightlights of 1001 nights

Golestan palace in Tehran, Iran: a tiled beauty

Should anyone travel to countries that violate human rights?

Shiraz in Iran: Anekdotique of the Day

  1. kami says:

    I’m heading to Iran and the end of the year so this post couldn’t come at better timing! I’m bookmarking it as I’m sure it will be a great use for my trip! Thanks for this!

    Reply
    • Ali says:

      All welcome to PERSIA
      What a beautiful name, why did they change it on 1913?!!
      I’m living in Sydney, Australia and almost all of my aussie friend wanna come there to visit Iran and its people closely. It might be next year in the way of our journey to Russia where aussies rarely go there.
      Hope to enjoy of my home land; I’m sure they are as kind and welcome of western people <3

      Reply
      • Reza says:

        They changed the name ‘Persia’ because Iran is the ancient 2500 years old name of our country, but it’s still ok to call it Persia.

  2. Clelia says:

    This is a very interesting and informative article.
    I was offered a press trip in Iran last year but being a solo traveler I kindly declined the offer.

    I’d love to visit Iran one day but there are not enough info out there and in all honesty, I felt intimidated by all these set of rules. They are fascinating in a way as they are so far from our standards but yet again, traveling alone didn’t seem to be a good idea.
    Thanks for the tips, I will keep them in mind when the I will be visiting the country!

    Reply
  3. Iran is still on my bucket list. Wanted to go this year but I won’t make it, unfortunately. Anyway, I’m bookmarking it for the future, great post! 🙂

    Reply
  4. Mahdi says:

    ” it seems like everybody welcomes you to the country. I mean everybody! I am not completely certain, if this is the famous persian kindness or pure pleasure about the fact to spot a tourist that are rarely seen in a country of a very old high culture”

    The second part is also arguable. Normally Iranians welcome “Western” people. I mean if they see a Japanese or Korean or someone from Africa, they don’t show this level of kindness :).

    Just to make things more clear!

    Reply
    • Annette says:

      Thanks for your Feedback! Good to know that! I wasn’t sure about that, because i just can talk about MY OWN experiences. And i noticed that everybody likes the Western tourists. But we also met two Chinese guys and they also have been very overwhelmed about that kindness. So perhaps it is up to your own way of behaviour, what kind of reaction you get back.

      Reply
      • Nina says:

        Oh dear, I’m really surprised by such an ignorant comment by that person. i, as an iranian who has lived in iran her entire 19 years of life, assure you that whenever we see a tourist, just a tourist no matter the nationality is we get thrilled and excited about it and just show our thrill which really comes from inside. As you said it probably sources from this thing that there aren’t many tourists in iran each year. Even though i must admit that arab people aren’t very welcomed in here due to some past conflictions. I’ve got personal experiences with this and i have seen peoples reaction around tourists such as an african couple on a school trip and some chineese male friends at a good restaurant with family. Such a shame for that persons comment to ruin a visitors opinion. I hope you read this xx

  5. yara Coelho says:

    What a great article, filled with insight and great tips! I’m looking forward to visit Iran as a solo female traveler 🙂

    Reply
    • Clemens says:

      Thanks Yara! I hope you will make it to Iran one day. Its really worth it! To be in Iran as Western woman should be no problem for you as a well-traveled one 😉

      Reply
  6. An ABSOLUTELY amazing post. I have wanted to travel in the middle east for a long time and reading about others that have already done it, makes me itch to go even more. You were very informative and diplomatic about the way you presented your experience and I really appreciate that. I would love to chat with you further on your experiences here!

    Reply
  7. Liz says:

    I am going for a 15 day guided trip in October and was glad to see your photos and description as I am worrying about what clothes to take – seems less restrictive than I imagined. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  8. Thanks for such an interesting post. When I was in Turkey I was told that women of Islam wear the headscarf in tribute to Mary, the mother of Jesus. Mary is much revered as the mother of an important prophet. Now, as I haven’t seen my waistline in years, I love the flowing jacket/dress look with tights. I’m going to search for mantos online :). On another note, why is all the text on your site light gray? It’s so hard to read, and I do want to follow you. Keep up the safe, but enlightening, adventures!

    Reply
    • Annette says:

      Thanks for your feedback and the explanation of the scarfs!! Most of the Iran women didn’t wear any headscarfs before 1978, when Imam khomeini “made” the Islam as law. My grandaunt was there before ’78 and told me many stories of the country.

      To come to your note of the text colour: Perhaps it’s about your screen light options or a not updated browser, that the text seemes to be a light grey. Actually it’s a normal dark grey, because it is better and not that hard for the eyes to read text in darkgrey on white background than in a deep black. But I think the contrast is high enough on generaly used devices like smartphones, tablets and desktop browsers. But i will ask the developer, which kind of grey he excactly use, so i can proof the contrast between background and text.

      Reply
  9. Really enjoyed reading your article and having an idea of how it is for a woman to visit Iran and even a bit of an insight on how the life of an Iranian woman must be. Also found interesting to know through the comments that the law in Iran changed in 78… wonder how things were for women before then..

    Reply
    • Annette says:

      I noticed a mistake by me. The Revolution was in 1978, but 1979 the monarchy of Reza Schah has been forbidden by Khomeini.

      Reply
  10. Hannah says:

    Great post! I’d love to go someday, and it would probably be as a solo female traveler– bookmarking this article for future reference!

    Reply
  11. Dariel says:

    A very informative post! I never knew about the long top required in Iran. Will definitely take note of that when I do visit. 🙂

    Reply
    • Clemens says:

      Oh you should definitely do that Dariel! If you stick to the rules, you won’t get any problems there. It’s just as easy as that. But the most important part is: Go to Iran, it’s so worth a visit!

      Reply
  12. This was a very interesting read! I didn’t know that the long cardigan was mandatory, now I understand why Iranian women wear them all the time in LA as weel, where there is a huge persian population.

    Reply
  13. I am Iranian born and I went back to backpack Iran myself couple months ago. Foreigners Trip to Iran is so fascinating to me, its a such terrible tourist destination for you guys, lol but I must say you guys are probably miss out on 70% of the fun! next time try to hit up people a head of the time or go with an Iranian student abroad. because then that’s how you get to go to parties and get to actually hang out and get to know lots of those young Iranians you come across . Iran is an ideological dictatorship, its not made for tourist to enjoy or for even Iranians to do the things they really want. there is a culture that its need to be dig deeper but countries that had the privilege of democracy and prosperity for generations would not understand what I am talking about.

    Reply
    • Clemens says:

      You are so right! The connection to the countries’ people is so important. But no worries: we had the parties 🙂 and luckiely the opportunity to join e.g. a wedding and hang up and travel the country with some friends, we made there.

      Reply
  14. Anyone from Finland? says:

    I’m a woman and I’d like desperately to travel to Tehran to meet someone…
    This is fool and embarrassing, but I’m too “scared” and ‘green’ to do it by myself – not because of Iran etc but because I’ve never travelled alone anywhere (I’ve only travelled in Europe with a company). Sure I”survive” but it would be more comfortable to go there with someone.
    I wish to find a couple or two women who would be interesting to travel to Tehran……… <3

    Reply
    • Shima says:

      I’m in Norway and as a Iranian telling you Iran is safe for travelling alone for a woman but I do understand scandinavians are cautious so you can join me when I’m going for visit my parents next year! you can txt me in my FB ,I updating it in Farsi but you can write a private msg and we will talk more https://www.facebook.com/from.Teh.to.St

      Reply
    • Monika says:

      I’m from Estonia and want to plan a trip there on my own. Maybe next year. If you haven’t been yet then maybe we can go.

      Reply
  15. Lucy says:

    Interesting and informative article however you weren’t alone in Iran. You had a western male with you. It is like Kurdistan, if you are with a male the behaviour of the male population is completely different than if you travel alone. It’s like day and night. So did you ever travel alone for a day in Iran or always with your male partner?

    Reply
    • Annette says:

      Dear Lucy,

      I have been twice times in Iran. Last year for almost 3 weeks and this year 2 weeks in january. We had many good travel experiences with locals, went on a wedding, spend our nights via couchsurfing and spend a lot of time with the people we met there. I know two experiences of western women (german ones) who traveled alone via backpacking for many weeks. One of them do also couchsurfing. And they both had absolutely the same experiences as we both had. Of course I did some things alone, for example go to the supermarket or talking to people, when my partner wasnt at my side. There wasnt any difference of the behavior of the men. I think there are some more situations you have to be aware of, but this is like in every country in the world. Travelling alone as a woman is always different.

      Reply
  16. Kristina says:

    Hello!

    I will be going to Iran next month, around the same time you went and to many of the same places! I have a question that you sort of answered in the post, and should be answered by your pictures, but I feel like I need to ask directly to feel secure in the answer!

    Is it alright to wear shirts with three quarter length sleeves? The kind that goes midway between the wrist and the elbow? Also, are leggings acceptable underneath the loose top, or is it better to find more loose fitting pants?

    Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and I look forward to experiencing Iran myself very soon!

    Reply
    • Annette says:

      I think your choice of cloth is totally ok. Tight pants are ok, but you always have to wear something long above it. I would say minimum middle of the upper part of the leg. I wouldnt wear sandals as shoes. I did it once for few hours and I dont feel good while everybody looked at my feet. 🙂 You will feel better and more un-watched on the street if you wear things like that. Also with the sleeves. But not in every city. Just have a look to the women of the different cities how they wear their cloth and you get a feeling which outfit you can choose 🙂 Have a great trip!! It will be more “relaxed” then you probably expect it 🙂

      Reply
  17. Shima says:

    I found lot of misty in your article such as (: In the bus a woman in Iran JUST sits next to another woman, next to her husband OR NOBODY I) women don’t sit only next to their husband because they don’t like to sit to sit next to other guys or they are not allowed……,first of all ,city bus in Iran made men and women separate part so is not even possible you sit next to your husband second if it would be mix you could see they really don’t care sit next to guys but it is a fact women in Iran can’t be in touch with men as easy as we can do in free countries

    for unmarried couples it’s not easy to meet in public and act out their relationship!!!! maybe 15 years ago yes police was really against to it but it is out of their control now also nowadays even unmarried couple living together like west countries although still government deny it

    Reply
    • Annette says:

      I think the rules in your country is for a western woman or men in iran not easy to understand, because it is so often tolerated but even actually forbidden. This article is just a summery of my experiences of the things I noticed and be told of people we met there. I just see everything in comparison to Germany, where I live. And for us it is not a “normal” way of acting out a relationship as free as you want it. But just because we used to see lots of kissing and huging men & women in puplic. You dont see this in Iran, because also the goverment dont want this way of free and equal relationships.

      Reply
      • Shima says:

        kissing in public is totally something else than meet your unmarried couple ,I pointed specified this part of your article “for unmarried couples it’s not easy to meet in public and act out their relationship” …was better to say : for unmarried couples it’s not easy to kiss in public 😉
        btw as you said is not easy at all for a foreign to understand our culture specially in short time .it’s too complicated when goverment wish something and force ppl to do it but other side ppl think ,want and act totally different .my husband is Czech and we travel alot to Iran but still he is confused by Iran culture and rules

    • Cindy says:

      Shima is exactly right!
      It seems that your interpretation of things in Iran is a bit outdated.
      Things changed and youth brought about those changes. Not mentioning them lacks the merit.
      However, thank you for sharing your stories, By telling them, we can start arguing about them.
      Cheers mate,

      Reply
  18. Mona says:

    Hiiiii
    I saw your article & read it carefully.That’s kind of you to come &visit Iran.I hope you had greate time in Iran. I was one of your subject in Isfehan and i saw my picture in your article. I enjoy your article. I really proud of my country and my people.They experienced lots of problems … but they love other nationality & religons. As i remember you just visited Tehran,Isfehan, Kashan,Yazd&Shiraz.These are perfect but our country have many places that you don’t visit there.We have some kind of dance in iran!! local dance like khorasan dand& turkey dance& lorish dance.I hope one day you can come and see . At the end i want to say thank you for your article.good luck.

    Reply
  19. Brooke says:

    Annette,
    Thank you for sharing all of the information to be aware of when visiting Iran as a woman. All of the details about appropriate clothing are good to know so you aren’t caught in a difficult situation. I admired what you said at the end of your article about finding open-minded and accepting citizens in the population, it helps show another side of the country.

    Reply
  20. Alireza says:

    Hi,
    I am an Iranian guy. I read the article and I understand the Annette’s thoughts as a foreigner. I usually say Iran is the land of wonders and some of the mentioned issues in the article seems to be so! 😉
    By the way, all of you who are planning to travel to Iran, single or with a tour, can contact me and ask about what you are afraid of, about the details which you think are vague, and in summary, about what you think that you don’t about Iran.
    I believe that it worth a travel to Iran.
    Sincerely Alireza

    Reply
  21. Mohammad says:

    i very happy after see pic’s
    welcome to my iran

    Reply
  22. Ro says:

    No sandals? really? I’m going to Iran next month and I thought sandals were appropiate to wear (not for visiting Shrines or very religios places like Qom) . I’m gonna melt there! 😉
    I’m so happy and curious about travelling there even though people give me strange looks when I say where I’m gonna spend my holidays. I want to thank you and Clemens about the blog and specially for this post but…you have to be kidding…no sandals? 🙁

    Reply
    • Clemens says:

      It’s not that its forbidden in Iran, but some might stare at you feet & ankles… don’t mind too much, just find out yourself. Have a good trip!

      Reply
  23. maryam says:

    welcome to Iran, yet one thing I have realized as an Iranian woman married to an European man is that Iranian kindness and hospitality is just dedicated to westerners ,
    i myself have witnesses this in my life a lot of time. the smile on my husband and frown on me !!! so welcome to Iran the most 😉

    by they way, Sandals are fine. i wear it all the time in Iran. the point is as an European if police warned you in the street (which usually it is just a warning) start speaking in your language and look confused. they will let you go!

    Reply
  24. Khutso says:

    To Annette and Clement, thank you for sharing such invaluable information. I arrived here almost a month ago but could not understand certain behavior. Well, one thing that I could allude to is the friendliness and warmth of the Persian people. They are very welcoming and accommodating. I really pity the young aspirant ladies who are dictated how to dress thou. Thank you once more for sharing.

    Reply
  25. Maggie Hunt says:

    Great information and love the commentary and photos! Heading to Iran next Saturday and cannot wait to visit!

    Reply
  26. Kendal says:

    And this brings me to the last big question: Why are the people of Iran doing all this? Do they like it at all? And what has a headscarf to do with religion?

    Answer….?? lol. Was waiting for the answer.
    I’d also like to know what the dress code is for men. I mean they have skin and hair, too, right?

    Reply
  27. behrouz says:

    thank u annette to tell the truth about iran
    you are such a good human
    I remember when I was soldire in yazd , I tought some tourists scared of me because of my clothes, one time I tried talk to one of them , he was a nice old man from italy, and I asked him if he wanted to took some pictures of him with his camera, and he accepted, and I told him Im just like other people and now Ihave to put on this clothes for 2 years, just this
    so
    soldires are not scary 😉
    as an iranian i invite everybody to travell to iran
    and sorry for my english if its not good!

    Reply
  28. huixinsoft86@foxmail.com says:

    Next visit North Korea?

    Reply
  29. Atefeh says:

    Im from iran honey…
    We love every one …
    We host our gests …Its our rule!!
    Our enemy bother us and like to see us seprated!!but we dont obey their orders!!we are together….all the iranians are brothers and sisaters and their gests are the best gift that god sent to them.
    We will see you there….

    Reply
  30. hoomun says:

    most of the iranian (like me) have the kind behavior with the tourist come from other countries .you understand so many thing about iran in this short travel time like: country situation,history,commuty and how we’ve changed after all these years. as a 17 years old iranian teen it was great read your article about traveling in iran and also good experience to see how a foreign tourist thinks about my country

    Reply
  31. Shirley says:

    You talk a bout “us”. Did you travel With a man?

    Reply
  32. Bahar says:

    Hi guys.Im a seventeen year old iranian girl and it may seems a silly question i ask but you said:
    ” Clemens and me, as a Western unmarried tourist couple, had no problems to get a hotel room at all. When someone asked us, if we were married, we just answered with a smile and a friendly nod.”
    i cant understand it.if you were a couple,you were married.i dont know, maybe you meant that you were boy friend and girl friend or infact you had a white marriage.
    another thing.Didnt you visit Kermanshah at the west of Iran?????gosh!!
    you missed some of the most beautiful things like Taghe-bostan,Bisotoon,Anahita temple,Goor dakhme and our deliciouse Dande kebab and khalal khoresht.and our sweets also.I think you must come again:)))
    But a thing that is somehow popular is in Iran and i think it should be removed is Ghelyan(the big thing like cigar).never use it!its hundreds time more dangerous than cigar and cigarette.
    (excuse me if i ihad problems in grammar and writing.
    cheers.

    Reply
  33. Hossein says:

    Great sounds!
    Glad to hear good things from our guests.
    Iran is ba 4 season country. In the same time you can have a experience of hot and cold weather.
    Just plan to see all around the Iran not only Tehran, Kashan, Isfahan, shiraz.
    In the north you can find the caspian see and very nice nature and jungles (Just 3 hrs from Tehran), then you can get trip th Karaj, Qazvin , Zanjan ,…

    Reply
    • Clemens says:

      I know Hossein, you are right. There are still so many places I want to see in Iran. Definitely need to come back to Iran soon!

      Reply
  34. Christine Owen says:

    Thank you for your interesting read and the comments.
    I am flying to Tehran from Adelaide tomorrow night with my daughter and am getting very excited. We are meeting parents of friends and they have a full itinerary booked for us. Visiting Isfahan and Chiraz. Have the tunics organised but looking forward very much to some bazaar shopping for more. Better head off and start packing. Thank you once again
    Christine

    Reply
  35. John Bradley says:

    Hi how will Iranians react to my wife in motorcycle gear.?
    John

    Reply
  36. Kuros says:

    “Why are the people of Iran doing all this?”
    Simply because the system make us do all this. It’s the law thing, police thing, so fuckthepolice is the attitude.
    I know a old woman in our hood who never wear a scarf only because she got balls!

    Reply
  37. Martha says:

    I’d love to visit, but maybe once they relax their rules on wearing a headscarf. Until then I’ll just look at the photos

    Reply

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