The name of the city of Shiraz was first seen on clay tablets of the Elamian period. These tablets, which are assigned to 2000 BC, were found in the southwest of Shiraz in 1970 when the earth was dug up for constructing a brick kiln. These tablets helped researchers a lot in understanding the history of Shiraz. In these tablets, a city named Tirazis is mentioned, which was later changed to Shiraz over time. The origin of this name in Old Farsi was Sirajis, which according to some researchers, was the name of the son of Shah (King) Thammort. But other narrations about the name Shiraz reject this narration.
The history of Shiraz dates back to the Sassanid period. In the old days, Shiraz consisted of several castles in the middle of a large plain, around which there were villages. Still, with the city’s transfer to its current location, the old town was left to itself and gradually fell into disrepair. In this area and Bunsar Castle, archaeologists discovered tablets, seals, and many ancient objects that shed light on a large part of the city of Shiraz.
The history of Shiraz dates back to the Sassanid period. In the old days, Shiraz consisted of several castles in the middle of a large plain, around which there were villages. Still, with the city’s transfer to its current location, the old town was left to itself and gradually fell into disrepair. In this area and Bunsar Castle, archaeologists discovered tablets, seals, and many ancient objects that shed light on a large part of the history of Shiraz.
Shiraz, also known as the city of daffodils, is a green city full of gardens and orchards due to its mild climate and abundant rainfall. So much so that if you plan to travel to Shiraz, you will not be able to see all the gardens and beautiful places of this city in a few day’s trips. In addition, if you look at the history of Shiraz, you will realize that Shiraz was the home of many poets, including Hafez, Saadi, and Khajovi Kermani. Their tombs have become a place for the gathering of art lovers and poetry lovers, and you can visit them on many occasions a year. Take part in poetry reading and music performances in these places. Before the Islamic revolution, Shiraz had a special wine that was exported to the world through the Persian Gulf and India due to its fertile soil and pure grapes.
Undoubtedly, it shines like a pearl in the history of Shiraz during the Achaemenid era. At a time when more than half of the world did not have an independent civilization, one of the most significant civilizations belonged to Iran and the Achaemenid dynasty. Parse, also known as Persepolis, and we call it Persepolis, is the first big civilized city in Iran, the remains of which are still stunning.
Despite the passage of time, the inscriptions and stone writings of Persepolis still show the culture and authority of the people who owned one of the largest empires in the world. In addition, the Persepolis architecture, paintings and sculptures, apart from its beauty, reveal many secrets of the history and culture of ancient Iran and the history of the city of Shiraz to history lovers, archaeologists and tourists.
Due to Shiraz having many historical, religious, cultural and natural attractions, many tourists travel to Shiraz, and they will visit this well-known and famous city during their trip to Iran. Of course, to travel to any city, you should know the best time to travel to it. All seasons and months of Shiraz city are attractive, But the spring season is the most beautiful. April is the best time to travel to Shiraz; Because it has a unique atmosphere. The fragrance of Shiraz’s orange spring blossoms in May refreshes your soul. At the same time, in May, the domestic travel season is over, and tourists can visit the attractions more calmly.
Shiraz is one of Iran’s most beautiful and famous cities and tourist destinations. Shiraz is full of love and is the cradle of art and literature, the nurturer of Saadi, Hafez (two of the great Iranian poets) and thousands of great writers, the smell of oranges, unique architectures and tasteful and artistry people. Indeed, these excellent cultural features have had many manifestations in the souvenirs and handicrafts of Shiraz. In the following, we will introduce some of Shiraz’s most important handicrafts and souvenirs.
1- Yokheh
Yokheh is one of the local and traditional sweets of Shiraz. Wheat flour, sugar or sugar flour, eggs, cinnamon, oil, cardamom and water are used in cooking Yokheh, and pistachio powder, sugar powder, coconut and almond slices are used to decorate. Yokheh pastry is very similar to Kermanshah kak (a type of pastry), and the only minor difference between these two sweets is the thickness of their layers; usually, the layers of Yokheh dough are thinner.
2- Muscat cookies
In Shiraz, a particular type of cookie and muscati is prepared, and since these two sweets are almost always served together, it has become known as muscati cookie. In the preparation of certain Shirazi cookies, they use white flour, rice flour, powdered sugar, eggs, rose water and solid oil, and after they are baked, they are decorated with purslane. Muscati is also prepared with starch powder, water, rose water, sugar, saffron and oil. Finally, these two are placed next to each other in a tray.
5- Burnt almonds
Burnt almond is one of the souvenirs of Fars and Kurdistan provinces, and they can be bought in Shiraz as a delicious souvenir of the city. To prepare this food, almonds, sugar or honey and water are mixed and heated until the water and sugar cover the almonds in a thick liquid and finally, burnt almonds appear.
6- Ranginak
Ranginak is one of the hearty desserts that is very popular in the southern provinces of our country, including Fars, Hormozgan, Bushehr and Khuzestan, and the people of Shiraz prepare it. Ranginak is obtained from the combination of dates, flour and cinnamon powder, But maybe in each of the southern cities of Iran, there are slight differences in the preparation of this delicious food. Usually, Shirazi prepares Ranginak by mixing dates, walnuts or pistachios, flour, oil, sugar dust, or cinnamon.
7- Spirits and herbal teas
Spirits and herbal teas are also considered famous souvenirs of Shiraz. You can enjoy Shiraz daily with different types of high-quality herbal teas and spirits such as Bahar Naranj, Beharmeshk, Rosewater, Nasturtium flower, Mint, Chehl Sheba, Chamomile, Borage, etc. Of course, your temperament (mood and inner nature of the body) effectively use each herb type.
Shiraz handicrafts
In the following, we introduce some of the most famous handicrafts of Shiraz.
1- Shiraz carpet
One of the most valuable souvenirs that can be bought on a trip to Shiraz is the Shiraz carpet. In each of the cities of Iran, carpets are woven especially, and Shiraz also has a particular type of carpet, which is different from the carpets of other Iranian cities due to the kind of knots, the way it is woven, and the type of rug.
2- Gabeh
Gabeh or Khersk carpet is made of cotton or wool fibres, usually woven in a small size. The weave of this type of carpet is very common among the Qashqai and Lor tribes who live in parts of Fars province. These days, the city of Shiraz has not been deprived of the art of these peoples, and the beautiful Gabehes of this city are very popular, especially in the clay or frame design.
3- Rug
Another souvenir that is very popular among tourists is the Shiraz rug, which is used as a rug or cover. The Rug is made of silk, goat hair, sheep wool, or other domestic animals, and sometimes it is woven mentally without a plan. Wool threads dye the carpet with vegetable dyes. It is interesting to know that one of the types of rugs in Fars province is called Rand. The Qashqai nomads weave this very finely woven and delicate handwoven fabric on a horizontal frame.
4- Buria weaving
In Kazerun, using the fibres of palm leaves or marsh reeds, they weave a cover known as “Buria”. Buria weaving is done only by men.
5- Khatam Kari (Inlay work)
The Khatam Kari art is registered in the list of handicrafts of Shiraz, and its examples can be seen in many city’s Bazaars. It is necessary to know that the finer the inlay designs are, the better and more valuable the inlay is.
6- Moaraq Kari
The name of this Iranian art has been registered in the list of handicrafts of Shiraz, and you can see beautiful examples of the art of wooden mosaic work in the city’s bazaars.
7- Silverwork
If you are looking for stylish and expensive souvenirs in Shiraz, we suggest you consider silverware. Some of the best silver shops in Shiraz are Sarai Moshir, Vakil Bazaar and Hafez Tomb. These eye-catching objects have 90 carats, so their price may be slightly higher than the examples sold in other cities.
8- Nomadic coloured fabrics
Another souvenir that attracts attention in the city of Shiraz is the colourful fabrics of the Fars tribes. One of the best places in Shiraz to buy these attractive fabrics is Vakil Bazaar; Go from Chaharsouk to Sarai Moshir and then to Shamshirgarha Bazaar to come across all kinds of colourful clothes hanging from the door and walls.
9- Carving (Wood carving)
Monabat Kari is one of the handicrafts of Fars province, and you can find an excellent example of it in the markets of Shiraz. You should know that these handicrafts are registered in UNESCO World Heritage under Abadeh Fars city, located approximately 170 km north of Shiraz.
10- Galam Zani (engraving on silver)
Calligraphy is one of the original Iranian arts that follows three main styles; The style of Shiraz, Tabriz and Isfahan. In this style, which is mainly done on silver, designs such as Takht Jamshid, flowers and birds and images from the Shahnameh (The fiction and epic books of Iran by Ferdowsi, who consider it equal to the Iliad and the Odyssey.) can be seen.
The people and passengers of Shiraz city move around the city by taxi, bus and subway. If you have travelled to Shiraz as a tourist, don’t worry about getting around the city. Various options in front of you will make you not need a private car in Shiraz.
Bus
Of course, the first and most common public transportation option is the bus. Shiraz bus service transports passengers and citizens of Shiraz city on different lines. Of course, bus transportation is slower in some parts of the city, but this system is currently the most extensive and affordable public transportation network in Shiraz. To use these services, you can pay your fare with citizen cards that can be charged or in cash.
Taxi
Taxis are active in different parts of Shiraz, including airport taxis, terminal taxis, taxis on defined routes, and telephone taxis. Taxis of defined lines usually operate on specific routes with a particular origin and destination. You can often use them to see tourist attractions in Shiraz and go sightseeing. Wireless or telephone taxis have also started working in Shiraz since 1985, and various private taxi companies provide services to citizens and passengers. The fare of taxis is that first, a fixed amount is calculated for the entrance. For every kilometre, some fee is added to the entrance fee, and the stop fee is calculated separately, just like the taxi meter in most parts of the world. Airport and terminal taxis also serve passengers 24/7 at domestic and international flight terminals, each of which has its fares.
Subway
The subway system of Shiraz is the second in the country in terms of the number of subway lines after Tehran, and more than 3 million and 500 passengers travel through the subway in Shiraz city every year. You can also use the citizen ticket card or token to pay for the subway. The latest updated map of the Shiraz subway can be downloaded below.
Online taxi
Recently, the market of online taxis such as Snapp has expanded in busy cities such as Shiraz, making passengers no longer need their own car to explore the city. These taxis are a good and cheap option for travellers and tourists who travel to Shiraz. Can you believe that by converting 1 to 2 dollars into Rials, foreign tourists can easily access anywhere in the city with Snapp and pay their fare with cash without needing a bank card.
Shiraz can be introduced as one of the important historical cities of Iran, considered the best of Iranian cities in terms of culture and literature. Of course, this city, along with its rich history and literature, also has delicious traditional foods that cannot be ignored. The variety of Shiraz’s local dishes is broad, so we suggest you familiarize yourself with these foods and ingredients before traveling to Shiraz to eat your favorite food on your first trip to this historic city. Continue with ToIranTour.com to introduce you to several Shiraz MUST-TASTE FOODS.
Rice is one of the most widely used grains in Iranian cuisine. Iranian prepared rice is by two main methods: draining and boiling, and sometimes it is flavored with spices such as saffron. In the Persian language, cooked rice is called Polo. In the following, you will see many dishes prepared with different types of rice (Polo).
1. Shirazi Polo
This colourful and fragrant food can whet your appetite and eliminate travel fatigue. Shirazi Polo is one of Shiraz’s most essential and authentic local dishes. Shirazi Polo combines chicken, rice, eggplant, barberry, yogurt, saffron and various spices, each of which can change the taste of the food. Note that eating Shirazi Polo next to Shirazi salad is more enjoyable and can increase your appetite.
2- Two onions-plum (Do Piazeh-Aloo)
Do Piazeh-Aloo is one of the most popular and famous traditional dishes of Shiraz, which is very simple and quick to prepare. The main ingredients of this local dish include boiled potatoes, onions, tomatoes or tomato paste, and spices, but some people add meat to this food to make it even tastier. Maybe you have a question at which stage of the meal plums (Aloo) should add to it? We have to say never because plum (Aloo) in the Shirazi language means potato, and this issue confuses many non-Shirazi people when they hear the name of this dish.
Shirazi Do Piazeh-Aloo are very delicious and delicious at the same time, and they are often served with bread for dinner. We suggest that you try this traditional food on your trip to Shiraz.
3. Carrot rice (Havij Polo)
Havij Polo is another traditional and sweet dish of Shiraz, which has many fans and is also cooked in other cities of Iran. If you like the taste of cooked carrots, saffron and barberry, you will most likely enjoy eating this dish.
Preparing this traditional Shiraz dish is not difficult, but you have to take time and show interest. Carrot, rice, barberry, sugar, saffron, cinnamon, salt, pepper and minced meat are essential ingredients for preparing Havij Polo. Adding saffron to this dish will make it more colourful. You can use sliced almonds and pistachios to decorate and make this food tastier.
4- Shirazi rice cabbage (Kalam Polo)
Another traditional dish of Shiraz, which is very delicious and has many fans, is Shirazi Kalam Polo. The ingredients of this dish include lunar cabbage, onion, rice, minced meat, chickpea flour, spices and aromatic vegetables such as leek, basil, tarragon and dill.
To prepare this food, the lunar cabbage is chopped and fried with onions, and then aromatic herbs and spices are added. Next, after draining the rice, the above ingredients are mixed with the rice.
In another pan, the minced meat, kneaded with chickpea flour and spices, is fried with oil and a little lemon juice and added to the food at the end.
The taste of Shirazi Kalam Polo is enjoyable and is among high-quality and healthy foods. It is interesting to know that in addition to Shiraz, this dish is also prepared in many cities in Iran, but it is considered an authentic Shiraz dish. This food is usually served with yogurt and local vegetables.
5. Quince Stew (Qormeh Beh)
Qormeh Beh is one of the other traditional dishes of Shiraz, which has a sweet and pleasant taste. As the name of this dish suggests, the fruit of Quince is the essential ingredient. The presence of Quince in this stew has a significant effect on the taste of this dish.
Quince, Mutton, sugar, onion, raw cobs, brewed saffron, lemon juice, turmeric, salt and pepper are the essential ingredients for cooking Ghormeh be, which together form a food with a pleasant colour and smell.
If you are looking for peace, beauty, and originality while traveling to Shiraz, we suggest you stay in Shiraz’s traditional houses and boutique hotels. Because it is impossible to introduce all the accommodations in detail, we have presented only a few of the best boutique hotels and traditional accommodations in Shiraz.
Si Rah Eco-Lodge
This beautiful building belongs to the Pahlavi era, which started working as a tourist accommodation in 2016. Perhaps one of the reasons for the intimacy and serenity of the residence is its brick structure. In addition, there is a beautiful water pond in the middle of the residence’s courtyard; Beautiful vases with colorful flowers have added to the beauty of this pond. Of course, these beautiful pots are all over the yard and decorate the space. This 8-room residence has a very open courtyard, and the rooms are on three floors, so when choosing this residence, you should also consider the presence of stairs. Among the tourist attractions near this residence, we can mention Forough Al-Mulk House, Vakil Bath, Vakil Bazaar and Khan School.
Mah Sultan Eco-Lodge
This Eco-Lodge is located in the historic area of Lotf Ali Khan Zand Street. This residence has the feeling of an Iranian grandmother’s house, warm and intimate. Mah Sultan has six rooms on two floors. In this residence, you can also enjoy a variety of local and traditional Shiraz dishes. It is good to know that playing and performing live local music is also one of the facilities provided for guests in this residence.
From Mah Sultan’s residence, you can go to the Nasir al-Molk Mosque, Shahcheragh Mausoleum, Vakil Bath and Bazaar, Karim Khan Citadel, and Narenjestan Qavam Garden on foot.
Qajar mansion in Shiraz
Qajarieh Mansion eco-Lodge is one of Shiraz’s most beautiful, popular, and best eco-residences. This old residence with an area of 400 square meters is located in the city’s historical context. The rooms intended for the guests of the Qajariye mansion are built in the basement, first and second floors of this old building. The beautiful courtyard of the Qajareh residence in Shiraz, with its green trees and bushes and, of course, a large blue pond, has given it a fantastic atmosphere. Another beauty of this attractive mansion is the presence of windows with wooden frames and old colored glass, which offers a special effect to this mansion. Imagine how much more beautiful the space will be when the sun falls into the room through colored glass.
All the rooms of this old traditional mansion are equipped with modern facilities such as internet, refrigerator, bathroom, and independent toilet.
Another advantage of Qajariyah Mansion eco-lodge is its short distance to Karimkhan Citadel, Shahcheragh, Narenjestan Qawam, Zinat Al-Moluk House, Jame Atiq Mosque, and Nasirul-Molk Mosque, which makes it easy for you to visit these places.
Other traditional residences in Shiraz include Taranjastan, on Lotfo Ali Khan Street, Pari Dokht Residence and Khaneh Bagh Irani.
For every tourist to Shiraz, these things are a must-see/do:
In the 3-day travel plan to Shiraz, we have put together a selection of the best sights of Shiraz and Fars province in the form of an attractive trip. Depending on which direction (north, south, east or west) you enter Fars province and Shiraz city, the sequence of visiting these attractions will be different. In this program, our assumption is to be in Shiraz on the first day of the trip.
On the first day, you can visit attractions such as Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, Narenjestan Qavam, Shahcheragh, Saadi Tomb and Hafiziya. Nasir al-Mulk Mosque is beautiful for photography with its colored glass and evening light.
On the second day, you can visit Vakil Mosque, Vakil Bazaar, and Karim Khan Citadel. If you are interested in buying Shiraz souvenirs, visit Vakil Bazaar and make your purchase. You can open an account for lunch at restaurants in and near Vakil Bazaar and Sarai Moshir. Of course, don’t miss “Falodeh Shirazi” drink, various herbal extracts, and sweets called “Basluq” in Shiraz.
On the third day, leave the city of Shiraz. If you plan to visit Yazd or Isfahan, at the end of this day, you can continue on your way to the next destination. On this day, visit the Koran Gate, Persepolis, Naqsh Rustam and Pasargadae complex. You can have lunch at the “Koroshk House” eco-lodge.
Below, you can find some daily tours and experiences to book directly:
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask us and our travel expert will get in touch with you shortly. Please also call us or email us before visiting to make sure that you will be served with our best services.