Shiraz’s Economy

With tourism booming in the city as well as a population that loves to go out, shop, and enjoy themselves, Shiraz has turned into a “service” city throughout the past years. Myriad of restaurants and cafés pop up in every street. Hotels and other service-providing businesses have thrived in Shiraz’s economy. And also, in recent years, more and more hospital patients or convalescing sick people have been paying visits to Shiraz because of its on-the-rise health and well-being tourism services.

Unlike Shiraz, which is home to a vast array of various businesses, from modern start-ups to traditional bazaar, the cities in the surrounding regions are mostly farming and agricultural towns. Some of Iran’s best fruits come from these cities: pomegranates from Arsanjan, oranges, and lemons from Shiraz itself are a few examples.

Your Shiraz travel guide might have told you that the handicraft market in Shiraz is also robust. The Qashqai nomads living in Shiraz are famous for their craftsmanship and unique designs of their carpets. Carpets, nomad’s tents, Kilims are among the most popular ones. You might want to put visit the Qashqai nomads on your Shiraz day plans.

Souvenirs

Apart from memories and eternal pieces of love poetry, there are also other things to take home from Shiraz. It’s a city of wonders; that’s why Iranians love it so. From the exquisite Persian woodwork called Khatam Kari, which is the art of decorating wood surfaces with geometric patterns to the highly-praised and oriental Qashqai carpets, Shiraz’s handicrafts are Iran’s most elegant. However, it’s not only handicrafts that you’ll take home. Shiraz’s iconic sweet called Masghati is an excellent choice to bring back with you. Tasting the rosewater, the saffron, the pistachio, and the cardamom after you’ve left Shiraz will surely make you want to revisit the city.

Culture

To live in Shiraz means to experience the richest of Iranian culture. City of Hafez and Saadi is not your typical town; you’re here to enjoy the moment. How? Through its poetry and romance, through long walks alongside the boulevards of this garden-city and through meeting new friends and the plethora of things do to in Shiraz. The nights are as lovely as the days, the people friendlier than other cities, and the tourists – surprisingly – more companionable. It’s the atmosphere. Shiraz invites you to slow down and enjoy the moment. Tomorrow may never come.

Religion

Shiraz: the city of literature, passion, arts, and poetry is among the country’s most liberal places to live. Religion is not prevalent in Shiraz as it is so in other cities of Iran. Maybe only second to Tehran, in Shiraz, you can find the most diverse opinions about religion, God, Islam, and how one should live their lives.

However, among Shiraz’s attractions, the religious ones stand out for the beauty and elegance. The Shah Cheragh Mosque is one of the most prominent sacred sites in southern Iran and is decorated with extremely delicate mirror work. Beautiful mosques pop out here and there, each with their own beauty, adding to the list of places to visit in Shiraz.

Being closer to the Persian Gulf region, Shiraz is home to a Sunni community that has lived alongside the Shia majority in harmony throughout the years.

Its people are known for:

You’ll often hear that Shirazi people are lazy; that might be true. But what is certain is that Shirazis love to enjoy their lives, and they certainly know how to do so. With strong cultural backgrounds, locals are almost always cheery and rarely show that they are melancholic. They like to sit around, mostly doing nothing and maybe crack up a joke about how they want to stay put and enjoy each other’s company all day long. Sure, there are things to do in Shiraz, but that doesn’t seem to affect them much. They prefer leaning back on a sofa. Unlike other cities around the world, in Shiraz, if you smile, you will get a smile back! And that might be the start of a new friendship in Iran.

Art and architecture:

Farah Pahlavi, the widow of Mohamad Reza Pahlavi and the former queen of Iran, initiated a ten-year-long annual festival in Shiraz, from 1967 to 1977. It was called the Shiraz Festival of Arts. She was fond of Iranian arts and architecture, and she chose this city to be the home of the festival. And It’s obvious why: Shiraz is rich in traditional Iranian culture. It’s the city of some of the best artists Iran has had: world-famous Persian miniaturists, architects who have built outside of Iran, and, of course, the birthplace of Hafez and Saadi. The plethora of architectural beauties, as well as the poetry and the literature in the air of Shiraz, make it the Princess of Iranian cities. In Your Shiraz sightseeing plans, you will run into the best of Iranian arts and architecture.

Atmosphere:

Welcome to the city of romance, poetry, and newly-found loves. The atmosphere of Shiraz during spring when the smell of bitter orange fills up the air is whimsical. As if you’re lost in the world of the poetry of Saadi and Hafez. Shiraz’s romanticism will surprise you in many ways. Everything invites you to settle down, to relax, and to enjoy the moment. Are you in a hurry to explore all the places to visit in Shiraz? Your local friend will calmly remind you to slow down and enjoy the scenery. Thinking about tomorrow and what to plan for your Shiraz sightseeing? Hafez’s poetry will tell you to appreciate the moment and savor the small happiness you have now. You have too many things to do in Shiraz? The city will whisper in your ears that it’s okay, there’s time, and if there isn’t, that is also okay!

Shirazi Foods:

You’re out with your Shirazi friends, and they take you to an ice-cream shop. They tell you it’s the best you’ll ever taste. You hesitate, and rightly so. But you order anyway and wait for the magical ice-cream to come out. The name is Faloodeh, your friend says. You’d read about it before in your Shiraz travel guide but never had the chance to try it. The guy behind the bar brings it to you. You look at the ice-cream, startled. We didn’t order spaghetti; you turn to your Shirazi friend. They laugh with their mouths full of the first bite. They tell you to go on and taste the “spaghetti ice-cream.” You won’t regret it, they tell you. And they’re right; the squishy spaghetti changes the taste of your mouth with saffron and rose-water. The after taste of each bite is heavenly. You order another.

Another nation-wide famous mixture is a local salad. The Shirazi salad is the real deal. In most Iranian homes, family members usually go wild over the salad. And yes, as the name suggests, the salad is originally from Shiraz and named after this glorious gem. This salad usually has three simple ingredients cucumber, tomato, and onions. But people around Iran like to get creative with the mixture and add their own signature to it; dried mint is a popular addition while some other people also pour some lemon juice to the Shiraz salad.

Hospitality

In a country so friendly and hospitable, Shiraz stands out. Walking in the city and during your Shiraz sightseeing, you can easily make friends. Smile, and you’re sure to get a smile back! Shirazis don’t wait for a reason to invite you to their homes, show their friends and families, and share a meal with you; they just do.

Festivals of Shiraz

Kashan is not the only city in Iran with a beautiful Rose Festival. There are also many things to do in Shiraz. In springs of Shiraz and its ever-so green gardens, the aroma of red roses is everywhere. Every year, the city of Meymand, with a population of fewer than ten thousand, hosts the Rose Festival. It is about 100 km south of Shiraz, and almost everyone in the city is in the “rose” business.

Iranians love Hafez, and they love to share their happiness with him by his tomb in Shiraz, Hafezieh, one of Shiraz’s attractions. A special night Iranians spend time with their beloved poet is Yalda: the longest and the darkest night of the year. It’s been a long tradition to recite Hafez’s poetry on Yalda Night. And where’s a better place to celebrate the end of the coldest night and read his poetry and let Persia’s greatest bard tell you of your fortunes than by his eternal resting place?

Nature:

Shiraz is blessed with a more moderate climate than its surrounding regions, and that is because of the location of the Zagros mountains hanging over the neighboring cities. The diversity of the natural elements around Shiraz will surprise everybody. If you’re eager to explore more breathtaking Iran Nature Attractions, be sure to check out our comprehensive guide to enhance your journey. Do you feel like skiing in the southern parts of Iran? No problem, the ski resort of Pooladkaf is only 2 hours away. The gorgeous natural Shiraz attractions like canyons, valleys, lakes, and waterfalls are enough to make anyone fall in love with mother nature. Maharloo, known as the Pink Lake in the southeast of Shiraz, is as exceptional as any body of water can get and adds to the romanticism of the city. The Magroon waterfall, which translates into “snake-like,” is a beauty not to miss and one of the top places to visit in Shiraz.

How nature affects their lives

Well, what to say about Iran’s biggest city-garden? It is as lovely as any place. Green boulevards and lush sceneries right in the middle of this mega-city will tell you stories of how long Shiraz has been a beautiful spot. The abundance of bitter orange trees in Shiraz is remarkable. If you have pollen allergies and are traveling to Shiraz in spring, be sure to bring loads of antihistamines with you. The pleasant aroma of bitter oranges fills the air of Shiraz. And you know what? People of Shiraz love bitter oranges. You want some with your food? Go out and pick from the tree in the yard or the alleyway—it’s that simple. For those curious about other secret spots in Iran where nature and culture blend seamlessly, discover hidden gems beyond Shiraz that showcase Iran’s unique beauty.

Surfing

“Blessed be Shiraz and its unparalleled beauty,” wrote the world-famous poet Hafez about Shiraz, his birthplace. And it’s true: it truly is a beautiful city, and there are so many things to do in Shiraz, culturally. From the tombs of two great Iranian poets, Hafez and Saadi to visiting exquisite mosques and bazaar to renowned gardens, Shiraz’s fame for cultural attractions are never-ending.

Nightlife

The real Shiraz starts at night; it’s when all the fun begins. Nightlife is the theme of Shiraz. Many locals start going out late at night to search for food, a place to hang out, or window-shop as they stroll the green boulevards of their city. If you’re curious about the best Iranian food to try during your nights out, explore our guide to must-try dishes across Iran. Quaint and traditional cafes and restaurants offer delicious food and drink, and a space to meet locals and decide on other plans. Many Shiraz attractions are open at night, making it probably Iran’s most active city in terms of vibrant nightlife.

Main areas for eating, shopping, hanging out:

You’re a foodie. You plan to stay in Shiraz for one week. You want to experience Iranian cuisine. We feel you. So does Shirazis. They love eating out. Your Shirazi friends can make sure you’re not bored of eating the same food every night you’re out. There are many things to do in Shiraz, a significant number of places to eat and hang out. Restaurants and cafes pop up all over the town. Haftkhan restaurant, Shater Abbas, and Saraye Mehr are among the most popular local eateries. The traditional bazaar is also a terrific spot if you want to take something precious home. And if you get tired of shopping, you can take refuge in a lovely Sherbet House and drink traditional Persian drinks.

Off-the-beaten tracks of Shiraz

Shiraz is not only home to cultural and historical gems; the region also has some of the country’s most spectacular valleys and natural heavens. There are so many things to do in Shiraz that it gets confusing where to travel to. Nicknamed the Princess of Iranian Canyons, Raghez is a fantastic place for some professional rock climbing, mountaineering, canyoning, and, more simply, jumping into ponds from heights. You need an expert leader to visit the place to get the most fun out of it. Maharloo Lake is another unusual off-the-beaten-track in Shiraz where you can go for a picnic with your friends while you watch over the pink body of water and wonder how it came to be!

Transportation

Shiraz is reasonably accessible. Just like how all roads lead to Rome in Italy, all roads to southern parts of Iran must pass from Shiraz first. This cultural hub is a transportation center and a gateway to traveling to Persian Gulf countries like UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and many more. Three flights per week take off to Dubai from Shiraz.

How to reach Shiraz?

From major cities of Iran, reaching Shiraz is extremely easy. Domestic planes from Tehran, Isfahan, Mashhad, Tabriz, Bandar Abbas head fly to this elegant city a few times every week. The Iranian railway system also connects to Shiraz. Buses leave for Shiraz a couple of times every day from all major cities of Iran.

Shiraz’s airport (SYZ) is the largest international airport in southern Iran and the most significant one the country after Imam Khomeini international airport in Tehran. Istanbul, Antalya, Serbia, Georgia, and Armenia are some of the international cities that fly to Shiraz through this airport.

How to get around in Shiraz?

So, it’s the evening, and now you want to explore Shiraz’s attractions and nightlife that you read so much about in your Shiraz travel guide. How do you get around the city? Well, you have plenty of options. Locals use the extensive bus system, or the newly-built metro if they don’t want to take out their cars. And just like all cities of Iran, shared-taxis work perfectly-well in the town. And compared to Tehran, they have relatively low-prices. But if all that is too complicated for you, Snapp and Tap30 work fine in this cultural hub.

Top places to visit in Shiraz, and the best things to do in Shiraz

Persepolis

Exploring Persepolis in the northeast of Shiraz is like entering a history book: one that doesn’t lie and tells the story of the past as it happened. Persepolis was the summer capital of the Achaemenid Empire, dating for more than 2500 years back. Once a glorious site, now it sits silently but majestically and tells us the story of the glory of the Persian people and their greatness during their golden age. And how it was set ablaze by the Alexander when he conquered Persia. Locals call it Takht-e Jamshid (the throne of Jamshid: the first mythical ruler of Iran), and it is often quoted in Persian poetry.

Although now in ruins, Persepolis offers a lot to the keen and curious eyes: the thrill of re-living the sublime past of Persia. Persepolis was announced as a World Heritage Site back in 1979 by UNESCO.

Pasargadae (Tomb of Cyrus)

More patriotic Iranians love to go to the site because of one crucial thing: the tomb of Cyrus the Great. Every year, Iranian try to gather around the place to visit the grave of Cyrus, to once again strengthen their identity as Persian. Located 100 km northeast of Persepolis, Pasargadae was the first dynastical capital of Persia. Now in ruins by the invasion of Alexander, the place is sure to take you back in time to see history in real-time.

Nasir-ol-Molk Mosque

Although in the heart of Shiraz, Nasir-ol-Molk is outworld-ly. Walk into the place, and you’ll soon realize you’re not in Iran anymore, maybe on Mars or some other planet where all the colors of the universe come together. It’s probably the most photographed site in Iran. It is nicknamed the Pink Mosque by locals and tourists, and it’s for a reason; the dominant color of the tiles is pink! The architect who build the place never thought people from all over the world travel to this mosque to take pictures for their Instagram pages; it was intended to be a private mosque. That’s why the tiles are pink; he could do whatever he wanted without getting judged by the more conservative Muslims. Now, the mosque is among the top places to visit in Shiraz.