Its people are known for:

Tehranis love to enjoy their lives. Streets of Tehran on the weekends are quiet since the majority of the people either stay at home for a private party or hit the Chalous road to go to the north.  Locally called “shomal,” the northern parts of Iran are Tehrani’s gateway to a pleasurable weekend. Tehranis also know how to have a good time inside the city as well. During off days, families, young couples or groups of friends head to the capital’s parks like Mellat, Chitgar, or Saee to have a picnic and enjoy each other’s company. In general, the vigorous young population of Tehran is super friendly, open-minded, and want to have a good time.  

What you might not find in your typical Tehran travel guides is that Tehranis are also known for being more politically active than the rest of the country. With so many political groups as well as vibrant student communities, Tehran is usually at the frontline political events in the country.

Art and architecture:

Let’s put aside the plethora of ancient archeological sites all over Iran, as well as Tehran, for a moment. And now, let’s talk about the modern and contemporary art scene in Iran. Although Iran is typically known as the center of traditional Persian art, the country has become a contender in the international contemporary art scene. Art galleries and museums pop up all over the city and attract many interested locals. Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art in Iran’s most extensive gallery and is home to some big names in art. Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet, Pollock, and many more artists have some work displayed in the museum.

The heart of modern art in Iran, Tehran, is a great place to explore art and architecture. Whether it’s Qajar and Pahlavi palaces (like Golestan or Sa’ad Abad) or the weekend art galleries spread all over the city, or grand Tehran Symphony Orchestra, the Iranian capital has a lot to offer to those who seek to see Persian art and architecture.

What is interesting about Tehran is the fact that if you’re an aspiring artist and want to make a name for yourself, you do have the chance! You can go on and open your own art gallery show! With the most prominent artist community in the country, Tehran offers a lot of opportunities young and aspiring artists

Atmosphere:

When you enter the city from the west Terminal – that’s where the immigrants came in – the first thing that catches your eye is the epic Azadi tower. White with marble, Azadi shows off an austere atmosphere, standing not too high and neither too low, with real dignity. It emits an aura of welcomeness to all. And it is true. Tehran is a city that accepts everybody. And we mean everybody. And that is precisely why Tehran’s atmosphere is not so simple to define; It really is a gigantic city. There is a myriad of things to do in Tehran.

What differs Tehran from the rest of the country is the ever-growing sense of individualism in the capital. All sorts of people live in Tehran, harmoniously alongside each other. Hippies drink café at Tajrish square, Islamists say their Friday prayers in the University of Tehran while, maybe a hundred meters away on a bench, a philosophy student reads Nietzsche’s famous statement: “God is Dead.”

Because of Tehran’s extreme diversity, there are many different groups alive and active in the capital. The art scene is big: theater, film, painting, music, and many more activities for anyone interested. There is also an intellectual community with a strong voice on popular culture and the political frontlines in Tehran. As well as many other groups such as the religious, the students, and last but not least, the average man who is working his 9- 5 job to provide for his family, and loves growing old in Tehran.

Tehrani Foods:

Tehran is home to some of best iranian food, local and international. Whether it’s the traditional Kebab or a dish at a Lebanese restaurant, Tehran will cater to all needs. You can live in Tehran for one week, and not eat one same dish twice during that time. The diversity is absurd. The immigrants’ cuisine and the culture they bring to Tehran adds to this as well. People go out during the weekends to eat out at different restaurants in Tehran. Even though there’s no McDonalds in Iran, but still some of the best fast-food chains in the Middle East are in Tehran.

Hospitality:

Walking down a street, Tehranis will probably approach you to strike a conversation, have a cup of coffee, and even invite you to their homes for lunch or dinner. This is Iranian culture at its finest. And the good thing is that young people know English pretty well and are interested in European and western culture. Feel free to enjoy Iranian hospitality while in Tehran.

Festivals of Tehran:

Generally, holidays and celebrations tend to center around the Islamic and the Persian calendar. ChaharShanbe Suri, Yalda, Nowruz, Ashura, to name a few. And they are all respectfully held in Tehran. But what Tehran offers that the other cities of Iran can’t, is its various international festivals. From Tehran International Puppet Theater held every two years, or the International Fajr Film festival, to the Theater and Music festivals, Tehran has an abundance of fairs.

Every year, at specific times, there are national and local fairs held in Tehran as well. Different ethnicities from various parts of the country come to Tehran to showcase their culture, their handicrafts, and their art. These kind of fairs are so big – because Iran is so big – that to fully explore them, you must set aside a whole day in your Tehran day plans.

Nature:

Do you want snow-capped mountains? Head to the north and to explore Alborz and Tochal mountain ranges! Wondering what some things to do in Tehran are? Want safari and desert exploration? Head south, and you will reach Kavir National Park to see the best of deserts in the world. Do you wish to trail on lush green hills of Iran? No problem, take the famous Chalous road to reach Shomal and travel in the Hyrcanian forests. Care for a climb on the highest volcano in Asia? Damavand mountain is only a two-hour drive. Tehran, indeed, is the city for everybody. You just have to decide for yourself: what to see in Tehran.

Surfing:

In Tehran and bored? Impossible! Get out there, and there are a millions of things to do in Tehran, waiting for you! Whatever your wish may be, in Tehran, it can come true! Want to have an exciting dinner with your loved one at an exotic place? Try Milad Tower’s rotating restaurant at 400-meters-and-some height, overlooking all of the capital. Want to get a touch of Iranian art firsthand? Visit Honarmandan (Artists) park in central Tehran to explore modern art galleries as well as meeting the artists’ community, which is one of Tehran’s Attractions. Or you don’t want to have these so-called exciting activities, but you rather enjoy a peaceful and serene afternoon? Well, then head to Mellat Park and experience its green and calm atmosphere while mulling over your life and past decisions.

Nightlife:

You may have already read this in your Iran or Tehran travel guides: that unlike western culture, nightlife in Iran is not intertwined with alcohol. But that doesn’t mean Iranians can’t have fun. Compared to other cities in Iran, Tehran has more vigorous nightlife. There are shopping malls like Palladium in the north of the town as well as urban parks such as Mellat, where you can spend your night with your loved one or the lovely locals. Tehran’s roof (called Baam in Farsi) at the foot of the Tochal Mount offers a great view of Tehran. Many young people head to Baam in the evenings to enjoy eating out with a fantastic view of the glittering Tehran.