Qazin, Iran: Best Things to Do – Top Picks

Did you know that Qazvin (often misspelled as Qazin) was once the capital of the Persian Empire for over 40 years during the Safavid dynasty? This historic city, located just 150 km (93 mi) northwest of Tehran, is home to one of Iran’s most impressive caravanserais and is known as the calligraphy capital of Iran. Despite its rich history and architectural treasures, Qazvin remains surprisingly off the typical tourist path, making it an authentic gem for travelers seeking to experience the true essence of Iran.

Getting to Qazvin & Planning Your Journey

Qazvin is conveniently located on major transportation routes, making it accessible from several Iranian cities. The city sits at a strategic crossroads connecting Tehran, Tabriz, and the Caspian Sea region, which has historically contributed to its commercial importance.

From Tehran

The most common starting point for visitors to Qazvin is Tehran, Iran’s capital city.

• By Bus: Frequent buses depart from Tehran’s western terminal, taking approximately 3 hours to reach Qazvin. Tickets are affordable, ranging from 300,000 to 500,000 IRR ($7-12 USD).
• By Train: Daily trains connect Tehran to Qazvin, offering a comfortable journey of about 2.5 hours. This option provides beautiful views of the countryside.
• By Private Car: The drive from Tehran to Qazvin takes approximately 1.5-2 hours via the well-maintained highway.

From Other Cities

Qazvin is well-connected to other major Iranian cities:

• From Tabriz: 5-6 hour bus journey
• From Rasht: 3-hour bus journey
• From Hamadan: 4-hour bus journey
• From Isfahan: 6-hour bus journey

Best Time to Visit Qazvin

Qazvin experiences four distinct seasons, each offering a different perspective on the city. The climate is generally cold but dry due to its position at the south of the rugged Alborz mountain range at an elevation of about 1,278 m (4,193 ft) above sea level.

Recommended Seasons

• Spring (April-May): Perhaps the most pleasant time to visit, with temperatures ranging from 13-26°C (55-80°F). The surrounding landscapes turn lush green, and local gardens bloom with vibrant colors. Spring does bring occasional rainfall, so pack accordingly.
• Fall (September-October): Another excellent time to visit, with comfortable temperatures between 15-25°C (59-77°F). The autumn colors in the surrounding mountains create spectacular scenery, and the weather is typically stable with clear skies.

Seasons to Consider Carefully

• Summer (June-August): Summers can be quite hot in Qazvin, with temperatures often exceeding 35°C (95°F). However, this is a good time to escape to the cooler mountain areas like Alamut Valley, which are easily accessible from the city.
• Winter (November-March): Winters are cold with temperatures frequently dropping below freezing, especially at night. Snowfall is common, which can make travel to surrounding attractions challenging. However, the city itself takes on a magical quality when dusted with snow.

Getting Around Qazvin

Qazvin is a relatively compact city, making it easy to explore many attractions on foot, especially in the historic center. However, there are several transportation options to help you navigate the city efficiently.

Walking

The historic center of Qazvin, including the bazaar area, Sepah Street, and many of the main attractions, is best explored on foot. Walking allows you to discover hidden gems and appreciate the architectural details of this historic city. Most major sites are within a 2-3 km radius of the central square.

Taxis

Taxis are abundant and affordable in Qazvin. There are two types:

• Private Taxis: Can be hailed on the street or called through your hotel. Ensure the driver uses the meter or negotiate the fare before starting your journey.
• Shared Taxis (Savari): These run on fixed routes and are very economical. They depart when full, and you’ll share the ride with other passengers.

Bus

Qazvin has a public bus system that covers most areas of the city. Buses are very inexpensive but can be crowded during peak hours. Routes and schedules may be difficult to understand for non-Persian speakers, so ask your hotel for assistance.

Rental Cars

Renting a car gives you the freedom to explore Qazvin and its surrounding attractions at your own pace. International driving permits are recognized in Iran, though driving in Iranian cities can be challenging for those unfamiliar with local driving customs.

Where to Stay in Qazvin

Qazvin offers a range of accommodation options to suit different budgets and preferences. While it doesn’t have the extensive hotel infrastructure of Tehran or Isfahan, you’ll find everything from budget guesthouses to more upscale hotels.

Luxury & Mid-Range Hotels

For travelers seeking comfort and amenities, Qazvin offers several good options:

• Grand Hotel Qazvin: One of the city’s most established hotels, offering comfortable rooms, a restaurant, and traditional architecture.
• Alborz Hotel: A mid-range option with good facilities, including spacious rooms and a central location.
• Iranian Hotel: Offers a blend of modern amenities with traditional Persian design elements.

Budget Accommodations

Budget travelers will find several affordable options:

• Khaksar Hotel: A basic but clean option popular with backpackers. Be prepared to negotiate the price.
• Razhia Hotel: Offers simple rooms at reasonable rates in a convenient location.
• Local Guesthouses: Several family-run guesthouses provide an authentic experience at budget-friendly prices.

Unique Stays

For a more distinctive experience, consider:

• Traditional Houses: Some historic homes have been converted into boutique accommodations, offering a glimpse into traditional Persian living.
• Homestays: Staying with a local family provides cultural immersion and often includes home-cooked meals.

Dining & Local Cuisine in Qazvin

Qazvin boasts a rich culinary tradition that reflects its historical significance as a crossroads of cultures. The city is known for several distinctive dishes and sweets that you shouldn’t miss during your visit.

Must-Try Local Specialties

• Gheymeh Nesar: Qazvin’s signature dish, a colorful rice dish topped with meat, slivered almonds, pistachios, barberries, and orange peel. This festive dish offers a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and savory flavors.
• Baklava: Qazvin is famous throughout Iran for its baklava, which differs from Turkish varieties. The local version uses a special syrup and is often filled with almonds or pistachios.
• Doimaj: A traditional dish made with dried bread, walnuts, and herbs, typically served during the Rain Festival.
• Nan-e Chaii: Special cookies designed to be enjoyed with tea, a staple of Iranian hospitality.

Where to Eat in Qazvin

The city offers a variety of dining options, from traditional restaurants to casual eateries:

• Nobahar Restaurant: Located in the bazaar, this is the best place to try authentic Gheymeh Nesar. Open until 4 PM.
• Bazaar Food Stalls: The historic bazaar houses numerous small eateries serving kebabs and other traditional dishes.
• Traditional Teahouses: These atmospheric venues offer light meals, tea, and hookah in historic settings.
• Sobhaneh-Sara Shops: These breakfast cafes serve delicious morning meals including Halim (a wheat and meat porridge), Ash (thick soup), and freshly made omelets.

Dining Etiquette

When dining in Qazvin, keep these cultural norms in mind:

• It’s customary to remove shoes when sitting on traditional dining platforms (takht).
• Meals typically begin and end with tea.
• Tipping is not expected but is appreciated (around 10% in nicer restaurants).
• Alcohol is prohibited in public establishments throughout Iran.

Top Attractions & Sightseeing in Qazvin

Qazvin is a treasure trove of historical and architectural wonders, with influences from various periods of Persian history. Here are the must-see attractions that showcase the city’s rich heritage.

Historic Sites & Architecture

• Sa’d al-Saltaneh Caravanserai: One of Iran’s most magnificent urban caravanserais, this complex dates back to the Qajar era. The beautifully preserved structure features intricate brickwork, stunning domes, and a central courtyard. Today, it houses shops selling handicrafts, carpets, and traditional goods.
• Chehel Sotun Palace: Not to be confused with its namesake in Isfahan, this “Forty Columns” palace was built during the Safavid period when Qazvin served as the capital. The palace now houses a calligraphy museum and showcases beautiful wooden stained glass windows.
• Sepah Street: Known as the first modern street in Iran, this historic thoroughfare is paved with carved gray stone and lined with craftsmen’s shops. Don’t miss the impressive Ali Qapu gate at the entrance.
• Traditional Water Reservoirs (Ab Anbars): Qazvin is known as the “city of Ab Anbars” due to its numerous historic water cisterns. These ingenious structures were built underground to keep water cool. The Sardar Bozorg Ab Anbar is particularly impressive, featuring the largest single-dome water reservoir in Iran.

Religious Sites

• Jame Atiq Mosque: One of Iran’s oldest mosques, built on the foundations of a Zoroastrian fire temple. The structure has been expanded over centuries, with elements from the Seljuk, Safavid, and Qajar periods.
• Shahzadeh Hossein Shrine: A beautiful shrine dedicated to the son of the 8th Imam of Shia Islam. The interior features stunning mirror work and intricate decorations.
• Nabi Mosque (Masjid-e Soltani): A beautiful Qajar-era mosque located in the bazaar, featuring impressive tilework and architectural details.
• Peighambarieh Shrine: An unusual site where four Jewish saints who reportedly foretold the coming of Christ are buried, representing the religious diversity in Qazvin’s history.

Museums & Cultural Sites

• Qajar Anthropology Museum: Housed in a 300-year-old bathhouse (hammam), this museum showcases the occupations and customs of old Qazvin through displays and mannequins.
• Aminiha House: A beautifully preserved traditional home featuring stunning mirror work, stained glass, and plasterwork that offers insight into the lifestyle of wealthy merchants during the Qajar period.
• Pahlevan Shahverdi Zoorkhaneh: A traditional Persian gymnasium where the ancient sport of Pahlevani is practiced, combining physical training with spiritual elements.

Day Trips & Nearby Attractions

Qazvin serves as an excellent base for exploring some of Iran’s most spectacular natural and historical sites. These nearby attractions make for perfect day trips or overnight excursions.

Alamut Valley & Castle of the Assassins

About 100 km (62 mi) northeast of Qazvin lies the legendary Alamut Valley, home to the fortress of the Assassins. This dramatic castle, perched atop a steep rock formation, was the headquarters of Hassan Sabbah’s Ismaili sect in the 11th century.

• The Castle: Climbing to the ruins requires a moderate hike, but the panoramic views and historical significance make it worthwhile.
• Scenic Landscapes: The valley itself offers breathtaking scenery with rugged mountains, lush valleys, and traditional villages.
• How to Get There: Shared taxis to Alamut Valley depart from Qaribkosh Square (also called Minadar Square) in Qazvin. The journey takes about 2-3 hours.

Ovan Lake

This picturesque lake in the Alamut region is surrounded by mountains and offers a tranquil escape from the city.

• Activities: Boating, fishing (in summer), and bird watching (especially in autumn when migratory birds visit).
• Scenery: The lake is particularly beautiful in autumn when the surrounding foliage changes color, and in winter when it’s covered with snow.

Traditional Villages

Several unique villages near Qazvin offer glimpses into rural Iranian life:

• Razmian: Known as the “city of golden clusters” for its beautiful rice paddies, located 45 km (28 mi) from Qazvin.
• Andaj: Perched dramatically on rocky outcrops, this village is known for its kilim weaving tradition.
• Alwalak and Ardabilak: Famous for their traditional doll-making crafts, these villages offer unique souvenirs.

Masuleh

Though a bit further away, the stepped village of Masuleh in Gilan province is accessible as a day trip from Qazvin. This unique settlement is built into a mountainside, with the roof of one house serving as the courtyard for the house above it.

• How to Get There: Take a bus from Qazvin to Rasht, then a shared taxi to Fuman and Masuleh. The total journey takes about 3-4 hours each way.

Festivals & Cultural Events

Experiencing local festivals and cultural events offers a deeper understanding of Qazvin’s traditions and community life. Here are some notable celebrations to look out for when planning your visit.

Rain Festival

One of Qazvin’s most distinctive cultural events is the Rain Festival (Jashn-e Baran), held on the fiftieth day after Nowruz (Persian New Year), typically in early May. During this ancient celebration:

• Locals gather at water reservoirs south of the city to pray for rain and abundant harvests.
• Traditional music and dance performances take place.
• Participants share Doimaj, a special dish made with dried bread, walnuts, and herbs.

Nowruz Celebrations

The Persian New Year (late March) is celebrated throughout Iran, including Qazvin. The city comes alive with:

• Special markets selling traditional items for the Haft-Sin table (a ceremonial display).
• Public celebrations and music performances.
• Family gatherings and feasts featuring special Nowruz dishes.

Religious Observances

As a city with deep religious traditions, Qazvin observes important dates in the Islamic calendar:

• Ashura: The 10th day of Muharram commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein. Qazvin is known for its unique observance involving the “bloody plane tree” of Zarabad, which reportedly exudes a reddish sap on this day each year.
• Ramadan: During the holy month, the bazaar and religious sites take on a special atmosphere, especially in the evenings when people gather to break their fast.

Cultural Performances

Throughout the year, various cultural events showcase Qazvin’s artistic heritage:

• Calligraphy Exhibitions: As the “calligraphy capital of Iran,” Qazvin hosts exhibitions celebrating this traditional art form.
• Zurkhaneh Performances: Traditional athletic performances at the Pahlevan Shahverdi Zoorkhaneh combine physical prowess with spiritual elements and music.

Outdoor Activities & Nature

While Qazvin itself is known for its historical attractions, the surrounding region offers excellent opportunities for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The city’s proximity to the Alborz Mountains provides a perfect escape into nature.

Hiking & Trekking

The mountainous areas around Qazvin offer excellent hiking opportunities:

• Alamut Valley Trails: Various hiking routes of different difficulty levels wind through this spectacular valley, offering views of castle ruins and dramatic landscapes.
• Barajin Health Road: Located in the Barajin tourist area north of Qazvin, this is a popular spot for local walkers and joggers.
• Shah Darreh Valley: In the Avaj region, this valley offers beautiful hiking trails and is home to Iran’s second-largest suspension bridge.

Adventure Activities

For those seeking more adrenaline-pumping experiences:

• Rock Climbing: The rocky formations near Andaj village provide excellent climbing opportunities for experienced climbers.
• Paragliding: The Barajin tourist complex offers paragliding experiences with views over the city and surrounding landscapes.
• Bungee Jumping: Also available at the Barajin complex for thrill-seekers.

Parks & Recreation Areas

Within and near the city, several green spaces provide relaxation:

• Barajin Park: A large recreational area featuring an artificial lake, zoo, and various entertainment facilities.
• City Gardens: Qazvin is surrounded by orchards and gardens producing fruits and nuts that supply the city’s famous sweets industry.

Seasonal Activities

• Winter Sports: The surrounding mountains offer opportunities for snow activities during winter months.
• Spring Picnics: Join locals in the Persian tradition of outdoor picnics during spring, especially during the Nowruz holiday period.

Shopping & Souvenirs

Shopping in Qazvin offers a glimpse into traditional Persian craftsmanship and local specialties. From the historic bazaar to modern shops, you’ll find unique souvenirs to remember your journey.

Qazvin Bazaar

The historic bazaar is the heart of shopping in Qazvin and dates back to the Safavid era. This covered market features:

• Traditional architecture with brick domes and arches
• Specialized sections for different goods
• A vibrant atmosphere where locals conduct their daily shopping

What to Buy

Qazvin is known for several distinctive products that make excellent souvenirs:

• Sweets and Confections: Qazvin’s baklava is famous throughout Iran. Other local specialties include Nan-e Chaii (tea cookies), Sharbati Cake, Kasmeh, Nan-e Charkhi, and Nazok Pesteh.
• Handcrafted Dolls: The villages of Alwalak and Ardabilak are known for their traditional dolls, which make unique souvenirs.
• Kilims: Andaj village is designated as the national village of kilim, a type of flat-woven carpet with distinctive patterns.
• Calligraphy: As the “calligraphy capital of Iran,” Qazvin offers beautiful calligraphic works that showcase this traditional art form.
• Nuts and Dried Fruits: The region produces excellent pistachios, almonds, and other nuts that are used in local sweets and available for purchase.

Shopping Areas

• Sa’d al-Saltaneh Caravanserai: This beautifully restored complex now houses upscale shops selling handicrafts, jewelry, and designer clothes.
• Sepah Street: The oldest modern street in Iran is lined with craftsmen’s shops and makes for a pleasant shopping stroll.
• Obeyd Zakani Street: A lively area with small shops selling nuts, fresh fruits, and local foods.

Practical Travel Tips

Money Matters

Due to international sanctions, Iran’s banking system is isolated from global networks:

• Cash Only: Foreign credit/debit cards do not work in Iran. Bring all necessary funds in cash (Euros or US Dollars preferred).
• Currency Exchange: Exchange money at official exchange offices for the best rates. Some hotels also offer exchange services.
• Iranian Currency: The official currency is the Iranian Rial (IRR), but locals often quote prices in Toman (1 Toman = 10 Rials).

Communication

• Internet Access: WiFi is available in most hotels and some cafes, though certain international websites and apps (including social media) may be blocked. Consider purchasing a VPN before your trip.
• SIM Cards: Local SIM cards can be purchased with your passport at mobile operator shops or the airport.
• Language: While Persian (Farsi) is the official language, some people in the tourism industry speak basic English. Learning a few Persian phrases will be greatly appreciated.

Health & Safety

• Safety: Qazvin, like most of Iran, is generally very safe for tourists with low crime rates.
• Drinking Water: Tap water is generally safe to drink in Qazvin, but bottled water is widely available if preferred.
• Medical Facilities: Qazvin has adequate medical facilities for basic care. For serious issues, Tehran has more advanced hospitals.
• Travel Insurance: Ensure your travel insurance covers Iran, as many standard policies exclude it.

Cultural Etiquette

• Dress Code: Women must wear a headscarf and clothing that covers arms and legs. Men should avoid shorts and sleeveless shirts.
• Photography: Ask permission before photographing people. Avoid photographing government buildings or military installations.
• Greetings: Handshakes are common between people of the same gender. Men should wait for women to extend their hand first, if at all.
• Hospitality: Iranians are famous for their hospitality. If invited to someone’s home, bringing a small gift is appreciated.

Conclusion: Discovering Qazvin’s Treasures

Qazvin offers travelers a rare opportunity to experience authentic Persian culture away from the more touristed cities of Iran. With its rich architectural heritage, delicious cuisine, and strategic location near natural wonders like the Alamut Valley, Qazvin deserves a place on any Iranian itinerary.

As you wander through the historic bazaar, marvel at centuries-old mosques, and sample the city’s famous baklava, you’ll discover why Qazvin was once deemed worthy of being the capital of the Persian Empire. The city’s blend of Safavid grandeur, Qajar elegance, and modern Iranian life creates a fascinating tapestry that rewards curious travelers.

Whether you’re drawn by the tales of the Assassins’ fortress, the intricate calligraphy for which the city is renowned, or simply the chance to experience a less-visited corner of Iran, Qazvin will surprise and delight you with its hidden treasures and warm hospitality.