From Wikitravel

Yazd is a city in central Iran and the capital of the Yazd province. It is an ancient city dating back to the Sassanian Period (224-651 AD).

[edit] Get in

Yazd is located midway between Isfahan and Kerman, 689 km (427 miles) south east of Tehran.

Yazd is well connected to the rest of the country by planes, trains and buses.

[edit] By Plane

There are International flights to Dubai and Damascus and daily flights to Tehran.

[edit] Get around

Most places in the old town are within easy walking distance from each other. Otherwise taxis are inexpensive. Motorcycle taxis are another fast and cheap way to move around the city but try to settle on a price beforehand. Local buses are also available for travellers.

[edit][add listing] See

• Masjid-e Jame (Friday Mosque), dating back to the fourteenth century, is well worth a visit. It is an example of finest Persian mosaics and excellent architecture. Its minarets are the highest in the country. Admire it at night when it is lit up.
• Atashkadeh is the Zoroastrian fire temple. The fire on the inside has supposedly been burning since 470 AD. Entrance is free, though donations are appreciated.
• Yazd Tower of silence (Zoroastrian's Dakhmeh) - the name tower is misleading as they consist of huge circular walls, within those the dead were left to be picked clean by the vultures. This is done in accordance with Zoroastrian belief. However, the towers are not in use anymore and open to the public. A quiet, serene place.
• Yazd Market Square's Clock
• The cistern of Fatemeh-ye-Golshan
• Amir Chakhmakh complex, a breathtaking construction and a must-see. Visitors can climb to the top.
• Amir Chakmakh mosque, not to be confused with the complex of the same name, but nearby and easily visited when visiting the more famous complex.
• Yazd Water museum lots of interesting information about the Canat water distribution system, admission free, a must-see
• Hazireh mosque
• water reservoir with its four badgirs (wind towers)
• Khan-e-Lari, a historical house
• Alexanders prison, which was neither built by Alexander the great nor a prison, but a 15th-century domed school which is quite an interesting sight with a cafe in the 'prison room'. Often guides Would tell you the deep well in the middle of its courtyard was in fact built by Alexander the Great and was used as a dungeon but this seems doubtful.
• Tomb of the 12 imamswhich dates back to the early 11th century, has inscriptions inside bear the names of the twelve Shiite Imams, though none are actually buried here. It is now badly deteriorated.
• Madrasse-e-Kamalieh
• Bogeh-ye Seyed Rokamdin mosque
• Dowlat Abad Gardens with a building with a beautiful large badgir.
• tourist information office, jameh mosque St. end of sarafan Bazar (next to jame mosque), ☎ +983516205205, [1]. 9:00 to 12:00. Tourist information office is plenty of maps and helpful staff and located Next to jameh mosque,Manager Mohsen Hajisaeid is recommended guide in Lonely Planet and several other travel guide,can arrange hotel discount and astronomy tours as well as other services. Email:yazdguide@yahoo.com  edit

[edit][add listing] Do

• Walk around in the historic neighborhoods and relax in the parks. You can also hike up in the beautiful mountains of Yazd and enjoy a spectacular view of the city. If you are the more social type, chill out in the cafes and chat with local Iranians. Most likely, they will be very interested in talking with you.

[edit][add listing] Buy

The local bazaar is the way to go. Iran's most famous snacks, nougat and cashews are available. Yazd is very famous in Iran for its various handicrafts, such as carpet, silk fabrics, cashemers and also for its pastries. If you are looking for Persian carpets at reasonable prices, there are many Persian carpets to choose from at the bazaar.

[edit][add listing] Eat

Tourists say old-fashioned Persian Restaurants are the best way to go if you want a friendlier and more cultural atmosphere. Many restaurants serve the standard Iranian kebabas. There are a few international restaurants in Yazd which serve Italian, Indian, Arabian and Mexican food.

The traditional restaurant and tea house of Kohan Hotel serves various Iranian traditional dishes such as fessenjun, gheime as well as some European and Indian dishes. It has a nice atmosphere and is located near the Alexander Prison.

[edit][add listing] Drink

Persian tea is almost available anywhere in Yazd. Juice vendors sell freshly squeezed orange juice. you can also get fresh pomegranite juice for about 10 cents (US) a cup.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

There are many descent hotels to choose from. A number of traditional houses have been recently converted into atmospheric hotels. Some are good and others not so much. Many of them offer clean comfortable rooms encircling peaceful central courtyards where you can eat, drink tea or puff away on a ghalyan while gazing at the sky. If you've been slumming it through questionable mosafekhanehs until Yazd, you're in for a pleasant surprise.

• Hotel Dad ( 4-star )

Hotel Dad is an 80-year old treasure located at the heart of the historic city, Yazd. It is only few steps to historical sites, monuments, business center and bazaars. The hotel's traditional style is evocative of old Persia and the elegant architecture blends well with the city's rustic design. The complex is well-equipped with modern facilities. Hotel Dad has 54 single and double rooms, which can be connected to one another. Special suites are also available. Notable services of the hotel include: a swimming pool, which offers complete poolside service to the guests, a sauna and Jacuzzi. Guests can dine to a traditional Iranian cuisine or an international restaurant. Coffee shop in a cozy place with the stunning perspective of domes and hotel interior yard serves various ice creams, beverages and fast foods. Various salons have been designed for ceremonies, gatherings, and lectures. During the stay, guests have access to wireless internet, gift shop, and telephone services. Other accommodations include tour guides and currency exchange.

address: No.214, 10th Farvardin Ave. Reservation tel: +98 351 6229426 , +98 911 9691607 web: www.hoteldadint.com e-mail: i_nightowl@yahoo.com

• Silk Road Hotel, No 5, Tal-e Khakestary Alley, Masjed Jame St (Conveniently hidden in an alley near the Jameh Mosque; look for the signs pointing the way on the wall.), ☎ +98-351-625 2730 (silkroad_hotel@yahoo.com, fax: +98-351-6217703), [2]. checkin: 14:00; checkout: 12:00. This is undoubtedly the most popular and affordable of the backpacker hotels in Yazd. They off private rooms with ensuite bathrooms as well as a comfortable dorm. An excellent buffet breakfast and free wireless internet is included in the price. They also serve traditional food in the lovely courtyard restaurant. They also offer a number of interesting tours in and around Yazd - including overnight trips to the desert oasis Kharanaq, where they run another guesthouse.. Roof in summer (IR 25,000), Dorms (IR 90,000), singles (IR 280,000), doubles (from IR 420,000) and triples (560.000) are available..  edit

• Orient Hotel, (, 6th Alley at Jame Mosque St.), ☎ +98-351-626 7783. checkin: 14:00; checkout: 12:00. From the owners of Silk Road Hotel, which is on the other side of the street. The price of the rooms are all same as the Silk Road Hotel. It is especially tailored to the needs of families and group travelers. Has a glass deck on the second floor with nice panoramas of the city, and the beautiful Jame' Mosque, and a background of desert and mountains. To book your room at the Orient hotel, it is best to call or email the Silk Road Hotel.  edit

• Traditional Hotel Kohan, (100 metres from Alexander's Prison), ☎ 6212485 (fax: 621 0393). Is a little pricer and difficult to find, but also worth the effort. They also have a beautiful courtyard restaurant, a underground qanat room (water management system) to explore, and good views of the old city can be had from the roof. The hotel is family run, and also there is a tourist information office, a young man,who speaks wonderfully perfect German, English and a little Spanish, he gives you complete information about Yazd and other cities of Iran, time table of buses,air planes and trains. Various tour programs of Yazd is also offered; camel riding, overnight in desert, bike riding in desert as well as adventurous tours in all Iran. Luxurious dorms (IR 50,000),singles (150,000 IR) doubles (IR 250,000) and triples are available..  edit

[edit] Get out

• Meymand — population 60 in summer, 130 in winter, continuously occupied for more than 3,000 years

• Another city close by is the Holy city of Qom,If you feel like visiting a place more cultural and beautiful, the ancient city of Isfahan is near Yazd.

• Kavir National Park. The magnificent Iranian deserts embrace all those who are interested in adventurous journey or trekking across the intact beautiful nature. The desert vividly signifies the diverse and colourful features of the Iranian terrain. The white vast salt flats, the golden dunes as well as the striking mounds in bright green, yellow and red create a marvellous spectrum of spectacular colours for day travellers in the desert. Undoubtedly, the desert's night does surpass all expectations and further displays an spectacle of appealing stars--appearing so temptingly real and near.

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