Is Iran Worth The Fuss?

Last year I travelled to Iran for two weeks. It had never been a must see place for me, just a one day sorta thing. So with a trip combining Qatar, Oman and Iran I decided that the ‘one day’ had come.

It is abit of work though to get to Iran. Just to get a visa is a long and costly process. You also need to do your research for a company that will give you travel insurance when travelling to Iran, as many companies won’t cover you. Then you have the flight in and out which is bloody expensive, so it all adds up to be quite a pricey holiday. Oh, then add to that if you plan to go to the USA after being in Iran, you will have to pay more for the B2 visa and you are at risk that it won’t even be approved.

So is Iran worth all the hassle? It truly depends on what you are going for...

If you want an adventure type holiday I would suggest no. There are not really any adrenalin packed activities. None that I found anyway. There is a steep mountain to climb but even the elderly can do that.

If you are going for the food then its a yes. The food is so good. My favourites were the eggplant, and egg and tomato with rice. As well as Tah Dig which is scorched rice; a traditional rice pie. Also the dizzy with lamb and chickpeas. You have to drain the liquid and eat it as a soup then use the bread to eat the rest. The bread in Iran can be abit of a hit and miss. The meals served are quite large so you often share meals between two. Doogh is a yogurt drink you have to try when in Iran; yoghurt mixed with water and mint. So refreshing in the heat. Gaz is something you must try; the well known Iranian nougat from Isfahan. So delicious.

If you are going for the people then go. They are friendly, welcoming and trustworthy. Iran has a safe feeling. You will notice many people, particularly women with bandages on their face as many opt for a nose job, investing in what they look like. Charity boxes are on every corner. Iranians are obligated to give and help out the less fortunate.

Going for the shopping? If you have money to spend then yes. There are beautiful Persian carpets to buy, lovely pottery, handmade cloths, fresh dates, sweets, and Khâtamkâri boxes.

After a culture fix? Then Iran is for you. Ladies must wear a headscarf at all times and a dress to cover your bottom. Put the scarf on once you land and before you get off the plane. Make sure to wear long sleeves, pants, long dresses or long shirts. Easy done. Respect their culture and they will respect you. You will notice that Iranian ladies are mostly wearing black. There is no alcohol in Iran due to the prominent Islam religion which gives the place a peaceful feel. I enjoyed it. Iran is a clean place. They are also very into their street art, wall art and sculptures which is awesome to spot. The main square in each town is a great place to sit and people watch.

Are you looking for somewhere a bit different and unique to travel? Well I would suggest Iran fits the bill. There are beautiful tiles you stand in awe and stare at on buildings and mosques. The Mosques are amazing, especially lit up at night. Iran has fantastic museums and their history is preserved so well.

The traffic on the roads is crazy but don’t worry, the drivers won’t hit you. They let you cross the road. You may notice the pollution as cars do not use unleaded petrol there. The public transport is good but Iranians prefer to drive so the roads are busy. Women are allowed to drive cars but not motorcycles. Another thing you will notice is many cars are white as anything darker attracts the heats and is just too hot. It was very strange at first when you see that police and the ambulance drive around using their lights but never their siren. It was actually really calm that way. There are no military or police on the streets as there is really no need for it. Crime is met with very harsh punishments so there is very little of it.

Iran is not really set up for tourism just yet. You will find the menus are in Persian, not in English. At the train stations it helps if you can understand Arabic numbers are there is no English. Just suss out someone who looks helpful to ask if needed. I did a GAdventures tour when I travelled to Iran. I guess you could travel around Iran by yourself but you will feel more secure doing it with a group.

What’s all the fuss you are probably wondering then? Well, tourists are not able to use ATM’s in Iran, only exchange money. So you must either bring US dollars or Euro to exchange so you must carefully calculate how much you money you will need while in Iran. The exchange places don’t like small currency so try to bring bigger notes. Before exchanging money, calculate how much you should receive based on their rate and double check you receive the right amount as they don’t give receipts and may attempt to cheat you. Another thing that you will find is that Facebook is blocked in Iran so you must find another way to communicate with family and friends. Also, they will not stamp your passport at entry or exit to Iran. So there is no evidence that you have been there, which is probably a good thing as USA don’t want to let you in if they know you have been to Iran.

It is a good idea to pack a bike lock to secure your bag when taking an overnight train. You shouldn’t have a problem but just to ease your mind and help you to sleep well. Also Iran does get hot so be prepared for the heat. Pack your mist spray.

So is Iran worth the hassle, the expense and the effort? I would have to say yes. I had a memorable and surprising time in Iran. I was grateful for the peace and serenity that Iran offers which I was not expecting. The people were super friendly and welcoming and I was constantly learning about their history, culture and their way of life.

Have you considered travelling to Iran? What are your thoughts? Feel free to join the conversation and leave a comment below.