Yazd
Travel Guide > Middle East > Iran > Yazd
Introduction
Yazd is about as typical as a desert city can get. It is one of the oldest, driest cities in Iran, and also one of the most architecturally unique.
Its about 175 from Esfahan. It is located right between the Dasht-e Kavir desert and the Dasht-e Lut desert. With a population of over 500,000 desert dwellers.
It is known for it's high quality silks, teas, camel meat and dried sweets.
Neighborhoods
Sights and Activities
Around Yazd City
- Takyeh Amir Chakhmagh - Multiple Arches provide for a Bazaar entranceway and lookout tower over the city.
- Kabir jaame mosque - Beautiful and quiet Mosque in the city center
- Towers of Silence - a short tazi ride will take you to the ancient Zoroastrian twin towers of silence where people used to be laid to rest and have their bones picked clean in the process.
- Wind-catcher's - all around Yazd you will find buildings with rectangular towers and vents that help catch cool air and circulate in buildings
- Zoroastrian Fire Temple - a modern looking Zoroastrian temple that hold a museum, and eternal flame
- Main Bazaar - gold markets, spice market and any other type of market await in this domed bazaar
- Old Hotels - many of Yazd's hotels are quite old and have recently been renovated to show of architectural and anesthetic beauty
- Alexander's Prison - a not so exciting, but historical place that legend says Alexander the Great built while passing through at some stage
- Tourist Office - a great tourist office run by some really nice fun people, worth it for entertainment value alone
Day trips from Yazd
- Kharanaq
Kharanaq is one of the last remaining 'Big' Mud cities still standing in Iran. Over 1000 years old, and looking ever the part, the city could star in an Indian Jones movie.
A huge mud wall encircles the city, though a few crumbling holes have appeared. Long winding alley's and small streets meander through the mud buildings within making it easy to get lost. But just keep walking in the same direction and you will eventually come out by the main walls.
Be warned though, the buildings within are in a bad state of repair, and are dangerous to climb on top of.
- Chak Chak
Chak Chak is a very small cliff side village that is famed for being the most important Zoroastrian mountain shrine. There is a yearly celebration from from June 14-18 where many Zoroastrians from India & Iran come.
The translation of Chak Chak in Farsi literally means 'Drip Drip'. This is due to an ancient legend where a princess prayed to a Zoroastrian god to help here hide from an invading army. The mountain then opened up to hide her. Another local legend says that the princess plunged a sword into the mountain in anger. The mountain then began to cry, hence their is a mountain stream coming out from within the cliff.
The views from the top of Chak Chak are quite spectacular.
Events and Festivals
Weather
Yazd is the driest city in Iran with an average rainfall of less than 2.5 inches a year. It can also have temperatures rising about 40 °C (104 °F) in the summer while in the winter night time temperatures can drop to below freezing. Yet winter days are surprisingly mild and sunny.
Getting There
By Plane
Shahid Sadooghi Airport is located in Yazd and serves all domestic airports.
By Train
The train station is located next to the bus station on Rah Ahan Blvd. It operates services to all major cities in Iran
By Car
Driving to Yazd is an easy option, the road is safe, and the views quite nice if you are into desert scenery.
By Bus
The Bus station is beside the Train station on Rah Ahan Blvd beside Rah Ahan Square. It has services to nearly all cities in Iran. A typical service to Tehran is about 10 hours and to Esfahan 5 hours.
By Boat
Getting Around
By Car
Taxi's are cheap and plenty full around Yazd.
Driving your own car in Yazd is quite possible and rewarding as the city does not have the grid lock and insane driving style of most Iranian cities.
With a good road map driving outside the city into the desert is also a good option.
Having a motorbike is a great way to explore Yazd and the surrounding desert.
By Public Transport
Buses are plentyful and not too crowded in the city center, knowing the language and where to go is important.
By Foot
Yazd is quite easy to get around by foot, so long as the temperature is not super hot. Many of the city sites are withing walking distance of each other, which is a good way to save some money. Though taking a straight bus down Imam Khomeini Street will help in getting to the more popular sites quickly.
By Bike
Eat
There are some great and simple eateries in Yazd. There are some also some high class eating places that won't break the bank either.
Nemoner Sandwich - Imam Khomeini Street - basic, simple, cheap and good
Hotel Meher - Lab-e-Khandagh Alley, Qiam Ave (inside main bazaar) - Just go inside the main bazaar and ask. High end hotel with high end restaurant at about 5 Euro a meal in a fantastic setting.
Silk Road Hotel - Taleh Khakestary Alley, Jame Mosque Street. - Great food such as camel meat stew in walnut sauce in a nice courtyard
Ice Cream Treats - On the corner at Amir Chakhmaq Square - great ice cream sit down restaurant serving a wide variety of ice creams and local sweets
Drink
Sleep
Budget
The Silk Road Hotel, No 5 - Taleh Khakestary Alley - Jame Mosque Street - Yazd - Iran | tel +98 351 6252730 www.silkroadhotel.ir. High standard rooms with en suite, huge buffet all you can eat breakfast included. 160,000 per night(negotiable when dealing with the owner Ali). Dorm rooms 40,000. Indoor courtyard with heaters and good restaurant. Also if you want to work in the either this, or any of Ali's Hotels you get free stay, or free internet depending on your workload!!
Mid-Range
Orient Hotel, Off Jame Mosque Street +98 351 6252730. www.orienthotel.ir. Run by the owner the Silk Road Hotel, this hotel has a higher room capacity and a nice restaurant on the roof with great night views. Rooms start at 140,000 and are again negotiable.
Upscale
Mehr Traditional Hotel, Lab-e-Khandagh Alley, Qiam Ave. www.mehrhotel.ir. Old renovated hotel that has been noted by the UN World Heritage Site for its work on using traditional methods in restoring the hotel. 350,000 for a single. A fantastic looking outdoor courtyard with very good restaurant. It's a little pricey for Iran, but worth it to feel like Persian royalty for a night.
Work
Learn
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