Visit Persepolis
Still to do
Climb the grand staircase of the Persian kings, past carved processions of tribute-bearers from across an ancient empire.
The adventure
Persepolis was built to impress. Visitors climbed a great double staircase onto a vast stone terrace, passed through the Gate of All Nations guarded by winged bulls with human heads, and approached the king in a hall of 72 columns, each about 20 metres tall.
Much of it was burned by Alexander the Great's army in 330 BC, but what survives is extraordinary. On the stairways of the Apadana, delegations from 23 nations of the empire still file past in stone, bringing gifts: lions, horses, gold, cloth. The carving is so crisp you can see their hairstyles and the folds in their clothes. Nearby, at Naqsh-e Rostam, the tombs of Darius and his successors are cut high into a cliff.
Why it’s epic
- The Gate of All Nations and its winged guardian bulls.
- Reliefs of tribute-bearers on the Apadana staircases.
- The royal tombs at nearby Naqsh-e Rostam.
What it is
The ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, founded by Darius the Great around 518 BC and burned by Alexander the Great in 330 BC. Its stone stairways, columns and reliefs are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
How to do it
Visit on a day trip from Shiraz, about an hour away, often combined with the royal tombs at Naqsh-e Rostam.
Top tip
Hire a guide on site; the reliefs make much more sense when someone explains who's who.
Need to know
- Check your government's current travel advice for Iran before planning a trip.
- UK visitors need a visa, and some tours require a guide.
- International bank cards don't work in Iran, so bring cash.
Plan this trip
- Rough cost
- £750 to £2,000 per person, including flights from the UK
- Time needed
- A day
- Best time to go
- March to May and October to November
- Fly into
- SYZ airport
Iran itself is inexpensive; visas and guides are the main costs.
Make it happen
Why it’s on my list
Not done yet. If you’ve done it and have tips, tell me about it.
Comments