2026 Qazvin Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in August)

Ali Qapu Portal in Qazvin is the only survivor of the great and magnificent court (Dolatkhaneh) of Qazvin in the Safavid period. When Qazvin was the capital city of the Safavid government, the royal citadel of the city had many gates, including Ali Qapu Portal. There is an inscription on the highest part of this 17-meter-long portal, which is a calligraphic work of art by the great calligrapher of the Safavid dynasty, namely Reza Abbasi. The Portal in Qazvin is located at the beginning of the first street of Iran, Sepah Street. Opening Hours Monday: 9:00 - 20:00 Tuesday: 9:00 - 20:00 Wednesday: 9:00 - 20:00 Thursday: 9:00 - 20:00 Friday: 9:00 - 20:00 Saturday: 9:00 - 20:00 Sunday: 9:00 - 20:00

#itinerarycheck The Alamut Valley, east of Qazvin, is where Hassan-i Sabbah ran the Order of Assassins in the 11th century. The castle ruins perch on a 2,000 m cliff above the Alamut River, near the village of Gazor Khan. Getting there is a lesson in Iranian rural logistics. Transport: From Tehran, bus to Qazvin (IRR 500,000, 2.5h, card OK at the terminal). Then a savari (shared taxi) to Mo’allem Kalayeh (IRR 1.2M, 1.5h). Last leg: a 4WD pickup from Mo’allem to Gazor Khan (IRR 800,000 per vehicle, fits 6, cash rials only). No buses beyond Mo’allem. The hike: Start at Gazor Khan mosque courtyard, 08:00. A mule track climbs 400 m over 2.3 km to the castle saddle. The path is stone-pitched in places, washed out in others. At the saddle, the castle spreads over 200 m of ridge — walls, cisterns, a 40 m drop to the river. Entry IRR 300,000 (foreigner rate), guide mandatory (IRR 1M for 1.5h, negotiated at the village teahouse). Rules: Women must wear scarf at the village and on trail (I kept a light scarf, fine). No alcohol obviously. Photography of the nearby military post (west ridge) forbidden — ranger will shout. Gear: The cliff edge has no rails. I wore Vibram soles; still slipped on the dusty limestone. Bring 2 L water; the spring at Gazor Khan is unreliable. Costs: Bus IRR 500k + savari 1.2M + 4WD 800k/6 + entry 300k + guide 1M/3 = ≈ IRR 2.3M ≈ USD 55 with food. Observation: The castle is 80% rubble, 20% imagination — but standing where Sabbah allegedly said “Nothing is true, everything is permitted” (probably misquoted) while eagles circle the gorge is a better history lesson than any museum. Question: When a site’s fame rests on a legend (Assassins = hashish-users, likely false), does the ruin owe you accuracy or atmosphere? I’ll take atmosphere with a footnote. Would you?

#favouriteitinerary A road trip in Iran isn’t complete without a scenic stop ! On our way from Tehran to Qazvin, we took a break by the stunning Ovan Lake for a picnic. Our guide treated us to Kuku Sabzi (a green dish in pic 3), a vibrant Persian herb frittata packed with eggs, walnuts, and spices. Wrapped in flatbread with crisp capsicum on the side, it was the perfect roadside feast. Yummy ! Fresh air, good food, and a view, what more could we ask for ?

🇮🇷 Iran: Qazvin✔️ Just a two or three-hour drive west from Tehran, you'll arrive at the famous Qazvin, known for its location along the Silk Road. Although the city might sound unfamiliar, the Sa'd al-Saltaneh Caravanserai is a must-visit spot in Qazvin❗️ 🐫 The caravanserai, built during the Qajar era, is one of the best-preserved urban caravanserais of Iran. What used to be a traditional stop along the Silk Road has now been transformed into a cultural bazaar center, where you can find distinctive Persian products. Sunlight streams through the dome's skylight, which serves both as natural lighting and an amplifier~ So our Iranian guide sang a song here, eliciting enthusiastic applause from the surrounding students~ They came over to take photos and chat with us, making us feel the warmth of the city❤️