When traveling to countries that have a rich historical and cultural background, one of the aspects of traveling is getting to know the history and culture of that country. Museums represent the historical and cultural aspects of the people of a nation. In Iran, thanks to the history and culture of several thousand years and the rich and precious heritage left by the past, there are many museums. Most of these museums are specialized and are very attractive to tourists and visitors. There are many museums in Iran, so it is difficult to introduce them all, but there is potential for the top museums in Iran based on qualitative criteria and feedback from visitors and researchers, and in this article, these museums are introduced in this way so that you, the tourists can choose and enjoy these museums with more comfort and well-being. Sito Travel experts are familiar with the best museums in Iran and will accompany you in achieving the most unique experience.
List of the best museums in Iran
1- National Museum of Iran
The National Museum of Iran is at the top of the list of the best museums in Iran. This museum is very significant both in terms of its age and in terms of the objects kept in it. More than 105 years have passed since the first time that a museum named the National Museum was officially established in Iran. Of course, the National Museum has undergone many changes during its one-century history, and it no longer resembles the museum that was established a century ago. This museum is located in an area of 18 thousand square meters. The current museum building was designed by the renowned French architect Andre Godard in 1937. The National Museum of Iran consists of two main parts: the Museum of Ancient Iran and the Museum of Archaeology and Islamic Art. It is interesting to know that works dating from one million to 12,000 years ago are kept in the Museum of Ancient Iran. Some of the objects in the Museum of Ancient Iran date back to the Paleolithic period.
The Museum of Archeology and Islamic Art was built in 1997 in a building inspired by the design of the Sassanid Palace of Bishabur. There are many historical treasures of Islamic art from Iran’s post-Islamic kingdom periods in this museum.
- Address: Tehran, Imam Khomeini St., at the beginning of 30th Tir St., Professor Rollen St., No. 1.
- Visiting hours: in spring and summer from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and in autumn and winter from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
2- Golestan Palace Museum
Another one of the best museums in Iran is Golestan Palace. This palace is the most famous royal palace in Iran. The main reason for this fame is the use of this complex by many Iranian kings as the center of the monarchy. Sultan Palace dates back to the Safavid period of Shah Abbas. Of course, there is nothing left of the main building of Golestan Palace, which was used in the Safavid period, and the buildings of this complex date back to the period of Karim Khan Zand. Golestan Palace became more significant after Tehran was chosen as the capital of Iran, and it was considered the center of governance until the end of the Qajar period. You can see all the objects that existed in this palace during the Qajar period in the Golestan collection. An influential part of the significant events that happened in the history of Iran took place in Golestan Palace. Apart from its historical importance, this collection displays the most unique Iranian art.
There are thirteen buildings in the Golestan complex, which are: Shams-ol-Emareh, Hall of Salam, Hall of Mirrors, Iwan-e Takht-e Marmar, Takht-e Marmar, Hozkhaneh, Abiaz Palace, Khalvat-e Karimkhani, Badgir Mansion, Ivory Hall, Almas Hall, Berlian Hall and Hozkhaneh of Badgir Mansion.
- Address: Tehran, 15th Khordad Street, Arg Square.
- Visiting hours: in the first six months of the year between 9:30 AM and 6:30 PM
3- Saadabad Palace Museum
Saad Abad Palace was the summer residence of the Qajar kings. When the first Pahlavi came to power, many buildings were built around it, and during the second Pahlavi, it was officially chosen as the king’s residence.
There are various buildings in Saad Abad Palace, each of which has exposed many treasures of history and contemporary art to the public. Saad Abad Palace has a total of 15 independent buildings, and today each of these buildings has become a museum in the Palace Museum complex.
- Address: Shahid Jafari Street, Tajrish Square, Tehran
- Visiting hours: the first half of the year from 9:00 to 18.45 minutes, the second half of the year from 9:00 to 17:00
4- Iran’s National Jewelry Museum
Jewelry is one of those things that everyone is attracted to. The combination of art, industry, and nature is an attractive combination that few people can resist. Since we Iranians have a strange interest in jewelry and this interest was also seen in the royal family, a rich and attractive collection of jewelry has been provided to the central bank. These treasures, known as National Jewels, are on display during limited hours of the day, and if you hurry, you can have a chance to see this magnificent collection. Incredibly, no expert or researcher has been able to estimate the real value of the central bank’s Treasury jewels until today. The most famous member of this fascinating treasure is the pink diamond of the Sea of Light (Darya-ye Nour).
- Address of the Iran’s National Jewelry Museum: Tehran, Imam Khomeini Square, Ferdowsi Street, Central Bank of Iran Building, basement floor.
- Visiting hours: Saturday to Tuesday. 14:00 to 17:00
5- Museum of Contemporary Arts
The most prominent art museum in Iran is the Museum of Contemporary Art, which opened in 1978. It is said that this museum is one of the finest collections in the world in the field of modern arts. You can see the works of many world-famous artists, including Picasso, Gauguin, and Renoir, at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Of course, This museum also houses a collection of Iranian artists. It is said that the financial value of the works in the Museum of Contemporary Art reaches five to ten billion dollars.
- Address: North Kargar St., Enghelab Square, Tehran
- Visiting hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day
6- Museum of the Sacred Defense of Iran
Museums are not always what we imagine. Often, museums narrate a form of event in the lives of visitors that is shared by many generations. One of these museums is the garden of the Holy Defense Museum, which was built in Abbasabad, Tehran. The Holy Defense Museum contains every famous and important element that existed in the eight-year war between Iran and Iraq. This museum is made up of different parts. The rest of the parts, except for the butterfly hall, are mostly narrative. One of the interesting parts of the Holy Defense Museum is the reconstruction of parts of Khorramshahr, including the Grand Mosque.
- Address: Tehran, Vanak Square, Shahid Haqqani Highway, at the end of Sarvo St.
- Visiting hours: every day from 9:30 to 17, Fridays from 11 to 17
7- Astan Quds Razavi Museum
Astan Quds Razavi Museum, which is located in the city of Mashhad in the vicinity of Imam Reza’s shrine, is considered one of the best museums in Iran. The objects stored in the Astan Quds Razavi Museum have a unique place in Iranian culture, both in terms of material value and spiritual value. Astan Quds museums were opened in 1945. Many of the objects in the museum are gifts that owners and collectors have donated to the Razavi shrine collection. The interesting collections in the museums of Astan Quds include the treasures of coins and bills, the treasures of shells and sea snails, the treasure of weapons, the museum of clocks and astronomy, and the treasure of medals. This museum also has a large section called the Carpet Museum. A part of the museum is dedicated to works donated by Professor Farshchian.
- Address: Mashhad, Imam Reza shrine
- Visiting hours: the first half of the year 8 am to 8:45 pm and the second half of the year 8 am to 5:45 pm
8- Pars Shiraz Museum
Located in Shiraz, the Pars Museum, also known as the Kolah Ferangi Mansion, is another one of Iran’s best museums. The objects in it belong to the post and pre-Islam eras, which means that you can easily get a lot of information about ancient Iran, and besides that, you can witness precious historical objects left by our ancestors. The museum comprises one of the oldest historical attractions and museums in the province of Fars. It contains valuable objects, and works of clay, metal, antique and ancient coins, beads, etc., whose history dates back a thousand years ago. The exterior of the museum is in the shape of an octagon. The tomb of Karim Khan Zand is also located in this museum. The upper facade of the building is very striking and amazingly decorated with tiles, which depict the enthronement of Hazrat Suleiman to the visitors of Pars Palace.
- Address of Pars Museum: Shiraz, Karim Khan zand Boulevard, above Taleghani Street
- Visiting hours: 8 am to 8 pm
9- Yazd Water Museum
The provinces of the central plateau of Iran have been facing water shortages for a long time. Water, as one of the most strategic natural materials, plays an instrumental role in power equations. A fair distribution of water, things related to the water supply, and an irrigation system should have been so advanced that it allowed governors to manage water in desert cities. Any information you would like to know about the ancient treatment of water and its management is available at the Yazd Water Museum. An attractive museum that is considered a valuable cultural heritage. The interesting thing about this museum is its location in a historical house with unique architecture. In fact, by watching the Yazd Water Museum, you will notice two things in one go. So if you come to Yazd, don’t miss visiting the Water Museum.
- Address: Yazd, north side of Amirchakhmaq Square, Qiyam St
- Visiting hours of Yazd Water Museum: 8:00-14:30-15:00-19:00
10- Isfahan Music Museum
One of the best private museums in Iran is the Isfahan Music Museum. This museum was established in 2015 with the efforts of two musicians named Mehrdad Jihouni and Shahriar Shokrani. In this unique Iranian museum, more than 300 musical instruments are on display, and visitors are shown how to use and play them. If you’re a music lover like me and hearing live music excites you, a visit to this worthwhile collection will perk you up. So remember to add the Isfahan Music Museum to the list of attractions in this beautiful city.
- Address: No. 74, Shahid Qandi St., Tohid Miani St., Isfahan
- Visiting hours: 9:00 to 21:00
Final word
The country of Iran benefits from a valuable history and background. For this reason, museums have been established in important historical places of Iran, which have exposed a lot of information about the past and history of our country. Visiting these museums will undoubtedly bring new experiences for every visitor that cannot be found anywhere else. Sito travel consultants, experts, and tour leaders have selected a unique collection of Iran’s top museums to offer you, dear tourists, and have prepared useful information about these museums and the objects and works that are kept in them.
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