Travel Tips

Dress Code in Iran

“Hijab” which is an Islamic dress-code is a necessity in Iran and women have to cover their hair and head according to that. Women are also expected to wear loose clothing and cover all their body except for their hands, face, and feet. Wearing shorts by Men is not acceptable in public. All tourists are subject to these customs.

Religious Etiquette

In order to visit a mosque or any other holy shrine in Iran, women should wear a chador before entering the place. There is usually a kiosk at the entrance gate where you can rent one.

Men are expected to wear long-sleeved shirts when visiting a mosque or holy shrine.

You have to take off your shoes before entering a prayer area of a mosque.

Forbidden items to bring with you to Iran

Entering every type of narcotics, alcoholic drinking, weapon & munitions, every type of Aerial photography cameras (identification camera), every type of sender & receiver sets, and also every type of books, periodical, multimedia that are a promoter of moral & belief wantonness, is forbidden.

Local Time

October – March: Greenwich Mean Time plus 2:30 hours (G.M.T. + 2.5).

April – September: Greenwich Mean Time plus 3:30 hours (G.M.T. + 3.5).

Official Calendar

Iran's official Calendar is a solar calendar. Its origin can be traced back to the 11th century when a group of astronomers (including the well-known poet Omar Khayyam) created what is known as the Jalaali calendar. However, a number of changes have been made to the calendar since then. The current calendar has been used in Iran since 1925.

The Persian year starts at the vernal equinox. If the astronomical vernal equinox falls before noon (Tehran true time) on a particular day, then that day is the first day of the year. If the astronomical vernal equinox falls afternoon, the following day will be the first day of the year.

Note that there is a leap year once in every 4 years. The month of Esfand has 29 days in an ordinary year but 30 days in a leap year.

Business Hours

A week in Iran starts on Saturday and last by Friday. Therefore, all the banks, government offices and most businesses are closed on Fridays. Some also are closed on Thursday afternoon, although department stores and supermarkets remain open.