Tehran Sightseeing: Introducing 21 Exciting and Recreational Spots in the Capital You Must Visit

1- Azadi Tower, Tehran; Commemorating the 2500-Year Anniversary
Azadi Tower, one of Tehran's symbols today, was built as a monument for the 2500-year celebrations of the Persian Empire. Known as Shahyad Tower before the revolution, it was once a popular spot for visitors from other cities who would take commemorative photos with this modern symbol of Iran.

The tower’s construction story dates back to 1965 when an Iranian architect competition was held to design a national symbol for Iran. Among all designs, Hussein Amanat’s was chosen, leading to the creation of the Azadi Tower as we know it today.

Azadi Tower is a blend of Achaemenid, Sassanid, and Islamic architectural styles. A lesser-known fact for many tourists is that beneath the tower are an art gallery, a library, and a museum. So, if you visit, don’t miss the basement and the museum.

Address: Tehran, Azadi Square

2- Milad Tower, the Symbol of Modern Tehran
Milad Tower is one of Tehran’s modern tourist attractions, recently added as one of the city's major landmarks. It is the sixth tallest telecommunications tower in the world and has become a hub for entertainment and leisure for both locals and visitors. The tower hosts many concerts and festivals, with most famous Iranian singers performing in its halls.

Milad Tower Activities
The Milad Tower's Dolphinarium, said to be the first non-coastal dolphinarium in the Middle East, is a popular spot for both children and adults. You can also find activities like zip-lining, a suspended tower, bubble football, and escape rooms, which are great for adrenaline junkies.

Cafes and Restaurants
The rotating restaurant in Milad Tower is one of the best in Tehran. However, it’s not the only dining spot in the tower. After visiting the tower's various floors and enjoying the attractions, you can treat yourself to a drink or meal in one of the tower's cafes or restaurants.

The tower also has a wax museum showcasing prominent Iranian figures such as Jalal Al-e-Ahmad, Nima Yushij, and Ferdowsi. You’ll also find shops selling handicrafts and artists creating different works of art.

Address: Tehran, Hemmat Expressway West to East, Sheikh Fazlollah South Exit, Milad Tower Private Route

3- Erm Park, Tehran
Erm Park is a recreational sports complex that is one of Tehran’s best spots for young people and children, offering a variety of fun activities. The complex has three active amusement parks, an indoor one called the Castle of Joy, a zoo, a lake for boating, an outdoor pool with a water slide, and several restaurants and reception halls.

If you’re looking for thrilling activities, Erm Green Amusement Park is one of the best recreational spots in Tehran.

Address: Tehran, Kilometer 4, Tehran-Karaj Freeway, After Shahid Bakri Bridge

4- Erm Zoo, a Sightseeing Spot in Tehran
Erm Zoo, located within the Erm Green amusement complex, is one of Tehran’s top tourist destinations. Established in the 1950s, the zoo houses various species of reptiles, mammals, aquatic animals, and birds. It is one of the best places for kids to interact and learn about animals.

Address: Tehran, Kilometer 4, Tehran-Karaj Freeway, After Sattari Bridge, Shahid Bakri South Freeway, Erm Park, Erm Zoo

5- City Theater, Tehran; A Center for High-Quality Theater
One of Tehran’s most famous cultural centers is City Theater, located in Daneshju Park near Vali Asr Square. Built by the efforts of Farah Pahlavi, the theater is a prime venue for viewing theatrical performances.

The building has several performance halls and a specialized library, and it also houses a cafe and bookshop, making it a popular meeting spot for theater enthusiasts.

Address: Tehran, Vali Asr Square, West Side of Daneshju Park, City Theater Building

6- Chitgar Lake, Iran’s Largest Artificial Lake
Chitgar Lake, later renamed Lake Martyrs of the Persian Gulf, is the largest artificial lake in Iran and one of Tehran's most significant tourist attractions. Located in the northwest of the city, it is a major recreational hub with boat rides, aerial skateboarding, free-fall slides, and a six-dimensional cinema.

Address: Tehran, End of Hemmat Expressway West, Chitgar Lake

7- Ocean Park, Tehran
Ocean Park is one of Tehran’s top attractions for kids, where real ocean environments and marine life have been recreated. It includes various exhibits such as a large lake, a section about the impact of plastic pollution, moving marine animals, and more.

Address: Tehran, Jahan-Koodak Square towards Haqqani, Shahidi Street, Next to Navak Alley

8- Human Park
Human Park, the largest thematic park in the Middle East, is ideal for children and teenagers. It’s a scientific amusement park designed to showcase the human anatomy with giant models of the human body’s internal and external organs.

Address: Tehran, Darabad Street, Museum Street

9- Book Garden Tehran
Book Garden is a wonderful destination for people of all ages, offering a vast collection of books and scientific entertainment activities. Covering 110,000 square meters, it is considered Tehran's largest bookstore.

Address: Tehran, Vanak Square, Haqqani Freeway, West to East, After Shahid Modares Freeway Intersection

10- Freedom Karting
Freedom Karting is one of the best recreational spots in Tehran, offering a thrilling experience of Formula 1 driving on an 800-meter track.

Address: Tehran, East Side of Azadi Stadium, Next to Parking Lot No. 13

17- Ski Resorts as Tourist Attractions in Tehran
Due to Tehran’s unique geographical location, the surrounding mountainous areas are well-suited for skiing, making them one of the main tourist destinations in Tehran during the winter. Some of the most popular ski resorts near Tehran include Tochal Ski Resort, Dizin Ski Resort, Abali Ski Resort, Shemshak Ski Resort, and Darbandser Ski Resort.

18- Ghazali Film Studio
Ghazali Film Studio is one of the most important tourist attractions in Tehran, which you may have seen in movies and TV series. This studio is designed to reflect old Tehran and the streets and decor of the Pahlavi era, with different filming locations gradually being added. Here, you can visit the locations from the series Maryam Magdalen, Lalehzar Street, the Philadelphia location, Shahrzad, The English Bag, and more.

Address: Tehran, Shahid Lashkari Highway, 15th kilometer of the Karaj-Specific Road, after the Saipa Factory, Ghazali Film Studio

19- Fashafouyeh Aquatic Complex as a Place for Water Sports in Tehran
If you're interested in water sports, there's good news: you don't have to travel all the way to Kish for these activities. The Fashafouyeh Aquatic Complex is an artificial lake offering a variety of fun and games. Water activities at Fashafouyeh include jet skiing, shuttle, motor boating, paddleboarding, water skiing, cable skiing, and more.

Address: Tehran, Hassanabad, Tehran-Qom Highway, 18 km after the toll, 5 km after the underpass of the highway (exit towards Robat Karim), heading to Hassanabad

20- Farahzad Valley in Tehran with Delicious Food
Farahzad Valley is one of the popular tourist destinations in Tehran, known for its good weather in the north of the city, restaurant gardens, and a variety of delicious foods. This valley, with its beautiful nature and the river running through the center, is a favorite spot for young people and is especially known as a great place to visit in the evening.

Address: Tehran, northwest of Tehran, at the end of Yadegar Imam Highway, Farahzad Valley

21- Escape Rooms, a Place for Teamwork
Escape rooms have gained a lot of popularity worldwide, including in Iran. If you're looking for fun places in Tehran for young people, escape rooms are the best choice for adventurous individuals. In escape rooms, you typically have an hour to work together, solve puzzles, and find your way out of the room.

There are several escape rooms in different parts of Tehran, including EscapeRoom.IR, Escape Roomist, and Zehn Bartar, which are among the most popular tourist attractions in Tehran.