Tehran, long known for its numerous green spaces and historic gardens, now counts thousands of parks across the metropolitan area. From leafy cultural parks in the city center to vast forest parks and protected national reserves on the outskirts, this guide selects the best parks in Tehran for culture, family gatherings and nature lovers.
Tehran has long offered many green areas thanks to its relatively favorable climate. These green spaces largely include the capital’s old gardens, several of which are today considered among the best parks in Tehran.
Municipal efforts to raise per-capita green space toward global standards continue, and modern parks and recreational areas have been created. Overall, Tehran contains more than two thousand parks, each with its own distinct beauty and importance.
If you want to learn about Tehran’s best parks for culture, read on.
Honarmandan Park (also called Iran-shahr Park) dates back to the Qajar era. Once part of a princely estate, it became municipal property in 1996 (1375) and was redesigned into its current form. Located in central Tehran on Iran-shahr Street, it’s considered one of the city’s top parks.
The House of Artists (Khane-ye Honarmandan) and the Iran-Shahr Theater are located here, giving the park a cultural and artistic atmosphere — hence the nickname Artists’ Park. Several halls and galleries are housed in the complex, and it hosts the secretariats of artistic guilds.
Performances of theater, music and other arts are held here, making it a gathering place for Tehran’s creative community. The park also offers green spaces, exercise equipment, a football pitch, foosball, a basketball court and cafés.
Address: Honarmandan Park is near Haft-Tir Square on Iran-shahr Street.
Daneshjoo Park — formerly Pahlavi Park before the Revolution — is another culturally oriented park. It sits near the City Theater complex and is bordered by Enghelab Street to the north, Valiasr Street to the west and Razi Street to the east. The park covers over 3,000 square meters and includes the City Theater, Daneshjoo Library, a children’s playground, restrooms and a buffet.
Because of the nearby City Theater, the Vali-Asr cultural—religious complex, the Vahdat Hall, and universities such as Tehran University and Amirkabir (Polytechnic), the park is a popular hangout for students and artists. The Fajr Street Theater festival stages street performances here every year.
Address: Daneshjoo Park sits at the intersection of Valiasr and Enghelab Streets (Valiasr Square).
Undoubtedly one of Tehran’s most memorable parks, Mellat Park is widely regarded as one of the best parks in the city. Adjacent to the Mellat Gallery complex, the park has become more culturally active in recent years. Sculptures of important Iranian figures also dot the grounds.
With an area of about 34 hectares, Mellat Park is one of Tehran’s largest parks and includes a small zoo, old trees, fountains, a lake, a 4D cinema and many sports facilities — table tennis, chess, volleyball, badminton courts and more.
Its nostalgic atmosphere and mixed cultural and sporting amenities make Mellat Park popular with families and young people. Many Tehranis introduce Mellat as a “must-see” to non-local visitors.
Address: Mellat Park is on Valiasr Street at the Niayesh intersection.
Many prefer forest parks over city parks — and Tehran offers several.
Chitgar Park is one of Tehran’s best parks for picnics and cycling on holiday weekends. Built at the beginning of the west wind corridor into Tehran, the park’s purpose includes increasing oxygen levels. Covering over 900 hectares, Chitgar is planted with species such as locust (Robinia), elm, plane, jacaranda, ornamental maple and others.
Its main attractions are the bike and skate tracks, which make it a youthful hub. There’s also an equestrian club, paintball facilities, and proximity to Chitgar Lake (also called the Persian Gulf lake), restaurants and an artificial waterfall — all of which turn this forest park into a major recreational destination.
Address: Chitgar Park is bounded north by Chitgar grounds, south by the Tehran–Karaj freeway, west by Sarv-Azad and Peykan-shahr neighborhoods and east by Khargush-Dareh.
Jamshidieh Park is another forested park and one of Tehran’s most beautiful and oldest green spaces, located in the northern part of the city. Being north of the capital, it shows autumn and winter colors earlier than many other parks, which makes it a popular Tehran attraction.
You’ll find picturesque pools, an artificial waterfall, a small lake, artistic elements and sculptures among tall trees. Jamshidieh covers over 10 hectares and has paved walkways that suit walkers and hiking enthusiasts.
Survey results place Jamshidieh as the second-most popular park for non-Tehran visitors after Mellat Park.
Address: Jamshidieh Park is at the end of Shahid Bahonar (Niavaran) Street, near Feyzieh and Omidvar.
Families often choose wholesome public spaces. Many of Tehran’s parks are ideal.
Park-e Shahr is one of Tehran’s oldest and most beloved parks, located in the city center. Its long history, botanical variety and a well-stocked library give it special status. Park-e Shahr is also among the few Tehran parks adapted for people with disabilities.
The park hosts the Peace Museum, a bird garden, an artificial lake, and an aquarium. Historically, the aquarium area (below ground) served as a shelter during wartime and was later converted into an aquarium. Other amenities include children’s play equipment, bird-watching sites and bike paths.
Address: Park-e Shahr is on Vahdat-e Eslami Street in central Tehran.
Ab o Atash Park is a conceptual modern park with varied attractions: water and fire fountains, a lighthouse, a planetarium dome, an amphitheater and multiple food courts. Its most iconic feature is the “Nature Bridge” (Pol-e Tabiat), an architecturally remarkable pedestrian bridge now popular for walks and photography — it’s become one of Tehran’s symbols.
Also known as Bustan Hazrat Ebrahim, the park covers roughly 24,000 square meters within the Abbas-Abad lands and combines several smaller gardens and recreation areas. The park also contains Tehran’s best skate track, making it a favorite for sporty gatherings.
Address: Ab o Atash Park sits at the start of Haghani Highway, after the Jahane-Koodak intersection.
As its name implies, Bagh-e Irani is laid out in the style of traditional Persian gardens. This park provides a retreat from Tehran’s modern bustle and a chance to experience classic Iranian architecture and garden design. Located amid northern Tehran’s older alleys, it’s a popular family picnic spot.
Features include pools, fountains, tulip beds, a pavilion with traditional architecture, a library and various arched structures. Although the buildings look new, many of the park’s trees are old.
Address: Bagh-e Irani is in District 3, Deh-Vanak neighborhood, Saberi alley.
Saei Park is a nostalgic, well-known and beloved green space with a pretty pond, mature trees and a small bird garden. The park’s resident cats are famous (similar to Laleh Park). Saei also offers a skate track, children’s play area and a cultural center.
If you’re after a pleasant walk and a walk down memory lane, Saei Park is a good pick.
Address: Saei Park is on Valiasr Street, Saei 1st.
Goftogu Park is famous among Tehranis. Designed with Iranian, French, English, Italian and Japanese garden influences, it hosts many exhibitions. Statues of cultural luminaries such as Saadi, Rudaki and Modarres appear through the site. With a cultural center, cafés, a pond and birds, Goftogu is a family-friendly urban attraction.
Address: Goftogu Park is in District 2, Kouy-e Nasr (Gisha), at the end of East Piroozi Street.
Tehran’s national parks are among the capital’s most pristine and wild green spaces.
Sorkheh-Hesar National Park in east Tehran was once a royal hunting ground and is now a protected area hosting diverse fauna and flora. The climate is semi-arid with significant day-night temperature swings. The park represents a rare natural ecosystem and typifies Tehran’s regional ecological conditions. Various guided tours operate inside Sorkheh-Hesar.
Address: The park lies in the Jajrood protected area in east Tehran.
Khajir National Park — another eastern Tehran reserve — covers about 10,000 hectares and is one of the country’s oldest no-hunting zones. Close to Sorkheh-Hesar, Khajir shares similar plant and animal communities, but because it’s farther from central Tehran it has suffered less ecological damage.
Address: Khajir National Park is about 22 km east of Tehran, south of the Haraz Road.
Tehran’s parks aren’t limited to the examples above. Parks such as Niavaran Park, Nehj-ol-Balagheh Park, Laleh Park, Pardisan Park and many others each have their own charm and significance. Don’t forget: Tehran hosts more than two thousand parks and green spaces.
