Shiraz is a historic city known to its visitors for its museums and ancient buildings. Join us to explore the museums and historical landmarks of this city.
Pars Museum of Shiraz
Pars Museum is considered one of the most valuable museums in Shiraz. It houses works by famous painters from the Zand era. Outside the museum, you can see stones from the Sun Palace engraved with scenes from the Shahnameh. The museum is located in a historic pavilion built in the “Kolah Farangi” style. Interestingly, this mansion was constructed under the direct supervision of Karim Khan Zand. Its pitched roof stands at 14.8 meters high, visible from afar. The main building is surrounded by an open, pleasant garden that lifts your spirits as you enter.
📍 Address: Shiraz, Shohada Square, Zand Street
Vakil Cistern Museum (Museum of Water)
Vakil Cistern is one of the most important historical sites in Shiraz, dating back to the Zand era, a golden age for the city. This cistern, part of the Vakil complex, has now been turned into a museum dedicated to water. Here you can explore various exhibits related to water and its historical significance.
📍 Address: Shiraz, Lotf Ali Khan Zand Street, west side of Vakil Mosque, beside the Bazaar
Narenjestan-e Qavam Garden Museum
Also known as the Qavam Garden, this is one of Shiraz’s most iconic attractions. The mansion dates back to the Qajar era. Due to the abundance of orange trees, it's commonly referred to as Narenjestan. Built between 1878–1888 during Naser al-Din Shah's reign, the mansion showcases beautiful architecture reflecting traditional Qajar-style Iranian design. The museum contains antique items, exquisite paintings, old coins, and historical tilework.
📍 Address: Shiraz, Lotf Ali Khan Zand Street, before Ghadir Square
Shiraz Natural History Museum
Located within Shiraz University, this scientific museum was established in 1974. It features sections on zoology, coins, stamps, anthropology, geology, botany, taxidermy, technology, human anatomy, and art. The museum holds over 2,500 specimens of animals, 60 medicinal plant species, a 70-million-year-old fish fossil, various minerals, and modern tech exhibits.
📍 Address: Shiraz, Modarres Blvd, Azadegan Street
Persepolis Museum
Considered Shiraz’s main museum, the Persepolis Museum is located in Xerxes' harem and dates back 2,500 years. It is believed to be the oldest museum building in the world. While many Persepolis artifacts are now in Tehran or international museums, this one holds lesser-known pieces from the Achaemenid era, offering a unique historical perspective.
📍 Address: Fars Province, Marvdasht County, Persepolis Complex
Shiraz Radio Museum
Located in a building from the Qajar period, dating back to Naser al-Din Shah’s reign, this museum features 100 different vintage radios.
📍 Address: Shiraz, South Saadiyeh District, Haft Tanan Blvd, Narenjestan Street, Delgosha Garden
Shiraz Stone Museum (Haft Tanan Museum)
Situated at the foot of Chehel Maqam Mountain, north of Hafez’s tomb, this museum is also known as the Haft Tanan Garden. It features an old mansion from the Zand era and seven ancient tombstones belonging to Sufi mystics. The ceiling paintings inside the mansion are especially beautiful.
📍 Address: Shiraz, Chehel Maqam foothills, north of Hafez Tomb
Shiraz Gem & Mineral Museum (Daryaye Noor)
One of Shiraz’s newest museums, opened in 2011 by Shiraz University officials. It is located inside the famous Eram Garden and houses 140 types of valuable gems and minerals.
📍 Address: Shiraz, Eram Garden
Shah Cheragh Museum
One of the oldest museums in Shiraz, opened in 1965 within the Shah Cheragh shrine complex. It contains over 8,000 historical items, including 3,000 manuscripts and old documents, many of which were donated.
📍 Address: Shiraz, Lotf Ali Khan Zand Street, Shah Cheragh Shrine
Vakil Bath Museum
Part of the Vakil complex, the historic bath was built between 1760–1779 under Karim Khan Zand’s supervision and opened in 1773. It has been fully restored and features wax statues to illustrate traditional Shirazi life and culture.
📍 Address: Shiraz, Taleghani Street, west side of Vakil Mosque and Bazaar
Traditional Costume Museum of Shiraz
Housed in a Qajar-era building, this museum showcases traditional Shirazi clothing with mannequins dressed in regional garments. It’s also a beautifully preserved historic house.
📍 Address: Shiraz, historical district, opposite Shah Cheragh, Haft Pech Alley, Salehi House
Anthropology Museum of Shiraz (Lapouei)
Located in the ancient city of Lapouei, 20 km from Persepolis and 25 km north of Shiraz, with a history dating back over 6,000 years. The museum contains ancient tools such as scales and agricultural equipment, offering a glimpse into early innovation.
📍 Address: Fars Province, Lapouei
Shiraz Music Museum
Set in a historic Qajar-era home once belonging to the Manteghi-Nejad family, the museum houses old musical instruments, recordings, handwritten scores, and more. The building itself has a serene courtyard and is architecturally charming.
📍 Address: Shiraz, Ahmadi Square, behind No Mosque
Shiraz Weaponry Museum
Located in a Pahlavi-era mansion with two floors, the museum showcases weapons from the Safavid period to modern times, some of which belonged to historical figures like Fath Ali Shah, Naser al-Din Shah, and Reza Shah.
📍 Address: Shiraz, south of Ghasr Dasht Street, end of Afif Abad Street
Museum of Visual Arts of Shiraz
Housed in a beautiful Qajar-era mansion once owned by Forough al-Molk, a prominent woman known for her role in art, mysticism, and the constitutional movement. The museum displays artworks like paintings, calligraphy, photography, and reliefs.
📍 Address: Shiraz, Old Town, Ayatollah Dastgheib Blvd, Sang-e Siah District, behind Bibi Dokhtaran Shrine
