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Golestan Palace
Best time to visit
Visit on a weekday morning right when gates open at 9 AM to avoid the largest crowds. Spring (March to May) offers the most comfortable temperatures for exploring the outdoor gardens and courtyards.
Budget tips
Entry costs 500,000 IRR (about $1-2) for Iranians and 15,000,000 IRR (about $3-5) for foreign tourists. Save money by skipping the separate museum entrance fees unless you are particularly interested in royal gifts and weaponry.
Recommended for
Architecture buffs, Photography enthusiasts, History lovers, Art and tilework admirers
Plan your visit
2-3 hours
About
Quick facts: The sprawling complex sprawls across 5.3 hectares and includes 17 distinct structures, each with its own personality. Over 18 tons of pure gold leaf were used to decorate the ceilings, halls, and ornate mirrors throughout the palace grounds.
Highlights: Inside the Marble Throne veranda, 65 massive slabs of yellow Yazd marble support a throne carved from a single 7,000-kilogram piece of stone. The adjacent mirror halls contain over 40,000 individual mirror pieces, each hand-cut and arranged to create a glittering nighttime illusion even in broad daylight.
Insider tips
- The Shams-ol-Emareh building offers the best photo opportunities in late afternoon light when the sun hits the tilework.
- Skip the 20-minute queue for the museum of gifts and focus your time on the main palace interiors instead.
- Bring socks since you must remove your shoes before entering most palace buildings.
- The basement of the main palace has a small cafe with surprisingly good tea at local prices, far cheaper than street vendors outside.
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