Tehran (also spelled Teheran) is the capital city of Iran. A bustling metropolis of 14 million people it is situated at the foot of the towering Alborz mountain range. Tehran is a cosmopolitan city, with great museums, parks, restaurants, warm friendly people and the chance to watch the daily life of Tehranis, it deserves at least a few days of your Iranian itinerary.

Tehran has also earned itself the rather unenviable reputation as a smog-filled, traffic-clogged and featureless sprawl of concrete housing bursting at the seams with 14 million residents. But, guided by the right guides, you can find an endless number of nice and cosy places in and around the city. Tehran is also a city of parks and possesses more than 800 well-kept parks.

Tehran's Mehrabad airport is the old pre-revolution airport and is being replaced with the new Imam Khomeini International Airport, but most western airlines still fly to Mehrabad. The old airport is located relatively close to the city center and the abundant taxis are definitely the best way to get to the city. There is a booth organizing taxis for you right outside the arrivals hall.