Iran Painting Tour

Salaam! Welcome to Iran, the land of ancient history, culture, and art. Iran painting tour will start from Tehran, the modern capital of Iran, which is known as the modern art hub where the best art faculties, art galleries and museums are located. You are going to be transferred from IKA Airport to your hotel and after taking a short rest and meeting your guide, you’ll visit the Iran National Museum to learn about Iran’s ancient art and the Islamic Art Museum to get acquainted with Iranian fine art during the Islamic period. This evening will be spent visiting one of the best art galleries of Tehran considering the available exhibitions to enjoy a painting, sculpture, or photography exhibition.

In the morning see some modern art pieces from the Iranian and international artists at Tehran's Contemporary Art Museum and , and then visit the Carpet Museum, home to hundreds of nomadic and city carpets of Iran. Then visit the Iranian Artists Forum and meet an Iranian artist (painter, sculpture, photographer, etc.) to get acquainted with Iranian modern art, their activities and challenges, and Tehran city atmosphere as the most important hub of artists in Iran. Spend this afternoon at Iranian Artists Forum, which is a complex including several art galleries, theatre halls, cafes, and a lovely garden. Visit some painting exhibitions, and meet young painters and artists and have a chat with them.

This morning you’ll visit the royal Golestan Palace complex of Tehran including Qajarid palaces and garden which is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the highlights of Iran. Then sit at the lush and chraming courtyard of the complex and paint the exterior of the palace. After having lunch at one of the best retaurants of the city, head to Tehran's rail station and catch an overnight train to Shiraz. 

you can stay at the courtyard for a couple of hours to paint the palace’s exterior. After having lunch transfer to Tehran train station to take an overnight train to Shiraz.

Arrive shiraz in the morning and after having a breakfast at the hotel and refreshing, visit the Naranjestan Garden, which was the residential mansion of the Ghavam family who lived there during Qajar Dynasty. Then walk along the historical Vakil Bazaar, where locals are busy with trading colorful textiles, carpets, aromatic herbs, etc. Then visit the Karimkhan Citadel and learn about its history and checkout the tile-works of the Pars Museum which characterize Shiraz art style. After taking a rest and having some traditional ice-cream and herbal beverage, we will head to a workshop to learn about the history the meaning and the techniques of “Gol o Morgh” painting (literally meaning rose and nightingale), which was flourished in Shiraz during the Zand Dynasty. Spend a relaxing afternoon in Shiraz by practicing some Gol o Morgh painting and enjoying Iranian music.

Rise early in the morning and visit the magnificent Nasir al Molk Mosque, known as the pink mosque. Then drive for 60 kilometers to visit Persepolis (UNESCO World Heritage) the most important historical site of Iran, the showpiece of Achaemenid architecture dating back to 518 B.C and be amazed by its palaces, bass reliefs and epigraphies. Stay in the area for a while and enjoy sketching this architectural masterpiece. After visiting Naqsh-e Rostam (Necropolis) drive back to Shiraz and enjoy a free evening in the city.

This morning you’ll move to Yazd (460 km). On the way stop to visit the ancient city of Pasargadae and the Tomb of Cyrus the Great (UNESCO World Heritage). Also visit the 4000-year-old cypress tree and the historical icehouse in Abarkooh Town. After checking in at your hotel, enjoy having a supper at a café in the Historic City of Yazd.

Start Yazd city tour by visiting the Zoroastrian heritages of the city including the Towers of Silence and the Fire Temple which is home to a holy Zoroastrian fire burning since 470 AD. Then visit the Yazd Jame Mosque and then get acquainted with Zoorkhaneh tradition which is traditional Iranian gym, where the men practice symbolic and herois excercises. This ancient tradition is inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage. Enjoy a free afternoon in Yazd. 

This morning you’ll visit the lush Dowlat Abad Garden which is one of the nine Persian Gardens inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage and is known for its 33-meter-high wind tower and its eye-catching pavilion. Then you’ll walk through the Yazd old city district and learn about this city’s fascinating architecture. This afternoon you’ll meet a local painter at his workshop then you will have free time for painting Yazd old city landscapes, from a roof top.

Say goodbye to the beautiful city of Yazd and move toward Isfahan. On the way visit the historical city of Naein and its Jame Mosque, known as one of the oldest Iranian mosques. Arriving Isfahan and checking in to your hotel, you’ll walk by the Zayandeh River passing along the glorious city of Isfahan and visit the historical bridges (Si-o Se Pol and Khaju Bridge) built over it during the Safavid Era. You can sit on the benches by the river for an hour and enjoy sketching the bridges at night. 

Today, enjoy Isfahan city tour and admire the fantastic heritages of the Safavaid Dynasty, constructed during the 16th and 17th centuries, when Shah Abbas ruled Iran and Isfahan was one of the most impressive cities in the whole world. Isfahan is the city where different types of Persian art bloomed. First, explore the royal Ali Qapu Palace and get inspired by its wall paintings. Continue your Safavid trip and visit the two mosques around this square, Sheikh Lotfollah and Imam Mosques, and learn about Islamic architecture during the Safavid time. After visiting the fascinating wall paintings inside Chehel Sotun Palace (UNESCO World Heritage), join a Persian miniature painting class to learn about this Iranian painting style.

In the morning visit the Jame Mosque of Isfahan (Masjed-e Jame of Isfahan). This graceful UNESCO world heritage site displays the evolution of architecture over 12 centuries and the first example of a four-Ivan layout in Iranian mosques. Then travel to New Julfa, the Armenian quarter of Isfahan and visit the Vank Church. Then get acquainted with Iranian music and instruments in the Isfahan Music Museum and enjoy a live performance.

Move to Maranjab Desert early in the morning. This desert is covered with sand dunes and salt-friendly plants. After visiting the Safavid caravanserai in the desert you will be free to find a good spot and paint the desert landscapes the whole day and during the wonderful sunset. Tonight’s accommodation will be at an ecolodge ran by a local family where you can enjoy a million-star sky.

After having a breakfast, you’ll move to Kashan, the last city you’ll visit in Iran on this trip. First you’ll see the Fin Garden, another Persian Garden inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage and then two historical Persian houses, including Tabatabai and Boroujerdi houses, which show the beauties of Iranian architecture. Then walk in the Kashan Bazaar and get amazed at its architecture and oriental atmosphere. Maybe you can do some sketching in Aminoddole Caravanserai, which is the amazing part of Kashan Bazaar.

Visit a carpet weaving workshop and get acquainted with Iranian carpet motifs, their background and carpet designing. Then you’ll be transferred to IKA Airport to get your flight back home.