Any travellers interested in piercing right into the heart of this truly enigmatic nation of the Arabian Middle East, or in discovering the truth of all the political machinations that click over here like clockwork, would do well to give the sprawling megacity of Tehran a fair share of their time.
The city sits nestled under the snow-capped ridges of the dramatic Alborz Mountain Range, bubbling up in a series of high-rise districts and sprawling neighbourhoods. Today it plays host to a wealth of cultural institutions, art galleries, that timely metro system, the sprawling bazaars of Bazar-e Bozorg, the majestic palaces of the Rose Gardens, looming artworks like the Azadi Monument, and an overarching, unflappable drive for the new and cutting-edge.
If you’re interested in experiencing the city like a local, then be sure to ask your Tehran tourist guide about the popular cinemas, the parks of the centre or the walking trails that lead from the city to the hills, and perhaps about a social jaunt to the pistes of the nearby Tochal or Dizin ski resorts.