Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The whole country hits the road for No Ruz, the Iranian New Year, which is also the
start of spring. For two weeks Iran virtually shuts down. Hotels are packed and trav-
elling is tricky.
CHAHAR SHANBE-SOORI
The Tuesday night before the last Wednesday of the Iranian year sees Iranians sing, dance
and jump over fires to burn off bad luck as part of the controversial 'pagan' tradition of
Chahar shanbe-soori
(
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)
.
NO RUZ
The pre-Islamic celebration of No Ruz (
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)
falls on the spring equinox on 21
March. It's a huge family celebration on a par with Christmas in the West and many
people take two weeks off. Tehran is empty at this time.
April
It's spring, the temperatures rise, flowers bloom, Iranians return to work and
weather-wise it's the best time to visit. April and May is peak season for foreign trav-
ellers; book ahead for rooms and flights.
ISLAMIC REPUBLIC DAY
1 April is a public holiday for the anniversary of the referendum that officially established
the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979. It's marked by rallies, speeches and military parades.
SIZDAH BE DAH
Sizdah be Dar ('13th day of the year', 2 April) is a public holiday when the entire popula-
tion heads to the countryside for a picnic. It's a pre-Islamic tradition that symbolises mak-
ing a fresh start.
