Best Time to Visit Shiraz

Spring and autumn: the sweet spots

March to April and October to November are the months to aim for. Days are mild, evenings are cool, and you can walk between sights without melting. In April the orange blossom is out, and the gardens at Eram and Afif Abad smell wonderful. Nowruz, the Persian New Year, falls around 20 or 21 March. Iranian families travel then, so Shiraz is busy and hotels fill up. The first two weeks of the new year are the real squeeze. Late March and April after that are calmer.

October is dry and warm, and the light is soft at Persepolis, about an hour's drive northeast. Nov is cooler and has more rain, but it's still pleasant for walking around the Vakil Bazaar and the Nasir al-Molk (Pink) Mosque. Go in the morning, when sun pours through the stained glass.

Summer: hot, dry and quiet

June to August is hard going. Highs reach 38°C to 40°C, with July the hottest. There's almost no rain, and the air is very dry, so the heat feels sharp rather than sticky. Midday at Persepolis, where there's almost no shade, is tough. If you must come, do the ruins right at opening or late afternoon, then spend the middle of the day in the bazaar's cool brick halls or a teahouse.

May and September are the shoulder months. May is warm and still comfortable, though it gets hot by afternoon. September stays hot, with highs around 35°C, but the nights ease off. Both are good for cheaper, quieter trips if you can handle the heat.

Winter: cool, grey and cheap

December to February is cool and a bit damp, with lows near freezing in January. Our comfort scores for this season are good, and December and February rate Excellent. Rain tends to come in short spells, and in between you get clear, crisp days. It's a fine time for the city's sights, which you'll often share with few other visitors. Pack a proper coat for evenings, since it's cold after dark.

For poetry fans, the tombs of Hafez and Saadi, two of Persia's most loved poets, are lovely in any season. Locals visit Hafez's tomb in the evening, so you'll find it lively even in cold weather. Travelling on a budget or hate crowds? Winter and the hot summer months are your best bet, as long as you're happy to skip the best weather.