Holiday in Mashhad

What makes Mashhad special as a destination?

Mashhad is the second largest city in Iran and the most significant religious and spiritual center of the country. Every year, over 20 million believers pilgrimage to the shrine of Imam Reza, the eighth Imam of the Twelver Shiites — making Mashhad one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the Islamic world and the largest pilgrimage site in Shiite Islam. The Imam Reza shrine complex is a city within a city: covering an area of over 600,000 square meters, it includes mosques, museums, libraries, a cemetery, a university, and vast prayer courtyards that can accommodate hundreds of thousands of pilgrims at the same time. The golden dome and minarets are visible from afar and form the heart of the city. The Bazar-e Reza, located directly at the shrine, is one of the largest covered bazaars in Iran: saffron, dried fruits, hand-knotted carpets, turquoise from Neyshabur, and religious souvenirs are offered in labyrinthine alleys. Mashhad is the gateway to the Iranian saffron region — the most valuable saffron in the world comes from Khorasan province. The Nader Shah mausoleum commemorates the Persian conqueror of the 18th century, who ruled an empire from India to the Caucasus. The tomb houses a museum with weapons and historical artifacts. The surroundings of Mashhad offer natural experiences: The Torghabeh-Shandiz corridor in the mountains is a popular recreational area with cool temperatures, orchards, and traditional restaurants overlooking the valley floor.