Travel Guide Yazd, Iran | Things to do in Yazd

Yazd – The City of Windcatchers and Zoroastrian Heritage

YAZD

Located in the heart of Iran’s desert, Yazd is one of the country’s most fascinating cities — a living museum of ancient Persian architecture and Zoroastrian heritage. Often called “The City of Windcatchers”, Yazd is famous for its traditional badgirs — elegant wind towers ingeniously designed to cool homes long before modern air conditioning existed.

Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Yazd’s old city is a maze of mud-brick alleys, covered bazaars, and courtyard houses, where visitors can easily lose themselves in history. The city’s fully pedestrian center invites travelers to explore at a leisurely pace — discovering traditional workshops, tea houses, and the sweet aromas of Yazdi confectioneries.

Yazd is also the spiritual heart of Zoroastrianism, one of the world’s oldest monotheistic religions. The Zoroastrian Fire Temple of Bahram houses a sacred flame that has been burning continuously since 470 AD, while the mysterious Towers of Silence (Dakhme) on the outskirts of the city reveal the ancient burial traditions of the faith. Another important pilgrimage site is Chak Chak, a mountain shrine in the desert that draws thousands of Zoroastrians every June.

The city is also a marvel of ancient Persian engineering. You can still see examples of the Qanat – an underground canal system that brought fresh mountain water to the desert – and the Yakhchal, traditional domed ice houses used to store ice throughout the year.

Main Sights in Yazd and Surroundings

  • Historic City Center: Explore Yazd’s pedestrian streets, windcatchers, traditional houses, and bazaars. A UNESCO-listed gem, it’s the perfect place to stroll, get lost, and enjoy a cup of tea with traditional Yazdi sweets.

  • Jame’e Mosque of Yazd: Dating back to the 12th century, this mosque is one of the finest examples of Persian-Islamic architecture. With its 52-meter-high entrance — the tallest in Iran — and stunning tilework, it’s a true architectural masterpiece.

  • Zoroastrian Fire Temple (Atashkadeh-e Bahram): The most important Zoroastrian temple in Iran, home to the sacred fire that has burned for over 1,500 years.

  • Towers of Silence (Dakhme): Ancient circular structures once used as open-air burial sites by Zoroastrians, located on a hilltop just outside the city.

  • Chak Chak: A sacred Zoroastrian pilgrimage site set dramatically against a cliffside in the desert.

  • Surrounding Areas: The nearby towns of Meybod, Ardakan, Taft, and Abarkuh offer ancient castles, caravanserais, and breathtaking desert landscapes, ideal for hiking and cultural day trips.

Zoroastrian tempels, Yazd