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Voykit pocket guide · Iran
Behshahr
بهشهر
Half a day to see the Abbas Abad complex and the palace gardens; one night if you want to relax by the Caspian. Not a base for the region.
Behshahr is a small Caspian city with a UNESCO garden complex from the Safavid era, a rare harbour and a relaxed pace. Most travellers stop between Sari and Gorgan for the Abbas Abad complex and the palace ruins, then move on.
- Country
- Iran
- Local name
- بهشهر
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (humid, hot), Dec–Feb (rainy, cold)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- IRR
- Money
- Foreign cards and ATMs do not work in Iran: see Insurance & payments above.
- Daily spend
- Budget IRR 3,000,000–5,000,000 excl. bed · Mid IRR 5,000,000–10,000,000 excl. bed · High IRR 10,000,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- Emergency
- Police 110 · Ambulance 115 · Fire 125
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Tea at a local café | IRR 50,000–100,000 |
| Kebab with rice (standard meal) | IRR 300,000–600,000 |
| Taxi within city | IRR 200,000–500,000 |
| Bus Behshahr → Sari | IRR 100,000–200,000 |
| Abbas Abad complex entry | IRR 500,000–1,000,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- SRY · Sari Dasht Naz International Airport
- About 35 min by taxi or private car
- GBT · Gorgan International Airport
- About 1 h 15 min by taxi or private car
Typical fares
- Sari airport → Behshahr
- about IRR 1,500,000–3,000,000 by taxi (check)
- Behshahr → Abbas Abad complex
- about IRR 1,000,000–2,000,000 return by taxi (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The city is walkable in the centre. For Abbas Abad and the harbour, you need a taxi or private car. Taxis are unmetered: agree the fare before you get in.
See and do
Known for
- Abbas Abad complex (UNESCO)
- Chehelston Garden and Mansion
- Caspian harbour
- Safavid palace ruins
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Sari | Taxi or bus, about 40 km (25 mi) westTaxi or bus, about 25 mi (40 km) west | About 45 min |
| Gorgan | Taxi or bus, about 50 km (31 mi) eastTaxi or bus, about 31 mi (50 km) east | About 1 h |
| Ramsar | Taxi or bus via the coastal road, about 150 km (93 mi) westTaxi or bus via the coastal road, about 93 mi (150 km) west | About 2.5 h |
Sleep
- City centre near Imam Khomeini Square
- Closest to bus station and basic hotels; limited options.
- Caspian coast road (east of centre)
- A few guesthouses with sea views; quieter, need a car.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | سلامsalaam |
| Thank you | مرسیmersi |
| How much? | چنده؟chandeh? |
| I don't understand | نمیفهممnemifahmam |
| Where is the toilet? | دستشویی کجاست؟dastshooyi kojast? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Scams and watch-outs
- Prices are often quoted in tomans, not rials: 1 toman = 10 rials. Confirm which unit is being used.
- The Abbas Abad complex is 9 km southeast: no public transport, arrange a return taxi.
- Alcohol is illegal. Do not bring any into the country.
- Credit cards and foreign cards do not work in Iran. Bring enough euros or US dollars cash to exchange.
Behshahr is safe for tourists by day. The main risks are traffic on the coastal road and the lack of English signage. Keep cash hidden and avoid walking alone after dark on unlit streets.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Behshahr yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Abbas Abad complex (UNESCO)
- Chehelston Garden and Mansion
- Caspian harbour
- Safavid palace ruins
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Behshahr, revision 5338096 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5338096
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/behshahr). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.