Major city · Iran
Esfarayenاسفراین
Half a day: see Belqeys Citadel and the tomb of Babaghodrat, then move on. Not a base.
Esfarayen is a small historical city in North Khorasan, about 60 km south of Bojnourd and 100 km north of Sabzevar. Its main draw is the Belqeys Citadel, a large mud-brick complex, and the tomb of Babaghodrat. Most travellers pass through on the way between Mashhad and the Caspian region.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IRR
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot), Dec–Feb (cold)
- Airports
- BJB · AFZ
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5Security advice in this region can change within a dayCheck your own government travel advice for Iran before a…
- Middle East ↗Security advice in this region can change within a day; re-read your government's page before departure and again before any border or regional flight.
- Middle East ↗Public drunkenness, public displays of affection and offensive gestures or online posts can lead to arrest in the Gulf states and Iran; dress modestly outside beaches and hotels.
- Iran ↗Check your own government travel advice for Iran before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Iran ↗Entry rules, visa type and nationality restrictions differ sharply by passport and change quickly.
- Iran ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to Iran before you rely on it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Esfarayen110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Esfarayen, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Foreign cards and ATMs do not work in Iran: see Insurance & payments above.Iran-wide
- SafetyEsfarayen is a quiet provincial town.
- Emergency numbers110 police · 115 ambulance · 125 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBJB Bojnourd Airport (About 60 km (37 mi) north; taxis and shared savari available).BJB Bojnourd Airport (About 37 mi (60 km) north; taxis and shared savari available).
- Getting aroundThe city is walkable; taxis for the citadel (about 5 km (3.1 mi) south-east).The city is walkable; taxis for the citadel (about 3.1 mi (5 km) south-east).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi within the citycheckIRR 150,000–300,000
- Budget bedDorm bed in basic hotel, a night, per personIRR 500,000
- Mid-range bedPrivate room in traditional house, a night, per roomIRR 2,500,000
- High-end bedPrivate room in traditional house, a night, per roomIRR 4,000,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget IRR 2,000,000 · Mid IRR 4,000,000 · High IRR 8,000,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BJB Bojnourd Airport (About 60 km (37 mi) north; taxis and shared savari available) · AFZ Sabzevar Airport (About 100 km (62 mi) south; check flight schedules)BJB Bojnourd Airport (About 37 mi (60 km) north; taxis and shared savari available) · AFZ Sabzevar Airport (About 62 mi (100 km) south; check flight schedules)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Mar
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Apr
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
May
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jun
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jul
Avoid
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Aug
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Sep
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Nov
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Dec
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)), coolest Jan (−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C) low), wettest Mar (9 rain days), driest Jul (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Esfarayen: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
6 rd
Feb
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
7 rd
Mar
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
9 rd
Apr
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
May
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6 rd
Jun
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
2 rd
Jul
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
1 rd
Aug
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
1 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2 rd
Oct
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4 rd
Nov
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
5 rd
Dec
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The city is walkable; taxis for the citadel (about 5 km south-east). Shared savari to Bojnourd and Sabzevar from the terminal.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Bojnourd
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Shared savari from the terminal, about 1 h
Larger city with bazaar and parks.
Sabzevar
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Shared savari, about 1.5 h
Historical city with a bazaar and the Jameh Mosque.
Nishapur
cautionDoor to door: About 2.5 h
Car via Sabzevar, about 2.5 h
A full day; better as a stop on the Mashhad route.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
City centre
Near the bazaar and main square; a few basic hotels and the Omidiye Traditional House.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- IRR 1,500,000–3,000,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- IRR 3,000,000–6,000,000 excl. bed
- High
- IRR 6,000,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Private room in traditional house1 × 1 night × IRR 2,500,000 | IRR 2,500,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × IRR 4,000,000 | IRR 8,000,000 |
| Shared savari to Bojnourd, one way2 × IRR 200,000 · check | IRR 400,000 |
| Shared savari to Sabzevar, one way2 × IRR 300,000 · check | IRR 600,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | IRR 1,150,000 |
| Trip total≈ IRR 6,330,000 per person per day, bed included | IRR 12,650,000 |
2026 estimate in Iranian rials; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Kamejosh (local dish) at a restaurantcheck | IRR 200,000–400,000 |
| Dogh (yogurt drink)check | IRR 30,000–60,000 |
| Shared savari to Bojnourdcheck | IRR 200,000 |
| Taxi within the citycheck | IRR 150,000–300,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Belqeys Citadel has no shade: bring water and a hat.
- Credit cards are not accepted; bring enough Iranian rials (or tomans) in cash.
- Women must wear a headscarf (hijab) in public at all times.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Ambulance
- 115
- Fire
- 125
Pocket card
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Esfarayenاسفراین
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
به این آدرس لطفاًTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Ambulance115
- Fire125
Embassy
Most embassies are in Tehran; the nearest consular services are in Mashhad (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Shared savari to Bojnourd: about IRR 200,000, about 1 h (check)
- Shared savari to Sabzevar: about IRR 300,000, about 1.5 h (check)
- Taxi to Belqeys Citadel: IRR 200,000–400,000 (check)
Say or show
- سلام — Hello (salaam)
- مرسی — Thank you (mersi)
- چنده؟ — How much? (chande?)
- قلعه کجاست؟ — Where is the citadel? (ghale kojast?)
- نمیفهمم — I don't understand (nemifahmam)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Esfarayen. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (hot), Dec–Feb (cold)
- 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Belqeys Citadel and the tomb of Babaghodrat with verified hours and entry fees.
- Eat page for kamejosh and dogh.
- Sleep page for Omidiye Traditional House with contact and price bands.
Sources
Ask about Esfarayen
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