Major city · Iran
Sanandaj
Spend 1–2 days in Sanandaj: see the old bazaar, Dar al‑Ehsan Mosque and Abidar park; travel from Tehran by plane (1 h) or shared taxi (US$30).
Sanandaj, capital of Iran's Kurdistan Province, sits in a fertile Zagros valley. Its market, historic mosques and nearby nature (mountain caves, hot springs, lakes) fit a short stop. Flights from Tehran take about an hour; shared taxis cost around US$30. One full day covers the bazaar, museums and a park; add a second day for mountain hikes or lake trips.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IRR
- Best months
- May–October
- avoid December–February (cold, possible snow)
- Airport
- SDG
- Nights
- 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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Sanandaj110 ▾
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 Sanandaj, 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
- SafetySanandaj is generally safe for tourists; stay aware of occasional protests in Kurdish regions and keep valuables secure in crowded bazaars.
- Emergency numbers110 police · 115 ambulance · 125 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSDG Sanandaj Airport (5 daily flights from Tehran, about 1 h flight).
- Getting aroundCity centre is walkable; taxis and shared minibuses run frequently.
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 city (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi within city (3.1 mi (5 km))IRR 150 000–200 000
- Museum or sight ticketEntry to Dar al‑Ehsan MosqueIRR 50 000–100 000
- Budget bedBudget hotel/guesthouse, a night, per personIRR 300,000
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel, a night, per roomIRR 1,200,000
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel, a night, per roomIRR 1,800,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget IRR 500,000 · Mid IRR 800,000 · High IRR 1,200,000
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
- SDG Sanandaj Airport (5 daily flights from Tehran, about 1 h flight)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Mar
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Apr
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jun
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Aug
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Dec
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) low), wettest Nov (10 rain days), driest Jul (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Sanandaj: 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
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
8 rd
Feb
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
7 rd
Mar
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
7 rd
May
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
4 rd
Jul
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
3 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
4 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
6 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
Nov
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
9 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
City centre is walkable; taxis and shared minibuses run frequently. For trips to Abidar or nearby lakes, hire a local taxi (≈ US$15–20 for a round trip).
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Abidar Mountain
goDoor to door: ≈30 min total
Local taxi from city centre, about 15 min
Hiking and park access; bring water.
Lake Zarivar (Marivan)
cautionDoor to door: ≈4 h
Shared minibus, about 2 h each way
Longer trip; consider an overnight stay.
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.
Laleh International Hotel
5‑star, central, suitable for short stays
Hotel Kaj
Budget option near Ferdowsi St.
Shadi Hotel
Mid‑range, four‑star, English‑speaking staff
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 500 000–800 000 excl. bed
- Mid
- IRR 800 000–1 200 000 excl. bed
- High
- IRR 1 200 000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range hotel1 × 1 night × IRR 1,200,000 | IRR 1,200,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × IRR 800,000 | IRR 1,600,000 |
| Flight Tehran‑Sanandaj (round‑trip)2 × IRR 3,500,000 · Check airline for exact fare. | IRR 7,000,000 |
| Shared taxi Tehran‑Sanandaj2 × IRR 300,000 · US$30, approximate. | IRR 600,000 |
| eSIM data (1 week)2 × IRR 1,200,000 · Check local providers. | IRR 2,400,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | IRR 1,280,000 |
| Trip total≈ IRR 7,040,000 per person per day, bed included | IRR 14,080,000 |
Shadi Hotel example.
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Kurdish tea with sweetsCafe price. | ≈ IRR 30 000 |
| Meal at a mid‑range restaurant | IRR 200 000–350 000 |
| Taxi within city (5 km) | IRR 150 000–200 000 |
| Entry to Dar al‑Ehsan Mosque | IRR 50 000–100 000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Check flight schedules; winter may see fewer flights.
- Shared taxis from Tehran cost about US$30; confirm price before boarding.
- Some attractions (e.g., Dar al‑Ehsan Mosque) may have limited hours in Ramadan – verify locally.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Ambulance
- 115
- Fire
- 125
Pocket card
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SanandajSanandaj
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
بهئهواڵهكهم بۆTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Ambulance115
- Fire125
Embassy
US consular services are in Tehran; check the embassy website for updates.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Tehran → Sanandaj flight: ≈ IRR 2.5–5 M, 1 h (check airline)
- Shared taxi Tehran → Sanandaj: ≈ US$30 (≈ IRR 1.2 M)
- Local taxi city centre → Abidar: ≈ IRR 150 k round trip
Say or show
- سڵاو — Hello (salaam)
- سوپاس — Thank you (spas)
- قەدەرە؟ — How much? (qeder e?)
- بازار كوێیە؟ — Where is the bazaar? (bazar ko ye?)
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 Sanandaj. 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: May–October · avoid December–February (cold, possible snow)
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport‑to‑hotel shuttle (check availability).
- Taxi routes to Abidar and nearby lakes.
- Add a night in Marivan for lake visit.
Sources
Ask about Sanandaj
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