Major city · Iran
Soltaniyehسلطانیه
Half a day is enough: see the Dome of Soltaniyeh, the third-largest brick dome in the world, then move on. No need to stay overnight.
Soltaniyeh is a small town in Iranian Azerbaijan, 240 km north-west of Tehran, that was the capital of the Mongol Ilkhanid rulers in the 14th century. Its main – and for most travellers only – reason to visit is the Dome of Soltaniyeh, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the third-largest brick dome in the world. The rest of the town is a quiet, spread-out ruin of what was once intended to be 'the largest and most magnificent city in the world'. Most visitors come for a half-day stop between Zanjan and other sights in the region.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- IRR
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot), Dec–Feb (cold, some snow)
- Airport
- JWN
- Nights
- 0
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 Soltaniyeh110 ▾
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 Soltaniyeh, 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
- SafetycheckSoltaniyeh is safe for tourists, but as with all of Iran, check your government's travel advice before planning.
- Emergency numbers110 police · 115 ambulance · 125 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckJWN Zanjan Airport (About 40 km (25 mi) west; limited domestic flights (check).).JWN Zanjan Airport (About 25 mi (40 km) west; limited domestic flights (check).).
- Getting aroundSoltaniyeh is walkable: the dome and the ruins are within a few hundred metres of each other.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealSimple meal (kebab or stew)checkIRR 500,000–1,000,000 (check)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi Zanjan–Soltaniyeh (one way)checkIRR 1,500,000 (check)
- Museum or sight ticketDome of Soltaniyeh entrycheckIRR 500,000 (check)
- Budget bedBasic guesthouse or hostel bed in Zanjan, a night, per personIRR 1,500,000
- Mid-range bedMid-range hotel double in Zanjan, a night, per roomIRR 7,000,000
- High-end bedMid-range hotel double in Zanjan, a night, per roomIRR 12,000,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget IRR 2,000,000 · Mid IRR 5,000,000 · High IRR 10,000,000
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
- JWN Zanjan Airport (About 40 km (25 mi) west; limited domestic flights (check).)JWN Zanjan Airport (About 25 mi (40 km) west; limited domestic flights (check).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Feb
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Mar
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Nov
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Dec
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C) low), wettest Apr (12 rain days), driest Jul (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Soltaniyeh: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
8 rd
Feb
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
8 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
11 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
12 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
11 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
3 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
3 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
6 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
7 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
8 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
Soltaniyeh is walkable: the dome and the ruins are within a few hundred metres of each other. To reach the town you need a private car or taxi from Zanjan (about 40 km, 40 min).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Zanjan
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Taxi or private car, about 40 km (25 mi) west, 40 minTaxi or private car, about 25 mi (40 km) west, 40 min
Base yourself here for accommodation and onward transport.
Takht-e Soleyman
goDoor to door: About 2 h
Taxi or private car, about 120 km (75 mi) north-west, 2 hTaxi or private car, about 75 mi (120 km) north-west, 2 h
Another UNESCO site; a full day trip from Zanjan or Soltaniyeh.
Tabriz
cautionDoor to door: About 3.5–4.5 h
Taxi or bus via Zanjan, about 300 km (186 mi) north-west, 3–4 hTaxi or bus via Zanjan, about 186 mi (300 km) north-west, 3–4 h
A long day trip; better as an overnight or part of a longer itinerary.
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.
Zanjan city
The nearest place with a range of hotels; about 40 km (25 mi) west. Most visitors base themselves here and day-trip to Soltaniyeh.The nearest place with a range of hotels; about 25 mi (40 km) west. Most visitors base themselves here and day-trip to Soltaniyeh.
Soltaniyeh town
A few basic guesthouses may exist (check); not recommended for comfort.
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 2,000,000–4,000,000 excl. bed (check)
- Mid
- IRR 4,000,000–8,000,000 excl. bed (check)
- High
- IRR 8,000,000+ excl. bed (check)
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel double in Zanjan1 × 1 night × IRR 7,000,000 | IRR 7,000,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × IRR 5,000,000 | IRR 10,000,000 |
| Taxi from Zanjan to Soltaniyeh (one way)1 × IRR 1,500,000 · check | IRR 1,500,000 |
| Dome of Soltaniyeh entry2 × IRR 500,000 · check | IRR 1,000,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | IRR 1,950,000 |
| Trip total≈ IRR 10,730,000 per person per day, bed included | IRR 21,450,000 |
2026 estimate in Iranian rials (IRR); prices spoken in tomans (10 rials). Flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Dome of Soltaniyeh entrycheck | IRR 500,000 (check) |
| Taxi Zanjan–Soltaniyeh (one way)check | IRR 1,500,000 (check) |
| Simple meal (kebab or stew)check | IRR 500,000–1,000,000 (check) |
| Bottle of water (1.5 L)check | IRR 30,000–50,000 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The dome interior may have limited opening hours: check the official site before visiting.
- No train service at Soltaniyeh station; the nearest major railway station is in Zanjan.
- Bring cash (Iranian rials); there are no ATMs or card facilities for foreign cards in Soltaniyeh.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Ambulance
- 115
- Fire
- 125
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Soltaniyehسلطانیه
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 consulate for many countries is in Tabriz (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Zanjan → Soltaniyeh taxi: about IRR 1,500,000 (check)
- Zanjan → Tehran bus: about IRR 500,000–1,000,000 (check)
Say or show
- سلام — Hello (salaam)
- مرسی — Thank you (mersi)
- چنده؟ — How much is it? (chandeh?)
- گنبد کجاست؟ — Where is the dome? (gonbad kojast?)
- با کارت میشه پرداخت کرد؟ — Can I pay by card? (ba kart mishe pardakht kard?)
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 Soltaniyeh. 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: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (hot), Dec–Feb (cold, some snow)
- 1 airport and 2 areas 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 page for the Dome of Soltaniyeh with verified opening hours and ticket price.
- Eat page for Soltaniyeh with last orders and cash-only warning.
- Day-trip page for Takht-e Soleyman from Zanjan.
Sources
Ask about Soltaniyeh
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